leebick

I mix the Nectar packets with either 8 ounces of Water or 8 ounces of unsweetened almond milk, depending on the flavor. Also, I use a shaker bottle with a wire coil ball in the bottle, to make it mix better. I never have a problem with the almond milk shakes mixing, but sometimes it takes the water ones a little bit longer. I especially like the grapefruit as a change from milk-based shakes.

And before I go any further, can I just say how hilarious that sounds, coming from ME... the original "I'll have the king cut of prime rib, thanks" girl! OK... sleeved on 9/15. I had 2 week liquid diet pre-op and another 2 weeks of liquids post-op. Post-op went well the first week, then it became harder and harder to drink enough to meet Protein and Fluid requirements. I have been dehydrated since the beginning, but I try to drink as much as possible. At my 2 week follow-up, I was given approval to move to mushy foods. Except for the disappointment of scrambled eggs w/cheese (can't eat those at all), I was slowly finding my way. Cottage cheese was my friend, as well as finely mushed up meats moistened with broth- chicken and pork both went down well- or chicken salad or egg salad. That was great for about 5 days, and I'd worked up to about 1T mushed chicken, 1T mashed potato, and 1T soft mashed veggie per meal. I don't know what changed, but since then, it's been harder and harder to eat and drink. When eating, I start to feel uncomfortably full after about 2 teaspoons of food. Yesterday we took friends leaf-peeping (the foliage up here is GORGEOUS) and lunch was at Subway. My husband gave me one of the meatballs from his sub and I could only eat about half of it, well mushed up with a little of the tomato sauce to help it go down. These are small meatballs, maybe the size of a walnut. I managed to drink about 18oz of Powerade Zero throughout the day. When we got home last evening, I had less than 2 tablespoons of chicken salad (made with no-fat mayo) and was just so uncomfortable. Today eating was even more difficult, so I've pretty much gone back to Protein shakes. Even then, I can't drink much at a time, but at least I'm getting fluid and protein in without filling my "tummy" with solids. I guess I am feeling OK, although I tire easily. This morning I was exhausted from yesterday, which was just 6 hours of driving and 3 hours of walking around (yes I drove, and yes, I have been walking for over an hour daily so 3 hours of wandering, stop-go sightseeing didn't seem like much). My mouth is still dry, urine is dark, and my fingers wrinkly, but my doctor knew about that a week ago and didn't seem concerned. She just said "Keep drinking." My husband (who isn't a medical doctor) thinks I should just force myself to eat/drink as the diet plan recommends, but I KNOW there is no way I can get 4 tablespoons of food in me at one sitting. Does anyone have any insight on why it's getting harder rather than easier to eat? Any suggestions on foods to try or an eating plan that might work? I hate to go back on protein shakes, just because it doesn't represent moving forward. I go for my six-week follow-up on 10/28 and am hoping that I'm over this eating hurdle by then.

I'm staying away from carbs like noodles, but noodles are not a clear liquid. You might be able to mash and mush the noodles enough to get away with it on the pureed stage, but honestly, IMO there's not enough protein in chicken noodle soup to be choosing to fill your sleeve with noodles.

Please DON'T worry to death about the protein requirement... I'm 5 mos post op... your sleeve is still healing at day 21-30... I know all the NUT can scare you that you will die if you don't get 60-80 grams daily... , I'm here to testify you won't drop dead cause your 20-30grams short...you have to work up to it daily.... it's good your getting in your fluids no problem, dehydration is the biggest concern... don't stress each day you will get more and more protein... I started using fuzzy naval protein w crystal lite, or cherry cherry protein w Hawaiian punch sugar free... that 46 Proteins right there... good luck on your journey Sent from my KFTT using the BariatricPal App Syntrex nectar protein is more palatable... check amazon... Sent from my KFTT using the BariatricPal App Or luckyvitamin.com. OR go to the homepage at Si03.com, hover your mouse over where it says 'Monthly Special" and it'll tell you how to get 15 sample packs (one for each flavor syntax) for only $16.99, shipping included. It arrives pretty quickly, and has 23 grams of protein per serving.

