When I had my two week follow up I asked about the pain around the belly button and my doc said it's normal since he played with my stomach muscles. Good luck with everything. Kathy

I'm 5 days out and always tired. I guess I'm not getting enough nutrients. What are you doing to have so much energy?

I can't drink the protein, either. I just can't. I'm just over three weeks out, on the soft diet. I drink a glass of milk/day. I'm going to try hard to increase that, but I really can't stand the taste. I picked up some soy milk, and then some skim milk, to determine what tastes best. I try to eat higher protein foods, like tuna salad (mix it 1/2 and 1/2 with Fage yogurt and mayo/miracle whip), string cheese wrapped with a slice of chicken/turkey breast, refried beans and cheese on a cracker dipped in Fage yogurt, hummus, pea soup. Oooh, I make a smoothie that's really good - milk, banana, Fage yogurt and a dab of low-sugar jam (you could even leave the jam out). I haven't been able to get more than 40-50 gr. of protein/day, and my NUT wants 60 grams. But it's hard to eat still, so I'm working on it. Good luck, it's definitely tough, especially when I can't stand the thought of eating!

All depeding on your surgeon...and your insurance. Typically surgeons like to see about a 5% reduction before surgery, this again is only what my surgeon wanted. Now your insurance may make steeper demands- 15% I do know that 3d before surgery you can only have clear liquids (this was my 5% contribution) some like their pt to start a small portion diet a couple of weeks before so that you are aware of what your portion size with be...it all depends on the doctor. Don't worry. Ask questions. You will be OK and on the loser's bench soon. Hope this helped Carolyn