Getting There

Mine was Boca brand. Ate just over 1/2. I'll have to try Trader Joe's

Just tried a veggie burger. Won't be doing that again anytime soon. Very burpy and uncomfortable Luckily not naseous.

I'm almost 6 weeks post-op. I quit drinking 15 minutes before and then wait 15-30 minutes after, depending on what I've had to eat.

Small or large box of the Jello pudding?

Something to remember on maintenance is that the 1200 calories can be increased by the calories you burn during exercise. So if you burn 300 calories/day on average exercising, you can consume 1500 calories/day and maintain your weight. This is from a NUT I talked with.

Why not opt for a cautious surgeon who does the leak test? This is your LIFE we're talking about. Sure, I've had outpatient surgery before - on my shoulder. But when you're talking about a major surgery, removing part of an organ, I wouldn't settle for anything but a hospital/surgical environment with the option to stay 1 or 2 nights. And personally, having read about the severity of leaks, I wouldn't settle for a surgeon that didn't perform this important test post-surgery. Just don't understand why a surgeon wouldn't perform the test - or why a patient wouldn't insist on having one. But that's just my opinion. I tend to be overly cautious and very conservative with issues like this.

They are $16.99 for 30. A bit expensive. I tried the Bariatric Advantage chewables and couldn't stand them. Dry and chalky. Are the chews you get like a caramel texture or ??? I'd like to find something less expensive but want something that doesn't gag me:)

Discovered a great tasting Calcium at the Vitamin Shoppe. It's Healthy Indulgence. 500 mg calcium citrate/piece with 250 IU Vitamin D3. 35 calories each. They taste like a piece of chocolate that you'd willing eat. 60% cacao. This is my "dessert" after lunch and dinner

I stayed in the hospital for 1 night. Once I got home I only took Tylenol a couple of times. My left side was sore but not really too bad. I was off work for 10 days but could have gone back sooner if I had needed to (I wouldn't have been 100%). Was a little tired when I went back, but not unbearably so (I have a desk job). My surgeon's guidelines are Clear liquids only for the first week. I found a couple of good clear Protein drinks (Isopure Zero Carb and CytoSport whey Isolate - both in ready-to-drink bottles). These were great ways to get lots of protein and fluids at the same time. I basically sipped 2 bottles/day along with an additional 20 oz of Water. Good luck!

My program allows pureed meats the 3rd week after surgery. Each program is different of course, but a chicken patty would be way too much for me to handle yet (I'm 4 1/2 weeks post). It's TOUGH to pace myself and to limit what I try but I think that by following my surgeon's conservative guidelines, I'm setting myself up for future long-term success.

Mio is a small almost kind of rounded triangular shaped bottle of yummy stuff you add to Water, or whatever, to add flavor. You'll find it where the powdered drink mixes (like Crystal Light) are. I like it because unlike Crystal Light, it doesn't contain Aspertame, which I can't tolerate. Use it in plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, add to water or in shakes like the one above........

I'm in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

I've also found that using a ramekin for Soups, cottage cheese, etc. is a nice way to make the portions look bigger than using a regular bowl. I've learned that just over 1/2 of the ramekins I use is 4 oz so I don't have to measure everything when I use them. For taking things to work, Rubbermaid make 1/2 cup containers. They are PERFECT for single servings of 2-4 oz - again, don't have to measure.

Momofthings1-3 - I'm in my 2nd week of "mushy" foods and my carbs vary from 30ish/day to the highest which was a whopping 65 one day (who knew BBQ sauce had so many carbs?!?). Typically, I'm in the 25-40 range. I'm averaging about 480 calories/day - and no clue how I could get much more in than that at this point. Right now, I'm focusing on Protein and fluids. The rest will take care of itself I hope....... I haven't weighed since my 1st post-op which was on 9/18 (my scale at home isn't very accurate and I don't want to get bummed). From my 1st ever appointment to my first pre-op, I lost 18 pounds. No clue how much I've lost since. My next post-op is on 10/18. I KNOW I've lost more because of the way my face looks and the way some of my clothes fit - but still have a big, poofy tummy that is really bugging me - just not seeing it shrink like I think it should. Feeling a bit bummed that I'm not seeing the loss more than I am. I'm drinking 60 oz daily, getting at least 60 grams of protein and walking (though probably not enough - especially this week since I have a cold). Hopefully I'll start to see results in my tummy soon........

As I mentioned previously, the surgeon's have a reason they standardize on a particular protein powder. Yes, the Bari Essentials is more expensive than some of the other protein powders out there - I haven't done a comparison, but are the nutrients other than Protein similar? There IS a difference between protein powders that are intended as meal REPLACEMENTS (which is what we are doing pre-op for 1-3 weeks, depending) and those that are intended to SUPPLEMENT a diet that includes "real" food. With what Dr Kim makes, does anyone REALLY think that the few dollars he makes from a couple of tubs of protein powder per patient is such a driving force for him? I highly doubt it. (the price he changes is the exact same as what I can buy it for on-line - and I don't have to pay shipping). I think that he has had patients use the product with successful results and by standardizing on this product, he can be assured of the nutrients, calories, etc. that we are getting pre-surgery. Of all things to be concerned about pre-surgery, this was the last thing I even thought about questioning.

It WILL get better! The first 2-3 days are the hardest but it gets easier and easier each day. Make sure you're drinking as many Protein shakes as your surgeon allows and plenty of Water or other fluids. Good luck

I found an adult "looking" baby-sized spoon & fork at World Market. It does help me take smaller bites. Highly recommend them!

There are some clear protein drinks you can buy at places like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Come in ready-to-drink bottles. Look at Isopure (40 gr Protein/20 oz bottle) or CytoSport Whey Isolate (32 gr Protein/17 oz). I think they have a very strong taste (not unpleasant, just strong). I'll take a bottle of the protein drink and pout 1/2 into an empty bottle. Fill both bottles with a flavored water (SoBe, Propel, water w/ something like Crystal Light). Sip on these throughout the day.

I wish there were a tracking website JUST for WLS peeps. It seems that all of them I've looked at (livestrong.com, myfitnesspal.com and 2 others that I can't recall right now) have decent things to offer but it's difficult to use them with the small amounts we eat........ Hmmmm....... If only I were a computer genius!

Do you think you'll really be up for a 10 hour flight and related business obligations only 4 days after surgery? I wouldn't have been....... If you do fly, I'd make sure to get traveler's compression socks, walk a bit up and down the aisles at least every hour. Honestly, if it were me, there is no business worth risking blood clots for and that is your greatest risk sitting in a plane for 10 hours. Not to mention you are still VERY early in your recovery from a MAJOR surgery. Me? Wouldn't do it - but wish you the best if you do

That site redirects me to livestrong.com - is that what you're getting too?

Rubbermaid makes some 1/2 cup capacity containers. I LOVE them for packing my lunch! Easy to make sure I'm controlling my portions and I don't have to measure with a separate measuring cup.

I didn't have them either......

I haven't shared on FB either. The great thing about this group on FB is that it's private - nothing posts beyond the group's page.