Jordien

For me, and maybe because I'm still early on, I CAN'T snack and graze through the evening. I even measured out 1/2 cup of chex mix to snack on, and I took a few bites and was full, couldn't eat it all. So the fact that I feel full and just not hungry, I have sorta stopped snacking. Very strange. And for me.. I would go from snack to snack to snack until bed, I'd go to bed uncomfortable but happy and stuffed. This to me is so far one of the best perks! I can't get over how many evenings I've finished my dinner around 5:30pm and that's IT for the night.

Def. add it to fruit smoothies. I use www.unjury.com, so I can't speak for the GNC kind or others. I add half a scoop of unflavored to my coffee in the morning. So I get my coffee (sticking with decaf) and add some SF coffeemate creamer, then I add half a scoop.. that's 10 extra grams of Protein just with my coffee. My nutritionist suggested I make mashed potatoes and throw some of it in there too. She also suggested making pudding (the instant kind) and using the unflavored or the choc or vanilla flavored. Other suggestions are adding it to oatmeal, adding it to yogurt, anything you can think of where you could hide it! I haven't tried any of these yet, but I may try the pudding one soon. Good luck!

LMAO!!! I hear ya!!

Welcome and congrats on your surgery and weight loss!!!! Hope this transition time adding new foods goes well for you!

what's the HCG diet?

I say write down what you are eating and measure your Protein intake. Is it around 60 grams? If not, maybe supplement with a shake or something. My nutritionist does not really recommend Protein Bars. She does recommend supplementing with a shake or putting the whey powder (unflavored) in other foods, just so we meet our quota of 60 grams (60 to 80g is our recommendation.) So maybe track the food you're eating and see where you are? I order from www.unury.com and have success using it. The chocolate is good (1 scoop and 1 cup of milk is 28g of protein) and I also use the unflavored to mix into things. Good luck!

Yep, same thing. I asked about it, and he said... can't stitch it, just have to leave it! I was like okay that's weird! haha... He said to just keep a sterile pad or gauze over it and I'd be down to a bandaid by the weekend. I think it's normal that you freaked out over it, don't worry! Hope it heals up quickly for you! I can't over how quickly my incisions and the drain hole healed! My stomach looks amazing, compared to 5 weeks ago!!

Hey all... I still have some significant aching and pain in my lower left stomach/abdomen area. This seems like it was my worst incision and certainly left a horrendous bruise that is still healing. My nutritionist told me that is the last area to heal and it's normal to still have pain. I guess they use the biggest retractor/tool in this incision? Anyway.. what do you all think? Did you have pain in this area that seemed to linger this long (I'm almost 4 weeks out) It's mostly uncomfortable when I do too much bending down. I thought maybe because I'm starting to do more (overdid with laundry the other day) and not resting as much, maybe that's why I'm hurting a little more in that area. Should I be worried that it's something else? Slow down and rest more? I'm going back to work Monday and kinda want to feel "normal." Thanks!

Well, I survived the Sleeve surgery. I've become totally into this site and check it several times a day, looking for answers and just people who share what I'm going through. Trying to start to eat things and get back to normal. Sometimes I forget that I'm NOT normal anymore!!! I go to just pop something in my mouth, and I stop myself and say wait a minute... can't have that yet. I'd really like to get a real blog going here, but I need to learn how to use all of these bells and whistles!!

I made it! Yum! I THINK I used too much olive oil. You know how eggplant absorbs... my MIL always makes fried eggplant, and it's always drenched with olive oil.. ewwww... You gotta get your oil HOT and get in there and out quick and drain on paper towels. Well anyway, I got my eggplant into the pan and I meant to drizzle olive oil, but I ended up pouring out I think too much. Ah well. It was still majorly delish. I'm really sensitive to greasy stuff too, so next time I think I will pour olive oil in a dish and brush it on. My husband loved it and took like half the pan in a tupperware thing as he was heading out to work. It's like eggplant parm, and you could probably even layer it and make a more hearty, thicker dish. I couldn't eat very much of it though! haha! Thanks Fleur!!

Here's the thread.. I'll bump it up for you (other poster.)

