BLERDgirl

yep. type stall into the search box and you'll get a million post

I get in between 650 - 850 a day, but I think I average about 800. Just ran a report on MFP. If I am doing it correctly it says I has 588 net calories on 01/01 and 742 calories total. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

Spinach is good because it's high in iron and a plant based protein. It also can be blended up easily. My handbook says "carrots, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, onions, summer squash - avoid fibrous or stringy vegetables"

I'm 3½ months. So far I've had a pretty easy time of it. The biggest issue I had in the hospital was them not being able to get a vein for the IV. I ended up with a PICC- line instead. Otherwise everything has been easy peasy. I woke up feeling pretty good. No pain at all. My middle just felt like I had worked out really hard the day before. I as walking in recovery, didn't need any pain meds while I was in-patient, no gas pains, no nausea, no vomiting. I've tolerated everything I have eaten. Sure I got bored with the Protein shake for the 2 weeks I was all liquids, but I just pushed through. I walked everyday until I was allowed to resume Water aerobics at 3 weeks. I now do water aerobics 5 days a week. I eaten out at restaurants 3 times and be able to manage each time. Of course I brought home a doggy bag each time, but that was fine. I wasn't scared of the surgery at all. I had done all my research, I followed doctor's orders to a T and trusted my surgeon. I went into the OR completely relaxed. You'll be fine and you'll love being able to play with your kids.

@@galadriel535 - I would ask them about that. My handbook mirrored my verbal instructions and the tray they brought me only had what I was allowed to eat. There are many variations of bariatric diets. However I notice most of the differences are about when to re-introduce fruit and veg. The basic rule of thumb is still Protein & Fluid first and 30 mins spacing between eating and drinking..

Yes. There's simply no room to munch out of boredom or as a way of eating my emotions. For one thing you get full too fast, for another, typically I am sipping water if I'm not eating. I do occasionally relax in the evening with a cup of tea and I use real sugar or honey. I'm allergic to the fake stuff. Yesterday I didn't go to the gym and because I've promised myself to to at least 30 mins of exercise of some sort everyday, I treated myself to 1 mini Reese's peanut butter cup. I was actually satisfied with just that one. If you allow it to, this surgery can help you change how you view food.

Glad to hear it!

Do they have customer reviews? Speak with the hospital they may be familiar with it.

I don't know, I would prefer a medical escort over a red cross volunteer or a hospital volunteer. A medical escort would be more likely to be trained on what to do if there is an emergency. A red cross volunteer or even a hospital volunteer isn't going to have that medical training.

@@Sleeve101 - How are you coming along these days? Are you still doing the pre-op testing or have you put that on hold?

You'll have to ask your nutritionist that. I was told from the very beginning to shoot for 64ounces with the understanding that I would have to work up to that amount.

Let you EGD be the example. Your surgery can be a breeze! Mine was. I had no pain, gas or any other complication you can name or imagine. I didn't even need pain meds while I was in the hospital. Tell yourself that's how you will be and keep telling yourself that until you believe it. Take that positive attitude into the hospital with you. Also high five your older kids for being awesome!

Maybe you could speak with the nutritionist about putting you on a maintenance diet.

I have never used the medical escort service but if it's similar to the visiting nurses they are usually vetted very well. I had visiting nurses for this surgery and my hysterectomy. Both ladies were wonderful. Not only efficient but truly nice people.

Buy single serving packs of Protein powders, pack a shaker bottle to mix drinks, pack some Protein Bars to keep in you pockets for the long days. At Breakfast everyday grab an apple or an orange. They are both lowfat Snacks. Bananas are filling but really high in sugar. Also grab a bottle of Water each day or bring a water bottle with you. Yes that means carrying a shaker bottle, fruit, Protein Bar and water. I would wither get a soft side cooler bag or carry a big bag or back pack.

Good for you! Maybe next time try sneaking in some of those puffed veggie snacks instead.

@@JerseyJules - Try to think of it as making a new normal. It a chance to no longer have your life ruled by food addiction. For example I am finally at a place in my life where I can take one bite of chocolate and not only be satisfied, but I can walk away. Before if it was in the house I wasn't just eating a bite, I was eating it all! The physical change of having a new, smaller tummy is not bad if you treat it right. It wants small amounts of good, healthy foods and reasonable amounts of indulgences. It's may be hard to wrap your mind around that until post-op but you'll come to actually prefer it that way. My portions are small but I am full and satisfied when eating them. Tonight I had 1 cup of vegetable Soup with 3 ounces of beyond meat chickenless strips added to it. My belly is comfortably full. I'll wait 30 minutes and finish drinking Water for the rest of the evening. I have no desired to snack or munch on anything. My meals are typically anywhere from ¼ to ½ cup. Soups make be a whole cup but most of that is usually broth.

Do you homework. If there are hospitals or centers in your are find out if they have informational seminars. The seminars typically review the various types of weight loss surgeries they do and what type is recommended for each weight loss group.(obese, morbidly obese, extremely morbidly obese). Review any information they provide you with before you meet with the surgeon. This is a wonderful site, but please take everything you read here with a huge grain of salt. People come here an post their own personal experiences both good and bad. If you are not already exercising regularly, I would recommend doing so ASAP. I think it helps strengthen the body in preparation for surgery and makes for a faster recuperation. WELCOME!!!

@ - I was just wondering because I'm a vegetarian AND I'm allergic to seafood. I wouldn't have been able to eat that tuna fish @@lovemychihuahua - no yogurt? That's crazy! I must get half my Protein from greek yogurt. This is why I had to ask at the seminar if they had problems with vegetarians. I would never have survived either of these programs.

Most people have to shop around a bit to find a protein drink that works for them. Don't feel as if you are stuck with Isopure. Find one you can tolerate. It will make all that sipping mch easier.

@ Tuna fish? That is odd. Were there other choices?

I do Water aerobics. I swear the fact that I have been doing water aerobics for the past 3 years had a lot to do with how easy things have been for me. My gym has classes 6days/2 evenings a week and each instructor puts their own spin on it. I go at least 5 days a week. @@vsg_candy - don't worry about keeping up. You can modify most of the positions or just march in place through the hard parts. After a while you get the hang of things.

Has she said or done something to make you concerned? I don't have a problem with young or even inexperienced as long as they know their job. In fact I have had less issues with younger nutritionist. The older ones often like to try and talk me into eat meat. Younger ones are more familiar with plant based diets and willing to work with me to seek out alternative protein sources.

It's early yet. It takes time to work up to getting 60+gms of Protein and 64 ounces of fluids. I finally started adding greek yogurt to my morning shake instead of Water of milk. It makes them about 30-38 gms of protein. It makes it easier to get the rest in and still drink water. Just do the best you can without making yourself sick.

@@HappyinHollywood Thanks. I always have to check because stevia isn't an artificial sweetener. It's from the stevia plant. It tends to show up in a lot of vegan and vegetarian Protein powders. Unfortunately I am allergic to stevia.