kimikat3

Ok my itching is driving me crazy today . Hope it's gone by tomorrow .

Mine have been the same way. Horrid itching I've done good about not scratching, but it just doesn't go away... And now I have a red rash look to them. No swelling. Or drainage. Went to see my surgeon today and she said its a fungal infection. From moisture...??? Idk. But she said to use a cortisone cream along with an anti-fungal cream twice a day. She said if it doesn't clear up by Monday that she will put me on an antibiotic.

Had my two week follow up today!!! I'm down 12 lbs since surgery and down 26lbs total! I'm a low BMI'er, so I'm ecstatic about my loss.

I've been given the green light for soft foods, and words cannot express how thankful I am!!! I was sooooo over he liquids only.

You referred to your bariatric surgery binder...I was wondering if this is something the dr's office gave you and if so' date=' when did they give it to you?[/quote']

I'm sure it varies form doctor to doctor, but I got mine the day of orientation.

All the frozen yogurt talk made me crave it. Got some sugar free at Sweet Frog for the first time since surgery (9 weeks) and it hit my intestines like a bomb. Guess that cured me...lol.

LOOOOL!!! That's funny. Lesson learned. It's funny how we have to learn through trial and error.

I agree I would definitely go with the Miralax. And unfortunately it is a club that most of us are in!

Wal-Mart has a great generic for Miralax!

I haven't read through all of the responses' date=' but you can make ice cream out of a Protein shake! Pretty tasty too. This way you are getting in your Protein, which is your number 1 goal. (Well, Water is probably first on the list, protein second.)

Shelley at the World According to Eggface has lots of recipes for making protein ice cream:

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/08/protein-ice-cream.html[/quote']

Thank you for the link!!! That I awesome! I had NO idea!

People forget how much insurance costs people. Its usually a good chunk of our paychecks. Its just an ignorant thing to say. Lol

So very true! I pay almost $500 a month for my insurance coverage. I had a $500 Copay for my surgery and no additional costs. None the less, I have paid my dues! Not to mention, a sleeve covered by insurance vs. a sleeve paid out of pocket makes no difference... They both function the same.

I believe her mention of asking me if I paid for my surgery was just a low blow, because she thought my question was ridiculous.

At 5 months out I eat mostly everything that I want' date=' but I don't want many of the things that I have loved before.

Previously I couldn't get enough chocolate, Pasta, beer, fried foods, cake, ice cream, bread, butter, rice, Cookies, candy, steak, potatoes, fries, pizza, chinese food, mac and cheese, fried chicken, casseroles, pie, pastries, muffins, rotel dip and chips, Cheetoes, waffles, pancakes, cupcakes, crab cakes, onion rings, cheese bread sticks, bar b q, milkshakes, dip, sausage, tacos, cheesecake, bacon, doughnuts, snow cones, rolls, corn dogs, Oreos, baked pretzels, gravy, holiday treats, stuffing, pina coladas, hamburgers, ......and on and on.

Now my sleeve has taught me many lessons. Some came naturally and some were not fun to experience, though I have never thrown up.

I can eat pretty much anything that I enjoyed before, just much smaller portions. The only things that really give me trouble are raw onions and citrus pulp if I try to eat a whole fruit and sugar if I eat too much.

Now I do not crave sugar any more. I actually will pass it up without any cravings, with no feeling of denial or regret. If I want something sweet, I eat it. I also know if I eat more than a few bites I will feel extremely sick. And it is an especially no fun kind of sick. The same with fried foods and high fat foods.

My weaknesses are cheese and crunchy carbs like crackers, so I try to keep better choices in my cabinet, such as Goldfish crackers or healthier versions of crackers that have whole grains and nuts. (Usually I get them from Whole Foods). I still eat a little bit of bread, rice and Pasta upon occasion, but not much. And it is great because I don't really want to eat more than a little bit.

I also regularly enjoy red wine, but I gave up beer, which I thought was going to be really difficult because I LOVED beer. Loved.

I eat out a lot. Many, many times a week. But now I am smart about choices. I eat fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, salads, grilled fish, sashimi, edamame, roasted or steamed veggies, baked chicken, grilled seafood, etc. If I do indulge, my sleeve only allows just so much, so it requires little effort on my part. I just make sure to eat enough Protein with whatever else I am enjoying.

I have explored some foods to see what happened. For example I got an ice cream sundae with hot fudge and nuts. After the third bite I knew I was done, but I ate two more and was very sorry. Now I opt for low fat or sugar free options at the self serve yogurt places. I eat more Soups, more fish, more vegetables, and I actually WANT to eat these things.

For someone whose life was focused on foods, especially unhealthy ones, and who used food to reduce stress, to soothe, to ease boredom, for flavor, for control, it is almost unbelievable, a miracle...that I am no longer a slave to huge portions, fat and sugar. Don't get me wrong, I love food. I am a foodie. A food snob. But this life is so far beyond anything that I could have possibly imagined.

I have 30 lbs+ to go and I hope to get to my goal. At only 5 months out, I am not feeling as if I'm in a race anymore.[/quote']

LOVE IT... LOVE IT... LOVE IT!!!

Oh' date=' and I eat 6 times a day.

I find I after 3 hours I get an empty feeling.

Over the last few months I've got much better at knowing when I'm satisfied and not over full *pats self on back*[/quote']

How far out from surgery are you Dean?

Yes you can! Just small amounts! And now here comes the hurricane!

