BLERDgirl

YES! I order an egg white omelet once when out to brunch because it was the safest thing on the menu. I think I would rather have eaten my shoe. It was disgusting. @@talkingmountain - I'm online often. feel free to drop me a message anytime. I'm thinking of making the transition to vegan. I may go see the homepath and discuss it with him. I expect this second year to be more challenging than the first and this may be the thing to help get me through it.

@@agalindo17 - Why delete it? There is no need to delete here. Anybody reading this post can see your clarification further down. It's frustration to those trying to help when people delete the original post.

I try to keep a stash of Snacks in my car so I don't make bad food choices. I keep Protein bars and single serving packs of nuts, usually pistachios, almonds or cashews. I've heard others also keep Jerky or dried meats. My go to fast food is a Dunkin Donuts egg & cheese wake up wrap. I peel off half the tortilla so I'm mostly eating egg and cheese. The next time your NUT gives you a list, ask her these same questions and write the answers on the list so you have it for future reference.

@@anna9/15 - I would try a plain fast food chicken sandwich over Jimmy Johns unless you just plan to eat the lunch meat only. Just be careful because sometimes when meat are too dry they can be difficult to digest. Just be careful that fast food is not a main part of your daily diet. Even sleeved you can regain if you eat too much of the wrong thing. You would be better off cooking a chicken breast at home and eating it with a little light gravy to keep it moist. Also remember to eat slow and take small bites. Eventually you'll be able to bite and chew normally but as you re-introduce food you want to take it slow. @@Trinn - I was using sriracha probably around week 3 or 4. I just added a splash to my Soup or veg broth. I just didn't use as much as I usually do. I pulled back when I had issues with acid around month 3 - 6 but other than that time period I use it all the time.

For me the only food restrictions I have are self imposed. I don't eat much bread, white rice, regular pasta, crackers, etc... I'm vegetarian so I don't eat beef, poultry, fish or pork but everything I like I can eat with no problems. I don't eat a lot of processed foods or fast foods. Spicy foods are no trouble. I put hot sauce on darn near everything

Yup first surgeon appt in June, approval in Aug, surgery in Sept

How pain free I would feel. I had a hysterectomy 10 years prior so I expected more pain. At best, I had what could be described as mild soreness. Seeing my feet return to normal size seemingly over night was also a pleasant surprise.

Isopure - GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. ProSource NoCarb I bought online. I think it was MedLine, you may also be able to get it from Amazon. I split the isopure into 3 parts and add to my water bottle. I use 20 & 24 ounce bottles so if I drink one in the morning, one in the afternoon & one in the evening I hit my fluid goal easily. GNC also has a membership card that gives you discounts so it pretty much pays for itself & they send you coupons from their mailing list. If you buy brick & mortar, save your receipts in case you need to return things you don't like.

@@Kerley5 - Have you spoken with your doctor about the nausea? If it's that bad they may be able to prescribe an anti-nausea med for you. Ask them in something like peppermint or ginger tea would be aceptable.

That would make her approximately 5'1". 103 -105 is ideal weight for that height.

That's not completely true. Yes sleevers don't have as much malabsorption issues as bypass patients. Part of the reason why we take supplements is because we don't eat enough to get all the proper nutrients from food. Of course it varies person to person which is why regular bloodwork is vital. A year out I don't take half as many supplements/vitamins as I did early on. I also never had to take Iron supplements at all. However left unchecked a Vitamin deficiency could cause series illnesses and in rare occasions death. There is no reason to be afraid to speak your mind here. Differing opinions is not the same thing as bashing or getting mad. It's just the sharing of opposing thoughts.

That's a question for your doctor or nutritionist. Some do liquids for 2 weeks, some 3, some only a few days. It varies practice to practice.

First 2 weeks no. After that as tolerated. If you have issues with reflux no because the acidity of the citrus can be a trigger.

You are supposed to follow your doctor's orders. Different doctor's have different rate of progression back to regular food.

I like the Isopure no carb but I only drink the teas or coconut flavors so I can't speak to the fruit flavors. I was given Prosource NoCarb while in the hospital and used it for the first month post-op. It was great mixed in herbal tea.

How far out are you after surgery? If you are still on soft food probably not. If you are cleared for all foods (including nuts and seeds) then I don't see why not as long as you track it and it fits in your program. Good point. I didn't add whole grains back in until I was cleared to eat all foods as tolerated.

