Ashlegal

I didn't say anything about quantity. In fact I never assumed you at a lot of anything in particular but you didn't get obese by eating salads, fresh fruits, veggies, lean Proteins and working out 5 times a week. Your relationship with food is what caused the weight to stick. I didn't eat crap food prior to surgery. I had not had fast food in years prior to surgery nor had I had anything pre-packaged, conveniently made or deep fried for months and months before surgery. I ate clean, mostly paleo, home prepared and super fresh. But I ate more than necessary, never exercised and used food as a way to make me feel happy, Celebrate, calm my nerves, cure boredom, as an excuse to indulge and it was my best friend. So while I made healthy food choices, I didn't have healthy eating habits. I enjoy food completely differently than I did six weeks ago. I see it as a way to let my body heal, get nutrients, make it do amazing things and to keep me going. I made white chili chicken the other night and even though I was only capable of 5 bites, those five bites were amazing. When I was in Vegas, I went out to eat with some friends and ordered a shrimp appetizer that was divine. I was so stoked to have left-overs at 2 in the morning when we made it back to the room after a night of Black Jack. Eating is different after surgery but it can be pleasurable, enjoyable and something to do with friends, family and during other social events. I'm not missing quantity of food I miss quality. Actually, I never ate a lot of food, I just ate junk (chips, soda, candy) The act of enjoying eating... However, I did enjoy food that is considered healthy like tuna and chicken etc but not anymore. That's not something I think should be forfeited. The idea is that why can't you be healthy and enjoy what you eat at the same time? but I have to deal with this new reality.

My NUT and my Surgeon don't have a "one size fits all" mentality in their plans for their patients. They work with us an individuals and not as patients of WLS. There are certain universal guidelines but each plan varies from patient to patient. Because of that I follow my personal plan established by me, my surgeon, my NUT and my therapist to the T. I do not waiver in their expectations, requirements, plan details and goals for me. I know that the plan is put into place for me not only to succeed but to feel empowered by my decision, new way of life and a new me.

It is a trade off. And you probably need to work with a therapist in dealing with your relationship with food. Many of us (including myself) have sought help from support groups, therapists and mentors to overcome our unhealthy love affair with food. You are right, food is no longer the pleasure it once was. You didn't expect to go on this radical transformation and still eat how you did prior to WLS? Right? You made the decision because eating was killing you, being obese was killing you, being uncomfortable in your own skin was killing you and you are now not being killed by food, your weight or the body you once had. You can either survive to eat or eat to survive. You made the right decision. Remember, nothing and I do mean nothing taste as good as being thin, looking good, being healthy and having self confidence feels.

I am glad you have a disclaimer for your attitude as your "signature."

I will not deprive myself of anything in moderation. That being said, I didn't get to almost 300 pounds because I did anything in moderation, including food. I truly believe depriving yourself is a catalyst to failure. You will fill punished, you will feel regret, you will feel isolated, you will left-out and eventually those feelings will lead you to not just one slice of cake but several pieces, then those pieces give you permission to eat something else equally bad and before you know it you have started the journey of the slippery slope to weight gain. I understand that it takes great dedication to your health to decide on WLS and with that dedication came sacrifices. Many of those sacrifices include "tempting food" but for many people a slice of pie is just a slice of pie or a few french fries it just a few french fries. Being a WLS patient doesn't mean you give up the joy of tempting food. It simply means you know when and how to make the splurge.

It could be a number of things but "drinking a ton" does not equate to "enough." My Surgeon for the first month post-op wanted me drinking 6 - 16.9 bottles of Water a day. Not only was it SUPER difficult but overwhelming. But I contribute the fact that I followed those orders to my easy healing process. Did you drink caffeine before surgery? Maybe it's the pain meds. Maybe it's just your body's way of telling you to rest, get more Protein and drink more fluids. Or it could just be that four days after surgery your body is going through an incredible transition. It is purging all the gas, fluids, IV meds and anesthesia on top of being cut off from calories, carbs, caffeine. It also just maybe a food (hunger) headache. They are real. They are brutal and you just have to ride them out.

I think you will get a lot of information from this blog. A lot of what I have tried in terms of food have come from this blog and the lady's Pinterest boards. You should join Pinterest (if you haven't) there are a ton of ideas for all stages of post-op diet. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta Cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave.

I can get a half cup of some foods down with ease. Like Hormel Turkey Chili or Mashed Sweet Potato with Protein powder are easy to consume a half a cup. But when I try to eat shredded chicken with broth and pureed carrots, I can get maybe 4-5 bites and I am full. I've only tried eggs once and one scrambled with some cheese was about all I could handle. Everyone is different, just listen to your body and follow you doctor's instructions.

@@melps You're welcome. Stay positive! Be patient! And enjoy the ride.

