Malaika

I found some gummy fiber pills (like gummy vitamins) that taste REALLY good and they have kept me the most regular I have ever been in my life - two in the morning and that's it - if I happen to eat salad that day, I skip the gummy fiber the next day.

Linda - you look GREAT!!!!

You should be able to do a search for baked ricotta and find the recipe - if not, let me know and I'll pm it to you - it is GREAT!

Oregon Rose - did you check out the deli section at your local groceries? They may have them; also, I bet if you do a yellow pages search you may have a few mexican stores/restaurants where you could get some tamales with higher protein count -- also, if there's a Winder Farms (home grocery delivery) in your city, you might check them out - they have AWESOME tamales - and you only have to order a minimum of $5 a week with Winder Farms.

Monica - welcome to VST and congrats on your surgery. I was not able to tolerate any of the protein drinks after surgery - I would literally gag on them -- I tured to get in as much protein as I could during the liquid phase; however, I focused more on staying hydrated -- there is egg drop soup, you can buy unflavored protein powder and add it to soups, I've heard unjury chicken broth tastes good too. I have now found one protein drink I can tolerate called "Oh Yeah" - it's lactose free and the cookies and cream flavor is tolerable. Hang in there, it will get easier.

Dalite - are you sure you really want to have this surgery? You have mentioned more than once about cancelling it. If you are not 100% sure you want the surgery, then you probably should cancel it as you may experience many issues post-surgery due to your grieving over the fact of not being able to eat.

I am on prilosec - I prefer Nexium as it works better for me; but my insurance won't cover it any longer - so my PCP gave me prilosec. Bearded is taking OTC Prilosec and we are both doing fine with the acid. It sounds as though what you are experiencing is too much acid in your new tummy - you should definitely be taking some type of PPI - if you can't get your doctor to give you a script for one, you can buy the prilosec OTC at any drug store - or at Sam's or costco. We bought the Sam's Club brand and it works just as well as the other. I sometimes have to take Zantac later in they day, but those days seem to be getting fewer and fewer. I'd call your surgeon or PCP on Monday and get a script for something - I am sure it will make a lot of difference - just be sure to take it on an empty stomach.

would be interesting to know if her doctor actually told her that or she made that "assumption" herself.

Sure sounds yummy! Let us know how it turns out and tastes.

ML - congrats for sticking with your pre-op diet during Thanksgiving - that is a major accomplishment - Dec 2nd will be here before you know it!

It's possible Cajun - even when my scale doesn't move, my clothes continue to get looser -- congrats on the NSV!

I googled it and this is some of what I found You may have an increased risk of developing kidney stones if you: have a family history of kidney stones are aged between 20 and 50 are taking certain medicines - for example indinavir (in the treatment of HIV infection) and taking too many laxatives or taking them too often have only one kidney, or an abnormally shaped kidney eat a diet high in protein don't drink enough fluids

Welcome to the site Katrina - and congratulations on completing your classes and hopefully you'll have a surgery date soon!

JoyfulJoy - welcome to the VST family -- I had never been put under anethesia before and was very concerned too - just be sure and talk to the anesthesiologist and let him know your concerns -- I came out of it without any problems whatsoever - I am sure you will do fine as well. You will love Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and the entire staff - you will never have the type of care in any US hospital that you will get in Mexicali - and you will be safe the entire time you are there. The resort is very beautiful and the staff extremely helpful. As Norma said, if you have any questions PM me.

Call your surgeon 1st thing monday morning. It may be nothing; however it is better to know WHAT it is than to have to worry about it.

I had that feeling too - like everything was getting stuck - even liquids - come to find out it was my esophogus spasming - I found out at 1 month out - I worked around it my drinking only warm liquids until about noon - I still can't drink anything really cold or it causes me to have spasms still. The gurgling and burping I had for about the first month as well.

newmom - try some liquid benadryl for a few nights -- I've never had insomnia, but I did after surgery -- the liquid benadryl really worked wonders -- I took it for 3 days only and after that was able to sleep on my own.

Soon2be - I know what you mean - I made it to 5 months before my started falling out - I swear I should be bald - like you, thank goodness I have thick hair, but even my hairdresser commented on it ... I am taking Hair, Skin & Nail vitamins that have a lot of biotin in them, in addition to multi-vitamins, calcium and B12- thus far nothing has helped ... I guess we just keep doing what we're doing and hope that eventually the loss stops!

SoCal - I agree with you - one forum is adequate enough Daughter-in-Law - hope you don't mind but I merged all your threads in various forums into one forum for ease of reference for everyone.

This was posted in the USA Weekend and I found it interesting and thought some of you may as well. Get rid of gas: Eat a teaspoon of olive oil on an empty stomach each morning to prevent gas. Cuse constipation: To achieve regularity, consume 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar two times a day mixed into an 8-oz. glass of Water Avoid Heartburn: Before meals, mix the juice of 1/2 a lemon and a pinch of salt into an 8 oz. glass of water and drink. After meals, try a teaspoon of honey to soothe your heartburn. This is from the book: Clean Cures: The Humble Art of Zen-curing Yourself. There was also an article right about it about butternut squash - it helps to fight cancer, reverse smoking damage and help maintain a healthy heart. One cup provides 3 gms of Fiber and 400 mg of potassium.

Hi Linda and welcome to our family, we love to see our family grow! There are several members who live in Canada and am sure you will hear from all of them over the next few weeks. I was a self-pay and had my surgery in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves, as my insurance didn't cover WLS. I hope you are able to get approved and get a surgery date sooner than later. In the meantime, come hang out with us anytime you feel like it and keep us posted on your journey!

Hi InternetAngel - welcome to VST - we're glad you decided to come out in public and share your story and thoughts with us. I think whatever you are feeling this soon after surgery is normal - everyone's normal is different, as everyone's relationship with food is different - hang in there, follow your doctor's post-op diet and each day will get better. Feel free to ask questions or vent here - no one will judge you and everyone will offer you thoughts and suggestions on how to deal with what you are feeling.

DALITE - CONGRATULATIONS - you will be in our thoughts and prayers...and we will be looking forward to reading your posts when you feel up to it. I think everything you are feeling is very normal...

Angel-A - welcome to the VST family. I do not know about the pain in your stomach and would keep an eye on that and in touch with your doctor. As to not losing weight, everyone has that fear - be sure to take your measurements regularly and you will see that you are losing - even if the scale isn't moving the inches seem to melt right off. Keep us posted on how you're feeling.