MyGastricSleeveLife

It depends on which drink you're using. You should just be able to look at the nutritional information on the package to find out. I often mix mine with more Water than it says to though because I don't like mine really thick. If you're looking to buy a Protein drink, you should look for one that has at least 15 grams or more of protein per 8 ounce serving, and less than 15 grams of sugar per 8 ounce serving.

My guidelines say to start with chicken & fish and other lighter meats. My surgeon said that many people struggle with pork and steak until much later. I remember reading one person's story saying they still can't have brisket (a big thing in TX) even a year out. However, I've seen others that said they could handle meat (beef) after 4-6 months or so. It really depends on the person. Chicken & fish are easier for most people that I've read about so far.

I'm not sure about the carbs, but as far as the protein goes, you could always only do 1/2 a serving to spread it out more throughout the day. I currently have some of the Isopure clear liquids to help me meet my protein goals, but I only drink half of one instead of a whole one & get the rest of my protein elsewhere.

I've used them before for weight loss & I think they'd be great. I just haven't bought them now since it's more expensive than other protein drinks. However, I think Shakeology is great for all the vitamins & minerals & nutrients that are in it. I'd use it if I had it or had the money to spend on it. :-)

I'd look on Craigslist before spending a lot on one. I've seen some in our area for about $100 - $300 on Craigslist that are in good condition and not too old. Usually new ones are over $1000.

it is major surgery. It is normal to be nervous. If you are religious, I'd say a prayer. Prayer calmed me down because it helped remind me that I knew this was the right choice for me. If that doesn't apply to you, just try some deep breathing and writing down the reasons you're doing this and try to stay busy to keep your mind off of it.

Except at this point, your stomach would probably revolt with those two bites! When I was on my 2-week pre-op diet, my husband bought DiGiorno pizzas to make one night. I got upset and ended up going upstairs with my Protein shake and staying away from everyone so I didn't see it or smell it much! So far after surgery, I haven't wanted anything they've had. My husband drove me somewhere the other day and asked if I cared if he got food on the way home. He stopped at McDonald's & I wasn't even tempted at all. Today, he made a pot roast, which has been our Sunday meal for a long time because it's easy to cook in the crock pot while we're at church. We don't have it every Sunday, but usually at least twice a month. Today, the house smelled good when we got home from church, but I still wasn't even tempted by it. I'm sorry they brought the pizza home though! I know it can be rough! Hang in there! Hopefully, at some point through this journey, they'll understand and be more considerate in the future!

The part of the stomach that is removed is where the majority of the hormone ghrelin (sp??) "the hungry hormone" is produced. Therefore, most people do not feel real hunger after surgery (sometimes not immediately, but eventually). I know quite a few people who have had this surgery 6 months or more ago and say they have to remind themselves to eat in order to fuel their body, but they are not actually hungry as before surgery. I just had my surgery on Monday, 5/14, and am still on Clear liquids. I sip throughout the day to get all the fluids and Protein in that I am supposed to. I do not feel hungry. My family has food and I do not have any desire for it like I did before surgery. I believe part of this is due to the healing process at this point because I've read it takes some time for the hungry hormone to leave the body, but I'm really not sure. Many people still deal with "head hunger" which is the craving and hungry feeling that is not true hunger simply because many of us have had a food addiction before surgery and the surgery does not fix our heads, it fixes our portion control. Therefore, you still need therapy or other ways to deal with that underlying addiction in order to completely tackle the food addiction. That is different than true hunger though.

That's so awesome! Thanks for sharing! I just had surgery this past Monday. I couldn't be happier with my decision to have surgery! I'm glad things are going so well for you!!

I just left a comment on your blog. I feel the same way! I've tried so many programs and just plain old diet & exercise and have not had much success over the years. I'm so happy with my choice for surgery! I just had surgery this past Monday & feel great already!

Yes, lactose intolerance is a very common side effect of sleeve surgery. Some people can still tolerate cheese and other products but not milk. My surgeon suggested lactose free milk for after surgery. I'm still on clear liquids, so I haven't tried any yet though. Some people grow out of it, but some are lactose intolerant for life.

