Katie713

peacequeen....glad to hear you are doing ok. If you did have some narrowing that might have caused the difficulty swallowing and food going down, I hope that this dilation improves that for you.
At least you are done with this procedure and can move on.
Hope you feel better soon!!

One thing is for sure Ashlee...after you get through this, you will never take your health for granted again! You are a trooper, I have been following your story and I am blown away by all you have gone through!
I had my gallbladder out years ago will no ill side effects from that. Hopefully this part of your ordeal with go like clockwork.
Hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

Eat your Beans sweetheart and enjoy every bite! You can have them!! Salsa and sour cream too!

Here's something I picked up from the internet for high Protein foods:
Beef
· Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein
· Steak, 6 oz – 42 grams
· Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of Protein per ounce
chicken
· Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
· Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size)
· Drumstick – 11 grams
· Wing – 6 grams
· Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams
Fish
· Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce
· Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein
Pork
· Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein
· Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams
· Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams

Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams
Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams
Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams

eggs and Dairy
· Egg, large - 6 grams protein
· Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams
· Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams
· Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label
· Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz
· Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz
· Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz
Beans (including soy)
· Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein
· Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams
· Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams
· Most Beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans
· Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein
· Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams

Nuts and Seeds
· Peanut Butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein
· Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
· Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams
· Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams
· Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams
· Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams
· pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
· Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

I'm going to agree with ShapeShifter here. When you are tracking, you start to see the impact of your diet on your weight loss, along with other things like your nutritional status once you have your labs done, hair loss, energy levels, etc.
If my carbs are too high, I stop losing, even though my calories might be low. Regardless of the mechanics of my body - I can see it in black and white. Reduce the carbs, lose weight. I've gotten out of every plateau the same way, even if I increase my calories.
I love many of my old favorite foods and find ways to incorporate them into my new little sleeve life. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. But yes, everything in moderation.
When I hit my goal, I will consider adding those items that hindered me from my initial weight loss. Time goes so fast too....it's worth the discipline for ME.

Rest assured, this is totally normal to be nervous before surgery and maybe a part of ourselves is afraid to totally commit to the process. No going back and all that.
I worried a bit about having complications, then I thought back on previous surgeries, including 3 C-Sections, gallbladder removal, and a leg injury surgery....and all of those surgeries went well - I know that I heal well and tolerated general anethesia well, so my fears were just limiting my ablilty to go into this with a totally positive attitude.
I just started picturing myself healthy, seeing myself being wheeled out from recovery, hearing the nurses telling me that all was ok, and that is exactly how it went. Hardly any pain, able to walk up and down the halls, tolerating liquids the next day and being discharged as planned.
What you are doing is committing to your good health. YOU can do this, tap into your own well of strength and know that this is the beginning of something wonderful.

Rest assured, this is totally normal to be nervous before surgery and maybe a part of ourselves is afraid to totally commit to the process. No going back and all that.
I worried a bit about having complications, then I thought back on previous surgeries, including 3 C-Sections, gallbladder removal, and a leg injury surgery....and all of those surgeries went well - I know that I heal well and tolerated general anethesia well, so my fears were just limiting my ablilty to go into this with a totally positive attitude.
I just started picturing myself healthy, seeing myself being wheeled out from recovery, hearing the nurses telling me that all was ok, and that is exactly how it went. Hardly any pain, able to walk up and down the halls, tolerating liquids the next day and being discharged as planned.
What you are doing is committing to your good health. YOU can do this, tap into your own well of strength and know that this is the beginning of something wonderful.

Rest assured, this is totally normal to be nervous before surgery and maybe a part of ourselves is afraid to totally commit to the process. No going back and all that.
I worried a bit about having complications, then I thought back on previous surgeries, including 3 C-Sections, gallbladder removal, and a leg injury surgery....and all of those surgeries went well - I know that I heal well and tolerated general anethesia well, so my fears were just limiting my ablilty to go into this with a totally positive attitude.
I just started picturing myself healthy, seeing myself being wheeled out from recovery, hearing the nurses telling me that all was ok, and that is exactly how it went. Hardly any pain, able to walk up and down the halls, tolerating liquids the next day and being discharged as planned.
What you are doing is committing to your good health. YOU can do this, tap into your own well of strength and know that this is the beginning of something wonderful.

