liannatx

This board is a great source of information, inspiration, and motivation! I find the best information here and on the Post Op Questions & Answers forum.

I think the risk of a clot is only high for the first 6 weeks, but I might be mistaken. I only worried about that for the first week, once I went back to work I am up and down and walking all day. Check with your surgeon, he will be able to give you definitive guidelines and timelines.

@stephh Yay! My first challenge! To clarify, do we just post our weight and goal here, on the 13th, and you add us to the spreadsheet? Thanks.

I would think that your BMI along with the Co-morbidities would get you qualified easily, I don't know anything about BCBS MN though. Maybe someone with the same insurance, or knowledge or it, can give more input.

I am seeing my regular PCP for follow-up. One of my friends had Sleeve done in Mexico 2 years ago, and he has done all of her follow-up labs.

They really vary, there is no standard one. Different surgeons, different pre-ops. Many times the BMI factors in to what kind or how long a pre-op diet lasts.

@@Cheer Mama "it really wasn't that bad in hindsight" LOL, that is how women remember childbirth. It WAS bad... The liquid part was Horrible! The Full Liquid was only slightly better....

Glad you are feeling okay, it should get better everyday now! Nice that your Mom was there to help you out through those first days!

@ladycook9713 If you are tired of the sweet stuff the Syntrax Fuzzy Navel tastes like slightly diluted orange juice... much less thick and sweet than the typical chocolate/vanilla Protein drink.

@Sunny22 You have lost 31 lbs in 2 months... even including your little stall that averages 4 lbs a week. That is very good and proves that you CAN lose the weight. A stall here and there is normal for most people. Just keep following your plan and the loss will resume.

Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt is really good. Refried Beans with cheese. chicken salad or tuna salad, needs to be pureed though... Ricotta cheese topped with Pasta sauce. Any of the Soups you ate on full liquids can be pureed and eaten now without making them so runny, they become much more satisfying.

I just had surgery with him in March! The whole process goes very smoothly!

You look fabulous! So inspiring to see after pics!

Everyone recovers from this surgery at a different pace, but at 7 days post op I was back at work. I credit part of my easy fast recovery to meeting all my Protein and Fluid goals daily. Now at 4 weeks I feel better than I did pre-op. My energy level is higher and more stable without all the carby foods. The walking and biking you will be doing will be beneficial, not detrimental! I still have 2 Protein drinks daily, but will likely drop to 1 as I incorporate more real Proteins.... Not knowing what your diet/meals options will be, it would be a good idea to take enough to have a second one if you don't get in your protein goal. Is that something that is available there? If not, definitely take enough Protein Powder. Syntrax nectar makes individual packets and has a large variety of flavors. Your greatest monthly loss will probably be from the pre-op diet and 1st month post-op. I think I see most people in the under 250lb range lose about 20 lbs... some more and some less. I would think that whatever fits by the time of your trip will fit for several weeks, you might need a size down after that. Sizes don't seem to change as dramatically until you are out of plus sizes... then every 10-15 lbs is a new size! I would probably take some drawstring waist denim and Khaki capris that fit, they would be very versatile and accommodate the weight loss. Sounds like a great adventure!

If you are a sneaker person those would be great, and a good investment. Cute flip flops are easy too after surgery, but I wear those all the time anyway .

Sounds like gas pains from trapped air, they can be brutal. Walking is the easiest way to get the air to move around and work its way out. Many find some relief from the Gas X dissolvable strips. I got the pains in my shoulder after Lapband and it is miserable, but they dissipate within a few days. Are you still taking anything for pain? You should call your dr. and let them know how you are feeling just to rule out anything more serious.

Personally, I would hate to have my wedding and honeymoon within a month of surgery. You wont feel your best, you will have bloating and soreness from the surgery. I wouldn't want the stress of worrying about fluids and Protein to shadow what should be a great forever memory... I have a ridiculously high pain tolerance and went back to work after 7 days, yet sex was a definite no go for 2 weeks. Something to consider if you want a great honeymoon : )

With 16 g carbs per serving I wouldn't use it. It is also very high in caffeine 300mg.

I am close to 4 weeks post op and I have been out several times. We did a Chinese buffet and I had a bowl of Egg drop Soup, and took half of it home in a container for lunch the next day. I went with a group to a Mexican restaurant and ordered a single side serving of refried Beans. We went to a Chili's and I ordered a bowl of Tortilla soup and asked for mostly the broth, which is all I ate. I haven't had any problems finding something to order, and I don't mind sitting with others that are eating a full meal. I also know that soon enough I will be ordering appetizers or Entrees along with them... and getting several meals worth from mine! I am very comfortable for now saying " I just want a bowl of Egg drop soup".

@Mike4132 I love cabbage! That is a great idea. I used to make one with thin sliced Zuchinni, but it makes it a little watery. I will definitely experiment with the cabbage next week.

That does seem pretty low compared to what I have seen others averaging. Calories will increase some when you add more variety with solid foods. What are your Protein amounts daily with nothing but lunch meat? I am about 3 1/2 weeks out, still on soft foods, and average about 500-600 calories a day, 70-90 g Protein. I still have 2 Protein drinks daily, and meals are usually cottage cheese, tuna or chicken salad made with light mayo, refried Beans with cheese, etc...

@LSF I have leftover band issues too, LOL! I have a Protein drink every morning, because I am so afraid to try to eat something solid in the mornings... 9 years of hit and miss breakfasts that often/usually ended up in sliming and vomiting. I am almost a month post op and have decided that I will try a scrambled egg in the morning.

Congrats! I felt horrid the first 2 days, and it has been smooth sailing since!

@vida81 I didn't have one for 4-5 days, and then it was followed by 2 days of diarrhea. Everything has been back on track since then. Your body doesn't have much bulk in it right now to form a BM.

I really like the chicken salad, tuna salad, and cottage cheese. I have one of those 3 almost everday for lunch. I haven't tried a scrambled egg yet, but I know that most people find them very yummy at this stage. I am allowed baked fish on mushie stage, and we cooked some Tilipia with lemon pepper... it might just be my favorite so far. It was so good! I find the Protein heavy foods are much more filling and satisfying, I try to avoid anything with many carbs.