I think we need to be realistic, and acknowledge that this is still a weight-loss game. We all know how weight can fluctuate, so if you remember that and really fight having expectations of how much you "should" be losing, it doesn't matter if you weigh frequently or not. Just remember that it's going to be easier this time, and if you stick to your eating plan, it's going to WORK this time!

I got dressed the other day, putting on some old clothes that are smaller than what I was wearing before surgery. I looked in the mirror and thought I looked pretty good! When I realized how long it's been since I actually liked myself, it made me cry. HOW did I let myself get so big and WHY did I wait so long to do anything about it?

I know people say don't weigh yourself, but I weighed myself as soon as I got home from the hospital. I gained 5 pounds while in the hospital (because they pumped me full of fluids and you absorb a lot into your tissues after surgery). Anyhow, I have been weighing myself daily and my weight has fallen every day. I am down 26 pounds in 3 weeks, so I'm happy!

If it's homemade broth, starting with bones, there will be a little protein in it, but not enough to really count. Broth sure does count as a liquid, though, and is a great relief from all that water! The trick to adding protein to hot fluids is to make sure the Fluid isn't over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. I usually heat the liquid in the microwave for a few minutes and then check the temp with my instant-read meat thermometer (the kind you stick into meat and get an immediate reading- NOT the kind that you leave in meat while it's cooking). If the liquid is under 130 degrees, I stir in the protein powder and it's fine.

I was lucky this way, too. I was in the hospital for 2 nights. My worst experience was post-op nausea. I took 4 different anti-emetics just before surgery, used Sea-bands, and had a scope patch behind my ear and I still had nausea post-op. It was barely manageable, and then they wheeled me (in my bed) to my room. I almost lost it, so they gave me something more via my IV and the dizziness and nausea finally settled down. I was up walking later that evening. I took one pain pill (because my bp spiked- and the pain med brought it down) and then another before bed that first night, and then one before bed the 2nd night. I had no pain from my incisions, and only a couple jabs of high shoulder gas pain when i put my left hand behind my hip to boost myself up in bed. I have to say, it's been nowhere as painful as I'd thought it could be. I am having more of an issue with staying hydrated as I "fill up" so easily. I am on mushy foods now and can only manage a couple of tablespoons before I am "full."

When I went for my 2 week post-op appointment, my nut was pleased. She said the goal during the first 2 weeks is to lose 5%-10% of excess body weight. I'd lost 12%- yay, me!

I weaned off caffeinated coffee in the weeks building up to my surgery; I did 2 weeks of half-caff and then a week of decaf. I figured I didn't need a caffeine headache on top of everything else! My surgeon/plan says no coffee of any type for the first 2 weeks post-op, but after my appointment last week, I was cleared for coffee! I spent the first week on decaf, and this morning moved up to half-caff. Once I run out of the half-caff, I'm going back to regular coffee- mostly because I love it! One thing to be cautious of: Don't load it up with cream and sugar, and stay away from the frou-frou coffee drinks at places like Starbucks. You don't want to drink your calories, especially empty calories!

