Mz_Elle

Are you still on heartburn meds? Some ppl are still advised to take their prilosec or whatever other med you may be on daily after their surgery. It also is supposed to help with "mind hunger." I didn't have any heartburn symptoms but my doc told me to stay on it until my f/up. He then took me off and I've been fine since then. I'm struggling with low energy too and I've had no trouble getting my protein and water in. A big issue with me now is that I really don't feel "restriction." I'm able to drink 6 oz slowly w/o a problem and most ppl say they feel restrictions after only 2-4 oz. My husband says I'm crazy and I shouldn't look at no complications as a bad sign. I don't want to have gone through all this and have some massive stretching of my pouch or something. I've been following doctor's orders and I haven't pushed it, but I think I should feel some "restriction." I feel a little discomfort when I 1st eat (or rather drink something), but that's it. After the 1st sip, a slight spasm, then a burp, and I'm good.

Lol @ Sexy Mary.... You go gyrl! My hubby, while anxious to "get back in the saddle," says absolutely NOT until I get off the blood thinners. He's shooting for next Thursday! LOL. I told him I still haven't felt my MOJO come back.....

I'm hitting a wall with the energy level now. It's taking a lot to get going of late. I'm still enthusiastic mentally about this progress. I'm just beginning to see the scale move post-surgery. I'm hydrating well and tending to the diet of full liquids. Protein intake is on point. I'm working out daily (with the exception of Sundays). I'm doing what's being requested. I even started Biotin today to help with hair loss. Any other suggestions on getting my energy levels up? I return to work this Wednesday and I want to be up and going. Not drab and tired. I got A LOT on my plate when I return to the office! I need ENERGY.

I'm in Texas, just outside of Houston. I'm doing well, the weigh has finally started coming off and I've lost 9 lbs since surgery, 22lbs in total. I think I'm going to be a slow sleever as they call it. I've been working out daily, but decided Sunday will be my off day going forward. No true hunger pains, but mind hunger is something else. Just got clearance to drive so I went all out yesterday and just drove all around town with my radio blasting. I had a good time!

Thanks. I'm going to try the salsa/tomato thing for sure. I love salsa!

Yes. I was at 1st street on the 2nd floor. My room was right across from the nurse's station and I was walking up and down the hallways like a maniac trying to get all that gas out. I've been doing well and haven't really had any trouble eating the 4 ounces and drinking the liquids. This has been a bit concerning, but Dr. Mirza just chuckled and said to stay off the scales and work the program. WLS is a tool to get you where you need to be. I made a promise to not get on the scale until my next follow-up in 3 weeks. I couldn't resist though and just got on it. I'm starting to lose... I've lost 3 more LBS! My clothes feel lose and my feet are definitely doing better in regards to swelling.

@Divak K ....Don't you just love Dr. Mirza? Have you tried mixing with soy milk? I use Vanilla Almond Soy and Vanilla Coconut Soy milk in mine for additional flavor and it's delicious. I love the chocolate, but since surgery I've been leaning to the Vanilla Cake Batter. Both are great. I'm on two shakes per day now, but I do plan on supplementing at least 1 a day until I reach goal as well. Prior to even considering surgery I was drinking a morning shake of ensure with flax powder to get my Fiber, so I'll just continue post surgery with that process using the Bariatric Advantage shakes. They are way more nutritious that ensure too.

A friend told me about chia pudding. It's basically taking Chia seeds (one of those super grains or something) and mixing it with liquid until it "gels". If you make it dense enough it becomes a pudding like consistency, then I mix it with an Atkins dark chocolate shake and go at it. It's a guilt free chocolate fix, tastes good and stabilizes your blood sugar. I use Vanilla/Coconut soy milk as my liquid. Hang tough. You can beat the cravings. You can do it! Stay strong.

I've tried to get on the cottage cheese bandwagon, but it just doesn't do it for me. The texture is off putting and I can't figure out a way to make it tasty. How do you jazz it up?

