Indymom

Unfortunately, I think very few people avoid this. I religiously got at least 75 grams of protein, took all my multivitamins, etc. and at about 5 months out my hair loss started. I'm lucky to have a ton of hair so it's not been horrible, but I can definitely tell.

You could probably use center-cut bacon too, it's almost as good for you as turkey bacon (and so much yummier!). I'd like to try this.

I make homemade meatballs with lean ground beef - honestly, the nutritional values are nearly as good as turkey meatballs if you use 93/7 beef or leaner. I don't really follow a set recipe - generally 1 lb beef, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, finely diced onion, some garlic to taste, italian seasoning . . . I like to bake my meatballs rather than fry in a pan. They are great and we always freeze the leftovers. A good trick is to freeze them on a cookie sheet and then put them in a ziploc bag - that way they are individually frozen and not stuck together.

Those are pretty good stats - if you're not a low-carb person, that is. I try to make sure anything I eat has at least 5 grams of protein per 100 calories (or ideally less, of course). Lissa, thanks! I didn't weigh today, tomorrow is my official weigh-in day and I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I hit it tomorrow!

Rice is one of the grains that I don't seem to tolerate very well (and I'm almost 8 months out). I can usually eat a little pasta, sometimes a little bread . . . but rice just doesn't sit well. I don't miss it, though.

If you're not a low-carber, this recipe is delicious!! I only had about 1 cooked oz of Pasta and ate primarily chicken with veggies and sauce . . . but YUM!!! http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/cajun-chicken-pasta-on-lighter-side.html

The syntrax nectar unflavored was OK, as was the unflavored from GNC. I mixed mine with decaf coffee, a little milk, and splenda - it was tolerable, and I found I could drink it more quickly since it was warm.

Cottage cheese, greek yogurt, fat free refried Beans, string cheese (check with your nutritionist as to when you can have some of these foods - I was allowed most of them pretty early after surgery but other people's plans have them waiting longer). I agree with the sugar-free popsicles, crystal light, etc. I had a lot of problems with acid, though, and avoided crystal light and Powerade zero/gatorade because it made my reflux worse. I drank tons of plain Water. Be careful ordering a bunch of Protein, too, if you haven't tasted it. You might also find that your tastes change after surgery - I had a lot of trial and error with various Proteins.

If you're not taking a PPI/antacid, I would recommend starting one - the increased acid reflux can mimic hunger. Keep in mind, too, that since you're just likely on liquids (or maybe starting purees) most of what you're taking in goes right through you. Once you start on solids, you'll be amazed at how quickly you get full. Just keep hanging in there, the first couple months are the roughest. I agree that you should avoid the scale daily (although I really didn't!) and just weigh once a week, in the morning, at the same time . . . that's the best barometer for your loss.

Love the blog (and wish I was in Hawaii!!).

McDonalds - grilled chicken snack wrap (L), Breakfast burrito or egg mcmuffin minus the top muffin ( Wendy's - chili Taco Bell - fresco chicken tacos (I prefer the crunchy to the soft, and break half the shell off) - I sometimes splurge and get a regular taco with the cheese/sour cream too. Arby's - roast beef or ham/swiss, I usually eat mostly the meat and a bite or two of the bun Most places have a grilled chicken sandwich of some sort which is always a decent choice.

I take a softgel multi - it's pretty big, but I haven't had any issues with them from day one. They are made by Nature Made. When I was early out post-op, I would drink my Protein coffee and then take my morning pills - I couldn't take them on an empty stomach.

Went to costco today and they had Kenneth Cole dress pants on sale for $20, and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for $12.99! I bought a size 14 and size 12 in the jeans, and one pair of black pants - I decided to buy size 12 since I have a couple pairs of 16s I can still wear with a belt . . . I figured I'd have to keep the black pants for a while before they would fit. For fun, I tried them on - and they FIT!!! They are just a wee bit snug, but not too bad . . . I'm so excited! The jeans are cut a little different as the 14s fit perfectly right now, but I'm hoping to be into the 12s soon. Now I'm almost thinking I should go back and pick up a pair of the dress pants in a 10 . . . OMG. I can't believe I might be in a size 10 soon!!! I don't think I've worn a size 10 since junior high!!!!! Happy dance!!!

There are lots of good suggestions in this thread! I'm glad it got bumped up. Here are some of my favorites (I eat out a lot because of my job): Qdoba - kids naked steak or chicken burrito - no rice, with pinto or black Beans, pico, salsa verde, shredded cheese and a bit of sour cream. McDonalds (yuck, but in a pinch) - grilled chicken ranch snack wrap - I remove most of the tortilla and sometimes dip it in their buffalo sauce Mexican - fajitas (steak or chicken) - I skip the tortillas and just make a little fajita salad on my plate, there are always TONS of leftovers for the next day! Italian - usually some sort of grilled chicken dish - if it comes with a side of Pasta I just have a bite or two. I also like to order pasta with meatballs & marinara sauce - I eat the meatballs, some of the sauce and just a bite or two of pasta. Greek - chicken kebabs or a greek salad with grilled chicken I'll think of some more later and add to this thread!!

The skin didn't bother me at all, but I have a pretty tough sleeve. Jswilbur, the Amylu carmelized onion & gouda chicken burgers are delicious too at Costco.

That's a great NSV! I experienced the same thing when attending an NBA basketball game - it was so nice not having to shove my huge a$@ into the seat. One downfall of the weight loss though - I actually notice my tailbone getting a little achy if sitting in a hard seat for too long. Not enough padding. I'll take it though!!

Huge congrats to you!!

That's awesome . . . congrats and have a blast!!

Fantastic!! Has to be such a great feeling.

Way to go!!

Yes, those were 2 of my favorite go-to meals once I got to purees - I used 2% shredded cheese with my scrambled eggs, and I would put the same shredded cheese, sour cream and taco bell mild sauce on my refried beans.

I can see both sides of the food logging debate. For me, because I'm not doing any protein supplementation, my biggest reason for logging is to make sure I'm hitting my protein targets daily. I don't worry so much about the calories or carbs . . . within reason, of course.

If you use My Fitness Pal, you can plug the ingredients in, select a serving size and it will give you the nutritional values for the calories, fat, protein, etc. I typically do this with recipes to make sure the protein is high enough to be worth it to eat.

My foods list has peanut butter on the "no no" list. Awfully high in fat. That said, I've enjoyed a bit here and there - I just don't make a habit of it. It's some good protein, and if I'm feeling a little icky I just toast a piece of bread and do a thin layer of PB . . . it's perfect.

I love meatballs, and figured out that the frozen turkey meatballs have nearly as much fat and calories as when I make homemade meatballs with very lean ground beef. I'm saving a ton of $$ by making my own!