How old are your children? Are they capable of maintaining light chores until you are back on your feet? Some of us didn't require much more than to have someone drive us home. I was doing laundry the second day out of the hospital and by the third night I was able to make easy meals for my family. By day five I was doing all the light chores (out of choice as I could not sit around the house, it drove me nuts), preparing the meals (the kids and hubby cleaned up) and was walking a mile everyday. It is all about personal tolerance no two people are alike. And most of the complaints are not so much pain related but having no energy.

Nope. I had surgery five days before you and I have only had two carb moments. Both left me in a lot of pain, discomfort and feeling crummy. I'm sorry, I know you wanted someone to say "go for it, it is only a piece of toast." Have you moved on to pureed foods yet? Or what are currently allowed to eat?

Yep. Normal. Think about what you have been through. You have been sedated, poked, prodded, cut, rearranged and sewn up Then your calorie, carb, caffeine and general food intake has been substantially decreased. It gets better. Everyday it gets better. Right now you should focus on listening to your body, getting plenty of rest and fluids. Some people feel lethargic weeks into months after surgery. Others don't. Nothing wrong with either feeling. Just be patient with the journey and stay hydrated. Congrats in the weight loss!

I received my first denial based on two mistakes, one was mine and the other was my NUT's. I gained two pounds my last month of weigh ins. Yep, two pounds and they denied me! My weight had been fluctuating the same ten pounds in either direction for about eight months. Then in my NUT's "final review" she stated that I had taken on the hobby of baking pies, breads, Cookies, muffins and other pastries. What she forgot to disclose was that I had taken on the hobby of baking raw/vegan/sugar free/gluten free/dairy free pastries to prepare me for my after surgery diet needs. My surgeon's office called me and said "start over with a new six months of weigh ins and NUT appointments, we won't give up if you don't!" I was approved two weeks after my last weigh in and am six weeks post-op. DON'T GIVE UP.

Check out this blog:

I've had it happened a few times when I have swallowed something that was either too big, harder to digest or too carby. I was eating a little bit of saltine with some chili the other night and I chewed a bite so hard it barely existed in my mouth. But the minute I swallowed it felt like someone stabbed me in the chest then it ripped open my throat. Ugh! My Surgeon says if I am handling other solids, liquids and soft foods, I am okay and should just concentrate on the size bite I am taking. I know it is a miserable feeling and I empathize with ya!

It is for sure a trade-off. One you won't regret! For every movie with popcorn or a cheeseburger with friends there will be a new dress you never thought you could fit into or the feeling of fitting into a amusement park ride or going on a bike ride or looking great in a pair of jeans or sleeping comfortably through the night or not having to take a bunch of meds to keep you alive or not being embarrassed to get on a plane. Nothing taste as good as being healthy, thin and having self confidence feels.

I drink four ounces of Fairlife 2% twice a day. Some days plain, other days with protein powder and I love it! It is a staple in my fridge and I hope it never goes away.

FAIRLIFE! FAIRLIFE! FAIRLIFE MILK! I repeat, FAIRLIFE, FAIRLIFE MILK! Here check it out! http://fairlife.com/

@@cjd2010 You are welcome. I am always around if you ever need anyone to talk to. A lot of us feel alone after going through surgery even if we have a support system. Having someone who has been through it helps a lot.

@@sarahbethemails Your new stomach can and will stretch. It will not stay the size it is immediately after surgery forever. The same problems that made people obese before surgery can and will make them obese after surgery.

@@tootie09 May I ask what kind of "protein" you are using? Are they pre-made shakes or are you using powder? Are you using anything besides Water to mix the powder with? Also, keep in mind that even foods such as puddings, Popsicles, yogurts, thinned out Cottage cheese won't really give you much of a full feeling. The do fill you up much more than just liquid but they exit your pouch in the same way liquid would. When can you start off Clear Liquids into full liquids or purees?

I am sure there will be another (3,4,12 or 20 million) threads about the Netrition site but I thought I'd make my own. Does anyone order from the site http://www3.netrition.com/cgi/product_categories_display.cgi?categories=BARI#{VUwxRElWMQ==|page=1} If so, what have you purchased and were you happen with the product(s)? If not, do you have another place you buy specialty "diet" items from?

According to many of our surgeons so does having Gastric Bypass. Bypass doesn't keep you from eating regular food. What the hell is "regular food" anyway? I am five weeks post-op and spent the week in Vegas. I went out to eat, went to a birthday party, ordered take-out, had Snacks in my suite and even a small slice of birthday cake last night. No WLS prevents anyone from leading a normal life with "regular food." But if you think the Sleeve is going to keep you thin AND make it possible to eat the way you have prior to WLS, you're wrong. Research shows many Sleevers do revisions to Bypass because they were not able to lose all the weight expected to be healthy. There are many reasons for this and chances are it has as much to do with diet after as anything else after surgery.

Which sucks for the OP because this kinda of post really makes it hard to catalog through all the information given. As far as I know neither surgery would keep you from eating at restaurants. This post is at the very least somewhat misleading.