lisafrommassachusetts

2 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Haha. Actually for me personally, exciting high reward foods would be the faster carb choices in your day of eating that have lower protein: refried Beans and cheese and the hot Cereal. I'd be hungry in 30 minutes, even at your phase, cuz it hits my blood stream very quickly and causes an insulin spike and rise in blood sugar, then a crash 30 minutes to 2 hours later. I did better keeping it to super boring, high Protein choices that kept my insulin and blood sugar as flat as possible.

Oh, I did not realize that! I am eating what they gave me as choices; Refried Beans, Ricotta cheese and Cream of Wheat were on the very limited choices. And low-fat Cottage cheese. Egg whites are the only really high Protein, I think. sugar free apple sauce and bananas were the only fruits, and there are no vegetables until I am 20 days post surgery. I am aware that the Cream of Wheat has no protein; I added a little ricotta to give it some protein. Truthfully ricotta and cream of wheat have no taste without at least a little salt, which I have been mostly avoiding. I have not really noticed any hunger, but I will be more mindful of this! I can just as easily stick to egg whites and cottage cheese. Also, I did make some sugar free pudding (on the list) but used Fairlife Milk so it has some protein. Is Fairlife milk ok, if you know?

1 hour ago, Lynda486 said:

Follow your plan, Protein first, Water and then the rest will follow. My nut also told me to not worry about calories, as long as you get your Protein and Water in you will be fine! Don't worry about what anyone else is doing or not doing. You've got this!

Thank you!

2 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

I'm sorry you struggle. Just out of curiosity, have you had pre-albumin levels drawn, albumin levels? How do you know you suffer malnutrition?

OP: Like @catwoman7, I was around 500 cals at that phase. I would honestly focus on Protein rather than the more carby things. And btw, embrace boring. You had WLS for a reason. I'm assuming it is to help you lose weight? Perhaps to help you have a chance to change the relationships with food that qualified you to have this type of extreme surgical intervention for obesity??? Most of us did...

Thank you. As you can see from my eating yesterday, I have boring down! Lol. I agree that this is a great time to learn to have a different relationship with food.

4 hours ago, MsMocie said:

You are fine. I eat 300 because I can't handle food. So does most of my low on low-calorie friends. Would def eat more if I could just swallow it. It is not safe over time, so don't be bothered by it.

I suffer malnutrition as a consequense.

I'm so sorry for your problems swallowing. Thank you for your response.

7 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

you are fine. I just checked and I was eating 500-600 at that point. Starting at six weeks out, I was at 600-800 and stayed in that range for several months. (I didn't consistently go over 1000 until I was almost a year out, so your dietitian's range seems a bit high). 300 seems really low, though - except for maybe the first few days after surgery.

that said, I didn't worry about calories that early out. It took effort to get all my Protein in - so no way was I taking in too many calories. I don't think I seriously started counting calories until I was a few months out.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful answer. I overthink things sometimes!

Good luck tomorrow! Keep us posted!

Best of luck! I think most insurance companies now cover based on weight and/or BMI; they don't make people wait until they get the co-morbidities.

I am in the smooth food stage, and I track everything I eat on Fitness Pal. I am confused and frankly a little concerned about calories moving forward (or even now, really). My nutritionist specifically said not to worry about calories, to concentrate on Fluid and Protein goals, and learning to stop eating when full. She also wants me to concentrate on mindfully planning and eating 3 meals (obviously small) and 2 Snacks per day and not eat outside of those parameters. She said most peoples calories fall between 700 and 1000 per day. This all makes sense to me.

What I am concerned about is I have read several different places on this site where people are eating 300 calories per day! I can't imagine how they get their protein in! Even at 500 calories it seems like you can't be getting any variety. Even on the soft food stage I have hit 500 calories. Today I had 3 TBS egg whites and 1 tbs Ricotta omelet; snack of a Protein Shake made with Water (90k); lunch of 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 banana; snack of cup of Bone Broth and 1/4 c. sugar free Jello pudding made with Fairlife Milk; dinner of 1/2 packet of cream of wheat with 2 tbs. Ricotta, 2 tbs. sugar free apple sauce, 1/4 c. refried Beans. My calories were just over 500, my protein was 60. I am comfortably full. But my concern is that I am eating too much! And once I go to "normal" foods, I am afraid I won't be able to stick to such a low amount.

