Nutrition Advice Please :)

[New & Improved Mel 1]

Hi Peoples,

I was sleeved on the March 21st, so I am 3 weeks out. Unfortunately my surgeon had only performed 3 sleeve surgeries prior to mine, (but been an gastroenterologist for 10+ years, just never offered sleeve surgery before). But my problem is that now due to myself being one of his first patients, I really feel like I am doing this blind. I do have a dietician and I saw her prior to surgery during the 3 week Optifast stage and 10 days after my operation, but I felt like I didn't ask enough questions in her office and the 3 A4 pages she photocopied for me to follow from week 3 to 5 didn't contain very much information.

I feel great and already I seem to be able to eat anything, I haven't felt sick and haven't vomitted. I have been basically eating or having small tastes of 'most' things since a week ago (2 weeks out)... Is that bad? and am I putting myself at risk??

I take: a multi-Vitamin 2 x a day, which contains a good amout of B group Vitamins, high-strength fish oil, Vitamin D supplement (because my blood was low on omega's & Vitamin D) & Nexium (prescribed for the next 3 months)

I try to incoporate more Protein into my diet.. is 40-50gms the target to reach of Protein a day?? I try to drink 2 glasses of L/fat milk, have a yoghurt, some cheese and have some meat with dinner (not steak or anything).

I also try to have a high-fibre Breakfast Cereal every other day to keep me regular... but apart from that I don't know what other things I should be doing or if anything I am doing so far is wrong?

I worry that the ease in which I am managing this means that my surgery wasn't as drastic enough or my stomach wasn't restricted enough and I may not be successful in keeping my weight off in the long run.. or may not lose very much at all. So far I have lost 6kg since surgery (13.2 pounds) and have another 26 kilo to lose to reach a BMI of 24, which is 57 pounds (in 3 weeks).

Any advice anybody can offer would be greatly appreciated because I really want make sure this surgery actually extends my life, not shorten it because I failed to get the right nutrition.

[swizzly 901]

I have had a very easy recovery, and I was also moved to full foods four days post-op. I have not had any problem eating (chewing well of course) and I have had energy and felt well. My program doesn't have calorie or Protein targets, you're just meant to eat a quite balanced diet, including Protein, fruit/veg and carbs. I have three meals and three Snacks per day, so my blood sugar stays fairly steady.

I didn't feel that restricted at first either, but I think it was due to the nerves not being up and running again. I do feel it now. Before I felt it, I just made sure to not eat too much.

Good luck!

[Tiffykins 672]

Here's a couple of other guidelines that I found helpful in addition to my program:

http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

http://www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

And from the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) they're the ones that follow surgery outcomes, complications, risks, long term effects etc etc, give guidelines, and monitor vitamin/nutrient deficiencies.

http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf

Make sure your multi has Iron since it's difficult for us to eat enough Iron rich foods, and it's recommended to take a sublingual B12 because the portion of the stomach that is removed is where the intrinsic factor is produced and that is needed to absorb B12 properly. Our stomachs can not produce that factor anymore so popping a B12 under the tongue or getting injections is the recommended source for B12 absorption.

Calcium Citrate is also recommended. 1200-1500mg per day through my losing stage, and now in maintenance I need 1000mg per day. I chose calcium citrate Plus 500s from Celebrate Vitamins as my Calcium because I only need 2 per day vs. 6 of other brands. Plus, the taste yummy.

[New & Improved Mel 1]

Thank you both, It was a relief to hear I wasn't doing too badly.

A special thank-you to Tiffykins, I printed out the information from the 3 links you gave me and got them bound into 3 booklets so I am able to read and refer to them easier. The information from ASMBS was particularly great information to have hold of at this stage, to make sure I do not end up one of the statistics!

I have changed to a Vitamin D tab that includes Calcium, and I am trying to find Vitamin B in 'under the tounge' form (or at least chewable). I am from Australia, so I don't think we have quite the range available in the US.

I really appreciate all the information you have given me and the fact that you have taken the time out from your busy schedule to help me & all the fellow sleevers you tirelessly help, especially with Lil' Sprout on the way - CONGRATULATIONS