Silly Questions!

OK, I have a few silly questions!  About this GAS that everyone talks about after surgery.  I think I heard that they pump you up with gas so they can better perform the surgery, right?  Well, how does this gas come out?  Do you **poot** it out or what?  LOL  I have heard to walk walk walk, sip sip sip....is this what brings the gas out?  OK, #2 silly question....Isopure?  I have stocked up on some from the commisary, the kind that is clear and comes in grape, melon, apple and has 40 protein per bottle I think it was like $2.29 per bottle.  Is this the kind of Isopure that everyone talks about or is it some other kind of milky protein drink?    I have completed my pysch appointment and have my nutritional appt this Weds at PNMC, so I think I may be getting close to surgery, perhaps another 4-6 weeks?  Does anybody know how it works from this point...after I go on the pre-op list what happens?  I am so ready for this to happen.  It seems like it has been so long since I attended the orientation back in Sept 07 but I guess this is normal to wait this long.  Any answers I can get to my questions will be greatly appreciated. Congrats Brandi on your spot on the bench and good luck in the next few weeks with eating and healing. Susan 

Ok....I live for silly questions because they normally turn out to be the same questions everyone else has! #1 Yes the gas is used to create a pocket between your organs and your skin so that the visability is higher and there is more room to work. Your body is supposed to absorb this gas and then you will pass it in different ways, just like any regular gas. #2 Isopure has different forms. They do have the powder's and they have the stuff you bought. #3As far as how much longer you have to go, it;s hard to say. My first appointment was March of last year and then my Nut, Pysch and ets was the end of Dec with my surgery March 19th. Just hang in there, it's right around the corner Brandi~

Wow Brandi, you waited 9 months to have your first appointment?  Thats wild!  I guess the cycle moves at different speeds depending on how many slots they have for baraitric patients each week?  I am just so antsy to have it done.  I work in the school system and I am hoping to have my surgery in May so I can heal during the summer and then be ready to go back in late August.  We'll see.  Again, good luck with your healing and take care of yourself.  I see we are neighbors, we live in York County.  Hubby is stationed at the NMCP so I had him running over there checking the list.  His office is actually right across the hall from the bariatric clinic.  Cheers!

Well Brandi answered all your questions really well. Susan, I have one for you? Have you tasted the Isopure that you have stocked up? -  because it is an acquired taste and even if you like it now  you may hate it after surgery as tastes change...... my suggestion (if it is not too late) is only to buy enough to get you through the first couple of weeks until you are sure you like it enough to spend dollars on it.... there are many different proteins out and you have to try some samples before you go headlong into spending a fortune.  Kudos for you for trying to get organized ahead of time!  I am not criticising, just trying to help - as someone who has difficulty finding protein I can stomach....... and the person who had to give away all my purchased Isopure  - as I hated it after surgery!! lol! Jackie

Thanks so much for your input Jackie!  You are so right, I have heard alot of that....taste will change.  When I say I stocked up I have about 6-7 bottles of all different flavors.  Yep, I tried it and its not bad at all, in fact I like that flavor.  I will stop buying just in case I can't tolerate it afterwards.  I think my next step will be to order some samples from Unjury.  Thanks for your reply.....Susan  :) 

Susan, I feel so much better now lol! I had visions of you having a few crates of the stuff - like I did - because it tasted okay in the begining...later is became too sweet and then I just could not tolerate it at all..... In the beginning I used the unflavored unjury in chilis etc but there is stil some aftertaste, just not as bad as when I tried to mix it with crystal light - ugh then it was nasty! . I do still use the chocolate unjury in protein balls which I love! And I don't mind the chicken soup Unjury - as long as your realise you can't have the soup too hot - it doesn't do well above a certain temperature - but I can manage that too.  I actually use the protein bullets as they have very little taste and I can knock it back quickly...... But I so envy people who just love their chocolate protein etc - life is much easier if you like the proteins and can get over the after taste of the protein.... But I am sure you are going to do great! Jackie

There are lots of places to get samples as well -- Matrix / Syntrax (makes Nectar stuff), and MyDietShopz.com has variety packs for starters.  My nut had samples as well. What kind of surgery are you having, BTW?

Just saw your posting and you having your surgery with Dr. Elariny.  I just had mine on Tues with Dr. Oscar Chan and Dr. Williams.   That team rocks!    I purchased a can of Isopure, it is the flavor of pineapple,orange/banana.   It is 50 grams in 2 scoops.   I am going to try to do this for the first time this evening with SF and Fat Free vanilla ice-cream and crushed ice!!!  Hopefully it will taste like a shake(of some sort).   Also, if you purchase the protein from GNC and don't like it or can't handle it, they are WONDERFUL about letting you return and refund. I have begun full liquids today.   To look at cream of chicken later today is just unreal after being on those nasty broths, waters, and just plain liquids all week.   I had my first SF choc pudding this morning,  I got down about 2 oz........was stuffed...........ahhh this is the life!!! lol......my energy level is about to burst.   I LOVE IT!!!!   I go for my post op on Tues, hoping all to go well..............btw.........saw this doctor on the news and she was explaining questions on nutrition and diets..etc.........well, it came to the one abou****ER and how much to have:??   It said 64-84 oz a day!!! The buzzer went BONK..........Nope!!!  Your body can drown in too much water, so she is telling you to drink "whenever" you feel thirst, she also mentioned that "foods" have alot of fluids into them so your body really won't dehydrate if you don't get it the "ample" amount that they recommend.   She also said too much water can cause kidney's to overwork................so, hmmmm on the part of the water -----I may drink as much as I feel comfortable with and not worry nearly as much???? What do you guys think on this???? Take care...........Happy Easter

yea, I really like Dr McDreamy-Elariny!  Dr Chan is a hoot, and does wonderful follow up.  You are in great hands. As for getting too much water, I wouldn't worry about it one little bit.  It is VERY hard to OVER hydrate.  I won't say impossible, as obviously some folks have done so.  I read somewhere we NEED a fluid ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight.  That is a LOT more than the average person drinks. Best wishes with your surgery!!  Talk to us when you have questions!

Hi, Susan:  I can't address the process at the hospital...but it sounds like Brandi did a great job!  :)  As far as the gas -- I found that that more I moved around, the faster it went away...follow your surgeon's instructions on what to do and when to do it as far as moving following surgery.  Isopure -- I happen to love the stuff.  Some of it is an acquired taste, but I love the grape, the fruit punch (tho it has some carbs in it where the grape doesn't) and a few others...the only one I couldn't tolerate was the melon.....blech!  ;)  Everyone's right, though -- tastes really do change post op.  Bariatric Eating has a package of samples you can buy, and it is a good way to get an idea of which type of protein and in what form, you might prefer (http://www.bariatriceating.com/ulprtapa.html.)  I hope this is of some help!