** HOME FROM SURGERY **

Hi Everyone. I got home from surgery Wednesday. I had the Lap RNY with Dr. Ben-Meir (he was awesome. I can not say enough wonderful things about him. He was very through and made sure that I completely understood every step. He was just great. The nursing staff at St. Vincent, not so much. but that's just my experience). Im a little sore especially right at the top. And boy is this binder itchy! I try to walk as much as I can and I am still EXTREMELY gassy. It is very hard to pass. One of my closest friends (Guilia) used to be a nurse in Italy and she has been such an enormous help. She tells me to keep walking b/c your muscles will move it out. It just seems like there is so much in there I will never get it all out. Sometimes its very painful but I have confidence it will work out. Other than that I feel really good and am excited about the next few months. I do have a question. Does anyone have any suggestions on protein drinks that worked really well for them? I tried the Boost, Vanilla. I got sooooo sick yesterday (I could only drink one) all I wanted to do was throw it back up and gagged the entire time I was drinking it. I was able to keep it down but it was so gross. Im doing excellent on the water and broth intake so that's really good. Its just the protein drink. It tastes BUTT NASTY. Obviously its an aquired taste! Thanks everyone for any help or suggestions you may have. =)

Hey Kym, Great to hear from you. Glad everything went well for you. Hopefully soon I will hear from my insurance and then I will join you on losers bench. Good luck to you. Debbie

Cool Beans. That would be awesome. Im kinda curious how much I am down by now. Probably 5-10 pounds. Not sure. The hospital did not weigh me yet. Keep me posted on your approval. =)

congrats on your surgery and good luck!!

Thank you Angela!!! Im feeling like 80% better today so that's good. I greatly appreciate your kind wishes Have a great day

HI Kym, I am so glad you posted! I was thinking of you on your day, and am SO GLAD to hear everything went well. As far as the gas goes, KEEP ON WALKING! It is the only way out, and it will pass soon. The protein drinks, I never got the be a fan of them, but they are important in the beginning. I tried many many kinds, the "best" one I though ( not saying much though lol) was the whey vanilla protein you get @ GNC. The great thing about GNC is that they will take back everthing, even if you just dont like the taste. Keep your receipts and you can but some small samples to try them out. They have an ok chocolate one too..Good luck. Some people have no problem with the protein drinks, and maybe you "can" be one of them. Just keep trying them out. For now, just rest up and heal...you will do great! Michelle down 97 pounds today!

Hey Kym, congrats on your surgery! The protein drinks made me want to hurl daily, but sugar free plain yogurt fit the bill for that first month. Good luck on finding one you can tolerate.

Hi Kym I have not had surgery yet, but I have tried profect it has 20 gram of protien in les then 3 oz. The smell is not the best, but so far the flavors i have tried are okay. They seel them at GNC i think but I ordered them on-line fromt hier site...they have a trial pack that you get 4 different flavors in... I was also reaing the protien reviews on here and there is another drink that is 3 oz with a ton more grams of protien that got okay reviews also.... just suggestion Good Luck! Colleem

Kim, everyday gets better. I am almost six months out and I am learning something about my surgery and body everyday. As far as the protein drink goes, I have from day one used Whey Protein powder. You can mix it with water(20grams of Protein) or milk(30 grams of protein). I mixed it with 2%milk. I have never had any trouble with it. The only problem I had with it was when I would mix it in the blender. Too much gas. I use a whisk to mix it. I drink three a day, one with milk the other with water or coffee. You can add a sweet and low if you want it sweet. Mixing it with coffee makes it taste like hot chocolate or chocolate milk. I buy it in a large bag (6lbs) at Sam's club. You can get it in the grocery store in smaller cans to try, butif you like it buy it at Sam's in the large bags. You go through it fast and it is more economical to buy it at Sam's. There is also vanilla and strawberry, but I can only tolerate the taste of the chocolate. I am almost 6 months out and have lost 70 pounds. I only have 15 more to lose to my goal. I hope everyday gets brighter. Keep a positive attitude and remember you are not super woman, and it will take time to feel normal. Even at six months there are times when I don't feel normal. It will pass. Janet Kendall (Bellbrook, OH)

EAS Advantedge carb control drinks... you can get them at Walmart of Krogers in the pharmacy area... they are the only thing I could stand. Now I use they EAS whey powder in my coffee and get 27 gr of protein from it as well... good luck, It will get easier. Pam