Tamz

Don't stress yourself out, just focus on Protein and lower carb stuff, I don't worry about the rest. I do keep up with calories, but mostly because the trackers that I use, when I log my foods, show all of it, and I am curious. But I mostly work on the Protein and getting 70-80 grams or more of it in. If you eat protein first, not much room for anything else anyway. Congrats on getting to solids, it is so much better in this stage!!

I feel so much more free now! Lol its like I dont have to pack my food everywhere I go.. I can actually enjoy a day out lol .. Im gonna start watching carbs and stop counting the freakin fat in everything. Leaner choices of course but im not gonna get stressed over oven roasted turkey or honey smoked turkey... Its silly! Lol thanks ladies!

I think you are WAY overthinking it!! I don't worry about fat in my Protein at all!! My plan does not require me to count carbs, calories, fat or anything. I do count calories, but that is about it!

Here is a little list of what I eat mostly:

Tuna-canned

Salmon-grilled and broiled

Tri-Tip -grilled

Chicken-grilled and canned

Hamburger/Turkeyburgers

Foster Farms Meatballs

Salmon Burgers

Crab Cakes

Eggs-boiled, scrambled

Cheese-all varietys

Lunchmeat sliced thin w/ laughing cow cheese spread on it

Almonds

Beef/Turkey Jerky

Pure Protein Bars

Peanut Butter-Simply Jif

I am sure there is more, but this should give you a good idea of some things to try! You can also make tuna/chicken salad. YUMMM! You need to have fat in your diet. Fat burns fat. You can't do low cal, low carb, low fat. That is not possible. Just focus on your Protein for now!

Kelly

Thank you Kelly!! Man.. this must be why i hit a stop in my weight loss.. even though I have been exercising and drinking and all that....... I been trying to do low carb low fat .. low everything lol .. thank you for this list!

Where do you get the foster farm meatballs and the salmon burgers??

Hey all I hope everyone is doing GREAT.. I am so happy to finally be on regular solid foods .. I went grocery shopping this evening though and was there for 2 hrs and left with only 2 bags.. lol

I am having a hard time choosing things to eat. I know Protein first... but like.. how much fat is too much fat in Protein? Like .. should i be trying to stay under 10 grams of fat? or under 50 fat calories? Under a certain amt of carbs per serving? .. I know I should try to stay under 30g carbs a day.. but man .. it was almost harder then mushy foods today!!

I think I am over thinking it....... any help??

Example items I bought today:

Turkey Bologna

Green Beans (frozen)

Carrots (frozen)

Mixed veggies (frozen)

Jennie O Lean turkey burgers

Tilapia

Turkey (lunch meat)

I guess my question is.. for example.. the Lean Turkey burgers have like 8grams of fat and 25 fat calories.. is that too much? I guess our servings are going to be smaller than the package servings.. I didnt think about that while i was there... anyways.. help

<3 Thanks!!

Hi everyone....

Well, i am at 3 wk post op and trying hard not to get sad, mad, frustaded and depressed !!!

I gained 2lbs im the last 2 weeks !!!

I keep reading it is normal, but....just wondering why does it happen ?? What happens to our bodies that we stop losing or e ven gain weight !!

I guess knowing would help understand....and not get soooo sad.

Ale

I went through this the last 1-2 wks.. it does suck.. but you have to just keep at it. As long as you know your doing the right portions, exercising, getting in your water/protein.. it will pass. Everyone has gone thru it.. and IT SUCKS! I think its because initially your body loses the weight then realizes hello.. what are you doing.. where is the food.. and thinks its starving. You will be fine.... also.. if your on mushies.. your probably having more carbs then you had in the beginning, and more than you will when you hit solid food. You will be ok, and start losing again ... <3

From what I've read, 3/4 of a cup seems on the high end of meals. I am not speaking from experience though. I know that when I get to post op, I will be using a scale and measuring my meals to about 4 oz. I think that would be 4 medium shrimp.

