Inner Surfer Girl

For me, I didn't have any trouble taking my meds with a little Water right after surgery. Sipping was difficult at first. Plain water was the most difficult to drink but other fluids were easier. It may be a challenge, but if you sip constantly you can get it all in. Definitely talk to your surgeon, though. For me all fluids counted towards my Fluid total. So I counted my Protein supplements toward my fluid total. You may need to mix protein with your required fluids in order to get everything in. ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, Syntrax nectar, and Premier Protein were very helpful early out.

I took them for 6 months.

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and slow downs in weight loss and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting at least 64 oz of Fluid and reaching your Protein target, every day. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall.

I just got home so didn't see it tonight. I have it on my DVR so will catch up with it later.

Then, great. If you weren't told to do so then don't do it.

You will definitely need to eat more than 2 to 3 times a day. Are you also using protein supplements?

Just follow your surgeon's directions. Not everyone e has a liquid diet for pre-op. I didn't.

I felt very angry and upset when first exposed to this technology a few years ago....I even wrote an article about how abhorrent the concept was. Every time I get this angry, I start doubting my feelings. So I started researching the procedure and device and talked to a few patients that are using it. I got to know the procedure a little better, understood their expectations, needs, and results. What I see are patients benefiting from this method with an outstanding safety profile... Sometimes our mind tricks us with hate and anger.... I don't like this so I turn it into something more rational for me. I recently heard a very moving presentation from one of the investigators and a patient. I personally don't know that I'd recommend it, but the truth is that now that it's approved doctors and patients will decide if this succeeds or fails. Thanks for this, Alex. The first thing I thought of when I heard about this was that there must be a good application for it but not necessarily for weight loss. I have heard of people that due to cancer or other digestive diseases have lost all ability to eat food. The fact that they couldn't eat, even if they could get nutrition in other ways, severely impacted their will to live. There is something primal about our need to eat.

I don't know what your Protein target is, but I am sure it isn't 40 grams. 40 grams of protein and 400 calories at 10 weeks post-op is dangerously low. My protein target is 100 grams and the minimum that my surgeon prescribes is 80 grams. Protein is critical for healing and weight loss. Whether you feel like eating or not you have got to get in your nutrition. Set an alarm and eat even if you don't feel like it. Have you talked to your NUT about your challenges and concerns? I highly recommend you make an appointment.

Back in the old days, when I was in better shape, there was a time when I swam a mile every day. Since I have started swimming laps, I wasn't counting laps but went by the clock. Working up to an hour of laps. After a while I got a misfit shine that counts laps. Come to find out I had been swimming over a mile in that hour for a while! It is a miracle!

Not all the bacteria has time to regrow. You go in with a lot less than you would have if you didn't follow the pre-op instructions. Just have faith that your surgeon has a reason to ask you to do something: to give you the best chance of a healthy, complication free recovery.

To the OP, another huge difference between my pre-op and post-op life is learning to deal with the inevitable stalls. Pre-op, stalls were generally when I gave up. I can't do that anymore. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

What I have found post-op is how screwed up my diet was based on years of dieting. Pre-op, it was all about maximizing volume and minimizing calories. Now, it is about maximizing nutrition and minimizing volume. It wasn't until I started this process that I learned how important Protein is to my health. I spent decades living in carbs. No wonder I was almost 600 pounds.

I had scallops and shrimp for the first time during my soft phase.

I just go by the recommended serving on the can (if I am eating canned). My first soft food was pinto's and cheese from Taco Bell on my way home from a follow-up appointment. It took me a couple of meals to finish one serving (half cup). It didn't take very long for me to eventually be able to eat the whole serving.

Welcome and congratulations on your success so far. This is a great forum for support, information, and encouragement. Do you have any particular questions or issues?

Yes. That is one of the signals that I get that I have eaten too much.

I agree. Plain water was the hardest thing for me to drink for a long time. Try crystal light, decaf tea, Herb teas, infused water, sugar-free Popsicles, sugar-free jello, crushed ice, etc. Try different temperatures.

I would LOVE to know what studies show this. It is the first I have ever heard of anything like that. All the studies I have seen are about the importance of Protein.

I started drinking V8 during my full liquid stage. I started green beans and no-sugar added applesauce during my soft food stage.

No. My surgeon administered a leak test right after surgery before he closed me up and then the next day. I was able to drink liquids, including protein supplements before I left the hospital. I was required to get 100 grams of protein a day starting the day after surgery. I was sipping for a while. I cannot imagine that protein shakes could ever cause a leak. According to my surgeon, most post-op leaks are caused by steroid use. That's what I thought but she says hat studies show that many post op leaks are caused by people drinking protein too soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I would be curious to see those studies. It is my understanding that protein is critical for healing. I would think that NOT drinking protein would be more likely to cause leaks.

Even if you are on clear liquids, you should still be getting in your Protein. Try Isopure clear, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, Syntrax nectar, bone broth, and/or other clear protein supplements. I was allowed Premier Protein during my clear phase.

I ate (and still eat) a lot of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, tuna, turkey, etc.

I had 1 week clear liquids, 1 week full liquids, and then my third week was soft foods. Weren't you provided with a schedule? If not, be sure and get one when you have your follow-up appointment. I had my last nutrition class at my one week follow-up and that was when we went into detail, but I had the schedule on my manual.

I'm still trting to figure out how to get in enough fluids. I'm in the full liquid stage, but experiencing alot of dizzy spells. I'm getting very scared. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App Sip, sip, sip. Set short-term goals. Set a timer/reminder. Keep sipping.