August 2023 Surgery Buddies!

[Steve C. 4]

24 minutes ago, PennyinAL said:

Apparently you have had some issues with medical pros in your lifetime as well. Unfortunately, in many communities drug use is such a problem that drs & nurses look at everyone as a junkie if you are in chronic pain. The sad reality is that so many people have major injuries that cause them to be in long term pain that necessitate pain medication that the numbers seem really high. I've personally been in 5 car wrecks, 3 times I was rear ended while sitting at a red light! For a dr or nurse to tell me I don't need my pain meds or to withhold them until they think I deserve them like a dog who is sitting up for a treat is demeaning and unethical.

Like I said, I'm not saying everyone should ignore their dr orders but if you have issues, you might not want to be caught unprepared because while there are some truly AMAZING and WONDERFUL med pros out there, there are quite a few of them who have no business being in the caring profession. Take care

Thank you for the perspective. I understand what you're saying. I would still add that talking to your surgical team should help alleviate any concerns like this for anyone else, and I'm sorry your team wasn't receptive to help. I work in healthcare administration at a smaller hospital and have friends and family who are nurses, respiratory therapists, and social workers. Your concerns exist, but medication interactions caused by your meds and what the hospital gives you can be fatal. I would encourage anyone and everyone else to talk to your surgical team.

Steve

[Andrea13$ 2]

On 08/01/2023 at 14:50, Nissi88 said:

Hi all, my surgery date 8/23 and my surgeon just told me no need to do pre- op diet just liquids day before and day after. I’m concerned.

That’s what my doctor had me do too.
Last Monday all liquid diet Tuesday 8/15 was my surgery. From Tuesday thru Friday liquid + clear Protein diet. Today I had my 1st vanilla Protein Shake

[Justkeepslimming 0]

I had mine 8.15. Doing well but have some cramping, like hunger. Anyone else?

[SoutheastP 16]

I had my surgery on 8/15 and I’m experiencing hunger pain like symptoms of and on also

[Shan0 13]

Also 8/15 but no hunger at all. Have to force myself to drink my stupid shakes.

[Shan0 13]

Also 8/15 but no hunger at all. Have to force myself to drink my stupid shakes.

[Victoria Wank 19]

2 hours ago, Shan0 said:

Also 8/15 but no hunger at all. Have to force myself to drink my stupid shakes.

You can also get unflavored Protein Powder and add it to drinks that you do like, such as broth, diet juice, tea (iced or hot), etc.

[Victoria Wank 19]

15 hours ago, Andrea13$ said:

That’s what my doctor had me do too.
Last Monday all liquid diet Tuesday 8/15 was my surgery. From Tuesday thru Friday liquid + clear Protein diet. Today I had my 1st vanilla Protein Shake

When I was preparing for my original gastric bypass, my surgeon was worried he might not be able to do it laparoscopically because of my weight. He needed my liver to be smaller. He was actually “threatening” to not do it at all, unless I lost enough weight. I bought all kinds of Atkins shakes, and that’s all I consumed for 4 weeks. I lost 30 pounds. It was enough to keep my surgery. He also recommended Clear Liquids for the first week afterwards. I bought chicken stock and added red pepper flakes to it.

[PennyinAL 28]

5 hours ago, SoutheastP said:

I had my surgery on 8/15 and I’m experiencing hunger pain like symptoms of and on also

I had mine 8/1/23 and last food I had was 7/31 so 3 weeks today of clears, I asked about Protein Shakes and they said I could get the Ensure clear Protein Drink but no shakes! I can’t drink it because it’s so sweet it gags me so I’ve lived on broth and a lot of Water and snowcones w/ sf Syrup and popsicles. Three days ago I had cooked/frozen several large batches of Lima, Red Beans, cream peas and bean Soup. I had some of the bean broth bc it had a bit of substance and it seemed to be all that kept me going. I ran out and went back to broth with seasoning but finally started using 1 small can cream of chicken soup to a quart of chicken broth plus 2 cups water and cooked down with a bunch of Cajun spice. I go back to surgeon tomorrow and am supposed to be put on soft puréed food, eggs, mashed potatoes and yogurts per their instructions and I am certain that if I don’t gnaw my arm off by then I will come home and eat the best eggs and potatoes of my life 🤣

I have been starving for the last 10 days and I’m pretty sure my stomach has healed bc it growls and gives hunger pains about 90-120 post broth meals.

