Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[Lissa_S 787]

I think if I have a glass of bubbles on Xmas day, I'll sleep through to New Years. I was a massive light weight before surgery and now wouldn't dare touch it. I'm scared that my eyes will be bigger than my tummy. I'm looking at all my yummy old recipes that I used to make and getting a little depressed. I just know that I won't have room for seafood, and ham, and turkey, and potato dishes, and salads and 3 helpings of dessert. THIS IS A GOOD THING. maybe if I say it to myself every day until Christmas, by the time the day comes I'll have convinced myself.

Thought just came to me... What on earth am I going to do with the full leg ham that my work gives us each Xmas? It'll take me a year to eat it. Lol.

I know what you mean. Christmas is an eating day from start to finish...an endurance event. There is just no way I will be able to do what I used to Having thought about it for a little while, I decided to have three things I wanted to have a little of over Christmas - for me, it is prawn (singular, lol), potato salad and trifle. Now I don't care if I can only have one or a small spoon of each but as long as I get these three things, I'll be a happy camper

Does anyone else have anything they don't wanna miss out on for Chrissy??

[Aussiegirl 580]

Sue, you are looking great, I hope you are also feeling great. Give yourself some credit for the hard work and changes you have had to make over the last few months. Your body will get there.

Kelloff, great to hear from you, sounds like you are doing great.

Got to love a Christmas season. Last year I was 2-3 months post op when Christmas came around with all the fun events. I remember having 3 course meals, and eatting like 2-3 bites of each meal, having them spaced out meant I got to enjoy a bit of each. I was able to enjoy the season without over indulging by listening to my stomach which I am sure I had done

My christmas food list was turkey, pork crackling and pudding. I am sure it will be similar this year with prawns added in. Oh and a few glasses of bubbles

[Kayargh 112]

For xmas my family are doing a 'turducken'.....a boneless duck inside a boneless chicken inside a boneless turkey, just sounds gross to me!! I am struggling with eating animal products, never used to be a problem till a few weeks leading up to surgery??. We have always gone to Jupiters Casino for xmas lunch- and I ate for Australia let me tell you. This year I'm not even excited about the food.< /p>

[aussie kelloff 79]

I can't wait for Christmas, always loved it, not only for the food but for that last 10 years or so watching my neices and nephews. Now with my 3 yo. He will understand so much more.

food wise, there are a few things I would love to have, pork crackle, all the fancy salads we make and also trifle. I can space those out over the day. Oh yeah would love some oysters. And also a few cocktails.

This year I am not craving food, I am going to be happy cooking all the sweets and cakes but not eating them. I don't crave sweet things much any more. I am going to enjoy the family time.

[kelliv 659]

I think if I have a glass of bubbles on Xmas day' date=' I'll sleep through to New Years. I was a massive light weight before surgery and now wouldn't dare touch it. I'm scared that my eyes will be bigger than my tummy. I'm looking at all my yummy old recipes that I used to make and getting a little depressed. I just know that I won't have room for seafood, and ham, and turkey, and potato dishes, and salads and 3 helpings of dessert. THIS IS A GOOD THING. maybe if I say it to myself every day until Christmas, by the time the day comes I'll have convinced myself.

Thought just came to me... What on earth am I going to do with the full leg ham that my work gives us each Xmas? It'll take me a year to eat it. Lol.[/quote']

You could donate the ham to charity or give half of it to relatives to take hime? You could still have all those yummy things, but just a taste. I feel exactly like you, but I will still enjoy my favourites.

[kelliv 659]

I know what you mean. Christmas is an eating day from start to finish...an endurance event. There is just no way I will be able to do what I used to Having thought about it for a little while' date=' I decided to have three things I wanted to have a little of over Christmas - for me, it is prawn (singular, lol), potato salad and trifle. Now I don't care if I can only have one or a small spoon of each but as long as I get these three things, I'll be a happy camper

Does anyone else have anything they don't wanna miss out on for Chrissy??[/quote']

Mum's rum balls!!!!

[Aussiegirl 580]

Oh the Christmas parties have begun....help lol.

I have been asked to share my story at my department Christmas party. I am a little concerned about this but also look forward to sharing the story and also dispelling some of the rumours and assumptions on how I have done this. Some people are quite concerned to talk to me, or stare like I have grown 2 heads. It will be interesting, I will share the video with you guys once it is done

[Lissa_S 787]

I am going back to work on Monday in time for all of the Christmas stuff too. Apparently there is a rumour at work (remember I work at a hospital) that I had complications from weight loss surgery (true) but that I SWALLOWED MY LAPBAND...now what worries me the MOST about this rumour is that it is an impossibility anatomically/ physically. And these people work in a hospital I am looking forward to some very interesting conversations over lunch lol

[Aussiegirl 580]

OMG that just made me almost spit out my drink hilarious...and just a slight bit frightening lol.

So glad to hear you cleared to go back to work, i would have gone stir crazy. Just be ware of exhaustion, i had it my first week back to work, where i was fatigued by the end of the day. Good luck!!