I love the Bariatric Advantage shakes with Vanilla Almond Soy Milk. They a great!

Ditto on the mio. I saw some on sale at Walmart and stocked up only to come home and almost gag. I much prefer crystal light (and the Great Value cheaper one). That Zero Vitamin water is great too.

If you like liver, start eating it. Calf liver with onions and cabbage will help boost up your iron. Also milk thistle tea is good to help cleanse your own liver prior to surgery.

Are you drinking your 64oz of water a day. You may be dehydrated. Sip sip sip and make sure you're getting enough fluids. If your urine is dark that's probably it. Be careful and CALL the doctor. You don't have to pay for a call.

You have to exercise to get energy, even if it's just ten minutes at a time and a walk around your house. Hang in there and don't get discouraged. Make it your "me time" and just grind out ten minutes here and there to get your energy up otherwise you're going to get depressed and spiral into old habits. Praying for you!

I'm just wondering how soon after the surgery do you even look toward intimacy? I'm not forseeing any time in the near future me wanting to go there, but how does the tide turn? As a female I don't find the stitches particular working for my mojo, nor the challenge of learning to eat and adjust to my new stomach. My husband on the other hand is not looking to be 6 weeks or more out of the saddle as he says. Ladies, how soon after surgery can I realistically anticipate getting my mojo back! Guys, how about you? What are you thoughts/feelings on this matter. Post Op, were you raring to go quickly or did it take several weeks or months to get back in the saddle. Just curious and concerned.

It's definitely due to the drop in calories. Remember your previous body was consuming way more than the normal 1500 per day so a drop to under 800 is freaking it out. I had to have this explained to me just the other day at my 1 week follow-up when I was shocked to only have lost 2 lbs after a week of liquids. Just try to drink a little more to bring up your caloric intake and keep at it. Most people a week out from their surgery date are on full liquids versus clears, which means you can have creamy Soups and pudding. I found that creamy chicken broth does me good. I also added creamy potato Soup with a little "enhancement." Two cans creamy potato soup. 1 can liquid chicken broth simmer real bacon bits and Water until it's a mess. 1 tbsp white queso (creamy cheese) Pour all into your Ninja or magic bullet and blend until it's truly a liquid (no chunks). Add more water or broth to make it more liquidy if needed. Heat in the microwave and enjoy. It has a little more hearty, has the smokey bacon flavor and keeps you satisfied.

I'm very weary of bananas because they give me a lot of gas, which can be very uncomfortable. Tread cautiously with broccoli, cauliflower, bananas and cabbage, if you're sensitive to gas.

Thank you! I will look into it. I know this is a journey so I'm being patient. We all tell ourselves to that we don't want to compare and be competitive with anyone but ourselves. Human nature though is to see the scale move quickly. I'm making a commitment to try not to get back on on one until my next follow-up! LOL. That's probably going to be harder to keep than I'd care to admit.LOL.

I had my first post op visit with the surgeon yesterday. Overall I've lost a total of 2lbs since discharge. A bit disappointing since I've not cheated on my liquid diet and have been walking EVERY DAY, sometimes twice a day. I'm taking in less than 1000 calories a day. What gives? He said not to be focus on the scale, because everything else is looking pretty darn good. I'm not cramping, my swollen feet are all but gone. I'm able to drink my 4 oz w/o much difficulty. No apparent blood clots. I went to my PCP the day before and they took me off my hypertension meds and well as my metformin (diabetes med) but told me to monitor my sugars and blood pressure to see where they go. This was great news. Since discharge my BP hasn't gone above 130 and my sugar are normal. My surgeon discharged me from hospital with a suspended med regimen noting that if my sugar went above 200, to take half my metformin dose and if the top number of my BP went to 150 to take 1/2 my blood pressure pill until I follow-up up with the PCP. Leading up to my visit with the PCP I did not have to take anything! All was stable and within normal limits! PCP said to stay off them, but continue to check and come back in 30 days. One huge step for me. Back to surgery follow-up..... My lymphedema in my left leg has improved significantly, but he said I'm still Stage 2. Discoloration, thickened skin and susceptible to ulceration and possible infection. The discoloration may never correct itself. Overall the "leathery" appearance has gotten noticeably better so I have hope. Doctor wants me to focus on staying fit and moving on to the purree food zone in about week. Overall I'm not feeling any pain. Wounds are healing well. Clothes definitely feeling loose, but scale not reflecting that much of a change. Will keep trying. I was in pretty bad shape so I think It's going to take me longer to hit my stride with the pounds melting off. I've gotten the hydration down to a science so I don't think that's going to be a problem. Return to work date is 07/18/2012, but I'm a desk jockey so I don't see it being an issue for me. No abdominal discomfort and overall feeling very blessed.

