MeasureOfMe’s Mexico Adventure - In Several Parts!

[UnzippingTheFatSuit 27]

Amber---

I laughed and cried through your entire story! More than your amazing talent for writing, I felt like I was there with you - that I've known you for years. THANK YOU for that!! Nothing about my trip in 8 days will be the same; doctor, hospital, starting weight, etc, yet I feel more relaxed having read your account. Wishing you the very BEST, I look forward to reading more of your progress... Jackie

[measureofme 175]

Leo, the head hunger sucked until I was able to start the mushies this week (I was cleared a bit early). I dealt with it mostly by turning OFF the tv and putting my nose in a cup of strong tea when my guys were eating something I used to define as a favorite. Don't beat yourself up too much, there IS a point where your body starts to actually say it is hungry, it is different than before and a little hard to identify, but I found at times I was thinking it was just head hunger it was really time for a shake.

As for when you get home... Everyone is different. I did great until last week and we figured out how dehydrated I was. I am still bouncing back from that and it sucks, I am more dependent on my husband than I wanted to be as I am weak. Plan to ask your older teens to step up the assistance for a bit and just really watch your fluids. Drinking Water is a new full time job!

Unzipping... Love your name! How true! Thanks for reading my account and God speed as you come to your surgery day! I am glad you found something in my words to support you. That was my hope when I decided to be so... thorough.

[salsha 114]

Measureofme, how are you feeling? Looking forward to your detailed posts about recovery!

[measureofme 175]

Sasha: honestly, I have been better! I've written a few times that my emotional roller coaster started about a week ago, but already that has been getting better. I had a close call with dehydration mid-week and bouncing back from that has been hard. I feel more tired and weak than I did when I got home! I think the bottom line is that I am still healing and like most of us, figuring out how to make the fluid/protein balance happen is more tough than we knew. I have had a few "what the heck did I do to myself" moments but they are fleeting. A big key to understanding that how I feel and what I am experiencing is quite normal has been the posts others have made here. I will try to do a journal, more like the original, just takes a lot of energy and examination. It'll be a few days.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Sasha: honestly' date=' I have been better! I've written a few times that my emotional roller coaster started about a week ago, but already that has been getting better. I had a close call with dehydration mid-week and bouncing back from that has been hard. I feel more tired and weak than I did when I got home! I think the bottom line is that I am still healing and like most of us, figuring out how to make the fluid/protein balance happen is more tough than we knew. I have had a few "what the heck did I do to myself" moments but they are fleeting. A big key to understanding that how I feel and what I am experiencing is quite normal has been the posts others have made here. I will try to do a journal, more like the original, just takes a lot of energy and examination. It'll be a few days.[/quote']

Hang in there!!

You got this

[@RealScoobyDoo 94]

Measureofme...love your story. You souns like a very brave woman and im hapoy eveything is going well I still haven't found a surgeon and an looking for the direct phone numbers instead of going brought brokers.

Leo39. I also have a bunch of rug rats...boys ages 1,2,5,7....and I'm a stay at home mom and wondering how long I will need extra help around the house when I gt home from surgery. I just don't buy the line I've gotten from two coordinators "you can have surgery on Friday and be back to work on monday. " yeah, right

Deborah

[Fawn1120 18]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I will be seeing Dr.Kelly on March 1st and your story has helped me feel comfortable about my decision. I pray you have a quick recovery and best of luck on your wonderful journey

Amber, thanks for sharing your story in such detail! Like Skgirl27, I'm seeing Dr Kelly but in early April. When I get scared and have doubts, I read your story, and again, I'm convinced its the right decision with the right surgeon! Thank you again for sharing your story. I pray that you heal quickly and the mental hunger loses its charm .

Linda

[salsha 114]

Linda, I finally posted my experience on my freaking out thread. I can't express enough what an amazing professional Dr Kelly is. You will be in great hands with him!

