Starwarsandcupcakes

When I work 12hr shifts I pack most of my calories. I had Chana saag for breakfast/dinner (I work nights) but this is everything else that I may or may not eat all of. cottage cheese, no sugar peaches, protein tomato soup, sugar free jello, protein bar, protein shake for my coffee, seaweed snacks, cucumbers, bell pepper and the rest of the dressing I counted yesterday but didn’t finish. Nutritional info includes the Chana saag, too.

If it gives you anxiety then modify it to fit your post op general food calories and protein that your surgeon gave you. If you need to maybe see a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric patients. I know mine has always been helpful with ideas and given me loads of reassurance. You can do this. You’re worth being healthy for.

Thanks. I get the bariatricpal monthly subscription box and this was in my last one along with a banana bread (death fruit- I’m allergic) protein bar. Definitely gave the protein bar to my sister but I’m loving the bowl!

Made chana saag for dinner. This is something I could eat every day. It was so good. I ended up adding another scoop of the curry over the rice in the bottom so maybe at 2T of the 1/4 cup I started with. Maybe ate 1/3-1/2 cup total.

First, I commend you for knowing there’s a problem and working to fix it. Second, I applaud you for whatever program you’re on. Talking to people about our issues can be challenging. Third, look into starting over with a “pouch reset” diet plan. They usually last 5-14 days but bring your focus back to a better way of eating. And most are similar to this info graphic.

Mine has a 30-30-30 rule. Stop drinking 30 minutes before eating. Meals should take 30 minutes. Can drink 30 minutes after eating. Every surgeon has different rules though but I do think waiting 90 minutes is too long. I’d be so thirsty.

I ate oatmeal that was on the runny side and puréed in weeks 3 and 4. Now I just eat it runnier than I would before I had surgery.

The first one is actually my lunch for work tonight. Chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, feta, and fat free Italian. This one is a Korean style beef bowl with rice. Only measured about 1/2 cup of stuff. This one is ground turkey and cabbage soup. This last one is salad greens with feta, almonds, dried cranberries, and cucumbers drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

Exactly. And they tend to be higher calories so can go over calorie range quickly.

It means I can eat more of it than I can other things and it’s easy for my body to digest they kind of slide through the digestive system. Other foods I find that are like that for me- multigrain crackers, toast, and sometimes yogurt depending on the kind. Other people have different ones for them.

About 4months post VSG to RNY revision and almost a year from my VSG. Rice is definitely a slider food for me so I try to be careful with it. Never thought a bowl with the measurements in it would be handy but here I am. 😂

4oz of certain things are much more dense than others. For example 4oz of fresh spinach is about 4 cups(3.4g protein, ~30 calories). Meanwhile, 4oz of chicken breast (25.7g protein, ~140 calories) is about the size of your palm. Also, 4oz of eggs is roughly 2.5 large eggs (15.75g protein, ~180 calories). Then you have things like regular cheddar cheese where 4oz is about a cup shredded (28.4g protein, ~460 calories) and 4oz of fat free cottage cheese (13g protein, ~70 calories) being 1/2 a cup. Im almost 4months post VSG to RNY revision (and a year VSG) and I couldn’t imagine trying to eat 4oz of chicken at one go. But cottage cheese and protein bars (usually around 2oz, 15g protein and ~160 calories for the ones I buy) I can do no problem. And 4oz (1/2 cup) of unsweetened applesauce with a scoop of unflavored protein powder was a lifesaver at 5 weeks post VSG for only 90 calories and 10g of protein. I’m also team “protein shake as coffee creamer” so I know I’m at least getting 20g of protein that way throughout the day depending on the shake I use. I also get the protein soup packets from the bariatricpal shop and have those most days I work. Just mix with hot water and go for around 100 calories and 15g of protein. Find what works for you even if that means getting your protein as liquids throughout the day.

I’m not a fan of the power crunch. I thought I’d like them but they’re weirdly sweet in a chemical way for me. 🤷‍♀️ I do however like the bariatricpal protein bars and have ordered them multiple times. I also like some of the pure protein ones but unsure of the fat/sugar content in them. Other pure protein ones that don’t have any crunchiness are super pasty (maybe sticky fudge texture) for me though.

