Schmincke

No I haven't because our NUT warned us that they will stretch the sleeve.

Hiatal hernia surgery generally requires a special diet very similar to ours. Probably your best cover - and maybe your surgeon will be doing this anyway, many do this at the same time as VSG, so not a lie.

See:

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

Everyone Is different, and every surgery is different. I was back at work 4 days after gallbladder removal, and three weeks after hysterectomy, but four weeks after VSG.

My doctor said 10 days is ok if well rested and feeling well.

All a diuretic will do is dump Water. It will not dump fat. So that's no help to you - yes a reduction on the scale, but one that will bounce back as soon as you stop the diuretic. The point is to lose fat.
Sorry to bear bad news

Interesting reports of increased alcoholism risk after Roux-en-Y. I don't know that the sleeve has been studied. See:

http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20121015/addiction-risk-weight-loss-surgery?page=1

Please let us know how you do. It sounds miserable. Feel better!

How are you doing on Vitamin B12 supplementation? Did your doctor check your levels?

See: http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780

AnaBanana, it sounds like you are having a very rough time. Sending warm healing wishes your way! Feel better soon.

Welcome, Sherri, and the best of luck to you! It sounds like you are off to a wonderful start on your new life.

In hospital: Nothing on surgery day. Clear liquids 1 day, full liquids 1 day

At home: 1 week pureed food, 6 weeks soft solids.

BamaBoo64 just posted this really nice link to sample menus earlier today:

http://www.regionalh...-meal-plans.pdf

Yes home made chili works great. I am 4 weeks out. I have been making it with ground turkey.

Yesterday I made a low-fat meat pie using ground turkey for the family - they all had seconds - I had it too except for the crust.

What else: "Laughing Cow" cheese wedges, Cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, fish, shrimp, Tomato Soup are all really good in my sleeve - but not eggs for me. My sleeve does not like them but maybe yours will. Also frozen packs of veggies in cheese sauce especially cauliflower. Just bought some powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protein-enriched cheese sauce mix to try out on veggies. Make sure the veggies are not very fibrous.

I agree - ketosis. My oral hygiene is super good and I just had a cleaning - but my breath is awful whenever I go into ketosis (which is often).

"Water" to my surgeon means all liquids. Protein shakes, Water, milk, you name it - even Jello counts as a liquid. Since my surgery I really dislike the taste of Water so I always add some flavor drops. Also I like diet cranberry cocktail (5 cal per glass). I aim for about 2 liters a day of liquid.

I have a Protein Shake for breakfast, and sugar free Greek yogurt for a morning snack - or vice versa, depending on how rushed and thirsty I am first thing in the morning.

I am the opposite. Go figure!

A wise doctor once told me, "if you feel totally droopy, maybe you are literally wilted from lack of Water. Hydrate and maybe you will feel better." She was right about me.

My surgeon allowed soft solids at 10 days after surgery.

I am nearly 4 weeks and start back at work Monday. I am still battling fatigue. Not too much problem with Protein or fluids as long as I remember to keep at it. I did have 2 infections postoperative and now have some new abdominal pain (tiny hernia maybe?? We will see...) I don't think I will get in full work days this week but it is a long commute - an hour each way - so 4 hours at work is 6 hours from the house. I am managing to walk half an hour nearly every day. Just not bouncing back as fast as I did when I was younger. But - losing lots of weight!!!

Mine gurgled so loud the other day, my DH in the next room thought I was talking to him!

Also: your medications may change after surgery. I immediately went off one of my two blood pressure meds, and the lady in the next room stopped her type 2 diabetes meds. The surgeon sent me home with a different list of medications. They should know what to do!

I did the same a few times on day 2/3. Three up blood, too, which would have scared the pants off me but the nurses said it was normal. Have not thrown up since; now week 3.5!

My nutritional team, who were really helpful, say that animal-source is better than plant source Protein with the exception of tofu, which is really high quality. Animal-source does include dairy products, especially Greek yogurt.

In a Protein powder for mixing drinks, I'm instructed to look for whey as the #1 product, no more than 5 gm of fat or sugar, and at least 20 gm of Protein per scoop. I am aiming for a total of 80 gm of protein a day, but 60 minimum. Not only does it help prevent hair loss, but it helps maintain lean muscle mass, and it really does help with hunger. We're not supposed to go more than 4 hours without eating or drinking some protein. I cannot get that much protein without at least one Protein Drink a day, at this stage (3 ½ weeks post-op).

There are some high-quality resources online from major bariatric centers. They do not agree on everything, but are helpful. Here is an example:

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary_guidelines_after_gastric_bypass/

You might find it easier if you stick to the basic rules as outlined by my surgeon and nutritionist. I have posted these before:

• Count grams of Protein and ounces of liquid.
• Make sure to get 60-80 grams of Protein a day.
• Drink 60+ ounces of Fluid (preferably more).
• No drinking for 30 minutes before or after a meal.
• At every meal: Eat protein first, then veggies, then if there is any room left, eat fruit, then carbs (but probably will only have room for protein).
• Take Vitamins every day.
• Exercise every day, at least a half hour.
• No junk. Nothing with more than 5 grams of sugars.

If I start to slide on the carbohydrates, especially the simple ones like sugar, then the head hunger gets worse.

If I keep up my fluids and protein, it gets better. So, if I have really bad head hunger, I drink a Protein shake.

Also if I exercise, the head hunger gets better. It is a balancing act - if I keep the bad carbs away, then I can balance much better. I know lots of other people on this forum say similar things.

But don't be discouraged if you follow the rules and still get a stall. Everybody has a "ladder-shaped" weight loss and there are some excellent postings on this topic too. Still - 6 or 7 pounds weight loss in a month is GOOD! It's more than a pound a week, so don't beat yourself up. You are in this to change yourself over the long term.

I hope this helps - you really WILL do it!