FitnFabfor2014

Hi, below are a few ideas to spice up your Protein shakes if your diet allows. I can no longer drink the shakes straight up so I had to research other options. Hope you feel better soon. Post-Bariatric Diet: SOOTHING smoothies During your first four weeks following surgery, you will need to adhere to a diet beginning with liquids only and progressing to soft pureed foods. Higher than average protein intakes are necessary in the bariatric patient. Using whey Protein powder in smoothies, hot cereals and Soups will help to ensure your protein intake is adequate. The following are some ideas to give your meals variety. The equipment you will need is a blender, magic bullet, or food processor. GENERAL GUIDELINES: Add at least one item from each category to create your smoothie. To the protein powder, add a fruit, protein base, spice, sweetener and Fiber. Process the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Realize these recipes will yield about 10 ounces per serving. Slowly sip the amount you can ingest, usually about 4 ounces at a time. Cover and refrigerate the unused smoothie, stir and enjoy the remainder within 24 hours. THE INGREDIENTS: WHEY PROTIEN POWDER: Add one serving of your protein powder. THE FRUIT: You can blend any fruit into the smoothie, fresh, sugar free frozen, or canned fruit packed in its own juice. Use about ½ cup. Frozen fruit makes a thick smooth drink. When using fresh or canned fruit, add a few ice cubes. THE PROTEIN BASE: To this add 8 ounces of skim milk or soy milk (Soy slender or Continent 8). To boost the protein, add one of the following: 1/3 cup skim milk powder, 6 ounces of sugar free / fat free yogurt, ½ cup of cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, 1/3 cup of silken tofu, or two tablespoons of smooth nut butter. THE SPICE: You can add just about any spice that your taste buds want. Some ideas include cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cardamom, fennel, parsley. Start with 1/8 teaspoon and add more to intensify the flavor. THE SWEET: If you need to, add Splenda or Nutrasweet. THE FIBER: Since constipation is problematic adding a fiber supplement is recommended. One to two servings of Benefiber or Flaxseed meal can be put into your shake twice per day. The combinations are endless, so get creative and be sure to try the combinations you like. The following are some of our favorites: In a blender, add the ingredients and process until smooth. Remember to add the Benefiber. Sip slowly, take your time and enjoy. JUST PEACHY One scoop of protein powder, ½ cup frozen peaches, 6 oz of vanilla yogurt, 8 ounces of vanilla soy milk, 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon VERY berry One scoop of protein powder, ½ cup frozen berry blend, ¼ cup cottage cheese, 8 ounces of milk, 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg HAWAIIAN DREAM One scoop of protein powder, ½ cup crushed pineapple, 1/3 cup tofu, one cup of milk, 1/8 teaspoon of ginger, add a few ice cubes. CREAMY pumpkin One scoop of protein powder, ¼ cup canned pumpkin puree, one cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar free maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a few ice cubes. ORANGE CARROT BLEND One scoop of protein powder, one half of an orange, one small jar of baby carrots, 6 ounces of vanilla yogurt, 6 ounces of milk, ½ teaspoon of vanilla and a few ice cubes. Peanut Butter banana One scoop of protein powder, one cup of chocolate soy milk, ½ banana, two tablespoons of peanut butter and a few ice cubes. Adding your protein powder to creamy soups and hot cereals is just as easy. Puree soups and add whey protein, then gently heat. Stir protein powder into hot cereals.

Hi, just wondering if anyone has received their products yet? If so, did you have any issues?

The drain filled up during the night. Intense pain. 2 percocet and I was still in PAIN. Roughed it out until the doctors office opened, and they took it out. Pain all gone, 80% of the pain was from having the drain in. I felt so much better when it was taken out. I can not wait until next week pureed foods. Even though pureed foods will be disgusting I can't wait for tuna!

i am right with you on that rant! I can't tolerate the Protein shakes either. Barely getting in my Water. I can't add anything to my water cuz it irritates my stomach! I went to my Dr. appointment yesterday to have my drain removed (thank goodness) and the nurse could see the stress in my eyes (and my white lips). She told me I had to get my water in even if it HURT or I was going to end up in the hospital. They prescribed me some meds and I'm hoping it will help. Yesterday I had my first round of Soup (won ton broth) omg it was delicious. It's the only thing I have been able to tolerate. I'm there with you! I stopped by work today for a bit and the 1.5 hours I was there I was exhausted! I know it will eventually get better, but that sure doesn't help the here and now! I hope you feel better soon! P.S. ​My doctor did say don't take the Vitamins until I could hold down some food (at least another week for me). The most important thing is hydration. Propel or vitamins water could help. I haven't tried either yet.

