Husky2Healthy

I was taking pills split to the size of M&M's the day after my surgery. By the 3rd day, I did not even have to split my pills. But this was with my doctors approval.

Well, yesterday was my 42nd birthday. And honestly, it was kind of a bummer. I am thrilled that I had my VSG on May 5th and that at almost 3 months I am down 60 lbs. I am happy for the energy I now have to work out a minimum of 5 hours a week. I love the loose clothing. That being said, I am mourning the fact that I miss certain foods. I am a huge foodie, and all my friends are foodies also. We like to get together for pot lucks and dinners. This birthday was rough, my best friend wanted to take me to dinner to Celebrate. But I talked him into just getting some take out and catching up on 'True Blood'. I did this because, it seems like an INCREDIBLE waste of money to go out and eat when I can only get down a few bites, can't enjoy an appetizer. Hell, I did not even have a bite of anything sweet because pastries, cake or anything with flour pretty much makes me dry heave until it comes up. I guess I am mourning the loss of comfort foods, and it sucks, and I should not whine. I guess it is just hard because yesterday really drove hope a feeling I have been having that this is just a diet. The thought of another 50 something years dieting, well, it sucks. Don't get me wrong, i am happy with my WLS decision, it is just this mind set battle can suck sometimes. When did your 'New Life' stop feeling so restrictive and depriving like a diet?

My Crockpot Carnitas 3 lbs of Pork Shoulder/Butt 4 minced garlic cloves (I use a whole bulb) 1/2 an onion minced (I use Vidalia) 1 can of Tecate (Mexican Beer) (Totally optional, just sub with water) 1 cup of Orange juice 1 cup of hot Water with bouion or your preference of Stock/Broth Juice of one lime 1/4 a cup of vinegar (I use red wine vinegar) 2 tablespoons garlic salt 2 tablespoons cumin 1 tablespoon chili powder/cayenne 2 teaspoons ground coriander 4 tablespoons of black pepper salt to taste I get my pork in huge chunks and lightly brown it on a skillet and throw in a crock pot. Then I add a healthy splash of olive oil to the still hot skillet and add the onions to caramelize. It is not necessary, but does make the dish a bit sweeter. I caramelize the onions for 15 mins until they look good and dark/burnt, I lower the flame add a shot of olive juice and very, very lightly cook the garlic. Do not burn the garlic or it will be biter. Then add the Tecate and all the lime juice to the skillet and loosen all the bits and burn up the alcohol for about 5 mins. Then pour over the pork in crock pot. then in a bowl I add all my dry ingredients to my oj/stock and whisk. Then I pour on top of the pork. For my crock pot this about half way covers the pork, but if it cover it completely that is ok also. then I cook on low for 6-8 hours or overnight. When done, pull out the pork and use 2 forks to shred. I also add fresh chopped onions, cilantro and lime to my ready to eat portion. I freeze half with the juice to enjoy later one. This is all about adding flavors you like. Don't want it spicy, cut the chili and cut back most of the pepper. The lime and vinegar are important to break down the meat and makes it easier to swallow for me. Enjoy.

Thanks all for the kind words. And 'imawhodat' as far as your quote: 'I have to cook meals for my family and have stood in my kitchen and cried as I pulled that gorgeous roast out of the oven and had to walk away and let my husband finish up dinner. That part is getting easier though. I have to keep reminding myself its not forever. The thought of going to a restaurant gives me the willys! I think that would be absolute torture for me this early out. ' Roasts go down BEAUTIFULLY with the VSG, at least for me. Crockpot Carnitas, also. chicken is the only thing that gives me trouble, it seems too dry. Although, I have no trouble with Turkey. In fact I substitute turkey breast for chicken in most meals. And I am a crockpot fiend! I find if the Protein slow cooks in it's juices, plus a little acidity (lemon or lime or vinegars) it makes it very tender and goes down very well!

I am almost 3 months out, and if you read my older posts, I totally went through the same thing. It was like I needed to feel the 'fullness' or tightness to prove it was actually working. I am just starting to feel that fullness, but I wish I would have just at what I weighed out instead. Remember, you had over half your stomach removed, nerves and all. Your body is kind of rewiring itself, it will take a while to re-understand your body correctly and to understand the signals. Instead, just weigh out your food, try to understand what your body is telling you: hunger, gas or acid. It takes a while, but then you will be closer to mastering reading what your body is telling you and how to fuel it. Best, Steven

I am seeing my Doctor today for my 6 weeks post op. I am down 44 lbs, on solids and doing well. Although, I always like to come in with a list of questions to ask when i see any doctor. Here is m list, can you thinkof anything else to ask? What did you ask? 1) I am not on any heartburn, PPI (?) medicine, why not? 2) I 'feel' like I get really hungry after the 1st hour I eat, is this really hunger or is it gas or just acid? What can help if it is not hunger, Tums, a PPI (?)? 3) I want him to look at my food journal, it appears I am taking in eual parts protien, fats (I eat a lot of avocados), and carbs. I am eating complex crbs in foods, not simple, white empty carbs. Should I be concerned about this? What should my ratio be? Any other thoughts to add? Any questions will be greatly appreciated!

