Taoz

5 hours ago, jules1 said:

Hi Taoz

i hope the new Protein tasted ok. Let me know if you can taste anything. I ended up throwing my huge $90 container of Bodiez unsweetened Protein Powder out due to the weird aftertaste. Nothing would disguise it. I really wish someone would create a protein powder tablet to make things easier.

i am currently on my 1st week of purees. Only another 3 to go. I spoke to my dietician and he’s allowing me a tiny bit of fish mashed as I can’t eat it pureed but said no to scrambled eggs. He told me my clinics Drs are on the conservative side for progressing through food stages but they have the lowest rate of stomach leaks in Australia. They also double suture and other extra safety measures during surgery that a lot don’t do apparently. On hearing this I decided not to cheat but ask surgeon on my appt next week if I can progress to soft diet then.

Hi Jules. I know what you mean about the unflavored bodie'z, it still has a weird slightly fruity taste and unpleasant aftertaste even when fully dissolved, and doesn't dissolve well or fast in hot liquids (I found as with the flavoured powders you need to mix it well in advance and shake it Up a few times before it really fully dissolves. Im planning to try a serve of the unflavored bodie'z with half of one of the protein perfection protein Water sample sachets (since they are so sweet!). That might at least get me a protein water that has 35g protein in about 500-600ml water and doesn't taste too sweet. Will let you know how I go!

The peptipro collagen supplement was great! It only took a minute or two of stirring with a fork to dissolve in the hot (microwaved to about 70 degrees C) milk before I added my two shots of Decaf coffee. I couldn't taste anything different! The texture didn't feel/taste any different either. I'm calling that a big success, now I can have 20g protein Milky decaf in the mornings woohoo!!!

I'm currently having a second Decaf coffee for the day (rare for me) to try out the new Peptipro collagen Hydrolysate Protein supplement that delivered this morning. 15g dissolves in hot or cold liquids for +14.5g protein without taste or texture, much like my benefibre soluble fibre supplement. Now my morning decaff coffee will deliver 20g protein! (and bonus, the collagen helps improve skin elasticity!).

15 hours ago, HopefullXOXOXO said:

I have been taking Pantoprazole (another PPI) for about 20 years. I'm still taking it now but for some reason there have been, now 4 days, where my stomach is on fire. I can't eat much when this happens so it hasn't turned into GERD. Believe it or not, I had hoped it was common the first month and not something specific to me. Clearly, I'll have to contact my surgeon tomorrow and let him know. Thank you for your thoughts.

Have you been taking the Pantoprazole specifically for reflux for the past 20 years or for another reason? Did you discuss this with your surgeon pre-op? I was under the impression that most people who already have reflux will get it worse after being sleeved (except where it was being caused only by hiatial hernia which would be fixed during surgery),with most surgeons recommending bypass instead for people with reflux?

Reflux is quite common in the first few months post surgery (hence standard issue of PPI post surgery).

Hopefully some of the foods were just too soon for your stomach and dialing back on the solids/meats for a bit longer brings relief. (I too was on a fairly fast moving plan, with 2 weeks liquids, then 2 weeks of both purees AND soft solids, and I'm finding I still prefer mostly my Soups and Decaf coffee + Protein supplements. I have had twice now some very soft cooked chicken (5 hours slow cooked sous vide hot Water bath 165F) which seems to agree with me fine, and some mashed avocado.

AS above, a food log is good. I use MyFitnessPal on my phone and I like being able to see how I"m tracking through the day with overall calories and particularly Protein, so I can make sure I'm getting enough protein in by the end of the day. Water intake tracking is really good too.

6 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

Thought I'd be so smart,so,i bought some Protein Bars on clearance, now I know why they were marked down. They are harder than Hard Hearted Hannah's heart, I can't even bite them😟👎

Can you return the un-opened ones? if they are too hard to bite/eat then that are not "fit for purpose"!

Look for "collagen hydrolysate" supplements derived from beef Gelatin (bonus, also helps with joints and skin elasticity).

Here in Australia I just had my Peptipro collagen Hydrolysate deliver today, and I"m looking forward to adding it to my morning Decaf coffee and evening cup of decaf tea. 15g product = 14.5g Protein and dissolves in cold or hot Water. No sure if this brand available overseas, but with the popularity of paleo, there should be several suppliers of similar products over there.

https://www.gelatinaustralia.com.au/products/peptipro-collagen-hydrolysate-beef-gelatin-500grams-premium-grade

4 hours ago, Toomanytacos said:

I am very concerned

I had my vsg on Dec 11

My preop diet I weighed 344lbs

But on day of surgery I was 321 lbs ( so I lost 23 pounds in perop diet )

I am stuck in the 270's. I am 271 as of today

Do you think I am behind?

