THINGS I HAVE LEARNED SINCE SURGERY

SINCE WE HAVE SO MANY NEW POST OPS THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A NEAT THING TO POST FOR ALL THE OLDER POST OPS TO PUT DOWN SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED YOU RIGHT AT FIRST IF YOU HAD KNOWN IT. SO COME ON ALL YOU LURKERS I KNOW SOME OF YOUR ARE OLDER POST OPS.  1. The hunger you feel isnt stomach hunger is head hunger  2. you arent going to die because you cant get all in that they say, that is a number to shoot for.  3. Protein drinks are something that you are going to have to live with the rest of your life at least 3 a day 4. mashed potatoes are high in carbs switch to baked sweet potatoes mashed with butter good.  5. when they say chew they mean chew.  6. Paypaya tablets are great if you get something stuck, they are a natural meat tenderizer and you can use in an emergency regular meat tenderizer out of your kitchen cupbord.  7. eggs unless very soft scrambled are not a good food to start your reg diet off with , they are too dense.  now see what you all can come up with . I can think of a whole lot more but want to leave those for others to type in. ok?   

 Jan, you ar SO right about the papaya tablets. Margie had me go get some today. The first does helped, the 2nd dose cured. You ar also SO right about the egg. I hope more people post to this, it's helpful for all of us newbies!

1. eat very slow 2. stay away from pasta, white bread, white pot. 3.  when head hunger hits have tropical sf popcicles 4. several small meals during the day 5. sometimes at night I wake and cant sleep I eat popcicles too these are things that works for me....vesta

Even just a finger full of cake batter can make you sick, for hours...learn to be comfortable with your own body expulsions...crushed vitamins are worse than yak poop, get liquid for the first month...benefiber keeps you from going all the time....and colace keeps you going...and last but not least...this forum is a great place to meet and make great new friends!!!!!

Nancy, you are a hoot!!!!

NEWBIES....BEWARE!!!! Listen to your bodies. If something doesnt feel right, call your dr! Everyone said that I was just weak because I wasnt getting enough fluids..but it turned out to be something alot more serious than that! Just pay close attention to how you feel.  Protien drinks dont have to be mixed and sweet!!!!!! I drink Isopure and it has been a real God send to me.  Nuts are a real life saver as far as a snack and so is Jack Link original jerky....the little bags are convientient to keep in your purse or car and there is 18 grams of protien in one bag....good stuff! Use some lentils in homemade stews and soups...very high protien. Keep some Extra gum handy for the dry mouth and to keep you from munching!

NEVER EVER STRAY BACK INTO ANY OF YOUR OLD BAD HABBITS.......DO NOT THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE OVER COME IT ONCE YOU CAN DO IT EASY AGAIN!!! HI, MY NAME IS TAMMY AND I HAD MY VERTICAL GASTRIC SLEEVE DONE JUNE 4TH 2007! I WAS DOING WONDERFUL UNTILL I TOLD MY SELF I COULD HAVE A BIT OF MR.PIBB I HAD BEEN CRAVING FOR MONTHS. NOW I AM DEALING WITH HAVING TO GET UNADICTED TO THEM AGAIN!  STILL DOING FAIR FOOD WISE BUT I KNOW THAT THE PIBBS ARE WHAT ARE KEEPING ME AT A STAND STILL!!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY OF YOUR OLD BAD HABBITS....IT'S NO EASIER TO STOP THE SECOND TIME AROUND THAN IT WAS FOR YOUR LIQUID DIET OR SURGERY!!! 

Thank you all for the tips.  I have 30 days left of my 90-day program which should end right about Memorial Day!  Keep the tips coming!