Tootles1975

Finally hit the 50 lb loss mark at 110 days out. It's going a bit slower than I'd like but trying to be patient as I lost 45 lbs before surgery too and my nutritionist says I'm doing good. How's everyone doing? I still get the foamies a few times a week when I eat dense Protein -- not sure if it's because it's too dry or I eat too fast, so trying to slow it down further. Other than that, no complications though.

Well you have to get the protein in somehow and until you can tolerate more food....liquid's pretty much the only option. It's just a necessity. If you really hate the sweetness of the shakes, adding unflavored powder to Soups, Hot drinks, puddings, yogurt is also a good idea. If you can only stomach 1/4 cup of yogurt, then mixing a half scoop Protein Powder in with it will give you an extra 10-15 grams on top of the 7.5. (At two months out though, you should probably be able to eat a little more than you are--did you check with your doctor to see what he or she says about only being able to tolerate so little?)

For the slow cooker? You don't need any recipe at all. Just put a beef roast or pork shoulder/butt roast in there with a cup of Water and any seasonings you like and after 8-10 hours, it'll break down really tender and make its own juice/gravy. Also check out The World According to Eggface for lots of protein powder-heavy recipes.

I'm at 13 weeks out and most days I don't need to have a Protein shake and can get my 60 g from food. I eat a lot of fish or shrimp, rotisserie chicken, ground beef, eggs, ricotta cheese (I don't care for cottage cheese), PB2 or even regular peanut butter), cheese, nuts, low-sugar greek yogurt, and lunchmeat. The greek yogurt is really the best option because it has the most protein for the lowest calories; sometimes I have those twice a day. For those having trouble with solid meat, try a slow cooker/crock pot preparation--they make the meat super tender and much easier to digest.

@@ready2B -- Thanks. It's comforting to hear others' responses, even though intellectually I know this is probably pretty common. I do generally end up having one protein shake a day to supplement meals. Maybe I'll try some softer foods the next few days too. Dinner tonight was cut up turkey meatballs with sauce and some ricotta cheese and that one gave me no trouble thankfully!

Anyone else having issues telling when they're full? I'm just over one month out and eating mostly "real/normal" foods at this point. I felt no real restriction up until this stage but now my plan calls for 3 oz of fish (or ground beef, or turkey, etc.) and even if I eat slow and chew lots it seems like it becomes a problem if I eat the whole thing. I don't get any cues as to when I'm full really, so it's only after I finish that I feel really distressed for a while. It's more of a feeling of pressure/stuckness than dumping. I feel like I have to burp a lot and can make a lot of foam/saliva, though it doesn't make itself exactly. Any good tips on telling when you're getting full? I know we're not supposed to stretch meals out past 20 or 30 minutes, and if I don't eat the allotted amount, I'll be missing out on some protein. It also seems a mistake to let myself backslide to liquids or mushies.

If you don't mind me asking, how has the weight loss been for all the no complications folks? I've been losing about a pound or so a day. I'm 9 days out and down 9 pounds, which seems on the lower side of what people report (I know, I know--don't compare!). Though I lost about 20 pounds on a 2 week pre-op semi-liquid diet and 25 pounds on my own before that. I'm eating about 400-600 calories and walking 30-45 minutes a day.

@@Rovobay Sorry to hear that! I'm very surprised a federal insurance plan doesn't cover it. I have BC BS of Massachusetts through my husband's company (a private engineering firm).

Just got approved by my insurance for this and wondering if the liquid Vitamins that Insure sends are all-encompassing or if you have to take additional Calcium, B-12 ,D, etc. I currently use Bariatric fusion chewables (2 in am, 2 in pm) that I buy from my surgeon, and I don't need any addiitonal calcium or other pills with those. Just wondering as there isn't much info about the liquid vitamins on Insure's site.

So glad to see this thread! I just had surgery two days ago, went home yesterday afternoon because I had very little pain (just some gas discomfort the first night) and could drink all my water and protein shakes. I'm actually sort of worried I'll forget I had the surgery because I feel so normal!!

My surgery went great and I had very little pain at all. Some gas discomfort but even not much of that thankfully. I also seem to be able to tolerate water and protein shakes just fine. Drank all that they gave me in the hospital and got discharged late afternoon yesterday! My biggest fear right now is actually forgetting I had the surgery! I don't feel very different at all. I visited my mom's last night where they were having thanksgiving dinner/dessert and though the food looked and smelled good, I didn't really have any desire to eat any and that was a nice change.

Getting ready to go to the hospital in 15 minutes! So nervous/excited to get started. Wish I could already be in recovery!

Was just in the "Most positive post" thread where we all are talking about what we're thankful for. It made me think of this first post I made 6 months ago and how encouraging and knowledgable everyone was. I'm now 6 days away from surgery and really thrilled with this choice and very excited for the future. So thank you, everyone!