More Information

A lot of folks have asked what I can have after surgery and if they can bring me anything.  Here is information on what I can have up to 4 weeks after surgery. (I have marked through the flavors that I do not currently like... but tastes can change after surgery.)

Clear liquids for hydration (Weeks 1-3 after surgery)
Goal = 64oz. per day

• Decaf coffee or tea (Splenda, Equal, Truvia, and Stevia are allowed)
• Clear diluted 100% fruit juice (1/2 juice, 1/2 water) Apple, Grape, Cranberry
• Sugar-free gelatin
• Sugar-free Popsicles
• Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth
• Water
• Sugar-free non-carbonated beverages such as Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-Aid, or lemonade
• Electrolyte and nutrient enhanced water such as Propel or G2

Clear liquid protein supplements (Weeks 1-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

Product	Flavors
Nectar Protein Powder	Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Nectar Protein Powder	Unflavored (can be added to broth)
Decaffeinated team	Peach, Raspberry
Health Wise high protein fruit drink (bottle)	Kiwi-strawberry, Wild Berry, Pineapple-orange, Lemon Razzy, Grapefruit, Strawberry banana
Health Wise High Protein             fruit drink (packets)	Lemonade, Grapefruit, Grape, Wild Berry, Orange, Cran-Grape
Cytomax	Tangerine, Tropical, Watermelon
Health Wise Bouillon	Chicken
Isopure Liquid	Alpine Punch, Orange, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Passion Fruit, Pineapple Banana, Mango Peach, Apple Melon
New Whey 42	Grape, Acai Berry, Fruit Punch, Orange, Watermelon
Health Wise Sugar-Free Protein Jello	Strawberry-banana, Cherry, Raspberry

*Choose a liquid protein supplement with 20gm or less of carbohydrates and 10gm or less of sugar.
**Choose a liquid protein supplement with at least 10gm of protein in an 8-12oz serving.

Full Liquids - Week Two (Week 2-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

• All liquids from Week One Clear Liquid Diet
• Flavored or Unflavored milk & dairy should be low-fat (skim or 1%)
• Lactaid and lactose free dairy (if lactose intolerant)
• Low sugar soymilk, rice milk and nut milks
• Strained broth and low-fat strained cream soups
• Milk or Soy based protein shakes/supplements
• Yogurt smoothies made with low-fat or greek yogurt

Full Liquid Protein Supplements (Weeks 2-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

Product	Flavors
100% Pro Whey Standard	Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana, Cookies & Cream
ChocoRite	Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cappuccino
Matrix 2.0	Orange cream, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream
Met Rx Meal Replacement	Vanilla, Chocolate Truffle, Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Nectar Protein Powder	Cappuccino, Chocolate Truffle, Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Optifast H.P.	Vanilla, Chocolate
Nectar Medical Protein Powder	Unflavored
Health Wise High Protein Hot Chocolate	Mocha, Regular, Raspberry, Cinnamon, Mint, Vanilla, Cappuccino, Amaretto Cappuccino, Irish Cream
Health Wise High Protein Fruit Drink	Chocolate drink, Kiwi-Strawberry, Wild Berry, Pineapple-Orange, Lemon Razzy, Grapefruit, Orange-sicle
Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement	Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Orange Cream
Met Rx RTD 51	Chocolate, Vanilla
Pure Protein (RTD)	Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana cream, Cookies and Cream, Peanut Butter
Oh Yeah	Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Vanilla
Chike Protein Powder	Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana, Strawberry

Semi-Solids and Full Liquids
Week 3 begin adding Semi-Solid foods (those that would normally be eaten with a spoon)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

• Strained soups, broth, and low-fat cream based soups
• Lite/Low-fat strained yogurt or Greek yogurt
• Protein fortified strained hot cereals like cream of wheat or cream of rice (avoid oatmeal)
• Low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
• Protein fortified cooked and mashed or pureed potatoes and no-gas forming veggies like carrots, squash, green beans, or peas.
• Thinned low fat, fat free or vegetarian refried beans
• Sugar free and low fat or fat free pudding

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (Must be chewable or liquid)

Multivitamin	Calcium	B12	B-Complex	Iron
Fusion 4-daily	500mg daily	1000mcg daily	1-daily	18-27mg daily
Bariatric Advantage 2-daily

I know this is a LOT of information, but it's really helpful for me to type it out.  I've got a lot of work to do in the next week & 1/2.  :)

And We Have A Date...