[deb1405 20]

I know what you mean. Christmas is an eating day from start to finish...an endurance event. There is just no way I will be able to do what I used to Having thought about it for a little while' date=' I decided to have three things I wanted to have a little of over Christmas - for me, it is prawn (singular, lol), potato salad and trifle. Now I don't care if I can only have one or a small spoon of each but as long as I get these three things, I'll be a happy camper

Does anyone else have anything they don't wanna miss out on for Chrissy??[/quote']

Yes, definitely.....oyster, prawn, lobster, ham AND CRACKLING!!!!!

[Cookeeeeez 269]

Great to hear you have a date But why the stretched out post-op liquids phase? Is that your dr's normal routine?

Yes, normal routine. My preop is actually a bit shorter than some coz my liver feels good and tests came back good! The nil by mouth is before a barium swallow and after an internal leak test. The extended liquids is standard because he does this operation for more than just weight loss, and it is recommended to reduce risk as there is still chance of leaks three weeks out (which can be more deadly for people with cancer etc).

I'm super excited for chrissy, it'll be my last big one ever and it's a combined bday too! I'm going to stay away from the naughty beverages and try to fill up on salads- but do plan on having my last piece of mums crackling!!!

[ozeedonkee 145]

Ah crackling ....yummo. Enjoy

[deb1405 20]

I am in Melbourne Australia. I had my surgery last Monday 12th November (afternoon surgery) in recovery by 4.45pm, back to my room by around 8.15 ( purely because of busy staff and time) I was attached to my "best friend" morphine button, relief on demand... Oh wow, what a wonderful thing. Every time I could feel the deferred shoulder pain start to emerge, I push the button - almost instant relief!

Day 2 (Tuesday) still on saline drip for fluids, having trouble taking anything, even Water, so ice cubes were it. I was up and walking first thing, feeling not to badly, Until my breaky tray appeared. This was not good, this was a set back as it made me feel quite nauseous. Anti nausea Medication for this seemed to work a little. Nothing to "eat or drink" for Tuesday.

Day 3 (Wednesday) up and about again, still definitely not fussed with the meal trays, but trying harder to get the fluids in via ice blocks and water and flat lemonade, going along ok. The morph button (IV) was removed today, a sad parting, but probably for the best. The shoulder pain was controlled by some IV panadole, not quite as good, but hey, it worked eventually. The IV needle in my wrist area, was quite sore, so it was removed as I still had another IV in further up my arm, that wasn't being used. This one would not flush clear, so it was also removed. HOORAY, I was free!!!! Wednesday night was a "nightmare" in my room, so much noise from the staff and incoming new patients (at 11-35PM!!) the rest of the night, I was in a very disturbed sleep.

Day 4 ( Thursday) My doctor was in quite early on this day, suggesting I could go home! THIS WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS!! I was originally told it would prob be Friday! I was out of there by 9.45am , on my way home! Trying to keep up my fluids, resting ( in a quiet environment) was going well. I tried the solvable panadole, but just couldn't get it down. So I used a heat pack to relieve the shoulder pain when it happened. No more pain relief. Getting in more fluids each day. sleeping better. I was on the road to recovery.

Day 5 (Friday) Today, I had some very watery Soup, - a full cup, sipped from a teaspoon over the course of the whole day. I never felt hungry at any time. Fluids going in much better today. Shoulder pain subsiding. Headaches disappearing, as I was more hydrated.

Day 6 (Saturday) much the same as Friday, only, I able to get more fluids in. Flat lemonade, cup of tea and today I vitamised a can if chicken and veg soup, which I watered down with boiling water. This went down well. Any Soups or heavier fluids I am taking, do take me forever to get down, but that doesn't bother me. I'm just happy to be able to do this without any bad affects. Oh and I also started to have frosty fruit icy poles today too, these are good!

Day 7 (Sunday) one week down and 3kgs (approx 6.6lbs) down, since my surgery. Total lost since I saw my doctor to book this date (9th oct 2012) - 10 kgs (22lbs) ... No need for painkillers ! I AM VERY HAPPY with how this is going! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE, TO HAVE A LONG AND HEALTHY ONE, to enjoy my beautiful granddaughter and family. This was a very good decision to make.

[kelliv 659]

Hi Deb, thanks for the update and I am very pleased it all went smoothly for you. The next few weeks will continue to feel strange as you get used to your new little tummy, but once you are back on normal foods it will became easier. Let us know if you have any questions along the way as there is a depth of experience on this thread.

[deb1405 20]

Hi Deb' date=' thanks for the update and I am very pleased it all went smoothly for you. The next few weeks will continue to feel strange as you get used to your new little tummy, but once you are back on normal foods it will became easier. Let us know if you have any questions along the way as there is a depth of experience on this thread.[/quote']

Thank you KelliV

I will do that. Hopefully I can continue to go smoothly as I have been. I understand it will be my own fault if I encounter a problem, because I ave eaten or drunk something to fast or too much of. I think that's why, so far it's been ok... I don't like pain !