This has been the slowest journey. I work out all the time. I never imagined this would go this slow. People area ll losing 100 lbs at this point and I keep asking them, ohh you including preop. and they'll say, no this is how much I've lost since surgery (and they have around the same surgery date) I don't know what I did wrong. Thanks

Everyone's body is going to respond differently. People who are older, especially women who are post menopose should expect to lose slower than younger sleevers, as our hormones play a part in our metabolism. People who previously had a gastric band tend to lose slower. People who had dieted a lot in recent years probably have more metabolic resistance to weight loss than those who didn't (I'm lucky I quit dieting a decade ago when I accepted that it ALWAYS made me fatter AND sicker physically and mentally in the medium to long term).

Talk with your support team if you are concerned though, they might be able to offer additional assistance?

Are you actually vomiting after eating and drinking? or just feeling nauseous? Are you on a Protein Pump Inhibitor medication to prevent reflux problems? could you currently be dehydrated? as that can cause a lot of nausea.

Keep in close contact with your surgical support team, if they know that you are not able to take much food or Water at 3.5 weeks post op they may recommend other things/medications/strategies, and can offer IV fluids to help with dehydration in the short term.

I'm really sorry you are having such a hard time post surgery, and I hope the nausea resolves for you soon and your sleeve journey smooths out after your bumpy start.

As above, if you are not already taking a daily medication for heartburn you need to start one, and inform your surgeon's support team. Many surgeons (including mine) prescribe medication to reduce gastric acid for at least the first 2 months post op, as it helps treat both early reflux (while stomach volume is super small with the swelling from surgery) and the reduced acid also helps the stomach to repair itself post surgery.

2 hours ago, Doha said:

Hi

I am going to see the dietitian today, hopefully I will be able to move on to Soups etc. I have very similar symptoms to you, tightness of tummy, gurgling and the #2 watery stool. (Is this normal? )

It is so worrying not knowing if my body is healing correctly.

both Constipation and runny stools are common in the early weeks when you are having just liquids/purees, usually very little fibre (though you can add benefibre to lots of liquids, I add it to my Decaf coffee and will start adding it to my soups). Some people get the runs from the artificial highly processed ingredients in the Protein Shakes too,

Ouch, sorry to hear that. What form of laxative did you try before that didn't work for you? Are your poops still very hard? You may need more of a stool softener rather than a laxative (the coloxyl with senna tablets I got and have used a couple of times are a combination of both softener and laxative).

Also look into getting a "squatty potty" to assist with a more comfortable/natural positioning of your legs while pooping?

I had my first reflux episode the other night (2.5 week post op) and it was nasty. I woke at 2:30 suddenly with a mouthful of yuk, which I instinctively tried to swallow... spent the next half hour upright and spitting a bit and trying not to be sick :( I had felt a bit off all day though, so something clearly wasn't sitting right with me all day, and then I made the mistake of taking my second Multivitamin quite late just with my cup of tea, as I'd forgotten to take it with dinner. After it settled a bit, I had a few sips of Water and cold milk to ease the burning, and then found some mylanta tablets. I was a bit scared to go back to bed, but thankfully had nothing further happen.

Here in Adelaide, South Australia it only took me about 3 months total from phoning and getting an initial consult date 2 months later, then surgery 3 weeks later (with insurance at a private hospital). US insurance requirements tend to be much more detailed and vary between providers.

Good question. I'm an avid veggie gardener but I have raised veggie beds (always had back and neck issues so ground level gardening was out)). I've been ok to do a little light weeding from a week post op, and a few days ago at 2 weeks post op I ripped down spent bean vines from their trellises (didn't want to wait for this cold snap to kill them and make them much harder to remove in a few weeks).

I'm keen to start beginners pilates at a physio but surgeon said to wait until I'm about 2 months post op first (after next surgeon follow up), and I'm still not meant to lift more than 10kilos (22lb) for a while so cant do any more of the heavy soil and mulch shoveling type work I still need to do. If you were establishing a new patch you'd need to be for to do some initial heavy work, buy you should be able to return to weedi/planting/light duties within a month post op?

Just now, PCOSSUCKS said:

Has anyone tried powdered collagen Protein? It is supposed to be amazing for hair skin Nails and joints...I was looking into it today. One of my friends swears by it....

