PdxMan

I agree with Brant. The amount of real estate it occupies for the nutritional value it delivers is just not worth it for me. So then, why eat it? Because that is what I used to do? If I am eating stir fry then I have to have rice ... if I want sushi (ick!) then I have to have rice ... right? Hmmm ... that is what I used to do and I was looking to make changes to what and why I was eating what I was eating. For me, rice only gets consumed accidently. Quinoa, though ... now that begins to have some return on investment. Is that an option for you?

Early out, you just do the best you can ensuring, though, that you get your liquids in. You can end up in the ER due to dehydration, but not because you were short on Protein.

I hear what you are saying, but know the blood tests are not going to cover all of it. They are not going to be testing for magnesium, zinc or any of the other minerals. Shortages of these may still cause you body to feel nutritionally deficient. You can still follow your guidelines while eating a varied, balanced plan. Many people find what works for their new tummies and stick with it eating the same thing over and over. Greek yogurt, tuna, cottage cheese ... over and over and over and ... Yes, they are meeting their guidelines, getting their Protein in and they can tell their Dr they are compliant. All the while they say they are STARVING! All I am saying is try to find other foods that work for you which may offer more balance in the other nutritional categories. You may find you are not always hungry, as you state in your original post. I can only speak for myself. Per my Dr's suggestion, I have always eaten a varied, balanced meal plan and can honestly say, two and a half years post surgery, that I have never been "hungry" like I was pre-op. No where near.

OK, I'm back and able to type a bit more. I decided just to post here instead of a PM as others may benefit from my experience. I first came to AA just over 14 years ago after hitting one of my bottoms. I don't call it rock bottom as I know I have the capacity to go lower if I were to relapse. That has been true for me in the past. Addiction is a cunning, baffling, powerful foe as I knew deep down I was doing things I did not want to do, but felt powerless to stop the cycle. I repeated the same behavior time and again expecting different results, only to have things turn out the same. I would abuse substances because I didn't want to feel or confront the emotions I was dealing with. I treated substances as a reward when times were good and as a crutch when times were bad. The bottom line, for me, is that these substances weren't my problem. I was. They were my solution to help me cover up the reality of my issues and they worked quite effectively for a long time. Until they didn't. And that is when I was given the gift of desperation. I could no longer go on the way I was. I had to make a change or life as I knew it would lose all meaning. I was at a turning point. I had reached my bottom. Some of you may be asking, "What substances is he referring to? Alcohol? Illicit drugs? food?" The answer is, "Yes", to all three. I have found that I abused food in no different way than I abused alcohol. Through the help of AA, the need to use alcohol was lifted, but then I was able to replace that addiction with food. So, I very much believe it is quite plausible to begin abusing alcohol in new ways if you are no longer able to abuse food the way you used to. And if you were abusing it prior to VSG, then even more so. Trust me, there is not a single person who walks into their first AA meeting on the best day of their life. Nobody wants to make that first appearance and nobody wants to admit they are an alcoholic. To be honest with you, I don't want anybody admitting they are an alcoholic if they truly aren't. I wouldn't wish alcoholism on my worst enemy. But if you believe you may have an issue with some addictive behavior issues, then know that the rooms of AA have provided simple solutions to millions of people who have been able to lead much happier lives free from their addictions. I was just telling somebody yesterday that if you would have asked me to script out what I wanted to be like 5 years after getting sober, I wouldn't have been able to script it any better than how it turned out. Yes, I still have issues. Sure, I am only two and half years post VSG. But I know that this and many other options in my life wouldn't have been even possible had I not stayed sober. Going to an AA meeting does not make you an alcoholic. You are not going to be thrown into a back room and have AA shaved into your hair. Know that every person in AA, at one time, felt very similar to how you are feeling right now, and they are there waiting with their hand out. All it takes is willingness to make a change.

Would you say you are eating a balanced diet, nutritionally speaking? Let's go back to Ye Ole track everything in MyFitnessPal (or the like). After a week, you can look at the summary of your nutritional breakdown. The Proteins, fats, carbs, Iron, Calcium, sodium, blah, blah, blah. My surgeon told me my body would tell me when it was nutritionally deficient in something and that would be it's way of telling me it was hungry. It was my job to determine what I am short on and provide it. Let's put it this way ... Your body needs to do some bone repair/healing/whatever, so it is going to need a little more calcium. It gives you that craving for some milk or broccoli or whatever your body associates to a good dose of calcium. So, you get the feeling you are hungry. What do you do? Eat ham until you are stuffed. Well, yes. Ham has a little bit of calcium, but no where near what it is looking for, so, what does your body do? Sends out the signal, "Hey! I need some food, here!" and you respond by eating some chicken. Again, not meeting the needs your body needs, and now you feel like you are constantly hungry. You are eating the foods recommended, but for some reason, you are always hungry. Well, you also need to be eating a balanced diet. Take a look at how well balanced your meals are at the end of the week and make adjustments. You will not realize a change overnight, but over time, your hunger will also be more balanced.