If you scroll further down in this forum, maybe even onto the next page, you'll see my thread about "lower left pain!" I had the same thing nagging at me and really hurting. My doctor told me the same thing and pinpointed the pain at my appt. He said that's where those sutures are down deep, and they take the longest to heal. Sometimes 6 to 8 weeks! I am 5 weeks out now and it just stopped bothering me, thank goodness. I was freaking out and worried too!

Anyone have experience taking Mucinex for a chest cold post-surgery? I fear that I am full of congestion in my lungs and should start. Mucinex bothered my stomach BEFORE, so I'm really not feeling confident about taking it. Wondered if anyone had an experience with it? Thanks! <---- PO'd that I caught a cold!!

LOL! 30 Day shitters!!! omg that's a riot!! Great job everyone!!! I'm proud of our group, and I agree, we're going down and down, and no matter how much, that's what matters! I have been doing my best to stay off the scale. It helps, believe me. I got on today and was down another 2, which makes 30 pounds!! Yeah!!! 5 weeks post-op. I definitely have lost in the boobs too. I was busting (pun intended! ) our of my bras, so I def. went down a size. Now my bras FIT me! I am thinking around Christmastime I'll buy new ones? Will try to make it until then. Clothes all fitting better, and that's cool! Can't wait for your Wednesday weighers to check in too! Go Septembers!!!

Diva, I have to agree... the fact that she has such high BP and borderline diabetic is all the more reason!! She has years and years left of a wonderful life to live. That being said, I'm sure you are scared, and I think you have every right to feel all of those feelings! Take it one day at a time!

I am a nightgown girl. I think nightgowns are easier, because I didn't want anything with a waistband (had an incision right at that place where a waistband would be) plus I just love my nightgowns!! I brought 3 with me, just in case! They were comfy, and I looked stylish doing my laps around the hall! lol... My bariatric coordinator gives everyone a small firm pillow with a picture of the procedure on it. I used it to press against my stomach when I needed to get in and out of bed, also when I needed to give a nice strong cough to clear my lungs after surgery, and I continued using it to help me at home. If you aren't given one of these (ask ahead) make sure you bring a small firm pillow with you for this purpose. Great idea Diva!

I'm giving out cans of soda! I didn't want to tempt myself by having candy in the house. lol! The title of your post made me go.. uh, oh.. . please tell me this person didn't just eat 96 candy bars and end up in the ER!!!

oh and also... she recommended fiber one or another very high fiber cereal.

My nutritionist recommended cereal in the morning for FIBER! I started with 1/4 cup also and just now can eat 1/2 cup with 1/2 cup of milk, so that's like 1/2 a serving of what's listed on the box. It's a nice change from eggs and shakes, and I am def. someone who needs variety. (and fiber! lol!)

Congratulations on being on this side!!

Pretty much yes for me. I'm 5 weeks out and finally doing well with food. But yes... I eat a small amount, and I'm full. If I eat too much, it's that awful feeling like when you overate before. I haven't tried pizza yet, but I will be SO happy if I can eat one slice and have the same feeling as I did pre-op half the pizza!!!

zapp, how are you doing now? I went on prevacid a few days ago and have felt good ever since. No more heartburn, acid reflux or nausea. Thank GOD! I hope you are feeling better!

Welcome home, and yay for being done!!! Get your rest now! I am awful about pain and was terrified about the drain. It did not hurt so much as it just freaked me out a little. I changed the bandage over it every time I took a shower, and it was fine, and I had it out a week after I came home from hospital. I don't want to do that again any time soon, but honestly that was not the most painful thing I dealt with!

I'm so glad for you!! I had the same experience. I got my prescription filled Wed. night, and I've been like a new person since taking it. I'm able to try new foods and have a normal "I'm full because I have my sleeve" feeling without having the I'm nauseous, I think I'm going to throw up, burning feeling etc, etc... Alleluia! Glad that's over with for both of us! p.s. I'm making your eggplant pizza tomorrow! Can't wait!

I don't know if I have an extremely caring and wonderful surgeon or if I'm the norm, but my doc is absolutely wonderful. I saw him in the hospital each day and have been back for post-op appts now every week. I see HIM, and he sits and talks with me about anything I need and does all the exams of my incisions, drain removal, etc. He even called me at home once. I can't say enough about him!! Now my lapband doc.. that's another story. Nice man, but young and inexperienced, and I didn't feel real cared about by him. Good luck! I'm sorry you're not feeling so positive about him.