butterbean

Happy Birthday and congrats! Many more birthday and POUNDS in your healthy future!

I hope your doctor appt goes well! Just checking up on ya!

My NUT ok'd soft scrambled egg at 2 weeks post op. I use liquid egg whites you get in a carton because I am not good at separating. I hate it when raw egg touches my fingers! Anyway, 3 tbsp of liquid egg whites is 5 G of Protein. I use I can't believe it's not butter spray on the pan and pour 9 tbsp in the pain and cook them until they are soft scrambled. I know it may be considered a "slider" food, but it's healthy and I think I don't digest things well in the morning so I need the extra "softness" of the eggs being soft scrambled, almost drippy. I chew to applesauce consistency and take my time. Breakfast takes me the longest of any meal, no matter if it's eggs or yogurt, or even a Protein Drink. My sleeve just doesn't like waking up!

butterbean, what do you eat? How do you get such high Protein and low calories?

I eat 9 tbp of egg whites for Breakfast. They are soft scrambled and the hardest to get down, but I usually read/play on my Kindle while I eat to drag out the time.

1 4 oz tilipia for lunch

dinner changes nightly as I really cook for my family. I get most my calories from dinner. If I am way low on calories I'll have a Protein Drink as a "snack" and to help me get my liquid. If they are having something I don't want (I am not a red meat fan, never have been) I'll george foreman a chicken tenderloin, or eat tuna fish, or chicken salad.

I am trying to let go of the Protein drinks but I have them if I need them.

Week 6...400 min cal, 600 max. I tend to like foods that are low cal, but I've met me Protein req every day.

backhanded compliments suck. Just remember that jealousy is what fuels them.

I'm 6 weeks out and I eat 9 tbsp of soft scrambled egg whites, 4 oz of tilapia, 3 oz of chicken. I haven't really had any red meat yet. I eat half a can of tuna (with a little mayo and pickle relish), 2 light cheese sticks, 1 chobani champ (for kids), etc. I would say I can handle 4 oz of most things, but the tilapia seems be the lightest. I eat a little creamed spinach with that. I do not ever get hungry. I have to make myself eat so I get my Protein in.

If you can pinpoint why you aren't going it might help you. This is way tmi, but I had developed hemorrhoids and a fissure and the physical pain and bleeding that came with pooping made me constipated. I was getting enough food IN to make a bowel movement, but I needed my stools to be softer and waterier, so the Miralax was the perfect soluction. It was overnight and gentle, an osmotic laxative that was just want I needed.

If you need to "bulk up" your stool you will need something different, or if you if just need an extra "push" then something else might work better. I have done my research on this topic because I was so desperate. I had another thread about laxatives that might help. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/44216-are-all-laxatives-created-equal/page__hl__laxatives__fromsearch__1

I was cleared at 4 weeks for pools, 6 weeks for lakes, by my surgeon.

This has been my biggest hurdle. My answer is Miralax, every night. Mix it in crystal lite or Water and it helps so much!

I went to my 6 week check up today and asked my surgeon (who I greatly respect and admire) what would be a realistic goal for me. My highest weight was this April at 306, but for the last few years I've yoyo'd between 275-295. You can see all my numbers in my signature, and I am 5 ft. 6 in. He said he would call the surgery at success if I maintained at 210, and would be very happy if I maintained at 190. This really disappointed me. I do not want to weigh 2anything. My goal is 150-180 max. Am I setting an unrealistic goal. I'm 37 and have no problems that would restrict exercise. I am very determined and committed.

I just ordered this too. I am about 6 weeks out now with no Hair loss, but I want to be proactive. Was wondering if anyone has used it?

Weird. My NUT said to stay in the window of 60-80 grams a day from the get go and for life.

You only get to heal once, do it right. You can puree tuna fish to make it an applesauce consistency if you can't tolerate shakes. Feel better soon!

I did BLIS, but extended it to 6 months coverage. Thankfully, I have not needed it yet!

I feel you. My hubby promised not to tell his family too, but he did tell his brother. I don't mind his brother knowing, but i do not want him to tell his wife :/ My husband said he just was overwelmed and scared for me, and needed to talk to his brother about it. He felt like he had no one to talk to except me, but didn't want to come to me with all his anxiety and worries. I try to understand, but he should have explained before hand and ASKED me. His brother is his best friend and a RN, I just hope he doesn't feel the need to tell his loud mouth wife. hrmph.

i carry my weight all over, like a watermelon (vs. apple or pear), so it was a good 30, maybe 40 lbs before i needed to go down enough to get a few new things. But, when I lost, I lost it from my wrists, arms, chest, back, tummy, legs, ankles, face, neck, etc.

