jdk77

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I can't believe how long its been since I've posted anything. Life seems so normal now. I LOVE that I did this for myself! I've lost 48lbs so far, but need to kick up the exercise more. I also have been letting carbs back in, something I vowed not to do! I'm getting myself back on track though and making good choices. 

Well, everything's going really well. I had such a good experience in Mexico. The past few weeks have been uneventful. I love not eating! I just don't think about it anymore. 

Now that I can have some food,  I've had eggs, deli meat, lots of yogurt, cottage cheese, and mashed potatoes.

I need to get my calories up. I am completely zapped of energy. It looks like people say their energy returns around week 6. Let's hope so. I'm over this feeling!

Today after we went to the pool, we stopped by McDonalds to get the kids a cheeseburger...Oh my God, it smelled so good. I was dying for some fries. I find myself missing food at times, but most of the time I don't even think about it. I am so stinking sick of protein bullets and shakes. The thought makes me gag.

I haven't had to throw up, my incisions are healing nicely, and I'm still stalled...but I think that'll end once my caloric intake increases. Of course, i don't know how to increase it. I have no room for food! 

I am so glad I had this surgery!!!! 

okay, after my family told me they wished I would wait another 6 months to think about it (WTH), I knew I was finally ready.

We made it Mexico with no problem. Went to Medernos--I didn't like it, but my DH did. We crossed over the border that was used in the film No Country for Old men. Cool.

Anyhow, now i'm in the hospital room, waiting. The room smelled really funny , not good, but Priscilla sprayed air freshner to help. Now, I'm just watching E and checking OH.

I feel totally calm and ready. I still worry about how I'll handle NO FOOD in my life (as much), but I'll have no choice, so I'll get through it.

Wish me well. I think I'll do GREAT!

I picked my kids up today at my MIL's house, I told her i was getting excited and scared about my upcoming surgery (the 12th!)...She replied with, "We actually don't think you should do it"..

What the heck? Is this support? Doesn't feel like it!

I'm so mad right now.

 

I KNOW I'm doing what's right. What a bad day. 

Okay, I'm getting so nervous about all of this. So many things are going to change. I want them to, I'm just anxious about it all. 

I need to keep reminding myself of the positive things that will happen. I'll play more with my kids, run with my husband, feel good each morning, be a good role model for my family--and live longer.

these other changes are just changes in habits really, and I can handle that.

So, I'm giving up Diet Coke (20 years with 1 a day) Sunday.

 

Milk Products: Skim, 1%, cottage cheese, (lowfat or regular), Buttermilk, Low-fat plain yogurt, Low-fat fruited yogurt, Low-fat frozen yogurt ( artificial sweetener)      Fruit: Most fruit and natural fruit juices, including apple, berries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, oranges, pears, grapes, peaches, applesauce, (Cherries, plums and grapefruit lowest).      Meats: Shellfish, "white" fish (cod, flounder, trout, tuna in water), Chicken, turkey, cornish hen, venison (white meat no skin), Egg substitutes (cholesterol free) cottage cheese

Thses are the proteins and vitamins  (and a few meds to help with heartburn) that seem to be the most popular post op.

*liquid tylenol

*prilosec

*Nexium 

*Zantac 

*biotin (hair, nails) 

*Multi vitamin- gummies

*liquid B12 (gnc)

*B-Complex

*Iron

*Calcium 

*Tropical Oasis Calcium Citrate (post op for sure) 

**Anti nausea medicine

Whey protein

Protein Bullets

*Extreme Pure Pro (liquid fruit, thin protein mix) 

*Unjury protein mix (unflavored to mix w/ Crystal Light or Chicken Broth) 

 

Need To Know

Things to Bring to the Hospital: 
(besides the obvious things like clothes, toothbrush, etc.)
Pillow  (the hospital ones are very flat!)
Heating Pad
Chapstick
Slippers or flip flops (to walk the halls)
Laptop/Book/Magazines
i-Pod (music)
Re-wetting Eye drops (after surgery - for those with contacts)

