KristinaRN

HI friends! I need some help. I am 5 1/2 weeks out from surgery, doing very well. I have not eaten anything yet that I didn't tolerate. However, I could really use some ideas for high Protein, low carb snacks/small meals. Here's the kicker: I do not like cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna, beef jerky; basically all the things you all seem to be eating! My doctor wants me to eat 5 times per day, so I am treating 2 of those as Snacks (smaller, quicker) with the other 3 being my meals. Also, it needs to be portable and quick, so I can bring it to work. So far my go-to has been a tbsp of Peanut Butter, sometimes by itself and sometimes with a few crackers, depending on how I am doing with carbs for the day. I saw someone mention pepperoni crisps, so I am going to try that. Any other ideas, please??? Thanks!!!

I am a nurse on a busy floor and work 12-14 hour shifts, so I took off 4 weeks which was perfect. If I had a desk job though, I would have been ready at 2 weeks. Good luck to you!

Hi Tracy! I am in St. Louis as well, south county. I had my surgery with Dr. Varela at Barnes. So excited to see more STL people here, I thought I was the only one! Kristina

I have heard good things about their program. I work for BJC, so I had my surgery done at Barnes by Dr. Varela (also a Center for Excellence). I have been very happy with my choice so far. I have lost 31 lbs total, 23 of that since surgery 5 weeks ago. I'm excited to see someone else from STL here! Would love to keep in touch and support each other along the way! Kristina

I am only 5 weeks out, so I cannot answer your question; but I wanted to say welcome and good luck to you!!! I live in St. Louis too, where are you having your surgery?

Hey All-Stars! I only had a 1.4 lb loss this week, kinda bummed about that. I weighed in this am at 235.9 lbs. Hopefully this next week will be better!

Here's my problem: I don't like any of the things you mentioned except meatballs :-( Any other high protein, easily portable ideas?

I was just getting ready to post pretty much the same thing! I am 5 weeks out, and have NOT lost my hunger. It got better weeks 3 and 4, but the past few days its back. I get full on small amounts, which is great, but I am hungry again 2-3 hours later. Sooooo frustrating. Are you on a PPI? I am on generic prilosec 20 mg once a day, may need to increase it to twice a day. I have also found that the past few days I am having a much harder time saying no to carbs. I am so scared that I will fail this tool. Good luck to you, and let me know if you find anything that helps.

You are GORGEOUS (before and after)! I am so excited for you, I bet that was a great feeling. My goal is also a size 8, can't even wrap my head around being that small :-) By the way, love the shirt, I live in St. Louis!!!

Wow good for you! I am one month out now, and hope I am as successful as you have been. Would you please share what you have been eating, how much protein, calories, and carbs, etc? Thanks!

I mean no offense, but I think you may benefit from seeking couseling as well. To want this problem is no more healthy than wanting to be obese. Godd luck to you both.

Hey All-Stars! I lost 4 lbs this week, I am so excited! I weighed in this morning at 237.3, down from 241.3 last Saturday. I am down a total of 28.7 lbs (20.7 lbs since surgery Aug 24). And, I have lost 16 inches from my body in the month since surgery! I just got the all clear to start exercising after my sinus surgery 10 days ago, so hopefully that will rev things up a bit. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!

Hey friends! I weighed in at 241.3 this morning, only one pound down from last week. Looks like I am in the middle of the 3 week stall! I also had extensive sinus surgery this past Wed, which was exactly 3 weeks since my sleeve surgery, so I think I am still holding on to some fluids from that. Hopefully the scale will start moving soon! Have a great week All Stars!

I was denied, for the same reason. This was on a Friday. I called that afternoon, and they said they would pass it on to the supervisor, because all of the required info WAS there. I got a call that next Monday morning that it was approved! I did not have to go through a formal appeal process, just called and stood my ground that I KNEW it was all there. Sometimes I think they deny you at first, hoping you will move on, but if you are firm and push back, they will usually approve if all requirements have been met. Good luck!!!

Hey there All-Stars!!! Hope everyone is doing well! My highest weight was 266 at start of pre-op diet, and I weighed 258 on the morning of surgery (August 24). Today I weighed in at 242.3! That makes me down 23.7 lbs total, and 15.7 lbs since surgery date. I am feeling really well, no issues with eating or drinking; my only issue is I am still dealing with true physical hunger. I really hope it will start to go away once I am on solid foods!

I am taking a PPI, I am on Prilosec 20 mg once per day. Also, this is definitely true physical hunger, NOT head hunger. My stomach gets that empty feeling and starts growling.

I am 12 days out from surgery and feeling really good. My only concern is that I still feel true physical hunger. I know it can take awhile for the ghrelin to completely get out of your system, and I am still on full liquids so that makes a difference, but I am HUNGRY! Those of you whose hunger is now resolved, about how long after surgery did it take??? Thanks! ETA: I am taking a PPI, I take Prilosec 20 mg once a day.

I would love to keep connected as a group! I am fine with weekly or monthly check-ins, whichever you all decide. Hope everyone is feeling great!

I am a nurse and I too work 12 hour shifts (days and nights). I took 4 weeks off per my surgeons advice. I am only 11 days out now, feeling pretty good, but don't think I could go back to being on my feet for that long just yet.

Kami, we are the same! My diet of full liquids is exactly what you mentioned, except I don't like yogurt and I have a SF popsicle every day. And we have the same surgery date! How are you feeling? I also have an appt with my surgeon this Tues, but I only get to advance to pureed diet then, for 2 weeks, then soft/mushies for another 2 weeks, then regular. Can't wait. Right now, at 10 days out, I live on cream of wheat with skim milk, creamy tomato Soup, SF chocolate pudding, SF popsicles, and 2 Protein Shakes with skim milk per day. Hope this helps

I am 10 days post-op, and have been eating tomato soup at least once a day for a week. I use the organic Creamy Tomato from Trader Joes, it is soooo good. A few times I have mixed it with strained veggie soup to change the flavor up a bit, also very good. I eat no more than 1/3 cup at a time. I do not add any protein power to mine, I am getting over 60 grams of protein a day with my shakes. Hope this helps!

I AGREE!!!! A life without bacon or peanut butter (very ocassionally) sounds dreadful!

I LOVE Peanut Butter, and am looking forward to the day I can add it back into my diet. I am on full liquids for one more week, then can advance to purees. My question is, at what stage can I add a scoop of peanut butter to my Protein shake before blending it? Think I could do it now while on full liquids, since it gets all blended and mixed in with the Protein powder and milk??? I really appreciate any advice!

I know most of us have guidelines we follow regarding calorie, carb, and protein amounts, but what about fat? My surgeon recommends just watching calories and keeping protein over 60 gm/day. I was just curious if anyone watches their fat intake as well. Thanks!

I'll have to get some of these, thanks for the suggestion! Would you pleeease post the recipe for your zucchini relish? That sounds amazing! Thanks!