sleevedllama

Just wanted to put in a plug for Dr. Doyle and the entire Anne Arundel Surgical Specialists team, since I haven't seen her discussed on these forums. She is the partner of Dr. Alex Gandsas, who is highly regarded and is the main bariatric surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I saw both surgeons, but after progressing through 90% of the pre-op requirements under Dr. Gandas' care, needed to put my process on hold to deal with my mom's terminal illness. Once I was able to resume work and start thinking about myself again, but before I had returned to schedule a surgery date, I wound up in the ER with a gallbladder attack.
The NP who treated me said I needed to be admitted right away to have the gallbladder removed. Once the Acute Care surgeon came down to see me, though, my attack had passed and luckily the Acute Care team is part of Anne Arundel Surgical Specialists. Dr. Brook Buckley saw me in the ER and noticed I was already a patient of Dr. Gandsas, and slowed that NP's roll by saying "we have options here." She saved me from two surgeries by referring me to Dr. Courtney Doyle, who scheduled an expedited appointment to review my chart and examine me for cholecystitis. Dr. Gandsas doesn't do gallbladder removals (unless absolutely necessary in conjunction with a gastric procedure), but Dr. Doyle does both bariatric and general surgeries, and was willing to allow me to finish the requirements for my sleeve and schedule a single surgery for VSG and cholecystectomy.
Her bedside manner is excellent. She is friendly, spent more time with me than Dr. Gandsas, and made me feel less like a number and more like an individual patient. Post op, she was kind, caring, and firm about what I needed to do to recover. To me, that is the best balance - I want a surgeon with excellent bedside manner (something that is hard to find, in my opinion), who is open, honest, and willing to spend time to answer my questions. She totally fits that bill.
Of course Dr. Gandsas and Dr. Doyle are backed by an excellent admin and dietitian team. I can reach the dietitian, admin, and Dr. Doyle's nurse all by e-mail and have my questions answered within a day. I highly recommend Dr. Doyle and her practice.

I'm 41, sleeved on my 41st birthday. I do wish I had done this sooner -- maybe before I had children, as recovery with two under 6 at home is hard. I'm still in a lot of pain. But, after I had my second child (and right around my 40th birthday), I could not lose any weight on my own. I did some pretty intense exercise and nutrition programs for new moms and I'm certain it was good for me, but only lost a few pounds (and it nearly killed me, in my sleep deprived, newborn mom state). That's when I decided to investigate the surgery, and I'm glad I did. I just wish my recovery were going a little faster.

My three month appointment is today so I get to see what my bloodwork says. I had a cold for a couple of weeks and missed some Vitamins. Down almost 50 pounds and feeling great though!

I'm 41, sleeved on my 41st birthday. I do wish I had done this sooner -- maybe before I had children, as recovery with two under 6 at home is hard. I'm still in a lot of pain. But, after I had my second child (and right around my 40th birthday), I could not lose any weight on my own. I did some pretty intense exercise and nutrition programs for new moms and I'm certain it was good for me, but only lost a few pounds (and it nearly killed me, in my sleep deprived, newborn mom state). That's when I decided to investigate the surgery, and I'm glad I did. I just wish my recovery were going a little faster.

I'm probably not going to be well-liked for making this statement, but really, nothing has bothered my stomach to date except for potentially eating a bite or two more than I really needed. I've had lots of different meats, cheeses, yogurts, Protein Shakes, etc. and since week 3 (when I could hardly keep the shakes down and switched from ready made to powders), I've not really had any problems at all. I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with certain foods. It's so strange how different we all are with this.

Oh, my hunger is definitely satisfied by that. I think these are definitely cravings and I'm looking for some redirection. My meals have consisted of soft scrambled eggs, lots of shredded chicken and pork, and minimal veggies so far. Can't do salads/raw veggies for a while (one more month maybe?). I know I can eat just about anything else, I'm just having a hard time staying away from these cravings every day.

I am off any restrictions - just following the plan: 60-70g of Protein per day; minimum 600-800 calories; no bread, Pasta, rice; low-calorie, low-carb recommended -- and 64 oz of Water per day.

Do you mean ketosis?

I've been doing this too -- either a tbsp. PB2 or a teaspoon of Simply JIF (lower sugar) with half a banana and a chocolate Isagenix shake & ice in the blender.