Congratulations! So inspiring to see these transformations! You look great!

My condolences on the end of your relationship with food. I too have found it extremely awkward to not be hungry or have cravings since my procedure. I've also been blessed with a relatively unremarkable post surgery status. I've had no real complications so far (5 days out). I've never had anyone sum up what I've been feeling as succinctly as you've just said it.... "What I miss is using food as an antidote to sadness" and In my case.... What I miss is using food as an antodote to sadness and boredom. Thank you! I'm putting my energies into exercise....I'm finding my daily walks to be very therapeutic for me. Tonight I didn't use my headsets either, I just walked the neighborhood with my thoughts and it was like I had a moment of me..... I feel cleansed.... After I reach the 6 weeks post op mark, I want to look into taking self-defense and a some dance classes that I've always wanted to do, but felt to body conscious about it pursue. I think we substitute activities and re-invent our relationship with food as a necessity to stay healthy, but not as our friend and confidant (which it never should have been in the first place). We just have to take it one day at a time...... Problems will always be there regardless of our weight. Stay strong... you seem like a powerhouse and you can do this!

I got the Ninja Limited directly from their site about two weeks ago in preparation for this procedure and I absolutely love it. This one comes with the all the attachments you mentioned. I got 4 additional travel mugs and the extended warranty since I'll be using it for some time. I also love the magic bullet and prefer to use that one for my shakes only because it's more compact. I plan on using the Ninja for my Soups and purrees (when I ever get to that phase). I (I also had a little spat with the Magic Bullet people. I don't plan on buying another one.... Long story. Not related to the product, just the people selling it). Both are sitting on my countertop at the ready.

I'm 5 days post-op and I've been up and down too. I've been focusing on keeping hydrated and sipping various combos of crystal light and, my new love....Zero Vitamin Water. I've been careful not to go over teh more than a mouthful mantra and staying away from spice of any kind. I'm eating creamy chicken broth for my "meals" and it's been going ok. The clear chicken broth kept me cramping up for some reason. My trick with the creamier broth is that I don't drink it or sip from the spoon. I use a teaspoon. Dip it and lick the broth off of the back of the spoon. It seems to be working.... I read up on things to soothe your stomach and ginger is my best friend. I broke out the Ninja. Put some water in it and cuts of fresh ginger. I pulse blended until it became a watery pulp. Let it sit, then strained off the pulp. I poured the remaining water into water bottles and put them in the fridge. Now when I'm thirsty, I put a crystal light or other SF packet in it and start working on the hydration. It does wonders. I've not had nearly as much cramping...the ginger is my new tonic and it's working well. Low cost and I can reuse my water bottles and take them with me wherever I go to stay hydrated and battle my nausea. It will get better. Everyone on these boards are so supportive. Just stay positive and remember where you're going. This is only temporary. You'll find the best fit. Just keep experimenting. Good luck.

Thanks! I'm checking it out now!

I'd agree. They look pretty good. As long as they're not smelling, painful, oozing or changing color, you shouldn't worry too much. Just take it easy and keep an eye on it.