Update

I am almost at a week out from surgery.  I haven't had any problems as of yet (knock on wood).  The full liquid diet is getting quite boring as that was pretty much all I did for about a month before surgery too.  Today I went to the grocery store with DH and it went okay.  I took half a dose of pain meds before we went and we were only going for a few things.  He really didn't want me to go because he was worried about it being too much.  Then I forgot my glasses and got really dizzy for the better part of the trip.  I am sure my beet-red face was freaking him out a bit  lol.  I can't be sure if it was because of the lack of glasses or the pain meds.  Today I almost got to protein goal, but only about 2/3 of water.  I am taking it day by day and not stressing about getting there yet, as I know I will.  The worst thing is taking the Zantac as I have to cut them in half and they stick in my throat which is still really sore from the intubation tube during surgery.  Good news though - so far down 12 lbs since day of surgery!

I am home!

So the 27th was my surgery date. We got at the hospital at 8 AM. I was a nervous wreck the entire way there afraid we wouldn't make it because the roads were snowy and icy, but we made it. After waiting around a little bit, they send us upstairs. Fred was sent to a waiting area while they got me ready for surgery. They weighed me (340.5 according to their scales, which was down 9.5 since my pre-admission testing just a little more than 2 weeks ago). I got the little surgical booties, hat and gown on. Then they tried to get an IV. Only took them 4 tries and they finally got on in. By that time, Fred was allowed to come back with me. The doc came and talked to us and got permission to do it open if necessary, which thank god it wasn't. I said goodbye to Fred and I remember being wheeled into the OR. The anesthesiologist was talking to me and the staff was joking around with each other. I got up on the table and that is the very last thing I remember. They had already given me Versed and I was exhausted from not sleeping the night before. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in my room in intense pain and with a super dry mouth and throat. It was so dry I could barely talk. My throat is still a little sore from probably the tube. I kept asking where Fred was and they told me they would get him, but it seemed like it was forever before they actually did. Then when I woke up again, he was there. I was really out of it for most of the day and don't remember much. I remember about 4 hours later, I got up and walked the hall with the nurse. Then, every four hours after that. They didn't do a swallow test on me the next morning because I had had a reaction before. So, the doc just moved me to clear liquids and that went well. I never imagined that a little orange Popsicle could taste so good and also a little bit of watered down apple juice. Then, later on the same day, that same orange Popsicle tasted awful. About 5 pm, the doc came in again and I asked if I could go home now and he let me! I was really ready for a full night's sleep. I had been doing respiratory therapy every 2 hours and walking every 2 hours, so literally every hour I was up doing something. I am starting to think maybe I should have stayed another day. The hour and half drive him was AWFUL! Every little bump hurt so very much and of course we had to pick the boys up on the way home because I couldn't just let Fred go back out and get them. DUH! lol And the roads to my dad's house were really bad, covered in snow and ice. They had only been plowed and not salted. Ouch! We finally got home. I had 1/2 of a jello cup, my pain killer liquid (which tastes like ass) and went to bed. Sleeping flat was horrible and tonight I will be sleeping the recliner. If I could have moved my cpap machine myself last night, I would have moved then. I am getting up every 2 hours and walking around the house a bit and because I am a little bit congested, I am still doing the respiratory therapy. Oh, the nurse weighed me after surgery I was 3.9 heavier than before. Not too bad. I am already just a pound heavier than I was presurgery right now.

Tomorrow is the day!

I am beyond excited and a little bit nervous too. Today has been an incredibly long day. One top of the usual holiday stuff and just being worn out from that, today was surgery prep. It hasn't been fun, but I know it will be so worth it in the end. My day was clear liquids and dulcolax. Needless to say I am hungry,tired and ready for tomorrow already! I will update when I can. Wish me luck!!

Eggnog Protein Shake

Eggnog Protein Shake

Cook time: 1 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients

• 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• 2-3 drops Butter Rum Flavor Oil
• dash Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 4-5 Ice Cubes

Cooking Directions

1. Combine in blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with more pumpkin spice if you like.

I get my flavoring oils here: LorAnn Hard Candy Flavoring Oils 10 Pack
Flavoring oils are gluten free, sugar free and do not contain vegetable oil. They are 3-4 times more potent than extract, so just a drop or two will do.

Banana and Cream Protein Shake

Banana and Cream Protein Shake

Cook time: 1 minutes

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 4-5 1-inch pieces of frozen or fresh banana
• 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• 4-5 Ice Cubes

Cooking Directions

1. Combine in blender and blend until smooth. Frozen bananas will produce a thicker shake.

Frozen Strawberry Banana Protein Shake

Frozen Strawberry Banana Protein Shake

Prep time: 1 minute

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1 cup Skim Milk
• 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• 3-4 Frozen or fresh strawberries
• 3-4 1-inch frozen or fresh banana pieces
• 4-5 Ice Cubes

Cooking Directions

1. Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Using frozen fruit will produce a thicker shake than fresh. See my tips and tricks for freezing bananas.

Please forgive the photo on this one :)

Freezing Bananas

Did you know that you can freeze bananas for your protein shakes?  I take a bunch of bananas, peel them and cut them into 1-inch pieces.  Then I layer them evenly on a couple large plates or a sheet pan (which ever will fit in your freezer) and leave them in the freezer for several hours.  Then once frozen, I put them in a freezer bag and use 2-3 frozen bananas for my shakes.  If you skip freezing them before bagging them, they will all stick together.