kcuster83

Before surgery, I would say I probably ate out Mexican 3/4 times a month! It is my favorite. Sometimes chips and sometimes not. I will definitely continue to eat it. Probably less, and definitely less of it at a time but will do it. There are good choices there, we just have to make the good choice.

Yes, I do go to the low fat cheese for the most part. They are harder to find than I expected though. I too LOVE CHEESE. And, I agree with you about a joyless life. IMO: We need to find balance to a new normal life. Don't pig out, watch what we eat. Eat balanced healthy meals. But live, eat out. Have treats. Celebrate. I have always been able to eat healthy I just always ate WAY too much. That is why I had surgery, to provide restriction and have time to tweak my methods.

Oh man BOOO I have major issues with texture. Maybe I will like them but my expectations have dropped. haha

I don't imagine living off of it. I want to be as "normal" as possible for the long run. But, for better alternatives I was looking around. I love chips- so I figured if I find a low carb high protein substitute than I can eat them more with the perk of extra protein. I know about quest chips and things you can buy in store but I was just kind of looking around for now. I can't have the crunchy stuff yet anyway. I am still on soft food phase. Things like that, which that was the only example I could come up with because I want chips. haha I hope to just generally make better choices on the daily and then be able to have some treats and it not effect me or my goals. Moderation, right? ?

Agreed, yesterday was the most fat I have had. I usually eat chicken and turkey. Rarely red meats. PS: I learned the other day that you can set your own macros/calories to meet your goals in fitness pal. I went in and changed mine to meet the chart I was given. It is easier to keep track. And, now it gives me atta boys for reaching my proteins. lol (Default was like 100g of protein so I never hit it) I have it set on 80 now. I find it helpful, so when you mentioned using fitness pal I thought I would share.

Yes, I agree. My team is extremely helpful. I emailed this morning and waiting to hear back. They really stress the protein so I am thinking the chart is to just keep us in check and paying attention to what we eat in general.

They want us to mainly focus on protein, but give us the chart for a basis. I suppose you can eat a VERY high fat diet while trying to hit your protein goals. I guess it is to just make us aware and to be paying attention to what we eat.

Has anyone ordered from the store? Care to leave a review?

I am in phase 3 (soft foods) I don't remember all the macro allowances but fat is 13g max! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD AND PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE THAT IS???? Unless you live off of fish it is nearly impossible! Which I am not a big fan of but I do get it in sometimes, tuna and mahi is pretty much it though. Yesterday I ate: Fairlife protein shake 2oz Turkey breast/light cheese on a tiny tortilla roll up 4oz Ground turkey breast taco/ light cheese on a tiny tortilla roll up (This was my largest meal so far, I actually ate it in 2 sessions. lol) I had 23g fat yesterday! I know most of it comes from the cheese (even light cheese) but shesh! Even if I had passed on ALL of the cheese (which was only 1.5 servings total) I still would have had 18g fat. Stage 4 and "normal life" it goes up to I think 20g so it will be a little easier. Any pointers? I am going to reach out to my nutritionist also because I don't see him for another 3 weeks.

Oh man, I also have a bucket (unopened) Celebrate 4in1 vitamin shake powder if someone wants it. Also. all that money in free protein, maybe ship it and let the recipient pay for shipping? Better than waste.

My program is a well balanced diet. No food groups are banned. They only stress to eat your protein first and make your goals before eating the carbs. They also provide a chart of macro goals for each phase. So, stay within your allowed macros, calories and hit your protein goals and they are happy. I find that naturally (so far) I barely eat any carbs just because they don't fit yet. I can't eat enough, I hit my protein goals and I am full. I have had Mr. tortilla (3 carbs) twice with no issues.

I feel like if it was really necessary then surgeons would urge or demand we get them. No one in my team has ever mentioned it. I didn't even know it was a thing until coming across it on these forums. But really, you do you. If it makes you feel more comfortable, go for it.

I had a cold during my pre-op and there were no issues. I just had to be cleared up before surgery. Good luck, I hope it clears up fast.

Exciting, good luck!

My team says 48-64oz. Obviously more fluid is better. I have always been a huge water drinker, drinking upwards of 100oz a day before surgery. But I was a chugger too, so I started working on that part before surgery. Now, after surgery I had to figure it out all over again. I put myself into a routine to hit those goals since 4 days after surgery. 8/16oz at wake up-breakfast-16 or 20oz bottle-lunch-16/20oz bottle-dinner-drink until bedtime. I am also allowed to count any fluids towards my goal, like milk for example. So, sometimes my breakfast is a glass of milk for the liquid and protein. They also have hydration additives (liquid IV) you can add to your water. It doesn't change your water intake but your body absorbs it better and helps keep you from getting dehydrated. So if you are at the lower end of your fluid range or a little shy, the hydration additives will help you from getting dehydrated. Can also do sugar free stuff, like Gatorade zero, or those crystal light drink mixes. Just keep trying and you will get there. Good luck!

WHOA That is scary! I am glad you are ok and home. They gave me my blood thinner shots in the back of my upper arm, like the ratty part. Take is easy for a few days until get into the swing of things.

Great, glad that helped! I hope it gets better and easier from here for you.

I was ok with shakes right after surgery but not all the same flavors. I loved premier chocolate peanutbutter and I can't stand it now after surgery. It gags me. I am still ok with plain chocolate but so tired of them. I just tried Fairlife today, and it was ok. They are both adequate. I don't think I like or hate one more than the other but just force myself to drink 1 a day until I can eat some more to meet my protein goals.

I doubt 4 days will make a difference however as far as the over the counter, I think you should just ask your surgeon. I was on it pre-op by my PCP and my surgeon told me not to take it anymore after surgery. He said if I end up deficient again, they will to IV iron. That iron pills are hard on the insides and even more so after having bypass. It may just be his preference but I think the best thing you can do is ask your surgeon.

You can add milk to the shake to thin it out, and adds protein. Or water, to make it even thinner.

You can have eggs 5 days post op? LUCKY YOU. I was on liquids for 2 weeks. I only seem to be hungry in the morning. I drink a shake and then I am good all day. I still eat because I have too but I don't feel hungry anymore.

Hello. During my preop insurance approval phase I ate whatever I wanted but I did count calories. I stayed under the allowed calories given to me by the nutritionist. I lost 25 lbs. Then I stuck with the preop diet and did it for an extra 4 days. 4 weeks postop now, sticking to the plan 99.99999%. My only "cheat" was that I ate 1 reese piece! That 1 reese piece cured all my urges to have a treat that I know I shouldn't have. Eat what you want, but don't go over board because sometimes gaining weight will have your surgery cancelled. My team, at the final weight check you could not have gained any weight. Didn't have to loose but gaining delayed your surgery date.

Safe travels. I wish you peace and a healing heart.

Apparently GERD and acid issues are very common with the sleeve surgery. I already have SEVERE GERD so my surgery urged against the sleeve for me and explained why bypass was my better option. I had Bypass 4 weeks ago and have had ZERO acid/GERD issues since. I did have to sleep in a recliner for about a week and a half just because it was more comfortable with the incisions healing. Laying flat like it was pulling at everything too much and was too sore.

Try pro source protein liquid? They gave me some at the hospital to take home but I have never used it, so I don't have an opinion about it. I have trouble hitting my protein goals without 1 shake a day, but I am working on that because I don't really like them and I am tired of them. I am 4 weeks post op, and so far can get to about 50g of protein WITHOUT a shake but can't seem to eat enough to get past that. I basically only eat meats and proteins right now too. Seafood has TONS of protein for very low calories!