smg

If you like to cook, these are actually quite easy to make from scratch. http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/07/chicken-crust-pizza-nocarbpizza-bariatricpizza/

I would steer clear of pastas if at all possible. Pastas are one of those "slider foods" where you can eat more of than you realize, and there's little benefit nutritionally. Especially now, while you can only eat such small amounts, I would stick to those foods that "feed you" nutritionally, like lean proteins and veggies. You can make some great soups with those two ingredients

The inspection is typically after there is an offer and acceptance, but prior to closing. This gives you the opportunity to view the inspection report and either move forward or back out based on the results. Most real estate transactions are subject to buyers acceptance and approval of inspection, but you can ask your realtor to either put that in your offer or show you the exact language that shows the inspection as a contingency so you're not at risk for losing your earnest money deposit.

Not sure what you do or what is required of you at work, but if it's not a labor-intensive job, then you most likely won't miss much time at all. I was back at work within 3 days, but I'm a programmer, so not much to do but sit

Quest brand, any flavor.

I think everyone is going to be unique and will have different "reactions" to different programs. For me, I experienced a stall about 9 months out and tried to embrace it, but just didn't want to...lol. I tried a few different things like raising my protein intake, etc, but ultimately what worked for me was a 30 day reset on the Whole 30 plan. It's a strict plan and not meant for long-term, but it helped me get back on track and I'm down another 14 lbs since starting that, bringing my total lost near 130.

Mine was certainly not that strict....I was allowed solid food (proteins and veggies) right up until the day before surgery, however, I have heard of pre-op diets as strict or even more strict than yours. Many people are put on strict liquid diets with no fruit smoothie or jello options. I would speak to your surgeon or NUT about it if you're concerned. There may be a reason specific to your situation that determined the diet, or it could be that the surgeon has had the best results with that regimen. Best of luck!

Is it only whey based Proteins you're having issues with? I had issues with whey Protein immediately following surgery (not anymore) and I temporarily used a pea or rice based vegan protein source that worked great. You might try that and see if it helps because I'm about 8 months out and I still find it difficult to get enough protein in via food sources without supplementing some Protein powder. That being said, there are some good lean sources of protein to include in your diet. Of course, I am not certain what stage you are in, so this would be considering you are at a point where you can consume these foods, but the best sources of protein for me have been chicken, fish and turkey with the occasional lean beef mixed in. I also juice a lot of leafy green vegetables which adds a variety of amino acids and protein as well. You can juice far more greens than you can eat, so it does add some good healthy sources of protein into your diet, as well as an entire host of Vitamins, minerals and nutrients, not to mention hydration. If I'm going to snack, I try to snack on healthier things that will add some protein as well. Things such as low/no fat Jerky (I dehydrate my own beef/chicken/fish), nuts and seeds (raw and unsalted), hard boiled eggs, Sonoma Creamery Mr. cheese O's Snacks (you can find them on Amazon), low-fat string cheese or the light babybelle cheese snacks. I try to stick with natural "whole foods" whenever possible. Best of luck!

@@Hazel_eyez Sorry for the late reply. Been crazy with the Holidays. I do still have my post-op guidelines, however, they are printed in a book that was given to us during the classroom portion of the process, so they're not really in a format to easily forward. I'm certain if you contact them, they would supply you with a replacement. Speak with Michelle as she is the Nutritionist and handles the printing of the post-op plans. Best of luck!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1052-recipe-sharing/

Those numbers I quoted are for individual Obamacare plans. Company provided plans would not be included in these figures. Though your experience might be high increases with the plans at the company or companies you've been involved with, the average for corporate plan increases is less than 5% per year. The worst part in all of this is the constant switching of plans that individuals have to go through to "get the best rates". This is by design, and it's a poor design at that, especially for those that have complex health issues and in addition to changing plans may also be forced to change providers.

