Sadlers1999

I am 3 1/2 weeks out and although, I got to 10,000 steps today...admittedly, I don't see that happening every day at this point because I am not fast. Even if I was cleared for running, my running would be the speed of someone else's "walking." But, I still feel good that I am getting there...

I bought two brands of vanilla Protein powder to use post surgery. I don't like either. I make my own shakes using Greek yogurt as a base (since it is blessed with a lot of protein). I cup nonfat Greek yogurt, 1 cup skim milk and 2 tsp. chocolate or banana SF pudding mix. If you need it to be sweeter, add some Torani syrup (sugar free) usually used in coffee, but can be used in other things. You can't add too much pudding mix or the shake becomes really thick. As for quantity, I would drink half at a time. Also, I bought Mio peach mango stuff and I don't like it in Water, but I like it in Greek yogurt. Makes it taste more like peach yogurt without the chunks. My NUT said some people use SF Jello to flavor things. Haven't tried that, but keep an open mind.

Benjammin, I'm still too soon out from surgery to be "kicking up a notch" with workouts. Just in the walking/treadmill/elliptical phase. That being said, I think changing things up exercise-wise is always good for weight loss. Did you mention what part of our fair state you are from? Where did you have surgery?

Actually, even though the weight has still been challenging to get off, your story is motivating for me and others...73 lbs is something to be proud of...especially since you have had to work consistently to get results....hopefully I will be like you at the 5 month mark...

I am sad to see no replies yet. I have the same problem. I only lost 7 lbs the first two weeks and I don't trust my homescale, because it is difficult to read, but it clearly is different than my doctor's scale. I was never on a clear liquid diet post surgery, but my doctor still expected me to lose 15-20 based on his other patients' experiences. Yesterday, I did 3.5 miles on an elliptical machine (I'm 3 1/2 weeks out). I ate 500 calories and had 65 g of Protein. Drinking at least 6 cups of Water in between meals.

And, as others have pointed out, you don't miss your missing stomach. In fact, it stretches out again. Not back to original size, but enough that if you are not careful, you can gain weight again.

The way it was explained to me, the bypass is the gold standard still IF you have diabetes and/or if you need to lose more than 200 pounds. Yes. There are more absorption issues with this procedure, but it is recommended for a certain segment. The sleeve seems more widespread in use. People who have had lapbands get sleeve revisions. People who want bypass but are in a precarious place Healthwise may get the sleeve first and bypass second to help get the 100s of pounds off. And, then there are the majority of people who get sleeves who may be low BMI with a comorbidity or BMI of 40 or higher but ranging from 100-200 lbs in "overweightness." There is already another procedure in this country. I don't remember what it is called, but my doctor had a picture of it in his office. It's considered "experimental," which means at this point, no insurance will cover it. But, it looks like they fold your stomach in on itself somehow...making a smaller pouch without cutting anything out.

So, my husband bought me Chef Dave Recipes for Weight Loss Surgery Success: Startin your Journey Step-By-Step (by Chef Dave Fouts, who had WLS). It covers protein shakes, smoothies, smooth foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner and soft foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I appreciate that he includes serving sizes, protein, calorie and carb info with each recipe, since obviously this matters a lot in the early phases.

I don't think of the 50s/60s as being "senior." LOL To me, as long as your heart can withstand surgery, you are probably a good candidate. But, in the meantime, 50s/60s today is like 40s/50s in the past...middle age!

What is the difference between puree and soft? Is puree when you strain chunks out? I feel like there is a lot of overlap. Overlap between full liquids and puree and overlap between puree and soft. I was only given two stages of diet when I was discharged: full liquids/shakes/soups and soft/soups with more chunks/etc.

Pain wasn't bad, but everyone has different procedures. I didn't have a drain which I can tell from reading causes pain.

Couldn't you call the doctor and ask to start the prescription earlier since you are already seeing so much bile?

I am glad you were able to explain the bile in relation to gallstones. I haven't (yet) had that problem, so I would not know that was a symptom.

If you scroll back up, you will see that my weight loss is worse than yours by a long stretch. 15 lbs is supposed to be in the average range. The only thing that bothers me about what you wrote is "coughing up green stuff." Bile is in fact green, BUT why would it be okay for you to be coughing up bile? Do you take prilosec or anything like it (for acid)? The only time I have seen bile is the one time in my life that I was so drunk that I no longer had any contents in my stomach...except bile. It was neon green, but again, if you are eating right, why would you be seeing bile?

I didn't have staples that needed to be removed, so I can't say for certain, but it sounds like it would be a good idea to wait.

I try not to lift as much, but I have to sometimes. My two year old (30 lbs) knows I have an owie, but he still needs to be lifted on occasion. I would say, at minimum, have help for two weeks if you can find any.