LAN2k

Welcome and thanks for sharing. I hope you will continue to participate in this message board as you progress in your WL journey with the sleeve.

I'm leary about taking any part of an egg in raw, (fear of bacteria), although I know that is the best way to obtain its nutritional value. I have mixed the egg white in with whole grain cream of wheat, goat milk and a scoop of Solgar vanilla whey powder, (it's predigested whey and easily absorbed). I don't use any artificial sweeteners but I do use Stevia in powder form. All in all the cream of wheat has 7 grams protein per packet (I use about a half packet) the egg white another 10-11g the whey, 16g, and milk maybe 4grams protein that totals to around 33 give or take a gram. It's got some carbs though and some people don't want that. I have lost 70 lbs so far and have been having this as my breakfast it's a real comfort food. You can make the hot cereal the consistancy that you like and really take your time with it.

I hope you will thoroughly look into the VSG before making your decision between the two and wish you success and good health whatever you decide.

That's good news. My surgery took 3.5 hours!! I had alot of scar tissue from two previous surgeries so I guess he had much navigating to do. I'm amazed at how quickly your surgery was done and that you went home the same day. I suppose your surgeon has done many VSG's. I don't think mine had many under his belt and that is part of why I was so uptight post surgery. I hope you continue to do well with your sleeve.

Amazing Tracy! Congratulations on your win! I'm sure that you will be doing the showing next time round! I'll be looking out for your pics.

Hi Chancie--I eat more fish now than I ever did...I really enjoy some types of fish fillet, (no fishy taste or smell). I find the texture is so much easier to get down then chicken. I tried ground beef and it fills me up very quickly unlike fish.

Day one I pleaded with my surgeon to allow me to wet the inside of my mouth and tongue with ice chips (the nurses refused me inspite of my begging). My surgeon granted me permission and I was so grateful. I did make sure not to swallow any of the water I just spit it out but it was such a relief to wet my mouth. I had to sip some noxious tasting clear stuff for the leak test--I still can't believe I did it. After that I got the OK to sip clear fluids and I did ever so slowly. At the time I was sustained with sipping on ice chips w/apple juice...loved the combo and felt like I was getting some nutrients from the juice.

I agree with Tiff, chicken thighs are easier because the meat is more tender. I have the same problem as most with chicken especially the white meat, (higher in protein). I used to really love mayo--not since the surgery. I tried a scoop of chicken salad yesterday and was able to eat about half.

Best wishes and prayers your way...congrats and looking forward to hearing from you again soon.

Congratulations you made it! Please let us know what the doctor says. I hope all is and continues to go well with your recovery.

Hey Kerri, Don't be discouraged it's not always easy immediately after surgery but since your keeping your fluids down now I think you will be on the mend from here on out. I too will pray for your recovery.

Please let us know how you are doing.

I can't wait until the Whole Foods store opens here in the town I live in!!

Well how great is that!?! I'm very happy and excited for you.

So I am going to try to educate myself. The websites you gave seem like a good place to start and then taking a class if I can find one is another great suggestion...I may have to head into NYC to find one. Who knows this could really change the quality of my health. I am 6 months out of surgery on March 15. I am on an antidepressant that stimulates my appetite so for the last couple of months I've felt "normal" where appetite and food are concerned, (prior to that I couldn't stand the sight of food...any food) And, because of this horrible glob/mucus thing living in my throat along with intermittent post nasal drip, I feel like my diet exclusive of cheeses and yogurts, whey, meats, eggs and cooked vegetables etc. may be contributing to the problem or, causing it. I also found that raw spinach goes down easy. I had (half) a spinach salad with grilled shrimp at Applebees tonight and I enjoyed the uncooked baby spinach leaves very much. Had I not read your post I probably wouldn't have ordered it. I really want to give you a hug for the time and effort you spent in replying. The whole "raw food" thing seems really right. And I do believe you when you say that banana/mango/and parsley pudding you make is delicious but I can't even imagine myself making it right. My surgeon is text book conventional and just repeats the mantra, "Protein first then vegetables, then ..." I will be seeing him again in April. I doubt that he is aware of the "raw food" way of eating but I will bring it up when I see him. In the meanwhile I will take your advise. Thanks again.

I am suffering with a horrible sinus condition where I feel like I've got a glob in my throat most of the time. I feel like eating cheeses and other milk products and whey etc. may be contributing to the problem. Since my surgery I haven't eaten anything raw. I've got horrible energy. I want to be healthy. I'm glad I read this post but where do I begin if I want to incorporate "raw" foods into my diet? Is there a way for a clueless beginner to do this? I would need a juicer and knowledge of how to juice? I haven't a clue. Would I need a Dehydrator or can these type foods be purchased at a health or whole foods store? There is a small health food store not too far away that makes fresh raw juices to order, expensive though. If I wanted to get started which veggies when consumed raw contain Protein? My intuition tells me that there is healing with a raw food diet.

It's good to hear from you. I'm not asking you this to stir anything up but I am wondering if your doctor/surgeon leak tested you? Please be sure to go easy and stay hydrated, walk as much as possible. I hope your recovery from here out is smooth sailing.

Congrats Hugapug and "welcome to the losers bench" as they say! You sound great...I'm amazed at how well your feeling so soon. God bless.

I had a haital hernia repaired during the sleeve surgery. I don't know if that was why but I had, (and was not prepared), some very strange hunger pangs in my esophagus! I felt hunger but the sensations were up high instead of in my belly. I recall telling my surgeon that I was starving and that the hunger pangs were high up!!! I must have been very dramatic because he looked at me strange and sort of chuckled as though it was all in my head...but it was real.

Congratulation Philip. Fantastic weight loss! Keep up the good work.

I was scared too. I also thought of the risks and what ifs. In fact only an hour before I had my surgery for a moment I thought about not going and phoning the hospital to inform my surgeon that I would not be there. It was 5:30 am. I prayed that my Lord and God would protect me asked for his mercies...and I went forward. I survived the surgery and I'm now nearly 6 months out down 70lbs. My knees do not pain me as they used to and my body is more flexable. I will keep you in prayer. I can feel your concerns and I'm glad that you reached out and expressed them in earnest...we are here for you. God be with you every second of the way. Your young and strong and a surviver...be positive and trust God! You will have victory.

I initially tried buying hemp powder at trader joes...it didn't really mix very well and I used an electric blender (the magic bullet) ..the hemp powder was gritty and sort of floated down to the bottom of the glass. I brought it back and got a refund. I would love to find one that works so if that brand does the job please let us know. Also can you elaborate a little on what you learned about your green shakes and protein content? I'm quite interested. Thanks. -LisAnn

I'm glad I read this thread. Tracy you affirmed for me that accountability it key. I am learning (only now), that I must keep track of what I eat and when I do I find I've got more control over my food decisions...simple as that. Thanks for excellent advise.:001_unsure:

Welcome and thanks for sharing. Your story is touching and I can relate. I too was "skinny" and tall "for my age" as a kid. I laughed when you said you were called "string bean" so was I. I too was an emotional eater...whatever the emotion. Sadly I packed on the food and the weight started at around age 13...I was then considered overweight not obese but that changed later on in my life. I don't know how you came to the decision to choose the sleeve but for me and in general I think it is the best surgery out there. I wish you all the best in your WL journey.

Im sending prayer out for you Kerri may your surgery be smooth and recovery a piece of cake! (well maybe not cake)...hope all goes well.