Just the other day I've ordered a beef Gelatin derived (tasteless) Protein supplement, primarily because I can't stand the taste of even "unflavored" whey protein isolate's that I've tried, but I was happy to read that it also aids skin elasticity so should help with skin shrinking as I lose (I also consume a fair bit of chicken-derived gelatin in my Soups made with home chicken stock).

I've also started using Bio oil on my surgery scars now that they are uncovered and hope it will help.

I still expect I'm going to need some plastics once I'm at goal weight though, I carry a lot of weight on my arms and legs as well as my butt and stomach. And "the girls" will likely need at least an uplift.

1 hour ago, sleevedAndRelieved said:

May 25th.. one week away from the losers bench

not long to wait now! I hope you are traveling ok on whatever pre-op diet your surgeon set.

are you tracking your daily calories and macros? so soon post op you are probably still keeping calories low provided you're not eating sugary liquids? Fingers crossed it's start moving for you shortly.

darn it.. why is this not available in Australia yet??? they better bring it here ASAP because I totally want it! (we have other birds eye steam fresh stuff so hopefully they will roll it out everywhere soon...)

in the meantime I'm looking at recipes to try to make my own... will probably be an epic fail but worth a try

I just made another batch overnight as had almost used all my freezer supply: (I do a triple batch of the recipe below in my HUGE stock pot and simmer it overnight for 12-18 hours). This is the basis of all the Soups I've been enjoying post op. And I just read the other night that Gelatin is also good for skin elasticity!

Chicken Stock

8 cups (2L) Water (top up if needed while simmering)

2 Tbsp white or apple cider vinegar (to help draw minerals out from the bones)

1.5kg chicken frames (can also include bones and skin from cooked chicken wings/drumsticks/marylands, andif you can include some chicken feet you will get a higher Gelatin content)

Optional a Bacon Bone - I find this really adds savoury flavour

1 brown onion – roughly chopped, including brown skins if no black mould

1 stick celery – roughly chopped

1 carrot – roughly chopped

3 cloves chopped / crushed fresh garlic

6 black peppercorns

3 sage leaves

a handful of fresh parsley (&stalks)

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 sprig of rosemary

1-2 large bay leaves

(Don’t add any salt while making it, just add salt to taste when using it!)

Bring to the boil and then leave at a low simmer for 10-18 hours in a large saucepan or crock pot

Strain through muslin cloth or sieve and discard solids.

Refrigerate until fully chilled and fats solidify on top.

Remove all fats (and either discard or save for frying other stuff)

Split into a few portions and freeze some for later (keeps for 1-2 weeks in fridge).

3 minutes ago, TxAlpha06 said:

Guess I'll be make ng homemade chicken stock now....lol...

I just made another batch overnight as had almost used all my freezer supply: (I do a triple batch of the recipe below in my HUGE stock pot and simmer it overnight for 12-18 hours)

Chicken Stock

8 cups (2L) Water (top up if needed while simmering)

2 Tbsp white or apple cider vinegar (to help draw minerals out from the bones)

1.5kg chicken frames (can also include bones and skin from cooked chicken wings/drumsticks/marylands, andif you can include some chicken feet you will get a higher Gelatin content)

Optional a Bacon Bone - I find this really adds savoury flavour

1 brown onion – roughly chopped, including brown skins if no black mould

1 stick celery – roughly chopped

1 carrot – roughly chopped

3 cloves chopped / crushed fresh garlic

6 black peppercorns

3 sage leaves

a handful of fresh parsley (&stalks)

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 sprig of rosemary

1-2 large bay leaves

(Don’t add any salt while making it, just add salt to taste when using it!)

Bring to the boil and then leave at a low simmer for 10-18 hours in a large saucepan or crock pot

Strain through muslin cloth or sieve and discard solids.

Refrigerate until fully chilled and fats solidify on top.

Remove all fats (and either discard or save for frying other stuff)

Split into a few portions and freeze some for later (keeps for 1-2 weeks in fridge).

2 minutes ago, TxAlpha06 said:

@Taoz was spot on with his advice.... Everything is much better now... appreciate the info...

I'm so glad things are going better now hun!

(P.S. Taoz is a she)

1 hour ago, Frustr8 said:

@Taoz if you're reading this, could you offer some help to @ witchypoo72, she's in Australia and having trouble finding her way. Thanks in Advance.😜

hehe, just added more in Witchypoo72's post a short time ago before seeing this Thanks Frustr8

make yourself some really yummy Soups? they are what I really enjoyed in my liquid phase (and amj still enjoying now) - bonus is the Gelatin in real home made chicken stock is supposed to help with skin elasticity

On 5/15/2018 at 7:37 PM, Witchypoo72 said:

Hi there.

