Adri

Can anyone tell me--in regard to "normal-size-only" stores--what is the largest size they normally carry? I'm teetering on a size 18 right now, and I'm wondering when I'll be able to make the switch!

I like the Bariatric Advantage Vanilla too, and the banana flavor is good. But, I strongly suggest making them with at least half milk...if made only with water they taste too protein-ish. This powder comes out VERY thick and frothy if you whiz it in the blender. I just use a shaker.

I hope you are doing better. How about hot chamomile tea with a splash of milk and honey for a little more protein and a bit of calories. Chamomile is known to be soothing to the stomach.

hey mnbsleeve, i think you and i are at about the same stage in this (see ticker). The other day I bought a size 18 jeans... at a discount store...for $13! I have been as big as a 26 so this was awesome to me. I think by Christmas I will definitely be out of the plus sizes...I can't wait. Congrats to you all who have already said farewell to LB and the like!!

I had a real hard time around day 20. I hated the mushy food. Was having a hard time getting all the food and vitamins and shakes and water in. It's a lot to ask of us ! I think I was on the verge of dehydration, my stomache was real rumbly, getting diarrhea and fatigued. I decided to up my shakes in place of some of the food and drink drink drink water. I also cut out the dairy (lactose intolerance had set in). And lo and behold, I was better in a day and a half. So perhaps you can try some lactose free dairy and protein drinks and up your water and see if that helps. I'm sorry you're having a hard time...but you are not alone in this!

I'm only 5 weeks out but I've already been eating delicious food...grilled salmon and veggies at july 4th bbq. Also had grilled chicken and carne asada. I've had pad thai noodles with shrimp when i went to lunch with some girlfriends. My mom made some homemade chile colorado (tender beef in red chili sauce) and I'm happy it wasn't too spicy for my sleeve. For breakfast today I had scrambled egg, a turkey sausage and 1/2 a piece of toast with butter and apricot fruit spread. It was delicious! It will get much better believe me. All of these meals have been about a 1/2 cup in quantity. A part of me does miss being able to wolf down a ham and cheese omelet with a stack of pancakes...but not when I realize I'm not really hungry. My small meals fill me up, and I weigh less now than I have in over 20 years. Yesterday I went to a discount store and bought a size 18 jeans for $13...I couldn't believe they actually fit!!! Now that is a definite first for me (I've been as high as a size 26.) You will be giving up old habits but I think new great experiences will make up for it. At least that is the hope I have as I progress on this journey. I wish you the best gdc in making the right decision for yourself and your health.

hi jasleeve, no i only had a two week pre-op diet. First consultation to surgery was about 4 months. From what i see on these boards i think that's a record! My insurance is blueshield ppo in so.california, surgery at UC Irvine Med Center.

Hope this helps: -My pre-op diet was only two weeks long...thank goodness. and my insurance did cover the vsg. -This site has a complications forum that may help you with that question. -I'm having a hard time learning to eat slow...i was a wolfer and a gulper. now i take teeny bites and sip. make sure you follow the rule not to drink a half hour before and after meals. you will be overfull and your tummy and esophagus will ache. -obesity help is a site a lot of people go on, and there's all sorts of video blogs on you tube -my doctor gave be basic instructions for meal plan, i follow those -i was in the hospital two days. i didn't need any pain meds when i got home. this surgery is more discomforting than painful in my opinion...but the discomfort lasts a lot longer; something new comes up with each change in your diet. -i was on liquids for two weeks; pureed for two weeks; and now soft foods for 3-4 weeks, then amy "normal" diet starts in september. -my surgeon is very competent and experienced, but also has lousy bedside manner; but that is fine with me. everything he has told me has been spot on and i have had no complications...knock on wood and thanks be to God. I wish you the best on your journey...I think it will be worth it!

I was allowed green salads and broth-based soups. Make yourself a great big salad with broccoli and cauliflower and carrots to fill you up. I was allowed to use non-fat salad dressing, and I would add a little lemon juice to make the flavor stretch. I suggest you don't eat refined carbs, they'll only make you hungrier.

As soon as I went to bed at night--on nights 5 thru 7 after surgery--my stomach would cramp and gurgle so bad I couldn't get to sleep. I didn't feel anywhere near "normal" until day 11. My stomach calmed down after that. The incisions were still tender til about 3 weeks out and it took at least that long for the lump-feeling to subside when I swallowed. I'm having the lump in my throat again but that's because I just passed the mushy stage and my sleeve is being challenged by "soft" foods now. It all gets better a bit at a time, but I think the process is going to take longer than I thought.

Welcome to the site. I'm sure you'll find it very helpful. God be with you on this journey!

I have a lemon tree. So I've been drinking (splenda) lemonade since I started soft foods (week 5). I had no problem, but I must tell you I was already taking Prilosec prior to this. So far I feel just fine and it is really helping me get my water in.

