Tracy46545

PB2 is great mixed into plain yogurt or stirred into sf chocolate pudding. Nice to rehydrate it and dip celery into too. You can use it most the ways you used to use full fat Peanut Butter. Definitely worth buying.

Yes, I miss being able to eat the quantity that would allow me to enjoy everything at a Thanksgiving dinner for instance. Because I'm still large (only 8 weeks out from surgery), it's difficult socially to constantly explain my tiny portions and some people have outright accused me of lying when I say "I'm full". Would I trade all that for being out of control and fat again? NEVER. I love the fact that food doesn't rule my life anymore (other than figuring out how to pack the most Protein into such small portions).

Great of you to post this Joe, we frequently get inquiries of what to do, where to eat, where to shop during slack time when going for surgery. Thanks!

Actually bean or meat based mushies are the best things to eat during the soft foods stage. Mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits etc are all very high in carbohydrates and will stall your weight loss without giving you the protein your body needs for healing. Don't get me wrong, they go down easily, but you have to be prepared for the carb craving they will set off. Beans are high carb but also have alot of fiber and some protein to offset the carbs.

Positive healing energy being sent your way Tiff!

Hershey, try sticking one of those low-fat yogurts in the freezer for an hour or so and pretend you're having ice cream...

SparkRecipe is on my AOL toolbar at the top of my screen because I use it so much. Love that site!

full set of labs 3 months out....that's all I was told about.

I'm not the doctor, but my revision was done during the same surgery that my band was removed. Most of Dr. Aceves's revisions are done that way. Not sure about other surgeons.

I converted on Dec 14 after 27 months of torment with the lapband. I love the sleeve so far (7 weeks after surgery).

I ate Cream of Shrimp and Cream of Asparagus...both pretty tasty. However, I had also frozen small portions of homemade soups in the weeks prior to surgery and I used those.. I just pureed the ones that still had chunks. Watch out for Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal, mashed potatoes etc....they are very VERY high carb items and will sometimes cause you to be starving again in an hour. Wintertime is tough to be on all fluids because the cold shakes don't seem as appealing. unjury.com has a good tasting chicken broth flavor Protein powder that can be heated up cup by cup like broth. (up to 130 degrees). (I always stir it into cold Water and heat it 30 seconds at a time until it's warm enough). On a cold night I still enjoy this even though I'm 7 weeks out from surgery.

Marci, Your surgeon is great at scare tactics. There would be no way to know if the liver shrunk from a size two weeks prior unless he "opened you up" two weeks prior also! The whole idea of the pre-op diet is to purge the glycogen from the liver which makes it firmer...not necessarily smaller. When the liver is firmer, it's easier to move it and support it with the paddles used during surgery. Quite honestly, some research has shown that it would take 3-6 months on a low carb diet to actually "shrink" the liver. Having said all that,Hershey, it's still important to follow your surgeons advice. But, this is also the time to discuss problems with the surgeon if you're having trouble following the pre-op diet. He/She may suggest adding in a lean meat or low carb high Protein shake for satiety. Most surgeons understand they are dealing with food addicts and know how to make concessions to help them make it through the pre-op. Ultimately, do the absolute best you can, and with all your heart, mind and strength, avoid the dang Hostess Cupcakes!

Way to go sleeve sister! I'm at a 28 pound loss (I think). I wasn't weighed the day of surgery so can't be positive. I'm using the last weight I knew of before I left for my trip to Mexico. You're doing great!

Interesting Marilyn...if it continues into next week I'm going to call Gabi and see if she can shed any light on it. At first I thought it was the pain pills (after I fell and dislocated my knee) but I've been off those this past week and I just have no appetite. I'm not sure I should complain.. lol, but it's a bit worrisome to only get 400-500 calories a day, although I'm pretty sure I have enough "reserves" to keep me from falling down.. lol. I'll let you know if I find out anything!

