Number50

Right after surgery, I experienced a significant drop in my blood pressure. It got down to 100/70, so I stopped taking my lisinopril and triamterene. My blood pressure went back up to 120/80 and I was happy. I did not check my BP for a long time, because I felt fine. However, I decided to check it again for the heck of it, and discovered to my dismay that I have hypertension going on. My BP was 161/90 yesterday and 167/97 today. I resumed taking my meds yesterday, but it is frustrating. I have lost 68 pounds, and my BP is sky high! What's up with that?

It happened to me, too. I was stuck for 3 weeks, but I increased my fluids and eventually my body decided to cooperate. This week the weight is flying off - 7 lbs. since Monday.

I have found that sweets, e.g., a small cupcake, triggers more acid production and some stomach pain. Proteins, including beef and pork, are good for me.

I use Zantac 150, twice a day, with the approval of my doctor. The store-brand equivalent is really cheap at Walmart.

food had been my best friend and worst enemy for many years, especially when I would pig out on sweets or other tasty things. It got to where I could no longer work effectively, and I wanted a serious change, not just another diet. I looked at the lap-band, but there were too many issues with reflux and slippage. Plus, VSG removes the stomach tissue which produces hunger hormone, and lap-band does not. I decided that all my stomach ever did was get me into trouble, and I really did not need most of it given that food is available 24/7. So, I did the VSG, and except for a little heartburn, everything has gone well. I have a lot of weight to lose yet, but I have lost so much that I can exercise and work so much more easily, and I feel so much better than a couple of months ago. Make your own decision based on your own circumstances, but I love my new small stomach.

I just ordered the following books. If I need other options, I'll let you know. Thanks for the offer. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244537/ref=oss_product][/ame] [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244537/ref=oss_product]Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery [/ame]Patt Levine, et al [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609806734/ref=oss_product][/ame] The High-Protein Cookbook: More than 150 healthy and irresistibly good low-carb dishes that can be on the table in thirty minutes or less. Linda West Eckhardt, Katherine West Defoyd [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592332269/ref=oss_product]Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You (Healthy Living Cookbooks) [/ame]Margaret Furtado, Lynette Schultz

I am five weeks post surgery now, and enjoy eating easy-to-chew foods. I focus on eating high Protein foods such as cottage cheese, egg beaters with low-fat cheese, turkey bacon (not crispy), tuna, deli chicken and turkey, tilapia, grilled chicken strips, and white chicken chili. One day I cooked one pound of low-fat hamburger with onions and two cans of baked Beans. That gave me eight 6 oz. meals. I am looking for more high protein recipes that I can cook up on my days off. I don't want to get bored with my current selections and be tempted back into unhealthy foods. So, if any of you know of websites or cookbooks, or if you have your own favorite recipes, please share them. My restrictions are that they be high protein, low fat, low sugar and moderately spiced because of heart burn issues. Gratefully, Steve

I have been in a three week stall and wondering about it myself. I do, however, think that I am losing waist line, so I'm keeping a tape measure in the bedroom to check. I feel much stronger now that I'm walking and working more. I am over the post-op weakness that plagued me earlier. I am comfortable with my diet - 12 to 16 oz. of high protein foods and a protein shake a day. I feel that I should drink more water to kick the weight loss elves into production. We will see.

I actually had mine done in Dalton, GA by Dr. Ponce.:thumbup:

Sorry that I've been out of touch for a while, but I don't have a laptop, and my Mother does not have a computer. After my one week post-op doctor's appointment, I went to visit her and to convalesce. I was weaker than I expected, but I am doing pretty well now. I was supposed to switch to puree diet two weeks post-op, but pureeing seemed nasty, so in two days I advanced to a soft diet. So far everything is going well except for some occasional heartburn. Nothing ever came back up. After two weeks, I traveled a bit more to visit other family, and then came home Friday. Pounds are coming off at a good rate. I'm already over one third of the way to my goal. Hope y'all are doing well.

When I am in a hurry, it's cottage cheese with a little apple sauce. If I have more time, I mix a little cheese and grits with my egg.

I was so psyched about my weight loss on the pre-op diet, and that really encouraged me to go ahead even though I was a little apprehensive. I am 4 days post-op and making progress daily. This should be a good thing for you.

I was sleeved on Friday, stayed at the hospital one night, and came home yesterday. My stomach feels tender, and as if someone punched it if I try to take my liquids, cough or burp without using pain meds. But, the pain meds have enabled me to start sipping again. The gas is also a little painful, mainly a tight feeling in my abdomen until it passes. I'm on hydrocodone/apap, but I don't take it constantly, just when I feel miserable. I am hoping that this passes soon, but I am not surprised. After all, 85% of my stomach was cut out. Just one question - is my experience similar to y'alls?

