lollyfidy1965

Just out of curiosity, were you checked for gallstones prior to your surgery?

Unjury chicken broth flavored protein powder (1 scoop in 8oz water) has just 90 calories, and provides 21 grams of protein. Also, you can add unflavored Unjury powder to most anything...80 calories per scoop and 20 grams protein. I drink chocolate muscle milk...the regular formula has 20 grams of protein in an 11 oz drink, and 180 calories. The lite formula (it's sugar free) has 30 grams of protein in a 17oz drink, and 200 calories. I typically split those in half, so 15 grams protein in 100 calories. You could also try Isopure drinks...low calorie, and very high protein. I can't stand the taste of Isopure (It's wicked sweet to me), but many others like it.

If you're focusing on protein, the amount of carbs (particularly "bad" carbs...starches like breads, potato, rice, pasta, etc) will be low, by default. The post-surgery diet (if you're focusing on protein first, then a little bit of veggies) is like the Atkins diet....on steroids. The reason we burn fat so quickly is because, on this diet, we stay in a state of ketosis (the goal of the Atkins diet)...and our bodies convert stored fat back to sugars, to burn for energy. That's the whole point. If you eat too many carbs...regardless of the source...you won't remain in ketosis, and you won't burn fat as quickly. If you're curious, buy a bottle of Ketostix, and check your urine for ketones. And if you're not sure how many carbs, or what type of carbs, you should be eating, check with your nutritionist. Best of luck.

Drink drink drink....whether you WANT to or not! This is a NEED...and a serious one! Include a variety of things...plain Water, flavored water, chicken broth, beef broth, Protein shakes...it all counts towards your Fluid intake. All the best to you!

I would highly recommend reading "The End of Overeating". It will make you think twice about consuming processed and "fast" foods! When I get sick of Water I use broth...chicken or beef consommé, and add some unflavored Protein powder to kill two birds with one stone. As a guideline, regarding sugar....my nutritionist instructs no more than 5g of SUGAR (not "carbs") per 100 calories. I would recommend you check with your surgeon/nutritionist to see what they recommend.

Yep...it's "inspiratory"....you suck in through it, not blow out.

I'm 3 weeks post-op, and got advanced to soft/puréed/ground foods yesterday. I was told to start with 1oz of lean protein (that's 1/4 cup), 6 times a day, and work up to 2-3 oz 3-4 times a day. I'm enjoying tuna salad, but it takes me nearly an hour to eat 1/4 cup...and that leaves me feeling full for several hours.

According to my surgeon, the typical size "bougie" used ranges between 32 and 40 fr. He typicallys uses a 36 fr bougie....that's what he used on me. (As to height...I'm 5'11"...for whatever that's worth.)

No cheating for me, either. Didn't make sense to go through so much effort (major surgery) to risk the possible negatives associated with cheating.

I've noticed the same thing, Cheri....it seems like many surgeons don't prescribe anything for acid reflux after surgery. I'm SO thankful I picked the program I picked!!! All the best, to all of us!

When I get sick of water (and I only drink Fruit20, so its all flavored) I switch to broth...chicken (I love Manischevitz chicken consommé), or beef (Campbells beef consommé is pretty good). If you're worried about protein intake, you can also add some unflavored protein powder to the broth...kill two birds with one stone. Any liquid that you drink will count towards your "water" intake, and help keep you hydrated. Best of luck to you!

I like the chocolate muscle milk, either regular or lite. I also like the Unjury chicken broth protein powder, and use the unflavored Unjury powder in canned broths. I didn't care for the Unjury chocolate splendor....I found it to be much too sweet after surgery. If you like cottage cheese, the whipped variety is good, but I have to thin it with a little milk to get it down. All the best to you!

Ask your doc about liquid Zantac. My surgeon prescribes it for all his pts, for several months after surgery, to keep acid levels in the sleeve at a minimum. I've had no issues with acid...take 2tsps twice a day. Even the taste doesn't keep me from taking it!! (the taste clears quickly if you follow it with something flavored...chicken broth, or applesauce.). All the best to you!

My surgeon prescribed liquid Zantac for several months post-op. it tastes like crap, but I've not had a single bout of heartburn/acid reflux.

Best bet would be to call your surgeon/nutritionist, and ask them. I hope you're well.

My instructions say that any fruit juices should be limited to 4 oz per day, and that needs to be diluted at least to 8 oz before drinking. Too much sugar. You may also want to look at whether or not pineapple is a low glycemic index fruit. If it isn't, you may want to avoid it altogether. Best of luck!

