cajun

Wasa, Thanks for this link. Very interesting. My internist checked my D3 level a few months ago and I was deficient, level 28. I am feeling much better after starting 5,000 units/day. I had a few qualms about taking so much of a fat soluble vit, but looks like all the literature I've reviewed supports this route.

I also think they are not complex carbs, but the kind that are digested quickly, like sugar. I wonder if they would cause a rebound hunger an hour later. I'm going to try to stay away from white carbs, which is something I've had to do all my life. If I look at bread, I gain a pound! Same with corn, peas, etc. When I crave carbs, I go for beans, which are acomplex carb and high in protein.

I'm still pre-VSG but trying out recipes. Try putting 3.5 ounce diced up roasted chicken breast minus skin (I use Sam's roasted chicken) in your blender, with 1 cup of fat free milk. Liquify well. Strain it through a strainer to remove any lumps if you are up to the blenderized/soft foods stage. Heat it up in the microwave. Voila, cream of chicken soup. Easy. Fast. Delicious. Enough for multiple meals. Can be frozen and used later. I plan to make some and freeze it in ice cube trays for after I have my surgery. Then all I'll need to do is heat it up! (Not allowed on CLEAR liquids phase.) Total Prot=40gm Carb=13 Fat=45 Cal=253

"Any sleeved person is going to produce less acid and therefore they should be taking Ca Citrate." I've been wondering if this reduced acid leads to long term, less effective absorption of nutrients in sleeve patients. Anyone know?

Did you have a hiatal hernia repair when you were sleeved?

Was your hiatal hernia repaired prior to, or during your VSG surgery? Did they use a screen when they repaired your HH?

Dairy is such an important nutrient. Maybe if you take probiotics for a while, you will be able to tolerate it once again.

Vegas Angel: I love your common sense response. The whole point of this is to get back to eating and weighing like a NORMAL person instead of an OBESE person. Nuff said.

I would think that if you're drinking foam, you're drinking bubbles that will leave you with gas. Not good. If you leave it in the fridge after mixing, will the bubbles settle out after 5 minutes or so? I found Jay Robb whey Protein does not foam up and I mix it in my regular blender. It also has NO artificial sweeteners except for stevia which is much safer than the other kinds. I like the chocolate best, and mix it with fat free milk.

This is such an encouraging story...thank you for sharing it. I have one question: How did you know when you could stop using the CPAP at night?

Tiffykins, I am so excited for you. One day I will move down from being a "triple hitter" too. One of the things that motivated me to start looking at bariatric surgery was that some XXXL's were not even fitting anymore. HORRORS. Now I have hope. Your posts are so encouraging. Thank you!

I'm weaning off caffeine now, trying to do it gradually so I don't get a migraine. I've cut way back by using less coffee grounds, and serving myself half the amount as usual... It's the pits. I am in a grogg when I wake up in the morning, for several hours! The brain on empty....duhhh

Please don't kick a puppy! Seriously, I get a short fuse when I am late for a meal. Maybe eat some protein right before you confront the public ...you (and they) will hopefully feel better! I'm not sleeved yet, so am expecting I might have the same emotional roller coaster afterwards! Then you can tell me what to do!

Kay Kay. My response was a bit simplistic, sorry. The stomach and other internal organs don't have the type of nerve endings that "feel" cutting, for example. But they do register what is called functional pain when distended by food/gas, or twisted for example. Sometimes this pain feels like it is coming from somewhere else...such as the shoulder pain you might feel after laparoscopic surgery because all the gas is pushing up on your diaphragm. When an appendix is inflamed, sometimes the pain is felt at the umbilical area instead of in the area of the appendix, especially at the start of the attack. Our skin, on the other hand, has a lot of nerve endings that "shriek loudly" if we are cut. (Thank God for anesthesia!!!!!) The nervous system is peculiar in a lot of ways, and there is still a lot being learned about how it works

Yes, congratulations on getting sleeved and arriving back home safe and sound. What an awesome life-accomplishment you have made!

I'd rather just "turn the page" and keep on moving forward instead of arguing about what surgery is better, what surgeon is better, what protein drink is better, etc, etc... Everyone has a right to their opinion and personally I like mine the best FOR ME. (smile)

Although stretching does not seem to occur, a person who decides to "eat around" the sleeve can gain all their weight back just by eating softies all day every day.... so we have to be dedicated to a life long change of eating patterns that will help us Live Well! The support of friends on forums like this can help when the going gets rough. Some people may need a 12 step program or professional help if they find they are not taking care of themselves...but it sounds like most of the folks I meet on forums are dedicated to doing the job, and are successful.

I bought some stevia to add to the shakes if needed but actually I find them plenty sweet for me without it...I'm more of a salty then sweet lover. Yes, I chose a surgeon in Mexico. I feel very good about the decision. Am just awaiting approval from him before asking my employer when I can get time off from work scheduled so I can GET ER DONE! :thumbup::thumbup::crying::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

LAN2K I bought a sample of the Jay Robb Vanilla and Chocolate today at GNC. I prefer the chocolate...tastes great with fat free milk. Hopefully my taste buds won't change after the VSG! I have worries too about being sorry afterward...it seems everyone does. ....but then I tell myself, I can't keep on like I am going...becoming more overweight and more limited in what I can do. So it is worth the risk to me. The odds are so good that it will be successful, when you see the statistics. I don't have my date yet but sent in my papers to be evaluated...have started to modify my eating and exercise already, and feel better after just one week. Am also collecting things to take on the trip, that other sleevers have talked about on forums... One day soon we will both be on the bench!

Gotcha! I hope I do as well when I have my VSG. The fatigue will pass from what I hear others say on this forum. The discomforts will all be forgotten in the light of the NEW YOU as you achieve your goal. :smile:

AJW: 38 lbs in 2 weeks? WOW, YOU GO GIRL! I'd be tired too with that rapid a loss!

Tiffykins, Nice to hear you talking about regular food...not so long ago you could not put anything in there! I will remember your struggle when I have my surgery and am feeling like I'll "never eat again"! You've lost over half your weight, I see. Congratulations!

guess I'll add hypoallergenic tape to my list of things to take to the hospital with me when I go. This forum has helped me create a good list. Thanks to all!

Woo hoo Yippe for you Tiffy! After all you have been through, things are looking so much better! Congratulations for your determination.

I wonder if the loss of urgency might be due to the fact that there is so much less abdominal mass pressing down on the bladder once you have lost 20 or 30 lbs. Pick up a 20 or 30 lb child, and imagine feeling that weight sitting on top of your lower abdomen with a bull bladder.... It might just be this mechanical reason. How many of you no longer have stress incontinence ( a little involuntary leaking when you cough, sneeze, or strain), since your surgery?