For what it is worth

I have made some forward progress today on the road to surgery. "walked" my filled out papers (from Dr.Boyce seminar), copies of my living will and durable power of attorney, insurance card into his office this afternoon. I was given a day for my initial consultation with him on the 21st of July. Then I went over for my time with the psychologist and he said he could see no reason why I would not be ready for the surgery and would send the letter before that July 21st date. The only thing awful about the day was the 92o day and the 100 mile round trip into Knoxville. I got out and kissed my house hello, just to get back without killing myself or someone else. Where ARE they all coming from. Don't come for a relaxing day in G'burg, The place is wall to wall. Anyway, I am that far along. I was "told " that the UHC was no problem, but I will hold judgement on that until after I hear a "Good to go" from them. got so excited that I forgot to ask if some of that fee of $3000 was taken care of by UHC. Picked up some recommended chewable today at Walmart, the Bugs Bunny sugar free ones for vitamins, and several sugar free tums for the calcium. I recevied in the mail some B-12 sublingual dots and took my first one this evening. Looking forward to getting my hands on a diet list for post op. I read with interest all the suggestions of the protein ingestion. Must be hard? To get enough. All a mystery to me, with that little pouch,do you just sip through a straw and take how long to down a glass of it. Listen, I did a 6 month fast years ago (lost 90lbs, but it found me again!). After a while I was just not that hungery. I note on one of the sites there is a chicken soup, has anyone tried that? Anyway, I am off to read some more goodies posted here. Donna Cox

Hi Donna~ First of all - You shouldn't be sipping out of a straw right out of surgery because that causes air pockets, which isn't very comfortable. Here's a short list my doctor gave me.... Clear Liquid Diet: ~Water ~Ice Tea ~Juice (Cranberry, Grape, Apple....) - Becareful on the sugar grams here, they do, however, make LIGHT drinks now by welchs! It's in the coolers not the juice aisle but please becareful with the calorie count also! If you drink 4 glasses that's still about 500 calories! ~Broth (Beef or Chicken) ~Sugar-Free Jello ~Sugar-Free Popsicles ~Coffee ~Crystal Light ~Sugar-Free Kool-aid ~Sugar-Free Lemonade (Minute Maid LIGHT is very good!) Full Liquid Diet: ~Everything in th above catergory! ~No sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast with SKIM MILK (it's now called Low Carb in the blue box!) ~Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate ~Baby Cereal ~Cream of Wheat, Farina, or Grits ~Skim milk, if able to tolerate ~Yogurt without fruit (sugar-free, low-fat) - Try Kroger or Blue Bunny brand - Great amount of protein and low in calories! ~Sugar-Free Sherbet - Try Wal-mart blue bunny sherbet on a stick! ~Vegetable Juice (V8) ~Creamed soups strained Hope this helps! -Katie