stoongal

Oh yes, we shall meet before long that is for sure. Re the post op recommendations you were asking about, I was remiss about one thing - the Protein supplementation. Missed the page that talked about supplements for the first 3 weeks and then for after that. That is where the Protein shakes etc come in - high in protein and super low in sugar (less than 6 grams per serving) this is where they say 50 - 70 grams protein a day, and approx 550 - 700 calories a day. So far I have been in those parameters. Tonight I steamed some salmon, and feel overfull with 2 1/2 ozs. Bloated me right up, too. That is all I had tho...~sigh~ I was getting tired of soup, ate the last at noon. Cheers, Donna:001_cool:

good for you Jenn, almost ready to start your new life! It'll be here before you know it! Let your dr take out your stitches (if any) and give you a once over. Cheers, Donna

Yes, indeed, much less strict. In the recovery house we helped ourselves to cream Soups (watered well down mind you) and even mini puddings. The guidelines they gave us to take home was for Clear liquids, natural strained fruit juices and Gelatin the first week. Second week apple and pear puree, Soup broths added to the liquids. Third week chopped fruit (tiny pieces) and whole vegetable juices added. Fourth - 6th week all kinds of soft foods, tuna, chicken breast, cereals, fruit pieces, crackers, yogurt , peas etc... BUT: they also said we could follow the guidelines form the Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program given for the sleeve if we wanted. In there, they have bariatric clears for the first 2-4 meals, then progresses to surgery pureed while in the hospital, and they were discharged with a home soft diet, which included benderized meat, poultry, soft poached eggs, low fat cottage cheese, sugar free puddings, unsweetened applesauce, pureed anned peaches not in syrup, mashed ripe bananas, blended soft cooked vegetables, or overcooked an fork mashed. oatmeal, grits and farina. Being that I have aways had a good stomach (no morning sickness or motion sickness, only ever felt nausea was when I really pigged out or drank too much and then it wasn't too bad.) I felt I could see what is was that I could tolerate from both of these. Not one of these talked about whey Protein, but started those early on after I got home. So I have experimented and found the only thing that gave me the runs was when I added a store bought asparagus ready made soup. So went back to my own recipes for soups and still on them. I try out stuff from the Cornell one lots and more (crackers for eg as well as the babybel cheese) So, I am not so strict on myself because I know myself and use my commmon sense a lot! After the four weeks, they say to gradually advance to solids. Hope this answers your question. Cheers, Donna:001_cool:

Jenn Actually you will be able to eat crackers and chees a month out from surgery, or shrimp, stuff like that, if it is a dinner, mashed potatoes, soft meat chewed well, soft veggies, Just chew everything well, take your time, no one will even notice. Crackers are far easier to chew to nothing I have discovered. I nivbble on the cheese, I am just over 2 weeks post op and I wouldn't be afraid to go to any function right now even! As to the declarations, just check for destination - thru to MX. Don't need a reason why or anything. These forms get filled out on the plane and the stewardess will help if you need it. Coming home you go thru customs here, easy as pie! Don't sweat the small stuff dear, it is mostly common sense! Cheers, Donna

Today I tried Breton Crackers (low fat low sodium) topped with Kraft light cream cheese with smoked salmon - just two and it was enough til I get around to my Protein shake. I have been eating poached eggs for almost a week now they went down just great, w a little teeny bit of butter and salt and pepper, nummy! I am into week 3 post op and it has been amazing so far! Cheers, Donna:001_cool:

OK here is the soup I am currently eating: Homemade Vegetable Soup: 2 cups diced tomatoes & juice if using canned, peeled if using fresh 1 med. size onion chopped 1 cup carrots chopped 1 cup potato chopped 2 cups of other vegetables (your choice) what you have on hand.. (I went with canned green Beans and corn, should've left out the corn at this stage,) 1 quart chicken broth *optional: cover a chicken breast with Water and cook for 15 minutes - add the chiken chopped and the water. Add salt, pepper, garlic pdr to taste and it may even need a chicken bouillon cube depending on the amount of extra liquids go in from canned veggies & chicken breast. Check for taste. Add parsley and lemon juice at serving. Bring to a full rolling boil, then let simmer til everything is nice and tender. always good leftover. *Tip for future soup making - keep a container in the freezer that you put in the cooking water from any veggies that you cook or steam, and when it is full, time to make soup, just add it to the pot as you go along, great for the flavour and the nutrients.