Thats what my drs instructions say though! Maybe ill bring that up at my appt next week

Today marks 5 wks since my surgery .. and the 1st day I can eat regular solid food!!

I am eating grilled shrimp, and canned green Beans.. I must admit I was a little scared and didnt really want to take the first bite.. but I did and its SO GOOD! I am so surprised that my tummy doesnt feel weird.........is this normal? lol I see most ppl say their first few times on solids was kinda ehh.. but I feel fine!

My only thing is .. my dr's instructions say 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food 3 - 4 times a day..... so do i stuff my shrimp and green Beans into a measuring cup and thats how much I eat? Typically how many shrimps do you guys eat ?(if you eat shrimp)

I guess Im a little worried about this part works..... But yaaaay!

Thanks all!!!

I officially start solid foods tomorrow.. **YYAAAYYY** .. the last week or so i have been doing soft foods.. cheese, hummus, yogurt, cream cheese/turkey.. that sorta thing. I think I am eating too much. I have not had any issues with the weight loss really other than the famous 3-4th week stall .. but I can eat more than 1/4 cup! Example..dinner was a spoon of Hummus, 1 melba toast, and 1 colby jack cheese stick. That seems like A WHOLE FREAKIN LOT!

Dont get me wrong.. I am not hungry after all this.. I am full and I know that Im full because I get the burp.. so I know Im done. It just seems like too much :/

Does anyone else experience being full.. maybe not even quite "full" but satisfied.. then in 2 hrs you feel like you could eat again?

Insight please

P.S. I can start working out next week! SUPER HAPPY!!!

This is only slightly related to the post, but I have a tiny bump on one of my incisions that looks kind of like a pimple, only without the pimply stuff inside of it. It's been itching, so today I decided to give it a closer look. I noticed that it felt like something scratchy was barely poking out of it, but it didn't look like anything was sticking out. I used a pair of tweezers on it to pull at the invisible scratchy thing and it turned out to be a piece of clear, unabsorbed stitch! No more itching.

I'm glad that it's gone because it's been causing that incision to heal more poorly than the rest. That scar is visibly raised while the others are much more flat. I started with Scar Away Patches today to hopefully get them to fade a bit. /CSB

Oh, and to answer the question about capsules... my doctor had me take them apart for the first two weeks and mix the insides in a little applesauce or yogurt. Now I can swallow them just fine so I swallow them.

Yeah .. He asked if I saw anything sticking out but I didnt notice. I just emptied the capsule into a spoon of applesauce.. Still yuck! Lol

I've heard some people take the powder from the capsules and dissolve it in a little one ounce shot of Jello then let the Jello set and take it as a jello shot. I don't know if that would work for you or not, but it's one idea. That sucks that it tastes so gross

Well i have jello.. but its the premade cups.. i guess maybe i could mix it in .. ugh yuck

Wow! I have the same question..my incisions are infected & my dr put me on antibiotics that are capsules..I took one & couldn't catch my breath when it was going down..I'm wondering if I should open mine too?!

Is it called Keflex, green and white capsules? lol I thought maybe i could swallow it....... they arent that big for capsules at least. Be careful.. i opened it and it was absolutely horrid. it was seriously stuck in my mouth and i almost couldnt drink enough Water at once to get it down. my stomach hurt after for forcing the Water. ugh

So for those of you who read my post about possible infection... it was not an issue with my incision being infected. I went in today and he said that one of my stitches did not absorb and sometimes you can have a reaction to it... (or something to that effect) and that is what happen......... he said Im too far out to have incisions infected unless something crazy happens. Anyways.. he prescribed me an antibiotic for 7 days and told me to cut it in 2 and swallow. I think he didnt realize that it is in capsule form :/

Can we swallow capsules? or do i need to open it up and swallow that nasty crap inside... which i did once today and almost gagged to death from the taste... also.. washing it down was not easy. it was stuck on my tongue and roof of my mouth and i had to drink quite a bit of Water to get it down .. which didnt feel good on my tummy.. anyways lol

Can anyone assist?