It's all about the internals and your usage. Cheap blenders are going to have a lot of plastic parts inside. Gears ... levers ... and over time, they will wear out. Depending on how you use it, though will determine what that time frame is. If you are making smoothies and margaritas with large ice cubes everyday it's life will be drastically shorter than if you were blending lentil Soup everyday. The vitamix genre of blenders is going to have metal parts inside. Yes, they cost a lot more, but if you do heavy duty stuff or just want to have your blender for 40 years, then it may be a better option for you in the long run. It reminds me of drills ... same exact thing. A Black and Decker drill will work great for the first year if you are using it often. But then, you will start to notice it slipping more or it just can't drill a screw all the way in. Plastic insides ... Now, a Milwaukee drill will last forever and can sink a screw as deep on the 10,000 screw as it did on the first. You get what you pay for.

No, you do not have to stand up. That is more drama for TV, but there are meetings where it is encouraged. Bottom line is you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. For me, it didn't take too long before I heard my story being told in the rooms and I was able to identify. At that point, I had crossed the line of acceptance of my alcoholism and I wanted to identify myself as such. I am on my mobile device right now, so I will write more or contact you directly later. Just know that only you can say whether you are an alchoholic. I know AA meetings may seem daunting as there is a lot if fear that if you do identify, then you might convince yourself of something you are not. It doesn't work that way.

Wow! Long time no type! Good to hear from you LMD. Yes, the site has changed and there are many new, great members, but I am happy (sad) to say the same issues people experienced back in the day are still prevalent today. I hope you will be able to hang around and continue to be a part of the community. I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. I, too, have been bitten by the surgery bug having gone through two back surgeries (L4/L5) in just over a year. I am still recovering and have had to adjust my intake as I am no longer active as I once was. Good to see you!

When I was at the grocery store as a kid, I used to push on the plastic wrap covering the liver. It just felt so weird. That and the cow's tongue. I don't see that in grocery stores anymore.

There was a bit of a brew ha ha revolving around respecting their rights to make posts surrounding their beliefs. If you are not a part of the majority, and someone who is does not agree with the post, then they have the right to have your dragged and quartered.

Does a wife qualify? Having her there was extremely helpful. If not your spouse, be sure it is someone who is OK seeing you at your worst. Also, throw any modesty you have out the door. In all honesty, this was an event which brought us even closer as this is just one of the basic principals of "For better and for worse". To me, it is a measuring stick of not only your current relationship, but of where it is going. If you are not comfortable sharing this with them, then what else are you not comfortable sharing? What does that say about your marriage?

At about one year out my scars were indistinguishable. You had to have know I had them and where they were at to notice. As they say, "A trotting horse would have never noticed." I was pretty good about putting the scar "cream" on. Just a generic ointment I got at Walgreens. Not the fancy $25 stuff. I think the bottom line is to keep them moist whilst healing and not picking them early out. I believe the biggest factor, though, is knowing your own history of scaring. Some folks with lighter or darker tone seem to have their scars show more. I am definitely more of the fairer shade of neutral tone. Also, my scars don't "cord" up, meaning they a relatively thin and the scar tissue doesn't build up very much.

Shrimp is pretty dense, so I would guess not. I think they are referring to some of the whitefish varieties which are able to break down relatively easy. If you take small bites and chew the bejesus out of it, you will most likely be fine. My guess, though, depending on size, is you will only be able to have one or two, so don't push it. You are only 4 weeks out, so remember that. Myself, I ate tuna all mushed up with ranch at 4 weeks and could only eat what would fit on two small pieces of cheese, so not much. I think shrimp came into my diet at about 4 months. Just take it easy and listen to what your body is telling you. Don't rush into the next bite.

Aint that the truth! Woo Hoo!

Hello Elaine and welcome to BariatricPal. There is a whole sub-forum dedicated to VSG and pregnancy over here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/427-pregnancy-with-gastric-sleeve-surgery/ You may find what you are looking for there.

