Getting There

Funkee - you're going to do JUST FINE! Yep, the first 2-3 days of liquids is tough,but after that it's not so bad. I actually had a tough time getting in 4 shakes/day most days. Load up on some Torani sugar-free syrups and add them to the shakes - it helps a lot!!! Good luck and let me know how it goes! P.S. Are you a member of the Dr Kim Weight Loss Surgery Support Group on FaceBook? if not, I'd encourage you to join. Search Dr Kim Weight Loss Surgery Support Group and ask to join. It's a private group so 1) they have to give you permission to join and 2) the posts ONLY appear on the groups page, not on your regular FB page so it keeps it private.

You were all a bit before me - my surgery was 9/10. I haven't weighed in several days but know I've lost at least 25 pounds. I can tell in some places my gut seems to be very resistant to shrinking I'd sure like to see some progress there - SOON! Congrats on everyone's success!

Oops - typo above. 25% would be 250 mg, not 25.

I just learned something that may be helpful to others. Vitamins on food labels are listed as a % of Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie/day diet. For calcium, the FDA's recommended Daily Value is 1,000 mg. To determine how many mg are in a serving, simply replace the % with a 0. So 25% of DV would be 25 mg. You can find the Recommended DV on the FDA's website if you want to convert other nutrients. I found that I'm consuming more calcium than I would have expected so I can cut back on calcium supplements

Many surgeons have their patients buy specific Protein powders for the liquid diet. They do so because they know the formula and the results their patients achieve with that product. Standardizing om a product seems to make sense to me. Dr. Kim didn't charge more for the Protein powder than what I would have paid to purchase it on-line.

I had my sleeve done by Dr. Kim on 9/10. I had consultations with 3 other surgeons before deciding on Dr. Kim. He has more experience than anyone else I could find - and his staff is fantastic! I also had a hernia repair done at the same time. Because I was self-pay, I didn't have to jump through many of the pre-surgery hoops. So didn't have EDG pre-surgery. But I understand most overweight adults have hernias...... Dr. Kim's personality is VERY reserved. You'll find that you won't really interact with him much; you'll mostly deal with his staff. Everytime I have called to ask yet another question, whoever I speak with is patient and takes all the time I need to discuss whatever. I chose Dr. Kim based on his skills - not because I expected to become best buddies. I am VERY pleased with my choice and I'm SO happy I did this.

Something to check - I looked at a few chewable calcium citrate options and they don't list calories (could mean the calories are so high, they don't want to list it???). Then I found some that do list calories and they were all 35 calories per 500 mg/tablet. If I take 3/day that's 105 calories! I decided to take OTR Sleever's advice and tracked my calcium intake from the foods I'm eating and found that I get about 700 or more mg of calcium/day from food. Yogurt and the protein drinks I use (CytoSport RTD Whey Isolate) are both high in calcium. So I'm only going to take 1 calcium supplement/day as long as I'm getting the calcium from natural (and better) sources.

I know many people use My Fitness Pal to track food and exercise. Wondering if there are other sites that you like? I haven't used any of them yet.

I just looked at several of the recipes and overall they look like good guidelines to me. Depending on where you are post-op, you may want to watch the amount of fruit some of the recipes call for. Maybe in some cases you could cut back on the fruit and use a Torani (or similar brand) sugar-free syrup. I have 6 flavors of those now and use them in shakes and add to my 1/2 cup of coffee with 1/2 cup fat free milk that I "treat" myself to every other day or so. Yummy!

Interesting! What is the app?

Perhaps a good massage therapist? My dad is an MD and I hate to admit it, but I have a definite reluctance to see a chiropractor from stories he's told

I've read that the bullets often have an unusable form of Protein so you many want to investigate that. I like the Isopure Zero Carb but it's a bit pricey. I've found a couple of others at the Vitamin Shoppe that I like - Protein Blitz and Cytosport Whey Isolate Protein RTD. You might try those too. Good luck!

I'm also 4 weeks out. I typically eat 3 "meals" per day and 1-2 snacks. I'm getting enough protein and fluids but haven't made it over 500 calories (usually closer to 400) since surgery. I know I should be in the 500-800 calorie range but have trouble getting there.....

