Now that I am approved, questions....

Okay I have been approved (yahoo!) Questions: What protein mix is the best? How did you feel (for those that had lap RNY) when you woke up in recovery? What was the hardest thing for you once you returned home from the hospital?

i never found a protein powder i liked. the soy ones taste ... beany. i still drink a pure protein 35g chocolate canned shake most days. i felt pretty good when i woke up. most of the post-op pain i had in the hospital was from the air that was pumped into my abdominal cavity trying escape. it gave me pain in my shoulders and upper chest. note: the nurses don't like it if you tell them you have "chest pain" without explaining that in detail. i had heard that a heating pad was useful with the gas pain, but the one the nurse brought me was the size of a bathmat and not very helpful. the hardest thing? being patient.

You can experiment with protein powders to see what you like best.  The only thing you need to do is make sure they say Whey Protein Isolates.  Soy isn't very easily absorbed. I hurt, but like Aurora, it was mostly from the gas pains.  Heating pads do help.  There is some soreness in the incision sites, but they really only hurt when I was getting up or down. After returning home, I found that keeping track of what I had eaten when was vitally important.  Write down your meds, food, and water intake with times so that you know when to do the next thing.  Write down your walking too, just so you know how much you've done. Take care and good luck. Ellen

If you go to www.wlssupplies.com  you can get a sample pack that includes six different protein powders and you get to pick the six.  The item is called create-a-case and it only costs $9.30 + shipping.  Not a bad deal to figure out what you like.  Some of the brands are isopure, designer whey, nectar, etc.  There are at least 6 different flavors of each brand.  Happy tasting.     

CONGRATULATIONS on your approval! The day I got mine will always be counted as on of the best days of my life!

I sampled a bunch of different proteins pre-surgery, most were disgusting. Two days before my surgery, I found two that I really liked a lot. When I made them post-op, I gagged on them and could get them down. I had spent a lot of money on them so I kept them around hoping I could tolerate them later. I never could and finally cut my losses and chunked them. I wouldn't recommend buying  a lot of anything until you learn post-op what works for you.

My MD send me home with "SmartForme" protein mixes. They were really good and tolerable. I think the difference is they are like juices or kool-aid, not thick like milky stuff that most powders give off. It was much easier to drink. You can find their ad on the home page of OH. Or just go to smartforme.com.

After surgery, I felt like crap. The hardest part for me was getting in and out of the bed for walks and peeing. I used my morphine pump pretty regularly but didn't have to take any pain med after I got home. By then, it was very manageable.

The only hardship I had once home was dealing with a terrible bout of diarrhea. Other than that, I had PROMISED myself I was going to take it very easy and not push myself like always to get better the fastest. I can tell you  honestly, each passing day got a little bit better.

I went back to work after four weeks, but could have done it in three. It took a few months to get my energy back but I tried to let me body tell me what to do instead of my stubborn mind. Aside from heartburn/reflux the first two weeks and one dumping episode (grits), I haven't had any problems and would do it again RIGHT NOW!

Good luck and keep asking questions. We all did and do!

 

 

 

The only protein I can tolerate is Isopure and Muscle Milk. You will just have to do some trial and error. I felt fine when I woke up. I only used my Morphine pump 8 times in 18 hours. The pain was mostly from the gas and eased the more I walked. Burping was the best thing int he world! The hardest thing for me since being home is slowing down and taking it easy. Don't worry... It's not near as bad as our nerves work it up to be! Congrats on approval! Hugs