Post-op Diets and Questions

As you may know I have been struggling with the dreaded horrors of protein powders this first week post-op. Struggle no more! I have finally found the combination that works and that is so tasty it would be happily slurped by a non sleeved person. 1 packet beef boullion protein powder - 15g's 1 can french onion soup - 2g's 6oz low sodium beef broth - 2g's I strained out the onions from the french onion, heated the liquids, then added them to the powder, et voila: 10 ounces of a tasty satisfying broth with 19 g's of protein. It took over an hour to sip it all but for once that time was a pleasure and not a cruelty. yay! I will be cleaning out the shelves at the gr…

Maybe we could get this "Sticky'd" on the forum. I ran across this link and think has some really great information. It's a long, detailed PDF file chalked full of information for VSG Patients. This covers post-op diet to vitamins/supplements, quick guide to Protein count in certain foods. http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

I've seen several people say that their doctors don't provide detailed post-op diet guidelines. Here is a link to a document that is pretty similar to my doctor's diet guidelines. Hope it helps. Index of /pdfsleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf

This is going to gross some people out, I'm sure. But I'm a week post-op, still on Clear liquids, and I'm absolutely sick of sweet anything. My pain medication is even sweet--some disgusting pineapple analog, I think. I quit taking it just to get away from the ghastly syrupy taste and texture. The Gas-X chewable is faux-cherry. Gah. Multi-Vitamin chewable is sweet. I want some character in my clear liquid diet, drat it!!! So, I got my husband to buy a bottle of cocktail olive-thingies, all briny and stuff, and a bottle of pickled pearl onions, plus some Perrier, and a bag of Key limes (those little bitty ones). Poured some of the Perrier Water over ice, added some spo…

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So I met with the nutritionist today, and much of the talk was about carbs. Specifically, she told me to not worry about carbs, because sleevers simply can't get in enough food for the carbs to be an issue (as long as you stick to complex carbs from vegetables or whole fruits, not sugar/flour/etc.) In fact, she specifically suspected that my icky feelings (wobbly, nauseous) were due to mild hypoglycemia from not eating enough carbs, and not eating them regularly enough. Just to be thorough, I asked "so 80-100 grams of carbs a day isn't a problem?" and her response was "oh no, not at all. As long as you're sticking to the calorie total, you're going to lose weight. …

I don't know if this has been brought up before but, I wondered if anyone has suffered from Protein poisoning since WLS and a high protein diet? I never knew this existed until a friend of mine's mother got it and ended up in the hospital for a week because she was on Atkins! Everyone keeps talking about how low our carbs have to be in order to lose weight and keep it off but at what point do we put ourselves in danger if we eat too little carbs? I have been following a high protein diet for over a week now (on a three-month intensive diet/exercise/behavior modification program) and I have already lost quite a bit of weight. However, I've done this before and I know …

My daughter and I recently found out that we have to do the intensive diet and behavior modification program for three months in order for Aetna to cover any part of our surgeries. (This after we were told repeatedly that we didn't. - Sigh). When we saw the nutritionist (I think that is what she is) in the surgeon's office, she told us to go on very high Protein, low carb diets. 60-70 grams of protein a day for me and 70-80 grams for my 21 year old daughter. She also told us to make sure we drink 32 oz of skim milk a day and a total of 64 oz of liquids (water making up most of the rest). She said that it is really important that we start upping our protein now and i…

I am 4 days post op, 1st day home and trying to get organized and wrap my brain around my sleeve! I am on clear liquids right now. So, I am drinking Isopure and Nectar protein drinks. Since these are all water based, do they count towards the 64 ounces of water I need to drink every day? I can't imagine trying to get my protein in and trying to get an additional 64 ounces of water in, but, alas, is that what I need to do? Let me know anyone's thoughts. Thanks so much. xoxo

I am on full liquids for another week, which means blended Soups and broth, etc...but nothing of sustenance. I am having SO much trouble getting in 60 grams of Protein. I can get about 50, and my doctor says that's okay, but I am getting so sick of sweet protein. I haven't been able to find anything I can heat sufficiently, the protein goes weird when you get it hot and by the time I can eat it all, it is cold. I have tried unflavored protein from GNC, Optifast tomato and chicken soups...by the way..kinda gritty, and I have unjury Chicken Soup, which is okay, but you can't really warm it too much. I like my food HOT! I can't seem to add enough protein without it get…

Has anyone tried these? The regular bagged kind are so dry and bland . . . But I really need something to crunch!