Made Korean style beef bowls for dinner tonight. Another picky eater approved meal! Used this recipe. Personally, I could’ve added more gochujang but I wanted kids to be able to feel their mouths. I had about 1/3 cup rice under the stuff on top. There’s probably about 2Tbsp of leftovers in the bowl that I don’t plan on eating.

My spice level preference has increased some. Chicken thighs are the only chicken I can eat now and I was an avid chicken eater pre WLS. I must say that I do find myself craving things I wouldn’t have before surgery like cabbage, butternut squash, and kimchi. A couple months after I had my VSG I cried in the grocery store parking lot because they didn’t have any grape Powerade zero as that and tea was the only liquids I could keep down. After my revision though that got so much better and I’m not sure why. But I do only use a half packet of crystal light in a 16oz bottled water now. 🤷‍♀️

I recently had a hernia repair surgery and I was so sick those first few days and could only stomach bland carbs like crackers and toast. It’s not the flu but I know what you mean with wanting the carbs to feel better. Especially with the diarrhea it might be good to stick with the BRAT diet until it gets better just try adding some protein powder in to stay up on protein. Maybe try some of the old standbys from the purée and soft food stages like ricotta bake or refried beans. Hope you feel better soon.

I was weak and in pain for almost 7 weeks after my revision. I also had left sided pain. I brought mine up to my surgeon and he sent me for an upper GI with barium swallow. So definitely bring up the pain. It’s worth investigating.

Made a choose your own kimbap for the kids for dinner. I ate the chef bites (end pieces) before the picture and may have tasted all the individual pieces before assembling. I am going to take the rest to work for dinner. Tasty 😋

Cabbage soup with ground turkey. Ended up eating what was pictured and then more. I’d been craving cabbage for weeks so this really hit the spot.

I’ve had dumping syndrome a few times. Usually the day it happens I’m exhausted after and then the following couple days my appetite slowly comes back and I’m extremely gassy for those following days. Gas-x helps a bunch in those times. Most of my dumping has been protein shake related. Some just really don’t sit well with my new stomach. Hope you find relief soon.

I take a variety and just see how I’m feeling that day mostly. Some days I’m ok with the huge calcium pills and other days, nope, gotta take the chews. Iron is the worst tasting one for me, always makes me gag a little and I have to take extra on top of my multi because I had some post-op anemia that’s still borderline low 3.5 month out. Edit- I’d probably excitement and do the patches until your next labs (or have your primary doctor write you an order for a month after using the patches) and then see if they work for you. If I were you though, I’d be most concerned about a potassium deficiency over the vitamin d. Potassium deficiency can throw your heart into some dangerous rhythms if left unresolved.

The body dysmorphia is so real for me. I’m almost 1yr post VSG but have lost 140lbs total since starting with my weight loss clinic and I wasn’t mentally prepared for the sagging skin everywhere- thighs, arms, stomach, and weirdly calves even though mine have always been muscular. It definitely makes being in front of a mirror naked a hard thing to bear right now. Eventually I’ll get plastics and I’ve been thinking about it more often lately as I continue to lose the last 30 or so pounds.

I’ve had multiple robotic surgeries. My first was my gallbladder in 2006. I prefer the Di Vinci over open for sure. There’s less chance of infection because the ports (incisions) are smaller and heal quicker. There’s also usually less pain and less downtime compared to open surgery. Open surgery also comes with having staples or stitches removed while still trying to recover so I find it best to avoid that if I can.

In my defense I was a stay at home mom and I’ve spent a lot of time in kitchens (both professional and home) so it looks super complex but usually only took about 5 minutes most days while yelling to brush teeth or put shoes on. 😂

They also have egg molds as well. The heart and house were my favorite. You put a peeled boiled egg in overnight and it comes out with the shape on it. The one with the food picks (eyes and animals) was from my lunch for work back in April. The other 2 were from my kids’ bentos a long time ago. Edit- I also find that the kid’s size lunch containers are ideal for me packing meals for work and I enjoy the color.