Inner Surfer Girl

My advice: Be gentle with yourself, you just had major surgery. Sip, sip, sip, and walk. Track your food. Follow your program. If you have questions about phases and what you are allowed on each phase, then call your NUT. Make sure you get at least 64 oz of Fluid every day. Make sure you reach your Protein target every day. Avoid starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Practice eating mindfully: eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. Avoid processed food. Choose fresh, whole foods whenever possible. Exercise when cleared. Get enough restful sleep. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall.

I'm trying to wrap my head around just eating protein as being healthier than protein and veggies. Do you just take Vitamins for what you are missing in veggies? All my life I have been told to eat more veggies to be healthy and that vitamins are a poor replacement. Is this outdated science? As you have more room, then as far as I am concerned veggies are perfectly fine. We do need the Fiber from fresh vegetables and even some fruit/berries. Just make sure you are able to get in your protein first.

I use the Batiatric Advantage calcium chews.

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.

You may want to talk to a physical therapist and/or physical trainer. My favorite exercise by far is in the water: aerobics, walking, jogging, weights, and actual lap swimming. It is easy on the joints and the Water resistance and support really helps.

This is definitely a question for your surgeon. One of the biggest risks post-op is blood clots (the other is pneumonia). Since I live over 45 minutes away from the hospital where I had surgery, my surgeon required me to have a plan in place to stop and walk every thirty minutes. That was the day after surgery and I was taking blood thinners. A long car trip would be extremely tiring at the very least.

You may not be eating enough. 500 calories a day IS extremely low. I wouldn't worry about the enriched milk if it is helping you get in your Protein. Your priority right now is healing. Getting enough protein and Fluid is critical for healing and weight loss. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and slow downs in weight loss. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. I highly recommend that you stay off the scale, especially if you are still struggling to get in enough nutrition. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

These are great questions but really the only place to get answers is your surgeon's office. They should be able to help you navigate the specific requirements based on your insurance policy and their own requirements. Best of luck.

At my one year check up I was told to keep doing what I am doing and that I could drop most of my Vitamins except for the daily Multivitamin. I am still working toward goal.

I am sorry you are so frustrated and not getting a response from your surgeon and NUT. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience slow downs and stalls. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight you will experience stalls. You say you are meeting your protein goal? How much protein are you getting? Are you tracking your food? Are you avoiding added sugars, (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? If you are exercising you may not be eating enough. Have you tried increasing your protein and your fluids? Have you taken your measurements to see if you are losing inches? Adding: Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You have done really well so far. I am surprised you haven't been tracking this all along. I couldn't do this without MyFitnessPal. Since you are a bloke I would recommend at least 100 grams of Protein. What have you been doing up to now? What is your protein target? The carbs and fats will follow the protein target (try 40% protein, 30% fats, 30% carbs to start). Make sure the fats are good fats and the carbs are good carbs. I avoid, for the most part, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods.

Awesome! What a great feeling. You are going to have such a great time at camp. And, thank you for making it possible for kids to have the opportunity to go to camp by being a volunteer. Summer camping was one of the most formative experiences of my life and I really think all kids should get to go to camp --- especially during this plugged-in age.

It was a amazing day, I have been caring for my 90 year old neighbor that fell and broke his hip. I drove 6 hrs to pick him up a new scooter to get around in so he could come home. It's a great feeling when you do and give for others who really appreciate it. And he's has helped me threw this slump so much. He doesn't have anyone in my life neither do I. So we kinda take care of each other now. And I am so great full for all my blessings in life and he never takes anything for granted and it's a nice reminder sometimes........life is what you make it Jess Hall-Mcfarland This is so great!

I just got a cheap one at the drugstore. I don't know the brand..

I assume to kill germs in our mouths and upper digestive tract.

Unfortunately, I think the complications and issues get talked about much more than they actually happen --- everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who... The people who have no complications aren't nearly as interesting. I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of people having the surgery today, as contrasted to people who had surgery 10 or even 20 years ago, have very few complications if any.

Did he or she commit to email you something in a week? If so, I don't see a problem with calling and asking. Polite persistence can be helpful throughout the process. I received a notebook with all of the requirements listed at my first required class. The surgeon's staff also helped me make most of the appointments. The finance person provided me with a detailed list of requirements related to insurance, etc.

I am not familiar with any off the top of my head. Someone else may have some suggestions. I suggest that you talk to someone at a store like GNC or The Vitamin Shoppe. Your NUT should also have some ideas.

Welcome! It is hard to say whether it is normal or not. I highly recommend you call your surgeon's office and talk to whoever is on call. They will know what questions to ask to determine whether or not it is something normal.

You can sprinkle it like parmesan cheese, use it as a bread crumb or in sauces (gives a nutty cheesy flavour). I just use Parmesan cheese!

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check them out.

Adding, the whole reason to do Protein shakes/supplements is to make sure we can consume enough protein until we are healed enough for more solid sources of protein. Protein is critical for healing.

My surgeon was the exact opposite. He wanted us to prioritize getting in all of our protein as soon as we were cleared for fluids (after the leak test).He said there is no physical reason anyone couldn't drink 3 premier Proteins in one day. I credit getting in my 100 grams of protein every day with the ease of my recovery and success so far.

My goal is 100 grams of protein and I was able to get that in right after surgery. It wasn't easy but with effort it can be done. If you eat frequent small protein-based meals and Snacks throughout the day you can do it.

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience weight fluctuations, slow downs, and stalls. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Avoid added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, stay off the scale. If you are unsure about what your program entails or your progress so far, why not give your NUT a call to check in. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall!