naan

My Dr. told me today that I am cured of high blood pressure. I had surgery Dec. 30. What a blessing.

I used PB2 in my shakes. It was easier to mix than peanut butter. But I'm sure regular would be fine if you don't have PB2. I was eating veggies by 3 weeks out.... Puréed split pea Soup and vegetable soup, puréed sweet potatoes, cauliflower, etc. Mixed unflavored Protein Powder with all of the above. In the soft food stage I was eating artichokes, cauliflower, zucchini, tomatoes, spinach, green Beans, and carrots. I waited for regular food stage (7 weeks I think) to eat things like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and celery. I cooked everything very well at first and was eating raw veggies (including salad) by about 3-4 months. I guess the only veggies to kind of stay away from are sweet/starchy veggies like corn, peas, potatoes and sweet potatoes (even though I ate all of these, they aren't the "best" veggies as far as weight loss goes)

Me too I was looking for it this morning! Anyways I have a simple question I am almost 5 weeks post op and wondering if I can add a bit of Peanut Butter to my shake? Also if I can have some veggies not that I have space for it, but I miss eating salad and steamed veggies. If yes what r the best veggies to eat? Thanks

Surgery completed!!! YAY??? No pain, no nausea, great care all the way. Still groggy from the anesthesia buy that's all! Up and walking about and sipping on juice and water! No pain at all with that!

Well, it's been slow going for me, but I finally, officially reached Onederland today! I am 19 weeks post-op. My starting weight was 260. My surgery weight was 236. And as of today, I am 198! Others might be disappointed by the slow loss, but I am very content with it. For one thing, I'm not having to replace clothes as often. For another, since my weight loss hasn't been drastic, I haven't had people asking me questions about what I'm doing to lose weight. And finally, I hurt my hip in November and haven't gotten back to exercising since then. I plan to start back at that today, so I suspect the weight will come off a little more quickly once exercise is back in the mix.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my happy news! I really feel like it's all down hill from here. I only have 18 pounds to go to 180, which is a weight I was really happy at a few years ago. And I only have 33 pounds to go until the goal weight OCC set for me. I have 43 pounds to go for a "healthy BMI", but I honestly don't feel any urgency at all to get that low.

I had never had any type of surgery either. And I said those same words to Dr. Ortiz on December 19th about being scared and nervous. He totally put me at ease with his bedside manner. You are in very capable hands. Dr. Ortiz and his staff will take very good care of you.

Thanks! It's going to take a few days before it catches on

On my way to San Diego!! Here we go! ????????????✈️✈️

@@sunshine69 I had surgery Sept 14, I had a hard time walking the pain in my feet would cause me dread to do anything. I'm 53 and was fed up with being out of breath and feet that would hurt. If I did a little activity I could hardly make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night my feet would hurt so bad. Doing the slightest of activities would cause me to pant out of breath like a dog who ran for miles. This past Friday I spent the entire day shopping and went for a hike out to see my horse which was about half a mile, then did several loads of laundry (up and down many flights of stairs), and really didn't notice till I went to bed that night, there was no pain, none! That alone is the biggest Christmas present..

I researched gastrectomy Vitamin deficiencies and it turns out Vitamin D, B12, Iron, Calcium, folate and zinc are the top things found to become deficient within the first 10 years postop. I basically customize my vitamin supplement based on research findings and my own bloodwork. I started out taking a whole food based Multivitamin (personal preference over synthetic vitamins), calcium citrate, iron, Vitamin D3 5000iu, and B12 500mcg sublingual. My 3 month labs were perfect. My 6 month labs indicated my iron and calcium were high so I stopped taking the calcium and iron supplements. My 12 month labs still showed slightly high calcium, high folate and everything else normal. My PCP wasn't concerned about either of the elevated levels. I will repeat bloodwork again in 6-12 months.  
If you want to keep things simple you could start with OCC's own vitamins. VITALEPH is a complete Bariatric vitamin that you can order from them. I'd also add in a sublingual B12 or give yourself B12 injections because we can't absorb B12 in our intestines anymore. According to my PCP, Even non-surgical patients are often deficient in Vitamin D so I'd add extra of that, too. Start there and make changes to your supplements as needed based on bloodwork. There really is no one size fits all since we all eat different things and metabolize differently and have different nutritional requirements.
 
As for protein, look for the highest protein, lowest carb you can find. Fat doesn't matter. Look on line. If Nashua Nutrition ships to Canada they offer sample sizes of dozens of different protein powders. Vitamin Shoppe is another good online store. Also look at body builder supply places. Do you have GNC's? There are a lot of options available with at least 20-30g protein and 0-5carbs.

Greetings from the newest sleever! I went in bout 230pm(yesterday.) and was awake and in my room by 4! Once again OCC has amazing staff and medical attention. I could not be more thrilled. I have some gas pain, and that is all. No a once of nauseas either! So glad to have the surgery party behind me and moving forward today in my new life! Yay!!!

