let me pick your brains some more!

Hi guys, Just curious about a few things. How soon were you able to get out (drive and get groceries and stuff) lap/open? I am trying to gage how much help I am going to need post-op. People have offered to help me, I think I have the first 2 weeks covered. Do you think I will need more than that? What are your favorite post-op drinks? I have tried Propel, but it is almost too sweet for me now, I know tastes can change. I do have several flavors of Crystal lite on hand. Is Iced tea too harsh on the new tummy? I prefer it over water. I also bought lots of SF jello. I heard you can add unsweetened koolaid powder to make it taste better. Did any of you add anything else to your jello to make it better? What are your favorite sources of protien? How soon were you able to have a bubble bath again-(if you're a bubble bath kind person of course)? I hope I'm not driving you guys nuts with all of these questions. Thanks for putting up with me. ~~Jaimee

Let me answer some of your questions....myself in the beginning water is the best thing to drink. You could probably handle tea...I like sugar free tang and get some sugar free popsicles...you will love to have these b/c its like eating something. Bulen cubes chicken or beef will be something you will want to have on hand. When you build up to eating a little forom of a soild instant mash potatoes with fat free gravy will be like having a steak dinner! Ok, bubble bath...well you are looking @ 6 weeks until you port holes are close with the lap procedure. More time if it is open and it depends too on how fast your body heals but 6 weeks is about the norm. I hate jello...reminds me of hospital food. Try this, for protein its called CHOICE sold @ walmart and its a diabetic sugar free drink the chocolate is the best and its only like 4 oz just enough for you new tummy to handle. Good luck...anymore questions just reply back. Karie : jump :

hi kiddo--i found at first i couldn't drink real cold stuff- i relied a lot on decaf green tea --hot felt good going down--tho i enjoyed my sf popsicles and eventually sf fudgsicles...i drink crystal lite iced tea- i like the raspberry but i really like the peach better---reg iced tea would have caffeiene so watch it--- i am a shower person so can't answer but you got good advice about the bubble bath--cleanliness IS next to Godliness however soaking is probly a nono..... driving you shouldn't do for at least two weeks probly--as for after that--grocery shopping etc--you shold be able to do but probly cannot lift more than 5 pounds for about 6 weeks- (my case anyhow)---so you can shop but don't lift!!! you also will want someone to help you lift things like the laundry basket--and running the vacuum is a nono--not good on stomach muscles.... hope that helps alittle--as always--talk to your doc!

Hi Margo.Do you know why we cant have caffine. I have a cup of coffee everyday because its the only thing that gets me moving if you know what I mean haha. Noone seems to know why caffine is bad for you. I hope you can tell me.Thank you, Cindy and yes I am freezing.

hi cindy- i am going to just give you my take on caffene-gosh can't even spell it this morning! caff is an appetite stimulant and also can cause loss of fluids leading to dehydration---we are so critical in everything taht we do take in--we sure don't need something taht robs us of our vital fluids .....and so many of us if drinking hi powered coffee will not drink enuff water and other beneficial fluids--- my nutritionist has allowed me back on caff but not til i hit at least 6 weeks--and then in limited quantities---i try to switch to decaf after two cups in the am if i really WANT the taste of coffee later in teh day-- also- caff will cause the blood sugars to rise-again this is my take--i am not a dr!!!!! insulin levels etc will mess up--- so having said that try to drink decaf teas and coffee if you can-- now--if you are using coffee to make you get up and go in a diff sense - which ithink you are-then you should probly continue with at least 1 cup a day-(my opinion only!!!no flamers!!!) --i have many other things that will trigger my going if needed-raisins/fat free gravies/sesame seeds /nuts.....so i guess i don't have that issue--(maybe i am confused !?) anyhow- it is better for your system if you do not allow caff back into it--many of us choose to allow it in small quantities.....i cannot preach! ---side note--this morning i woke up with almost ALL of the covers on me--poor hubby was shivering!! will have to get extra blankies for him!!!!!

I do only have one cup in the morning and you were right ,it helps me gooo. lol It also is very weak. I am 3 months out, thanks I am so cold/cindy

I am in the process of weaning off of it as we speak. I started out by using 1/2 reg 1/2 decaf. now I am on 1/4 caf 3/4 decaf. I had some horrendous headaches for a few weeks. I am a latte girl and it was hard going from that (or sometimes as much as a pot a day) to this. It's getting better though. I plan to try to stay away from caffiene as best I can post-op. Knowing myself thoug, I will probably end up having to have at least that one cup in the morning.

jaimee-learn from my past experiences!!!! when i have not had a chance to wean off caff before surgery- wow- the anesthesia and the caff knocked me for a loop- i was so nauseous after surergy--omg---i had an emergency surgery i***** --oh it was horrid---getting the caff out now is so much better on your system--yes the headaches are bad as you wean and you are doing good to gradually do it rather than waiting til a week preop--you can get creative with sf syrups etc to make your coffee taste better! i don't get that rush anymore form coffee that i used to- that buzz--so it makes no sense to load myself up with caff if i don't need it!!!! hugs at ya

Are the crystal light iced teas decaf? I haven't been able to find any flavored (like peach) decaf iced tea? Any suggestions?

hi june! no-they are not totally decaf-however they are 98% caffeiene free according to the package--so i feel that is pretty safe! of course- you could always make the decaf tea that you can find into iced tea the old fashioned way!!!!!