In hospital every juice they gave me was with ice, but I found it much better without.... and am looking forward to my first infusion tea, as i think i am one that prefers hot to cold.....I'll certainly be trying tea first thing tomorrow instead of cold juice. And if I see another pineapple juice I will scream!! :scared0: Kathy

Hello Sleevers, I went to Dr. Aceves who is very strict about Clear liquids for 10 days post op followed by another 10 days of full liquids. When did your surgeon OK full liquids? Also, should I be able to consume a full Jell-O cup with no pauses 5 days out? Is my pouch too big? I am going CRAZY! I think 70% of commercials must be about food. I just want to eat something other than clears. broth, crystal light, Jello and popsicles are just not doing it for me. (Funny thing is...I don't think I am hungry, just want to stuff my face.) OK, I know this is YEARS, DECADES even of poor eating habits and it will take time to change. I just want some tomato and crea…

Hi, I'm 9 days post-op, and I'm off clears-only and have been enjoying cream-of-whatever Soups. I had some split-pea Soup this morning, but when I took a drink of Protein Water (about an hour later), my stomach started growling like crazy! My stomach hasn't made this much noise since pre-op hunger. Anyone experienced this? Thanks in advance.

I ran across this in another thread so I went to look at it - gives you ideas & tips for all phases of postop eating, plus things you can order. I really liked it and hope some find it helpful. www.bariatriceating.com Kathy

So, I asked the nutritionist today whether I should be shooting for 600-800 gross calories (total eaten, period) or net calories (total eaten minus calories burned in exercise). The answer? Net calories. She said that it's ridiculous to believe that a 6'1 man can live on 800 calories a day if he's burning 400 in exercise. That's effectively asking my body to live on 400 calories a day; no wonder I was feeling woozy and nauseous and not well. Now that I'm eating about 1000 calories per day (and burning 200-300 on average), I'm feeling much, much better (and still losing about a pound a day!) So good to have definitive answers to these things

Guidelines from Dr. Aceves states: Minimum or Target: 70 grams Protein Maximum: 800 calories Maximum: 60 grams Carbs Maximum: 60 grams Fat I am working more along 60 protein, ~650 calories, 30 carbs and 30 fat. Only issue I am having right now is that i feel like the balance is not correct. I understand that 70% of my intake should be from protein but I am only achieving about 50%. I think I know my problem, my Protein shakes are 10 grams fo fat each and I drink two a day. I also tried to incorporate cheese but that too is high in fat. Ok, so I don't want to stress but I have not lost in several days and feel that since moving to this mooshie stage, the f…

Hi, where I live and work hydration is a major issue. In the hottest months of July, August and September I drink about 6 large nalgene-style water bottles a day. Another concern here is electrolytes, drink too much water and don't eat enough or eat enough salt and you can damage your body even worse, and send yourself into renal failure. So, with that in mind, are sport electrolyte powder packets okay after surgery? They are disgusting but I try to make one of my six daily water bottles an electrolyte bottle. And just so nobody thinks I'm exaggerating the heat, I work in Iraq with the Army and in August/September it gets between 120-130 F. I work indoors thank g…

Ok, I have been given my guidelines for Protein, calories and carbs but have not heard about how much fat we should limit ourselves to. So I have not really paid attention to it but as I get more in tune to what I should be eating and how to meet the minimums/maximums of the other three, wondering what I should be limiting to. Any advice? Thanks!

Tomorrow is my first week on clear liquids and I'm feeling great, everything is healing fine and I'm down 10 pounds:thumbup: I'm so exited, lets see whats gonna happen next week.

