theantichick

I used the heck out of a heating pad. Helped me immensely. Some people were also helped by an abdominal binder, my surgical team said they don't really recommend them, but they don't hurt anything.

Dunno. I've been pretty vocal about not doing low carb, and I don't feel I've been attacked for it.

Everybody recovers at a different rate. I never really had a lot of sharp pain, but had deep aches like I'd been kicked that started getting a lot better at about a week out. I have auto-immune arthritis and had to be off my meds for the surgery, so I didn't really feel back to normal until probably over a month out, but it got significantly better after I got on the pureed/soft foods stage, which was after my 2 week checkup, so about 3 weeks out there was a significant increase in energy for me. So hang in there, it really does get better!!

Absolutely amazing!! What an inspiration!

Well, Bueno is just another chain restaurant, so no espanol necesito. But it's a higher quality of chain TexMex than The Bell.

I don't know about DS, but for VSG my surgeon said that while it might not seem so, the number of people who needed it removed after WLS wasn't as high as they used to think. At least in people who didn't have gall bladder problems before the surgery. So taking out a functioning organ that is needed for best fat digestion as a preventative measure isn't a great idea. Now, if there's a problem, that's different.

You're not losing your mind. I couldn't see changes in my face even with pictures side by side, but everyone else could. One day all of a sudden, I saw it. That you see changes in mirrors outside of home means you *can* see the changes. You just have some old tapes playing in your head is all. Keep working with your therapist, and you can put those to rest. It'll get better. As for worries you're "doing it wrong" and you'll "stretch your sleeve", talk to your team. If you're following your team's plan, then you're doing what you're supposed to. Even if you slip a bit sometimes, but most of the time you're on plan, don't beat yourself up. Being able to eat different amounts on different days is perfectly normal. Some days food sits better than other days, and I'm 4 months out. As for worries you'll stretch your sleeve, talk to your surgeon at your next appointment. You'll gradually be able to eat more at a sitting because the swelling goes down and your sleeve gets used to having food in it with the new structure. There is a little stretch as time goes on, but really a properly constructed sleeve doesn't have a lot of tissue left that has much stretch in it. There's two main kinds of tissue in the stomach, and the stuff that's taken out is almost all of the stretchy stuff. You shouldn't eat to discomfort for a bunch of reasons, but you also shouldn't live in fear of stretching the sleeve because it's not really all that likely. Hang in there, you're doing great.

I was jonesing for refried Beans the entire time I was restricted to liquids. I was also desperate to try EggFace's ricotta bake. Which was fine, except I discovered I'm not actually that huge of a ricotta fan... LOL. Here's EggFaces pureed post with the ricotta bake instructions if you do like ricotta: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

Ahhhh, ok... makes a lot more sense now. Just FYI, they make a huge deal about sodium if you have hypertension and have for decades, but that's old school medicine. Some people, admittedly, are super sensitive to sodium and their BP skyrockets easily if they get too much. But studies have found that many people with high blood pressure are not sodium sensitive to any real degree. If you already know that you are sensitive, then you do need to pay close attention to it, obviously. But remember that losing weight, your BP is likely to come down and your sensitivities may change also. So I would advise if you don't already, get a good automatic BP cuff and let that guide you in regards to sodium. A lot of us when we stop eating so much processed crap, actually find ourselves low on sodium. I've been told to increase my salt intake because I was a couple of points low on my bloodwork at my post-op checkups. Not enough to worry, but enough that I was encouraged to indulge.

I love the Roadside Lemonade flavor of Syntrax nectar. There are other fruit flavors, but that's the one that I really like. Especially frozen into ice pop tubes. Some people like Isopure, but I didn't care for it at all. I also tried the Atkins ones I think they're called Lift, and they tasted odd to me. But tastes are funny, you know? Just try to find things where you can buy just one and try it so you don't get stuck with a case of something you can't stand. I bought samples of everything I could pre-op.

First question - do they have you on a PPI for acid? If not, you might want to ask about it. 2nd, do they have you on any nausea meds? Some people have issues for several weeks with nausea, and the meds help get you through it. Are you getting enough fluids in? Are you still drinking Protein shakes? How about sugar free Jello or pudding? Have you tried any type of TVP? Don't know what you'd put it ON (I don't eat it by the spoon but some people might) but I love hummus and it's got a little protein and not much in the way of carbs depending on how you make it. Peanut Butter? Do you drink milk? If so, Fairlife is higher in protein than regular, or you can do what they call "double milk" which is blend nonfat dry milk into regular milk. cheese? What are your carb limits per your plan? If you're still not able to eat much volume, you're not likely to be eating enough Beans in a sitting to cause an issue with carbs. I don't know about the sodium, is that from the beans in the natural state or is it because you're getting canned? It may be necessary to give a little with the carbs to get you through a rough spot with your diet. And yes, it's generally a trial-and-error thing to find what your sleeve likes and doesn't. You do have limited options since you don't eat meat or poultry, but there's still stuff to try.

I'm just very curious as to their reasoning and sources because it's significantly different from all of my research, and I've spent quite a bit of time looking into this specifically because I have been given recommendations of minimums between 65g and 150g which is *quite* a spread, and have settled on a daily goal of 90g based on my sources. And just in case I was unclear, I would never recommend someone violate their physician's order. This is one of the few times I would even recommend hard questioning.

