natalie_christin

I started this thread… I'm not quite sure where the food and nutrition forum is – I looked for it before starting this and couldn't find one. That's why it put it under the best applicable forum.. Rotisserie chicken is a good idea – I'm getting ready to make a turkey with the rotisserie – first time LOL I plan on eating some of it of course and then probably making turkey salad out of it and things like that. I'm not sure what the rules are when refreezing items like that… I was worried about it because I wanted to do the same thing. Do you ever have any issues with it?

I agree – these are great tips… How about we keep it going? The more tips/recipes/ideas that we all bring to the table, the more helpful it'll be to everyone.

Hello everyone, I know everyone's experience changes from time to time as far as their experience with their surgeon and dietitian, etc.… My name unfortunately hasn't been the best. My surgery was in September and I've honestly lost a good amount of weight but I do think it would be more if I was doing a lot better diet wise and exercising as well. I thought I would reach out there and maybe we can have a discussion as far as diet is concerned and what works for one another. I suffer with chronic pain and other disability issues, so convenience is extremely important to me. I am not really spoiling or eating the things that I'm not supposed to but there are many times where I'm not hungry. And also times where I know that I'm getting little to no Protein which is not good obviously... I recently received some samples of a product called

Blow my thoughts were to add that 18 package to the Oprah – I can't remember what it's called off the top my head but I've heard that it's good – unjury? So protien powder that apparently doesn't taste like anything… I thought I have yet to get oatmeal for me. I'm disabled and I just really to me for myself and my father.

I was told not to focus on calories or fat just on protein 80-90 grams and keeping the carbs low- under 30. I try hard to make sure my protein levels are up there… Maybe this is difficult for me because I've always been accustomed to eating lowfat items. I grown accustomed to making sure I need protein, which I never did before. But, I actually gaining weight but eating things like tuna, Turkey or chicken, salmon, eggs. I also love fruits and vegetables but by the time I get my protein, I don't have room for veggies and I was told that fruits not allowed because of the carb count. I've given the nutritionist multiple opportunities and each time I had to pay for them… I can't afford it and she's never really focused on doing her job and I feel like I get a half assed session… There are nutritionists San Antonio but they don't necessarily focus on a bariatric diet and secondly, I can't afford them. I'm just trying to figure out what the best thing to do is. Natalie

That was one of my ideas – I've heard of that

I was told by my doctor that if I wasn't hungry not to worry about eating – I needed to get my water inside to become dehydrated but even if I had to drink a protein shake all through the day that it was okay.… I'm having my own questions about my nutrition stuff but they told me just to take and what I could and if I wasn't hungry then not to eat anymore and that's what I did… But, I'm not an expert and this is just what I was told to do by my doctor and nutritionist.

I had my sleeve in September. I was told that I wasn't allowed hardly any carbs – just stay away from bread, Pasta , potatoes, oatmeal, fruits and I was only allowed little to no veggies… It has been hard because I never seem to really get a straight answer from the nutritionist at the doctors office. I am to have less than 30 carbs total. So, I try not to think about even thinking about any non-approved food. I'm okay on the bread pasta and potato front… I knew what I was signing up for but, no oatmeal for Breakfast is somewhat illogical to me because it's always something that is supposedly healthy for us. A Friend of mine who also is on this board says she wasn't given those kind restrictions at all and she eats it almost every morning? She was given a diet based on a caloric intake – mine was based off of Protein and carbs. I see other people talking about eating dehydrated fruit and vegetables and it sounds Great! I know every doctors different but there should be a semi universal diet for all that are sleeved right? I would appreciate hey Information/handbooks/whatever to help me figure out this dilemma. My weight-loss has stopped which I came to expect but I'm actually gaining weight now.... What's crazy today is I received the handout that promoted regular butter and cream and things of that nature… Full fat items that I would not read at all or hardly ever and it's the dietitian that I have is completely straight Adkins – or so she said. Even the Atkins bars which they sell in the store at the doctors office makes no sense because they have a lot of carbs as well… I would appreciate any help or guidance. I can't afford to see another dietitian I've already seen this one three times and didn't get really any questions answered or information from her. Thanks so much.

