windfaerie

daikon radish would be nice instead of potatoes or water chestnuts

spinach ginger soup sounds yummy

experimentation is fun

I like it in soups...maybe vanilla powder next time

Ok I found out putting 2 packs emergen C in 32 ounces of Water and putting in a scoop of unflavored whey Protein powder for an orange Protein Drink. Bad Idea. Yuck I thought I could take care of 2 things. I have sniffles so boost immune system and get extra 20 grams protein.

My friends and coworkers were aware of the issues I was having with severe reflux and that I was seeing a surgeon. When that surgeon said they can take care of the reflux but I have to have weight loss surgery I told my friends after the appointment. They told me to get a second opinion. I did and was told the same thing and that new surgeon also told with everything going on I probably would not lose the traditional way and unless they could get me off my tons of reflux and stomach meds would continue to gain weight. He also said I needed to do something soon. I also have erosion on my esophagus and recent diagnosis of hypothyroidism. So even those who are saying I am not big enough are saying that it is cool. I have no choice. I have to get this taken care of. I have gain 68 pounds since July and I am continuing to gain because I am trying to stop the horrible burning pain that last 24/7 by eating or stuffing in more meds. The meds stop digestion so I absorb more. I know I eat too much. Quantity is the issue and sauces with butter. And foie gras. And lack of exercise. I spent most of my life as a very thin person and want that back. I put my goal at a reasonable level. I did not put 115 which is my normal adult weight or 98 which was my high school weight. I put 130 as my goal. I know for a fact from the size 3 jeans I have that are my own from less than 10 years ago I am not big boned. My husband is getting sleeved in June so we are doing this together. A lot of people I know have done one form or other of weight loss surgery and have kept silent. You hear about it through rumors but cannot approach them on it. I know others that are curious but scared. Maybe by breaking the silence it will help people. I am not a person who cares much what others think of what I am or am not doing. I have always gone to the beat of my own drum. If anyone has ever made fun of or said something mean about my body I have never noticed. I try to avoid negative people. I think that everyone needs to do what is right for them. No answer is the right one here unless it is your own answer for you.

I use nutritional yeast. I use it in mashed cauliflower in place of butter. You can put it on popcorn. It has a buttery slightly nutty taste so you can use it to mimic cheese or butter. I add it to anything you would add butter to but it does not spread so not toast. Usually veggies or sauces.

If you are on pain meds you will not be able to drive. I would have a backup plan just in case. Have a great sleep. Good luck in the morning.

Stess test and echo done. Cardiologist sent clearance letter. I am cleared for surgery Monday morning. Wew! That was scary.

I have to go in the morning and get a nuclear stress test and an echocardiograph. He said my beats per minutes were to slow and off balance.

I started down this path because of a referral for GERD and surgery to fix it. I am having RNY because the other surgeries can cause reflux and I have to lower my BMI for the Linx procedure to be effective. I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Good luck you will be fine

Pre-op diet sucks. I feel like Shirley Temple in that scene in "The Little Princess" were the mean girl asks her if she is actually hungry and Shirley Temple yells "Yes! I am hungry. I'm so hungry I could eat you." I do not feel that hungry all the time just off and on during the day. I have found that broth helps me feel full. Something about the warmth. I also tolerate the Protein powder in broth better than the sweet drinks. Tomorrow will be one week since I started the pre-op diet. I am worried I am not doing well enough. I am logging the daily calories on myfitness pal and they run between 700 and 1000 a day. Depending on which Protein shakes I drink and what my one meal consists of. I am supposed to have 2 protein shakes and a dinner consisting of 3oz of lean protein and 1 1/2 to 2 cups non-starchy veggies. No added fat or sugar. I can add extra Protein Drink if needed. They did not give me a calorie count to stay within but I am still scared that somehow I am over the line. I cheated this morning and had half an ounce of beef tenderloin and 1 grilled shrimp when I made my husband his lunch. I feel so guilty and I am terrified my liver will be all fatty. So far that is my only cheat but I still feel guilty.

I go in to see the cardiologist in the morning. I am hoping he says all is well.

Good luck and gentle hugs to everyone having surgery today

They made me not talk. I am hoping it will be higher Wednesday.

Surgery date is April 28th. I found out my date Friday afternoon, saw my nutritionist Tuesday and started preop diet Wednesday.

I went to my GP today to get an EKG. This is the last of the pre-op test orders from my surgeon. My blood pressure was good 108 over 72. But the doctor said my EKG was not normal. Beats per minutes were 59 was all I was told. (Which has always been normal for me) He ordered me a referral to a cardiologist for a stress test and told me I could not be cleared without clearance from them. He would let my surgeon know. I called the cardiologist office and got an appointment to see the doctor for an office visit which they require first on Wednesday. They are not sure they can get me in that quickly for a stress test though. I am a bit worried. I do not want my surgery to be canceled.

I am really sensitive to artificial sweeteners and deathly allergic to aspartame. I do not care too much for a lot of sweet anyways. Does anyone know of any all natural preferably organic, non-gmo chewable or liquid Vitamins or Calcium supplements. I get sick when I take the ones that were given to me. I find the idea strange to add artificial sweeteners and chemicals to my diet to get healthy when I have always done homemade, organic, non processed.

I too hate the word never. I was also told no carbonation or straws ever and it bugs me. Not that I use straws often only when I am at a restaurant and after surgery that won't matter because no drinking while eating. I only have them once or twice a month but I love good microbrewed beers. I also like carbonated Water. I am going to miss them.

Today is my second day of the preop diet. Yesterday was rough because they also had me starting the chewable Vitamins. Everything was so sweet I actually threw up the vitamins the first time. The evening dose I managed but felt nauseous. Add to that the Calcium chews, the Iron and the Vitamin D chewie. Ughhh with the shakes it was way too much sweet stuff. I am not a sweets person. I like plain Water, black coffee and unsweet tea. Dessert is what you have at birthdays and holidays. Bread and salty now we are talking. I can't eat fried though it makes me run to the restroom. Unfortunately that does not mean I do not like fries once in a while. Today I added unflavored Protein powder to reach the 40 grams a serving level my doctor wants to broth for lunch, For some reason that made me feel full where the sweet drinks do not. I know that is in my head but it helped. It also tasted much better. Tonight we went to the movies. I was sure to be a good girl and before going feed everyone dinner. I gave myself my allotted 3 ounces of sautéed chicken and 1/2 cup of riced cauliflower and 1 cup of green Beans. No added oil or butter used in the dishes. We went to the Alamo Drafthouse so there was a table and menu and yummy smells of bad for me food. I was good and got a pot of hot herbal tea. Here comes the torture part. The kids each got a milk shake and the one sitting next to me an order of fries. The other got an endless bowl of popcorn that he shared with my husband. So here I sit with salty crunchy popcorn right in front of me and dropped on my arm a couple of times. I got asked a couple of times to reach over and snag my husband a fry. I had the inner devil and angle on the shoulder dialog going on of "who will know if you only have one or maybe just a taste. Surely it can't cause you liver to be bigger just to taste it. Maybe even not swallow. Just taste." "Followed by "No you can't. What if it causes complications to eat that one popcorn kernel." I was good and just kept sipping my tea. I was really tempted but I did not have a single bite of the no noes.