Freckles70

My hospital would not have allowed heating pads due to fire hazard and burn risk. However they did have chemical heat packs that they gave me for some back pain I had due to bed positioning.

As long as my incisions weren't submerged I was cleared to take a bath whenever I wanted. I think I had a bath within a week or two of surgery. I also have a regular old bathtub. Not super deep so my belly incisions were never below the Water line.

If I'm drinking my meal, like my Breakfast Protein Shake, I will wait the 30 minutes. I figure anything with nutritional value I want it to have as much time in my stomach so that I can absorb the Vitamins and nutrients. Water will flush everything through your system more quickly.

Or justify it by using up all the WW points in that Big Mac, am I right?!?!

Or justify it by using up all the WW points in that Big Mac, am I right?!?!

Or justify it by using up all the WW points in that Big Mac, am I right?!?!

Or justify it by using up all the WW points in that Big Mac, am I right?!?!

I took it for about 6-8 weeks. I was on a daily dose for the first month and at my one month appt the surgeon told me to go to every other day to wean off and see if I developed any reflux. I finished off whatever I had left from my prescription and never had any problem. FWIW I had occasional reflux presurgery especially at my highest weight and when I was pregnant. I'm 68 lbs down and no problems.

@@kmorri @DonnaJeanne. My stats are also very close to yours. DonnaJeanne, I think it sucks that your NUT burst your bubble. My surgeon has been extremely pleased with my progress. I'm 5'6" my HW was 254, surgery weight was 229 on 5/10/16 and I hit Onederland on Sunday which was exactly 2 months/nearly 9 wks postop . Today my weight is 196.5. My next goal is 185 which will make my BMI *only* overweight (instead of obese).

@@kmorri @DonnaJeanne. My stats are also very close to yours. DonnaJeanne, I think it sucks that your NUT burst your bubble. My surgeon has been extremely pleased with my progress. I'm 5'6" my HW was 254, surgery weight was 229 on 5/10/16 and I hit Onederland on Sunday which was exactly 2 months/nearly 9 wks postop . Today my weight is 196.5. My next goal is 185 which will make my BMI *only* overweight (instead of obese).

@@kmorri @DonnaJeanne. My stats are also very close to yours. DonnaJeanne, I think it sucks that your NUT burst your bubble. My surgeon has been extremely pleased with my progress. I'm 5'6" my HW was 254, surgery weight was 229 on 5/10/16 and I hit Onederland on Sunday which was exactly 2 months/nearly 9 wks postop . Today my weight is 196.5. My next goal is 185 which will make my BMI *only* overweight (instead of obese).

Are you avoiding drinking Water at least 30 minutes before and after dinner? Are you drinking from a straw during the day at work?
I was sleeved on May 10 and the only time I have issues with gas is usually because of the above. (Or because I wore pants that were too tight all day.)

I added hot sauce to my refried Beans at two weeks post op. No problems. I was not given any restriction on it. My NUT just told me to go easy at first to see if I had reflux or heartburn issues or any other problems.

I wish I hadn't stocked up on so many Protein powders. I really like Unjury (both pre and post op) but I bought a full container in each flavor so that I would have enough variety to get me through. Luckily I had a very easy recovery and my doc approved soft foods starting at two weeks post op. I still rely on at least one shake a day but it is still going to take me a loooooong time to use up my supply.

I wish I hadn't stocked up on so many Protein powders. I really like Unjury (both pre and post op) but I bought a full container in each flavor so that I would have enough variety to get me through. Luckily I had a very easy recovery and my doc approved soft foods starting at two weeks post op. I still rely on at least one shake a day but it is still going to take me a loooooong time to use up my supply.

I had surgery on a Tuesday, went home on Weds with oxycodone and Tylenol. I alternated taking them about every 4-6 hours a directed for a few days. On Sat and Sun I only took the oxy before bed and I was totally off pain meds on Monday following surgery.

