I made it through my surgery fine. Dr. Rohrer is great. There was one nurse, one cna that were great but very overworked. One nursed looked like she was walking the halls of a prison, struttin' around like her poop didn't stink like the rest of us.
Oh, they kept forgetting my meds, never bothered giving me vitamins or giving me clear liquids to drink. My surgery was the Monday, 4/5 and the first time my sister didn't  have to ask them to bring my broth was thursday morning. I would recommend my doc but had such a bad experience with Benefis Hosp in Great Falls that I would not recommend them. Glad I had my big sis to watch them and make sure I did get most of my meds. Their poor care of me is probably why I had pneumonia in the lowest part of left lung!
On a side note, did anyone else gain weight? I was higher after surgery than before I started my preop diet!

I too was having lots of trouble with the artificial sweetners so I came off of them.    Crystal light makes a sports drink that uses pure cane juice aka sugar but it only has 15 calories a serving.  Hubby found it with the other crystal lights.  I also went to regular popsicles and orange sherbert.  Jay Robb protien drinks use Stevia which is natural also.  I go back to my doctor tomorrow but my biggest challenge has been staying hydrated.  I guess I had had a bypass these options might not be there for me but they stopped a whole lot of intestinal issues in their tracks and got moving toward recovery.

i paid $300 for a two week supply of optifast. I had two cases of shakes, vanilla and strawberry, 2 boxes of soup, tomato and chicken to boxes of bars, berry yogurt and chocolate. I was told to eat 4 shakes, 1 soup, and 1 bar A day, 3 sugar free jello cups and 3 sugar free Popsicles if needed and as much crystal light as I want. After 1 week I went and spoke to the nutritionist and told her I was starving all the time and couldn't stand it, so i cheated with salads and fat free dressing. She told me she prefer i stick to the plan but if I had to eat something make sure it is zero carbs like lean protein. So now i do the diet with 2 boiled eggs for breakfast and baked fish for dinner if needed. much better now.

 I get terrible migraine headaches from artificial sweeteners as well.  I've been trying to overcome it but my Dr. says it may be an allergy.  My Mom has the same thing happen to her.  I have been doing the broth and water thing as well.  Good idea about the diluted apple juice...I will ask my surgeon about that as well.  Keep me posted if you find anything else that works for you.

Hi, I'm having the Realize band placed April 14th too. I am nervous, but I definitely think that I am ready for this change in my life.  I have done a lot of pre-op preparation, more than I ever thought
would be capable of. It has given me a better appreciation for my strength.

I really don't have a goal weight, and my surgeons office never set one for me either.  I hope to lose enough to feel better and be better able to live my life without getting hung up on the number of pounds.  The doctor did say that most of his patients lose one half of their excess weight in the first year.  So that would be a consideralbe amount for me.

I am taking off three weeks from work, since I am a nurse and have a very physical job so I won't go bac****il May 10.

Best of luck to you and everyone here!!!!

Cammy