What a great dialogue this thread stimulated!
A myriad of things come to mind when I think about my ongoing weight loss journey. Tonight I am going to the Hollywood Bowl for a summer concert under the stars, to see Smokey Robinson. I am looking forward to the music of course, and hanging out with my girlfriends - but I am also looking forward to being able to walk that hill without feeling like I am going to pass out. Last year, I went to the same concert with some friends, and I used to huff and puff up the little hill that takes you into the venue site - I would always ask to stop at the restrooms at the mid-way point, even if I didn't have to use the restroom - I just needed to catch my breath! I would then get a few paper towels and moisten them to be able to cool myself off by the time we would get to our box seats. You know how it is or used to be, when you would stop walking - the heat in your body would just build up...and sweating was soon to follow. I can easily walk for miles now and I am nearly 75 pounds lighter than last summer...this is a milestone in my journey - oh how I used to wish I didn't have to go through the shame of being so overweight and out of shape! Well this is my little victory walk tonight! That's a NSV (non scale victory)!
I was also thinking about the mechanics of the post-op hormonal changes that take place, one the decrease of the hormone ghrelin, but also what I think may be a change in our natural reward centers revolving around the eating process and the release of dopamine and serotonin - our natural feel good chemicals, many of which are released during the eating process. The process of eating pre-op without limitation offerred us more than the reward of just getting full, the "feel good" hormones were soon to follow, and that reward kept us coming back over and over. Feeling bad, lonely, frustrated....bring on the food. Feeling joyful, elated, excited...bring on the food. What I have noticed without the food binge opportunity, is that my reward isn't the same, whether it is because we are comsuming so much less, or whether the balance of hormones has changed, it is different. I think this is why so many say that eating is more of a chore than a pleasure. Also, once you experience a negative side effect of eating something you cannot tolerate, it sends the body a powerful aversion to that behavior which is held in our memory bank. This stuff is all probably instinctive, to prevent humans from consuming things that were toxic. But, hey...it works!
The other side of this is that "feel good" hormones are coming from different strategies for me now. Feeling like I have a "can do" attitude makes me soar. Feeling good in my clothes is a secret little joy. Having control over my eating makes me proud of myself.
I still enjoy cooking and I still enjoy food - I mean we need it to survive...but I don't turn to it first to make me HAPPY anymore. I get out more, I can do more physically, and I just keep feeling better and better about this decision I made !
Good luck DeterminedGirl !!

I have heard of life-long problems with the gastric bypass which is probably because of malapsorbtion issues. There is also the factor that you still have your stomach tissue (fundus) in your body generating ghrelin - the hunger hormone. Many people I personally know lose weight like crazy - then gain it all back and their stoma (stomach pouch) is all stretched out.
Your profile indicates a body type much like my own. I am around 5 feet tall and my highest weight was almost 280. I have done great with the sleeve and will soon be in ONEDERLAND. It works!!!

Glad I didn't have to give up my salsa & guacamole! Still my faves!!

I am going to Trader Joe's after work to get some good healthy food. They have teriyaki chicken in the frozen foods that is only 150 calories a serving and it tastes so good, and some brown rice, perhaps I will only have 2 tablespoons, but it is a whole grain carb not empty carbs. I will also be looking for other tasty frozen and fresh Entrees that might work well for us sleevers!!
My friend was visiting for 2 weeks and I didn't lose weight while she was here, so now I have to get back to being really strict and get this ball rolling again!!

chimera...I liked the analogy of trying to quit cigarettes...it is soooo hard, and imagine when you are at a party with people smoking, the new non-smoker may feel like they are going crazy with their cravings...
Most of us have had a problem with over eating and that is why we have had the surgery, and hopefully we can find a way to adjust as we move forward. I have found that I can use recipes I have seen here and there to help me get close to the tastes that I miss so much. I know I can't eat very much, my restriction is strong, and at times I can only eat a few bites, but I want those bites to be delicious nonetheless.
It takes time to get it right....the cravings will come and go...but Karen...you will find a way to satisfy your cravings in new ways as you move forward and begin to eat regular foods in small portions.