No not tired of the soup so much as I love my homemade Soups, this one is chicken vegeatable, and I am not blending it up everything is so soft already, just chew on the chicken pieces til tiny! My eyes are bigger than my stomach, I took more in my bowl last night and could only eat 3/4 of it. Wanted so badly to finish it off, (my mother's training - clean off your plate, starving children etc etc) but left it! Had to! John bought pumpkin pie - I took a taste of the filling, not as good as mine but hey I am not eating it either! Don't know the answer to the rows of staples he uses but no definitely NO oversewing. I'll try to find out for sure why and let you know, if I can. We have had unbelievably cold unseasonable weather here, SNOW on the ground can you believe! for Thanksgiving! So NOT fair! Out leaves haven't even turned colours yet - they are on the trees - all green yet. grump grump!

has anyone tried this soup yet? Thanks Dr Pleatman for the ground cumin suggestion, I will add that for sure next time. I don't know about fresh coriander though, have to see if supermarkets here carry it, could I just grind up a touch of dried coriander and sprinkle that on? I am going to make it again as soon as I finish with the chicken vegeatable soup I made - it is very good too, but have had to pick out the corn in it as I realize that may be hard on the tummy this early out. anybody interested in that recipe? can be made without corn! Cheers, Donna

Hey, My fellow Canadians, Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving day today! No turkey here for us unfortunately, but I asked hubby what he wanted to do special, I suggested going out so that he could have a turkey dinner but he said no. I rhymed off what meats were in the freezer for him to choose, and he picked steak for making swiss steak (you know done in tomato sauce and onions, simmered for hours?) So that is what I will be cooking for him today. Me, Soup again! LOL! once again, Happy Thanksgiving! Donna

I am on the mushie stage less than 2 weeks post op - put myself on it, as it seemed to agree with me. Bill, just know that you don't HAVE to blend all your food, simply mash it somewhat so that the pieces are smaller than what would fit in a straw. I make homemade Soups and find that I can chew the soft chicken and veggies in it without pre mashing them. you can eat eggs cut up small, soft meats same way, not most beef and pork yet tho, ground beef in a meatloaf you could, Baby bel cheese is enjoyable nibbled on, Peanut Butter on a spoon makes a great lolipop! Dr Betancourt gives you lots of ideas for after your surgery. Liquids only are for such a small time, if your new tummy can handle more, go for it I say. They also refer us to the Cornell Weight Loss Center's post op diet for sleeve patients and they are on mushies their last day in the hospital and are sent home with a soft diet to be followed for just three weeks, so if you look that up online you can see what else you can have fairly early on. All the best, Donna:001_cool:

I've only been sleeved 12 days now, but I am noticing the fat going from my face and hands first. Congrats on you 20 kg! Awesome, I think when you are closer to goal weight you may find that tummy fat melting too, My midsection is primarily where I need to lose so am hoping that at goal wieght it will be reduced enough for my good health! Continues success with your weight loss journey.

Hmmmm it is my understanding that most whey IS a byproduct of milk, except soy whey, I believe, but yes, I will be sure to look for that when I get my order and let you know.

Well-Known Health Tips That No Longer Apply Posted by: eggs In recent decades eggs have been demonized as being loaded with fat and cholesterol to such an extent that doctors were recommending that adults limit consumption to a few per week or else eat those tasteless egg substitutes. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to have much effect on blood cholesterol levels. And eggs are high in many essential Vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Aspirin Therapy A daily, low dose of aspirin can help prevent heart attacks for people with coronary heart disease. But it?s a bad idea to be on aspirin when a vessel in your stomach or brain starts to bleed. The latter is called a hemorrhagic stroke. And there?s no evidence that daily aspirin can prevent heart disease in people who are already healthy. So by taking aspirin, you can seriously increase this risk of a hemorrhagic stroke or internal bleeding with absolutely no benefit to compensate for the risk. Sources: Live Science September 18, 2009 Found this article interesting and worth sharing, not that I am a runner (not yet anyway), but I do love eggs and this is good news for me. I always maintained that Margarine was "evil"! My mom became a believer in margarine and foisted it upon us, always hated it! My dad died at age 56 , and I am sure the consumption of hard margarine (all there was back then) contributed somewhat to his hardening of the arteries!

It is true all right, but don't know if that date is full or not, best check with Shirley at 1 866 701 0199 (toll free) to see what is available, OK? I am only out for 10 days post op so no, I went and had the stitches out today with my own dr. he will do any follow up should I need any, but I am fine, don't anticipate any problems with anything. I do ask Shirley advice sometimes, she is so very helpful. Ask Shirley about follow up if one needs it. OK? Donna:001_cool:

Judy, (I presume) I don't know all the answers as I just ordered it, I will have it here next week, and then I can tell you more about that. I am assuming like most shakes it is with 4 oz or so of water (I add ice) to one scoop of mix and shake in a tupperware type tall container (need a good seal) I drank the protein shake I have now since day one. I am assuming that we may need the extra protein for the 1st 6 months or so anyway, until out stomachs are capable of handliing a lot more food. It is just a tool to help us keep our muscles from deteriorating as they need the protein the most. afte a bit I will mix mine with skim milk, I think. They look like declicious flavors, I ordered the 6 pks hoping that is all the protein powder I will need, as I still have some here from Walmart with a vanilla icecream flavor. I like it, but it is not this high of a quality that is for sure. But hon, it is entirely up to you - just thinking this might be a great choice for many of this board. Hope that helps, cheers, Donna

