Re: I live for diet coke, advice for post-op

October 30, 2005

Hi there. Look on the net for Bariatric Advantage...these are the vitamins that Richmond suggests. I take 2 multi vitamins a day (per doc instructions), 3 calcium citrate (take them separate from iron, because they compete for absorption), 1 b12 each day, and 1 iron pill. All are chewable. Men don't always need the iron as much as women...so he may want to take an iron pill once a week. Any calcium has to be calcium citrate, as we don't absorb the other kind. Vitalady has various vitamins too. In the beginning, he will need either liquid form or chewable, as he won't be able to take a capsule or large pill. the first couple of days, he can only eat (depending on the doctor recommendations) cream of wheat or rice (with a little Splenda), unsweetened applesauce, low carb yoghurt (aim for less than 5 gms of sugar a serving, remembering that he will only be able to consume 2 oz at

max. so if a serving size is 8 oz, and it's 12 grams of sugar, 2 oz of that will only be 3 gms of sugar.), soups that don't have chunks in them, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding. Sugar Free popsicles, non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and chamomile, and broth are all good to help get the water down initially. Some people can handle Crystal Lite, some can't I found drinking cold water difficult initially...but popsicles were great, as was hot tea. You must sip everything very slowly. gradually, he'll be moved to the next stages...but that is after he has doctor visits, so you can plan accordingly after. Some people start with protein shakes right away. I didnt, Richmond doesn't advise it. But, go with whatever your program (and your gut) tells you. Good luck to him! Robynn P.S. Remember, he can only have Tylenol...no ibuprofin or aspirin. They

will give him some pain meds, and he should take them so that he can get as much sleep as possible in the beginning. Also, make sure he gets out and walks as soon as possible...and that he walks around the house a lot. Don't cater to him too much, because he needs to get up and move to get the anesthesia out of his system...and to prevent blood clots. Eleanor Oster wrote:

My hubby sent me this link, and I thought I'd share it with you. Obviously someone had WAY too much spare time!http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=60206.0-- Eleanor Ostereleanor@... (personal address)www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htmSan , CAOpen RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)~5'9" tall05/09/2003 319 Orientation07/15/2003 ~290 SurgeryCurrent 157±2 Goal until plastics?

October 30, 2005

Robynn,

I'm so glad your here for everyone, you know so much. I also love reading every thing you write, some day you should write a book. You are so good! Good Luck with , and any thing you have to go through with your ex-husband. I hope you and your ex can remain friends, we never know how life will turn out. So enjoy and have lots of fun. Your doing great on you WLS journey, keep up the good work. DonnaRobynn VanPatten wrote:

Hi there. Look on the net for Bariatric Advantage...these are the vitamins that Richmond suggests. I take 2 multi vitamins a day (per doc instructions), 3 calcium citrate (take them separate from iron, because they compete for absorption), 1 b12 each day, and 1 iron pill. All are chewable. Men don't always need the iron as much as women...so he may want to take an iron pill once a week. Any calcium has to be calcium citrate, as we don't absorb the other kind. Vitalady has various vitamins too. In the beginning, he will need either liquid form or chewable, as he won't be able to take a capsule or large pill.the first couple of days, he can only eat (depending on the doctor recommendations) cream of wheat or rice (with a little Splenda), unsweetened applesauce, low carb yoghurt (aim for less than 5 gms of sugar a serving, remembering that he will only be able to consume 2 oz at

max. so if a serving size is 8 oz, and it's 12 grams of sugar, 2 oz of that will only be 3 gms of sugar.), soups that don't have chunks in them, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding. Sugar Free popsicles, non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and chamomile, and broth are all good to help get the water down initially. Some people can handle Crystal Lite, some can't I found drinking cold water difficult initially...but popsicles were great, as was hot tea. You must sip everything very slowly.gradually, he'll be moved to the next stages...but that is after he has doctor visits, so you can plan accordingly after. Some people start with protein shakes right away. I didnt, Richmond doesn't advise it. But, go with whatever your program (and your gut) tells you.Good luck to him!RobynnP.S. Remember, he can only have Tylenol...no ibuprofin or aspirin. They

will give him some pain meds, and he should take them so that he can get as much sleep as possible in the beginning. Also, make sure he gets out and walks as soon as possible...and that he walks around the house a lot. Don't cater to him too much, because he needs to get up and move to get the anesthesia out of his system...and to prevent blood clots. Eleanor Oster wrote: My hubby sent me this link, and I thought I'd share it with you. Obviously someone had WAY too much spare time!http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=60206.0-- Eleanor Ostereleanor@... (personal address)www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htmSan , CAOpen RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)~5'9" tall05/09/2003 319 Orientation07/15/2003 ~290 SurgeryCurrent 157±2 Goal until plastics?Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

October 30, 2005

Thanks, Donna...that is a really sweet thing to say. I actually am trying to write a book. I'm in a writing salon, and we share our work back and forth. So, thanks for the encouragement.

