22 days Post Op

Hello all I am a greenie to the website. I was introduced by someone in my WLS support group. It is so nice to be able to read everyone's stories and to hear how all are doing. I only wish that I had found the site BEFORE my surgery (2/3/06). Before the surgery I weighed in at 271. In the week before the surgery(GB) I lost 9 lbs on a liquid diet. I am now at 242. It is exhilarating. Besides missing double cheeseburgers, things have gone well. I am in my last week of full liquids and have been experimenting with some soft food. The most challenging part I find is getting all the water down that I need to. At the most I have gotten down 50oz. Any suggestions? I have only one major roadblock...Before my surgery I was taking a medication that I have been on for 7 years. Since the surgery everytime I take it I very quickly experience dumping syndrome. It is horrible and so debilitating. The dilemma is that I cannot be with out this medication. Has anyone experienced anything similar?? I would love to get some feedback! I am so happy to be apart of this fabulous resource that all WLS patients should know about!

Stefani: I'm from Utah also, West Jordan. Welcome to the OH website... it has truly been a god send. Regarding the medication... while I have not had a problem like yours I was wondering if there is an alternate medicine to the one you are taking that would do the job but not cause the problem you mentioned. I'm sure you are in contact with your Surgeon and they often have some ideas. I had alot of trouble getting enough water down but finally decided to mix it up and drink some Crystal Lite and some Swiss Miss Chocolate (limited amounts of the chocolate) it at least helped me get a little more down. Best wishes to you, Marva

Hi Stefani, I'm in the southern end of the state. I had my surgery at Stanford before moving here. The first month is a big adjustment. I'm 11 months out. I find now that I get ion nearly 80 ounces of water a day. I found two things that for me are fantastic. Acheive One which is like a starbucks drink. No sugar and no fat with 20 grams of protein. Skylar Haley is coming out with a decaf version of it. The other is RTD extreme smoothies. The Pralines and cream are so good. It has 35 grams of protein in it. The Extreme smoothie is a bit on the sweet side for me now, so I thin it down with milk. Funny how even splenda can seem to sweet. They both are good sources of liquid. I found the powders protein drinks were fine short run, but I can't stand them any longer. If you want hot chocolate, find the Nestles no carb type. It's sweetened with splenda and very good. A warm drink will make you feel fuller faster. I carry a bottle of water with me everywhere. I set certain time limits as to how much I want to drink during the day. I get my protein drinks down and at least 24 ounces of water by noon. Another 24 by 6 pm, which I usually exceed. Then it is the rest of the evening that I work on the last bit I want to get down. Here is a fun recipe for a protein drink you can make yourself. It tastes like liquid cheesecake. two large frozen strawberries, 1/3 cup non fat cottage cheese, 1/3 cup non fat plain yogurt, splenda to sweeten and non fat milk to thin it down, blend until smooth. I also add a 1/4 of an orange to it. You can put in any fruit, just freeze it first so that it makes it thick and cramy like a shake. I also found some good albumen protein (egg) powder. I add a scoop to the drink. My son loves this and he would just as soon he had it and not me. So at times I will mix a big blender full and share the rest with him. As to the med's ask your pharmacist. It maybe the pill has sugar as one of the ingredients. See if he knows of the alternatives. He will be the best source over the dr. The pharmacist knows the meds, the dr.s just know that a type of med is good for what you have, but maybe unaware of what compounded it.