I agree with Blade. It depends upon how much you are willing to share with the public community. Of course, I don't know you or what your history is, so I am just generalizing here using myself as a guidepost. Is it just a general, superficial share, or are you willing to go into the depths of your (possible) addiction to food and root cause analysis as to why you became morbidly obese? Are you willing to share the low parts of your journey when you discover you are not able to abuse food and use it as a coping mechanism as you (may) once did? I think it is great for those who can do this. Like Blade, I have used the forum to share my struggles and achievements as I know these people understand as many have traveled the path already.

Sorry Misty, but generally, it is true. Women often dress to attract attention from the opposite sex. No, it is not true all of the time, but generally, I think Recycled is spot on. Congratulations, Seela, on being down 50. I think we all go through some discovery phase when we notice people noticing us. There are many threads on here discussing this and it is one of those things most people don't give two thoughts to. But this is new behavior which has never or seldom been directed our way and it is, well, different.

Wow, if you have friends like that, I'd hate to meet one of your enemies.

Communicate all of your concerns to the nurse as soon as you get into pre-op. They can put a topical lanicane (sp?) to numb the area a but so you feel absolutely nothing. Deep breathing exercises also will help you throughout the day. Just keep breathing, just keep breathing ...

I guess I would research this the other direction ... What bariatric surgeons are in-network for you? Get that list and come on here performing a search on each one and contact the individuals who have used them. I think this would be a lot quicker as you may get responses here for surgeons who are also out of network, which would continue your frustration. Also, contact Dr. Mirza and see whether they are interested in being part of your network or what the options are. I know when my insurance changed a few years ago, my dentist wasn't part of my network. I asked him about it and he did what was needed to join it. I just had to delay my next appointment until they completed their work. He didn't want to exclude anyone he didn't reasonably have to and Dr. Mirza may feel the same way. Just ask.

Lettuce is one of those foods which can be difficult to digest, depending on the type. I started back with iceberg at about 4 months slowly adding romain until I could handle all romain, then I began adding in spinach, then adding kale. At about 6 months I was able to handle any and all raw veggies.

I eat BBQ frequently. But it is going to be a little while before you can be back full swing. Beef and pork were not on my plate until 6 months post op. BBQ ribs were one of my favs as cooked properly, they are nice and moist, which helps with digestion. The bottom line here is to remember the boat you are in. You just had 85% of your stomach removed. The stomach is the mechanical part of digestion ... and it has been severely reduced. meat, beef especially, requires a bit more processing time to get into a mushy phase where it can pass through the pyloric valve. This is why we are directed to eat lean Proteins first as it is going to give us the "full" feeling longer. But advancing too early or eating too much can cause great discomfort as your stomach may not be ready to handle such foods. The storal to the mory is to take it easy reintroducing foods back in. Don't push yourself too much. Listen to your medical team and follow the basic guidelines: Lean Protein first, then veggies Don't drink 15 minutes before, during or after meals Take small bites, chew well and put your utensil down between bites assessing how you felt before taking the next bite. Exercise Good luck!

Hello Happy! Oh yeah, I still darken the doors here. Everyone you mentioned has been integral to my success, too. As you may remember, I am also an active member of AA and I try to use their tenants here, too. Step 12 summarized as trying to carry my message to others. That is why I try to stay around. As in that program, when I share my experience, strength and hope, I am constantly reminded of where I came from and where I can so easily go back if I do not follow the suggested guidelines. Also, when I listen the struggles of those early in the program, whether it is AA or VSG, I am reminded of my own struggles. I do believe you only get what you give. The last I remember of Blackberry, she had dumped her fiance and was on a mission to be getting some. As was pointed out, Diva went to FB after a stint on MFP. I miss Lissa, too. She and I connected as her surgery date was right around mine. I do not know where she is now, but HERE is one of her last posts. Good to see you around and look forward to hear how you have been doing.

For the mushy/puréed stage, I ate turkey chili soup with veggies and ham/lentil/veggie soup. As I progressed, I puréed them less and less. I also added tuna with ranch on a piece of sharp cheddar. Basically, take whatever food you like, add some broth and purée it.

I also did the Under Armour compression shirts as well as the leggings as I was irritated by the skin on the back of my thighs and calves jiggling as well at the tummy jiggle. Plus, it was staying pretty steady at ~35 degrees around here, so it was a nice base layer, too. I was wearing L, but bought the M and squeezed in like a sausage. I knew I was continuing to lose and it wouldn't be long before I would need the medium and didn't want to lose the benefit of the compression. I was able to find a couple at Goodwill for far less.