I wouldn't even hesitate to take her to the hospital, ins or not, if I thought in any way she needed it. Thank you for your concern. She is a little sore and her wrist hurts from falling on it but nothing is swollen and the police checked her out pretty good. Plus I practically strip searched her! I hope it didn't sound like I was insinuating that you wouldn't take her because of money… I was just trying to give you a heads up about insurance coverage that you may not know about. I'm glad that she is relatively okay but just in case…

Do you have a auto insurance? With your daughter getting hit by a car in the car getting taken off you might be able to file a claim under hit-and-run /UIM on your auto policy. Did you file a police report? Are used to be a claims adjuster and rules in California are a little different than Texas so… I just thought I would put my two cents. If I remember correctly, you wouldn't have a deductible because it's under uninsured motorist. I hope she's doing okay but if there's any question, it's better to call the insurance to get her checked out.

Sweetie it'll be okay – it'll work out… We've been there and done that. My husband is bipolar and the medication he needed was really expensive and pain medication that I needed was 1000 a month and we were both blessed to have a pharmaceutical company cover it. We called the manufacturer of his medication and we submitted our income information and they actually provide his bipolar medication for free. As far as ADD goes – those are a little more sketchy with doctors but, I know that Adderall is a lot cheaper and a generic. Like I said, look up the manufacturer of your medications and contact them and then if that doesn't work there's a national hotline… I'll look it up real quick.... Okay, I don't know if this is the same organization or not but, that is:http://www.pparx.org what I would suggest is to call 211 for your area – most states have 211 at least as far as I know and is the phone number to reach for help for programs. Could you possibly apply for Medicaid? I know cobra is way too expensive but these might help… You're welcome to send me a personal message if I can be of any more help.

I'm wanting to start to keep track of everything-food, exercise, weight, everything… There are two main applications that I'm aware of – one is called MyFitnessPal and the end there is live Strong… From what I could tell, both have pretty much The same features but, I thought I would see if anyone has tried either application and greater detail and had suggestions or thoughts on one over the other. Any information would be appreciated... The only thing that I'm finding about MyFitnessPal so far that I don't like is that I can't go backwards and enter and weights or measurements or anything like that so that's a bit perturbing. I know there are more apps out there too – I and trying to keep it budget friendly but I'm okay with a couple of dollars if it's worth it. I'd appreciate any buddies information or feedback. thanks a bunch, and blessings

I'm wanting to start to keep track of everything-food, exercise, weight, everything… There are two main applications that I'm aware of – one is called MyFitnessPal and the end there is live Strong… From what I could tell, both have pretty much The same features but, I thought I would see if anyone has tried either application and greater detail and had suggestions or thoughts on one over the other. Any information would be appreciated... The only thing that I'm finding about MyFitnessPal so far that I don't like is that I can't go backwards and enter and weights or measurements or anything like that so that's a bit perturbing. I know there are more apps out there too – I and trying to keep it budget friendly but I'm okay with a couple of dollars if it's worth it. I'd appreciate any buddies information or feedback. thanks a bunch, and blessings

Sounds interesting… Can you give us any more information about it? Is that what that app is called in particular?

Thank you both for your opinion… I just didn't like being told one thing by the dietitian and then being told something different next time. Thanks for the tips – I will look into that and see what I might be able to do. By the way, my surgery was in September 13 or September 17…

Well I know that nothing will specifically help and there's no immediate results but, I am still send Maya – 31, soon-to-be 32, and I'm sure I don't have the level of elasticity my skin that I used to have. I'm just trying to help my body along by using emotions and vitamin E oil to help my skin along a bit. There's no quick fixes but, there are alternative things it could possibly help boost the collagen and your skin. I was just hoping to get tape gone if someone else had a regimen that they did.