Food to have at home:

Phase 1 (Days 1-7) Thin Clear Liquids
Flavored Water (Crystal Light, Propel Water, Gatorade, Vitamin Water)
Chicken and/or Beef Broth or Boullion cubes
Skim Milk
SF Jello
SF Popsicles
Mild De-Caf Tea (green tea - no cinnamon)
Low Sugar Apple and Cranberry juice (Gerber Baby Juice)
Fruit Ices/Slushies/Shaved Ice (no chucks of fruit)

Phase 2 (weeks 2 & 3 / days 8-21) Full Liquids
Milk (1% or 2%)
Soy Beverages
Fruit Juice (no pulp)
SF Jello
Creamed Soup (no chunks) * avoid tomato soup for a few more weeks
Drinkable Yogurt (no fruit chunks)
Smoothies
Protein Drinks
Micellar Milk
Sugar Free Popsicles
Sugar Free Fudgesicles
Egg Custard
Sugar Free hot cocoa
Applesauce

Phase 3 (week 4) Soft Food - One Week only
Eggs (soft boiled or scrambled)
Tofu
Yogurt (no chunks or seeds)
Pudding
Peanut Butter (on a spoon)
Small Curd Cottage Cheese
Protein Drinks (add unflavored protein to other foods)
Filet Fish (Sole, Flounder, Tilapia, Orange Rophy)

Phase 4 (weeks 5+) Regular Food - DO NOT START UNTIL YOU 1 MONTH POST-OP!
(work your way up to these - try the softer one first)
Cream of Wheat
Oatmeal
Yogurt with berries
Hard Boiled Eggs
Cooked Vegetables
Soft Fruits (bananas, berries, canned peaches, pears)
Cheese (sliced thin)
Deli Meat (sliced thin)
Canned Fish (Tuna, Salmon)
Ground Meat (Turkey, Beef, Chicken, Lamb)
Fish Steak (Tuna, Salmon, Halibut, Swordfish)
Shelfish (Scallops, Lobster, Shrimp)
Chicken Breast
Beef Steak
Turkey
Pork
Lamb

Remember: You need to work your way up to thicker and heavier foods.  If you are not sure if you can have something at a certain stage just look at the other items that are listed and ask yourself "Is it the same consistency and texture?" 

Never eat more than 4 oz at one time.
Do not drink and eat at the same time. (wait 30 minutes)
Avoid eating 3 hours before you go to bed (heartburn)

Here is a link that talks about Protein and why it is so IMPORTANT post-op:
http://www.bariatricchoice.com/protein-needs-for-bariatric-gastric-bypass-surgery-patients.aspxBe the first to leave a comment.

Okay, Finally we're buying a plane ticket to Mexico. We visited my pcp who said he would still treat me if we go out of the country for surgery. But he wanted me to exhaust every option here first. We already have. All is good though, my husband needed to hear from the dr that there ARE in fact good surgeons all over the world. I'm very confident in dr. A's abilities, now, so is my husband. I'm starting to think about what I need to bring and what protein shakes, products, I need to have in the house. I've noticed that I'm eating a lot more junk than usual--last supper syndrome.

Well, I've decided on the VSG procedure. I think its the best choice for me. I love the DS, but the malabsorption does worry me. It looks like a fantastic surgery, though. I'm not covered by insurance and was just "approved" by Dr. A's office in Mexico. My husband is still very concerned and not sold on going to another country, so he's asked his CFO for a "favor" and hope that they WILL cover me for insurance. I don't want this to work out really b/c then I'll have to jump through all the hoops and go through the emotional ups and downs. Urg. I've had enough of that. We told his parents about the surgery, they're concerned, but want whatever we want. They DO NOT,however, know about MX. Don't know how we're going to cross that bridge.