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My PA, who has an exercise physiology background, says no weights until I'm 12 weeks out. I have about 5 more weeks. Can't wait to get back to the weight machines! I am allowed to do organized exercise class now (6 weeks) and the exercise bike, treadmill, etc.

Fiddleman, if you wanted to try an apple, maybe you could start with peeling half of one and microwaving it a bit to soften it and see how you do. I have heard of others doing that post-VSG.

What are your main Protein sources? about how many g of protein do you strive for/day? (I am a vegetarian, so that's why I'm asking). thank you!

My surgeon allows iceberg lettuce at 4 weeks and other salad veggies at 6 weeks. I haven't had trouble eating any raw veggies since 6 weeks as long as I eat them slowly and chew well. It's nice to have the crunch, the vitamins and the fiber boost! Although it's tough to get a lot in once you have your protein. I emailed my RD to ask if I can eat LC veggies in between meals as a snack.

My surgeon does a barium swallow leak test on everyone the day after your surgery. You can't drink anything until after you pass the test, so day 2 can be pretty miserable--but I'm so glad the he does it. I looked it up on PubMed and this process does help prevent unidentified leaks causing an issue later on. I think most surgeons also do the leak test during the surgery before they close you up.

Thanks for sharing, OTR. A couple of questions: * Is that good or bad? (do you miss having as much restriction). * Is this normal-normal or your new normal, if you know what I mean? I mean before VSG, you probably wouldn't have left the chips on the plate or might have gone for something less healthful, right? The after pic was great...would love to know what the before looked like--but I'm assuming like a regular sized restaurant salad? I ate my first little post-op salad yesterday--shredded lettuce with purple cabbage, topped with refried Beans. Very small 6-week-post-op portion, but it was very delicious and satisfying!

You had me at your subject line. :wub: I love peanut butter too! The PB2 or JustGreatStuff powdered, defatted peanut butter works great here. Regular PB is so high in fat so I feel better eating this. 45 calories for 2 TBSP. I usually put mine in a chocolate shake, but you could use it with vanilla or unflavored protein powder so you get more of a peanut butter taste.

there are some good ones on the "Vegetarians Unite" thread

Have a great trip, Pottergirl!

I'm 6 weeks out, exercising regularly, drinking all of my Water, 600-700 calories/day, 80+ grams/protein, and I'm down 16 pounds since the day of surgery (about 20 lbs for the 6-month weight loss program prior to surgery). I would love to be down 70 lbs by next week, but I don't think that it is going to happen! :-) Or even 56 pounds in 3 months. Both of you who posted about being concerned about your rate of weight loss are doing awesome--congratulations! I have always been a slow loser due to hypothyroidism, but it is funny how some posters feel like you are losing slowly when for others, the rate would be really fast! I guess it's all relative. We do all lose differently and we have to have a "good" that is good for us personally. I think it's the poem Desidirata that says: "Do not compare yourselves to others, for there will always be greater or lesser people [rates of weight loss], and you will become bitter or vain." LOL! But it's easier said than done.

Gamer, so very sorry that you are going through all of this. Have you seen a rheumatologist?

Awesome NSV, Fyre! Good luck on your interview!

When you think about, is there any altruistic reason to get VSG? I mean, we are doing it for ourselves, which by definition I guess is selfish. It's not like we can bring about world peace from getting sleeved. Not trying to make light of your question--I'm just not sure I understand it. But I think that it's a good goal to lose weight before you get pregnant! You may not even need infertility tx after you do. In fact, make sure you use a back-up BC until your doctor says it's safe to get pregnant so you don't get a surprise....

I had a cathether until the morning after surgery (my surgery was in the late afternoon). I still got up and walked and just carried the cathether bag (I think it was covered up somehow--don't even remember). I had a hard time urinating after they took the catheter out but the urge to go came back eventually. I was grateful for the cathether that first day when it hurt to get in and out of bed. I didn't mind getting in and out to walk but it would have been a bummer to do it to use the restroom too. Plus my legs were plugged in (for blood clot prevention)--so everytime I needed to get up I had to ask for help. I would page them and ask if someone could please unplug my legs and they would crack up.

