sillykitty

The Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in your multi which causes neon yellow urine

I didn't need any help at all, I was perfectly fine on my own. My mom picked me up from the hospital and stayed with me a couple of hours. Once she was confident I was fine on my own she left. She also knows that I have neighbors on each side of me I'm close to, in case there was an emergency. Honestly, I'm used to living on my own. So someone staying here to play nurse would have gotten old.

I started to see loose skin at about - 40 lbs. I was surprised, the first place I saw it was my inner thighs. Now at nearly 70 lbs, my arms are baby bat wings, and my boobs are deflated. My tummy still looks fat, not like loose skin (35 more lbs to go) I went into WLS knowing that I would have plastics. I knew that at my age (40's) and how long I've been overweight (10+ yrs), my skin wasn't going to bounce back. I knew that if I was going to do this, I was going to go all the way, be happy with the way I look both in and out of clothes. But I was expecting to only have to do my stomach and boobs. It is looking like I'll need my arms and thighs as well, which is disappointing.

This depends on your level of restriction. 5 months out, I usually can't get 2 oz of solid protein in. So I'd have to eat 2 oz of chicken, 6x's a day, to get to 60 g of protein. Clearly that's not practical, or desirable. So I foresee needing protein drinks for a long time to come.

I looked into the patches and was seriously considering using them, because most supplements cause me nausea. I spoke in depth to my surgeon's PA (she has a much better bedside manner!) about them. She has the same issue w nausea, and had looked into them herself. She was skeptical and ultimately decided against them. She told me I should use the patches only as a last resort, as they might be better than nothing. Thankfully she suggested the multivitamin she takes, and it's easy on my stomach, so that problem solved. When I was considering the patches I also talked to a good friend of mine who's a GI. He very much doubted that most vitamins and minerals could be absorbed transdermally. I asked him about labs tests to verify, and he said that labs can be very misleading and it can take many months, years, or even decades for deficiencies to show up. He said for instance calcium will almost never show deficient, our bodies will just take from our bones. And that labs don't even test for all the vitamins and minerals we need. So taking those two opinions, plus my own doubts from this article, stating that the weight of the patch was significantly less than the combined weight of the claimed vitamins and minerals on the patch. https://www.unjury.com/blog/important-information-if-you-are-recommending-a-patch-vitamin/ . It just puts patches into the too good to be true category, and I'm staying away.

I know that @Matt Z is happy with the patches, as are others on here. But they are controversial and some programs don't allow them.

My only instructions were once off narcotic pain meds. I drove 2 days after surgery.

No preop diet here ... and the 2 weeks between insurance approval and surgery were full of food funerals.

Similar situation here. I work from home. I technically took no time off. I worked off my phone and iPad before surgery, was lucid enough to reply to some emails after surgery. The next day I was fine with working again on my phone and iPad until I was discharged, and then at home. Next day forward I worked as usual. I also traveled for week 3 weeks post op. But this was a 5 hr flight and a week long trip that was a 4 day schmooze fest, and then a weekend lying by the pool after, before flying home. I was lower energy and more tired than usual, but otherwise fine. (I did get a B12 shot at the beginning of week 3) So, I had a very easy recovery. If you have a likewise easy recovery, your plan would work.

I'm 5 months out. I'm at the low end of the calorie scale. I have a lot of restriction, and not a lot of physical hunger. I usually have shake in the morning, and 3 or so meals/snacks. As I said I have a lot of restriction, so a meal/snack is 1 oz of cheese or jerky, 1/2 to1 cup of soup, cucumbers with dip, laughing cow cheese w 34 degree crackers, coleslaw w light dressing, dehydrated cheese crackers, sandwich w 1/2 a slice of bread, 1 slice of turkey, mustard, ff mayo and lettuce, protein pasta w a 1/2 a turkey meatball and marinara sauce (2 oz by wt), greek yogurt, sf jello w greek yogurt, slice of watermelon 1/3 a Chicken or Mahi burger patty only (TJ's), quesadilla w a 1/2 a low carb tortilla, 1/2 oz cheese and salsa. So basically a shake, and mix and match from the other items I listed.

Ahh, ok Jamaica, that's smart, and sugar free

Have you tried the Ricotta baked? Also refried beans with cheese and hot sauce (as mentioned above). Those both have a lot of flavor.

This! Space them out as much as possible to get maximum absorption. Also, calcium needs to be separate from your multi, and it absorbs better with food.

I agree, protein drinks. I also cannot get all my protein from food, unless I were to basically eat all day, which I obviously don't want to do. Edit to add: Greek yogurt, protein fortified soups from here on Bariatric Pal, Fairlife milk and jerky, could get me to my protein goals if I really worked at it. I find it easier though if I just start my day with a protein shake. That get me over half way there, so the rest of the day I can usually get there easily.