I don't typically like to engage in discussions that end up being two sides "digging in" and defending their points of view because, in my experience, it typically escalates fairly quickly and in the end, neither side is willing to concede. However, I think it's irresponsible of me to disengage entirely when there is some information that appears to have escaped the discussion, and I believe it's important to address it. Yes, corporate greed is a factor in rising insurance premiums just as it's a factor in rising prices on a gallon of milk or a pair of shoes, but to blame increases of 20% year over year on corporate greed alone is absurd and just plain wrong. The Federal Government itself has just said this week that the average mid-level Obamacare plan (the most popular choice) will cost about 22% more in 2017 than it did in 2016. This is based on data from 39 states where people sign up through the HealthCare.gov website. (SOURCE) There's a large discrepancy nationwide. In Phoenix, people are looking at a premium increase of 145% while customers in Rhode Island may actually see up to a 14% decrease (mostly because their rates were substantially higher to begin with). (SOURCE) It's been discussed for months that ObamaCare prices were going to rise substantially after he left office (SOURCE) so I don't quite get the comments blaming everything but the legislation itself. These are numbers and they are indeed facts. There is no question that ObamaCare raises healthcare premiums even for those not previously insured. The big question now is whether this is a one-time jump in the premiums or if this is the start of a new increase pattern that we can expect yearly. The saddest part of all of this is that the largest increases are specifically against customers who purchase their own policies, many of whom would be penalized by regulations if they did not under the "Affordable Care Act". Now, all of that being said, there are ways to get help with the increases, but it's artificial help and in the end amounts to more tax dollars being dumped into the program to cover the bills. Over 80% of Obamacare customers can qualify for subsidies to help pay the cost of their premiums. Those customers don't pay the full cost out of pocket, so they won't personally see the direct impact of the increases, as long as there is a less expensive plan available in their market and they are willing to switch. This may become commonplace, so switching often may be the new "best choice" in order to avoid stiff increases. As more and more major companies pull out of state obamacare exchanges, these less expensive options will become more and more scarce. Switching health plans may save money for these individuals, but as you can see above, switching health plans is a big deal. Having to switch often is a nightmare. To compound problems, customers who have to switch plans often to save money when premiums increase, may also have to change their healthcare providers as well since obamacare plans tend to cover a narrow group of physicians and hospitals. (SOURCE). This can be problematic for those with complex health needs. This means those with the most needs will undoubtedly be hit hardest, forced to make decisions whether to switch all of their doctors and records around, or suffer the increases. (SOURCE) (Keep in mind that frequent switching is part of the obamacare design, and not an accidental flaw, which in and of itself is a head scratcher). Premiums from plans offered by corporations are not very affected by these changes to individual programs. Though it may seem that rates are increasing because, well, they are, those provided by corporations are actually increasing at comparatively low rates when compared to individuals forced to buy policies to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Prices for most employer programs are rising by 3%. (SOURCE). The most notable change in these corporate plans are the deductible amounts, which has gone up quite steadily. This is because employers have been shifting costs to the employees which, to be fair, is a trend that started long before obamacare. $32 billion of tax dollars was spent on subsidies for low-income people who buy insurance in Obamacare markets, according to the Congressional Budget Office. If premiums continue to rise by more than 20% per year, as it will from 2016 to 2017, the strain on the Federal Budget will be extraordinary. There is no doubt that Obamacare is a problem financially speaking. There is also no doubt that every American needs access to medical coverage. Hopefully, whoever becomes the next President can reform this program to make it more affordable to those who need it without such a heavy financial burden being placed on other Americans in order to pay for it. With a tax bracket about to cross 40% in my household, I can't imagine having to pay even more into taxes while dealing with everything else increasing as well. Something really needs to be done, and hopefully it can be a program that helps everyone. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not the way to go about this, and unfortunately that's the way things are heading.