My surgery was on 9/15 and I am doing well. Still struggling to get all the Water in, but I came close to my Protein goals on most days. On 9/30 I was approved to go to "mushies." (My group doesn't do purees, per se; if you can mush it up well enough, I don't have to puree.) I was SO looking forward to this, but it's such a struggle! I'm following my phase diet plan, which says I can have 1 egg, scrambled, with 1T shredded cheese in it. Sounds so good at this point, but I just can't eat it. It's finely mushed up, I'm taking teeny bites and chewing thoroughly, but by the 2nd bite I start burping and my insides start gurgling. I can eat maybe one and a half tablespoons of this before I feel very uncomfortable. There's no warning- I'll be eating and gurgling, and then with the next little taste I am immediately uncomfortable. Yesterday I tried scrambled egg/cheese and chicken salad (just chicken w/a tiny bit of low fat mayo and some broth to moisten it all) and I just couldn't do it; gave up and went back to Protein shakes. Should I keep trying to eat, or should I go back to full liquids for awhile? I really don't know what to expect here. I haven't ever felt full, in the way "full" used to feel; instead I get an uncomfortable pressure in my chest. My surgeon wasn't concerned about this, given where my sleeve is anatomically located. I guess this is my new "full" feeling. I can't imagine I'm getting enough protein on a tablespoon of egg or chicken, and it's so freaking uncomfortable when I eat. I'm hoping it'll get better, but right now I'm not really happy (but still know that this sleeve is the best thing I've ever done for myself!).

CHICKEN POT PIE! Who knew?? My husband had a pot pie for dinner last night, and I thought, "Why not try?" I took a spoon of gravy, mashed up some chicken and carrots in it, and gave it a shot. I ate it in teeny bites, slowly, waiting in between bites. It stayed down, no pain, and I finished the whole tablespoon! NO potatoes, no onion, no peas, no crust, just mashed chicken and carrots with gravy. Probably not the best nutritionally, but it felt good to "eat" and having no pain was amazing! This morning I had a half of a Dole Fruitocracy pouch (apple/banana puree) and a tablespoon of cottage cheese. I really shouldn't have the fruit- it's nothing but sugar- but it's tasty and has some vitamin C. I think maybe I need to do the puree thing, even though my Nut said it's not necessary. I'm still drinking my protein shakes, but it's nice to know that I can get some food down and I AM getting better!

Having a metallic taste in your mouth is pretty common post-op, with any kind of surgery/anesthesia. How long does it take you to drink your 3oz of shake? My nut said try to drink 8oz in an hour; make sure you aren't drinking it too quickly. If stuff tastes too sweet try watering it down. I was having leg cramps so had to drink Powerade Zero, but I HAD to cut it 1:1 with water, and serve it over ice. Otherwise, it was just too sweet.

Sad but true, I am allergic to crustaceans. I might try some flounder or other soft white fish.

It is not too soon. Every hour, get up and walk around your house. I got off the couch, looped through the family room, kitchen, down the hall to the living room, through the living room and dining room, back into the kitchen, back into the family room, and back onto the couch. Once an hour- or once every 2 hours if you are really weak. You aren't going to get any stronger by not walking. Your muscles will weaken. "Walk" doesn't necessarily mean on or treadmill or outside, for a mile or more. It just means get up and move!!

What about broth? Not that canned stuff; make your own. Pull the meat from a grocery store rotisserie chicken, and throw the bones in a pot with 2-3 quarts of "boxed" chicken broth, a quartered onion, 6 or more carrots (depending on size), 6 celery stalks, several garlic cloves, and some salt, sage, thyme. Cover and simmer about 3 hours, until everything is squishy and soft. Strain through a colandar and throw out anything solid. If you are worried about the spices being gritty, strain through cheesecloth. If I'm making beef broth, I buy bones (fresh bones in the meat department labeled "dog bones" are OK, but check with the butcher if you are worried) and roast them in the oven with some onions and garlic at 350 for about an hour. That all goes in the soup pot with the rest of the stuff listed above, swapping out beef broth for chicken. Honestly, it's pretty good, very savory, and has some protein in it. I took the beef broth when we went to a friend's home for a birthday celebration, and they served prime rib. Honestly, with my tasty beef broth, I didn't feel too terribly deprived- it was as good as homemade au jus!

I bought a shaker bottle at Walmart. They range from $6-$10 dollars, depending on the quantity they hold. They have a little spiral metal sphere that you put in the cup, add fluid and syntax nectar, and SHAKE. Usually it goes into solution pretty easily if I am mixing with almond milk. If you have trouble getting it to mix when using water, shake well and then let it sit for a couple of minutes and shake again.

