Wendums

I'm in week 6 and I still cannot handle eggs or chicken. Maybe it's what you're trying to eat right now.. Hope it gets better for you.

I just wore the same sweats to and from. But I wish that I would have packed a robe, You'll be expected to walk around the hallway after surgery. Cell phone charger, wound up using that. They supplied me with socks even though I packed some. I packed fresh undergarments and a tank top for the trip home. I wore my hair in a ponytail the whole time and didn't shower until I got home the next day. I took my cpap machine and used it. Forgot my pillow, but the hospital let me use as many as I wanted, I had them behind me and on both sides of me. I basically went into low maintenance for my stay, I just wanted to rest and recover and go home.

One of the tuffest things you'll ever do, hang in there and keep to it, you can do this

4 hours ago, Tejee said:

Once you hit the soft stage, did you full faster? 

For me it wasn't until the more solid stage that I started to feel my stomach signs of fullness. The more solid the food, the more I feel it. I had never gotten that omg I may have eaten too much feeling until the food was pretty solid and dense. When I eat things like Soup and yogurt and cottage cheese, etc I just don't feel full when I have the recommended 4oz. That is what my plan portion is so I serve myself that. My nutritionist said it's ok to have a snack between meals so I'll have an orange or an apple or a pickle or something an hour or so later, I can usually feel that and it helps my head hunger a bit.

Hang in there, if the soft food doesn't do much for you like me, the more solid food almost certainly will. Right now you're training your stomach to eat again, and it sucks that some of us don't feel it as easy as others do, but as you progress in stages you will feel it a little more. The important thing is to 1> get in your Protein. 2> stick to recommended portion size and allowed foods the best you can. You'll be glad that you did.

17 minutes ago, Tejee said:

Hi everyone, I'm three weeks post op and I wanted to know what a typical portion size is for you. I just had two poached eggs, tbsp of hummus and a table spoon of nonfat cottage cheese...and I still feel like maybe I can eat more. Is this normal? What's a typical portion for you? 

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello... I'm 6 weeks post op, and I've noticed some people struggle with portions while others don't. Some can eat 2 bites and be done, wish that were my case, but I have to watch how many ounces I eat at a setting so that I don't overdo it. The softer the food it seems, the more I can eat. Soups I can eat 6oz easy, while meat only about 2oz. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to try and limit your servings, and stay within the guidelines that you were given. Best of luck, it gets easier with time, I struggled a lot with this at first while introducing solids back into my diet.

You look AMAZING! So inspiring

Is there a public health clinic in your area, you may want to see if you can get your Iron checked if you're worried it's low. Some of them let you pay for labs on a sliding fee. I am susceptible to low Iron and am required to take a supplement of 65mg Iron on top of what my bariatric Vitamins have. If you you decide to just try this on your own, make sure that you take calcium citrate also to help the Iron absorb, this needs to be taken at least an hour apart from the Iron or it cancels it out. Good Luck and I hope you feel better.

1 hour ago, Girly51 said:

I’m into my pre op diet, good thing I started on Friday. Today, I’m tired and have been resting. They said it should only last a few days. Can someone tell me their experience with pre op diet. Strangely enough, I have not been hungry. Drinking Premier Protein 3X’s a day, Water, and broth.

I was tired the first week too on my pre op diet. It gets better, I think your body has to adjust to running on less calories maybe. That's what I told myself anyways lol

Oh nice and congratulations on your surgery date. Keep in mind that we are the lucky few and that not everyone is as fortunate as us to be able to have this done. I have had a few surgeries in the past and nerves are usually there, it's natural. I just surrender to them and remind myself that my personal experience of the surgery will be- I will go to sleep and then I will wake up, it's that simple.... and it happens that fast. Good Luck Monday, my surgery was on a Monday too.

My surgery group does a lot of WLS's each month and our pre op supervised visits were in a group setting of about 10 - 12 patients (we would individually see the Dr each time, but nutrition was in group). It seemed as though we were all there because it was required for our medical insurance authorization. Some of us for 6 monthly visits while others only required 3. Some of these patients were revisions and they were still required to do it. You may get away with not having to go if you pay out of pocket, but I don't see how they would be able to get around insurance requirements, my Dr office was pretty clear on this.

I know it's a pain to wait this long, but it really does help you prepare for this life change and if you can put up with all of the pre op requirements you are obviously dedicated to it. best of luck.