What do people eat per day in calories (including protein shakes) in the rapid weight loss months?

On 2/20/2020 at 9:46 AM, Ab235g said:

Congrats on the 40 lbs.

Just wanted to start off with I am a big guy over 410lbs before my surgery on 02/03/20.

I am only 1 month out from my surgery, but 1000 calories a day seems like alot.

It could be because I am only a month out , but I struggle to get in 300 - 500 /day.

I would call your nutritionist and validate how much you are suppose to be taking in at this point.

Good luck with everything.

I am curious how you get enough Protein in each day at 300 calories? Does that include the calories in Protein Drinks? Even my Bone Broth has 50 calories.

I would definitely talk to your nutritionist. I'm only 2 weeks post surgery, but at the first post-op meeting with one of the nutritionists at the hospital I use they said 700-1000 calories a day is the expected range, so if your carbs are low and Protein high it may not be a caloric issue, it may just be a stall. In fact, I know of people who have a stall and are told to increase their calories, just like you were.

42 minutes ago, yashiramariex said:

Hey everyone! I just had my surgery February 20th and 3 days post-op and home feeling alllll the pain. Glad to have found this site and following this to see everyone's progress along with my own ❤️

Congratulations! It does get better. I am 2 weeks out and I really feel pretty good, although I still get tired rather unexpectedly! And as @niffer said, rest and hydrate. If you have gas pain, try to walk. Happy to see you on here, folks are really, really nice and it is great to hear about everyone's journey.

I had surgery 2 weeks ago. Before I even considered the surgery, my PCP mentioned it to me. I then began a 6 month journey preparing for the surgery. I was very lucky, because the hospital I went through (Brigham & Women's in Boston) has an excellent process. I had 2 meetings with the nutritionists in a group, and 3 one on ones. I had an hour long interview with a psychologist who specializes in bariatric surgery. I met with my surgeon 3 times. B & W has a whole lot of on-line resources.

I also did my own research. I read all the medical information on the success rate of sleeve v. bypass, side effects, etc.

I did a lot of research on what my eating would look like after the surgery. I encourage you to, also. While the amount of food and calories you eat during the phase when you are losing the weight very rapidly is an extremely low number, once you transition to maintenance you will eat more calories, which will also take into account your activity level. You will work closely with a nutritionist to find the right way to eat in maintenance. It is not "medically approved disordered eating", in fact it is the way healthy weight people eat naturally.

I did this for my health, but I am not dishonest enough to suggest I don't also look forward to being thinner. I am 61, married for over 35 years in November, and a well established professional woman in my community, so I am pretty comfortable in my own skin, but not feeling uncomfortable sitting in a booth or in an airplane seat, or just being able to shop in non-plus size sections are things I look forward to. I don't think, however, that I came to this decision based upon fat phobia. If you are asking if the medical community offers this surgery as a result of fat phobia the answer is "no". Most people on here have one or more co-morbidities, including diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. I have avoided those, but I have pretty arthritic knees, and the extra weight keeps me from being able to walk any distance or enjoy the things I want to. You are undoubtedly aware of the health risks of morbid obesity, which are absolutely based in science. You don't see a lot of 300 pounds 80 year olds.

I want to echo everything @TheAngryMeow said, above, about this being a tool, on a journey. There are lots of support groups for bariatric surgery patients, and that may be a good place for you to start. This is the opposite of easy, it is quite difficult. I am hoping and I believe it will be worth it in the long run, as I want to enjoy my future grandchildren and get to travel with my husband as we approach and get into our retirement years.

I took a very different approach to telling people about this; I have been transparent and honest with mostly everyone, except for people who I only know professionally, I have merely told them I was taking a short medical leave. If they were rude or bold enough to ask, I told them. But everyone in my office knows, my friends and family, my neighbors, and many people who I consider friendly acquaintances. I decided I am treating a disease, obesity. I felt and feel uncomfortable at times about this, but only one person (my SIL) gave me much pushback. Most people seemed genuinely interested and wished me the best of luck; some people complimented me on taking this step to be healthy. The more often I tell people the less uncomfortable I feel. I did not want to have people think I was dying when they see me after a mysterious "medical leave". And, it has been my experience that lying, even through omission, has never been a healthy decision for me. But everyone should make their own decisions about their medical care, including how much to share with others, and what other should have information shared with them.

