Tracy46545

I think they have to be chewable, dissolveable, or liquid at first.....after you are on chewable foods I can't see why you couldn't just swallow them. I'm sure the post-surgical sleevers will respond...I'm pre-op so not much help. lol Tracy

I guess I'm curious what exactly you would be cleared to be "eating bites of" that soon after surgery??? Most doctors recommend clear fluids for 10 days post op, followed by 7-10 days of "full" liquids, (usually meaning anything that could be sucked through a straw).....all of that BEFORE moving onto solids that would have to be chewed. It's strongly advised to take a PPI type antacid for 4-6 months after surgery as it takes time for the body to realize the amount of acids it produces to break down foods can be reduced due to the smaller stomach. Tracy

I found another squash at the store today.. It's called a Buttercup squash and it's about the size of a large orange or small grapefruit. It seems that you prepare it much the same way you do a Butternut squash, but it's in a much more manageable portion for a sleever. I plan to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, mix together 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup Brown sugar splenda and a little agave nectar plus a pinch of cinnamon. ...and bake it in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes. If you microwave it, you should cook just the squash for about 8-10 minutes on high, then scoop out the flesh and mix with the above extra ingredients and heat through. check out recipes for them and other vegetables at www.superior-sales.com and then click on recipes. Enjoy! (I'll let you know how it turns out!) Tracy

Heating pad...helps to ease the pain from the gases trying to exit your body through the shoulders. Broth: you will get sick of "sweet" things on the clear and full liquids stages. 2 oz cups to remind you to never drink more than 2 oz every 15 minutes at first. good list! Tracy

Hey Linda! Welcome to VST ...it's a great group of people here..most in the U.S. so they're celebrating Thanksgiving Day today....i'm sure there will be MANY postings tomorrow (if they aren't all out shopping!). I currently have the lapband and it's not agreeing with me at all. December 14th I'm having it removed and having VSG revision. I'm self pay so it's been a tough decision and lots of number crunching. I don't have insurance so no waiting on lists to have someone else tell me if I could or couldn't do it. It's my body, my decision. Welcome to the site! Tracy

Welcome Internet Angel, I'm so happy that I don't get my VSG until AFTER thanksgiving...lol. Like you said though, the grieving of the food is just as hard as the physical hunger. Tracy

that stage is when the

Mountain Lover, pineapple and Bananas are both VERY high in carbs. During pre-op we're tightly limiting carbs in order to shrink and firm up the liver so it can easily be moved during surgery. That's why the emphasis is on high Protein, low carb during pre-op. Double check with your surgeon...but I would avoid the use of fruits so high in natural sugars. Tracy

I was mistaken about the extra cost if there is erosion...that was only if the band was being removed as an exclusive surgery...not if done with the sleeve added. Tracy

Susie, Try to remember that it's the day before Thanksgiving and you are not experiencing an emergency. People will respond as they get time to be on the computer after running errands, traveling ...whatever. Tracy

mine is Dec 14th in Mexico! Tracy

Since having the lapband the only steak I can handle is filet mignon....what a curse! (wink wink) Tracy

Very VERY good and sound advice Carolyn.. I hadn't even thought of Traveler's Checks. Thanks! Tracy

My surgery date is Dec 14th. I understand there is triple the risk for complications during a revision surgery. I'm taking a certified check for the cost of the surgery. Gaby told me it would be an extra $500 if there was erosion that needed to be fixed. Should I carry an extra $500 in cash? (If I put that on a credit card there's a 3% charge from the hospital plus 16.9% interest) They will not take a personal check. Have any of you had this problem? Tracy

I knew I liked butternut squash for a good reason! Thanks!

Mashed potato and Cereal with milk are not low carb choices.. and neither contain Protein of any significant amount. These are both considered "trigger" foods that will give you some very short term energy followed by a blood sugar crash which then leaves you feeling hungrier than before you ate.

Welcome JeepChick! Where are you having your surgery? Tracy

Joon, This sounds great....I intend to have butternut squash for my first mushie! I know it will be a comfort for me. Tracy

AJW, The first time I used Miralax I had great results (pardon the pun). It really worked for me. However, it seems to rapidly lose it's effectiveness. I had better luck using the Special K Fiber Water packets. One of those a day in a 20 oz bottle of water (I used the ice tea flavor) ...and I stayed fairly regular. (Another plus is that it also has 5 grams protein) Again though.. that was with the lapband..not sure if it would be different with the sleeve. We simply have to figure out how to get in 25-30 grams of fiber daily and that's difficult on such limited portions and on such high quantity of Protein. Honestly...fresh veggies alone won't do it...you need whole grains to provide the "bulk". Legumes, Beans etc...are a godsend for people that are constipated. pumpkin puree nearly always helped too. Intake of the proper amounts of water is vital. Tracy

Christmas Day will be my first day of full liquids...My Christmas wish is that I'll tolerate that first full liquid and be well on my way to recovering from a tough surgery. Tracy

probably doing nothing wrong...there are times that the chat feature just doesn't function as well as it could. Try again another day! Tracy

Very wise advice. Glad you're feeling a bit better and best wishes for a speedy recovery. We all know that this surgery is not without risks but it still surprises some of us when there actually are complications. Being alert to fevers and unusual aches or pains is VERY important! Tracy

Ditto to what Norma said. Those food choices are almost guaranteed to make you hungry again immediately! High carb foods ZOOM through the system very quickly and leave you even hungrier. I think when you add Protein into your diet (pureed at first) you'll feel more satiety. Protein supplements can be added even into CLEAR fluids so there's no reason not to use them. I'm with Norma on the questioning of that doctor...that particular food plan seems totally whacked! tracy

For those of you that like oatmeal or cream of wheat but tend to regret the high carb load with little Protein...here's a way to fix that up! cook your oatmeal (I use long cooking Quaker Oats or McGann's Steel Cut) For Cream of Wheat I use Arrowhead Mills Bear Mush (less processed than the regular cream of wheat). when it's done cooking, remove from the heat and stir in a well beaten egg WHITE..(use the white only, it has the highest portion of protein and the least amt of fat). The egg white will cook in the hot Cereal and make it nicely creamy. Tastewise you will not know it's there but you've just added 3.5 grams of protein! Great for people that can't tolerate eggs otherwise.

I think you should follow at least the "spirit" of the guidelines given to you by YOUR surgeon. They have their reasons, and whether we consider them valid or not, if you trusted him/her enough to cut you open...you should also trust their advice on when to start back on real food! Tracy