LisaMergs

Looking good @@Dub But more importantly- feeling good and healthy! Bravo! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Did hubby like it because you added pop rocks? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Why butt out? We're smited . Actually, that's quite helpful. I have no restrictions when it comes to condiments of any sort- NUT feels they are fine since I don't overeat anyhow. I'll try the gravy route! But since I'm cooking steaks tonight for the family, Beans it is! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! Very insightful information. Shrimp don't agree with me either, but I had the most amazing tender calamari in July that I was scared to death to try but I did- tiniest little speck of a bite at a time. No issues there, but it was so fresh and "just" cooked. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh my gawd...If I could smite you, I would. That is absolutely the grossest thing I have ever heard in the history of EVER. I just threw up in my mouth a little. Now I'm mad. Well smite me if you want- just give me a heads up to which definition-striking me or having a crush on me Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So, as I sit here 5 months out, complication-free, and so happy I had this surgery, I have been thinking about meat. I love meat- any and all kinds. My pouch, not so much. Tried them over and over in all different manners and they just don't agree. chicken is about all it will tolerate. Any beef is absolutely out of the question and while I'm sad about not enjoying it any longer, especially a good rare juicy steak, oh well. I have my life back! That far outweighs any issues of sadness over it. The thing is- I would be completely fine not having meat again. I'm not talking becoming a vegetarian/vegan or anything like that. I still love meat-based broths and Soups, start my spaghetti gravy with neck bones etc. So, other than the occasional bites of chicken as my Protein, I rely upon eggs, milk, cheese, lots of yoghurt, and Beans as my protein sources. Anyone else had similar experiences? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I found more things to do with cottage cheese in the beginning than I can even count! I was a spice store addict prior to surgery, so I had tons of blends on hand that I used. Heck! I even added tuna fish to the cottage cheese, warmed it up with a little shredded cheddar and pretended I was having a tuna melt- well seasoned, of course! And I never want to see tuna again. Ever. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not too certain if you mentioned having arthritis, but as I do suffer from it- both rheumatoid ( an autoimmune disease ) and osteo, as well as migraines. I didn't mourn the thought of not having certain foods, rather the loss of my best friend, ibuprofen. I literally lived on it- 4 at a time. The point is- I would not make your decision based upon the ability or inability to take it. I'm 5 months post op RNY, my RA has NOT FLARED (I fear the word remission still- will revisit that at the one year mark) and the only two headaches I've had post op were easily managed with a single Tylenol. So one never knows how many things will get better post op. Choose your surgical tool based upon what you think will hold you the most accountable and offers you the greatest chance of success. And, of course, you feel most comfortable with. Good Luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great! Thanks! NOW we are all in for a huge lesson on clostridium difficile colitis! Bet we get pics as well... Damn. I couldn't stop my mouth there. (Bows head and slowly backs out of the room...) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

congrats! I'm in the Chicago area too, and I have BCBS PPO IL. My first appointment was just before Christmas and I originally had my surgery scheduled for March 4- but moved it to go on the road for a few days to see our Hawks play in St. Louis and Dallas. Doc wouldn't let me travel a week post op lol. Priorities!!! So I ended up March 23rd- 3 months after first appt and that was mostly due to scheduling with the NUT, psych and the endoscopy. Where was your surgery? I was at Evanston. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg I have heard it all now. Headline- " How Hilary and Trump Will Screw Up your Bariatric Surgery- Full Story on the Evening News" Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Love the idea of grating the apple! Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Nutritional yeast? Explain please? Is it different from the stuff I use to bake breaks and such with? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I haven't looked into the muscle milk, but see it everywhere. Is it whey Protein? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good luck and WELCOME!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg! I found these suits online and LOVE them! Great upper support, high waist and super cute! What's best is that I can mix and match them!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App The brand name is on the top of the pics. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

OMFG Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@ I'm pretty sure it still involves putting them in your mouth! ROTFLMAO Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg now I am spitting my drink out laughing! Thanks!!! Love this post!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Most of us wonder the same thing about calories. My NUT said not to worry about them! Lol. Basically put, if you are following your plan for Protein, liquids, shakes, etc. you will be fine. For me, that adds up to about 800 calories a day, as well. I'm 5 months out. I don't include "snacks", because I don't experience hunger. Have I had them? Yes. Usually a piece of raw veggie or a couple small pretzels (gasp!!!!!). I've even had a handful of plain popcorn without any repercussions. But that's me. And those occasions happen maybe once every week or two. I don't eat bread or waffles or pancakes. My diet other than those two things is to the T, so to speak. NOTE-I AM NOT SUGGESTING that anyone else do this, it is just me. I have really good will power and can stop after three or four pretzels lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Worst part post op is dry mouth. They let me suck on a wet cotton swab yuck! Walk walk walk!!! Get up as soon as possible and round the halls. Had pain meds- if you need them, use them! I stopped 2 days post op and then maybe took them once on day 4. I was walking around the block by day 5. And haven't stopped. I did not have a catheter but it's not that bad if you do- have been cath'd many times no big deal. Never stop sipping liquids, either. They will have tiny medicine cups you can use. I think they measure about an ounce each. Bring some home for the first few days. We are all different, but for me, warm liquids the first week or two felt the best for me- warm tea especially. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Also find walking around after a meal helps, and you're getting steps in!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Absolutely!!! and you need veggies!!! I eat pretty much any and all -including asparagus which I LOVE but thought would be too stringy. Begin with cooked, steamed veggies- carrots, and other root veggies. Then try the flowering kind like broccoli and cauliflower. From there it is like anything else- trial and error. And if something doesn't work one week it may the next. My biggest fear was the raw salad. Happily, I can eat it with all the raw veggies I wish- albeit a small amount! Lol. Cucumbers- no problem!!! Now, I'm a bypass pt so I would think these things would be harder for me, but heck, we are all different. Just start trying a little at a time and see where you get. Fwiw, I would always choose veggies over fruit and was admonished by my NUT that I needed fruit too. The key is to make balanced meals that are Protein heavy so if you do veggies at lunch and dinner do fruit in the morning with Breakfast. Good luck!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Depends on your surgery, your surgeon, your medical history, etc. I was given Coumadin in the hospital by the nurse but that was it. Nothing afterwards. It is not a cookie cutter surgery- we are all different! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

James hit the mark here- and one of the points- adding powdered milk to things- is something many overlook. Using that- or a good unflavored Protein powder, can be a godsend. I will typically add a half scoop to my flavored shake mixes to hit my protein requirements. At 5 months out, I'm rarely hungry, can only tolerate no more than half a cup of food at a time, but am fortunate in the liquids aspect as I can drink constantly. FWIW, the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup Protein Powder is actually pretty good, and a nice alternative. I've begun using it as a "broth base" for steaming my chicken too Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App