December 26th!  The date I wanted... the date my life will change...

But first things first.
I have to say I'm a little bothered by the way things went down yesterday at the doc's office.  Maybe it was just me and my state of mind... maybe it was just that it was Friday and everyone was trying to get out early... maybe it was because it was lunch time and hungry people can be in a hurry... Whatever the case may be, I was pulling in the parking lot one minute and what felt like 10 mins later, I was standing outside by my car, bewildered, protein powder in hand, wondering "what just happened?".

I originally had an appointment with Dr. Bruce as a follow up to the last appt. when he discovered the protein difficiency... and the issues with my gut.  I was instructed to get the pill from Whole Foods, Digest, which I did and have noticed that it has much improved my digestion and pain (when I remember to take it).

Thursday, I received an email from the Insurance Coordinator at the office stating the insurance company had approved everything and that I would need to schedule an appointment.  I responded and told her I had an appointment scheduled already for Friday.  She responded and said Dr. Bruce would talk with me about the surgery and we would schedule a date. 

I arrive, everyone is happy to congratulate me that I got approval and I was going to get a date.  Yay! Right?  The next 30-45 minutes were a blur of confusion, not only on my part, but theirs as well.  So the nurse comes in and says "are we doing a results visit today?"  "What is that?"  "Dr. Bruce will go over all of your test results and a group of us will talk with you about the surgery."  "Oh, well, sure, I guess."  She walks out to verify that is what we are doing with the Insurance Coordinator, comes back and begins the schpill without the group. 

Next, Dr. Bruce comes in, decked out for Christmas.... a great Christmas sweater (over his scrubs) and a Santa hat on.  He makes me laugh.  He goes through the follow up items and then looks at all of my records to make sure we have everything we need.  I mentioned I was having a sleep study last night, so he mentioned coming in next week for a "Sleep Clinic".  Okie dokie.  

Then he asks if I'm having my B12 shot today.  Ahm, well... I dunno.  The prescription said once monthly.  He said it should be weekly for the first 4 then monthly after that.  Ok.  So the PA comes in and gives me a shot (this time in the arm, not the buttocks). 

Then they take me to see the surgery scheduler.  I sit down, she starts asking me "are you having a group results visit?"  "I don't know... I just had a results visit with Dr. Bruce I thought." "No, usually we meet in a group and spend about an hour with you... but that ain't happenin today."  Then she starts getting frustrated because the proper protocol wasn't followed.  Meanwhile, I'm wondering "should I be concerned?".  So then she hands me a packet of paper and begins her memorized speech.  I'm flipping through this packet and she says "stop me if you have any questions".  I'm thinking to myself "I can't get a word in...".  So I actually get the nerve to ask a few questions... at which time I was told to ask someone else.  O...k....

So in the packet was information about a diet plan that I should be on at least 2 weeks prior (yep, I'm less than 2 weeks before surgery).  I was instructed to go downstairs to the nutrition center to get the protein powder I need for the "Liver Reduction Diet".  So I finish up with the Scheduler and walk to check-out.  That seemed to take forever, since we went ahead and scheduled all of my follow up appointments for the next year. 