One thing the PA told me to be careful about until at least a few months out is skin on something like a hot dog. I'm a vegetarian and she told me to even check for it on veggie dogs. Apparently it can get stuck in your staple line or cause other problems.

I agree...it's important to follow your surgeon's plan and not worry about the plans that other people have gotten or are following. The horror stories about leaks and complications helped me stay the course for those tough 2 weeks of full liquids. Also, beyond safety, you'll be glad later on for the losses you will see during those liquid weeks.

I know, right? They did have my pre-op weight in the system, and maybe a few pounds one way or another wouldn't make a huge difference, but I still was surprised I wasn't asked to step on a scale. When I had knee surgery, I was weighed by the pre-op nurse, and when I had a hysteroscopy they asked me my weight but didn't weigh me. All three were at different hospitals.

I went in asking for bypass, and my surgeon talked me into VSG. So glad that he did. Two reasons: -I am a vegetarian so already have to be careful about nutrient absorption, especailly B12--and RNY as a malabsorptive procedure would have made that even more difficult; 2. -I wanted to be able to take NSAIDs, and while my surgeon allows RNY patients to do so with a PPI after a waiting period, I wanted to be able to take them more liberally if needed, and VSG allows you to do that (I will always take a gastric-protective med though)

I didn't get weighed on the day of surgery--I did weigh myself and they asked me in pre-op what my weight was that day and I told them. You definitely want to be accurate there bc of anesthesia, etc. At my first post-op appt our numbers (of weight lost since surgery) didn't jibe, and I realized it was bc they were using my pre-op weight, which was 2 weeks before surgery. I had lost about 5 or 6 lbs between my pre-op appt and the surgery.

PotterGirl, congratulations on hitting 50 pounds lost!!! What a great accomplishment!

peach and raspberry--sounds tasty!

I found a really good SF maple syrup that is low in carbs and calories. It's called Carey's. I'm going to try that, along with some chipotle as you recommend, in my next batch of vegetarian chili, PotterGirl! Thanks for the great ideas.

I am almost 6 weeks out from my surgery. I had a birthday yesterday and had a wonderful time. I did not miss the birthday cake at all! On Friday, my mom had a dinner and she asked if there was anything special that I would like, like she always does. I sent her a recipe for a low-fat eggplant ricotta bake, and it was delicious! In fact, many family members who could have had much carbier/less healthful dishes also on the menu, opted to have my special dish as well. After dinner, we played a rousing game of Catchphrase--way better than fattening dessert! My mom also gave me an ice cream maker. I made my version of Eggface's chocolate Peanut Butter Protein "ice cream" today and it was sooo good. The ingredients were soy milk, chocolate Protein powder, white chocolate SF syrup, and powdered/defatted peanut butter (JustGreatStuff--an organic version of PB2). It was just as good, if not better, than traditional ice cream, and nutritionally, it was the same as a Protein shake (I ate 3.5 ounces as a meal and have another serving left over). I felt like I was eating a giant Reese's cup--but with 15 g of protein and about 125 calories. Today my husband got carryout Mexican food and I enjoyed some delicious refried Beans with fresh salsa, cheese and Greek yogurt (I am a vegetarian--they were lard-free). I have enough refried beans left over to get me thru several more meals. My husband usually works weekends but took yesterday and today off and we had a great time just spending time together. He bought me a huge bouquet of my favorite flowers, daffodils. Yesterday, we got a lot of shopping and a lot of walking in. Tomorrow I'm going to officially start back with my Water aerobics classes (I had to wait 6 weeks to restart any type of formal exercise class, though I have been walking). I truly did not miss anything this year--not even a fancy dinner out or birthday cake. I feel lucky to have had VSG and I really enjoyed my time with loved ones this weekend. Here's to new traditions and a new, healthier way of life! Note: here is a photo of the ice cream. It looks like a huge portion but it's 3.5 ounces in a teeny tiny dessert dish that I bought at an auction many years ago. I always wished I had a use for it and now I do!

The main reason you aren't supposed to drink after eating is because you won't feel full for as long--the Fluid washes the food thru your little stomach.

Laura, that was the before...you should see him now!