Susanne

Oh, that's why there are so many fat Chinese people, they use TONS of MSG. Sorry, but I think this is bull. There is no REAL scientific evidence that MSG causes migraines or anything like that. Glutamates are natural ingredients in food, they are naturally in mushrooms, meats and anything considered "umami". They enhance flavor and yeah, if something tastes good, it makes you want to eat more. Maybe we should all eat things that taste like crap - that would probably be a safe way to stop people from overeating - but don't blame obesity on MSG because there is no scientific evidence of that. You post a link to rense.com - the article says "AUTHOR UNKNOWN" - yeah, that is a great, trustworthy source of information. Please go and check out http://www.rense.com and see for yourself if this is a web site that you want to rely on for information. Other things featured on this site are UFOs, ghosts, "Indoor air: America's Silent Killer" - What a joke! Rarely ever have I seen a LESS legit site than that! Your list of "Additives that always contain MSG" is a joke, because those things don't CONTAIN MSG, but contain Glutamates or Glutamic Acid. It's not like anyone puts MSG in yeast extract or "Plant Protein Extract". See also: Yes. MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in virtually all food and, in abundance, in food that is high in protein, including meat, poultry, cheeses, and fish. Hydrolyzed Proteins, used by the food industry to enhance flavor, are simply proteins that have been chemically broken apart into amino acids. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form MSG. In this case, the presence of MSG does not need to be disclosed on labeling. Labeling is required when MSG is added as a direct ingredient. (from a legitimate USDA source: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_flavorings/index.asp#5) Because human studies failed to confirm an involvement of MSG in "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" or other idiosyncratic intolerance, the JECFA allocated an "acceptable daily intake (ADI) not specified" to glutamic acid and its salts. No additional risk to infants was indicated. (School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 5XH, Surrey, UK: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10736380) MSG per se is fine. It is a salt though and as such has the same indications as salt - don't eat too much of it - but not because it is MSG but because it is SALT.

I really prefer the Fage 2%. Even though it has 2% fat, it has basically the same amount of calories (more calories per cup but also more grams). It is creamier and not as tart and has 17g of Protein for 130 calories. If you think the 0% Chobani is too tart and dry, try the Fage. And if you don't like it at all, mix it with a little bit of milk to make is creamier.

You are brave - I am way too scared to eat anything like a sandwich. But like you, I am at a stall too, with similar stats and I think I have read at least 2 or 4 other posts about this. It's pretty much impossible to actually lose 21 pounds of weight in 14 days - do the math, it is 1.5 pounds a day. 1 pound of fat is the equivalent of 3,500 calories, so in order to lose 1 pound of fat, you have to eat 3,500 calories than you need. I only need about 1,600 calories (at my current activity level) or so to sustain so even if I eat nothing, I would only lose 1 pound every two days - so if I lose more than that, I know it's muscle and dehydration. My take on it is this: I believe post surgery, I dropped a lot because I was dehydrated and I also believe my body was in some kind of shock. Now at this point, my body catches up with hydration and comes out of the daze and while I am now actually losing body mass, the fact I am getting proper hydration and just getting healthy again somewhat balances that out on the scale. Just imagine your 21 pounds - the volume of 6 gallons of milk, it's not really possible so there is no reason to worry. You body is rearranging and rethinking. Other than that, if you are really worried about your intake, start logging you calories.

I believe the Daily Plate is really inaccurate for calories calculated for exercise. There is a huge discrepancy, duplicate entries etc.

OK, I just got an email back from my NUT and she sent me the plan for week 2 to 4: http://www.bananatummy.com/2010/11/food-for-week-2-4/ I am so excited - and no calorie limit (not that I'll won't be careful)

I think the OP means the Wheybolic, which has 60g, but I am confused about the post in general. It starts about "low calories" and then lists Protein and not the calories. Are you ruminating about calories or protein? And for me, the Wheybolic chocolate tastes nice I think, but in all honesty, the powder alone has 280 calories. Together with 12 oz. of skim milk, that's over 400 calories - and that twice a day makes over 800 calories just in a couple of shakes. I am not sure I'd want to use the majority of my calories in a couple of shakes? That seems like A LOT! I mean, don't mind me if it works for you, I don't know at what stage you are but I just want to throw out the word of caution...