P.S. Thanks

Yes its warm on the side that is red... Not the entire incision is red it looks like a pimple and feels like one

I was so happy that my incisions healed so nicely and quickly... until I felt a lil sore on one of them last night.. i looked, and sure enough the end of the incision is red, and looks like there is going to be some kinda Fluid under it.. it looks like a pimple almost....... and around it the skin is not red but swollen. I called my Dr today but they were closed by the time i got to them. I will call first thing in the morning to try and go in. . Im assuming this is going to be an infection if not already???. What could have went wrong .. I did go to the pool.. but my surgeon said it was fine. I guess it wasnt. Grr

Can anyone tell me--in regard to "normal-size-only" stores--what is the largest size they normally carry? I'm teetering on a size 18 right now, and I'm wondering when I'll be able to make the switch!

The normal stores stop at 14 mostly... Old navy is a great choice and gap for ur in between!

My dr never mentioned this DS thing to me......... is this something that most ppl have to do after the sleeve? I dont want to have to do something again... I guess I never was told that the sleeve could only be part 1 of 2... can someone explain? Thanks

I try to stay away from the stores, but at least twice a month a go and buy new clothes only to not really wear them long. I just purchased a 2X top and 2X tights- both are way too big. I should have went with a 1x top I think and a 1x pair of tights... I only spent 12 bucks but I still have buyers remorse b/c they fit bad. SO, the big question is... How often do you shop and when you shop do you suggest buying smaller sizes, etc???

I cannot stay out of - A. Old Navy, B. Ross, C. Lane Bryant ... it really is becoming ridiculous lol I buy stuff every weekend almost! LOL and nowwww.. I am buying things that are 2 sizes too small so I can wear it in the fall .. yep.. bought me a cute Olive green military type jacket at Old Navy today it was 50% off In my defense, I do NOT buy regular priced items at this point.. but .. cute shirts at Ross for 8.99 .. yeah its not on the rack for long if im there. Girl.. you worked hard for this.. as long as its on sale and you can afford it.. SPLURGE a little!!!

My sleeve amazes me everyday!! I love being full and satisfied on so little food!

Yess. The only thing im noticing is.. I do get full fast.. But it doesnt last that long :/ im hungry again kinda soon. Maybe bc im not on solids yet.... But I have been doing turkey slices, cream cheese, yogurt, hummus, Soup, and cheese. Any insight?

As I am eating my dinner.... Melba Toast, and Hummus.... I am just now realizing how freakin amazing it is that I can barely finish 1 toast.. I am not SUPER full, but I dont wanna reach that point anyway so Im stopping before I start burping. At first it was kinda weird how little I can eat.. but now its like.. wow. lol .. Its starting to get easier and easier.. bc I still get that full/satisfied sensation, it just comes WAY faster now. just thinking out loud I guess. . dont mind me.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

insane is right. The bottom line is ... Ppl have various feelings, thoughts, and opinions about life after the sleeve.. And NO ONE should be called out for speaking up about it. So what if I hate my sleeve now!! will I hate it in 30 days?? Probably not much.. Will I hate it 3 mos from now?? No, I will be dancing around in a size that ive never worn since I was 15. Everyone goes thru things differently, period.

I hope I will start enjoying my sleeve more soon, after getting insight from those further out.. I know ill get there, at my own pace.. On my own terms. Thank u for all the advice and even the tough love ... But it could have been said a bit more tastefully,thats all.

Im sorry to those who I pissed off with my original post ... Not bc I posted what I felt, but because u totally ran away with it.

Good luck to everyone.

Lemme know what happens!!