I had a guest staying with me for the last two weeks while we celebrated our birthdays as well as the 4th of July during that period. I ate out more than I usually would, as well as having guests over, cooking and keeping food in the house for my guest and my family. My weight fluctuated up and down about 1-2 pounds over this period. I am glad I didn't gain big time, and tonight I am cleaning out my fridge and cupboards and stopping at the market to resupply with my healthy, high Protein, low carb food choices so that I can really get back to business.
It was great partying and all...but it feels great to get back on track!!!!

I had a guest staying with me for the last two weeks while we celebrated our birthdays as well as the 4th of July during that period. I ate out more than I usually would, as well as having guests over, cooking and keeping food in the house for my guest and my family. My weight fluctuated up and down about 1-2 pounds over this period. I am glad I didn't gain big time, and tonight I am cleaning out my fridge and cupboards and stopping at the market to resupply with my healthy, high Protein, low carb food choices so that I can really get back to business.
It was great partying and all...but it feels great to get back on track!!!!

Vomiting after VSG is not like it was before (at least not for me and not representing those who have had leaks or excessive nausea, etc.) there is not much force behind the food that is coming up and because of PPI's not much acid either, it is more like chewed food going the other direction - OUT. Not much wretching or fluids probably due to not drinking with a meal. It's over in a few minutes and then you feel fine.
I slimed a few times in the beginning by eating too fast/too much...but found my happy place - the old 1/2 cup or 4 oz limit for most meals.

All you are taking in are liquids. liquids in, liquids out.
As soon as you start with full liquids, this will start to change, and as you move along - it will probably be the opposite problem. When you get to solids, things should normalize.
Be prepared to just roll with the flow (literally)....

It takes some getting used to for sure, gosh I remember the earliest days looking in the fridge and seeing nothing but containers of leftover food! Most regular servings make two meals or more for us sleevers...I try to be aware and minimize spoilage or waste by getting right to it the next day. dinner leftovers are lunch the next day! I used to cook for a whole family and now I have my empty nest, so its all connected...little meals whenever possible. If I buy bulk, I break it down in ziplock bags for one serving...it helps.

Vomiting after VSG is not like it was before (at least not for me and not representing those who have had leaks or excessive nausea, etc.) there is not much force behind the food that is coming up and because of PPI's not much acid either, it is more like chewed food going the other direction - OUT. Not much wretching or fluids probably due to not drinking with a meal. It's over in a few minutes and then you feel fine.
I slimed a few times in the beginning by eating too fast/too much...but found my happy place - the old 1/2 cup or 4 oz limit for most meals.

Eat your Beans sweetheart and enjoy every bite! You can have them!! Salsa and sour cream too!

Shelly - welcome to our 50's group! Tell us a little more about YOU. When are you scheduled to have surgery? Are you on a pre-op diet at this time?
You will find some pretty cool folks in this group and we are here to help if you need some advice or to cheer you on!

It took me a few days for that gas pressure to be released. Walking helped ALOT. Most of that is from the surgery itself and the pressurized gas used to inflate your abdomen while the procedure takes place.
It has a weird way of giving you pain where you would least expect it after surgery, but it does dissapate (the old fashioned way - heh heh)!!

Just have an open mind, you can change your perspective by putting yourself in his shoes because I'm sure most of us have at one time hated being judged by looks alone. Just have some fun, see how it goes.

vhoke....good luck with everything. Walk as soon as they allow you to after surgery, it really helps is you have gas pains. Don't try and push yourself once you get home, allow plenty of time for rest so that you heal, and try your best to stay hydrated and get your Protein in. Did you get Isopure, sugar free drinks and broth for your first few days post op?

I am a slow loser and I am actually glad that my body is changing gradually. I feel strong and healthy and I know I look better, everyone tells me that I do as well. I am not fishing for compliments, but they are coming. I take my Vitamins, get my Protein in which really helps with hair loss and muscle tone. I exercise and drink, drink, drink all day long keeping hydrated.
I am really happy I went through this...I am lighter on my feet and weigh less than I have in decades!