I started going to the Y 10 days post-op (I was in the hospital for 6 days, so my first trip to the gym was my 4th day home). I've been walking on a treadmill every day. On low-energy days I'll walk for 30 minutes, at 2.6mph. On good energy days I'll walk for an hour, at 2.7 or 2.8mph. Yesterday I introduced a 1% incline to my walk, just to mix it up a little. It was a low energy day, so I only walked 2.5mph for 30 minutes. I have my first follow-up appointment on Wednesday, and I'm hoping to be cleared to go back in the pool....I miss my water aerobics classes. (Prior to surgery, I was doing water aerobics twice a day (morning and evening) 3 days a week, once a day 3 other days of the week, and walking the treadmill the days I only had one aerobics class. I miss the variety.) Good luck to you!!!

My surgeon is very conservative when it comes to advancing diet. Full liquids for 4-5 weeks post-op, then pureed/soft foods for a month. Alcohol is not recommended after any form of bariatric surgery because its wasted calories. After the sleeve and bypass procedures it can be very addicting, because of the changes in how its processed. I don't drink, so it isn't an issue for me. I'm 18 days post-op, and have lost 18.4 pounds since the morning of surgery. I've lost a total of 47 pounds since my first appointment with my surgeon (the 28th of April). I'm very pleased with the way things are going. Best of luck to you!

I had an NG tube to keep fluids from hitting my stomach...which was completely blocked by inflammation. Rather than run the risk of throwing up, everything liquid that went down my esophagus (spit, mostly, since I was NPO) was sucked up the NG tube. I am much better now, thanks...although I'm still having days with really low energy.

Celebrex is a very powerful NSAID (I've taken it off and on over the last several years for low back pain). When I asked my surgeon about my ability to take it, after surgery, he said that they (the medical community) really don't know whether or not its safe after VSG surgery....because there's just not the data to back it up. He seemed to think it should be ok, as long as the capsule is opened, and the powder mixed in with something like applesauce.....however....he can't guarantee it won't cause a marginal ulcer. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had no low back pain since before my surgery....something I have been extremely grateful for!! I have Celebrex on-hand, but will likely never use it, if I can absolutely avoid doing so. I've seen the results of a marginal ulcer second-hand, and hope I NEVER experience that myself!! Other NSAIDS (advil, ibuprofen, etc) are absolutely off-limits, according to my surgeon....and I will never take one again. If Tylenol doesn't fix a migraine, I'll just let time take care of it. Nothing will push me to risk a bleeding ulcer, in exchange for some ibuprofen.

My surgery was on Tuesday afternoon, and I was in the hospital until the following Monday afternoon (6 days). I had some complications immediately following surgery, and had to have my NG tube in an extra 4 days. During those days I was NPO....didn't get to start sipping water until Saturday night, when the NG tube was finally removed. I can't imagine being sent home the day or two after my surgery....I wasn't even coherent then, not to mention still having an NG tube in, and being unable to ingest anything (because of the inflammation!! I'm grateful my surgeon is as conservative as he is....I received fantastic care, while I was an inpatient, and definitely needed the time to get back on my feet!!

I had issues with acid reflux immediately following surgery (largely due to inflammation in my stomach so bad nothing could pass through). My surgeon routinely prescribes liquid Zantac, twice a day, for all his bariatric patients. I take mine religiously (2tsp twice daily), and have had no issues with acid.

Yeah...I'm with you on this one. I am determined to get sufficient amounts of protein and fluids every day. Once I hit 60+ grams of protein I almost rejoice...because I don't "have" to consume anything else for the day. I often have to force myself to eat a little something in the evening, just to reach 500 calories for the day. Food, and eating, have become a hassle....something that has to be done, in order to stay healthy, but rarely enjoyed.

I hate summer...hate the heat...always have, and likely always will. I walk every day, but do it on a treadmill, at a well air conditioned YMCA. If I spend much time out in the heat I feel like the life has been sucked out of my body. Maybe it'll improve, as I get further removed from my surgery, but for now, I stay inside as much as possible.

We've gone out for dinner, even with me still being on "full modified liquids." The restaurant we went to actually had NO soup offered....so I made a travel mug full of some yummy chicken broth, added a scoop of unflavored protein powder, and took it with me. When the waitress asked what I wanted I simply smiled, held up my mug, and said "I'm good, thanks!" I enjoyed my broth, and my partner enjoyed her broiled scrod and baked potato. I've been taking my own flavored water into restaurants for months....I'm no longer embarrassed to do what I need to do, in order to take care of myself. Best of luck!!