Steve and I have started talking more, on e-mail...and I am starting to feel like there may be a possibility of us being friends someday, I sure hope so. He means a lot to me, and the idea of losing him competely from my life is pretty tough. And you are right, you never know what life holds...my minister and his wife divorced each other for five years...and they managed to reunite and remarry. I rule nothing out. Life is long, and the path curves a lot. I was very happy with steve for many years, and lots of times. We had some big issues...and I don't know if they were resolvable. I tried, and he tried...but we just couldn't seem to get there from here, you know? But, maybe later in life, we'll find our way back.

is still an unknown...we've been talking constantly for six months, and we had two wonderful weeks together. But, of course, I am fully aware that people can be on good behaviour for two weeks. It's a bit scary, because he may be coming here as soon as January. to live. With me. YIKES. But given the distance between us, someone has to move...and while I'd love to live in France...I'm more settled in my life here. His family lives in Lyon, about 4 hours from where he lives in Paris. His parents are deceased. His job, which was great when I first met him, has become not great due to a change in ownership. His apartment is an adorable little garret (very chic and popular among Parisians), but not a place he would want to raise a family. Whereas, I have a huge apartment in the Marina in SF, I have a good and secure job, my family is here (although the parents have retired to Sedona...I talk to them everyday, and

visit pretty frequently)...so it just makes more sense for him to come here.

But, I feel a lot of responsibility. I mean, what if he changes his whole world and comes here, and I'm like, "Uh...after all...I'm not sure I want you to stay." I mean, that's going to be tough. So...I'm really thinking about it. But, in January we will have been talking for 9 months...a minimum of 2 hours a day...writing constantly, and we will have spent 5 weeks together. (He sent me a ticket yesterday, and I'll be in Paris/Lyon/Rhones-Alpes December 21 through January 10.)

So, lots of change. But, it's interesting....

Yikes.

RobynnDonna Jordon wrote:

Robynn,

I'm so glad your here for everyone, you know so much. I also love reading every thing you write, some day you should write a book. You are so good! Good Luck with , and any thing you have to go through with your ex-husband. I hope you and your ex can remain friends, we never know how life will turn out. So enjoy and have lots of fun. Your doing great on you WLS journey, keep up the good work. DonnaRobynn VanPatten wrote:

Hi there. Look on the net for Bariatric Advantage...these are the vitamins that Richmond suggests. I take 2 multi vitamins a day (per doc instructions), 3 calcium citrate (take them separate from iron, because they compete for absorption), 1 b12 each day, and 1 iron pill. All are chewable. Men don't always need the iron as much as women...so he may want to take an iron pill once a week. Any calcium has to be calcium citrate, as we don't absorb the other kind. Vitalady has various vitamins too. In the beginning, he will need either liquid form or chewable, as he won't be able to take a capsule or large pill.the first couple of days, he can only eat (depending on the doctor recommendations) cream of wheat or rice (with a little Splenda), unsweetened applesauce, low carb yoghurt (aim for less than 5 gms of sugar a serving, remembering that he will only be able to consume 2 oz at

max. so if a serving size is 8 oz, and it's 12 grams of sugar, 2 oz of that will only be 3 gms of sugar.), soups that don't have chunks in them, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding. Sugar Free popsicles, non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and chamomile, and broth are all good to help get the water down initially. Some people can handle Crystal Lite, some can't I found drinking cold water difficult initially...but popsicles were great, as was hot tea. You must sip everything very slowly.gradually, he'll be moved to the next stages...but that is after he has doctor visits, so you can plan accordingly after. Some people start with protein shakes right away. I didnt, Richmond doesn't advise it. But, go with whatever your program (and your gut) tells you.Good luck to him!RobynnP.S. Remember, he can only have Tylenol...no ibuprofin or aspirin. They

will give him some pain meds, and he should take them so that he can get as much sleep as possible in the beginning. Also, make sure he gets out and walks as soon as possible...and that he walks around the house a lot. Don't cater to him too much, because he needs to get up and move to get the anesthesia out of his system...and to prevent blood clots. Eleanor Oster wrote: My hubby sent me this link, and I thought I'd share it with you. Obviously someone had WAY too much spare time!http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=60206.0-- Eleanor Ostereleanor@... (personal address)www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htmSan , CAOpen RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)~5'9" tall05/09/2003 319 Orientation07/15/2003 ~290 SurgeryCurrent 157±2 Goal until plastics?Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

