suzcomptime

I haven't had surgery yet and I have it. I am sure my body is in ketosis with only doing the protein shakes and liquid. I used to use gum to help with fresh breath during the day but now we can't chew gum. I assume sugar free breath mints are OK before and after surgery?

Wow, great job and can't wait to see the pics.

I've been practicing (pre-op) at not have a drink with meals and I've gotten used to it. The last time I went to a restaurant I did sip the water a little because it was there so I think the trick is to say nothing to drink even if they raise their eyebrows. I am somewhat concerned though if at a later stage I am able to eat spicy foods like buffalo chicken or salsa, how it will feel not to be able to drink to quench my tongue

On my full liquid diet that starts 2 days after surgery I am only allowed protein shakes and clear liquids like broth, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, decaf tea, flavored water.....pretty much what I've been "eating" for almost two weeks. I believe the goal is still 64 oz after surgery although I hear it is hard at first to get that all in. I would not be able to have yogurt and cream of wheat until later, the next step.

My nutritionist told me to take a vitamin with iron even though I am over 50 and usually vitamins geared for my age do not have iron. She said that they were finding that people needed the iron after the sleeve. I am using Centrum chewables, just not the Centrum Silver chewables that I had originally planned to get. Centrum Silver has no iron.

There are a couple, this one is one about what to buy for after surgery. There is also a link in this one back to a list of what to get for the hospital. Hope this is what you wanted. http://www.verticals...__fromsearch__1

AA++++++ job. Thanks for the inspiration!

3 protein shakes a day and clear liquids for two weeks. Week 1 is down, so I'm sure I must be in ketosis with that diet. Lost 7 lbs in the first week.

hmmm, not this requirement yet from my surgeon unless they give me that news tomorrow at my 1 week pre-op appointment. If so, I'll be sure to ask what kind. Maybe it makes a difference what type of pre-op diet you have? I had to do 2 weeks of protein drinks and clear liquids so no food for the last week and another 6 days to go, with clear liquids only day 7.

I ordered the B-50 Complex vitamins from Bariatric Advantage assuming the would be fine for after surgery. However, they are capsules not chewables. Has anyone taken these and after surgery when I start taking vitamins again, do I sprinkle them in applesauce or yogurt to take them or can they be swallowed?

I am pre-surgery but from ideas I got reading posts on this board I have also picked up some cute small plates at Goodwill and at TJ Maxx for not too much I bought a serving set that was a cake server with 4 little tiny forks that were all bejeweled on the handles. I think I paid like $5 or $6 and the cake server I can use and the tiny forks will be my silverware. I have some baby spoons too. I know the amounts we will eat are small but I know that I will have to eat slow anyway and chew, chew, chew so hopefully I will be eating slow enough so I don't finish in 2 minutes while others are taking 15. Than again, if you've ever gone out with a group of people, there are always those that finish way first and others that are still eating when most are done. It's something I guess I'll have to get used to and hopefully not feel too deprived in the process. After a week today of liquids, it just sounds good to be able to eat at all

Wow, that is an amazing transformation. I would think that the tendency would be to move on with your new life but for you to take the time to come back and share with the rest of us, is an inspiration. I hope I can do the same one day. Thank you.

Soooo exciting, and something to look forward to.

I am pre-op but from the message board posts, nutritionist that I see and from what I have read on the Internet, rice is one of the hardest things for the sleeve. Maybe eventually but I don't think the sleeve usually tolerates rice early on. Maybe there is hope later on and someone who is several months out can comment to the positive

Is it beneprotein or benefiber?

I mix my protein drink with milk and then add ice cubes and run through my blender. It makes for a milkshake like consistency with little bits of ice that I chew so at least you have some consistency. I have been having broth for lunch and dinner as I miss the savory if I try to only have protein drinks. It seems more like a meal. Just finished day 4 of pre-op liquid diet, pre-op appt at hospital on Monday and then a week later, my turn.

I am still pre-op but my plan is still to eat low-carb. That being said, it would probably look more like 40 carbs a day max not the strict 20. Protein first and than eventually healthy carbs like fruit & veggies. I plan to stay away from white anything which I've pretty much gotten out of the habit of eating. Carbs are not my friend and like Foxbins said, I find them a slippery slope. If I binge on a lot of carbs in a day, I feel groggy and tired and overly hungry the next morning.

hmmmm, haven't had cardiologist appt, my surgery is in two weeks. I do have a pre-op appt at the hospital next Monday, is that when they might do cardiology tests?

Oh, I forgot....I do take biotin, started when I heard about hair loss. Don't know how much science there is out there about whether it helps or not but figured it wouldn't hurt. I just grabbed a bottle from the local drugstore, it happened to be NatureMade brand, says 5000 mcg which on the back says 1667% Wow, must be one of those that you can't overdose on, at least I hope so. I don't think they will be a problem after surgery, they are tiny, smaller than an M&M, and smooth.

Good to know about the icecream recipes, I will check them out. I have an icecream maker already.

I got those things and a small strainer as I didn't have one (for soups). I also picked up some small ramkins for making stuff in small servings and as a small soup bowl. Small plates. I got a heating pad, liquid tylenol, miralax, gas x strips, tiny silverware to train to take small bites at first. Sippy cup to train small sips. I got some small plastic freezer containers for freezing pureed food to take to work. I don't know if I will use all of these, just ideas I heard from others.

Low Iron can cause those symptoms although what you get in the Flintstone complete should be plenty. I did find this online about Multivitamins with iron: Avoid taking antacids, dairy products, tea, or coffee within 2 hours before or after this medication because they will decrease its effectiveness. That was news to me. It seems like just when I think I have this Vitamin thing figured out (with food, without food, don't combine this or that) I find out something new. I guess I need a chart! Can your Dr. do blood work to test for low levels of Vitamins or minerals?

To attach you just need to reply to a post and hit the "More Reply Options" at the bottom instead of Post, that brings up a bigger screen and at the bottom there is a link that says "Attach Files". Click on Choose File which brings up the standard screen that allows you to pick the file on your computer and upload it. You can also do it by creating a new post, the "Attach Files" shows at the bottom of that window by default. I hope that helps. Once uploaded, I believe it will show in your profile under settings, manage attachments.

I'm ordering the Chike too, thanks for the link. One thing to be careful of.....I assumed all protein drinks from Bariatric Advantage would be caffeine free even the tea flavor and didn't check before ordering. I ordered a tub of the lemon tea nectar and found out after that it has caffeine.

I haven't thought to ask about other restrictions after surgery. I concentrated on learning what I can eat but didn't think to ask the following. Probably at pre-op or after surgery I'll have all the answers but what were your restrictions? How long before driving? How long before being able to swim in a pool or a lake or the ocean? What are the lifting restrictions and for how long? Any others? Thanks