Updated Profile

I tried to update my profile on my surgical experience as best as I could. Im sure I missed some things, so when I remember em, I will insert em.. I never did take any before pictures so Im going to get some done today and just start from here. I dont think Ive lost anything just yet. I dont know. I dont have scales here and I guess that is a good thing! Just thought Id share, in case anyone was interested. I had a great hospital stay and did not have a catheter or any NGT or GT, only the Jackson Pratt drain... Hugs, Sandy

Sandy Glad to hear you're doing so well post-op. I've enjoyed reading your posts and your responses to others. You've provided some very useful information. I've been taking notes! What does the SF in Carnation Breakfast and pudding mean....where do you get it. So far, what have been your best tasting sources of protein? I'm not much of a dairy fan (which may not be a bad thing...)....and I'm wondering how you're finding your choices...I'm assuming that Propel is a protein or nutrition this too. Haven't heard of it before.. Any info on the protein/nutrition piece would be helpful....especially if it's good-tasting. Congrats on your successful passage to the other side. Keep up the good progress.....and Good Health!! Sandy.

Sandy! Thank you!!! SF= sugar free...Carnation Instant Breakfast now has the 0 carb, 0 sugar version (comes in a blue box) and it has 8 gm protein per serving (I think). I mix it up, keep it in a container, and keep it in the fridge, since I can not yet, drink more than 3 oz at a time. It has a GREAT taste and I mix it with Hood's Carb Countdown milk, which has 12 gm protein per serving, so that is extra protein! I am going out to different grocery stores tonight to try to find the Carnation Instant Breakfast here, I brought home extra from the hospital in packets. I find the Carb Countdown milk (in white and chocolate) at Wal Mart and Target. Propel is a product by Gatorade. It has vitamins, calcium, nutrients added with a light flavor. It has 2 g sugar in it but this is what I was given in the hospital and I have been able to tolerate it just fine so far. It is lightly flavored, and has a good taste to me (kiwi strawberry rocks!) The extra vitamins and nutrients in it couldnt hurt, not to mention a source of calcium! I buy Propel in the 33 oz size for 99 cents at my local WalMart Supercenter. Look for the blue bottle In between, I use crystal light if I cant get in just plain bottled water. Today is the first day I am writing down EVERYTHING I put in my mouth, to keep track of it all. I saved the 1 oz cups from the hospital, to use to drink from and measure so I know I am getting exactly what I am getting in. Today is the first day Ive added protein, so far Ive working on getting in a protein shake. EAS Adavat Edge cafe caramel coffeehouse flavor.. 15g protein, 1 g sugar per serving. I just finished the first one and it wasnt too bad at all. I took in 3 oz every other hour, in between worked on my vitamins and stuff...so far so good... I have a canister of any whey virtually tasteless protein powder which has 17 gm protein per scoop. Im going for cream of tomato soup around 2pm today for lunch and going to try to get in one scoop of powder into my 3 oz of soup. Its a start anyway... Im sticking with the Carnation Instant Breakfast and carb countdown milk, protein powder in different cream soups and the EAS Advant Edge Coffeehouse flavor shakes,for now. I dont have much of an appetite for anything yet, so it isnt a big deal trying to find different things. I had a sugar free fudgecicle last night which had 0 sugar BUT had 5 g sugar alcohol! I got alot of tummy rumbling from it but seemed to do okay with it. Today Im sticking with sugar free creamscicles, they are GREAT!... The SF (sugar free) pudding I am mixing from a box. I havent found the sugar free in individual containers yet, although someone did say they found some at Sam's. I haven't been to check yet..Hope this helps! Feel free to ask away! I do not claim to know all the answer's but I don't mind sharing my experiences and trying to help anyone else along in their journey... Besides "Sandy" means "helper of mankind" ... It really does! Look it up online and see... Hugs, Sandy

Sandy, Have you heard of fitday.com? It's a great place to track your food intake. Breaks it down by protein, fats and the dreaded carbs. I love it. Sounds like you're doing great! Good for you. Linda