@@cheryl417 Sorry to hear about your experience. I also used Dr. Umbach as a cash patient, but my experience was quite the opposite of yours. My experience there from start to finish with everyone was amazing. Even the follow ups have been great and I've lost over 100 lbs so far with no complications. They certainly do see a high number of patients, but after all of my research the reason was clear that the number of patients they get was a direct result of the excellent performance of Dr. Umbach. A large portion of his patients fly in from all over the country as well as other parts of the world to specifically see him. I'm so sorry that your experience does not reflect his great track record. Being that it sounds as though you also were a cash patient, are you continuing to work with him or have you moved on to another doc? Looking over what you are eating, and knowing first hand the program from Blossom and Michelle, Blossom's NUT, it's certainly not in-line with the post-op diet and not only could that be hindering your weight loss, but could very well cause more irritation if you are still healing. Also, you must keep up with Protein intake. You've stopped drinking protein shakes, but in the examples you gave of what you ate, you are certainly not consuming enough protein in a day which could also be a major factor as to why your weight loss has stalled. I hate to see that you had a poor experience from the same surgeon who I feel gave me my quality of life back, but now your focus should be success moving forward (of course if you feel there was wrongdoing you should handle that appropriately). Stay away from those carbs and "slider foods"...they can be dangerous as they won't fill you up as fast as lean, dense protein and fiber-rich veggies and fruits. Michelle has always been available to help me whether it be trivial questions or in-depth explanations on supplements or questions about food/exercise. She is a great resource and you should really take advantage of that if you are still working with the staff there. I hope things turn around for you soon. Best of luck!

@@OutsideMatchInside I don't see the need to look it up as I just simply don't agree with your analysis. I'm of the opinion (again, based on my own research and advice from nutritionists and surgeons alike) that sodium, while an essential mineral, is far best left at lower levels and quite honestly has an RDA that is far too high as it is. I do understand that in the immediate time frame post-op it's difficult to put down sufficient calories, HOWEVER, being that most of us rely on Soups and broths post-op, chances are even though we're eating a smaller amount of food, most are probably still getting, if not surpassing, the RDA of sodium which, again, is already set about 1000+ mgs too high. What my point was is that the time immediately post-op and the transition period into solid foods is best used as a time to "train" your tastes to lighter, healthier, and yes, less salty foods. I would argue the same against artificial sweeteners as well...including stevia which is natural. Not because they are necessarily "bad for you" but because once you start with "salty" or "sweet" foods you will crave more of the same, and upon continuous consumption of high sodium/high sugar foods, you're looking at the real possibility of more health problems that go along with that. Sodium is also a dehydrator, which can be really bad if you are already having issues getting in enough liquid during the day. Please note that I am not suggesting you eliminate sodium from your diet, just to be aware of the amount you take in on a daily basis. Processed foods are a nightmare for people trying to stay lower in sodium, which was my main point in the previous post.

Yeah I'd say on the surface that certainly sounds not only insensitive, but truly unprofessional from someone who is supposed to be your superior. It's hard to read "intent" from people sometimes so I wouldn't necessarily jump to conclusions, but I can understand your frustration with the situation. The easier you can let things like this pass the better off you'll be in the long run. On a lighter note...congrats on the surgery! How's everything going so far?

How about "I had surgery this morning at 8, it's 4 pm now and I just had a crunchy taco and shot of whiskey and now I feel guilty...is that bad?" ~ Ok maybe that's a little exaggerated....but only a little! Some of the questions are outright scary. After reading some I often wonder how they haven't injured themselves or even caused a rupture, but I don't dare say anything because....you know...bullying and all.

@@ABarnett916X Not in the area anymore, but grew up in New Castle, to the west of Pittsburgh. Huge Steelers/Penguins/Pirates fan and just thought I'd drop in and say hi, welcome, and best of luck!