I lived on : 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 teaspoon of fat free mayo, squirt of lime/lemon, and half an avocado put in a magic bullet and pureed. 1 can of tuna, 1 teaspoon of fat free mayo, squirt of lime/lemon, and half an avocado put in a magic bullet and pureed. 1 can of chicken breast, 1 teaspoon of fat free mayo, squirt of lime/lemon, and half an avocado put in a magic bullet and pureed. Hormel turkey chili w/ Beans put in a magic bullet and pureed. Refried beans topped with Monterey Jack cheese.

Things I am glad I brought: 1) Gasx Strips 2) Biotene Mouth Spray (to keep the mouth moist without swallowing water) 3) LIP BALM!!!!! Believe me your lips will really dry out. 4) Small pillow to hold against your stomach when you cough, and to support yourself when you sit up. 5) A large safety pin in case they leave a tube in you to pin to your gown so you don't pull it accidently. and most inportant: 6) a portable clip fan to clip to the iv stand to blow directly on you! 7) Houseshoes Good luck! Steven

Also I went to both Academy and bought some compression shirts fro $12 each, Walmart also has some, but they don't let you try them on at Walmart. Also my shirt looks like a child shirt when up up against my body, but man it really does stretch. And ITCH, I would suggest patting yourself down with Baby Powder (I use Gold Bond Medicated) and it does lessen the itch. Good Luck!

OK, for lunch I had 2 oz of Hummus and about 4 oz of chicken salad and one small triangle of pita bread. Mind you, I am 6 weeks Post-Op and I ate at noon. But every day 2 hours after I eat, I get stomach pains, that grinding empty feeling. I don't want to eat again, well actually I would love to eat again, but I know I should not. That was the whole point to the surgery. i am so confused as to 'What am I feeling?' Is it acid build up? Is it gas? Is it that I am actually hungry? I thought the hunger pains were suppose to go away? How often do most people eat during their first year, every couple of hours, every 3, every 4. Maybe I should start eating a snack after 2 hours, but I am really trying to keep my caloric intake down...? Steven. PS. Also my Docotr did not put me on any PPI meds, when I see him for my check up next week, I am going to ask about them.

3 months here with no caffine, and today i got knocked over the head craving a Dr. Pepper Icee. I feel your pain! But for me, Soda waas one of the MAJOR factors for me putting on weight, so I am just going to try to say no. If I can taste it and tolerate it. Game Over for me.

I was sleeved with a 34 bogue, I will be 6 weeks out June 16th. I 'had' very little restriction problems until now that I have moved on to solids. I can eat a good 8 oz or blended food if I do not measure my food out. I have also adopted taking a good 3-4 minute break halfway through my 'meal' and closing my eyes and asking myself what I 'feel'. Do I feel tight? Do I feel hunger? Do I feel satified with WHAT I am eating? Then if I still want to eat I will finish my measured out portion. Plus the 3-4 mins gives me a chance to 'sense' what is going on inside. But yes, I can put a lot of ounces away if I am not careful, but I am more concerned with messing my staples (still) than stretching my pouch. Chicken if it is moist goes down really well, pork if it is braised and shredded goes down really well. Beef not so much. Blended eggs, no restriction. Soft scambled eggs i can not even finish half a cup. Everyone is different, but I would suggest spending time 'reading' your body ad let it answer these questions for you. Your pouch will eventually stretch, but it will never be as big as it was before. But I could put on 10 lbs in less than a week with my size pouch if I filled it with the crap I use to eat.. Just remember, protien always first. Best, Steven

I have had the same problem. But this week, I have been having Thomas Whole Wheat Thin Bagels (110 Calories, 24g carbs, 6g protien) sometimes I only have half of a bagel. Then I put Peanut Butter on top or cottage cheese with a bit of salsa or just melted cheese. This is pretty much all the 'carbs' I eat for the day, but I could not stomach a sweet shake or yogurt one more day. Also 'The World According to Eggface' has some great recipes for eggs in tiny muffin pans if it is a time issue or just for a change. I have also done a hard boiled egg slices on a thick tomato slice. Hope this helps, Steven

I was off pain meds on day 4 with 6 incisions. There really was no pain for me after the first day. But I totally confused gas for pain for several days. My 'gas' feels like someone squeezing your heart and slowly releasing, very steady like contractions. But pain from the surgery, it was a cake walk.