Then best way to get insurance to cover breast reductions are when it comes to back pain – there has to be other mitigating circumstances… My pants needs a breast reduction for her back and the insurance said it would cover it but the back pain/ damage it has to be documented...

I'm not in the position to be able to have plastic surgery but I wanted to see if anybody happen to have any tips or tricks when it comes to caring for your body after surgery. I want to try to get the best elasticity out of my skin – I'm not as young as I used to be but I'm not that old either. 31 going on 32. Like different lotions and things like that but I just thought I would put it out there and see if anybody had any suggestions. So far, I've noticed wrinkling when he comes to my skin – where I've lost weight… I just thought maybe we could share ideas and while it may not get us to where we want to be completely, it could be a resource for those of us that can't afford plastic surgery.

In my experience so far, my nutritionist keeps going back-and-forth and saying different things over and over again. She just keeps changing her story and there is no way I can afford to go see another dietitian at this point. I know that each doctor is different but I'm trying to just find a resource that is the rule of the thumb when it comes to postop diets / long term with the sleeve… I believe I'm doing pretty well on my own but I may not be enough. My weight loss stalled. It's hard for me to do constant Protein but I'm doing my best to get it in. I'm more of a veggie lover. So I thought that I would ask you guys is there any resources that you found helpful. Take care, Natalie

Thank you for your message. See I was told no fruits at all… I was told they had too many carbs in. I'm doing my best just to stay on protein and avoid the cards. You're right about the actions bars – it's crazy that the doctor even sells them. Unfortunately I can't afford to go see another dietitian. I have to pay out-of-pocket for them and it's with many times is spent with her, I'm completely tapped out. So I guess I better start doing some research...lol

I don't know about everybody else but I was prompted to download an app called BariatricPal and it's everything seems to be in the app format instead of having to go to the website

I don't know about everybody else but I was prompted to download an app called BariatricPal and it's everything seems to be in the app format instead of having to go to the website.

Diet is really messing me up – I'm doing my best to follow it but it is difficult at times. I don't always know what to eat. It's completely opposite of what I've always been talk to eat and then at the same time, I'm dealing with all this pain and all of the different medical issues that I have and it's not so easy to plan and cook and prepare for when I'm in pain. I have already been diagnosed with endometriosis, PC OS, spinal stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage, just to name a few and now I apparently have psoriatic arthritis as well. I'm just trying to work on the right now. My husband recently up and filed for divorce without warning and I'm kind of at a loss there as well. I'm just not sure what to do! My rheumatologist is wonderful – I love her to death… I finally reached the time postop where I can actually go back on my Re: minutes… he is already dating... I've been on prednisone, methotrexate, and Orencia. I'm also on various medications for pain. Now with the psoriatic arthritis, she's considering switching me to another drug… I'd really like to get a handle on the diet though. So much of what I've been shown doesn't make sense. The dietician says one thing and then another. People have suggested that I go see another dietitian but that's not something I can afford to do, So in the meantime I just feel stuck…

I had surgery on September 17… I made it through all of my post op levels and now I'm on regular food. While I have a problem switching the mindset from eating low-fat to not worry about fat and just carbs– Which just blows my mind… I'm still trying to be pragmatic and pay special attention to what I'm eating. I did take care of Protein first. But the problem is, I stopped losing weight and now I've even gained a couple of pounds. I don't know if this is just due to a back up intentionally – sorry not trying to be crude, I'm not sure how else to convey that… Or if it's because of my steroid shots and rheumatoid medicine… I really wish I had more help with my dietitian. I'm trying to do the right thing on both sides of the fence. I'm staying away from carbs and I'm sticking to chicken or fish.... I know this isn't going to be an easy battle but I wish I had more guidance when it comes to all of this. I'm sorry, I'm not intending to complain, I just felt like I'm out there flailing around ever since surgery. I already knew that I had severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as well as other chronic pain conditions and nerve damage on my spine and abdominal wall but just also found out I have psoriatic arthritis too. It just adds to the bunch LOL Blessings, Nat