Can sleevers exist whith the majorty of our protein coming from liquid protein?

I have my pre and post op diets and both of them require Optifast - which seems to go against all the low carb theorys. I've not been given an aim for Protein, carbs or calories post op, but what they have suggested doesn't cover the 'normal' standard of protein of 60/70g. Although some of it can be made up by adding protein into Soups I doubt I can get it up to the 'normal' recommended amounts, and am worried about hair loss (as I am thinning on the front anyway!!). I just wondered if anyone else is on Optifast and what results they had? Kathy

Hi all, I'm about to enter the mushey food stage, and I came across this website that had some good ideas. recipes for pureed Foods - Entrees, Vegetables, and Salads

My VSG is scheduled feb 9th, i have quit smoking since this past sunday the 24th, i've had 1 and 12 cigs since then... I started my liquid diet this past tuesday. Truly the hardest thing I have ever had to do.... Sigh day one i cheated with eating a couple tortilla chips (5 to be exact) with a pickle and a piece of cheese... that was day one, im now on day 4 and last night I broke down hard and collapsed into old ways... It wasent TO horrible of a fu*k up but I feel it was, I had 2 pieces of bread with 2 pieces of cheese heated up in the microwave with a couple tortilla chips and what really topped it off cheat-wise was I had a hostess cupcake (I know... I know) I got 11 …

I am starting day 3 of my full liquid diet and want to know does it get any easier or will it get harder as the days go by?:scared0:

I know you guys have posted links a million times....I should have bookmarked them or something. But what are the websites that you all use to keep track of what you eat daily and do they have the different Protein powders on there too or do you have to enter the nutritional information? Thanks!

After making the decision today to have the sleeve done, i have been reading through the forums and a lot of your posts. What i am about to ask may upset some but i am not trying to come across harsh, i am just concerned. I am planning on having surgery in Mexico first of all. I see that many of you have. Well, i notice that there are a lot of posts about hunger and weight loss stalls, and it has me wondering, if you are put on a liquid diet for quite some time, you are going to lose weight, regardless of whether or not you have the surgery. If you then start eating solid foods after a liquid diet, you start to feel full sooner because your stomach has adapted to being …

What kind of broth did you drink during the Clear liquids phase of your post-op diet? Did you make your own...did you buy it? I'm not much of a cook. I was thinking about wonton Soup broth or the clear soup strained from the sushi restaurants. Also on day 5 I can have thin creamed Soups and am looking for ideas on what kinds of things fall into that category. Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

How long should I wait before I reintroduce lemon juice and hot sauce? I am on thin liquids right now. My doctor said that I could drink natural vegetable juice. I am really loving it but it would be yummier with lemon. Do you think it would be OK to use a small amount or would it be too soon? How about hot sauce? (Mild, not too spicy, something like Tapatio) Would that be pushing it?

any advise on how to handle this pre op clear liquid stage.. Headaches are terrible. I dont think i am really hungry just think by having a headache it makes me think i am.. any advise.

I am trying to figure out how I will manage to get in protein during the clear liquids stage. I tried the Unjury unflavored in my water & I just couldn't overcome the smell. Perhaps it would be better mixed with Crystal Light? What are some good ways to get in protein while on clears only? Should I just concentrate on getting in my fluids until I progress to all Liquids?

Surprising things I'm learning about carbs. My scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese in the morning is about 1g of carbs. Most of that comes from the splash of nonfat milk I use to make the eggs fluffier. I was surprised that, per the nutrition information, milk contains carbs but cheese doesn't. Who'd a thunk it? My coffee was a whopping 12g of carbs! Black coffee has zero carbs, but I use two small scoops (about 15g) of sugar free cocoa to sweeten it, and that has a surprising 10g of carbs in it. Then I use two Splenda packets, which each have 1g of carbs (apparently from the fillers that they use). So, I'll be skipping my morning coffee (unless I can learn to cho…