​Hi, I am one week post-op and I must commend you on the research you have done. I wasn't as concerned with blood clots as I should have been, but luckily my doctor and the nurses were. Maybe to ease your mind you can ask your doctor what the plan is to help prevent them? While I was in the hospital they gave me 4-5 blood thinners to prevent blood clots and they put these cuffs around my feet and ankles that pulsated and helped with the blood flow. It actually felt like it was massaging my feet, I liked it. Once I was able to get up and walk I didn't have to wear them. The doctors and nurses just keep pushing you to walk. It's the best thing to help with clots and recovery. Each doctor and hospital is different, but check with your doctor. I'm sure that he/she will put your mind at ease. Good luck with your upcoming surgery .

Hi, I'm just wondering if the smell your are referring to is coming from through your pores or could it be from the extra skin? This is one of the things that I am concerned about. I've been asking my son before we go out if I smell funny. He gives me the craziest look lol. I just tell him to zip it and smell me haha! Have you found anything that works for you?

Hi FieryRed, I love your question because I too was wondering about popcorn just the other night. When I went to my nutrition class (pre-sleeve) they mentioned not being able to eat popcorn (because the kernel could get stuck in your stomach incisions) and its a slider food, BUT I plan on revisiting that question with my doctor down the line. Popcorn has always been my cheat snack....love it. Have you ever tried Skinny Pop? They sell it at costco, 39 calories per cup, Zero trans fat, cholesterol free, no GMO' s. I ate it before I was sleeved. But since I am only a week out it's a no-no for me. I have a feeling Skinny Pop and I will be reunited soon. Everyone has their "snack". It could be worse right!?! Hang on fellow popper!!

​Hi, I got my drain out today too. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but I had a bad night. That drain is evil!

How about creating recipes for the new sleeved you? Just because your sleeved doesn't mean you can't enjoy great food. Then you can share the recipes with us !! Our official recipe go to cooking guru.

Did u ever get ahold of the doc? What did they say? Thanks for asking!!! I went in first thing this morning. They said it was from the bulb over filling. It caused so much pressure on my stomach. They said the drain was ready to come out (it was draining clear enough), so they removed it. And let me say, it HURT when they pulled it out. The Dr. pulled it out quick (you know the old saying, just rip it off like a band aid). They told me some people say it feels like there is pressure when they remove it, it didn't feel like that to me. I screamed "They lied"! When he pulled it out. Haha. What a difference a drain makes. I have NO pain! All the pain I was feeling was from that drain! I have a little pain when I bend over, but nothing that bothers me. No need for the percocet. I feel 90% better. Thank goodness that is over!

It's funny you asked that! I messaged Laura-Ven a few days ago and she hasn't read the message. I was wondering the exact same thing. I have seen some posts from butterthebean...actually I think it was yesterday or the day before.

​Please do not consider yourself a failure. I was on a 6 month nutritional plan. For the first 3 months I did 1 shake a day...I lost nothing! The whole time I was thinking, shoot 6 months...I can loose 10 pounds with one shake a day. It wasn't until I increased to 2 shakes a day (the last 3 months). Granted I had 3 months to do it, but I lost 15lbs and maintained it. I agree with the above posts. Increase your shakes to 2 a day with a full meal (and a snack in between). Drink ALOT of Water and you'll be ok. And walk, walk, walk. Please don't starve yourself. The pounds won't come off, your body will just store the fat. Don't stress, it will happen.

​Oh no! That's horrible. I hope you are feeling better. I actually started off drinking the premier Protein shakes pre-op. I liked drinking them for awhile, but something happened with the taste after awhile. They gave me a strange feeling in my stomach. I have tried numerous protein shakes until I found one I really liked, and believe me after your surgery your tastes will change and you probably won't be able to stand the ones you liked pre-op. I LOVED Syntha 6 chocolate cake batter. Now that I am post op I can't stand them. I hope that you find one that works for you. Take care

Syntha 6 chocolate cake batter is AMAZING!!! Now that I am sleeved I can barely eat anything, but I'm hoping I can drink them soon. The Syntha 6 vanilla ice cream is good too. Amazon has them pretty cheap.

I asked if I would have to go home from the hospital with a drain. for their diet (food) phases (every surgeon is different). I.e. how long on full liquids, pureed, soft foods. Just so you know what to expect. How Long he/she expects you to be off of work for recovery. good luck at your appointment and upcoming surgery!

Thank you! Me too! I have never experienced anything like that!