Surgery yesterday and home today with only slight discomfort! God is good!! Thanks for all your prayers.:cursing:

I can't explain the differences, but here is my diet fyi. First two days at home – clear liquid diet. Water, broth, light (non-sugar) juices, decaf teas. Sip every 15-30 minutes slowly increasing from 1 to 2 oz. each hour. Day 3-14 – full liquid diet. Protein supplements, nutritional drinks (Ensure, etc.), milk, Clear Liquids. Sip every 15-30 minutes slowly increasing from 2 to 4 oz. each hour. Day 15-29 – puree diet. Protein supplements, high protein foods blended to baby food consistency. Vegetables and fruit, also blended, as can be tolerated. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods. Eat slowly, small bites over 30-45 minutes. Keep food journal. Eat 4 to 8 Tablespoons per meal. Day 30-45 – soft diet. Foods easily cut with a fork. Focus on Proteins followed by vegetables and fruit. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods. Eat slowly, small bites over 30-60 minutes. Eat 8 to 12 Tablespoons per meal. Regular diet - Focus on proteins followed by vegetables and fruit. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods. Eat slowly, small bites over 30-60 minutes. Do not drink with the meal or for an hour afterwards.

Praying for you! Pray for me, too. My surgery is tomorrow morning at 8:30 in Dalton, GA. I've lost 18 lbs. on the pre-op liquid diet, and been blessed with great will power when out with friends at restaurants. I only drank tea and strained egg drop soup at a barbecue place and a Japanese restaurant. I am both eager and apprehensive about what is next, but I trust God, the doctor and clinic and the whole process.

Dalton Weight Management in Dalton, GA put me on the following diet for two weeks prior to surgery. PRE-SURGICAL liquid DIET In order to promote your success in the Weight Management Program, your bariatric surgeon recommends the following diet to begin two weeks prior to your surgery date. GLUCERNA shakes (diabetic section at grocery store) 6 cans per day………………or 2 per meal three times daily. ? Shakes decrease carbohydrates and increase Protein ? If not tolerated can use BOOST, SLIM FAST, OR ENSURE Drink all the liquids you want, BUT NO SUGAR May have V-8 or tomato juice Bouillon acceptable Yogurt – any kind without fruit pieces in it. Tomato Soup – thinned with skim milk or Water Popsicle’s – sugar free and fat free Fudgesicle’s – sugar free and fat free chicken noodle soup – no noodles or chicken – broth ONLY Cream of chicken or mushroom soup – thinned with skim milk and pick out pieces of chicken or mushrooms. NO SOLID FOODS AND NO meats – LIQUIDS ONLY! The Glucerna gave me plenty of gas and diarrhea, but I stuck with it and managed to pass gas unnoticed for the most part. I'll be glad to get off it soon. Good luck!

Take comfort in knowing that it will be easier to deal with diabetes and high BP WITHOUT the extra weight.

I do not smoke and I use a CPAP, so that may affect the tests my doctor required. I first did an upper GI x-ray, and because of a small issue, they did an upper GI endoscopy, too. I did a resting EKG and lab work: CBC, CMP,URINALYSIS,FASTING LIPIDS,VITAMIN B12, IRON LEVELS, FOLIC ACID,TSH, PT/PTT, HGBA1C. Finally, I did a psych evaluation. I am having my surgery day after tomorrow in Dalton, GA at Hamilton Medical Center. Hamilton Weight Management is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

I have lost 10 lbs. in five days on my pre-surgery liquid diet. Is that normal?:bored0:

Does anyone know if actoplus met can be ground up and mixed into a liquid?

How do you get those weight trackers into your profile? I checked the web site and saw how to choose one, but how do I get it moved over to this site?:thumbup:

I found and copied the following which worked. Apologies to whom I copied it from, but I don't recall exactly who it was. At the top go to the link USER CP and click it. On the side bar, click EDIT SIGNATURE. Open another tab or browser windOW and go to TICKERFACTORY.COM. Set up your ticker with a PIN. Once you get to the last page, highlight and COPY the bBcode. Come back to the SIGNATURE page and PASTE the code into your signature box. Hit PREVIEW SIGNATURE, if it appears to your liking, HIT SAVE SIGNATURE.

I haven't had surgery yet, but when I tell people I'm going to, I explain that a) I want to be more comfortable in my body, :thumbup: I don't need such a big stomach to live comfortably (I hope I'm not wrong), c) working in Walmart produce department with the deli on one side and the bakery on the other, I just need some help fighting temptation, and d) I'm tired of the processed food industry exploiting my natural hunger with sweet-salty-greasy tastes.

Dr. Jaime Ponce is my surgeon, and I will have the procedure in Dalton, GA. I may have questions after my next appointment on Thursday.