Look what I just found out about in my mailbox today. I really respects this man's advice in his newsletters - if you don't already get them try them out for yourself. Anyway, he is offering a very superior whey Protein in 6 flavors: Here - read a bit about what they are: For a Limited Time: Get FREE SHIPPING and HANDLING on your ENTIRE ORDER (US and Canada Orders Only). Expires soon! Every day your body faces a range of stressors that constantly challenge your health and wellbeing... Everything from daily tensions to physical activity to your diet can strain your body's natural balance. Stress, aging and exercise -- especially overtraining -- can break down your body's defenses. That's where Miracle Whey? comes in. Made from all-natural grass fed cows' whey, Miracle Whey? provides more of nature's nutrients. Plus, it's certified GMO-, pesticide, and chemical-free, protecting you from ingesting chemicals and hormones* Not only that, it: Is rich in glutamic acid and branch chain amino acids which aid muscle-building and recovery* Contains 25% or more glycomacropeptides for immune support, high energy, muscle building and recovery* Promotes satiety, so compulsive craving for refined carbs and sweets is curbed* Contains beta glucans, so you can be sure that your immune system is getting the boost it needs.* Contains water-soluble Fiber, which supports healthy blood sugar levels and prebiotic properties* Miracle Whey?comes in your choice of six delicious flavors with no aftertaste like some powders on the market: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, blueberry, banana and Peanut Butter (made from all-organic peanuts). Protein powder Now Needless to say they have much more written about it, too much for me to copy and paste here, but perhaps if you google his name you can subsribe to his newsletters and read for yourselves. Sounded so good, I ordered their 6 pk. Free shipping to me here in Canada? Why not! I always have pampered myself when it comes to food and supplements, why stop now! Check it out! 40 grams protein per serving, people! Incredible! Donna:thumbup1:

You will do just fine dear, try going in with a real positive attitude, it really helps calm the nerves. This is no scarier a procedure than a gall bladder surgery. Yes, inside a little more extreme, but compared to most weight loss surgeries it is the easiest. Remember, minimally invasive, (a great thing) up afterwards as soon as possible, walking around pushing your IV pole, they give you nice meds to keep you comfy, and you will wonder what you were so worried about later. Most of all be positive, attitude is so important - in every endeavor, and this is no exception! all the best to you!

I am so glad we don't have Krispy Kreme here in Canada, I hear they are sinfully good! We have Tim Hortons and they make good doughnuts too, but fortunately for me I don't go there hardly ever as I make coffee here at home for us every morning (and yes, I broke down and had a half cup black coffee this morning) Was good, felt normal again. At this early stage, I can't image a sweet treat (couldn't resist them before however!) my lentil soup is my treat - once each day! going to make a different soup tomorrow and if it turns out really tasty will post that one too. Chicken vegetable perhaps, hmmmm

Maybe just "tiny"? or "slurp" mine gurgles when I have had too much.

so far today I have had: 1/2 sm bottle of Isopure at 6 am sipped on at length water in between to take pill and chewable vitamin at 10 I had a protein shake at noon, I had about 4 oz of my yummy lentil soup. I can get in almost 4 oz now, does that mean the stomach swelling is going down?

Well it passed the test, hubby stuck up his nose when I said we are having lentil soup for supper. He ate two big bowls of it and even said it was real good! I feel so happy when that happens!

I liked the idea of the sleeve immediately, because it was permanent. Why would I want to get fat ever again? I asked myself. I never even looked into any other weight loss surgery, noticed it on the boards but knew in my heart this was right for me! Only a week out from my sleeve and already I'm feeling less sluggish, notice the weight loss in my face and hands, my fingers are starting to look graceful! Yeah! I would do it again in a heartbeat! I feel happy!

I too love this thread! Chancie, you should be so poud that customers are noticing how good you look! Awesome! Tiff, I actually cried reading your NSV - I can so relate! I miss the cuddling too. Even at my age I hope that will change as I start to look more desirable to my hubby. How nice of you to share that!

with our food guide, it say the second week we can add soup broths to our clear liquids, eg: potato, tomato, vegetable, lentil. And I found the lentils sort of dissolved and the lumps were miniscule. So I ate it! Yummy...

I made this this afternoon, and it is so delicious I thought I would share it here. Doesn't even need blending as it kinda turns to a kind of puree if it is cooked long enough. 1 Onion chopped and suteed in Olive oil (about 1 tbsp) for 5 minutes. 6 cups of Water (called for beef broth but I only had bouillon cubes) 3 lg bouillon cubes (I used McCormicks Gourmet alll-Vegetable beef style) 1 1/3 cups dry red lentils 1/4 cup or so Tomato paste 1 tsp Italian Seasoning pepper to taste Add broth to the onions till boiling then add rest of the ingredients, turn heat down low and simmer about an hour, stirring occasionally. I must confess I found about 1/3 cup of leftover raost beef gravy in my freezer and I threw that in for good measure as the fat had been removed. I can hardly keep out of this - it is that good! much more Protein that potato or tomato Soup which is what I was going to make.