Schmincke

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 get a stuffy nose at night and I wake myself up smelling my stinky breath. Ick

LoL, its near impossible to prepare for the doom that is ketosis breath

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

Totally normal
It's your vagus nerve being stimulated to let you know that your little sleeve has had its fill. This can also present itself as hiccups and sneezing! It wears off after a while. I still get hiccups, so I'm good with that. Its like my little cue.
As for Protein, endeavor to try and get it in as soon as you are able - when on clear fluids, try and get some Isopure clear or something similar to it which has Protein in it. When on full liquids, you can progress to the 'milky' Protein shakes, yoghurty type stuff.. Even milk...
Wishing you a very happy and speedy recovery

Thank you all for the warm welcoming. Holding my glass of Water up and cheering us all on.
It's really comforting to be arounf folks that are and have gone through what i am. I realize everyone is different in their experiences. It's just nice to be a part of.
Looking forward to kicking back and reading all your experiences.......with my drink of water.
Sherri

I am so sorry...I love hearing when people have no issues...they are the most of us. Like you I have dealt with complications for over a year now.....
Don't get discouraged okay and don't think ahead of what is happening now to you. If you do it will be very discouraging and painful for your mind to handle...
One day at a time, one step at a time. This will get resolved. And you are in the best place right now ( the hospital )...K
Thinking of you .....

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

"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.

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

I could write a book of the insults and rude remarks and ignorant comments that were made at my expense. All walks of life can be classless. I even had Doctors treat me like I was a piece of dirt under their feet...
I stopped looking at the ground and started looking them right in the eye. Most lowered their heads but there were others who found that as encouragement to abuse me further.
Now at a loss of 182 lbs. I am not noticed at all. I can go anywhere and wear what I want and don't even get noticed at all. No one even recognizes me who pass by me that I have known for years. Now I am truly invisible.... I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully one day I can put it all behind me..But nothing infuriates me more then someone abusing another person because they feel it is their right to..Their right to be entertained by another persons hardships or how they look or any other circumstances that free people to say what they decide is okay....
I will never let it go by me again..I will step up and defend anyone that is having that done to them......I have learned that if you don't...People will always think it is okay!!!!!!!!! And it is not!!!

Those are telling statements above. I hear you.
You think he made empty promises just to get a thinner you?
That his 'commitment' was just an ulterior motive?
Ultimately, this is all about your self-esteem - doubting his motives - mixed with a bit of resentment at the fact he doesn't have to exercise much and you're having to really work at the whole eating and exercising thing post surgery. It is tiring and it takes effort.
Ultimately, you have to ask yourself this one question; Did you do the surgery for him, or for yourself?
Its your body, its your health, its your life. It's your commitment.
If you think he only wanted a 'thinner' woman, then you have to question how long he had been with you prior to the surgery? How was your relationship then?
There's also the unfortunate thing with us women that we often put our partners into a situation with our questions and actions which leave them basically 'damned if they do and damned if they don't'.
If you're questioning his motives - you need to ask him and soothe your troubled mind. I'm sure he'll be very surprised by you voicing it.
If you're questioning his commitment to your surgery? Well, after all, it's your surgery and you're the one that has to show the most commitment to it. Apart from the exercise, he appears to have held-up on his side of the deal (albeit the easier aspects)
I'd say a large part of this is a reflection on how you feel about yourself. You're married to someone who has shared your life - big or small. Best ask him if your insecurities are founded. I would hazard a guess they're probably not and you're just a bit weighed down by all that is asked of you in the melee of post surgery craziness.
Hang in there, honey

Reverie is spot on...like always! :-)
I thought about this the other day...my husband is awesome, I love him to death. BUT, now that I'm losing weight, I look at him and he's unhealthy. OK, I know, I've been "getting healthy" for 10 minutes now and I'm judging him - that's wrong.
I want him to lose weight. Not because I find him unattractive, I want him to lose weight because I want him around for a long time. It bothers me when I am ready to go to the gym and he says he'll go later or do some weights at home. I think that bothers me because those were my excuses before surgery. I'm seeing me in him and I don't like it.
So after I thought about this for a while, I thought back to the 17 years we've been together and not once did this man say anything about my weight. I was gaining weight like I was going for some sort of record. He never voiced a concern about my weight or the fact that I checked out of our life together for about 8 years. I was there physically, but absent emotionally.
I have struggled with self esteem, but that was on me, not him. If your husband makes you feel bad about yourself, that's not right. If you feel bad about yourself because of some internal stuff you have, that's on you and you need to work on that.