I had surgery on Sept, 15 and when I came home from the hospital, I'd gained 5 pounds! However it's 2 weeks later, and since coming home I've lost 20 pounds! I am trying to keep up with the fluids, trying to get 3 Protein shakes a day, and walking. Started by doing 5 laps around the house every 2 hours, worked up to walking outside for 45min-an hour every day. I'm still dehydrated, but yesterday my surgeon and nut approved moving to "mushie" foods- and of course told me to keep sipping that fluid!

Are you getting any protein in? Think out that yogurt with some unsweetened almond milk and see if you can drink the protein rather than eat it. I find the ready-to-drink shakes are gross and hard to swallow, so I am using Syntrax Nectars (powder) made with either unsweetened almond milk or water. Getting the fluids in is very important, so you don't get dehydrated, so keep sipping. Baby sips, all the time. It helps if you are sipping something with protein in it, but if you have to do water or diluted juice to get/keep the fluids down, that's a start! Don't worry, it'll get easier. Just keep trying.

Sugar free popsicles count as fluid. Maybe the cold and flavor will help.

I had sleeve surgery on 9/15. This was the 3rd attempt to actually get to surgery; the first scheduled appointment was cancelled because I was sick and the second appointment had to be postponed due to a family emergency. When I had originally met with the surgeon, I said I wanted a bypass but changed that via email and phone call within 2 days, and for the 2nd and 3rd surgery, we've always talked sleeve. Well, I just thoroughly read my hospital discharge papers and it says Procedures Performed: Gastric bypass! Guess I'll be calling someone tomorrow for clarification! I'm pretty sure it's just a paperwork error, but the discharge papers are printed out from the hospital's computerized records. Hmmm...

When i put in the request for medical leave, I simply told the principal that I was having surgery. He never asked a question, just said there'd be no problem and gave me the paperwork to arrange for a substitute, FMLA, etc. On my way out of the office, he hesitatingly said, "Leebick... I hope it's not something serious." I didn't feel he was prying for information- it felt like he was genuinely concerned for my well-being. I just said, "No, not serious, but something that I've needed to do for awhile." I'm aware of the medical privacy laws, but I didn't feel he was overstepping. Edited to add- when a couple of people asked what I was having done, I just said a partial gastrectomy. Since I was sleeved, that is true! I didn't tell a lot of people what was happening- my direct boss, 2 co-workers, my best friend (who is also a co-worker). Since surgery I've shared with more people- several friends from around town, 2 or 3 close friends, etc. I find it easier to talk about now that it's done, and I don't have to listen to people try and talk me out of it, or tell me what a bad idea it is.

I've been drinking PowerAde Zero. It has no calories, tastes pretty good, and has electrolytes to make up for what I'm missing by not eating. I also have some zero-calorie Mio drops. Lots of flavors are available, and you can make it weaker or stronger, depending on the number of drops you add.

So here's an update. I saw my nut and then my surgeon yesterday. Both are very pleased with my progress and I've been given approval to move to mushy food. It doesn't have to be pureed, but it has to be mashed up and moist, and chewed thoroughly. Down 20lbs since surgery- YAY ME!! While see the surgeon, I asked her if my record/file had been updated. She looked at the records she could access, and it very clearly says I was sleeved, surgical notes, path report, etc. She couldn't access the patient records that I can access through the hospital's website, so she recommended I double-check, just to be sure. When I got home last evening, I pulled up my records. It doesn't say "gastric bypass" anymore; instead, it says "Sleeve Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch." SAY WHAT??? This group doesn't even DO DS surgery- and if I hadn't read about it here, I wouldn't have known it existed! It was after-hours so I sent an email directly to medical records, and I'll be calling them first thing Monday morning. Honestly!! This hospital is a large, regional, accredited hospital and the BWL program is considered a "Center of Excellence." Maybe not so much all the time!