Ask your doctor about the liquid protien shots. My doctor told me it was a waste of money. here is how he explained it, anything liquid will stay in your stomach for a very little time before it is passed on through to your bowels/intestine. The idea of having a sleeve rather than a gastric bypass is to allow all nutrients/vitamins/protiens to be absorbed into your stomach then go into your blood stream. If you take the protien in liquid (watery) form it will pass into the bowels/intestine and be PARTIALLY absorbed there and then the remainder will be expelled as waste. So even though you are getting a large dose of protien down, not much is being absorbed. So I would suggest trying going to your health food place or doctor finding a 'unflavored' protien powder and mix it in with your food (soups, stews, sauces, ect). Remember just because it is 'unflavored' does not mean 'no taste', so find something you can tolerate well. Also you can have a spoonful of peanut butter or cottage cheese or heck on some rough days I do a shot of Cheese Whiz (low fat, but 5 grams of protien). Also sprinkle cheese on your food. i hope this helps, but digestion of protien in the stomach is my total goal. But as always check with your doctor. Another goal is to NEVER drink my calories for the day. Instead only solids will have any caloric value.

Well, I am down 35 lbs. from 1 week liquid diet to toady my 4 weeks post-op. I believe this is called the Honeymoon period. I am glad for the loss, but I don't think I want to lose this much next month also. That would make me more than half way to my goal weight loss in 2 months. I am expecting to stall out a bit or gain a bit once I start my soft solids on July 1st. Is this what most experienced sleevers experienced? When did your honeymoon period end, and why do you think it ended?

The only concerns I was made aware of is that if you are a male, like I am, I should limit my soy protein because of the estrogen. Also my nutritionist says that the liquid shots of protein won't do much because it has nothing to bind to and stay in the stomach to absorb. You want your stomach to absorb the protein so you get the full absorption benefits. In liquids it goes past the stomach and is absorbed in your intestines, then it would be like you are a gastric bypass patient and you are only able to absorb a portion of the protein in the intestines and you pass the rest out unabsorbed. Hope this helps.

I had to wait 3 weeks Post-Op before my mushie/puree stage, but I have to wait 7 weeks Post-Op before soft solid foods. It is horrible, I am at 4 weeks Post-Op and I am so bored with shakes, and blended foods. But it will pass, if you need some motivation read about what takes place if you bust your stitches, they will open your chest, you will be out of work for 7 weeks, and if you get Sepsis you could die. That keeps me on my plan and dreaming of solids, but eating baby food, LOL. Good Luck.

What was the hardest habit for you to break? Not to drink 30 minutes before and after eating. What was the hardest habit for you to adopt? at Taking my vitamins on a regular basis, when I remember my multivitamin & B12 Complex, then I have to wait the 2 hours for my Calcium.

Great idea, i will have to smuggle one into work. They frown on electric appliances in our cubes.

I am on mushies until July 1st. And to be honest, I am over it. Nothing tastes good, I have done it all hardboiled egss with avocado, Ricotta Bakes, tuna with mayo, cottage cheese, chicken with avocado, sf Jello and SF frozen ices. And I don't think I can do another shake. I want texture, I want flavor, I want to throw my magic bullet into the wall. For lunch I did blended chili, 2 baby spoon bites in I threw it away. Went and got some Fage Greek Yogurt with honey, 2 baby spoon bites and I threw it away. Nothing is satifying right now, and the thought of 29 more days of this is the pits. But I will do it, I won't have solids until my doctor ok's it. But the last 2 days, I know from my food log, that I am not getting enough protien in. Oh, I can eat, and I am hungery, but the taste is just 'eventless', 'soul-less', just disgusting to be honest. Anyone have any tips or remember this part of the journey. I know it is normal, but it's the pits. Steven

@ Maggie- I was sleeved on May 5th, but around 8 pm due to an emergency surgery pushing everyone back. So I consider May 6th my Anniversary Day.

Yeah, week 8 post-op I get to advance.

Thanks, the only thing that brings any real satifaction is refried beans and my hardboild egg with avocado and lemon. Mind you everything I eat at this point goes in my Magic Bullet, so I have no chunks. I made a Chimichurri then marinaded cubed beef overnight, then slow cooked it in a crock pot for 8 hours. the meat was falling apart, but after I pureed it... It was so nasty, I just threw it away, LOL. Oh, well it is just 29 days, it could be worse!

I am completely agree with most everybody. I had a 34F, but that is just a guide. He is the sie he prefers and he does a loose double stable line. I take in about 4 to 6 ounces at a 3 week period and I am down 33.5 lbs. His reasoning is, if it is too tight and you over eat too early, you are more at risk for busted staple lines. And you will realize soon after you start wighing out your food, 4-6 oz is absolutely nothing compared to what we use to eat. You will loose weight and you will keep it of if you follow the rules and work the plan. I know it is scary, but it is just the start of a great new life. Best, Steven