RubyTuesday

Hi Lucy- I find the powders are much better. I put a scoop of vanilla Isopure brand in, add frozen fruits, ice, and skim milk or yogurt (depending on your desired thickness) and blend! and you can barely taste the powder. If the powder makes the consistancy add 1/2 scoop, and just add little scoops here and there to compensate. I love frozen blackberries, mango, raspberries. Makes the best shakes ever!! Also, I've been drinking Isopure brand Fruit drinks with 40 grams of Protein and 160 cals per 20 oz. bottle. And I personally think they are very tasty. Let me know if you try that stuff and how it works out for you!

Hi Lauren! My pre-op diet was 4 no sugar added packets of carnation instant breakfast with 8 oz of skim milk a day and a resonable meal to equal 1500 cals. My surgeon said the biggest thing was to keep it low fat, low carb and under 1500. As can see 1500 is NOT a starvation diet, and very easy to stick to. Good luck!!

You guys are definitely right about that. Have you had problems with diarrhea?

Well that's a relief to know. I said to hell with it, and showered anyway! So, I'm glad you were cleared for it. I'll just go with your Doc's advice. haha.

I understand Bill's concern- I was directed by my doctor not to shower for 5-10 days. They used derma bond on my incisions. Anyone take showers anyway?? I'm dying here. Not really- but I stink.

mini hijack here.... why do these foods cause cramps, and what does it feel like when you can't tolerate?? Alot of my post op medication I ended up throwing right back up. will that happen with food too? Now, as for the discussion- Manatee I feel the same way. I had surgery on Monday, and everytime I eat anything the gurgling and pressure is intense, and then comes the bathroom dash. They sent me home on full liquids for 3 weeks or so. I've been sticking to light soups/broths/water/isopure drinks. Let me know how it turns out for you. -Ruby

Hey Liz- I'm fairly new myself and was just sleeved on Monday (Nov. 2nd). I had all of those concerns too, but once the surgery was done, I felt so much more at ease about it all. I still have a lot to experience, but so far, I feel so much better about all my pre-op concerns. Good luck and welcome!!! -Ruby

JMG- I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling with this. I'm only a couple days post op myself, and find myself wanting REAL food, right now! So, I have to take it a day at a time. And every time I think like that, I drink Water (I'm having trouble staying hydrated, so this is my way to keep up with it). I also remind myself that this is not permanant- the liquid phase. I'll be able to enjoy all that stuff very soon, in a healthy way. Another thing that has helped me is having accountability friends. They helped me through the pre-op phase and are helping me now. It's like having a sponsor. I just call them up when I feel like I'm going to crack, and they help me re-center. Do you have anyone like that? I'd be happy to be your buddy, if you want? I could use the extra support too. Good luck. And remember, you don't have to wait until tomorrow to start over. -Ruby p.s. My surgeon uses the realize web site (they have products for sleeve) and I'm able to track everything I'm doing- Protein, water, cals, fat, carbs.. EVERYTHING! And it's fun and keeps me busy. You can do it for free, and have limited access without your surgeon confirming he used a realize product.

My period arrived two weeks late, on the day of surgery (Monday). It reared it's ugly head, but luckily,most nurses are so great, and really made me feel better about everything. I needed help changing my pads, and "victoria's secret" special undies, and getting cleaned up. But they were all so comforting and wonderful about it. I even had a few big messes *sorry- TMI i know!* But it was not bad. I just absolutely love nurses. I swear, without them the world would not go 'round!!

Well guys, it's OFFICIAL!!! I'm getting my surgery next Monday, Nov. 2nd!! I'm so excited. I can't believe it. I'm getting so nervous too, and feeling a little overwhelmed at all the changes I have to make. I feel like I don't even know where to begin. Any advice, suggestions, encouragment?? Thanks, guys :biggrin0:)

Well I made it through!!!! I'm officially sleeved!!!!!!! I can't wait until this thing gets rolling. I will say I'm down 6 lbs from the day before surgery. hahaha. I'm sure that dehydration though. Anywho, evrything went very smoothly and they discharged my a day early because I was so ambulatory. My only complaint is that I have an extremely inconvienant intolerance to pain medication. The only thing Ive been able to tolerate is tylenol codeine. What a bummer??! Oh well, for the most part the pain is definitely managable. The best part- not a lick of hunger!! I have no desire to eat. I'm so happy. Thanks for all prayers and thoughts everyone! I'm going to rest and will keep you all updated. p.s. i can't believe it finally happened!!

Thanks all. I'll update when I get out of the hospital!!

Like Gin said, the acid from the vomit is more likely to erode away the enamel on your teeth if you brush right away. While pregnant, and suffering from severe morning sickness, my dentist suggested using mouth wash first, then brushing.

Thanks for all the support :confused1:) I'm two days away now and just trying to get everything together. Keep me in your prayers! Monday is the big day.

Oh, Judy I'm so sorry! I'll keep you in my prayers.

Hey Kym! I have my surgery the same day! Good luck!

Oh goodness no! Your enthusiasm is infectious! Your response kind of helped kick my out of my pre-surgical "funk". Thanks to everyone. Only 7 days!

I want to be able to play soccer again. I want to be a runner again.

That would be great Tiffy- this is our first deployment together, and I know it's going to be tough. I know I could use all the support I can get. I bet him not even recognizing you made you feel so good! I can't wait for that. After 12 months of being apart, he's gonna have a whole new wife (hopefully!)

Oh, don't get me wrong- I'm READY, excited, etc- but nervous for the here-on-after part. I think it's all the lifestyle changes that I'll have to make. Also, my hubby is deploying the following week, so I'll be doing it on my own. But as he says- think POSITIVE. I'm excited for you Judy, and so happy that you're ready to go!

Hey everyone-I'm a newbie. I jsut received my date of Nov. 2nd. I'm getting nervous. Every time I've read these forums and have seen people ''chicken" out, or say they were nervous, I would think- how could you??! Now, as my date approaches, I get it. I'm definitely starting to get cold feet!

Hey guys! I'm new here and was hoping I could get some input and perspective. I was originally dead set on the band, then on gastric, and now on the sleeve. I've heard some really good things about the sleeve, and so far it seems to be the most "consistent". What are the disadvantages/advantages. What have your experiences been? And- is anyone from the El Paso area? I'll be going through William Beaumont, and looking at a Nov. date. Thanks! :thumbup: -Ruby

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. As I understand it the sleeve is similar to the band because they both restrict? Why has the sleeve worked better for you than the band? How was recovery and post op eating? It's looking like I'll be sleeved in November. And I canNOT WAIT!! :blushing:

BattleKat- Are you still in El Paso?? If you are, did you get banded here?? who did you go through? 26 lbs in 4 weeks is INSANE!!! I'm so happy for you! Keep up the awesome work. Texans- I thought I'd pose a question to everyone. I've just been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and am doing my last sleep study to get my machine. For those of you with OSA, how's life with the machine? After losing weight, did you stop using? What do you do with the machine when you travel? I'm probably the only person in the history of the world HAPPY to have this diagnoses. I have been looking for an answer to how badly I feel for over a year, and was begining to think I'm crazy (and everyone else was too.) Thanks!! -Ruby

Well, I'm kind of behind on this thread, but I'm in El Paso, TX. Yay sun city! I will be getting banded and just waiting on dates now. So excited, and just praying it won't be a long wait!