almost40

Had surgery May 27th - my doc told me prior to surgery that I could have anything liquid (including instant breakfast) after surgery. That said, I noticed stomach pain when I did milk Protein products and could only do one per day. The Isopure from GNC (Grape) with ice has been a lifesaver. The thing that is the hardest is I am hungrier than ever! I actually snuck a piece of chocolate yesterday (day 4 post-op) and it was so painful last night that I learned my lesson. The one thing that has changed for me since surgery is that all those people who think WLS is the EASY way are so mis-informed. This is harder than any diet I have ever done. More painful and more difficult. It is also my last resort. I have heard the LB described as a shock collar for overeaters - it is so true. The good news is after my little cheat yesterday (I made sure the chocolate was liquified before it went down) I realize that I don't have the room to cheat on this plan. So today I am back to Clear Liquids to go easy on my stomach. Listening to my body. I can say for sure that having the 40 grams of protein in one bottle of Isopure has saved me - because constantly sipping it has made me less hungry and I am doing ok energy wise. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is bending down to pick something up off the floor 5 days post op- did that this morning and OUCH! I am really looking forward to tomorrow when I can have pudding and full liquids (yogurt, etc.) for two more days and then soft food puree after that. I also picked up a great book called Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery from Amazon and I am really excited to try the food in there - she offers instructions on everything from the puree stage of your diet to full foods and it is a little "foodie" but hey, if I am going to completely change my food lifestyle it is going to be fun to cook very good food while losing weight. I guess that's it. Pain hasn't been that bad - my doc put pain medication directly into my incisions which wore off about 8pm the day of surgery but I think it helped A LOT - post op pain hasn't been so bad. I am doing 800 mg of liquid motrin every 8 hours - that has helped a lot with the swelling. I still can't believe I did this but know now I can't go back so I might as well move forward. I actually gained 5 pounds in the hospital from the IV which put me up to 270 - with the liquid diet I am now down to 258 this morning - 5 days out - thinking that weight loss may go away after I switch to pureed food before my first fill... So glad to read about everyone else. It is nice to know I am not alone in this journey.

I was banded on 5/27 and on a clear liquid diet for 7 days. Isopure in the Grape flavor has been a lifesaver - freeze until slushy or put in a cup half full of ice chips and water - so you are diluting it. One bottle is the size of a regular soda bottle and has 40 grams of protein - I sip it all day and it is so helpful...

My surgery was done Thursday, May 27th 2010. Pretty easy - showed up at 6:30am and was on the table by 7:30am. Woke up and was doing ice chips - my mouth was really dry. Went home by 11am and slept most of the way home. Got home and took liquid meds (I filled them before surgery and would definitely do that again), and went to sleep. I also started chewing gum to keep my mouth moist. My doc had put pain killer directly into the incisions to help me stay numb - that wore off about 8pm the day of surgery - ouch. I stayed on the hydrocodone until Saturday night. Since then I have been ok with liquid ibuprofen. The clear liquid diet is difficult - I recommend Isopure from GNC - 40 grams of protein - fill a cup halfway with crushed ice, and water and then the rest the drink - grape is the best flavor. I also have found that chewing gum is very helpful as you don't miss eating as much.

I am approved and scheduled for 27th of May. Starting the pre-op food plan this Thursday. Excited and scared at the same time.