RSREED53

You are doing swell! As for the tummyache issue, it might be lactose intolerance doing it to you. Try mixing Almond Breeze milk into the Protein powder to see if that won't help; soymilk might also work but it has more calories in it than the Almond Breeze--I get both at costco for reasonable prices, and also my protein out there is good, too. I use Muscle Milk lite in vanilla flavor to make my shakes with. Sometimes, I will add half of a banana to flavor it with--tastes very good! You could also try frozen blueberries in the shake which also is a nice tradeoff from plain vanilla. I think as you get farther along postop, you will do much better! I am 5-6, and right now weigh 186. I started this journey as a revision surgery patient from RNY to sleeve in May of this year--a first for the doctor I had. Normally, they do band to sleeve revisions. My bypass failed 5 yrs ago and I had developed hypertension that I cannot be treated for with meds due to severe allergies to all of them! Weight loss is my only intervention--I feel better than I have in years! My goal is to maintain at 145-150. My weight at the onset of sleeve surgery was 223.5 pounds--at the time of bypass surgery in 2001, I was 264. I never wanna see those 200s EVER again!!! It is great hearing from you, Dawn! Wishing continued success and keep me posted on your progress! Ronda I agree about the carbs, I try to avoid them for the most part and concentrate on the Proteins also. I saw the doctor for my check up today and I've lost 10lbs since my surgery. The doctor was happy with that and said slow loss is better for me since I have less to lose. I can't do the protein shakes. For some reason they give me a stomache ache. The doctor said to get my protein from my food instead. He also said that I can cut down the total protein from 75 grams to at least 50 grams. I am short only 4'10' and he said I don't need 75 grams of protein so I can stop stressing about getting so much protein. That was a relief for me as I have been feeling really worried about not getting enough protein. I also think that since I am not going to be eating constantly to consume so much protein I will see a better weight loss on my next visit. It is all a learning experience, but one that I am so glad to be working on.

You should not have Water retention. That could be blood pressure probs. Glad DallasMom has had surgery and wishing continued success! Ronda

I would get my approval letter from the ins copied and sent to each of the parties needing payment. In the meantime, get a lawyer to go to bat because that sounds fishy--it is breach of contract to not pay for services once the ins co. OKs it. Good luck! Anthem BCBS pre approved me for surgery. I had my surgery in July and now they deny the surgeons bill, the hospital bill and the anesthesiolists bill. I call and they say we will send it back over in the mean time I am on the verge of going to collections. BUYER BEWARE. Insurance companies suck.

Sounds great! Cannot wait to make them--no muffin for me, either, but would try wheat toast or flatbread. Thanks for sharing! Ronda

I don't do a formal journal, but follow a sheet for postop care. I am 13 weeks out, so still having some difficulty with dry meats cooked, and if I get too much fluid or not wait a full 45 min to an hr before eating, I have problems with keeping food down. I do 2 protein. shakes a day and try to eat about 300 cal more along with the shakes . As I get better, I do plan to journal more, but right now, I have to concentrate on the proteins and keep fluids in my system. I did not have a lot to lose either, so dr said as long as I lose slow and steady I am good.. I am about halfway to goal now. 39.5 pounds down, with another 45 left to lose--working to get there! Carbs nail me every time, so I have to watch those with fervor. Otherwise, I am happy, and don't want to feel miserably full anymore!

I can do toast if I want, but my thing are the little round oyster crackers. I have to really take care not to overdo those. I get hungry for the crunch. If I take too many carbs, the weight starts going up. I really don't want to get into to many carbs ever again! I do eat a carb smart wrap once in a while. Lettuce leaves work better than iceburg slices. My thing is the food sits in the back of my throat and I get nauseated from gagging. I am 13 weeks out now, so imagine the sleeve is still healing. Right now, I can chew nuts, make egg omlettes sometimes, eat turkey franks, and just had a good experience with a little meatloaf that I warmed in the microwave. I make a lowcarb cheesecake sometimes for a special treat, but can do sf jello, and sf puddings pretty well. If I really want to eat some grain, I make organic oatmeal with flax seed in it. That tastes good with soymilk or Almond Breeze and stevia in it.