Clarification on "Full Liquid" - I just googled this and found this link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/213702-bariatric-full-liquid-diet/ Does that agree with what everyone considers a full liquid diet? Again, my surgery was on 11/2 and I am still on more or less clear liquid diet

Thanks a lot for the spirited discussion - this seems to be an issue for many. First, a little misunderstanding - they didn't tell me to follow a < 400 cal diet. It just comes out like that with the supplements I picked. I am not sure, maybe there were some with more calories and I just happened to pick the lo cal options (and seriously, that would be the first time, LOL) My real goals are 64 oz. of water/beverages and 60 g of Protein - and I don't have a problem with either goal. These supplements are the ones I have to use in the first two weeks after surgery for the healing period. And the healing aspect is the only reason why I am not straying away right now. I once had a wisedom tooth poking through my gums leaving a very small hole which happened to catch a little bit of food and leaving me with a bad infection. I envision a similar scenario for my stomach staple line if I eat anything but my shakes and broths. I played phone tag with my NUT today which was really annoying and I sent her an email now asking for advise. I am not sure what she'll say, I wasn't very happy with the last few times where she advised me to use a potassium supplement instead of drinking natural coconut Water becasue of the calories (Zico coconut water has 60 calories for a bottle). I thought that was absolutely ridiculous. My follow up appointment is on 11/18 and my 2 weeks post-op are over on the 15th but I am at a point right now where I am looking at the damn supplements and rather eat nothing than that stuff because I just can't stand it anymore. From what I understand, other people start full liquids already during the second week - is my surgeon overly cautious? I had bought a few Soups before surgery, these http://www.pacificfoods.com/our-foods/carton-soups (Chipotle Sweet Potato, Roasted Garlic Mushroom Lentil, Poblano Pepper with Corn) I was wondering if I could blend and eat them? How about some yogurt? I could mix some Greek yogurt with herbs and spices as a heart option? How about mashed potatoes - thinned with more milk than normal maybe? I am just a few days away from "full liquids" I need some hearty flavor or I'll go absolutely crazy!!!

I am feeling so great, but I seem to hit the ceiling every time I want to do something - even just going to the store - because I am getting tired. I feel it is because of the low amount of calories I get. My post-op diet is all Protein supplements which include 70 calories (fruit drink), 80 calories (beef broth, tomato bouillon), 80 calories (Cappuccino, hot cocoa, mocha), 100 calories (berry protein shake). So I get 4 a day from this selection, which usually leaves me at 330 calories. I then have a bottle of coconut Water (60 calories) and regular water (0 of course) so I generally stay in the 400 calorie range with 60g of protein. This is crazy and it also goes against anything I have ever heard about diets. I know they are trying to be really pushing the post-op weight loss but this seems insane. Over the last years, I kept hearing that too low a calorie goal is causing starvation mode and shutting down my metabolism and what not. When I called my NUT and asked about the coconut water she said I'd better take a supplement to avoid calories. Really? 60 calories for a bottle of coconut water seemed like an issue? Does anyone have an idea about this? It is not that I am particularly hungry - even though the food starts to bore me to death - but I am starting to worry that this small amount of calories actually hampers by success? Susanne

I had set my goal at 160 pounds for 5'5" - and even that seemed so small to me. I cannot really compute my self-image as a normal size person. Then I realized that 160 pounds is still over weight!!! So, just for good measure, I set my goal weight as the highest "normal" weight for my size, which is 145 pounds and that's what I am going with. It still looks like a pipe dream, but who knows - this is a major step, so I felt the rather drastic goal may be the way to go!

Please just call your nurse/surgeon or anyone who knows. You are only 4 days post op and it sounds very dangerous to try and eat anything. I am 3 days further along but I wouldn't dare to eat anything else. You are throwing food into a "bag" that has just been patched with a few staples - envision it -- how much do you want to trust this right now?