I found myself feeling "hungry" during my first two weeks post op too. Looking back I'm fairly certain that was due to two main reasons: 1) gas bubbles gurgling through my system mimicked the rumbling of an empty tummy and 2) lack of food diversity. My plan did allow cream of wheat (very thin and supplemented with Protein powder), yogurt and pudding during the full liquids phase. It helped to alternate Protein Shakes with something like Greek yogurt that has more substance. Are you meeting your protein goals everyday? When you feel hungry you should be reaching for a ready made shake or a cup of broth or even a v-8 if you need some diversity in your diet. Please reach out to your NUT or program for help.

I make my egg salad like Elle above but also add a splash of vinegar and a dash of paprika to make a "deviled" egg salad.

For the first time in a long time ... I can honestly say ...
I made a goal ... and I reached it!!!
I've lost 159 lbs !
From a size 30/32 pants to a 14/16
From a size 4xl - 5xl shirt ( mostly mens ) to a Large ... ladies!!!
NEVER EVER did I think when is started this journey that there would actually be a time when I'd look at the scale and it would show me what I've wanted to see so badly ...
BUT IT DID!!
I DID IT !!! :)
Thanks to ALL here that have supported me and kicked me when I needed it ... You're all hero's to me !

Hi everyone!
Today was my first day back at work. Phew! I am exhausted. It was tough trying to get back in the swing of things and also keep up with Water and Protein. I'm behind on Water going into this evening but I should be able to meet my goal: 3 hours until bed, 24 oz to go, 8 oz per hour. I can do it!
My day was a bit screwed up because my first task this morning was to sit in on a new hire interview. That put me off my morning routine and I ended up finally finishing lunch at 4:00pm (after grazing on my morning shake for hours and throwing off my whole day).
I started soft foods as of last night....just a day early. I had a very small portion of refried Beans and cheese and it went down easy. Tonight's dinner experiment was tuna with some grated onion and a little mayo. Also delicious and so far, so good.

I was sleeved on May 10. Doing well so far. Had my one week followup with NP and NUT yesterday. I've been able to meet my Protein and Water goals but NP suggested increasing Water by 16 oz since I seemed dehydrated. (I had been meeting my 64 oz of water with 48 water and including 2 Protein shakes toward the total. This is allowed by my plan but they suggested trying for more water this week.) My typical day is as follows:
powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury with 8 oz 1% milk 29g protein
Oikos triple zero Greek yogurt 15g
Premier Protein 30g
Snacks: SF Jello pudding, SF Jello, SF Popsicles.
I've been lucky to feel very little restriction or pain. I'm dealing with some head hunger and cravings but generally making it through pretty well.
Edited to add: HW 254, SW 242, surgery day 229, CW 221

Yeah, except when I look at the sugar/lactose in milk when added with the Unjury it comes out to 16g and my NUT has said to stay under 14g. I suppose it's possibly a sugar issue. I might try almond milk just to switch things up despite the hit to total Protein.

I think we sabotage because carb addiction is real. I think the biggest advantage of this tool we've been given (vsg) is a chance to break that addiction cycle. I'm almost 2 wks post op and I'm dealing with a lot of head hunger and cravings. I want nothing more than a big handful of pretzels or tortilla chips with salsa. I haven't even come close to trying anything like that and I'm going to use this tool and my willpower to the greatest extent possible. For me, one of my hardest presurgery addictions to tackle was Diet Coke. Previously, I would quit for a week or two and then get sucked back in to a daily habit. Once I made the decision to proceed with surgery I quit the DC and all carbonated beverages to avoid triggering myself. I've had similar results cutting back on sugar in the past but crunchy carbs are my downfall.

Yes, please check with your doctor or pharmacist. The type of pill really matters. In terms of general rules, I was told I could swallow anything that was smaller than an M&M. For me that means I only need to cut my metformin pills (they are huge...hopefully I'll be off them soon anyway) and I need to empty the capsule of Prilosec and take with a spoonful of pudding or yogurt. The pharm did need to change my metformin prescription from the extended release version so I could split them.

After two days of noting when the headaches come and go, I'm pretty sure it's a side effect of the oxycodone. I'm going to try weaning off those for both my bowels and my head's sake.
I'm pretty sure I could start a sound effects studio with the noises generated by my belly these days. :-)