How many are scheduled? We were lucky, my daughters were first and second that day. They were well on the mend walking the hallway by the time the last one went into surgery.
Hang in there. Your wait is almost over. By tonight you will be sleeping like a baby!

If you are arriving the night before your surgery, you are allowed clear fluids and Protein Shake. FYI The shakes they sell at the airport is very high in sugar! On the way back I bought a Greek yogurt with fruit, but didn't eat the fruit. I couldn't find plain ones. You will be surprised you won't be able to finish 2 spoons so you will end up throwing out the rest. Also ask for Water and or half apple juice half water on the plain. I also got electrolyte drink from Walmart and took it through security. I just explained that I had surgery and they took it tested it and brought it back to me.
Make sure you get up and walk during your flight I got up and looked funny because my back was not straight. Hope that helps. Oh and a very small pillow to support your tummy that helps a lot

I had my surgery on Friday too with Dr. Ortiz and was released on Saturday morning. I agree he is amazing and his staff too! They never pushed me to walk because I was still pretty drugged, at some point they refused me going to the bathroom but I insisted to go lol. I didn't have any gas pain until I got home last night I know it will take some time. I even got up and cooked a full dinner for my family but left the cleaning for my hubby. Just struggling with the Fluid intake and will have to work on that.

I had my surgery on Friday too with Dr. Ortiz and was released on Saturday morning. I agree he is amazing and his staff too! They never pushed me to walk because I was still pretty drugged, at some point they refused me going to the bathroom but I insisted to go lol. I didn't have any gas pain until I got home last night I know it will take some time. I even got up and cooked a full dinner for my family but left the cleaning for my hubby. Just struggling with the Fluid intake and will have to work on that.

@@naan you can pretty much purée anything. it's weird getting used to it lol but it's such a treat compared to nothing but Protein and broth!! like thanksgiving every day lol
I've done homemade chicken Soup, hm refried bean Soup, egg salad, chicken salad. I'm allowed to have very soft fish just mushed with a fork so last night I ate baked cod.
get creative with it. I still do my Protein shake for Breakfast and have yogurt and fat free cheddar sticks for Snacks.. but always look forward to something yummy!
oh and scrambled eggs are allowed on mine. that first egg was such a treat!

Laxative may be too harsh on your system and cause cramping. Try a stool softener like colace or benefiber. Even prune juice or teas like Smooth Move may be a safer alternative.
As for everything else, do not worry. Not everyone has a rough time of it. I had no pain, no gas, no Constipation. I've not experienced frothing or gurgling. I have tolerated everything I've eaten, and can drink easily.

Smooth Move tea can easily be found at Wal-mart and costs less than $3, I have a box yet I have not yet tried the stuff. I have read others who say it's great and others who don't care for the stuff. As with anything all our taste and tolerances are so very different. Keep in mind that if your just out of surgery and had 2wks clear liquid and have been on liquid only it may not be a true issue YET. I suggest checking with your dr for the best advise

I had my surgery on Friday too with Dr. Ortiz and was released on Saturday morning. I agree he is amazing and his staff too! They never pushed me to walk because I was still pretty drugged, at some point they refused me going to the bathroom but I insisted to go lol. I didn't have any gas pain until I got home last night I know it will take some time. I even got up and cooked a full dinner for my family but left the cleaning for my hubby. Just struggling with the Fluid intake and will have to work on that.

So I was traveling yesterday and airports have always been huge eating venues for me. There's often these great restaurants and you've got hours of nothing to do...might as well eat (not to mention drink!) So I was doing laps in the SLC airport yesterday, drinking my bottled Water, trying not to think about food. I had only eaten 1/2 banana on my way to the airport 4 hours earlier and I really was hungry! I walked by the Cinnabon stand...oooo it smelled so good. Then here comes a Rocky Mountain chocolate Factory booth....mmmmm all those truffles! Next there was the Krispy Kreme display. I went over....pressed my nose longingly against the glass, staring at the donuts, trying to keep the drool in my mouth. And low and behold, on top of the counter, next to the cash register, was a display of Quest Bars! I picked out a chocolate brownie flavored one, paid the jacked up $3.50 and continued on my airport walkabout. What a good little bariatric patient I am!

I have to agree with everyone, Dr. Ortiz and his staff are wonderful. When Dr Ortiz came into the room before surgery and talked to me, immediately all of the fear left. The first thing I see after surgery is Dr. Ortiz's beautiful smile telling me surgery is done.
 
Last night I had no pain or gas. I was released this morning and is back at the hotel resting. I can truly say the only regret I have is not having the surgery sooner.

Me too scheduled on October 10 at the OCC

Me too October 10 @ the OCC. Good luck to you stay in touch

Me too scheduled on October 10 at the OCC

Me too scheduled on October 10 at the OCC