I buy medium eggs, and just got to the point where I can eat a whole one. This gives you room to make a vege omelet or accompany it with cottage cheese.

During the pureed/mushy stage I was told a quarter cup. I ate scrambled egg almost every morning---I bought medium eggs--but still couldn't finish a whole one if I also wanted 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese to accompany it for variety. (My little chihuahua lucked out and got scrambled eggs everytime I couldn't finish mine.) By the time I was due to transition to soft foods my stomach could hold 1/3 cup and now I'm at 1/2 cup (weeks 5 and 6).

Mushies was the hardest stage for me. I was having a hard time on days 20 to 25. My stomach could only hold 2 oz so it was inevitable that I sip protein shake throughout the day. I couldn't fit in enough meat, dairy or legumes into my stomach...plus all the vitamins and the water. I actually started feeling real lethargic on Day 25...I think I was on the verge of dehydration. I forced the water and the shakes down and was much better a day later. Two days later I discovered I could fit about 1/3 cup in my sleeve and now I'm definitely at 1/2 a cup just like the guide my doctor gave me said I would be. So I think that's how people do it...the swelling in your stomach will go down. But, meat still sits a bit heavy in my stomach, so I get as much cottage cheese and yogurt as I can. I'm only 5 weeks into this so I still have a shake usually once a day. And I just bought some Tofu to try some new recipes. I think it might not be so heavy in my new tummy and it is high protein low fat. We'll see! My guide from my doctor says---long term--our sleeve could hold as much as a cup and a half, I think that's how the veterans get the job done!

I'm in pretty much the same boat. Lost 8 lb before surgery. By June 30 had lost 29 lbs. total. I gained a pound since then and this hasn't changed in a week. You are not alone.

I bought 2 jars and only ate 1/2 each. I threw the rest away. They are understandably extremely bland. I figured if I had to add so much to them to make them palatable I might as well just cook and puree my own food. I would advise just buy a jar or two and see how you like it.

You're doing great! Keep fighting the good fight!

I hope your mother comes to her senses and steps up to the plate when you need her. Maybe when she arrives and sees the state you're in she'll have a change of heart. I wish you the best!

Buy medium eggs. You won't be able to eat a large one if you add another item to your meal. (If I had a large egg, my little chihuahua Nico would get half of it for his breakfast. Lucky dog! Breakfast: scrambled egg; 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese lunch and/or Dinner: 4 tablespoons total of any of these or a combination of these: non-fat refried Beans, cheddar cheese, hummus, cottage cheese, deviled ham or chicken or egg salad. pureed squash; applesauce. And yes, Protein shakes, and yogurt for Snacks and as much Water as I could fit in. They say to stay away from spice but I would use herbs...like adding parsley to my scrambled eggs or hummus and dill to my egg salad. Making your food tasty at this stage is important. I put a little taco sauce on my chicken and beans and cheese too. Yummy! Buy a variety of foods, because honestly I think the mushy stage gets old fast.

Ditto what Meg and Rootman said. This is my first week on soft foods. It is much different than the pureed stage. I'm having a hard time eating slow. I'm getting way too full. My tummy and esophagus ache for at least 20 minutes; but at least I haven't thrown up. I'm trying to get the discipline to change my old habit of wolfing down my food. And you can't wash your food down with a drink of water now either! Ugh!

Do you have Mother's Market in San Diego? I found the Lactaid Cottage Cheese there! I'm back baby! I found blueberry soy yogurt, the sugar is a bit high but I'm gonna give it a try. I'll let ya'll know how it goes!

I got sleeved on June 6 and had lost 28 lbs by June 30 (including 2 week pre-op loss). On July 1 (4 weeks out) I got on the scale and had gained 2 lbs.....eek! The next day I lost 1 lb. I missed my July 4th goal by 1 lb. I decided to stay off the scale for a few days...it was becoming a rollercoaster. I am not gonna weigh myself til next weekend, in the meantime I will just try to follow all the rules as best I can. There's a very kind person on these boards that posted a link that explains all the chemistry behind a stall and that they are to be expected. I'm sure you'll find it here somewhere. It was very reassuring to find that this is absolutely a normal thing to happen. The only real advice was to watch those carbs and get your water in (H2O is the hardest for me).

I saw that on the Lactaid website, but haven't found a grocery store that carries their cottage cheese. Have you found a store that carries it? I am going to take a trip to Mother's today and maybe Whole Foods as well. This sleeve thing really changes all your habits...I can't wait to go new clothes shopping instead of health food shoppping!!!

No, I've never tried those "non-dairy dairy" items. Thanks for the info. I would always just eat a small amount of diary while taking lactase pills...but that just isn't working anymore. I'll add your recommendations to my shopping list!