I'm 4 weeks post-op. Pre-surgery I never had backaches, however, since surgery my back hurts daily. The pain is between my shoulder blades (lower part) down to the lower center of my back. Has anyone else experienced this? The PA at my surgeon's office suggested I see my primary care doc and get a prescription for muscle relaxants. Not crazy about this answer....... Tylenol doesn't really put a dent in the pain. Ideas?

I had one before and 2 after. Slight bruising. No big deal. Rather have the bruising than risk the blood clots

Way to go! Best advice - WALK WALK WALK. And then walk some more. It helps so much with the gas pains - which helps with the left side pains, etc. I know you'll do great!

WOW! You look fantastic. What a fantastic accomplishment!!!!! I know your husband must be so proud of you - and you should be very proud of yourself. You're an inspiration to those of us who are just getting started. WAY TO GO!!!

Wow, this is by far one of the more interesting threads I've read on this site. There are parts of many posts that I both agree and disagree with. One thing that I think has to be remembered is that each surgeon develops their own plan based on their experiences with patients and perhaps those of their peers - with whom they agree. Much like classes in elementary school, the curriculum has to be developed to address the most common group of students. Just as teachers can't be expected to develop a curriculum for each student, no surgeon can be expected to develop a plan individualized for each and every patient. The surgeon must take into account the typical, average patient. Seeking to maximize the results for that group of patients. There will always be those above, and those below, the curve. There is an issue of liability here as well. If a surgeon has a plan that pretty much allows for a "free-for-all" post-op diet, then if/when something happens to Patient X, who reacts poorly to eating a meatball or whatever, the surgeon has a certain culpability. Designing a post-op plan that is conservative and gradually introduces new food and new textures is the proper thing to do. That is proven to work best for the majority of patients. Yes, some will do OK with more aggressively adding foods and textures; others will take longer to adapt to that. Speaking only for myself, I find the post-op plan (I refuse to call it a diet!) from my surgeon to be one of the more conservative out there. And for that I am grateful. I want to be successful and to give this new tool I've been given every chance at succeeding. If that means I go for another week or two or more without giving in to a craving or temptation, so be it. I have the rest of my life to have a few bites of pizza or to eat a turkey burger or nosh on a bit of birthday cake. For now, I want to concentrate on learning new habits that I can incorporate into a life-long lifestyle change. A lifestyle that will eventually include a margarita now and again, eating out with friends, etc. A lifestyle that will include a permanent weight loss, something I've not achieved previously. I wish everyone luck on their individual journey. Discovering what works, and what doesn't, for each of us is part of the journey we are on. We just have to respect that each person's journey is down a slightly different path. Sorry for the lengthy post - you can tell that like others I feel very passionate about this whole new experience

Toyaboo, I hope that each day finds you feeling better and better. I agree with those that think an attorney should be consulted. But more importantly, PLEASE seek out additional medical opinions. Blood clots are not something to ignore - nor are your other issues. There is usually a patient advocate at the hospital who can assist you with finding the proper doctors to evaluate your various issues. Don't wait!!!!! These things can be serious and it doesn't appear that your surgeon has a care in the world about what is going on. Please keep us posted on your recovery. Thoughts are with you

I agree with contacting the doc. With any severe reaction like this you're better safe than sorry. Hope everything turns out to be OK

I LOVE the PB2 too! Mix with some banana or vanilla yogurt. Yum Yummy!

That's awesome! I started at 265 but I'm only 3 weeks post so have a long way to go. When was your surgery?

Has anyone found a Greek yogurt that is both fat free & sugar free? Seems like the ones I've found are fat free but pretty high in carbs.

Try taking equal amounts of cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and cream cheese (all low fat of couse) and a "dallop" of low fat sour cream or lemon flavored yogurt. Add some sweetner of your choice (I like Nectresse - it's natural and has the consistency and flavor of sugar). Add a few drops of lemon juice and a bit of lemon zest. Blend until smooth. Eat "as is" during puree and soft/mushy stages; spread on graham crackers later. UMMM Good!

thanks for your suggestions! I'm going to try the one on Ray White & N Tarrant. I'm just not sure I'm ready for this body to walk into a 24-Hour Fitness I'm only 3 weeks post so can't do much more than walk right now anyway, but thought I'd start looking for a place now. Would like to perhaps start with some LIGHT weights now for my "bat arms" LOL