Then I go downstairs to the nutrition shop.  I walked in and asked about the Liver Reduction Diet.  The girl asked me if I had a form.  Nope.  So I showed her the packet of information, told her when I'm having surgery and she pointed me to the wall of protein powders.  I got kind of excited because I thought I could chose between flavors like cappuccino or mint chocolate chip... nope.  Only 4 approved flavors for this particular diet.  Orange creme (eh), Banana (gag), Vanilla (plain), Chocolate(sometimes it can taste bad).  I went for the Chocolate... she tells me I need two bags (btw, they are $55 each).  She said I could come back and get another bag later... since I'll be in the office next week (multiple times), I'll just pick one up then.

So back to the parking lot... tears welling up in my eyes... "what just happened?"

I called my sister... just let all of my anxieties pour through the phone and talked it out (and cried a lot).  Then I let a few people know about the date and started getting more excited. 

Let me make this clear...  I am not at all worried about the surgery, the hospital, the pain, none of that.  I am worried I will fail.  I am worried I don't have all of the information I need to make myself successful.  Now, we all know that isn't necessarily true.  I've been researching this thing to the point of exhaustion.  I have prayed about it and talked it out and I know I am ready for it.  But that evil little voice was talking in my ear and telling me things to make me weak.  To make me second guess the strength and confidence I know I already have.  He tends to speak more clearly when there is confusion and frustration.  And he speaks loudly when I am alone.  My job is to ignore it and listen to the Voice that is going to walk me through all of this. 

So between my sister and my sweet friend, Wheela, I have been tasked with writing down my questions and concerns so that I can contact someone at the doc's office Monday and feel better about things.  It's not about questioning the surgery.  It's about setting myself up for success.  Getting things together that will make it easy for me to be strong and make the right choices after the surgery, rather than having confusion and trying to find those things after the surgery, which will be worse.  Being unprepared and uninformed is what makes us fail.  Doubt is Satan's best friend.  Doubt is when we are most vulnerable. 

So with the support of many, the knowledge that I have already gained, and the One guiding me down the path he made for me, I will continue to research.  And I will continue to ask questions.  And I will continue to be confident and strong.  I can do this.  I will do this.

Beyond Ready

I am so ready to get this done!! I feel like it's a constant "hurry up!" "Wait" situation.

Now my doc's office has all the records they need and they have sent everything to the insurance company. The turnaround time is 48 hours and Dr. Bruce still has some openings in December!! Yay!! Lets get this show on the road!!

Until then, I have cut out all soft drinks, drinking mostly water and vitamin water (lemonade is my favorite) and Crystal Light (Natural Cherry Pomegranate). Starting to switch over to decaf coffee & tea.

I have been taking walking breaks at work, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends. Everyone at work is very supportive and cheering me on! It's nice to hear positive feedback and have the support of family and friends. Negative comments are not wanted and basically ignored, so if you have something negative to say, save your breath and don't say anything.

For those of you cheering me on, it is appreciated more than I can ever express!!

Will keep you posted on a surgery date!

Here are some frequently asked questions:

What's the hospital stay like? I will be at Rex for surgery and one-two days after. It depends on when I eat (drink liquid diet) and how the pain level is.

What is the recovery time after surgery? I will be up and mobile when I leave the hospital. I will be able to climb stairs and will be staying at home in my comfy bed/recliner. I will be home for 3-4 weeks. The majority of time spent at home is to get used to the new diet and forcing myself to eat (as I will NOT be hungry).

What is the diet? For the first several weeks it will be a straight liquid diet. Lots of protein shakes, broth, jello & Popsicles. Week 4 begins the "purée diet". Anything that can be puréed to a baby food-like consistency can be eaten. Protein first, then other necessary nutrients. And if course the most important part is the vitamin supplements. I will be taking those for the rest of my life. Better than taking blood pressure meds though!!

I will be able to exercise (mild exercise until released by doctor). I plan to start training immediately and will be signing up for my first 5k. There is also a fitness challenge at work that I will be participating in.

So this week I have realized I must have a pinched nerve. I woke up this morning with a nice muscle spasm in my shoulder blade (angel wing). I am getting a massage at noon... Dan the Man with the Amazing Magic Hands. It is much needed and my doctors office suggested it!

For now,
Kell