I am Ronda. 10 years ago I had RNY. I lost 85 pounds then, and kept the weight off for 3 years. In 2007, I had regained 60% of this loss, and my hypertension resurfaced along with the frustration and anguish that goes with obesity. I went to Dr. Simon who advised revision surgery, but it took 4 years of cutting red tape with insurance and provider care (Not Dr.Simon) before my surgery happened on May 31 at PV Hosp with Dr. Simon 13 weeks ago. To date, I am doing great--39.5 pounds gone, and still working to lose the remaining 45 pounds before maintaining goal weight. I currently study to become a bariatric counselor and hope to provide support to those embarking on WLS and others who have had it but need support--I want to give back by helping others like me!!

Just wanted to add my best wishes to those about to have surgery. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Ronda

You will be fine--great postop progress! Will be thinking great thoughts for your surgery. Ronda Thanks guys...surgery is so late because the dr had to double up as he is going to be out on tues! Oh well, what can i do about it? I think my husband and i are going to go to a mid day moviE to break up the time a bit! Just so anxious to get a view of the losers bench! (although i have lost 17 pounds since my appt with the dr on 8/4!)

You will be fine! I am excited for you! I am 2 months postop and 38 pounds gone! This works!

. Net carbs for me!

I am struggling with my BMs 3 mos postop. It is miserable, but the sleeve is good--38 pounds gone! Glad you are doing well after your surgery, Caye.

Stop drinking the sodo pop--carbination will damage your sleeve, Jamee.

I do best if I stick with high protein, Low carb and no refined sugars. I will take whole grains occasionally, but try to keep gluten free. I drink soy or unsweet almond milk--decaf tea and my vitamin waters. Exercise is important too--I have to wait till weather cools off. I am in AZ.

Congrats on the approval! The lost weight preop is to shrink your liver that makes surgery go easier. You can do it! Wishing the very best of luck! Ronda

Wishing the very best to sassy and Broadway!

Congratulations to all of you embarking on the surgery!! It is quite a ride, but so well worth it! I have lost 38 pounds now, and am almost 3 mos out. My surgery was May 31st. Feeling well. Looking forward to hearing of your progress. So happy for all of you! Ronda

I am surprised you got a scheduled surgery date. Usually they won't schedule it before getting the ins auth to do it. Call the scheduler at your dr's office and explain your situation--kindly ask what they can do to get the process going so you can arrange your work schedule for recouperation. Good Luck!

Moter, Get some Stevia for sweetener--my dr recommended it. I did not have much gas--just constipation. Dr said to take stool softener for it.

Activity helps the gas. My doc says spending abt 15 min walking every hr on the hr will help that process. Also, you might have some constipation issues from surgery, for which taking some stool softener would help--like Metamucil, or increase fiber. I don't use cow's milk at all, I drink unsweetened Almond milk or soy milk. If you take extra iron, that will bind you terribly. Best to drink your 64 ounces each day. I would definitely limit dairy and cheeses as those things constipate and cause gas, too. It gets better, I promise! Hang in there!

You need to eat balanced nutrition--supplements, no sugar/low carb meals. While exercise is important, I think you might be doing a bit much--I would focus on walking and doing simple stretches for at least 30 min. Make sure you dd take a stool softener and drink at least 64 oz fluids daily.My doc does not want me snacking for fear the weight will come back--HOWEVER, I have trouble eating semisolids and need to space my meals out during the day. I use recipes from here, and The World Accordingl to Eggface. Also found some cheesecake recipes that are bariatric friendly, and quite tasty when looking for a treat. I whiz fruits in my protein shakes--blueberry, strawberry mostly. If not there, then I use half of a ripe banana in my protein shake. The desert heat stops--Phoenix, AZ is very HOT!!--My doctor wants me exercising once the summer heat stops. It seems that you have thrown your body into nutrition shock, so I would just focus on my proteins for now, and increase your walking and do some stretching to tone up. Continue your caloric tracking. It sounds like your body is holding onto the fat due to starvation mode. I did not have as much to lose, and my start weight was about 140 pounds less than yours--we are all different,