lsereno

I would ask the dr. I haven't heard of other food allergies getting worse. Just lactose intolerance, but I wouldn't chance it if I were you. Lynda

I ate shrimp at 3 weeks out. I could only eat about an ounce of firm Protein. My program recommended staying away from starches and I had no room for them. I'm more than two years out now. My program allowed moist fish, shellfish, chicken, and pork from weeks 2-6. We weren't allowed beef till after 6 weeks. Lynda

My program allowed many soft foods between weeks 2 and 6, but I had trouble too. I had to eat very tiny bites, chew for 30 seconds, wait 30 seconds and then another bite. I used a clock with a second hand and demitasse spoon. I could only manage about an ounce. Most of my nutrition still came from Protein drinks and greek yogurt. And like someone else noted, if something is bothering you, just drop back to your previous stage for a few days and try again. Lynda

I had the sleeve because: I wanted a WLS option that relied on restriction, not malabsorption and one that didn't require ongoing maintenance. The band would have left something foreign inside me and the port under my skin that would require periodic fills. Plus, I know me: I would have been feeling for that port under my skin. The RNY would prevent me from taking some drugs (such as ibuprofin) or may cause issues with dumping (inability to eat sweets). Also, the malabsorption scared me and the blind organ thing was weird too. Plus the pyloric valve is removed and I have read the stoma used in its place can stretch. DS was too extreme and my insurance doesn't cover it. Lynda

You can be modified from a sleeve to a bypass. My Dr. at Kaiser Fremont mentioned this is done if GERD is very bad post-op. I wouldn't say many people revise to DS, but some do. There is a DS board on Obesity Help so you could get more info about DS there. There are many more side effects with DS, but for some it is a life saver if they can't take the weight off another way. The restriction alone has been enough to get me to goal. My program uses a 40 bougie to size the stomach. I have started a blog on this site and discuss bougie size there: http://www.verticals...-and-then-some/ For North Carolina references, check the Gastric Sleeve Surgery Support Groups → Local Gastric Sleeve Surgery (VSG) Support Groups → USA Local VSG Support and then search for North Carolina. I found three threads for that state. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

My husband was OK with surgery but my Mom was scared. My advice? Take him to a support group meeting and a surgeon appt. It's what I did with my Mom and it helped soothe her fears. Lynda

Congrats and welcome to older land!!! Lynda

My fav on-plan sweet treats are grrek nonfat yogurt with blueberries and Splenda, any fruit that's in season, or a soy latte with sugar free syrup in vanilla or chocolate. I also like the 15 calorie sugar free hot apple cider. Sometimes I add a splash of sugar free caramel syrup. Lynda

Congrats and happy Sugiversary! Lynda

Fluids are your number one priority. Instead of staring at a huge container of Water, set a goal of one ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake. I used a clock, a shot glass, and a 1 cup liquid measuring cup as a pitcher. Try the water at different temps: cold, lukewarm, and hot and see if one goes down easier. I did better with lukewarm. Add a splash of juice or try herbal tea. I like SleepyTime Tea. Lynda

Thank you Alex for all you do. Lynda

Happy Surgiversary! You're screen name doesn't match the way you look now. Maybe you're gonna have to change it to skinny b*****

Congrats!

Thank you! I just want people to see what eating looks like after a couple of years. I was 135.6 today. And I'm still working on understanding how to eat and stay at goal. Here's today: B: slice of WW bread, 2 oz. of 98% fat free ham, about an hour later, Decaf Soy Latte (22 grams protein) L: 1/4 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup chopped tomato, couple pieces of red pepper, 1/4 avocado, 2 oz. lowfat turkey lunch meat, 1/2 c. black Beans, 2 T. light ranch dressing (18 grams protein) D: 3 oz. smoked chicken, 2 T. BBQ sauce, 1/2 small ear of corn, 1/4 c. veggies sauteed with 1 T. olive oil (21 grams protein) S: Mango

Hi Nurse Barbie, Sorry your feelings are hurt. One thing I have found is that whoever you don't like will probably be gone in a few months. Every online forum I've ever participated in has had quite a few dust-ups as time goes by. I just stay out of them whenever possible. And hormones here don't help: I was so emotional the first few months post-op. It was way easier to hurt my feelings then than it is now. I do agree with another poster that F2F support groups have a lot to offer. Lynda

Wow! You've been missing out. Laura-Ven and I live in the stone fruit capital of the world (OK, now it's moved a bit, but it was the stone fruit capital before high tech took over!). A pluot is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. Lynda

Walk. It helps. And then stand up till you feel better. It gives your tummy more room. Don't ask how I know. We all know why I know what works after eating too much. l

I was scared too. Esp. scared I wouldn't wake up. I cleaned house like a mad woman and did lots of other stuff to get ready for surgery. I will be thinking of you. Lynda

I had salt cravings and sugar cravings. I used my Protein drinks to satisfy both. Salt craving?

I was pooped for about four months. Hubby should pick up some of the stuff you normally do so you are less tired when its time to have fun.. My opinion: nothing looks sexier than a guy doing housework, shopping, and riding herd on the kiddos. Even if he doesn't help, you should feel better soon. Lynda

Yes, I love going out. I'm a little over two years out. At first, I ordered off the appetizer menu, and sometimes I still do. Or I just order a meal and eat what I want. For example, last night we went to PF Changs. I ordered the summer special: swordfish. I ate some of the veggies and about 3 oz. of the fish. It was on white rice, which I don't eat much so I just left that. Hubby ate the rest of the fish, and I just left the remaining veggies and rice on the plate. It was no competition for my fav fish there, the Oolong Tea Marinated Sea Bass served over spinach, but I felt like trying something new. Lynda

I like chocolate. I get my chocolate fix from sugar free hot cocoa ( not too often or the lactose gets me)', sugar free torani syrup in coffee, and the occasional piece of chocolate candy. I liked the chocolate Protein powders per-op, but not post-op. Lynda

It may not be your fav post op. some foods that I liked per-op, particularly greasy foods or lactose-heavy foods, do not appeal to me any more because I often don't feel well after I eat them. But everyone is different and you may not have the issue with these foods. Not that I never eat them, but they certainly don't call my name like they used to. Lynda

Congrats and happy surgiversery!

Thanks Jane! Glad you got a good report. I'm still searching what causes many to gain after year 3. Maybe stretching contributes to that. Lynda