All, I need a bit more accountability now that I am chewing! I am doing this because of what I have eaten today. Hope to do this daily or every other day! Pre-Op start weight: 276.4 LOG START: 14 days post op Phase: Mushies Phase Start weight: 258.4 Today: Day 14 post op Breakfast: 1/2 Scrambled Egg 1 tsp gravy 1/4 small sausage patty Observations: sausage patty too hard to mush by chewing Snack: 16 oz apple juice over 6 hrs Lunch: 2 Tbsp of Ruby Tuesday's white Cheddar Potatoes 3/4 of one slice of southwest quesadilla Snack: the rest of the potatoes and quesadilla Snack: 3 tiny bites of hubbies McDouble Driving drink: 16 oz hot chocolate (drank o…

Sleeved on 3 apr and things went well with a few minor glitches. Eating mushies and struggling. Issues: 1) I Am hungry all the time. That was the one aspect of the sleeve that was so attractive. With the g receptors removed, it was going to be easier to moderate. My surgeon told me a had about a 5 oz stomach left, he removes a little less on lightweights. What if there are too many receptors left? What if I can't control this hunger? Grazing all the time is going to lead to alot of calories. Did I go through all this to end up with a faulty tool? I feel full after 2-4 spoonfuls (I just had 1/4 c cottage cheese with 1.5 strawberries) but nowhere near satisfied. …

Hi all, I am one week from surgery and was supposed to start my pre op diet today. Just stay under 40-50 carbs a day for 1 week. No biggie right? I have never ever been able to do low carb for more than 3 days. I don't just get headachs, I get confused, can't track conversations, feel so agitated that I want to crawl out of my skin. I would rather do anything.... liquid only even.... just let me have carbs. Now, I am a pretty tough chic. I have a high pain tolerance and have been through my share of BS (haven't we all). I am no sissy but I can't do this! I started the diet a few days back because I knew it would be hard and I couldn't afford to screw up in …

I have made it through my 2 weeks post-operative diet! Tomorrow I start the full liquid phase. I need help with food ideas. I know I can have almost any kind of protien and soup, as long as I puree them. Other than soups does anyone have any full liquid suggestions?

I have just been cleared to begin eating solids. I have tried Fish (Tilapia) and had a chicken leg today. Any suggestions on things to try? :scared0:

I found some rather tasty foods for people to try doing a pre op diet that is high Protein, low carb. Here are my food reviews: Hood Simply Smart Fat Free Milk - This does not taste like Skim Milk! It is thicker (but not too thick). Like the carton says, taste just like 2% milk. It has 90 calories for one cup. 10 g of protein per 8 oz. 35% Calcium and 35% Vitamin d. No artificial growth hormones. Also comes in chocolate. Both taste very good and richer than regular skim. Also great for children/spouses who are not sleeved who don't like Fat Free Milk. Stonyfield Organic Oikos Greek Yogurt - my 1st experience with greek yogurt. Thick, tangy/sour, but good i…

Sleeved on 3/23/10 @ St. Elizabeth in Gonzales, LA, by the awesome Dr. Hargroder. Spent the night in the hospital and discharged the next day. YAY!!! Today started the clear liquid diet, got New Whey liquid protein 42g in 3oz @ GNC and mixed 2 vials with some fruit punch-flavored crystal light. Tolerating it pretty well, sipping water in between. Walked 15 mins, need to do it 4 times and try for 2 miles daily, per surgeon's recommendation. Only some discomfort on incision sites but getting better every day!

with the liquid diet, I thought I would lose my mind the first couple of days. However, day 6 is almost over and I'm definitely finding it easier. Just keep items that you CAN have on hand keep your mind busy. I've been busy all day and today has been really good. Just thought I would help give someone hope out there because I swore that I wouldn't be able to do this and I'm doing it!:thumbup1:

Well, the day has come..the one I always promised myself I would start after eating a huge meal. It is day one of my clear liquid diet. Honestly, it wasn't as horrible as I expected. I was out of town on business, so that made things a little more difficult. I winged it with an all fruit smoothies, crystal light, carnation instant breakfast, and broth. Kind of ashamed to admit, but I chewed noodles and spat them out...ewww so gross, but soooo good mild headache but tolerable. 6 days til Dr. Jay sleeves me! I can do this!! I want to eat one trisciut, but just can't bring myself to do it! I'll keep y'all posted on the great triscuit debate...

