BLERDgirl

She may also need a PPI like prilosec/omeprazole.

You've gotten really good advice so I won't add to that. I do want to comment on your language in that post because it gives a bit of insight into your thinking. Words like "cheated" "failed" came up frequently. It's negative language that I try to avoid because for me it was how I thought when I would diet over and over again. When I decided I wanted better health, I was looking to change my lifestyle. That meant, how I eat, how I think about food and how I exercise as part of that life. The reintroducing food stages aren't forever. What is forever is how you plan to eat going forward. "cheating" on you diet implies sneaking and doing something bad. You want to be able to live and plan Snacks and indulgences. For now just plan and think about how to follow your program from this day forward. Stop treating yourself like a naughty child that needs to be scolded into doing the right thing. You can do this!

I just make regular coffee and instead of cream I use vanilla protein powder. If I get coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts I get it no sugar and add either my unflavored whey or vanilla protein powder to it.

Are you getting in any carbs? Not processed carbs, but healthy ones from things like whole grains. They don't run through you as fast a fruit and may prevent those dips. It's one of the reasons why I don't do low carb. A healthy dose of carbs is actually good for you.

With the exception of my D levels, I have been insanely steady throughout this whole process.

Oh I understand the reasoning, and perhaps they touched on it and I don't remember. I remember the booklet was very intense and my H & P was pretty thorough. I also wasn't nervous at the thought of a psych eval so I may just not be remembering it.

Your friend gave you awful advice. I can't speak for bypass patients but as a sleeve patient I can eat whatever I want. The difference is the amount of what I can eat. Because that amount is small I choose to make sure that what I eat is quality. I go for real food; fresh veg, and because I am vegetarian Beans, eggs and cheese. I don't reach for junk food. However I can eat pretty much anything I want. Yesterday I had chocolate chips Cookies. That's not a typical choice, but I can have it if I want. My thought process is different. Now it's why would I regularly eat chocolate chip cookies when I went through surgery, and then 6 weeks of reintroducing food back into my life (2 weeks all liquid/2 weeks purees/2 weeks soft foods)? Why would I eat chocolate chip cookies regularly when I spent the past year exercising to loose 115lbs? It's about making good choices and not being a slave to food. The holiday's are over. Get rid of those leftovers. You don't want to go into surgery still having cravings from all those sugary carbs.

You likely need a PPI. I ill admit after a few days of the liquid diet, it's not uncommon to want to chew, but if you are feeling what you think may be hunger pains, you likely need a PPI. My doctor started me on omeprazole/prilosec. Many others use Zantac, or Prevaid. A daily PPI will help with the acid that your tummy is producing that often feels like hunger pains.

WOW! They asked about sexual abuse and alcoholism for yours? Mine was much more laid back. None of those questions were asked.

When banded the food gets stuck and causes excess mucus therefor causing it to slime. For sleevers it often comes from eating too fast and the food displaces the saliva/mucus in your tummy and comes back up like slimy foam. It's unpleasant but as long as you eat slowly it shouldn't happen. In the early stages post-op some sleevers forget to eat super slow and have an issue with it. I have never been banded. Sleeve is my only WLS.

You've had quite a bit of trauma to that area. It's not unusual. It will take some time for the swelling to go down and the fluids from the IV to pass.

Sounds like you are doing well. Welcome to the losers bench!

I am allergic to most artificial sweeteners so I avoid them. I can tolerate the sucrolose in Protein powders but if I am making a cup of tea I just use a small bit of the real thing or some raw honey. The point is to not overdo it. If you have issues with artificial sweeteners, talk to NUT and work something out. If it's just a ½ a tbsp once a day you may be okay. You just have to be aware of how much natural sugar is in anything else you eat for the day.

I wasn't scared for one second. I had done my research/homework. I trusted my doctor's and I had followed all my pre-op instructions to the T. I was pretty calm going in. The day of surgery, I got up, said a prayer and just let go. Going under isn't bad. After you are hooked up to the IV they start the anesthesia and you just sleep. Post-op also wasn't bad for me. I was more sore than in actual pain. Just go slow. The hospital staff is there to help you, so let them.

Are you on a PPI? It could also be acid. If it persist call the doc on Monday.

Celebrate! I used to be a major concert junkie so I know the thrill. I passed on Adele because there are several Broadway shows I want to see this year and since I'm retired I can't do both. Have fun!

You need a cheat meal or you want one?

There are loads of apps out there. Sparkpeople and Myfitnesspal are 2 of the most popular. Both list foods, their nutritional values and also allow you to record exercise and water intake. A lot of fitness trackers have apps that also let you log your food. Digital scales and good measuring cups are also invaluable tools.

I can barely remember. I did a little booklet that asked about family history and supports. The meeting with the psych was very conversational. I got the impression she just wanted to access my feelings and expectations about what this surgery would be like.

@@Emilie.Lancaster - Slime also know as foamies typically occurs when you eat too fast. It's a small space and eating too fast put too much food and air in a tiny space causing saliva to be displaced. So basically you are bring up slimey, foamy saliva. I can't say how common it is for most people. As I mentioned it happened to me exactly once in the 14mths since I have been sleeved. I haven't experienced any food intolerances and only foamed the one time from eating too fast. No idea what PB is. My post-op life is pretty uneventful. I can eat pretty much anything I want, and I haven't vomited since I left the hospital.

If you eat too fast you can slime with the sleeve. I experienced it exactly once. I was out to dinner about 4 mths post - op and was talking so much I forgot to eat slower. That one time was all the reminder I needed. Currently 14mths out and no issues with eating. Not sure what PB means.

It will be a matter of tasting what's out there. I've tried hemp, pea and brown rice based powders. I thought hemp tasted fine but was a bit gritty. Pea was okay and I disliked brown rice. Pre-op I tried at least 20 different powders to see if I liked them. Taste is subjective, in the end you won't know if you like/dislike something unless you try it.

Single serving pack of pistachios can vary from 80 - 200 depending on the brand. Wonderful has 80 calories packs, Herr's has 130 calorie packs. Cheese sticks are also under 200, greek yogurt under 200. Even better if you buy it plain and add your own fruit.

@@lesley_vsg - I mean take big swallows instead of sipping. If I am thirsty I can even gulp with no issues. Water fill me as well so in the early stages I had to block out time to do nothing but sip. I would have 4 - 8 ounces when I woke. That gave me at least 30 mins to an hour between getting dressed and fixing breakfast. Between breakfast and lunch I just sipped. However I usually had a good 3 hours between lunch and dinner and I really focused on drinking water. At least a good 30 ounces. It wasn't easy those first 6 weeks, but I knew I didn't want to get dehydrated I made it a point to get those fluids in. As you heal it gets easier.

Sweet Earth makes really good vegan & vegetarian burritos. High protein as well. My fav is the Tiger Curry and the Anasazi burritos. Protein ranges from 11 - 18 grams of protein.