WitchySar

Yeah, every day since surgery. Have to take it for 3 months only since I don't have reflux.

Well that would be awesome if it works that way for me too. Thanks!

I'm supposed to eat 2 oz *meals* every 2 hours. Some days I can't manage to do and go 3-4 hours in between because of being super busy, out of the house, etc. No problems on those days. On the days I try and am able to eat every 2 hours I find myself actually feeling hungry in between the meals. I don't like that. Makes me want to push the meals out to 3 hours so to avoid the hunger feeling but I know then I won't get in my Protein (something I've been struggling with anyway). Has this happened to you? The more often you eat the more you get hungry?

My surgeon said anything liquid (or becomes liquid, like sf popsicles and jello) that does NOT have Protein in it can be counted as liquid.

My hospital experience with my VSG was great. I went to Parker Adventist hospital in Parker Colorado and it was honestly the nicest hospital I've been in. The nurses were attentive and caring while still getting the job done. Pretty much everything I needed was available to me there. This hospital didn't permit heating pads since they can cause burns but when I complained of gas pains in my shoulder blades they immediately brought me heated towels to put on my back. The room was private (all the rooms on the bariatric floor were), there was a couch, bed, and a super comfy recliner. They kept on top of my pain meds, always coming on time to give the next dose (which I definitely needed). Since they gave dialudid instead of morphine to me (I can't handle morphine) I didn't get a pain pump but they never let me go past 4 hours without a new dose. I actually felt rather pampered while there. I loved it. Not all hospitals are as nice as this one though. The year prior I had my gallbladder removed unexpectedly at a hospital near where I live and my experience was the complete opposite. I felt ignored, like I was an inconvenience to the nurses. I had a lot of pain and anxiety and if I asked for my next pain med dose I was looked at like I was a drug seeker, even if it was past time for it. They let me go 12 hours without pain meds once. It was a horrible experience. So check out the hospital you're going to ahead of time if you can.

What I was told is that bypass helps reduce GERD and sleeve can make it worse.

Many insurances require it, or something similar like 3 or 12 months. Mine required 6 months of a medically supervised diet before I could even be submitted to insurance for approval. I hope it goes well for you.

I paid $0 for the entire thing, start to finish.

How your body reacts to sugar alcohols is hard to tell. It's not the same in every person. Some people find it makes them crave the real thing more, some people find it satisfies the sweet tooth and no longer want sugar. Some people experience *gastric distress*, some people don't (stick to the portion size, or a little less and you'll likely be fine). Some people claim it makes their body react as if they had regular sugar, more people however show little to no change in blood sugar after having sf candy. Really you're the only one who can answer whether or not it's a good idea for you. I don't know when your surgery was but I would personally suggest waiting at least a few months to let your stomach heal and then... it's up to you.

Check out a recipe called Fathead pizza. It's a recipe for a low carb pizza crust and I've heard amazing reviews. If you're going to have pizza might as well try to make it as healthy as possible if you have a choice.

Thank you all for the suggestions, examples, and encouragement. I get to go on a full diet on the 30th, I really can't wait for that day. I can start eating a proper low carb diet again (in much smaller portions than before lol). I'm just going to keep trying to reach my goals and hopefully I'll get a little better every day. Today so far I'm at 345 calories, 26 Protein, and 4 carbs. If I can manage to get in another 2 *meals* then maybe I'll actually meet my goals. That'd be awesome.

Dr. Joshua Long, Parker Colorado. I chose him initially because his office staff was polite, caring, and didn't mind answering all my questions. Before my first appointment they had to reschedule because he was going to be out of the office that day. I explained I was on a schedule with my insurance (ran out at end of year) and I was worried that pushing my appointment back further would result in not being able to have it at all. She got me in the very next day. Even earlier than my first appointment was supposed to be! Once I was seen there I was hooked. I met with the surgeon, the nutritionist, and the therapist all on the first visit. Each one took their time to talk to me, let me ask questions, made sure I really understood everything. I felt completely at ease there. Before calling his office I had called two other places. First one was super rude when I asked if they took medicaid. They did not and it was apparent that they looked down on those who had it. Second one took medicaid but didn't want to answer my questions at all, tried rushing me off the phone, and said I wouldn't even meet the surgeon until I had completed 6 months of diet with my PCP first. I knew I didn't want to go into surgery with someone I'd never met so that, combined with the attitude they gave me, cinched it for me. I didn't want to go there.

