I suggest going back in the forum and reading a few pages back of topics. You will see so much discussion of every stage of this process, then ask some specific questions that either don't make sense to you or are specific to yourself.

I did that and learned so much in a couple of hours of reading.

I am pre-op and will be having my surgery on Sept. 30!

Rob

I am having surgery a week from today. My post-op diet is clear liquids with protein for 1-2 weeks and then full liquids for another 2-3 weeks before moving on to purees. I have bought a case of Isopure Zero Carb, some sample packets of Syntrax Nectar, froze some broth that I like from a local vietnamese restaurant, ordered unflavored protein and chickens soup protein. I also have a case of Premier Protein from Costco. I also have a crystal light like product but made with Stevia to flavor water and I'll make some popsicles out of that (with unflavored protein in them.) I am currently on a liquid diet so am using some of it now. I still need to get my pain RX from my doctor, get that filled, and get gas-x strips, prilosec and maybe some benefiber.

I'm on liquids only now and it seems like liquid in=liquid out. I was really worried about this yesterday but searched the internet and found it is normal and should get better in a couple of days.

Good luck to you!!

Must haves after surgery: For me it was G2 or some low calorie electrolyte repleneshing drink. I'd HAD high blood pressure, but post op it went really low due to slight dehydration. The extra sodium\potassium helped bring it up and obviously you need the fluids. I also used Jr Tylenol rather than narcotic pain meds. It was enough for the pain for me and didn't taste bad like crushed pills. You may want a pillow to splint your stomach during the ride home. Use it if you have to cough or sneeze. Water mix protein products- I found them easier to get down post-op than milky rich shakes. Syntrax Nectar and Isopure come to mind, but don't stock up as your tastes may change. I used to take mirilax daily before surgery. Today I get by on a multistrain probiotic. Expect things in that department to be a rollercoaster for the first couple of months. Once you're back on solids it should even out. Everyone's experience is different though. Cravings? Yes, much better. I decided early on to not live like I'm on a "diet". I get to eat like a thin person now. I work out 5 days per week and if there's something sticking in my head for a few days, (I try not to give into every whim immediately), I have it. I work it into my nutrition for the day so there is no guilt. Changing old habits? Giving up soda kinda sucked. Getting off caffiene was hard. I'd been drinking diet coke like water. Now I do one cup of regular coffee every morning spiked with a serving of chocolate whey and that's my caffeine for the day. Smaller portions seem perfectly normal now. For the first 6 months I had a learning curve, (painful at times) where I learned the limits of my "shock collar". The key is to slow down enough that you learn where full is. I still eat too fast so I tend to eat 1/2 of my mini-portion and stop for at least 5 minutes. If I still want more, at that point it's much easier to slow down so I don't over fill. Over filling is painful so you learn not to do it. I still struggle with fluids even 10 months out. I have to be very intentinal to get them in. I keep G2 on hand all summer as sometimes the BP still goes a bit low and it helps bring it up. Not drinking with meals comes naturally now as it makes me uncomfortable and over full, I've learned to avoid it. All in all, it's been a very positive experience. I've lost "an Olsen twin" and hit goal this week. Off all meds except the PPI which I'll probably take forever. I have my life back!

That does help, thanks! This is more of what I was looking for when asking these questions as I have read back through many many posts and these seem to continue to be what I'd like to know more about. I'm worried a little about dumping syndrome and really hope things normalize in that area for me.

I guess when it comes to the time frame, for me this is a big deal. That's what I've otherwise been lacking and what makes me question if I'm choosing the correct surgery.

Thanks all for the information!

The beauty of dumping syndrome is that it doesn't really occur unless you break the rules. 6g to 10g of sugar is what we are allowed. That is what is in most - but not all (dang luna bars!) protein bars. I can have 2 tsp of pretty much any dessert. Those are empty calories anyway. You have to watch out for some meal replacement shakes as they can also be high in sugar. I experienced dumping early on with saltines and some corn tortillas. This was very helpful as I was resisting letting go of my trigger foods. Not everyone gets dumping syndrome. You cannot rely on the sleeve to stop you from eating your trigger foods or even portion controlling them for wt loss. Good luck.

Hi, you will find that your taste might change post op, so have a small variety of protein drink products on hand, and then shop for a better supply once you are home and deciding which ones you still like. For me, I did better with high protein chicken and beef broth I got from my doctor's office. I also highly reccomend an unflavored protein powder that you can add to any kind of broth or drink to up the protein levels without changing the taste. Isopure Zero is a great flavored water with over 40 grams of protein per bottle. Counts for both water and protein!

Pre surgery I suffered from IBS. Post surgery, not at all. Turns out it wasn't IBS it was me overfilling my colon. Most bathroom issues go away with the vastly reduced amount of food you are putting in your colon. That said, because you are drinking your nutrition for awhile, you might get constipated, so be aware of that and prepared to counter it. And as Mangopickle said, if you do have dumping syndrom and not everyone does, it's because you ate something you shouldn't have. Figure out what that was (probably something loaded with sugar) and avoid it.

It's overwhelming all the information and the new eating routine, but you will manage it. We all do. And then it's back to normal food, but a new kind of normal focusing on high protein, low fat and carbs and some good green vegtables. Good luck with your surgery. It's a wonderful life changing experience.

I will have to go look at all the helpful resources on this board as well. I will be having my surgery in about 7 weeks