Ha!!!! Brace yourself OP!!!!

OP said "for the long haul" not talking about each phase. Or I assume she wasn't talking about each phase.

Yes, correct. I was asking for the plan after eight weeks post op... I understand us "newbies" are going through different stages and our current eating patters are not as they will be when we are in our "maintenance stage".

I eat whenever whatever all the time. I eat food kids cats it don't matter. As long as there's a side of Doritos with it I'm fine!

LMAO!!!!!! Everything but the kitchen sink huh???

To the OP.....I apologize for derailing your post. This wasn't the place for me to voice my frustration with this site. Good Luck with your journey and whatever you decide <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

No worries! That's the joy of these forums... You ARE allowed to speak your peace as well. thank you for the well wishes. I appreciate it.

Lol I'm a "newbie" too!! the "veterans" as they call themselves in no way consider me a vet at 4 months! Lol your cute! But I'm not fighting with you... <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Lol and KimiKat I blame you!' <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I need to stop being the OP, this is the second time conflict has came about...

I guess I'm a stickler for rules. I do what my surgeon and NUT have instructed. I take offense to the post that implied those of us who aren't very far out don't know what we are talking about. And if the OP is saying her surgeon recommends 3 meals a day why is everyone telling her that isn't right and she should be eating more. This whole thread offends me one many levels.

Well, as the original poster... I ASKED for everyone's input. Doesn't mean that I am going to stray from what my surgeon/ NUT ) having instructed me. I was just curious... I appreciate all of the posts!

90 minutes that's crazy talk! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

But I think if you guys took a step back and look at it' date=' there are people that are commenting that just had their surgery a few weeks ago.

And there are people much further out...

Eating habits and amounts will play into this.

Don't you think?

I mean when I first started I ate only 300 to 400 a day, now it 600 to 800 a day and I eat a little more frequently that I did a a few weeks out.

Oh and before I had surgery it was all just speculation

[/quote']

Good point! What is your eating "schedule"?

I was told three meals' date=' no snacking, except for sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, and broth, all of which count as liquids, not food.

Most important, I have to wait 90 minutes after eating to consume any liquids. food must have time to move from the tiny stomach into the intestines.[/quote']

90 minutes? I was told 30 minutes before and after meals...

Wonderful information all!!! Thank you!

I'm 11 weeks out. I eat 3 meals a day and 1 or two Snacks. I can't really go that long without eating.... Jelly just won't have it. Some things you're going to have to change up' date=' depending on your Sleeve's "personality". Jelly likes to have something every few hours and she's grumpy (spits up acid) if I don't. Even in the middle of the night. The further along you're out and the more substantial Protein amounts you can eat, the longer the food will 'last' and keep you full. I can honestly eat 3 chicken wings at 6pm on a Friday night and be fine until the next day because the chicken is dense.[/quote']

First off... I LOVE that you have names your sleeve!!! Ha! That's awesome!

I think everybody's input has been great. Very helpful.

Another question I have... Where is the line between eating very small portions every 2-3 hours and grazing come into play???

Is "grazing" considered nibbling on unhealthy foods in between meals? Where as eating 5 very small meals throughout the day would consist of Protein and a veggie (or carb)...???

I'm new at this and just want to make sure I understand...

I was told the same thing' date=' mainly because the predominant culture and workplace doesn't support frequent meals/snacking. I have been doing 3 meals, but usually do have something when I get home from work between lunch and dinner, because my lunch break is at 11 am, (only 22 minutes long, since I'm a teacher), and we don't usually eat dinner until at least 6 pm. I don't have a problem with this. I need the time in between to get my minimum 8 cups of Water in![/quote']

Yes! Three meals only does make it easy to time your Water intake. I didn't think of that.

I was told the same thing. They said that that fasting periods between meals were essential to burning fat. They said if I keep giving my body fuel it won't turn to that stores fat to burn it.

That is what I figured. How far out from surgery are you?

I was told & follow' date=' 3 small meals & 2 Snacks a day. Keep fueling your body to boost your metabolism to burn the fat[/quote']

Also makes sense! I know pre-surgery that was what I was always told to follow to keep my body burning. Now I'm being told three meals no Snacks. I was thinking maybe that would be sufficient to keep my fueled and still low enough to keep me burning the fat stored in my body.... ???

When I eat I can barely eat a couple bites because I get full. Then I go d myself hungry a couple hrs later. It's easier to eat 6 small healthy meals .

That's kind of what I was thinking.

Was anyone else told to follow this for the long haul?

I was reviewing my bariatric surgery binder and noticed that stage IV (final stage) states to eat three meals a day, spaced out 3-4 hours from each other, without snacking in between.

I'm sure it's the old fat girl in me that finds this to sounds difficult. Are you guys able to carry on throughout your day without having food outside of your three standard meals? (When I say Snacks, I don't mean chips and candy... I mean nuts or cheese...)

Have you tried the nectar Sweets? There are a number of good flavors like Cookies and creme' date=' chocolate truffle and vanilla bean. I really have enjoyed these shakes and drank the almost exclusively during the 1st 6 months.[/quote']

Their Double Cookies and Cream is soooooo tasty! Blended with ice and skim milk (or soy) reminds me if a Oreo cookie shake!

I ordered their sample pack from bjsbariatrics.com You pick the 11 flavors you want and it was $13 or so.... Good way to try them out and see if you like em'.