Good luck to you!

However, I don't think

I would ask your doctor's office about the Vitamins and the medications.

Re; what I brought; A robe, earplugs and ear phones, phone and charger, e-reader, couple of magazines, eye mask, change of clothes with comfy yoga pants and an oversized sweater. Also I brought my own face cream, body cream and dry Shampoo, of course toothbrush, hairbrush, etc. You can't take a shower for a few days, and the dry shampoo was nice to have. If you are staying in a hotel for a couple of days make sure you bring really comfortable stretchy pants, as the incision sites may be uncomfortable if anything is rubbing against them. Also, if you don't like certain kinds of Protein drinks you may want to bring your own, but for the first few days you really need to hydrate more than worry about protein (as I learned the hard way when I got dehydrated!)

I had surgery at 4:30 pm, got to my room around 7:30 pm and was up and walking the halls at 9:00 pm. The nurses really encourage you to get up and move to get the gas moving. I had blessedly little pain, so I did not take anything other than Tylenol and motrin after the recovery room. I'm sure if you are on heavier meds that may effect your mobility.

Best of luck! Let us know how you are doing!

Amazon also has them. I don't know what I would do without them! Such a great break from all the sweet, sweet, sweet. I expect they will be coming to work with me as a snack, or once I'm back on real food for the base of Soups. If you do a recurring monthly order on Amazon you get a small price break.

4 hours ago, Itsanewday2005 said:

I’m doing great overall! How about you?

Really pretty darn good! I can't believe I feel this good only 2 weeks out from the surgery. I get to eat a very limited number of "smooth" foods since the 20th, so that has been a break for me. Still struggling a bit with the Clear Liquids, but every day is better.

3 hours ago, Onewithwings said:

Tomorrow is the day! Under the knife at 1pm

Best of luck! Can't wait to hear how you are doing after!

6 hours ago, DB in AZ said:

Day four post op for me. Little pain, no nausea or vomiting. But a big challenge to get all the Protein and Water down. It's taking me two hours just to drink a Protein Shake and then you are supposed to wait a half hour to drink Water. There aren't enough hours in the day. I almost passed out in the shower this morning due to low blood pressure. Need call my PCP tomorrow to adjust my meds. But other than these minor bumps I am feeling positive. It's a process and things will get better.

Honestly those first few days I felt like all I was doing was concentrating on trying to get hydrated and get some Protein in! It has gotten better. I am 2 weeks out tomorrow, and after 10 days my doctor's office allow a very limited amount of "smooth" foods; egg whites, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, really ripe banana, apple sauce, cream of wheat, fat free refried Beans. Today I actually went over 600 calories! It included a Protein Shake made with Fairlife milk which was 210 calories, but is also over 30g of protein in 8 oz! And I drank it in about a 1/2 hour! Hang in there DB. It gets a bit better every day.

Had my surgery on feb 19th so I’m 4 days in and miserable. I can not find sugar free sherbet or Italian ice anywhere can anyone give me a brand that I can tolerate I’m starving at this point [emoji22]

Have you tried sugar free popsicles? Or, if you like crystal light, freeze that. I hav also frozen Protein Drinks to a slushy consistency. Premier caramel and banana cream were good that way. Also, I found myself getting less hungry as the days went on. I don't know if it is that it was head hunger, or if the hunger hormones were dissipating. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had mine on 2/17/2020

Congratulations! I'm one week ahead of you. How are you doing overall!