October 30, 2005

Robynn,

I do understand change, right after High School I moved to San Obispo where my boy friend had moved, he didn't graduate High School and would of never done anything about it. So I joined the Army and told him if he loved me he would join also and finish his education,and have benefits. We did traveled many states, we married, tried to have children but due to me and complications I lost 4 of them. One did live 2 days, was so hard to bury this child in Tennessee at the time. His dad committed suicide, and after that his drinking just became to much. We divorced after 5 years of marriage and were able to remain friends, he just died Sept. 2, 2005 at a young age of 49. I always had love for this man, even though I have now been remarried 24 years to my husband. You and Steve have a chance if he doesn't take all that you go through in life personal to himself. My ex remarried 4 times after me, said he couldn't get one

like me and that's what he wanted, but I didn't want back there after I was out.

I love my gentle husband now of 24 years, whom I have 2 wonderful boys, age 22 and Eliot age 20 years. Eliot was named Eliot because he came at 6 months and looked like ET, but instead I named him the little boys name on ET (Eliot) and I spelled wrong also. He hates me to tell this story, but have you ever seen a premature baby at 1 pound 13 ozs.? was 10 pounds 12ozs due to I was put in bed for 9 months to make it to term. Then I almost died after the c-section with him, and when we finally got home 2 months later, the child had piloricstegnosis (I'm sure that's spelled wrong). A valve in his stomach had closed shut and every thing he would drink would come back in a hard force full vomit, it could hit someone across the room, the doctor did surgery and fixed it. Eliot had many surgeries, he had a brain bleed, hernia, PDA ligation (fixing a valve to his heart) and much more and was on oxygen for 10 months along with a heart

monitor. Eliot lived at Children's Hospital for 5 months, I was there every day, I spent 1/2 day with him and 1/2 day with who at the time was 19 months old, my husband and me traded, along with friends who helped so we could manage all this and still work. Now both boys are wonderful is 5'10" about 160 a small young man, and his younger brother Eliot is 6'2" or a little more and about 185 a just right tall guy. The year Eliot was at Children's 1985 is when my husbands dad was hospitalized and was dieing and we weren't sure if Eliot would make it or not yet, my husband couldn't handle all the stress or which bedside to be at. I had him go be with his dad, and I'm so glad I did, his dad died and all worked out for Eliot, but do to life stress my husband Craig started having Panic attacks, anxiety, depression and more. Throughout these years due to all my weight gain, I have had 14 different surgeries and persijures and

Craig mental health has just gotten so bad

that the doctors have tried so much, now he will be doing an outpatient seeing doctors, psychologist, taking tests. learning stress management, I'm not sure what. He'll go 3 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks. If this doesn't help, maybe hospitalization. The doctor says he cant' hardly handle life, much less 2 young adults who live at home, who work and go to college and have girlfriends and a wife, house. Even though I do all the work, he can't. It still depresses him. So Feb. 2006 my boys are moving out and I will start moving things and getting the house ready to sell. After it sells I will move him up to the mountains to Shingletown where he had friends and get him a little house with have the house money, my boys will be set up, then I will start my life over again. I have done good for 4 men in this life and I will be big 50 in Nov., then I will start my life all over again, but now it will be time

to focus on me. I'm down to 143, health has really gotten so much better, so at that time I will return to college, have some surgeries like my arms and boobs done, maybe tummy too. We'll see where we go from there.

All the curves in the world we all just need to remember, we need support, we need friends, family and not to eat because of the stress. Do things for ourselves, no matter what you have in life to deal with and I also help my parents mom 83 and step dad 94 in Dec. they still live on their own.

Stay happy don't let life get any of you to down. Stay strong, enjoy life, stay on track to make it in the WLS journey, and at some point the curves will be a straight road again. Remember no matter how hard things are, look on the bright side of things. Even with the mental problems of my husband, I love him dearly and I love my boys and 24 years of a marriage that had alot, but many good times, fond times and love along the way. Don't let the negative of life over take the good, and always treasure the good. DonnaRobynn VanPatten wrote:

Thanks, Donna...that is a really sweet thing to say. I actually am trying to write a book. I'm in a writing salon, and we share our work back and forth. So, thanks for the encouragement.

