Feb 16th - Ellis Hospital Dr. Panemanglore

I think they did some of my testing early because of my gallbladder problem.  I'm having the rest of the testing in Jan.  I have to call tomorrow to schedule the psych eval which I can have on the lower floor of their building.  The nurse who called me back with all of the results was very nice and helpful...I think it's their main nurse practitioner or maybe PA.

Let me know how the first few days of medifast goes...my appointment to get my shakes is Jan 13th.

Good luck!

-Jennifer

The first day or two on the Medifast is the worst.  Lots of carb withdrawal.  After those first couple of days I was not hungry.  My one suggestion, is do not cheat.  Have only the Medifas****er (lot's of it), broth and herbal tea.  It is not worth going through the withdrawals again. 

Like people have said, get some extracts in the baking section of the super market.  I loved peppermint, almond added to the chocolate Medifast.  My wife really loved strawberry and raspberry. 

After your surgery when you are allowed to be on pureed food, cottage cheese will taste so good.  I am sure you will do wonderfully.  Chris and Anne will help you through the preop phase.

If you need anything, send me a message.

Jim

Jim,
Yummy the rasberry sounds good in chocolate! I will have to make a trip to the store for some extracts. I have read that many people use the SF flavored syrups in stuff. Is there a difference between the extracts and syrups??
I have never liked cottage cheese... so I am planning to do alot with ricotta, even make it sweet like a cannolli!
Thanks neighbor!

Lisa

Thanks for all the info..it's so reassuring!

So they have lots of extracts in the baking isle?  I'll have to look tomorrow.  

The funny thing is...I HATE cottage cheese...as in hate with a passion lol.  I hear everyone saying it was their best friend after surgery.  So now I'm thinking...what will be MY best friend??  I hope there are similar options.  

Everyone at that office has been so kind...I'm mainly nervous about anesthesia though for some reason.  I always fight going to sleep and it takes me lots of pain meds to feel comfortable..just the way my chemistry is so I'm sooo scared about being put under.  Hopefully they will calm me somehow so things go smoothly.  I hope I don't talk myself into a panic attack the day of surgery lol.  I'm praying Ellis has good anestheticians (sp?)

-Jennifer

 

I am not sure if you can have the sugar free syru*****t.  We were told no splenda, equal etc.  But ask  Chris or Anne when you start the Medifast.  Sugar free syrups are ok post op for sure. 

Don't worry about the anesthesia or pain control afterwards, they are really great at Ellis.  They gave me a little medication through the IV on the way to the operating room and I got off the stretcher and onto the table and then all of a sudden I closed my eyes and the next thing I know it was several hours later in the recovery room when I opened them.  A few minutes later I told my nurse that it hurt a little and she gave me the button to my medication pump and told me to press it when I needed pain medication.
I had surgery on late Thursday afternoon and was home before noon on Saturday.  I really only used the pain medication to get out of bed (it hurt quite a bit but only lasted about 30 seconds) and to help me fall back to sleep at night after I was woken up. 

I walked over a mile each day when I was in the hospital and it made me feel so much better.    Both my wife and I only took the pain pills at home at bed time for a few days.  Our worst pain was the gas pains and the pills did not help that at all, only walking.  We spent many an evening walking trying to get a gas bubble to move.

Also when you have your leak test xray the day after surgery, ask if they will show you the picture, it was sort of cool to get to see my new pouch!

Good luck, if you have any questions just ask

Jim

I'll have to ask them when I go about the sugar free syrups pre-op.  I'm soo glad to hear about the anesthesia at Ellis...I'll just make sure to let them know my fears so they can take care of me well.

I keep hearing how bad the gas pains are...I"ll have to remember to walk a lot even if I don't feel like it.  

As far as the leak test...I am definitely going to ask to see..how cool is that!

Thanks again for all the advice guys.

-Jennifer

Hello Everyone,

I am scheduled to have my surgery April 2nd 2012 with Dr. P. I am excited to see a NY Post and  i will have a chance to view all your comments and happenings since your surgeries. I will keep everyone updated as i will watch for  your updates. I am down 17lbs as of now and i started at 266. I hope to speak with you all after the surgery it will be nice to have people to share concerns with.

Melissa

I have had several surgeries (21!) and when I woke up I thought wow is the surgery done? I never felt sick to my stomach or dizzy I am sure you will do great

 21?  Eek! Hope everything is ok!  I'm glad to hear you had good experience with anesthesia.  It makes me feel much better.

Thanks!
-Jennifer

Hi everyone, I have just read all your postings and I wanted to thank everyone for the great ideas.  I am scheduled for surgery Jan  7 at Albany medical center with Dr. Singh.  Although I don't need to do the medifast thing, I kinda wish I did do it.  I do not have any preop diet to follow, strange to me, but I guess thats ok.  anyway, I wanted to wish everyone well and a Happy new year.