Sorry @@OutsideMatchInside I usually agree with most of your posts, but not with this one. I eat low carb and find I need far less salt than I used to. In fact, I probably don't break 1000 mg per day on most days. I think it's wise to monitor sodium intake on any diet, low carb or not, and cold cuts have some of the highest sodium counts per calorie of anything. On average, for a single slice of lunch meat there is 362mg of sodium which is 15% of the RDA. The RDA is 2,300 mg which is already high according to the America Heart Association, which recommends a daily intake of only 1,500 mg. The average actual intake for Americans is 3,400 mg which is over double what the AHA recommends, so sodium is a far bigger problem than we think considering its a major contributing factor to a host of health issues, Being so new out of surgery, it's easy to say don't worry about right now because you won't be able to eat much, but I think it's much bigger than that. It's no different with sugars or sweets. You need to re-train your taste and you can't do that if you're consuming large amounts of salt or sugar because you'll just be training yourself to want and crave those foods. Instead use this time to find some alternatives like salt-free seasoning and spices that can take the place of added salt. Also, coarse ground Kosher or sea salt is a good option when you want to add some salt, as the crystals are larger and you can add less without compromising taste. Choose a Multivitamin with iodine in it and you'll never have a "need" for iodized table salt again. You certainly don't have to cut it out completely, as sodium is an essential nutrient, but you should be aware of how much you're consuming on a daily basis and try to keep it under control....best of luck!

It is without a doubt worth the money for first class. In fact, it's the only way to travel....really makes a difference, not just in size of seat but in service as well...just a completely different experience. So much so, that it's the only way my wife and I travel now. Since we both travel a lot, we have the miles to upgrade. This is true even after the weight loss

I certainly wouldn't plan on tacos so soon after you're back on solids. If you remove the tortilla and replace it with some kind of green like a collard leaf, then maybe a small bite or two, but I would "ease back in" to solid foods and try them one at a time to see if anything irritates your new sleeve. For instance when I first went back on solid foods, shredded chicken and turkey were great, but for some reason ground meat of any kind upset my stomach. I can eat it now, but when I was just getting back on solids it hurt. Refried Beans were a good started back into Mexican cuisine. Add a bit of low-fat cheddar on the top with some diced tomatoes and it's great. Just try everything individually first and give it a few minutes before trying more to see if you get any irritation. Hot sauce which I love was also a no-no for some time for me.

If you have the time, it's always best to prepare your own Proteins as that way you can control the added sodium, sugar and fat, but sometimes that's not always practical. I try to view things on a "Good, Better, Best" scale. For "cold cuts" I would view the Good, Better, Best scale as follows (my opinion): Best: Buy fresh, organic (if possible) cuts of Protein. Turkey, chicken or lean beef and prepare them yourself. Pros: You control the added salt/sugar/fat. Cons: Expensive and takes time to prepare. Better: Buy low-sodium choices of turkey breast, chicken breast or lean beef cuts. Good: Prepackaged versions (low sodium if you can find it) of the meats mentioned above. I would stay away from highly processed meats like salami, pepperoni, bologna, etc. Not only are they extremely high in sodium but they are often cured with nitrites/nitrates and super-high in fat as well.

Careful with that stuff...it's better than wheat or rice Pasta but if you are watching carbs it has over 30 for just 2oz. I think a much better choice for pasta would be something that's not processed like spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash. I use both and the entire family loves either of them....the kids like the spaghetti squash a bit more than the zucchini and they actually didn't know it wasn't pasta the first time until I let them know. I know everyone has varying opinions on this, but my goal post-op has been to stay away from processed foods as much as humanly possible. If it comes in a box, I tend to leave it on the shelf! I have stuck to natural, whole foods and haven't counted carbs or calories...in fact the only thing I've counted is Protein to make sure I'm getting enough and so far it's worked amazingly.

Stay positive! Your new life starts in an hour!!! Best of luck! Keep us posted...

Yes I used Dr. Umbach and he and his entire team are fantastic. Michelle the Nutritionist is an amazing resource who is easy to communicate with via email or phone...always there for me with any questions I have...even months after surgery. The entire experience there was easy and they make you feel comfortable the whole time. I was a cash patient, so I didn't have to deal with insurance requirements, and was able to use their state-of-the-art, brand new surgical center instead of dealing with a hospital. Went in at 7 am to prep (was first surgery of that day) and was on my home by noon. I've lost over 100 pounds so far and I am feeling great.