Prep-op testing varies program to program. I had ultrasound of legs for the ivc filter, chest X-ray, Upper GI, blood work, sleep study, respiratory stress test, psych evaluation and I think a bone density test. It was all listed in my handbook. I also had the special soap to wash with before the ivc filter and day of surgery. From what I understand the Upper GI or EKG and chest xray are designed to find out if you have a hernia or any other issue such as an esophageal stricture that may effect swallowing or make you susceptible to extremely high levels of acid or reflux. This could lead to ulcers or and/or make healing painful and uncomfortable.

I'm going to bookmark this post. Mine journey is expected to take 2 years as well. This is a great reminder that I can do it.

I had surgery Sept.18/2014. These pictures were taken July 2014 & 2015

My thighs are where my skin is saggy. So far face and upper body are pretty good. Had my first sore over the summer. Took pictures for when I hit goal.

I think a small amount wouldn't hurt. It would probably be similar to having a grain like brown rice. I eat plenty of grains and have yet to stall as a result. It's a complex carb so not as bad for you as processed carbs. I'd have to google to double-check but I'm pretty sure pine nuts aren't actually nuts. It's a seed like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

I didn't have one pre-op appointment. I had 3 visits at my program. They do the team approach. Visit 1 - Nurse weighs, checks vitals, review written H/P (history & physical - the paperwork I filled out, etc...). I then meet with nutritionist. She reviewed food log, makes recommendations for increasing Protein. I receive my handbook that covers the process start to finish, sample foods for pre and post-op life, listing of recommended Vitamins and supplements, listing of recommended protein powders, drinks and shakes. A section on contact list for the program and pre-op testing required so I can check them off as complete them and a section for note taking. I am to bring this handbook to each appointment. I then meet with the Nurse Practitioner. She also reviews the H & P and give prescriptions for the needed testing. Psych stops by and I am given 6 page survey to complete and bring back at next appt. I meet with the surgeon and his resident. He reviews the surgery, what it entails. Pros and cons, and what precautions they will take. Visit 2 - I see all the people above except the surgeon. I see the resident instead. They update what test have completed and what is scheduled. I spend the most time with the nutritionist who reviews my food log. Told to practice eating slow and separating eating from drinking. Hand in psych paperwork, spend and hour with psych. (Psych eval was covered by insurance, I paid $200 for nutrition class) I am informed that insurance may or may not pay (it varies depending on insurance) for psych eval and nutrition class & how much each will cost. Visit 3 - I see all the people I saw on appt 2. Again spend time reviewing food log w/ NUT. After appointment I have a 2 hour nutrition class with other WLS pts. I am given a free Water bottle. I then go to pre-admission testing and get bloodwork done. I am given a duffle bag for my hospital stay. Between visits 2 & 3 I had received my approval letter from insurance and the surgeon's assistant has called and given me my surgery date. Informed hospital will call and give me surgery time a week before surgery. As part of my pre-admission testing I also was required to attend at least one support group meeting. My doctor also felt that I should have an IVC filter as a precaution so as part of my pre-op testing I also had an ultrasound of my legs and meet with the doctor for that. I had my IVC filter put in the day before surgery. I was given a mini garment bag for my clothing since that was same day short procedure. I now have hospital logo weekend luggage complete with a wooden hanger!

I wouldn't recommend isolating myself. It's not about the food, it's about the company. Go, nurse a drink or get Water with a lime in it and focus on enjoying company. Part of this is relearning how to Celebrate and socialize without food as a crutch. I've been going out since I was 2 mths post op. Sometimes I eat, sometimes I get Soup, and sometimes I get nothing. I chat with my friends and have a good time. If you don't make a big deal about it, no one else will. You had this surgery to be able to get out and enjoy life, so go out and ENJOY!

Full liquids - 2 weeks. Anything thinner than a milkshake Purees - 2 weeks. Baby food consistency Soft Foods - 2 weeks. Food must be melt in your mouth or easily chewed All foods as tolerated. No caffeinated drinks for first 6 weeks.

You may need to increase your dosage. I had to go from 20 - 40mgs. Also notice when it seems to occur and plan to take your meds 1 -2 hours prior. That helped me tremendously.