I'm taking my cue from @@LipstickLady and removing the word "cheat" from my vocabulary unless it's regarding a card or board game. I make choices about my food, period. I am also keeping in mind what I've been told that during the "honeymoon" period, we're not driving the bus. The weight will come off for the first 9-12 months almost regardless of what we eat. It's the habits we ingrain now that will determine if we can keep losing if we want/need to and maintain our intended weights long-term. I sometimes worry if some of the choices I'm making are good ones for the long haul, but I am still improving so as long as it's progress I'm satisfied.

Thanks! I'm trying to get in the habit of writing and posting more often. I have dreams of being a published author someday, but I'll have to write a LOT more regularly and get better at the mechanics of it.

My surgeon said they don't usually take them out unless there have been issues already. Which seemed to indicate to me that they would if there had. So I don't think it's an issue of "can't". I'm fairly certain the incisions are already in the general location needed for gallbladder access, and if not it would only be one or two more small incisions and you're already under anesthesia. So if it is indicated I would think it would make sense. So yes, talk to the surgeon, the PA may just not know.

Bravo for the biggest lesson of all - it's a tool and that's all. Also, I've been told that even though it's not on the menu, they'll serve you Beans and cheese in a cup. Haven't tried it yet because I have access to Taco Bueno which puts Taco Bell to shame. LOL.

I started drinking more Water - worked up to 96 oz a day. Haven't gotten back to that post op yet, but am still working on it. I also started trying to make my meals at home instead of having take out or frozen foods for most meals. We'd gotten in very bad habits when I was in nursing school and working full time and the first step toward healthy foods was to start actually cooking most of the time. I also started tracking in MyFitnessPal Working out was really hard with my auto-immune arthritis, but I started trying to get some movement in every day. I think the biggest thing was not to try to change everything all at once. I added one thing in for a week or two, then added the next thing in. Of course, the biggest thing I did in preparation for surgery was starting therapy for food issues before I even fully decided on the surgery. Best decision I ever made.

That seems VERY odd. 65g is generally the MINIMUM protein requirement for ANY post WLS patient. As a nurse, it was stressed in our nutrition classes that protein is the primary building block for healing, and is absolutely critical for building muscle which is important for maintaining a healthy metabolism. The requirements from my surgeon are 65g to 80g a day. The trainer at my gym wants me getting 120g a day. My daughter who is in a kinesiology program (sports exercise) in college says her formulas work out to 90g a day for me. Now if you have any sort of kidney issues, protein is problematic. And if you actually have any degree of kidney failure, you actually need a level of protein restriction. But within reasonable limits, adults with healthy kidneys can eat quite a bit of protein a day, and those recovering from surgery or trying to lose weight and build muscle should eat more. I don't often advise to question a doctor's recommendations, but I would definitely question this one - assuming you have no kidney issues. I would ask her to explain her reasoning and provide evidence for her limit, because there's quite a bit of evidence for optimal ranges higher than that and safe ingestion of quite a bit more. And in the meantime certainly be sure to eat the 65-70g a day she allows that still meets the minimum for most other programs.

Monk fruit. This is new for me. I'll need to look it up. Like you I get the headaches....it's terrible isn't it. To me artificial sweeteners is poison. I won't touch it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Monk fruit is a little less synthetic than some others. I mean it's an actual food product instead of just a chemical formulation but it is still processed. It can be hard to find sometimes, I get it off Amazon at this point. I think it's an issue of finding what your system likes the best.

Simple/Complex Carbs: http://www.nutritionmd.org/nutrition_tips/nutrition_tips_understand_foods/carbs_versus.html Though some people will place white potatoes and white rice in the simple carbs category. I don't get too fussy about it, but new potatoes or sweet potatoes are often more nutritionally dense than large white potatoes and long grain rice or brown rice is generally better than white rice. Ketogenic diet: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto Hope this helps!

I was heavy but certainly not obese at 17.... probably about 10# less than my current goal weight. Yeah, I'd take it.

I was going to say hummus, but I don't know what you'd eat it on if you don't eat veggies yet and I'm assuming you're low carb. :/ I love the Oscar Meyer P3 packs, but that's a lot of processed meats and cheeses.

You'll get all sorts of responses to this. Most people on this board seem to be doing low or very low carb plans. I personally get very ill on a ketogenic diet so I try to keep my carbs generally below 100g/day and stay away from refined/simple carbs and get them from complex carbs and fruits. And of course get my Protein in first. The biggest question is, what does your surgeon/team recommend/require? My surgeon doesn't require or push a low-carb plan (but will work with patients who want to do it) but recommends restricting simple/refined carbs. I don't recommend working against your surgery team's plans unless you have no option. One reason I went with my surgeon is because she is flexible on the post-surgical diet plans.

I laid in Jello, pudding, yogurt, popsicles, and bought several tubs of Protein powder that I'd taste tested prior to surgery. And got a tub of unflavored protein powder. After surgery, I couldn't stand most of the protein powders and ended up liking the Premier Protein that I'd disliked prior to surgery. Go figure. I also found that the Syntrax nectar (roadside lemonade) that I liked prior I didn't really like post, until I froze it into ice pops. As ice pops, however they were AWESOME the first couple of weeks to supplement both fluids and protein which were so hard to keep up with. (Found ziploc style ice pop bags on Amazon). I also found post-op that I got REALLY sick and tired of sweet stuff. The Unjury protein chicken soup was good, but it was just as easy to make bouillon and mix some unflavored protein powder with warm Water and mix it into the bouillon and it was more flavorful. That got me through to the pureed phase.