I am out of the hospital since Thursday, and they had removed the IV that noon. I have showered 4 times since then and washed my arms and hands numerous times, but I still have residue from the adhesive on my arm. What the heck is the stuff? I want it gone! So, I could take some nail polishe remover or so, but what freaks me out more is that this is the same stuff that I have on my belly. My instructions say to wait until the tape over the incisions falls off and that should take 7 to 10 days. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it is coming off any time soon and it starts to itch and be reddish and irritated. Now, even if it comes off, what if it is as persistent as the stuff on my arm - I wouldn't want to use nail polish remover over my incisions. I have no allergies but I am getting a little freaked out by the adhesive from hell! Is it just me? Susanne

I am getting there too, I was sleeved 11/2 and I am trying to just mix it up between my sweet and hearty beverages. I have berry Protein, beef broth, tomato broth, mango-peach juice and a few hot chocolates. I have food envy a little, when my husband eats, but in all honesty, the tomato broth alleviates this feeling. Good luck, you'll get through it!

I am 1 week post op - last Tuesday was the day - I am feeling real good, but I have one problem. My calf muscles are very sensitive against pressure and my butt hurts really bad when I am sitting on it for a longer time. I am not sure if this is simply because I am sitting on it too much and having my legs up on a recliner pad. Is this a side efect of the narcotics still? I am off pain meds but still take the ppi and the spasm and the nausea meds just because... Is this common? Anyone else experiencing this?

I cheated but only within my "food pool". I had some low cal microwave dinners so on a Sunday I had two instead of one and I had an additional protein bar a few times. My surgeon had me buy the food, and they were really cautioning me to go and eat other foods.

I loaned it from my own 401k so I pay it back to myself with interest, not sure if this is an option for you

Well, first of all, IMHO it is the easiER way - because every other way that I have tried lead me right back to my starting point. I am not sure why we are all saying it is not an easier way. For me it definitely is an easier way, and if it wasn't I wouldn't have anyone cut most of my stomach out. Maybe a few counter arguments for you: What really is wrong with an easier way to reach a goal? If you have an easier way to clean your house, would you do it? If you had an easier way to earn more money, would you do it? If I had an easier way to happiness, would I take it? OF COURSE and anyone who pretends they wouldn't is a liar. Don't tell me you rather work twice as hard in a job that pays half. What is that, the grandpa speech "I had to walk to school barefoot in the snow and up hill both ways pulling my little sister on a sled"? This may be an EASIER way but it definitely is not an EASY way. I don't know how long you have been trying to lose weight. I am trying since over 20 years. I have tried every single way I could find and nothing worked. So yes, now I tried this and I am hopeful that this will work. I have channeled so much effort, focus, concentration, time, energy into trying to lose weight - I could probably have a Masters in Quantum Physics by now if I had invested that in studying. I want to use my time to my benefit, the benefit of my friends and family, the benefit of my employer - win win for all! And last but not least ask them why they care? If they say they don't ant you to get hurt, tell them how much it hurts every time you try to buy a nice dress but they don't carry your size. Tell them how much it hurt when they send you and your date to a booth and you have to squeeze in because it is so narrow. Tell them how much it hurts to hear someone chuckle or to hear some dumb teenager make a snide remark to their friends. Tell them how much it hurts when a skinny mini sales girl doesn't even look at you because she doesn't want to deal. I got so much more but I am only a few days post-op and I need to sleep :-) PS: Tell them to go f* themselves if they don't get it

So, if someone asks you head on - will you lie to them? You will probably lose a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time and people will notice and most probably know something is up. Now, I think it is a better option to get rid of those judgmental people in your life than trying to live with a lie this big :-( It will most likely come out, or people will just be doubtful Try to grow above being embarrassed about having it done and stand up proud because you take charge.You may be surprised how many people support you - I know I was

I have never seen Coconut Water with added sugar - kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it? I am using Zico and Vita Coco, and it is so much easier to get down than water for me. I feel I really have to make sure that everything I put in my mouth is "value added". It's hard enough to get stuff down so I feel using this optimizes my nutrition. It's 60 calories for 14 oz. which is more than the 15 cals per serving that I am supposed to use. But I think they just say that as a threshold so you don't drink more than 8 times 15 = 120 calories in empty calories. I have had 1 bottle a day so far but even if I have 2, I am at the same and drink the rest in water. I get a lot more nutrition than with Minute Maid or Crystal Lite and I love the fact it is all natural! That said, I am huuungry.....