I was sleeved Dec 14, 2009. The first five weeks seemed very normal, I tracked calories, carbs and Proteins just for knowledge. I was averaging 800-900 calories a day, 40 carbs, 80-90 gms Protein. 8 glasses of Water, no problem. Last Saturday, I abruptly lost my appetite. It's not that food makes me sick, it's just that I have no hunger for it. I'm a decent cook, but 2 tablespoons of anything is more than enough. Most days this week I've ended up with less than 500 calories and only 32-40 oz water. Protein intake has slipped into the 50's and carbs are safely in the 30's. I'm working on a Protein Drink now because it's 8 pm and I only had 400 calories in today with 34 gms protein. Is this normal?

Here's a 20 minute white chili that I use alot because it only has a few ingredients: Large jar of great northern Beans shredded (cooked)chicken breast (or two, and I usually use a thigh and a breast) Chicken broth (add to the desired consistency) 1/2 jar of Salsa, mild, medium, or hot to suit your tastes Shredded low fat sharp cheddar cheese (add in the last 5 minutes or when you serve) I didn't include sizes because this recipe is very versatile. I sometimes make a small amount for myself for a couple days or a larger amount for a family dinner. Since everything is already cooked, it just needs enough time simmering for the flavors to meld together. Super easy supper!

rlocke, weren't you sent home with any pain meds? You shouldn't be in extreme pain. Call your surgeon and ask what you can take. If you're in constant pain you won't be moving around and that's necessary to move the gas out of your body. (Gas is part of the pain probably). Try to walk around inside your home every 1/2 hour or so when you're awake. Sip warm fluids, that sometimes helps and you can rest a heating pad on the sorest spots 20 minutes at a time. I was fortunate to be sleeved in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves, he doesn't believe in letting his patients be in pain! By the time I went home I was able to handle any lingering soreness with an over the counter pain med. Hang in there.. it will get better by day 5.

I was banded for 2 years, and revised to the sleeve in mid December. Stomach pain is gone, no vomiting, appetite control is in place, weight is coming off steadily. I wish I'd gone this way in the beginning. When I think of the money I wasted with the lapband surgery, the fills and unfills and other medical appointments trying to resolve the problems .....that's the only time I feel sick now. However, follow your own research and go into surgery confident in your decison, whatever it is. Best Wishes!

I'm six weeks out (yesterday). In the last week I've lost my appetite a bit or have been too busy to eat and just forget. When I prepare things, they taste ok, I pre-measure my portion and don't attempt to eat until "full". It's pretty easy to exercise willpower in my current state. I've avoided really great "smelling" places...lol.

I just want to add that Lentils are an excellent source of fiber as well. Most Americans only get 4-8 gms of fiber daily and our bodies require 25 grams to operate at peak efficiency. When you eat more fiber you will be "satisfied" longer as it takes longer for fiber to break down in your system. The great side benefit is that it will regulate your bowels. Red lentils are the highest in fiber of all the lentils.

PB2 is INCREDIBLE stuff! I used to buy it by the case and take it to support group meetings...lol. I'd sell out a case in about 15 minutes. Most people add it to Protein shakes, or add it to plain yogurt. I also just reconstituted it and spread it on celery or really toasted whole wheat english muffins. Use it to make a great lowfat peanut sauce. There are some great recipes to use it on their website Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter and More! and HungryGirl.com. It's a great protein source to add to a carepack going to our armed forces too. In fact I think Bell Plantation is doing that through some sort of government program. Don't be afraid to try it, it's wonderful!

I confess that at first I wanted to return to college for my bachelors degree so I could get a job doing advocacy work. I now just want to get the fastest degree possible to make the most amount of money in a job with health insurance so I can get my knees replaced! (haha, this decision was reached after completing my first week of accelerated courses online).

I hope you can get stabalized into a maintenence weight Tiff... I have to say, it seems so far from any reality I've ever lived ....to have to eat more to "hold" my weight. I'm looking forward to it a bit...but I would be concerned if I do that and still continue to lose. Keep us posted!

Congrats Charity!!!! That's a big accomplishment. Stay nourished!

it really does help to track your food in a good food diary of some sort. Here's one I use ... www.myfitnesspal.com