Yes, this. I assume the juice is no sugar added, not actually sugar free?

Ok, but you know that's not sugar free, right?

What is homemade jello?

I figured most vets or semi vets would have tried them If you see the Sonoma Creamery ones, give them a try, they're my fave that I've had.

Have you tried any of the dehydrated cheese products? Moon Cheese, Whisps, Sonoma Creamery? They are delicious and are just pure cheese, so more protein and few carbs.

People who drink three Irish Coffees less than two months post op really shouldn't throw stones.

I agree with everything @AshAsh1 said, especially "it doesn't sound like you are in the right mind frame to have this surgery. These are questions I wouldn't be concerned with if I was ready to change my life. ......You are concerned about not having to change your lifestyle. These questions don't sound like they are from someone who has hit their rock bottom and wants to have life changing surgery to lose weight. Just saying...." I agree that WLS surgery is a lifestyle change. Your sleeve isn't going to change anything in your mind. You can totally defeat this surgery by eating the wrong foods, eating too much and eating too frequently. Here are my experiences/opinions, 5 months post op 1. Will I be able to eat a cheeseburger and small fry with like a milkshake? Clearly I won't be opting for this on the daily but we all still need to indulge in our favorites once in a while and I'm not sure how much of it I'll be able to eat I'm assuming maybe like 1/3 or maybe 1/2 of the entire meal. But does anyone have experience with eating cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake on like a vacation or for just a little "cheat meal"? I live in LA, so I have had In-n-Out post surgery. I can eat about 1/3 of a hamburger, protein style, no room for anything else. I actually prefer In-n-Out burgers protein style, since the buns are nothing special. I get it protein & animal style, hold the Thousand Island (mustard grilled patty & grilled onions, wrapped in lettuce). Their fries seriously suck, don't waste any stomach room on them. Have a sip or two of a milkshake if you must. But milkshakes are pure sabotage, so be careful. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong about eating local specialties on vacation, and being flexible for a week. But you have to be absolutely certain you can get back on plan once you get home. 2. I absolutely LOVE sparkling Water like La Croix and San Pellegrino, does anyone drink sparkling water on occasion? I have no issues w carbonation, as long as I don't drink out of a can. Over ice takes away some of the fizz, and doesn't bother me. 3. Cocktails and Wine, I'm not sure about you but being 24 I like to have myself an occasional couple of social beverages, how was your experience with alcohol both mixed drinks (hard liquor) and wine? (Don't worry about beer I don't like it). I have no issues with how alcohol effects me. But I have almost completely given up alcohol, because they are liquid calories with no nutritional value. I have worked way too hard and had too much success to undue it with a few drinks. A mixed cocktail has as many or more calories than I consume in a day. If you are serious about WLS you will come to the same conclusion that drinks, except on rare occasion aren't worth it. I may not be 24, but this was a BIG adjustment for me, as my job centers around entertaining and wining and dining. 4. Not to generalize but I think a lot of people have a sweet tooth, I love the occasional scone, croissant, cookie, French macaron, etc. how has your experience with these types of baked pastries been? This is the biggest worry about your post. Can you occasionally have these, yes, of course. But the fact you are worried about this pre op makes me think you are too attached, and occasional will be far too often. 5. coffee. I'm ADDICTED to coffee and espresso beverages; lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, matcha lattes. How have these affected you and do you sweeten them at all or keep it plain? Can you sweeten them with like flavored syrups like a pump of lavender simple Syrup or matcha powder? Ugh, lavender simple syrup, pure liquid calories again, as are most coffee drinks. Try out coffee at home with Premier Protein Caramel or Fairlifemilk and sf syrup. 7. Also will there be a time when eventually I can have a beverage while eating a snack or meal? Or will I forever not be able to consume liquids and solids at the same time? Nope, at 5 months I usually have to wait more than 1/2 hr to drink after a meal. I feel full, I feel my restriction working. I don't want to defeat it, push the food out of my stomach, and make myself hungry again. It's not a big deal for me at all. I do wish you luck, but think hard if you are ready for the lifestyle changes that successful WLS requires

Many programs say no carbonation, but there are some surgeons who dissent http://drmatthewweiner.com/bariatric-surgery-myths/ http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/drinking-soda-after-wls-debunking-the-myth

Good call out, I have one of each, so I'll definitely use the dip mix

I have some Hidden Valley Ranch, I'll give that a shot and see!

The mix was a store brand I had used in the past, and made with only 1 cup, so I got that right. I wonder if my yogurt is more intense than Chobani. I used Trader Joe's Greek Yogurt, Non-fat, Plain. It has a few less calories and a little less protein, I can't imagine they would taste that different though. Or maybe it was the mix ...