[FemmeMode]

Thinking back...I remember how it felt to be home - and 'freaking out' a little bit about if I was actually going to be able to "DO" all my doctor was requiring of me! I journaled and blogged a bunch during that time....so here is a little tid bit of what helped me "Get THRU it"
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**MY DISCLAIMER** -- BEFORE EVERYTHING...YOU NEED TO FOLLOW ALL YOUR SURGEON HAS LAYED OUT FOR YOU....I'LL TRY TO SPECIFY AS I GO WHAT SPECIFICALLY WAS A REQUIREMENT OF MY SURGEON.
(WHO, BTW, WAS AMAZING AND AWESOME -- OUT OF DALLAS, TX. -- YOU CAN LOOK HIM UP ON THE DOCTOR'S LIST ON 'OH' IF YOU'RE INTERESTED - DR. WADE BARKER.)
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STAGE ONE - Liquid Diet :
(**my doctor's requirement was 1st week post-op)

1. Liquids only from the list below 6x a day at set times. (ie. 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm.)
2. Liquid protein supplements 3x daily for 3 meals.
3. NOTE: Most people can only drink 1 protein drink per day for the first 2-3 days due to swelling.

• REMEMBER: small amounts (4-6 oz.)
• GO SLOW (30 minutes to drink 4-6 oz.)
• When you feel full -- STOP!!
• No Carbonated Drinks
• Start 'thin' and advance to 'thicker' fluids.

LIQUID DIET:

• Coffee, tea, (sugar free) fruit juice
• Crystal Light, Nutri-sweet Kool-Aid
• Diet Drinks
• Broth
• Blended soup
• Skim Milk, Lactaid, or Soy milk
• Popsicles (sugar free)
• ANYTHING THAT POURS W/O SOLID MATTER.

PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS:

There are sooo many types of liquid protein mixes or pre-made drinks. From GNC, Isopure, , Roy Robb, Pure Pro Powder or any protein powder supplement from a health food store containing 20g of whey protein or MORE! (& 6g of carb per serv.)

Mix with liquid of your choice. If you choose milk, it would be best to use skim milk lactaid milk as lactose intolerance can occur the first few weeks after surgery.

(**The protein powder can also be mixed with yogurt or with fruit or fruit juice if blender-ized
starting week 2 post op - according to MY surgeon.)
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Don't concentrate on the BIG Picture...think about things on a 15min basis...
Here's what I did...I kept a alarm clock...and a egg timer close by where I was "laid up"....
I set it every 15 minutes...and it was my goal to drink a medicine tiny cup every 15 minutes....it's about 3 sips. (The medicine cup is one that goes with a pepto bismol
...or cough medicine...it's about 2oz. so you'd be getting about 8oz. of crystal light, water, or whatever else every hour....just take it slow...you'll be able to do it if you goal and use an egg timer....)

[clancythecamper]

This is a good idea, Deb. I remember I literally took tiny sips - I used a shot glass initially LOL and somewhere, somebody found this tiny (3" tall) fluted champagne looking glass that was somehow fun to drink from -- reminded me of playing house when I was little with the little play dishes!!!

[DocSanae]

Sticking this.

[rmyers61]

This is Great! Thank you for all of this information.
I am going for the gastric bypass- (I made up my mind for sure) Also, I finally have my date! It is March 3, 08. My pre-op is 2-18-08. This is where they do my blood work and history. Then I start my pre-op diet.
Is this where I start thinking if I am doing the right thing! You know, I never had a surgery before, and now, I am getting my insides cut and re-routed! Do I know what I am doing? I'm a little nervous....wondering what will come from this! I hope everything will come out fine. I worry. some.......but I know that I have been through everything to loose weight and I have failed at it all! This is my last hope....I see all of you on here with your before and after pictures and can't wait to see me too! I want this for me. I deserve it for me....I need this for me..... Thank you all for this help. I will keep you all informed as I go on from my pre op. please keep helping me...I need as much help and support as I can get. thank you all. Gina

[Jaime]

We'll keep a seat ready for you on the bench!

Femme - that last pict of you in that black dress - OH LA LA!

[clancythecamper]

Gina - it's a tough decision to make for sure. If you didnt feel that way, I'd be worried you were just jumping in head first! I'm sure you've done lots of research and that you are making an informed decision. We'll surely be here so let us know when you need us. Pre op jitters are the pits, hang in there!

[ayam86]

Hello everyone I am back in one piece woohoo! The surgery went really well there were no complications and they even allowed me home a day early (which I was soooo grateful for). I did panic that they were going to tell me there were leaks and that I couldnt start drinking - after two days nil by mouth I was really starting to suffer my tongue felt like cardboard. But the xray (god that stuff they give you to drink is awful) came back and I was fine. Am experimenting with various drinks although there is no way I am drinking the every hour they suggest. Also I am on shed loads of vitamins which I dont believe everyone else is on. I am supposed to have per day:
4x 5ml Iron liquid
1 x b12
3 x folic acid tablets crushed
2 x multivitamin tabs crushed
1 x disolvable thing to stop acid or something
1 x pill (but thats my choice)

I knew I would be on vitamins for ever but a lot of them I was only on (or so I thought) to boost my blood levels (which are now fine). Was wondering what other people are doing??

Anyway so pleased to be back on the board and hopefully will start seeing results in a month or so

Maya

[DeMarie]

Hi Maya,
welcome back!
I take:
2 chewable calcium (1 after breakfast, one after lunch)
1 chewable multi (after dinner)
1 sublingual b12 500mg
1 prylosec (for 1st. 6 months)
my blood pressure pill (for now )

Take it easy! Rest and take care of yourself.

[PJspeach]

You know I have noticed others talking about the leak test and having to drink nasty stuff. I am thankful that my surgeon has developed a different way of doing this before you leave surgery. He builds the pouch around a tube that runs to the stomach. He not only staples, but sutures around everything. Then they run a blue dye thru the tube to check for leaks in the whole system. They have never had any leaks. You may have a little blue dye on your face or mouth and your urine is blue the first time, but it does keep you from having to wait a day or so after surgery for the leak test. I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

[FemmeMode]

You know I have noticed others talking about the leak test and having to drink nasty stuff. I am thankful that my surgeon has developed a different way of doing this before you leave surgery. He builds the pouch around a tube that runs to the stomach. He not only staples, but sutures around everything. Then they run a blue dye thru the tube to check for leaks in the whole system. They have never had any leaks. You may have a little blue dye on your face or mouth and your urine is blue the first time, but it does keep you from having to wait a day or so after surgery for the leak test. I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

My Surgeon did the blue dye in surgery...but still had me do the barium swallow a few hours after surgery! ~ It all went fine.....especially when I was able to drink a little bit!