5 hours ago, Panda333 said:

Hello, newbie here. I'm very interested in WLS but then part of me thinks I can fool myself into pretending I've had it. Has anyone changed their mind about having the surgery after doing the pre-op diet, or for any reason such has having success or just even playing a mind trick on yourself? Curious. Thank you!

Are you sure you're ready for this major decision?
I knew I was, I had hit rock bottom, I surrendered to the fact that I had no self control to do it on my own. My health was starting to fail me and in desperation I looked into WLS. I am so glad that I did, I had never thought it was for me in the past, I always thought that I should do it on my own. This surgery changes you, and the way you think about food. At least it did for me. I have this new baby tummy and I need to protect it. It was a gift and I am treating it as such. Good luck on your decision, and if you feel you can do it on your own you should try to do so first in my opinion. I think if WLS is right for you, you will know it deep inside, and it will be one of the most important things in your life.

Yah... After everything is complete, you've jumped through hoops to fulfill all of the requirements and you're waiting for the approval, it can be pretty nerve wracking. Hang in there and hopefully the next call you get from your Dr's office is the one to schedule your pre op appointment. Best of luck on your journey beyond surgery, it really is a life changer. ❤️

My lunches usually contain a variety of the items below. I usually bring more than I will eat, so I can have what I feel like and then just repack the next day what I don't eat. I'm still adding new items to this list as I progress with trying/handling new things. it proves a challenge for me to pack lunches as I use to just eat out every day pre op. I have had a few things from fast food, but it's hard to find anything that you can eat. Jimmie Johns can makes all of their sandwiches into an Unwich, no bun - lettuce wrapped. I tried the turkey/ham and it was fabulous... it took me all day to eat 3/4 of it, but my pup was happy to get the rest at the end of the day.. also you can order a side of Beans at taco bell which satisfies if you have no other option.

My lunches contain an assortment of:

2 oz tuna salad (fixed as if it was going on a sandwich)

deli meat or some other sort of meat

hot Soup in thermos

olives

pickles

light string cheese

cherry tomatoes

apple

orange

P3 (deli isle) meat/cheese/nuts

pistachios

2-4 oz lowfat cottage cheese

2-4 oz yogurt

2-4 oz Protein sf Jello (unjury.com has recipe)

2-4 oz vegetable, I like green beans

2-4 oz dole no sugar fruits

I ordered some of the bariatric pal protein chips in a variety. I liked about half of them, but will not be attempting this again until I reach maintenance stage. I found myself eating more than one individual size bag a day or grazing through more than one portion at a time. It brought out old habits in me, and I don't need that kind of struggle with self control right now. Be careful with these my nutritionist also says they are slider foods, that dissolve fast and slide right through to the intestine, more calories for less satiety.

8 hours ago, GradyCat said:

It becomes a habit after a while instead of a chore, so it'll get easier for you.

9 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

It sure does! So don't stop popping bottles now!!!

10 hours ago, KimTriesRNY said:

It gets easier. 😀

Thank you for all of the encouragement.. ❤️

17 hours ago, mousecat88 said:

My surgeon's office has two nutritionists. Except mine has been out on maternity leave since my surgery so I have not seen a nutritionist at all since then. They decided that the priority was on pre-op patients. The program was I would see one 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 months out to make sure I know WTF I am doing, but they cancelled ALL post-op patient appointments so this one girl can get through all the pre-ops. Well I haven't lost weight in 4 weeks now and after plenty of badgering I FINALLY scored an appointment for next Wednesday. JEEBUS. I get the point that they want to get new patients through, but it is equally as important to ensure your post-ops aren't effing up!

She's responded to my messages, but has never been able to actually look at what I am eating over any length of time or see any food logs or really go into depth (since it's all via messaging). I am friggin' thankful I finally get to see a dietitian. I mean I've been following the book as best I've been able to given complications, etc, but I really, really need that one-on-one guidance and support. I'm basically just winging it, it feels like. I am really disappointed in my office for not bringing someone else on temporarily or giving referrals or SOMETHING. I'm going to bring all this up next week. Not trying to keep taking advice from internet randos - would really like to see an RD! I know my other post says I lost 5lbs in January, but that is all back. What the heck.

I had my surgery through a university hospital team that does an incredible amount of these surgeries a month. Pre-op patients are placed into groups of about 10-15 for monthly classes, during my 6 months pre medically supervised nutritional counseling, we individually saw the physician then we went to lecture like classes with homework to boot.

