Surgery date is in February!! OMG!! What now?

That's an excellent piece of advice!   Glad to hear you're doing better!   I'll have to check out Popeyes for that protein powder!   I'm surprised you can have ensure. I though it was only clear liquids for a few weeks

Can you bring your own heating pad to hospital?  Can I ask who your surgeon was and how long things took in all to get from first appnt. to surgery?

Hi Okgal50.

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to bring a heating pad to the hospital.  I had access to a plug in.  I have/had Dr. Debra as a surgeon. 

I started the weight management program last Feb.(6 week program) and had my surgery Feb 26th 2015.  One year in total.  

That said I don't think it's the norm though.  I think 2 years start to finish give or take 6 months is the norm.

Right.  I am having a hernia fixed and my appnt. is with Dr. Debru right away.  Maybe he will then refer me to the weight management program.  I am also have a revision from VBG so not sure how that plays into it as well.  Also, I saw Boost pudding at the Rexall the other day.  Pudding with more protein and vitamins!  Something to keep in mind!  Thanks for your info!

Hi Pinner,

how are things going this week?  You will have to give us a weekly update!  

Hello Okgal50 :)

Things are going better this week!  I am able to consume 6 glasses of liquid.  I have been nibbling on a few things that I shouldn't be.  I tried eating a mushroom yesterday.  I just took the tiniest bite of a sliced raw mushroom and chewed it to a pulp. It was good!  I also ate 3 bites of avocado. Also chewing it to a pulp. That one was even better :)  I purchased cream of broccoli soup from Costco.  I poured my self a quarter cup of that but was only able to eat about a 1/16 of a cup.  I just kept putting my spoon in the soup, puling it out and licking off the spoon.  This has been my favourite so far :)  

I had my follow up appointment with Dr. Debra yesterday.  I was worried that I wasn't getting enough calories to live.  I was feeling dizzy when I woke up and when in the shower.  He told me not to worry about the calories as long as I am getting my vitamins in and the protein. I was also worried about this bruise on my lower left torso.  Immediately I thought it was a clot and started to freak out!  Nope, no clot.  It's just where the Heprin(sp) shot was to prevent clots.  Phew!!

I start mushy food today.  Going to make sweet potatoes and mashed carrots. Yeah!! Real food :)  I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a fabulous weekend!! 

Carrie :)

So good to hear!  Is the mushy food and liquids because of healing/swelling going on or other reasons?  Have you had hunger pains or cravings yet?  Sounds like you are doing great!  Any regrets?

Hey Okgal50,

I'm assuming that the mushy food is so that the staple line can heal on the stomach.  They don't want to much pressure put on the incision.

Yes I am still craving everything that I use to.  I am starting to get use to the idea that I can't eat it and it is helping with the cravings.  They are leaving me quicker. 

No regrets. I'm having trouble getting enough protein in but working on it. 

Hope all is going well with your journey :)

Hi Pinner

How are things going for you these days?  

Hello Okgal50 :)  Life is starting to feel like normal again.  I can pretty much eat whatever I want now just in smaller portions.  I can eat very small portions of meat, like a bit or two.  Liquid is going down nicely. I don't have to take tiny sips anymore so I am able to consume more water, thank goodness.  Constipation has been an issue.  I now drink prune juice in the mornings and it seems to do the trick :) I am still struggling to consume the 50 grams of protein a day.  I mix my protein powder with my chicken broth in the morning to get 28 grams in right away but the rest of the day consists of nibbling on my family's food or a couple bits of banana/avocado/cheese etc.  I'm finally at the point where I am not so dizzy. I use to wake up in the morning dizzy or if I did any kind of cardio(walking up stairs) I got dizzy but not anymore.  I think it's because I am able to consume enough calories for my body to manage itself.   That said if my shower is to hot I still get dizzy quickly. 

I'm down a total of 31lbs including the weight that I lost on the pre op diet.  My pants are all to big!!  Yeah, that feels good.  Mobility is getting much better.  I can tie my shoe laces with ease now and without snapping the wire in my bra when I bend over! lol  It's a good feeling.  I'm in onederland!!  I have to say I didn't think I would get emotional about that but I did.  The emotions came out of nowhere. Goes to show that they are in there just waiting to be dealt with :) 

Thats a loss of 20lbs in one month and 4 days post surgery which isn't record setting but I'm ok with that.  I know how the process goes.  The ladies that I've watched on youtube after one year look amazing.  I feel like I can now start hitting the gym.  Just a slow start to begin with... walking on the treadmill and maybe some arm workouts as I am noticing the bye bye arm starting to show up already.  

Enough about me how are you doing?  Are you ready?  Do you have a date yet?  What's new?  

Talk to you soon :)