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

17 minutes ago, Puffy-no-more said:

@lisafrommassachusetts you are doing amazing on your steps!!! I'm trying to get the soon. Was getting all of your Fluid in in the beginning a little difficult? I'm looking at this Water thinking how am I going to get it all in. I guess I'll just have to keep trying lol

I'm struggling with the Clear Liquids. I don't really like the crystal light, but that might help you if you like the taste. I made a pitcher of it with about 50% more Water and I find it ok watered down. The other things I am doing for clear liquids are; Herbal tea with a little stevia (I like mint, ginger and a Yogi kind called Egyptian Licorice), Bone Broth (Swanson, chicken bone broth, also gives you some Protein and is a nice break from all the sweet, sweet, sweet) and frozen sugar free pops. Someone had recommended Hint water, I got the watermelon and I really like that, I had a 16 oz bottle of that over about 2 1/2 hours yesterday. It just takes so looooong. I tried the protein water, but I could not stand it. I tried watering it down, I tried freezing it, I tried freezing it watered down, I can't get it in without retching.

I am amazed at how tired I am by walking still! I have been trying to walk every hour, but I can't do much more than 10 minutes before I feel really weary. Hopefully we will get stronger every day!

I am glad I have one more week off from work. I was going to try to go back after 2 weeks, but I think just for stamina I need another week.

I love reading your updates! Onward and upward (or...downward I hope.)

My physician's office had me take Miralax. That helped a lot.

You might want to try Bone Broth. The Swanson chicken bone broth is pretty good, it gives you some Protein (which helps you feel less hungry) and it's a break from the sweetness of the protein drinks. Good luck!

44 minutes ago, doublepau said:

So this is a day 3 for me and I’m feeling better than days 1&2. Much better. I’ve had a hard time sleeping and The thought of drinking anything other than diluted apple juice makes me cringe. I definitely know I don’t want anything hot, only cold stuff. I’m not sure what else I might want other than the apple juice..

I'm so glad you are feeling better! I'm sure you will soon be able to tolerate other tastes. It's quite a slam to our systems, that's for sure!

3 hours ago, Puffy-no-more said:

So they told me I didn't have a regular hernia. I don't remember what kind it was but it's something that you are born with and it comes out through the diaphragm. She was very surprised to see it because she said that normally they are fixed as a baby because they are very dangerous. She also told me that since it was so close to my stomach she couldn't use "mesh" on it like she normally would to help support it so maybe that's why mine hurts so bad. I will say I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I have four children and had them all naturally.

I haventHad any issues with my new stomach though Water just goes right through so I hope that stays the same.

Sounds like you had a very good surgeon!

5 hours ago, Puffy-no-more said:

Hey everyone. After 3 nights in the hospital, I just got released. My vital signs went to normal and my white blood cell count went back down so they're pretty sure I don't have a leak. For the past day I stopped taking any of the narcotics that was offered me cause I would be so drousy and not drink. So then they offered me sugar liquid Tylenol. Y'all it was the most disgustingest (I know, I made up that word) thing. They also called that into the pharmacy for me. I don't remember who was asking about sugar free liquid Tylenol but I would call your surgeon and see if they could send a script in for you.

Anyways, like I was saying about not taking the meds, I definitely very sore. My surgeon originally told me recovery would be like when I had my gallbladder removed which was a very quick recovery but I guess from the added hernia repair it's just not happening. It hurts to do anything! If I'm still, I'm fine. As soon as I try to move in any direction I feel like I've been hit with a train. I'm just telling myself this won't last forever.

So now to the struggle of getting all of my liquid in. I can already tell it's gonna be tough but I've got to do it.

I hope everyone else is doing well!!

Good to hear you are home! And that there is no leak. I hope you get plenty of rest, hydrate, and some steps in.

I am still feeling tired with very little activity! (surgery was the 10th). I guess it can take a few weeks to get the anesthesia out of your system. I've been trying to up my steps, I was doing between 8 and 10K before my surgery. Twice I have gone over 8K, and I was completely wiped out right into the next day. Yesterday I drove to the hospital for a nutritionist app't (3 hours round trip), and I was completely wiped out! You had the additional surgery, so give yourself some time.

I was the one who asked for the sugar free liquid Tylenol, but I am not on pain meds anymore.

I have to remind myself that I have just had major surgery, and I have plenty of time to build up my walking once I am feeling a little stronger. Today I took it very, very easy; My daughter and her husband had come up Thursday to visit and we hung out and a couple of other family members stopped by; I have gotten very few steps but I am feeling pretty good. Now the family is gone and I am just sipping some herbal tea and remembering to be grateful.