I had my surgery on the 11th April this year and I've only lost a little weight. Actually not sure on how much I 'should' have lost by now, I've lost 12 kilos. I'm on soft foods at the moment and am so confused as to actually how much (1/4 cup or 1/2 cup etc) I should be eating. I find it difficult to even drink 800ml of Water let alone 2 litres. Should I be doing exercise? Some people say gentle walking and some say I shouldn't be doing any for a while. I'm having plenty of days with the WTF have I done moments and breaking down into tears. I have a nutritionist who doesn't get back to me so I feel really lost. A lot of what she has sent me through is full of carbs and I'm not sure I should be eating them. I haven't had the Protein Drinks and multi Vitamins as they taste awful. I tried putting on my big girl pants and sucking it up but I end up vomiting afterwards. No idea what to do, where to start.

How are you doing now Witchypoo72? Sorry, I didn't notice that you are also in Australia when I first replied to your post.

If you haven't already, I can really strongly recommend the bnmulti capsule multivitamins and their calcium&VitD chewables (you need to take these at least 2 hours apart from the multivitamins to stop the Iron inhibiting Calcium uptake). This is the brand that my surgeon recommended I take.
https://bnmulti.com/

Pop in to your local chemist warehouse and pick up a berry and a kiwi flavored Bodie'z ready to drink Protein Water for $5 each (they store them in a little fridge with a few other drink supplements - ask if you can't find them in store). The berry one tastes the nicest to me and both have a whopping 30g protein in 450ml. They are stevia sweetened so no aspartame nasty aftertaste (I can't have aspartame as it triggers headaches/migraine) and they taste a bit like gatorade/cordial. Don't get the orange ready to drink one though, as it's only got 20g protein and has caffeine and guarana and is more of a pre-workout energy drink. The bodie'z are also available in powdered form in berry and orange (without caffeine/guarana), but need to rest for 5-10 minutes post shaking up to finish fully dissolving, or you can mix them the night before and leave in the fridge ready (they are an ALDI special buy this week for $3.50 each).

The other protein water option here is "protein perfection" you can order a sample pack of 7 single scoop (7g protein) sachets of their 7 splenda sweetened flavours for $15 including postage
NOTE: I find these taste far too sweet for me, with me needing to dilute 1 7g protein scoop in more than 400ml water (however their newest flavour "icy lemonade" is supposed to be only half as sweet, but you'd still need to drink it in a larger volume of water to get a decent amount of protein versus Bodie'z 450ml for 30g protein)
https://costpricesupplements.com.au/products/1-protein-perfection-protein-water-sample-pack-6-different-flavours/
They also sell protein jelly in 5 of their flavours

I've also just ordered last night a (tasteless) beef derived Gelatin protein supplement recommended by several users on an Aussie gastric sleeve support group I'm on for $48 delivered which is supposed to mix really well into your morning coffee etc (I find even the "unflavored" whey Protein Isolate supplements still add a funky taste).
As an added bonus, this gelatin form of protein is supposed to help with skin elasticity! (which the chicken-derived gelatin in my Soups made with real chicken stock will also have some of)
" * collagen hydrolysate (gelatin) supports/maintains skin elasticity in women. "
Hopefully this will aid with shrinking excess skin during weight loss!
https://www.evelynfaye.com.au/peptipro-collagen-hydrolysate-beef-gelatin.html

Big hugs and I hope you are doing better now!

6 hours ago, curvylady said:

Hey Justin, my surgery date was the 14th too. It was also my very first surgery. I have an outrageous Headache but for the most part am having bearable pain. Anyone else dealing with headaches post surgery?

My Head was fine post op (butI had already phased out caffeine the previous month). I got hit with a nasty headache on my fourth day in hospital, but I am pretty certain it was because I ate some of the Soups they gave me the previous afternoon and evening (which I had originally been told were made with "real stock" but was later told they were "reconstituted soups" hence lots of MSG/hidden MSG which gives me headaches) At that point I couldn't have ANY of the hospital food (optifast has aspartame which I also can't have) so my Protein Water was all I could have. At that point I made the decision I was discharging myself that afternoon instead of the next morning when my surgeon wanted me to. Had had enough, and wanted home, quiet, my own bed without buzzers going all night, and actual REAL Soup I could safely eat.