Swanton_Bomb

My nutritionist said fish was one of the first real foods we could try (salmon, flounder, tilapia, etc.) after about a month, then shrimp. She recommended waiting quite a while for lobster because it can be rubbery, and I would imagine that would be the case for clams, squid, etc. If you are really craving those favors perhaps you can add cerviche seasonings such as cilantro to a fish based broth?

I've known for many years that I have a problem with food (obviously, I mean you don't become obese without having issues) but I recently came to the realization that I prefer food to pretty much everything. I would choose food over spending time with friends, a concert, shopping, a great movie, a good night's sleep, a vacation, nice clothes, anything. It satisfies me more than anything else. I knew I had a problem but this made me realize that my problem was just as serious of a compulsion as a drug or alcohol addiction. I hope I can defeat this and become healthy, not just physically, but mentally.

I've known for many years that I have a problem with food (obviously, I mean you don't become obese without having issues) but I recently came to the realization that I prefer food to pretty much everything. I would choose food over spending time with friends, a concert, shopping, a great movie, a good night's sleep, a vacation, nice clothes, anything. It satisfies me more than anything else. I knew I had a problem but this made me realize that my problem was just as serious of a compulsion as a drug or alcohol addiction. I hope I can defeat this and become healthy, not just physically, but mentally.

My nutritionist says they are fine, as long as you eat your Protein and veggies first and eat them in moderation. If you think they would be a "trigger" food for you then I would stay away from them. I think that's the bigger issue, knowing what triggers you. I am speaking from a pre-surgery perspective though. I am capable of eating carbohydrates and even some sugary foods in moderation but here are certain things (many things actually) that I really can't have in the house. Sometimes it doesn't even make any sense....for example, I can eat a small single ice cream bar without issue. If I have a single bite of an ice cream sandwich however, I will not stop until the box is empty, I feel sick and I hate myself.

I am pre-surgery. I'm thought about the surgery for a decade. Shame and fear got in the way. Finally I realized that being morbidly obese was FAR more dangerous than having the surgery, and I had a better chance of dropping dead over the next few years than I would flatlining on the table. The shame was harder to get over and I am working on that. What helped me the most was saying to myself, "What would you think of someone else who had the surgery?" I wouldn't judge them at all. I am working on trying to be as kind and accepting to myself as I would be to someone else.

I am pre-surgery. I have tried it before and I can't imagine it would be good after surgery, because it would take steel will to not eat a large meal after not eating anything all day. It sounds like it would be a path to really stretching out your sleeve.

Can you spice up some of your cream Soups with a little ground fennel and some oregano to give it that sausage flavor?

Yes, but I won't complain because at least it is related to surgery, and this surgeon has fewer and more reasonable requirements. Some doctors require a pap smear for goodness sake. The upper GI seems common, it allows the surgeon to see what is in there before he gets in there.

Thanks for your replies. Well, at least it is only once more. Hopefully from not so many positions....the laying on my stomach drinking out of that huge straw was the worst. One barium test down, one to go. Onwards to the sleep study tomorrow night.

Two more things I can check off my list. I got the abdominal sonogram today and the upper GI series. The sonogram wasn't too awful, but I was very self conscious with my huge stomach all exposed and it was painful when she pressed into my ribs (although I have had WAY worse sonograms, this tech was very good). The Upper GI though, was bad. I almost threw up, especially when I had to drink fast from that big straw while laying on my stomach. I tried so hard but I kept gagging. It was a miracle I didn't throw up. Will I have to do the barium again after surgery? If so, can they give you anti-nausea meds to keep from gagging so badly?

This is what I am really confused about: hunger and gherlin. That is what made the idea of the sleeve seem so attractive, since with the bypass your stomach and fundus remain. It seems like torture to be constantly hungry but have a pouch the size of an egg. A lot of people say though that the absence of hunger is brief. I'm so conflicted and confused. Thank you all for answering my questions that I have been posting recently.

Thank you for the info. So much to think about. Six months seems like an eternity but with so many decisions I guess it's a good thing in a way.

I'm pre-op and trying to prepare by finding a shake I can choke down. So far Premier Protein chocolate mixed with coffee seems best. I tried GNC Lean Shake, and I nearly spit it out. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth, it was like taking a straight spoonful of Splenda. I was so disappointed, I had been stoked about the Orange Cream flavor and the 9 grams of Fiber. Unfortunately I spent 40 bucks on the tub. I'm wondering if I can do it half-and half with unflavored whey so as not to waste it. Any recommendations for shakes that don't have that terrible sucralose/stevia aftertaste, or what I can add to minimize it? Thanks!

I'm pre-op and trying to prepare by finding a shake I can choke down. So far Premier Protein chocolate mixed with coffee seems best. I tried GNC Lean Shake, and I nearly spit it out. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth, it was like taking a straight spoonful of Splenda. I was so disappointed, I had been stoked about the Orange Cream flavor and the 9 grams of Fiber. Unfortunately I spent 40 bucks on the tub. I'm wondering if I can do it half-and half with unflavored whey so as not to waste it. Any recommendations for shakes that don't have that terrible sucralose/stevia aftertaste, or what I can add to minimize it? Thanks!

Two more things I can check off my list. I got the abdominal sonogram today and the upper GI series. The sonogram wasn't too awful, but I was very self conscious with my huge stomach all exposed and it was painful when she pressed into my ribs (although I have had WAY worse sonograms, this tech was very good). The Upper GI though, was bad. I almost threw up, especially when I had to drink fast from that big straw while laying on my stomach. I tried so hard but I kept gagging. It was a miracle I didn't throw up. Will I have to do the barium again after surgery? If so, can they give you anti-nausea meds to keep from gagging so badly?

Hi, I'm in the middle of the pre-approval process and have a question. How can you drink 8 glasses of Water a day if you can only drink 4oz. at a time? Is that only at the beginning, can you drink more later? Also, what about Protein Shakes, do you just drink 4oz. at a time? Thanks in advance for advice!