Fairlife milk is too high in carbs for me but I do have the Carb Master milk. I do have Genepro still as well but just opening the container makes me gag. I literally can't drink or eat anything in it. I tried having my husband make me things and not tell me what had it in it. Nope, as soon as I put it in my mouth I would start gagging if the protein powder was in it. I tried a couple other ones as well aside from Genepro. Same problem.

I totally understand your frustration. Since starting the whole journey I've lost about 60 pounds. My clothes fit exactly the same. On another group I'm in for those who had surgery in December a guy posted he lost about 25 since surgery and went from a 4x to a 2x already. WTF? How???

Scrambled egg with cheese, chicken salad, turkey lunch meat, soft meatballs... that's about it for now.

My surgeon does a leak test during surgery before he closes. No separate leak test the next day. Maybe that's what this surgeon does?

I think part of my issue is I can no longer tolerate Protein power or protein shakes at all. Makes me gag even at the smell, and yes I've tried many different brands including GENEPRO. I have a lot of sensory issues and this is suffering for it. I can't tolerate yogurt either due to my sensory problems. So I need to find a way to get in my calories and protein through food alone. Oh, did I mention I have a lot of food allergies too (including, but not limited to, legumes (for ex - peanuts, Beans, peas, etc), almonds, and all fish (yes all, not just seafood). *sigh* Yeah, it's difficult right now. So keep the menus coming, I need ideas. Have to get creative.

I'm struggling really hard right now with getting in enough calories and protein. I'm on soft foods, supposed to eat 2 oz every 2 hours, and I'm still averaging under 500 calories and maybe about 40 grams of protein if I'm lucky. So I'm asking, those of you who are successful at getting in enough calories and protein... what are you eating? Can I please see a daily food plan? It would be ever so helpful.

I'm 42, insured, did not have one.

Thanks for all the info. I have another question. I'm not interested in smoking it, and edibles are out of the question since it sounds like they don't come sugar free. I saw a few people mention vaping it, is that like regular vaping? I've tried vaping (0 nicotine since I'm not a smoker) so I have a vape pen, does it work like that? I made my own vape juice, is there like marijuana oil or something I could put in that and vape that way? Or is pot vaping completely different?

I was swallowing pills while still in the hospital. The meds I'm on don't come in liquids and they all agreed that crushing them would taste disgusting. Just had to split most of them. A couple in half, one in quarters. My vitamins are all gummies.

If you're on any medications bring them with you. Not just the names and doses but the actual medications. When I went for my last appointment they went over the size of each pill and the PA was able to tell me which ones I would have to split, which I could take whole, etc. Most of the rest of my appointment was mainly going over what I could expect on the day of surgery, and then signed a bunch of consents (not all, a couple had to be signed day of surgery). It was a pretty easy appointment but I imagine it varies from surgeon to surgeon.

I had surgery on 12/19/16. I am currently going through a period of surgery regret. It's not because of not being able to eat large quantities anymore since I didn't really do that before hand. It's not about not being able to drink since I don't drink. For me my regret currently is because of two things mainly. 1. I'm losing too slowly for my taste. I feel like I butchered myself for nothing since I could lose faster just by eating low carb. 2. What weight I have lost seems to have all come from my boobs. I am not pleased with how my body looks already. Will I forever regret the surgery? Doubtful. But right now that's how I feel.

I have a question for everyone who uses this. I don't, never have, but I'm getting desperate for pain relief and willing to try anything at this point. I'm also in Colorado so I don't have to worry about needing a medical card. Since I started my pre-op journey in June my back has hurt worse and worse. More weight I lose, more it hurts. Usually starts hurting by early afternoon and by the night it spasms so bad I'm in tears. I'm working with my doctor about it but she won't prescribe pain meds (just take tylenol and use ice/heat... yeah, doesn't touch it at all). Even the oxycodone I was given after the surgery didn't touch the pain. Could marijuana help? I'm so freaking desperate.

Thanks for answering. I see my surgeon on the 20th and I'll be a little over 4 weeks (almost 5 weeks actually) at that point. I'm REALLY hoping he'll clear me because it'll be another few weeks after that before I'll be able to get up there to see him (he's a couple hours away from me). I'm itching to get back to weight training. I have instability in my ankles due to numerous injuries over the years so I can't do much walking and I feel so mushy right now. I want to get back to feeling in charge of my body instead of stuck doing nothing. I have started doing body weight squats since that doesn't affect my abs, and I'm considering getting hand weights and doing bicep curls and things like that, basically ANYTHING that doesn't touch my abs.