​Hello Fellow Sleevers, I am wondering if anyone has experienced this with their drain when they were released from the hospital (I am supposed to have the drain removed Wednesday thank goodness). I am going to wait until the doctors office opens this AM to see someone, but just wondering if anyone else with a drain has experienced this. I was woken up at 3:30am by pressure in my stomach. I have this drain that goes from my stomach to this bulb. i drain it daily. i have to take the air out of the bulb so it can siphon out the blood from my stomach. well in the middle of the night a blood clot got stuck in the drain tube and the bulb inflated. needless to say all the blood had nowhere to go but out of my insicion. There was a small pool of blood on my bed when I woke up. I went in the bathroom and tried to drain the bulb, OMG I thought I was dying. the pressure was so intense (since the blood had nowhere to go) it had collected in my incision (and stomach). I tried to knead the drain tube (which I was advised to do) and I started screaming. I had to stop!!! I swear I have never felt a pain like that. i finally got the blood clot cleared from the bulb, but it was ridiculously painful. i took two percocet and it helped, but I feel like i need to take two more. I called the doctor and she said "it happens". if the percocet doesnt help the pain to call then back (i talked to her at 4:10a) and put on a heating pad. I finally fell asleep and just woke up. I can feel the pressure again, but it definitely isnt as bad (yet). My drain bulb is almost full (it has never filled up like this, and its filling up quick. it only took an 1.5 hours). i am going to call the doctor at 8a and hopefully they can see me. i feel the percocet wearing off. i can only take 2 every 4 hours. its only been an hour . I'm sitting very still and moving very minimally. Just counting the hours until 8am .

Thanks for sharing. Oh ya, I am very much aware that everyone's diet and tolerance is different. Just trying to see the differences. Thanks again!

During your stay in hospital, what would you say was standard with regards to your treatment? The nurses checked on me every 3 hours, gave me pain medication, took vitals etc. Is it standard to get the blood thinning injections during your stay (and some given for your return home)? I did received blood thinner meds. I was pretty much out of it, but I believe I got 4-5 injections. Is it standard to get the blood clot prevention boots after the operation? (They are like huge blood pressure cuffs that squeeze your legs). Yes, I had them. I only had to wear them the first day because I was not walking at all.. It actually felt like a nice massage . What were you offered by way of food and drinks? Was it bullion type broth, just Water etc? I was offered chicken broth, Jello, tea, Protein shake. Are you given any meds to go home with, and if so what? Percocete. Were you given information packs for your future eating, drinking regime? My doctors office had given me a great binder that broke down the meal phases, what to expect etc. Were you allowed to wear your panties during the operation? Maybe paper ones? Yes,I was on my period. So I got some cloth elastic ones. They actually weren't that bad. Does your nail varnish have to come off? Finger, toes or both? Nope. I actually had my toenails pained for new years. So it was still on, so was the clear enamel coat on my finger nails. The nurse actually made a comment that a lot of women have their toes done prior to surgery. Would be great if you could share your experiences. I'm not going to lie, I was in PAIN, but the hospital gave great pain meds (dilaudid and one other). I think having this drain in (until this Wednesday) has really had ALOT to do with my recovery. I'm hoping once it's out I will feel better. Getting anything in (water, protein, broth), has been extremely difficult. I haven't made goal....not even close. I'm not saying I wouldn't go back and do it again, cuz I definitely would. I'm just saying from my journey so far has been difficult. I can't wait for it to get better . Thank you X

Just wondering what does your diet consist of? Is there a "got to" or "staple" food that you can trust?

What brand did you look at? The ones with fruit and added flavors have way more. I just stood at safeway for 30 minutes trying to find one I could even eat. http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2013/10/is_your_favorite_brand_of_gree.html

Congratulations! We are both the same days out post-op. Way to go passing through the first week. I agree with you about the exhaustion!

I wonder the same thing. I see ALOT of people posting about the Greek yogurts, but the sugar on most of them are very high. I was at the store and one had 22g of sugar! My doctors requirements are the sugar intake ideally should be less than 6-10 grams (avoid foods that have more than 14g of sugar per serving). It's very obvious that each doctors approach is VERY different. More like all across the board actually.

Try eating less. Maybe a tablespoon is all your body can handle right now. Believe me any less and I would be eating air. I have found that some of the foods I loved and could tolerate before DO NOT agree with my body. I have to stick with water and lowfat, no fruit yogurts for now. The sugar content in most of those Greek yogurts are ridiculous. I haven't touched those. My sugar intake should be less than 10g. I ate a small amount of butternut squash Soup and I can already feel that's not gonna work for me either. By the time I'm done with this pre-op diet I will be on a whole different diet. Not complaining, actually excited to see where this will go. I will find a whole knew way of eating....goodness knows I don't need to go back into old eating habits.

You should still go! Ask all your questions!