I'm sorry but i had to laugh at your quote "never again being able to enjoy the buffet at Golden Corral or my favorite Chinese place". . that was really priceless cause that was my exact same thing too. . . but you know what? My hubbie loves Golden Corral and chinese, we still go and yup I spend $11.00 on a piece of chicken leg and a small bowl of clam chowder. . . at the chinese we do take out and it will last me for days on end! By the time i'm done all that chinese food, I don't care to see chinese again for months. . i do lunch with friends and when i order my food, I automatically ask for a take out box and carry it home for another time. . . usually works very well. . . it's amazing how we adjust after a while. . . in the beginning it's pure hell and i totally sympathize with Tamz cause i was like that too at her time out, but it does get better and you feel so light and great when you order/eat such a small amount and everyone else around you is pigging out. . . good luck to all. . . TOGETHER we'll get there

Thank you for your understanding. I know I seem negative more often than positive but today is JUST my 30 day mark. I think Im even more blah now than I was in the beginning.. bc in the beginning I really didnt wanna eat, I had hardly no appetite and was just ehh towards the idea of foods. However, now I am on full liquids/soft foods and I actually have an appetite.. so it really gets to me when everyone is going out to eat and I say no thanks. I know it sounds like Im a huge fat pig.. but its the truth. That is what I was used to, as I think many of us were. We were used to always saying "YES" to going out to eat, to ordering an appetizer AND an entree, and even dessert. Those days are no more.. and thought it seems silly... its hard to get over that lifestyle, even though i know my stomach can no longer tolerate it. I am looking forward to July 14.. because thats when i can start solid foods. I think at that point.. i wont be so blah, because thought I will have restriction as far as quantity and fat/fried/carby foods.. I wont be AS restricted as i am now. Long story short... I know in the long run this was the best choice, as I am not stupid.. but right now Im in that crappy stage. I thought this site was about being supportive.. even when we are going thru a day, or a week or a full month of blah! .. but apparently you dont get that from every person on here. Thank you for being understanding

Let me start off by saying: I love my sleeve! I love it's purpose, I love that I have it and I love that it's out there for others to use as a tool

I however hate healthcare politics. I was approved by Aetna, got my surgery and thought everything was ok. Until I got bills totaling almost $10,500. Apparently the anesthesiologist is not covered under my insurance but how is a consumer suppose to know that?! I feel my insurance company failed me in making sure that the providers who were going to perform my surgery would be in network and if they weren't they'd inform me. Boy was I mistaken.

Although I have complete faith I will overcome this financial burdern, I just urge everyone to know what your insurance covers and what it does not. When you go to the hospital for pre-op ask what surgeons, companies/contractors will be operating on you and check to see if you are covered or if they're in network. Just because the hospital and surgeon are covered, doesn't mean the anesthesiologist is.

again, i love my sleeve. i don't regret it, but i wish it were different

I have aetna too .. And the hospital rep lady told me to call aetna and tell them I wasnt advised that the anesthesiologist wasnt covered.. Bc I was originally told everything was in network.. So we'll see when I get the bill!

Today I'm 8 days post op. I have been hungry for the past couple of days. My doctor has me on 2 weeks full liquids. Today I ate about 3 teaspoons of refried Beans. I'm not having any problems. I'm just scared that I might cause a leak..... I've read post were people were already eating soft foods by day 8.... Anyone know if it's okay to eat this early post op?

I know how tempting it can be to eat mushies when your still on full liquids... lol i was there.. but follow your doctors diet My dr's diet goes from full liquids for 5 wks straight to solids.. so because of that.. he has allowed me to incorporate some mushies like refried Beans. They are SO good compared to the full liquid diet but at only 8 days out I'd stay strict to your diet. You want to maximize your weight loss as much as possible.. and you'll do that by following it exactly. Your on day 8 and you have full liquids for 2 wks.. so less than a week and you can eat those refried beans and many other things, hang tight you'll get there!!!!

I started off with the liquid calcium citrate from Vitamin world.. and it was just nasty, couldnt even swallow it. I then found the Bariatric Advantage Calcium citrate chews and got them in caramel they are good!! However.. they are only 250 of calc each so i need to have 4 a day and each one is 5 grams of carbs and 20 calories. So I need some other options......... what is everyone else taking?? THanks!!