[Victoria Wank 19]

4 minutes ago, PennyinAL said:

I had mine 8/1/23 and last food I had was 7/31 so 3 weeks today of clears, I asked about Protein Shakes and they said I could get the Ensure clear Protein Drink but no shakes! I can’t drink it because it’s so sweet it gags me so I’ve lived on broth and a lot of Water and snowcones w/ sf Syrup and popsicles. Three days ago I had cooked/frozen several large batches of Lima, Red Beans, cream peas and bean Soup. I had some of the bean broth bc it had a bit of substance and it seemed to be all that kept me going. I ran out and went back to broth with seasoning but finally started using 1 small can cream of chicken Soup to a quart of chicken broth plus 2 cups Water and cooked down with a bunch of Cajun spice. I go back to surgeon tomorrow and am supposed to be put on soft puréed food, eggs, mashed potatoes and yogurts per their instructions and I am certain that if I don’t gnaw my arm off by then I will come home and eat the best eggs and potatoes of my life 🤣

I have been starving for the last 10 days and I’m pretty sure my stomach has healed bc it growls and gives hunger pains about 90-120 post broth meals.

I’m surprised at the mashed potatoes. Haven’t you and your surgeon ever heard the phrase. “If it’s white, it’s not right”? That means Pasta, potatoes, sugar, bread, and rice.
I’m not sure about the hunger pains, but maybe it’s that the part of your brain that controls hunger hasn’t quite caught up to the new body chemistry from the surgery. Now that you’re able to eat soft foods, you can satisfy the hunger pains.

Also, don’t gnaw your arm off. That’s meat, and you’re not allowed to eat that yet😄😉

[BlueNoseTuna 1]

Hi all! I’m scheduled for 8/31 and trying to figure out where I fit! The August or September thread haha 🫣 I’m mostly excited and feel like I should be more intimidated or scared about the surgery coming up so quickly. Maybe I am more apprehensive than I realize considering I’m submitting this post after midnight 🤣

[PennyinAL 28]

7 hours ago, Victoria **** said:

I’m surprised at the mashed potatoes. Haven’t you and your surgeon ever heard the phrase. “If it’s white, it’s not right”? That means Pasta, potatoes, sugar, bread, and rice.
I’m not sure about the hunger pains, but maybe it’s that the part of your brain that controls hunger hasn’t quite caught up to the new body chemistry from the surgery. Now that you’re able to eat soft foods, you can satisfy the hunger pains.

Also, don’t gnaw your arm off. That’s meat, and you’re not allowed to eat that yet😄😉

My list of soft foods from dr is

mashed Potatoes

eggs

pureed fish (I can’t even)

puréed veg

yogurt/pudding

after the initial soft food week 3 (4 for me) I am supposed to switch to Proteins @50% then veg or carb last

im planning on mashed Beans, mashed potatoes and eggs and yogurt for a week or two

[Victoria Wank 19]

9 hours ago, PennyinAL said:

My list of soft foods from dr is

mashed Potatoes

eggs

pureed fish (I can’t even)

puréed veg

yogurt/pudding

after the initial soft food week 3 (4 for me) I am supposed to switch to Proteins @50% then veg or carb last

im planning on mashed Beans, mashed potatoes and eggs and yogurt for a week or two

Okay. But by eating mashed potatoes, you’re eating both vegetables and carbs.
I’m with you on the fish, unless you’re making something like salmon mousse. There are websites that sell low carb versions of some of our favorite foods, including Bariatric Pal, Bariatric Eating, and Diet Direct.

My post-surgery regimen went: liquid (broth, shakes), soft foods (yogurt, ricotta, cottage cheese, eggs), soft cheeses, soft fish, hard cheeses, flaky fish, chicken and low carb veggies, the rest of the meat group.

[Angela Read 11]

Surgery was 8/16, I am post op day 5. Day 1-3 was the hardest for me, a lot of gas and abdominal discomfort. The amount of fluids to take in and medications were just too much. If you have an abdominal binder, that helped a lot with moving around.

[Steve C. 4]

Is anyone else feeling cold during the first 2 weeks of recovery? My wife loves to keep our house around 65*, and I'm wearing pants, socks, shoes, and a sweatshirt at home, and I'm still freezing. It's odd for me, as I was always the one who was hot. I would normally just wear a t-shirt and shorts and still be hot before. I'm about to go for a quick walk to try to warm up.