Why are you planning on going to Mexico for surgery if you're scared to go there? I know it's cheaper, but cheap can't buy peace of mind. I know plenty of people here have gone to Mexico and done fine. For me, it was important to feel good about my surgery and aftercare even if it meant paying more for surgery, which led me to the decision to have a local surgeon. In my opinion, you need to be comfortable with what you decide. If you are planning on going to Mexico, you should find some way to be okay and not scared with going there. Being scared will just add to your anxiety over having surgery in the first place. There are plenty of threads here about surgery in Mexico & maybe you can find some support system here to help you understand more what to expect for surgery and for aftercare. Good luck with your decision and upcoming surgery! :-)

My surgeon said that if I had severe reflux and/or heartburn, he wouldn't recommend the sleeve because it can make those things worse. I know every doctor is different though, so I don't know if the surgeon you're considering would feel the same way. I was just sleeved on Monday so I don't have much experience right now. I am taking Prilosec OTC twice a day now, but that is actually standard for every patient of my surgeon for at least 30 days after surgery to decrease acid to help heal. I'm not sure if I will have to use it after the first 30 days or not yet.

Congrats for making it! Mine is slow progression too. I'm on clear liquid for 2 weeks, then full liquids for weeks 3-6, then puréed/soft weeks 7-12, then regular food from week 13 onward. I've survived my first week of clears & lost 6.4 lbs so far & haven't had any head hunger so far. Congrats on progressing & doing well with what you tried! :-)

Awesome!! Congrats!!

Kathy, I'm actually an odd one - I like to use the scale as a tool to help me know how different foods influence my body. It's not that important now that I'm on only clear liquids, but in the past with other programs I've done I've used the scale as a learning tool to see how my body adjusts to different foods and even during my period and such. It helps me know my body more. I don't stress over the actual number. I just use it to help me. Every once in a while, in the past, I have let the number bug me & then I have waited a few days before getting back on. However, for the most part I like weighing daily. I'm just weird that way. :-)

On my plan, it says I can try grits, cream of wheat, and oatmeal after 4 weeks as long as it is REALLY runny at that point. I can try it thicker at 7 weeks. I guess it will depend on your plan and progression. Also, if you don't tolerate it one time, wait a few weeks and try again.

I don't have a drain, so that might be a big difference, but I've been in my bed since I got home late Tuesday night. We have a Tempurpedic bed, which I love. The first couple nights were hard to stay comfortable since it was harder to get in and out of a flat bed than the hospital bed. My stomach muscles were sore, but I managed. I'm a side sleeper & the hardest thing was rolling from side to side & getting out to go pee. If we had a recliner, I probably would've tried that, but we don't have one and our couches are not meant for sleeping on well, so I just figured out a way to be okay in the bed. Sorry you're having a rough time. Maybe it'll help once you drain is removed.

My doctor says it's normally 4-6 weeks, but he clears each person individually. Check with your surgeon.

If you're walking that much, you might have to actually increase your calories by 100 - 200 calories. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about it. Sometimes they don't want you to increase calories, but sometimes they do depending on activity level because your body could just be holding onto whatever you have. One lady on my surgeon's support group said she was having a hard time and the surgeon told her to go up a little for a day & then back down, like do one day at 800 & one day at 900 and back and forth like that & it worked for her. You might need to play with calories a little to find the right mix for you.

Maybe add some cinnamon to it? Or maybe mix in a packet of Crystal Light? Not sure what els could give it flavor. Sorry.

wow! So sorry you're having such a rough time! I hope they figure out what is wrong quickly and are able to fix it! Prayers coming your way!!

I just had to share - I'm down 6.4 lbs! I weigh daily, but do my "official" weight each Sunday. I weighed last Sunday & was 267.0. That was the day before my surgery. Today I am 260.6!!!! I'm down 6.4 lbs in 7 days! This also brings me down 19 lbs in 3 weeks because I lost 12.6 lbs during my 2-week pre-op diet! My husband just asked me "So, do you feel almost 20 lbs lighter?" All I can say is that I am SO happy with my decision to have this surgery done!!! I will post new pictures & measurements later this morning on my blog!

My doctor doesn't have us start vitamins & most supplements until two weeks out, maybe that's why he does want me to get protein in now. I don't know. He had me start B12 & iron now because my levels were really low for both, but his general rule is to not do supplements until 2 weeks out unless they're liquid. I did buy a liquid multivitamin at Walgreens to take until I can start my bariatric chewables. I've also had some Airborne to help boost my immune system for healing.

If you can't do much at once, try just 5-10 minutes at a time. If you go to a store, park farther from the door. A pool is a great idea too since you can normally do more without hurting. Just ease into exercise.