I haven't but that sounds good! Haven't tried any cracker or chips.

I think you're probably right. And I've been in a little bit of a stall for the past couple weeks so I wouldn't be surprised if my body needs some more fats too to just get things moving.

Not that it doesn't count, but I was specifically counseled to not use cheese as a Protein source because it is high in calories and fat. Peanut Butter is okay in small amounts - for example, adding a teaspoon to a chocolate Protein Shake with half a banana - but is very high in calories. I'm supposed to be between 600-800 calories per day for the next few weeks, so a tablespoon of peanut butter is the equivalent of one meal's calories.

Oh, my hunger is definitely satisfied by that. I think these are definitely cravings and I'm looking for some redirection. My meals have consisted of soft scrambled eggs, lots of shredded chicken and pork, and minimal veggies so far. Can't do salads/raw veggies for a while (one more month maybe?). I know I can eat just about anything else, I'm just having a hard time staying away from these cravings every day.

I am off any restrictions - just following the plan: 60-70g of Protein per day; minimum 600-800 calories; no bread, Pasta, rice; low-calorie, low-carb recommended -- and 64 oz of Water per day.

Way to go! I'm 7 weeks post-op and feeling very similar. Vitamins/calcium are still the hardest thing for me to stick to, but I'm feeling great and starting to get compliments on my appearance, which is a little weird, but helps me in my belief that even if the scale isn't moving, I'm losing! I've never been tied to a number - the goal weight in my ticker is just pulled off a chart and what I think is reasonable but isn't a sticking point for me - but I want to be healthy and feel good. Sounds like you are doing awesome! Congrats!

Oh, my hunger is definitely satisfied by that. I think these are definitely cravings and I'm looking for some redirection. My meals have consisted of soft scrambled eggs, lots of shredded chicken and pork, and minimal veggies so far. Can't do salads/raw veggies for a while (one more month maybe?). I know I can eat just about anything else, I'm just having a hard time staying away from these cravings every day.

I’d be lost with out cheese/dairy as part of my Protein allotment. Granted I still have to be careful of the amount because I was lactose intolerant before and that didn’t change. I do have to watch that I’m not succumbing to head hungry because even at 4+ months out it’s still there. Less than the first few weeks but still a question I ask myself.

Seriously I had a convo with my Nut how anything highly processed wrecks havoc in my digestion system so I still eat regular cheese just way less of it, avoid sugar and it’s alternatives, etc. Part of this journey is giving you the space to figure out what works for your body. And yes that means sometimes telling your mind to stuff it and stop playing games.

You’re doing great!

I’d be lost with out cheese/dairy as part of my Protein allotment. Granted I still have to be careful of the amount because I was lactose intolerant before and that didn’t change. I do have to watch that I’m not succumbing to head hungry because even at 4+ months out it’s still there. Less than the first few weeks but still a question I ask myself.

Seriously I had a convo with my Nut how anything highly processed wrecks havoc in my digestion system so I still eat regular cheese just way less of it, avoid sugar and it’s alternatives, etc. Part of this journey is giving you the space to figure out what works for your body. And yes that means sometimes telling your mind to stuff it and stop playing games.

You’re doing great!

You all (and your little cheeses too) are going to The Hells.
Signed.
Sincerely,
Fluffy C. CA (Cheeseaholic Anonymous)

Look at all that paraphernalia!!! lol, it's ok because I know one day someone will walk in on me while I profess my love to a family size tub of cashews in bed

Not the case here

I had this issue at your stage too, now I don't even eat cheese anymore, but all I ever really want to eat are nuts, sadly I can't (or rather shouldn't), your taste may also change over time...

hope someday my diet someday smoothness out, then I could go back to Edam. That would be such a GOUDA, day, of course.!

Hm... my plan states that cheese can absolutely be counted towards Protein goals. There is a limit, but I never get there anyway and I LOve Cheese and eat it daily. I try to stick to 2 light string cheese a day and stay away from topping my chicken or eggs or whatever protein I’m having. It also satisfies the craving more IMO.

If all goes well, I'll be sleeved next month (fingers crossed). I REALLY like what you shared and the terminology used... "head hunger". It definitely made the cut to go on my closet door of quotes! Thanks!