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Hi everyone!! Just a note to let you know...... I made it to the loser side!! 5 days out of surgery, 14.5 lbs lost. I am having a problem with regulating my body temp. I have always been extremely hot natured, even as a skinny child. Now it seems I am freezing and burning up at the same time. Have not really been hungry but have had a craving for something salty. I sucked on a couple of tortilla chips which seemed to satisfy that craving. I have to admit, I would love some type of solid food, like maybe some mashed potatoes. The liquid pain medicine the doctor prescribed for me gave me horrible nightmares, so the first night at home, which was Wednesday, April 7th, I got no rest at all. The next day the nurse called in some toradol pills, which is an anti-inflamatory. They work great for any discomfort!! So if any of you find you are having horrific nightmares, please let your doctor know about it, as it could be the medicine you are taking for pain relief. Each day I seem to gain more strength, but really have not felt like going on walks. Hopefully by next week I will be ready to begin walking. Also, feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster right now. Did any of you find yourselfs crying for no apparent reason???? Also, I have found that the carb-solution protein shake mix is pretty good when mixed with 8 oz of skim milk and blended with ice. It is almost like eating a chocolate shake!!! And there are 20 grams of protein in the 2 scoops of mix plus 8 gs of protein in the skim milk. So that is helpful in getting all the protein we need in on the liquid diet. If any of you have some suggestions for me for the next phase of the diet, the soft foods, please let me know!!! God bless you all Dodie

Dodie, yea I'm so happy things went well for you. Now get ready for the real ride. Remember do exactly like your surgeon say's and you will do great! I started walking in side the house as soon as I got home, I didn't want any soreness to set in. As far as the cold and hot feeling that is natural. I had the samething happen. Now I still get cold alot, Exspecialy my hands. This last winter I was real cold. I was started on a pain pill when I got out. And had no problems. I remember when took my showers I couldn't even keep my arms up to wash my hair. I would have to rest my head on the shower wall and then start again. And as far as a emotional roller coaster goes, Yep I had that problem to. I called Dr. Baker and was crying and asked him if I was losing my mind. He said no, You have lost your best friend. I cried even more and said my best friend Died! He laughed and said not I'm talking about food. I said Oh okay. Well he perscribed Effexor which worked wonders During that time of need. Then about 3 months out I was taken off Effexor and I did great! You are lucky I couldn't do any protien drinks at all. And I still have a problem with sugar. if something I eat or drink has more than 2 grams of sugar in it, I get real sick and almost pass out. This is the dumping syndrome for me. I ate a lot of yougart and cottage cheese and mashed potatoes and I tried pureeing meat that was so gross! And I ate Cream soups. I loved tamatoe soup. I will talk to you later. Hugs and welcome to the loser club. Debbie Moya Dr. Baker 9/22/03 354/195/147

Hi Dodie; Welcome home and congratulations on becoming a loser. I had the exact same medication reaction that you did to the liquid pain med. (Lortab). The nurse prescribed Toradol and I was fine. She said to let doctors know in the future that I'm allergic to Codeine since it gives me such an adverse reaction. Thank goodness you caught it quick. It took me 3 days! I was a crying and blabbering wreck because of it and the "what did I do to myself" blues. You'll come around. We experience hormonal changes on top of everything else and it's perfectly normal. As to your diet, did your doctor or dietician not give you a food guide? That's the most important thing to follow. Take care and may God continue to bless you on your journey, Cheryl

Welcome home Dodie!!!! I have cried and laughed and then cried some more!!! My emotions are a mess!!! I am on the soft foods now, and looking for variety. It gets old quick! but I am finding that things like refried beans (I add a little skim milk and melted cheese to make them not quite as thick), sf/ff pudding, etc. are great and go down well. Good luck!! Tammy 373/366/159

Congrats!!!!!