HeatherE

Thank you for your post! I’m one month out from surgery and my menstrual cramps were crazy bad. I wished I could have ibuprofen but knew I couldn’t. Took a day off from work and laid curled up in a ball in bed. Glad to know it could be a common side effect after surgery.

Sorry. I feel for you. I got the CPAP right before surgery (also an insurance requirement) and got rid of it right after surgery. I was required to bring it and use it in the hospital. I brought it, but didn’t wear it the one night I was there. I hated it! I had just the one that goes under the nose, but it was still terrible. Doctor told me if I lost 10% of my body weight before surgery he expected I wouldn’t need it. I did that pre-surgery.

My nutritionist said avocado is ok as a mayo substitute for tuna, but in moderation. I ate hummus and tzaziki, but my nutritionist said it didn’t have enough protein. She said to hold off with hummus and use the yogurt sauce as an accompaniment to fish, etc. Other programs did allow hummus which is where I got the idea.

I’m in my third week of fish, eggs, low-fat cheese, and tofu (white flaky fish or crab, no shrimp or salmon yet), canned tuna fish, eggs (scrambled, egg salad, hard boiled), ricotta bake (yum), Babybell, fat free cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, Morningstar vegetarian sausage (tofu), etc.) Next week I can add ground chicken or turkey, canned chicken, salmon, and shrimp. I also get a tablespoon of cooked soft vegetable with each meal (I’ve had yellow squash, mashed cauliflower, and broccoli). A different program I looked at allowed chicken, low sodium/low fat deli meat (ex. Turkey), and etc. during soft foods, but my doctor is very conservative. No red meat (including ground beef) until day 65 for me. I’m at day 33 today.

I didn’t have a puréed stage, just the soft foods.

My doctor’s office said white flaky fish (no salmon, no shrimp), low-fat or fat free cheeses (cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, Babybell, etc.), eggs and tofu (Morning Star, etc). They said to wait three weeks before having salmon, shrimp, ground chicken, chicken salad, etc., and three weeks after that before red meats (including ground beef). I don’t think I’ll wait as long as I’m supposed to, but if you’re concerned, perhaps start out with tuna fish, tilapia, cod, ricotta bake, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and vegetarian burger or sausage, since it may be easier on your stomach. Good luck!

So glad you brought it up at counseling. Sounds like you got a fantastic response from your husband. Very happy for you.

Congratulations! Isn’t awesome being CPAP free! I am so thankful.

Good luck! You’ve got this!!!

Thank you Lahela!!!

Yes. I am soooo sick of the liquid diet. I have one week left, but I am really considering cheating, which is very unlike me. I had two weeks pre-op liquid and tomorrow will make two weeks post-op liquid. Other programs allow purée and I’m dying for any type of real food!!! All I’ve had is Gatorade, protein drinks, and clear broth. I dont even like Gatorade. I asked the doctor if I could start soft foods a week early and was told no. Trying to convince my husband to make me 1 scrambled egg or ricotta bake, but he won’t. I’m cranky,

I got a CPAP before surgery, I hate it!!! The sleep doctor said I had mild sleep apnea and if I lost 10% of my body weight, he expected I would no longer need it. I lost 15% of my body weight pre-surgery, took the CPAP with me to the hospital for surgery, and haven’t taken it out since I’ve been home.

I’m so proud of you! I’m two weeks post surgery and feeling like I should be down to my goal weight... but losing very slowly. I appreciate your post. It’s a reminder to stay the course. Great job!!!

I agree the comment was inappropriate but I’m guessing your husband didn’t know how how to respond in the moment. I also agree with Tek’s comments above. Your husband may be feeling insecure. You may want to consider writing a letter to your husband. It will give you a chance to clear the air, but give your husband time to digest what you are saying and feeling without feeling confronted and getting defensive. I’m also a big fan of relationship counseling, even when there’s no issues. It gives you time to talk about things, oftentimes before they become an issue. With the changes we have post bariatric surgery, it could benefit your relationship to be able to discuss these things with a counselor. It makes your marriage stronger in the long run rather than waiting until things are really not good. A relationship counselor can teach you both ways to communicate that will benefit your marriage in the long term.

Glad it helps! Every program is different. This was from a great program, but not the one I went with. I tried to collect as many resources as I could just to have an idea. Happy to share!!!

Low sodium, turkey lunch meat should be ok. Maybe you can ask them to slice it thin or shave it.

You may want to check out ProCare, Bariatric Advantage, and Celebrate. They are all bariatric vitamin companies. Most will send free samples, and if not, they offer low cost samples. Four a day forever is a lot. I’m going with ProCare’s one a day with iron and the calcium chews after one month post op. Two nutritionists at different bariatric practices ok’ed the above vitamins plus Opurity by Unjury. Good luck!

I’m so jealous. Have one tiny bite for me (haha). I can’t wait until I can have that and an egg. 1.5 more weeks of liquids.

I’m not to soft foods yet, but I found a recipe on Baritastic for a ricotta bake which I’m so excited for. It sounds like baked ziti without pasta.

Capsule, chewable berry, or chewable tropical?

I think it’s personal choice. Both are big. Chewable doesn’t get stuck, but I’ve taken Tylenol and other capsules with no problem. My physician’s office (and the other practice I considered) specifically said not to take certain brands of bariatric vitamins because they don’t have the same nutritional value. Celebrate, Unjury (Opurity), and Bariatric Advantage are well known and they said their patients also had very good levels with ProCare. I have heard if you don’t opt for a bariatric vitamin, Flinstones (2 or three.. not sure) are an option. I don’t “love” the chewable, but it’s not bad. The calcium chews on the other hand are delicious, but I have to wait until 1 month post-op to restart. The sample packs include both the chewable and capsule so it’s a good way to try both and see if you have a preference. My biggest thing is whichever one I got, it had to be a one a day.

Good luck! You’ve got this!!!

I’m sorry. I would check with your doctor and ask whether that’s normal.

I am taking Celebrate one a day chewable until I start iron. Then I’m switching to ProCare one a day Tropical with iron and their calcium chews. I wasn’t a fan of ProCare’s berry which I received a sample of first, so I called and requested the tropical which they happily sent. I definitely wanted a one a day. ProCare’s samples are free and they have good customer service.