My surgeon isn't requiring me to do a pre-op diet, but I've decided to do a 4-day liquid diet anyway. I have a gigantic supply of samples of just about every kind of Protein powder, but I've been pretty apprehensive after reading posts about how nasty they can be. I started this morning with a Smart Forme Meal Replacement shake, and I am pleased to report that it was not only bearable, but pretty darned good! I'm totally psyched to be on my way!! My DH had a great idea -- he suggested making a spread sheet of all the different protein powders and whether or not I liked them, so I'll know which ones to order more of. So that's my project for today. Five days to su…

Just a quick question! Has anyone here experienced any problems with pasta? I haven't tried it yet and it's on my list as foods that may be problematic (had problems with it when I was banded but that was with it not 'going down' very well). I seem to be able to tolerate most things now but I have made a lasagne for tea and am unsure as to whether or not to give it a go! Decisions, decisions....should I do it???

I just had to shout I am 12 days post op and last night hubby and I went out to soup plantation where i had tomato soup. (they let me order a to-go cup instead of paying $10 for the buffet) and I took my time sipping down 1/2 cup of soup and I was sooooo full. The best part? My brain was full too! Not only was I NOT physically hungry, but I was NOT MENTALLY hungry as well. I didn't want anymore and I was not tempted by the ice cream that was 25 ft away either! I watched hubby eat and it didn't bother me. Maybe it will eventually but it didn't. I am so shocked at the fact that I have to remember to eat. I keep thinking this wont last, and maybe it wont, but I am sure enjoy…

any suggestions?

OK So I am at work and we have this lady that comes by every so often that brings home made mexican food. Tamales, Tortas, and today she had Chili Rellano plates. Anyway...........I bought a cheese tamale. WOW!!! I had 3 bites and also a bite of cottage cheese. I am STUFFED!!!! previously I would have eaten 3 or 4 tamales. Or a HUGE Torta. I LOVE my SLEEVE!!!!

Has anyone else felt stressed from inforation overload prior to the surgery. I read the forums every day and print a lot of theinformation and recipe idea and eating hints but my folder is becoming unmanageable and I will never remember all this information. I am still trying to find out the BEST andmost delicious way to get my Protein in liquid form during those times when i just don't feel like eating. I am from the old Weight Watcher school and still do often mae a shake from skim milk and some frozen peaches or strawberries but NO protein. I feel like my head is going to explode. carol:eek:

Hi, The following is a re-post from the OH site. I would appreciate your comments. I have been reading the posts about how everyone one seems to be dieting with the sleeve. Two years ago, I reached my goal weight by eating 800 calories (mostly liquid protein). Once I began eating normal food, I began to crave carbs and overeat. I steadily gained weight until I reached 233lbs (it took less than two years to gain much of the weight back). When I saw that I had gained 100 lbs, I scheduled my surgery within the week. Now that I have the sleeve, I can tell my stomach will not allow me to binge eat, so I will no longer be eating thousands of calories a day. Will I lose …

My surgery is next Monday. Other than the stock stuff I was told to get (Protein powder, low-fat broth, Snickers bars, and SF jello), are there any other suggestions to be offered? I want to get stocked up before I go in so I do not have to worry about going out. And not just food. Any creature comforts I should consider? I have the belly dancers planned for my arrival back home on Wednesday. Smile, people. Life is good!:001_tongue:

I will be moving from mushie to full foods later this week. My question is once you have moved to the full stage are most people able to eat enough Protein to greatly reduce the amount of protein powders used during the first month after surgery? I know I will proably need to use some powders but I've been burning through unjury this first month and was hoping to switch more to food, Protein Bars and a few shakes to reach daily levels. Thanks for any help you can provide. Love the sleeve!