Now that I am post op my post op appointment consists of seeing my physician for the medical visit, then sitting through a nutrition group with the nutritionist and about 6-10 post-op patients (who are within the same few days of surgery) discussing diet. It is very interactive and all questions are discussed. I happen to like this group setting, feels very supportive with people going through the same thing that I am. However no one ever looks at my food logs or gets into depth of my day to day eating habits. The only one who questions me about that is the physician himself and it's basically him asking me how much liquids and Protein I'm taking in.

i guess it differs from offices, the way they approach after care. Hope this helps, just adding to the discussion to help show, post op nutrition counseling can vary a lot.

Your office however should be ashamed of the way they have cast you aside like that. Hope it gets better for you.

Wake up Protein Shake, all day Water water water, if i didn't get enough food Protein in that day, another protein shake. I really struggle to get it all down, I know it's a lifestyle change, but this is one of those things where I fell short pre-surgery. And it's not like my surgery placed a magic spell over me to make me suddenly enjoy drinking alllll day long. I'll just keep on truckin along, with the daily forcing of drinks.. sure hope it gets easier, I'm almost a month out and it hasn't yet. ☹️

I've never heard of Boi Oil but it's going on my shopping list, and the Gold Bond neck firming lotion.. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hello!

I'm currently one month post op and have noticed that I am getting considerably leaner skin already, it's not all puffy like it use to be. Which makes me realize that I need lotions and creams, and whatever I need to use to help my skin go through this changing time. I'm hoping to have it bounce back the best it can. I am realistic, but I'm hoping there are some good products that can at least help it along. I'm looking for body, face, neck, and any other targeted lotions, creams, or treatments you may have tried. And if they were a win or a fail. Thank you to whoever takes the time to help me out ❤️

Oh wow i just noticed your countdown.. Congrats and good luck on a smooth surgery & recovery. I remember I was so excited the night before. Hope your day tomorrow is full of positive energy, you got this. 😄

1 hour ago, DanaC84 said:

I didn’t take anything other than my phone and charger, slippers and some comfy loose fitting clothes for the ride home. I was lucky enough to only stay one night and go home by afternoon the next day

Same ^^^ and my cpap machine. I just showered when I got home.

I'm just over 3 weeks out and I would kill for a steak.. mmmm
But what I can have starting this phase of my plan is deli shaved meats. So it's already on my next shopping list to get some roast beef slices from the deli. Maybe you can start on something like this to curb the craving. but ask your Dr first if it's not on your plan.

After my first Bariatric appointment my Dr. requested me to have a sleep study because I had told him that I suspected I have sleep apnea. Don't knock this, it usually helps with insurance approval if you do have sleep apnea. I did the sleep study, got a machine and was required to bring it to the hospital when I checked in. I used it for the one night I stayed in the hospital after surgery. They didn't put it on me during recovery, a nurse later that evening helped me get it setup in my room. It was no big deal, and the least of your challenges after this surgery.

I quit smoking cigarettes many years ago. Then a couple years later picked up vaping. I vaped with nicotine for at least two years and then went to vape w/o nicotine for almost a year. I quit vape to have surgery. Now that I've put the vape down, I don't want to go back. My lungs are clearer, and I feel healthier without it.

My advise is, if you've already stopped smoking or vaping, don't go back to it. It really is a crutch in any form and something that your body doesn't need. I thought non nicotine vape would be easy to give up, but it was ruff, you get in the habit of having it. 😕

I'm 3 weeks post op today and starting my stage 4 diet that includes (non blended) tuna, fish, whole Beans, soft fruit no peels, soft vegetables no peels, and deli shaved meats this is where my plan is at. Hope this helps.

11 hours ago, Austin22 said:

Can I ask do you use a full face mask or just a nose mask? I am hoping to have surgery this summer and was thinking of training myself to use the nose mask for this very reason.

From what I've read it can happen with whatever mask you use. I use a half face mask, it goes over my mouth and under my nose. I tried the full face masks in my sleep study and kept waking up panicking and trying to rip it off. And I have a somewhat deviated septum and always been a heavy mouth breather, so the nose only masks would be too hard for me to breath through. My CPAP girl at Mercy medical supply tracked down a mouth only mask that I wanted to try and it's covered by my insurance, I just need to wait til March when I can get a new mask setup.

This is what I use: https://www.easybreathe.com/Amara-View-Mask-p4423.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9ImKzLOP4AIVhbxkCh0cvQ_3EAkYCyABEgKTUvD_BwE

This is what I'm going to try: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisherandpaykel-fisher-paykel-oracle-452-nasal-cpap-mask?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9ImKzLOP4AIVhbxkCh0cvQ_3EAkYBiABEgJIK_D_BwE