Steve and I have started talking more, on e-mail...and I am starting to feel like there may be a possibility of us being friends someday, I sure hope so. He means a lot to me, and the idea of losing him competely from my life is pretty tough. And you are right, you never know what life holds...my minister and his wife divorced each other for five years...and they managed to reunite and remarry. I rule nothing out. Life is long, and the path curves a lot. I was very happy with steve for many years, and lots of times. We had some big issues...and I don't know if they were resolvable. I tried, and he tried...but we just couldn't seem to get there from here, you know? But, maybe later in life, we'll find our way back.

is still an unknown...we've been talking constantly for six months, and we had two wonderful weeks together. But, of course, I am fully aware that people can be on good behaviour for two weeks. It's a bit scary, because he may be coming here as soon as January. to live. With me. YIKES. But given the distance between us, someone has to move...and while I'd love to live in France...I'm more settled in my life here. His family lives in Lyon, about 4 hours from where he lives in Paris. His parents are deceased. His job, which was great when I first met him, has become not great due to a change in ownership. His apartment is an adorable little garret (very chic and popular among Parisians), but not a place he would want to raise a family. Whereas, I have a huge apartment in the Marina in SF, I have a good and secure job, my family is here (although the parents have retired to Sedona...I talk to them everyday, and

visit pretty frequently)...so it just makes more sense for him to come here.

But, I feel a lot of responsibility. I mean, what if he changes his whole world and comes here, and I'm like, "Uh...after all...I'm not sure I want you to stay." I mean, that's going to be tough. So...I'm really thinking about it. But, in January we will have been talking for 9 months...a minimum of 2 hours a day...writing constantly, and we will have spent 5 weeks together. (He sent me a ticket yesterday, and I'll be in Paris/Lyon/Rhones-Alpes December 21 through January 10.)

So, lots of change. But, it's interesting....

Yikes.

RobynnDonna Jordon wrote:

Robynn,

I'm so glad your here for everyone, you know so much. I also love reading every thing you write, some day you should write a book. You are so good! Good Luck with , and any thing you have to go through with your ex-husband. I hope you and your ex can remain friends, we never know how life will turn out. So enjoy and have lots of fun. Your doing great on you WLS journey, keep up the good work. DonnaRobynn VanPatten wrote:

Hi there. Look on the net for Bariatric Advantage...these are the vitamins that Richmond suggests. I take 2 multi vitamins a day (per doc instructions), 3 calcium citrate (take them separate from iron, because they compete for absorption), 1 b12 each day, and 1 iron pill. All are chewable. Men don't always need the iron as much as women...so he may want to take an iron pill once a week. Any calcium has to be calcium citrate, as we don't absorb the other kind. Vitalady has various vitamins too. In the beginning, he will need either liquid form or chewable, as he won't be able to take a capsule or large pill.the first couple of days, he can only eat (depending on the doctor recommendations) cream of wheat or rice (with a little Splenda), unsweetened applesauce, low carb yoghurt (aim for less than 5 gms of sugar a serving, remembering that he will only be able to consume 2 oz at

max. so if a serving size is 8 oz, and it's 12 grams of sugar, 2 oz of that will only be 3 gms of sugar.), soups that don't have chunks in them, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding. Sugar Free popsicles, non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and chamomile, and broth are all good to help get the water down initially. Some people can handle Crystal Lite, some can't I found drinking cold water difficult initially...but popsicles were great, as was hot tea. You must sip everything very slowly.gradually, he'll be moved to the next stages...but that is after he has doctor visits, so you can plan accordingly after. Some people start with protein shakes right away. I didnt, Richmond doesn't advise it. But, go with whatever your program (and your gut) tells you.Good luck to him!RobynnP.S. Remember, he can only have Tylenol...no ibuprofin or aspirin. They

will give him some pain meds, and he should take them so that he can get as much sleep as possible in the beginning. Also, make sure he gets out and walks as soon as possible...and that he walks around the house a lot. Don't cater to him too much, because he needs to get up and move to get the anesthesia out of his system...and to prevent blood clots. Eleanor Oster wrote: My hubby sent me this link, and I thought I'd share it with you. Obviously someone had WAY too much spare time!http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=60206.0-- Eleanor Ostereleanor@... (personal address)www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htmSan , CAOpen RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)~5'9" tall05/09/2003 319 Orientation07/15/2003 ~290 SurgeryCurrent 157±2 Goal until plastics?Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

October 30, 2005

Wow Donna...you've had a lot of difficult things in your life, you still do. I'm glad you are able to keep such a positive outlook. Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss! When did you have your surgery?

Thank you for sharing all of that...and you are right, I need to focus on the positive.

Love,