I only had 8 days of pre-op because I scheduled surgery fast. One of the things I believe I heard out of their speeches was that if you cannot control your eating for 2 weeks before one of the most important surgeries of your life, how will you EVER be able to deal with food restrictions post surgery? This is surly not the main reason, but I think they can see a potential "problem patient" up front - does that make sense? After all, the 2 weeks AFTER surgery, there is not room for you to mess up or it can have fatal outcome! I stuck to my supplements to the letter, most tasted OK. If I cheated, I cheated with their stuff, for example one evening I had two microwave dishes instead of just one because I was hungry or I had an extra half Protein bar as a late night snack. I was told it is for the liver and because this food leaves very little residue in your intestines. This made total sense to me. Imagine you have a plastic bag that you want to make smaller. One was filled with horse manure and the other one was pretty much empty - I certainly believe working with the latter is easier, safer for the patient and all that. On a different note, I had to laugh because you know, usually when you cheat on your diet, no one really knows. Now, in this case, THEY CUT INTO YOUR STOMACH and if there is a half digested, chewed up piece of steak, there really is no denying that you cheated, is there? LOL

Yes, you really have to check with the health plan because your employer can have individual plans considering it is a PPO. I am with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. I was covered for the sleeve and in my case that meant: I pay the first $1,000 out of pocket - that's my deductible and since I didn't have anything done this year, I had to pay the whole amount for this procedure. After that, I cover 30% and BCBSM covers 70% of the expenses until I have paid a total of $3,000 (this is my health plan, I opted for 70/30 instead of 80/20 - right now insurances have open enrollment, do the math to see if switching into a different plan may save you some money) After that, BCBSM pays everything. For me, that mean that before surgery, the hospital wanted a check over $4,000 since it was elective surgery. They said everything else is covered after this. I addition, I had to pay the little things at Grand Health Partners, my surgeons practice. This was for the behaviorist, dietician, consultations, pre-op appointments, pre-paid post-op appointments, pre- and post-op food and that came to a total of $991. So, for me, my covered surgery cost me $4,991 out of pocket, including co-pays and everything. Hope that helps Susanne PS: You can always call your insurance, the number is on the back of the card. They should be able to tell you with your member number

No, I don't think it tastes like coconut - I'd almost say more like yogurt or so. That made it quite pleasant to me, because the rest is all so sweet...

Just came here to look for this. Before surgery, I was at a health food store trying to imagine what may be good for me after surgery. I saw Zico coconut Water and bought two bottles. I love it! I am trying to maximize nutrition right now, I am worried about low calories but even more about low nutrition. It drinks easy, I had plain yesterday and pomberry today - pomberry tastes like berry yogurt, a little tart kick to it. My surgery was Tuesday, so I am only a few days out and Zico seriously helps with my hydration! No, I am not a Zico spokes model, they'd probably get some Brazilian bikini hottie for that and not me :-)

So, I got home Thursday and I am feeling fairly good. It feels like I am getting a sore throat, but I am not sure if it is a cold, a memory of the respirator, or maybe even just acid. I am working hard on my fluids, I made it through 16.9 oz. of Water, 14 oz. of Coconut water (natural electrolyte with potassium), another 4 oz. of water over night and an 8 oz. (15 g) Protein drink. I know I am behind on the intake, but I am starting the morning with the protein Cappuccino to get an earlier start and I will send the hubby to GNC to get me some clear watery protein of some sort, possibly Isopure or so. I am running a slightly high temperature between 99.1 and up to 99.7 but my note says not to worry unless it reaches 101. Right now, after a really good night sleep (IN MY BED!!!) it is 99.1 and I am feeling good to walk around but sitting at the desk is a little tough still. I am keeping my blog updated through my phone, which is easier than sitting here - feel free to check it out

Six hours post op and I am feeling good enough to post here. Cool ey?