2 weeks.......

....of clear liquid....started at midnight......(at work, no less) Dixie, Janie, Stephanie, Shelly.......all you pts of Dr G's.........I need a little reassurance that I am not going to starve on this clear liquid diet...... It has only been 5 hours and I am going (?gone?) nuts........... I know it is all head hunger, because I am not physically hungry, but man........makes me question already what the hell am I doing here? And if I can't do this, then what makes me think I can use the tool properly afterwards? I thought I had already resolved all that in my head, but WOW, talk about head games....... I know, I know, this to shall pass, it gets easier, first couple days are the hardest........and I am trying to stay busy. (don't have to try to hard......been a paperwork kind of night.....) and I am drinking. And I had jello....... I definitely have to attend the next meeting, because by then I'm sure that the actual pre-surgery jitters will have set in by then. I know I can do this. I know I can, I know I can......... Any helpful hints??? thanks for listening... Sheila

Hi Sheila! I feel ya! I'm still on it until Thursday! THANK GOODNESS! It is sooo rough! But it is mostly head games, you're right. I ate a slice of jellied cranberry sauce (you know, the stuff that looks like the can, I love it!). Of course I liquified it in my mouth first and all I could eat was that one piece and that was it. I was full! I can't give you much advice as I KNOW I'm not getting my liquids in, it's hard!! I mostly just sip on Chrystal Light all day, maybe some broth if my head is really getting to me. Oh wait, I do have a little trick, that may be bad, I don't know, but it's helped me. I got some Cheetos and stucked all the cheese off and spit out the rest. It helped my cravings but I didn't "eat" anything. Like I said though, I don't know if I'm not suppose to do this or not! Sorry for the rambling, my mind's all over the place! I'm positive Janie and Dixie can give better advice! Oh, and I bet you'll be happy with the results in two weeks. I've lost 26 lbs! Good Luck and hang in there!

This was the hardest part of the whole process for me, as I am sure it was for most of us. You are doing the right thing by staying as busy as possible. I know it is cold outside, so this won't sound so appealing, but SF popsicles, etc really helped me. The time will go by faster than you think. The results will be well worth the initial struggle. I lost 33 pounds in the first 2 weeks after surgery (actually didn't lose before), and 100 pound in the first 3 months and am at 185 pounds gone forever 16 months later.

Morning Sheila, Head hunger has to be the worse thing ever! I wasn't on diet before surgery so can't help you out there. Just know we are here for you Good Luck, will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. Carolyn

Sheila, hang in there girl you can do! You have came way to far and went through hell getting to this point. Sugarfree popsicles are the key to happiness. I couldn't do the broth and the jello, so I just drank and drank,(not beer either, lol). The first few days are the worst. Remember you are doing this for YOU. What helped me to was getting a very big glass, and filling it with Propel, or Crystal Light. By the time I would fini**** I was to water logged to think of eating. Crystal Light is still my best friend, because we both know you don't drink the water in the town. You know where to find me if you need anything. Shelly

Hi Sheila ! on 12-31-04 I am a Dr Glass**** patient, I had RNY laproscopic surgery just 9 days ago : ) So yes I have some suggestions. Clear liquids- Get some blue bunny (or other brand) popsickles, and man use em. I NEVER in my life ate popsickles other than maybe when I was five hehehe but they are cold, give you something to suck on, and taste pretty good. DRINK lots of water.. it sounds silly but it helps cravings. USE the broth option, Aldi's or Fareway, Walmart they all sell the Swanson's chicken or beef broth (its allowed) STAY busy... if you sit and think about it you get hungry and cravings start. AFTER surgery they will get you up, first day, and help you walk some. Dont fret, its not as bad as it sounds. The first day you will have a STANDING barium X ray, to make sure no leaks, then they will let you have 30 ml (not very much) liquid an hour after they say you are ok to have liquids. You will be on a automatic pain med dispenser with a little button, you CANT over use it, but when you hurt you can push the little button at the end of the cord and it will give you a little. ASK if you have additional pain if you can have the ORAL pain med option also (it tastes a little like cherry cough syrup. ALSO and this is IMPORTANT. ASK about broth and popsickles after you are a day or two post surgery. I DIDNT. And I found out later that I could have at least some of the time had them. After plain water, ice water, and juice and water (apple, grape, and cranberry DONT go near the PRUNE juice option...trust me... not a pretty sight hehehehehe) They have chicken broth, beef broth, and popsickles and they would have made my experience much nicer. DONT be afraid to ding the bell for the nurses, thats what they are all there for. I was nervous, so didnt at first and then realized they are all very nice folks. *shrug* what can I say I am male. Sheila: Be encouraged !! I was sooo scared, and its not as bad as you might think. I am now out of the hospital on day three, home for two days after staying at the Ramada Convention Center there in Waterloo, finally got home on Thursday to Delmar here, about 120 miles away. I am NOT hungry, but I am still on clear liquids for another 5 or 6 days, until next Thursday. ***hint*** If you are getting tired of Jello, get some clear flavored water, like at Aldi's or Hi Vee or anywhere... clear, no calories, carbonated, like black cherry or berry flavor...and MAKE jello with that. You know... cup of hot boiling water and then a cup of the carbonated water. Sounds silly but it really changes the taste of the jello and makes it sorta tangy... I like it that way. ANY questions you may have feel free to email or if you need to chat. I went through it by myself over the holiday, and a lot of people from the WLS forums here emailed their support, so If I can answer any questions, please feel free to ask. OH: My pre surgery was DECEMBER 17. Be sure and ASK for a Tri Flow (and how to use it) its a breathing thingy to help you deep breathe after surgery... they are supposed to give it to you at Pre Surgery ITS important to have for after surgery. ALSO they want you to stay local for at least a week but it looks like you live locally so no sweat. Sheila- they weighed me at the pre surgery I was 600 pounds. They said they "100 percent couldnt do laproscopic" because I was so freaking large. Well, they DID do lapro, in two hours twenty minutes, and it was really a lot better than I imagined. At my ONE week appointment on December 29th, from December 17th (pre surgery) to December 29th I lost 25 pounds, on Weds I was 574.7 : ) So .. its working... Im excited but yeah you do feel different after : ) Good luck, Godspeed, and ask all the questions you can. Dr. Glass**** is a really nice guy, and he does excellent work, so if you dont understand or are nervous ask lots of questions : ) Take care Happy New Year Tim Sytsma 12-22-04 RNY Satori Hospital