Am I the only one that drinks Prune juice when it's needed?

Man that stuff works! Prune juice-prune juice out! Easy as that! I also make sure and drink my Water.

Good luck!

How quick does it work? Does it cause any cramping? I really hate to ask this and you don't have to answer, but does it make your stool soft and thin or does it "bulk it up"?

Thank you all for your replies. I did some research and found this out: (I added my own thoughts in blue)

The most common type of laxative is the bulk producing laxative (Fiber Choice, Benefiber, Citrucel, and Metamucil) and it is also the most natural and gentle one. Bulk producing laxative is a slow acting laxative that causes the stool to expand (UMMM NO THANK YOU)and retain more Water. This makes the intestines contract and induce a bowel movement. Some bulk forming laxatives are Guar gum, psyllium and methyl cellulose. Some side effects of these laxatives are bloating, stomach cramps, breathing difficulty and stomach ache. Bulk producing laxatives should always be taken with plenty of Water and fluids should be drunk throughout the day.

Some types of laxatives like stimulant laxative (castor oil, ducolax, Exlax and Fleet) contains an irritant that stimulates or irritates the lining of the bowel that causes contractions. Some stimulant laxative preparations are cascara, buckthorn, senna extract, aloe vera, microlax and dulcolax. These are very fast acting laxatives but they cause side effects like severe dehydration, diarrhea, stomach cramps and possible allergic reactions. Overuse of stimulant laxatives may also lead to a phenomenon known as lazy bowel movement, that makes a person unable to have bowel movement without the use of laxatives.

Osmotic laxative and(Miralax and Milk of Magnesia) saline laxatives (Colace) are prescribed by medical practitioners and chemists. These laxatives absorb water into the small intestine, creating bulk and pressure which stimulates contractions. They turn the stool present in the large intestine into diarrhea, which makes it easier for the stool to pass. The biggest risk of using osmotic laxatives is that it can cause severe dehydration and depletion of essential electrolytes which disrupts the body's pH balance. It can also cause bloating, gas build up as well as cramping. Examples of osmotic and saline laxatives include milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), sorbitol and lactulose.

Stool softeners and lubricants are a type of laxative, that allow fluids to combine with stool, making it easier for the stool to be expelled from the system. The lubricants works by coating the stools and the bowel walls with a water resistant film. Stool softeners and lubricants should only be used with a high amount of water and Fluid intake. They are usually recommended for people who suffer from occasional incidents of Constipation and for people who suffer from pain while passing firm stool. Stool softener side effects include severe dehydration and diarrhea.

from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-laxatives.html

Thank you Karen. Do you have a time frame in mind for doing that?

I'm still having trouble off and on in *that area* and really do not understand laxatives and how the work differently from each other. Can anyone explain the similarities and differences in Miralax powder, a stool softener pill, a laxative suppository, a laxative pill, and milk of magnesia.

The boxes say to not use them for more than a week, but if my surgeon told me to keep using them (he specifically said Miralax), what's the risk?

I wondered about this today...I know we can't

have doughy bread...but flour tortilla's?

flour tortillas are on my NUT's very short "never again" list. They tend to make small dough balls that don't digest well.

I guess it's all the years as a teacher, but I am the world's fastest eater. Thankfully I premeasure what I'm eating or I'm sure it would be coming right back up. My NUT told me to put my utensil down between every bite, but I was wondering if anyone else had any tricks that help you eat slowly?

I am one month out today and down from 295 to 260 including the week of pre-op diet. I am very happy with the progress. Im glad its slowing down a tad bit. I feel in control of my body. I feel victorious over food. Food is no longer a friend, a drug, it is just fuel and I freaking LOVE that. I healed up perfectly. The only hurdle was Constipation, nothing long lasting or serious. My pre- pregnancy " skinny" clothes from 2004 (size 18) are now baggy. Exercising is not fun yet, but its no longer torture. I am loving my sleeve and loving finding myself again!

Tiff1977--- My surgery is July 17th & I have an 18 month old and a 5 year old. What were the guidelines you were given as far as lifting your child? I'm kind of nervous on how we work the logistics of that one.

Mine were no lifting anything as heavy as a gallon of milk until I met with him 3 weeks post op.