Gastricsleeve4me

I do I met with a couple local surgeons, but ultimately went to Mexico. Dr. Aceves.

Here's one I used pre op...haven't tried post op http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1156915

You can find ones out on the Internet, but here's one: 1/2 cup dry buttermilk powder 1 tablespoon dried parsley, crushed 1 teaspoon dried dill weed 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon dried minced onion 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper Combine all ingredients in the container of a food processor or blender and process on high speed until well blended and powdery smooth. To use mix: Combine 1 tablespoon dry mix with 1 cup milk and 1 cup mayonnaise. Mix well. Makes 2 cups salad dressing I still use the packets (even with the MSG) since I tend to use so little, but if you used the above you could consider mixing with Greek yogurt instead of mayo

I chose to skip it. I'm a huge business traveler. Just took my first 7.5 weeks out and found myself leaving early (did a blog post on it on my blog...link in signature). This is a huge thing you're doing for yourself, and you deserve it. I'd highly, highly recommend putting off work travel for a while until you're post op and can decide. I had a super easy surgery and time, but I'm finding it's so key to spend those first months focused on the task at hand and not being distracted as much as possible.

Once you get through your post op recommendations and are ready to try new things, find ways to enjoy foods it like but in healthy ways. I had a hankering for something cake-like today and made Protein doughnuts in a mini pan...one is about 70 calories and has the bonus of protein in it! Recipe is at worldaccordingtoeggface.com (search for doughnuts) When I was at your stage, and I wanted something I shouldn't have I started looking for healthy recipes an saving them away for when I could have them. Helped a lot!

I really enjoy the dip just mixed with Greek yogurt. I eat it with canned chicken mixed with buffalo sauce

Any luck now?

Made my own version of the recipe from Emilybites.com. My recipe and nutritional info on my blog if interested! http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/07/buffalo-chicken-cupcakes.html

Duplicate

Weighed myself this AM and lost 1.5 lbs while away in TX, so my perceived screw up there didn't hurt the scale. Still glad I came home since I was feeling down and a bit out of control. Hoping I wasn't running away from something I should have been facing, but going easy on myself about it for the moment thanks again for the replies

My dr in mex did

Lol!! I must be the only one who likes it. Not the Rtd so much, but the vanilla powder does just fine for me, and can't beat the calorie to protein to carb ratio. If everyone hates it you'd think I could get it cheaper!

It depends on your carb approach. One wrapper, which is all I ever do at a time, is 4 carbs and 20 calories. For me, they fit within my under 30g of carbs daily and add the texture I enjoy. My goal isn't to eliminate all wheat flour, but I certainly limit it extensively. My NUT is supportive, but everyone is definitely different!

I am SO not someone who cooks so trust me when I say...if I can do it, you can do it Nothing I make takes more than like 10-15 mins to make (not including oven time) or like 4 ingredients, lol

Hey there. I did the same thing. The day of surgery two people knew. One friend, and one co-worker who I knew was considering the surgery. I'm a private person anyway, and admittedly I didn't want people knowing that I was struggling so much with my weight (duh - like they couldn't tell anyway After surgery, I became a lot more open about it with my friends. My family still doesn't know (though we're not close), and not really anyone from work. It's definitely no one's business. BUT, my therapist had some good advice for me. She said to be careful that not sharing didn't become a matter of holding in something that I was ashamed of. She thought that could do some damage. So I'd just be sure that you're not holding in shame about it. You're worth it and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Hope that helps.

Congrats! That's really exciting. Just think, with no co-morbidities you wouldn't even qualify for surgery!

Westlake

I was a huge skeptic about Mexico. It seemed crazy. But I researched, talked to surgeons, read the boards, asked questions - and ended up so comfortable that, when it turned out insurance might cover me in the US after all, I high tailed it to Mexico anyway. Dr. Aceves, and incredibly pleased - but everyone seems to pretty much love their Mexican surgeons so you have lots of great options. Honestly, they're so used to people just reaching out for info, I would just try shooting off a few emails with the questions you want to get answered as a start. My blog (link in signature) has a tab at the top with the questions I emailed if it's helpful. Best of luck!

Same as the others - NUT and surgeon recommended the same. Sometimes, if I'm under my protein goal (~80g), I throw in another protein shake in the evening. Not sure if that's a bad plan or not, and would be interested in what others think.

Thanks. Really appreciate the replies. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself I know it's not like the worst thing in the world what I've eaten, and I'm probably still in my calorie range...but it's that feeling of lack of control that's forcing me to take action. I refuse to let food control/beat me anymore. Wheetsin, thanks - good advice. My stats are current. I may avoid the scale until my normal weigh-on on Monday. I haven't been too reactive emotionally to what's been on the scale, so hoping I won't be this time either (regardless of the outcome). But, man, it's this lack of control feeling I'm having which is making me anxious and like I'm wanting to get out of the environment. The food gremlin is a nasty little sh*t!

Can't wait to try...I made some guacamole this week with half an avocado, some greek yogurt, avocado seasoning (sprinkle from a packet I had), and some lime juice. Ate with brown rice crackers from Archer Farms (Target brand). Divine.

I wanted a little bean burrito, but turned it into a chimichanga with a wonton wrapper and a little olive oil. 50-100 calories each with fat free refried Beans, depending on how much (and type of ) cheese you use. Recipe and photos at http://gastricsleeve...imichangas.html

Well, it finally came. My first business trip 7.5 weeks after surgery. It was from NJ to TX just for Wed-Fri. I'd been on an emotional roller coaster lately, and finding myself wanting food for comfort - mostly resisting, but some days with higher-than-average calories (700s instead of 500s). I got more hesitant as it got closer, but decided it was something I needed to try out since I have a 12-day international trip (a mix of business and pleasure) coming up in three weeks. I'm at my company's conference center with tons of free food available everywhere. The upside is that there are plenty of healthy appropriate options. I haven't gone off the rails with my options, but the quantity is definitely more than normal. I'm also withdrawn - not really interested in connecting with people, eating by myself, eating back in my room, etc. Not good. Today was morning Protein shake, half greek yogurt snack, turkey chili for lunch, 1 oz of sharp cheddar for snack, Protein Shake, then dinner which was basically one or two bites of cheese, hummus, fish, bacon, shrimp, and pistachios. At no point did I feel sick or did I eat too fast, but an hour after dinner I still have that full feeling that I'm so familiar with from pre-surgery. I'm getting used to not being hungry, and trying to learn to use my eyes to measure what I really need (and MFP to confirm), and so it's been a while since I've really had that full feeling...because THERE'S NO REASON I NEED TO BE THAT FULL. It makes me mad at myself that I can't just enjoy a couple bites and let it go. And scares me that in this two days of weakness my sleeve seems to be allowing additional quantity. Tonight I decided that I'm not in enough control to be here yet. I've changed my flight to leave in the morning and miss the 2nd day of the training to get back home to my comfort zone. That equally scares me since I've got a big trip coming up in a few weeks. I do have confidence that when I'm back in my element I will revert back to my good habits. But my lifestyle and my job involves frequent travel, and I'm worried that I'm going back to my pre-surgery ways where business travel = "vacation mindset" = no regard for what I'm eating. That really helped get me into a bad spot before. So, while I've been doing lots of work at home about trying to seek things other than food to soothe me, to keep me busy, etc. (and having mis-steps, but doing well on the whole), it appears this is a new fronteir that I haven't conquered yet. I made an attempt, learned some things, but I'm going to get myself out of this environment to regain control...and try again another day. Interested to see what this looks like on the scale when I get home. Hate to think I lost an opportunity for weight loss this week for 24 hours of bad behavior. <sigh>