[marielena3155 15]

Measure some.... All I can say is thank you and I have the utmost respect for how much of you you decided to share with us. If this doesn't help anyone else, know that I will be reading your whole story all the way to dr. Kelly's OR. He was my choice from the beginning ... He just felt righ

[leo39 15]

Ok, so how much Water DO you drink? I'm kinda confused. Right now I'm pre op so I'm drinking up to 1 hour before I eat and then waiting at least 45 mins after I eat to drink, but if I eat 3 meals a day that's alot of time I can't drink. So how do I get enough in?

I'm also a bit of a wimp about Protein shakes, I don't like choc or strawberry flavour and have yet to find a vanilla or other kind that I truly could see myself drinking every day. I'm thinking of going with unjury's plain powder but I wonder if it tastes chalky... I know this is not a big deal in the long run but for the next couple of months it will be a necessity, right?

[measureofme 175]

Hey Leo... I'm soooooo not the poster child for these things! Before surgery, 64oz of Fluid was relatively easy in a day but I DID practice the idea of not having anything to drink 1/2 hour before eating and for 1/2 hour after. Now, post-op... it came down to how "Sleevie Wonder" was feeling. My tummy empties Water after about 20 minutes but how long after I eat to drink again is totally dependent on the density of what I've eaten. For instance, I can drink Water again pretty soon when having yogurt... but it took about 45 minutes last night before there was room for water after I had some chicken for dinner.

Yes, all these wait times DO cut into your drinking times and you won't be perfect at first (well, most are not). It's a balancing act.

As for the shakes... I'm SOOOOOOO the wrong person to ask. I LOVED them before and right after surgery. About ten days ago though my sleeve said "NO WAY CHICA!". So, I've been struggling with Protein ever since. Yes, it's a necessity and just because you like it (or don't!) right now... your sleeve and tastebuds may change your mind later.

[gonnaloseit8015 37]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

[ItCldBeSweet 0]

My surgery is scheduled for 3/27/13 in Mexico as well. I am going to have my surgery with Dr. Quinones. I so appreciate you sharing your experience with all of us! This is such an emotinoal journey & so much of your story made me tear up! Congratts to you on your new life! God Bless you good girlie!

[leo39 15]

Tonight I had to make dinner for everyone and they requested my favorite (breakfast for dinner - pretty much everything you can think of, I usually make for them). I really wanted my husband to jump in and say that he'd do it but he had no interest. I think he knows that for awhile after surgery I'll be even less likely to want to cook stuff I can't eat so he's getting in as much home cooking done by me as he can!!

Thanks for the info about drinks. Tomorrow I start clear broths and such. I have two kids home with a fever and I was up all night with them. I have been taking cold FX and immunity FX because I am terrified I will get sick!! Today is the last day I can take them so I'm praying it was enough.

[SuperblyInsane 15]

Ok, so how much Water DO you drink? I'm kinda confused. Right now I'm pre op so I'm drinking up to 1 hour before I eat and then waiting at least 45 mins after I eat to drink, but if I eat 3 meals a day that's alot of time I can't drink. So how do I get enough in?

I'm also a bit of a wimp about Protein shakes, I don't like choc or strawberry flavour and have yet to find a vanilla or other kind that I truly could see myself drinking every day. I'm thinking of going with unjury's plain powder but I wonder if it tastes chalky... I know this is not a big deal in the long run but for the next couple of months it will be a necessity, right?

Just a suggestion as I too really dislike Protein Shakes. I have found ViSalus. I wouldn't sign up for their mail delivery service because you get sucked into a monthly delivery, but you can purchase it on Amazon. It is more expensive than some, but.... it smells literally like cake mix. It was a cream flavor to it. You can add flavorings to it if your in the mood for a little chocolate. I mix it with plain Water but most people use some form of milk. Two scoops of powder has less than 100 calories, 7g carbs and 12g Protein. I typically add a small portion of banana (for thicker texture) and ice. A teaspoon of Peanut Butter is good with it too. I've even used a juicer to make "green juice" and mixed that with it to get some added veggie goodness