Oh, honey...
You won't be the first to experience this and you certainly won't be the last.
Firstly - you're the one who had surgery, so if you want to go and run marathons, then that's your choice - not his. He might've promised to do it with you, but really, he shouldn't be forced to - if he doesn't want to.
Maybe do another activity together - ideally one he wants to partake in?
As for your growing impatience with him across the board and drawing a correlation between that and your weight loss?
Do you think you're worth more now - and he's worth less? Or you're worth more and he's stayed the same?
You need to ask yourself the question as to whether YOU believe YOU settled for less, because you were previously bigger?
Sadly, its all about your perception of the situation. If you love him, you'll bring him with you and discuss your feelings/frustrations. If you don't.. then its a whole different ball game of which you can only decide upon...
I wish you the best of luck x

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

Met my first goal today. 199. ONE 99. As unreal as it seems, I know it's real cuz I hopped on and off the scale many times in different parts of the room!! I'm now down 50 lbs! (23 since surgery five weeks ago). I'm so happy I could kiss someone!

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

I was a big coffee fan, 2 cups of heavy espresso every morning. My surgeon allows a cup of coffee after surgery. I am astonished at how my taste has changed since the sleeve, and my sleeve definitely does not like coffee. To my astonishment I do not even like the smell of my favorite brew. I tried o-n-e s-i-p of coffee and started throwing up, felt wretched for 6 hours. However I've had caffeine withdrawal headaches, so currently I am putting ½ tsp of instant coffee powder in my morning Protein Shake. It sits better if I put half a banana in the shake too. I am weaning myself completely off coffee, but gradually.

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/

Before/ during : 7 months post op

Saturday I took my grand daughter to a market to look for some cheese and fresh produce..On the way out I spied a stall that made curly fries. I told my hubby I would get some as a treat and share them with him and Amelia....
Well the plate was loaded about 12 in. high. i had to place a napkin over the chips just to carry them. My hubby said no way we need another plate. So he put some on another plate and I salted them...Then I salted the remaining chips on the other plate.....
I felt terrible, I knew I loved these and went ahead and got them knowing they were a trigger food for me in the past....Oh well I thought everyone needs a treat now and then...We rushed them to the car so they would stay hot and my grand daughter got the second plate.I was sure she would not be able to eat that much....I was wrong.....
My hubby took the other plate and moved it toward me. i looked like a kid in a candy store...They smelled amazing. I took 1 flat piece and popped it into my mouth and almost instantly got this pain in my chest....I deep fried potato piece made me feel sick....I pushed the plate away and said no way..not going to work out.....
As I watched my family eating the fries I said without even thinking.." Today I am glad I have my sleeve " My hubby looked at me and he said good for you girl!!!!!!
Saved by the sleeve!!!!!!!!!

We always called it Yuck-in-a-cup, LOL. Here's our episode on that very subject - let me know if it helps!

I started my journey one year ago with my pre surgery insurance meetings with my NUT. Had surgery June 4th, hit 100 pounds yesterday. The first picture is from a year ago and the other is this morning. Started at 285, this morning I'm at 184. Just can't believe that's me.

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Jen, you can do this. You are in a great place mentally already, because knowing you have to make the changes will keep you on the right path.
Reading here about vets who have gone through it is a great way to prepare. If you search on "food addiction" and other similar topics you'll find a lot of info. We all have food issues. Recognizing it is a great start. Check out threads from laura-ven on the subject.
One piece of advice I will offer (just my opnion, so no one flame me!) is that you avoid taking to heart some of the posters who advise "everything in moderation" and "one bite of birthday cake/halloween candy/whatever won't hurt" or "I can't eat much so I let the sleeve do it for me" types of attitudes. It may work for them, but it may not work for you if you have a food addiction. The thing is, your sleeve will have very tight restriction for only so long. Eventually you will be able to eat a bit more and that's where the trouble starts. You still won't be eating a lot, but if you eat high carb choices those calories can pack in really fast. If you drink those calories (sugared coffee drinks, smoothies, etc.) it's even worse.
Many of us avoid our trigger foods (varies for everyone, but some common ones are chips, candy, chocolate, popcorn, Cookies, alchohol - no one ever has a Tofu trigger!). A trigger food can be bad because if you have just one it opens a flood gate. So we have to stay away. Lots of people coming into this ask "will I never be able to eat XXX again?" Most likely, you can eat it again. But will you want to and how often? That's the question.
Remember that how you feel about food will change dramatically throughout your journey. The first month you may hate food, maybe the first three months. For me, there is no joy in food any more, just sustenance. This was very hard for me because I am a foodie. The joy of food is gone for me and I mourn it. That's something I have to deal with. Some other people have really gotten into making sleeve food with style and do a great job with new recipes and ideas (check out gamergirl's blog).
Anyway, good luck to you and post often. This is a great group for support.