Cabingirl

I'm headed to LV in several weeks (I've traveled to LV a number of times, but this is the first time sleeved). Like you I was a bit concerned. I found a number of restaurants just off the strip but very walkable that served the kinds of food we will eat and who appear to be very accommodating. You'll have a wonderful time.

Sorry, that wasn't clear - yes, perhaps a guest spot for recipes

If it would nut be intrusive it might be cool to have a "guest" place for goodies like the wheat berries dish

There are many, many posts on stalls -- esp early on. Consider a search as there is lots of good info.

You won't need a return to work authorization unless your workplace requires it (very typical if you are on short term disability).

Beautiful! (You got legs!!!) you are a good looking family - so glad you decided to sharr

...and since it is obvious that you are losing weight, there is certainly no harm in saying that your tummy has shrunk (as it indeed has!), and you just aren't able to eat all/or as much as you have in the past. Otherwise, you've got to make excuses for your weight loss, why not own it on your own terms with your mum. A nice thin Soup is a good call I love the "I don't like this..." for at least one course Perhaps you can order an entree that has lettuce leaves as decoration and you can stealthily slide some entree under the leaves I know you can manage a few sips of wine for the cause (I've had one small glass of white about a month ago - I didn't get all weird with it. I was never much of a drinker, so I didn't expect to go off the deep end) .

Experience, or the number of times the surgeon has performed the specific operation, is one of the key indicators for a successful patient outcome, along with the surgeon's board accreditations. A certified Bariatric Center of Excellence is another positive because of the standards/requirements to achieve certification.

I had the same reactions as you - my bariatric GI put me on zinc, and told me 90+% of the time. Give it 2-3 days and it will gradually lessen. It worked for me, and I was pitiful. I took it for about a month and I'm not taking/needing it now

My bariatric GI watches vit D3 levels carefully - not just for the impact on bones, but because it can definitely affect mood and cause depression. He feels that what is "low normal" for a none bariatric patient is too low for a VSG patient. Ask your doctor to include D3 in any upcoming blood tests and be sure you're getting the required amount orally. Thiamine is also important for us, and it requires replenishment daily.

I've lost a 6-year old + a 10 lb bag of sugar (I'm messin' with my ticker - updated weight is 61 lbs lost)

April, It sounds like you've got a good NUT and a good head on your shoulders- with some good advice on things to eat/drink depending on your mood. Getting this right now will definitely make it will make your new life so much easier and happier. I always struggled with regularly scheduled meals (along with portions and choices:), and I have to work hard every to be sure I get the good stuff in at the right. You've lost 10 lbs and that is awesome.

Anything below the 50's is bradycardia -- you should be seen by a physician, or at least speak with your surgeon.

There are bariatric surgeons who are able to successfully operate on patients weighing >400 lbs -- if you live in the U.S., I would strongly encourage you to limit your discussions to Bariatric Centers of Excellence who have the expertise, equipment, facilities and experience to successfully provide WLS. At my hospital, we regularly provide WLS to patients in our region in this weight range. Of course, the work up prior to surgery ensures the patient is physically and mentally able to tolerate surgery and have a positive outcome following.

I don't wish to minimize our obesity, but to say that what we are hearing isn't so much about our obesity. I think that many people don't know what to respond to when we tell them we are having WLS. They don't want to say "good move, you really need it!" I think that many of our friends who care about us do not define us by our obesity, and that is a good thing. It's no different than with race, or someone who has a disfiguring feature -- they see us as us, and not different from them in what we think of as a negative way.

I forgot my fave! Mango Salsa in the fridge section

On the savory side, I like finely diced green onions, celery and sometimes carrots -- also chopped fresh tomatoes with kosher salt and pepper (also good with a seasoned salt and/or pepper)

I like that most costco foods we will consider are already entered into My Fitness Pal In addition to those things listed: Rotisserie chicken and rotisserie chicken salad! Kirkland's canned chicken Single-portion guacamole (in fridge section nearest the cold storage area) Wild Garden - All Natural Hummus Dip Single Serving Pack (Net Carb) (63 cals, 3g carbs, 6g protein) Wholly Guacamole - Fiesta Style Guacamole (3 Pack single-serve) (50 cals, 2g carbs, 1g protein) -- I like a dollop of this on other things Cabot's 50% reduced fat cheddar single slices Horizon's single-portion, organic 1% chocolate milk (shelf stable, on drink aisle) Cedar Lane - Beans, Rice and cheese Style Burrito - Low Fat (frozen)

Don't hesitate to call your doc (my bariatric office includes a gastroenterologist who specializes in bariatric support) -- I had a very tough time with everything making me gag. He turned me on to Zinc, and promised me it would make a difference in just a couple of days. It definitely did. I'm 11 weeks out, and I still struggle with food and protein, but the awful reaction is gone.

I think early on we are greatly affected by our long-time eating habits. We ate large, and even with a few weeks on a strict diet and having 80% of our stomach removed! early on nasty old habits take us hostage pretty easily. I missed having your experience, but even though I've reduced the size of the servings I take, I rarely am able to eat 10% of what I put on my plate -- right now. I've switched to a salad plate and am trying to minimize my serving size. Right now I couldn't eat a lot if I tried, and i fortunately have a healthy eating family (I was the ringer) who support me, but I know that my many years of overeating could grab me in a heartbeat. It scares me crazy.

If you have Keurig-type brewing machine, we love Tully's French Roast and French Roast decaf (brewed on a smaller cup setting for real French Roast flavor).

I "like*" the Quest bars I've tried, and particularly the Protein count (>20 grams) and low carbs -- my NUT highly recommended them. I've tried the Apple Pie, chocolate Peanut Butter and the mixed berry. I've finally learned to keep one in my desk, backpack, etc. Like" is subjective for me - 11 weeks out, I haven't found anything I love consistently. So like works for me. Good luck - there are some great past messages with lists of protein ideas on this site.

Search this site for full liquids (can do the same for soft, or pureed, foods) - many members have either offered lists, recipes or resources from other Web sites that will answer your need for "savory."

You can puree almost anything with the right blender or food process! Do the Hormel products meet the nutritional requirements your NUT and/or surgeon have given you? If they meet the requirements, then go ahead. One caution (from my own experience), don't buy a boatload until you try it, and sadly, what tastes good pre-surgery may not be what you want post-surgery. By the way, do a search of this site for the pureed or soft foods, there are a number of contributions to the list of what foods fit in that category Good luck

If you feel well enough and are steady on your feet, and a shower hasn't been offered, request one. Typically the clinicians want to ensure that you're able to stand safely for the shower.