July Sleeve

[sleevedllama 28]

20 hours ago, nibble said:

Fortunately in a few days I can begin Stage 5, which means tuna, canned Beans, cheese, toast (yippee!), crackers, pita, tortillas, and then I can make the baked ricotta everyone raves about. I can be much more creative now with Soups and such. Still can't have eggs, poultry, beef, seafood, nuts, rice, Pasta, dried fruits or fruits with peels. Or coffee!! I was just whining a bit, and this too, shall pass. I was warned this 6-week Stage 4 would be the worst. What bothers me most is the 2-week stall. I've upped the Water, and changed the exercise routine so hopefully that will help. Thanks for your suggestions!

Wow, that is really interesting. I have been cautioned to stay away from crackers, pita, tortillas, bread of any kind, and to keep my carbs low - forever - and to focus on the Protein intake. I don't know how you can get to 70-90g of protein without those things you listed! I can imagine you're frustrated.

[nibble 201]

Yeah, I know I know! it IS most interesting. From a bird's eye view, I am amazed by ALL the very different protocols for both pre and post-op food plans. It makes me wonder WHY? Why are surgeons not in greater agreement and working toward some level of standardization? Is it the varying opinions of the legal department of hospitals, deciding what degree of patient risk is acceptable with a given procedure? Is it the personal opinion of the surgeon on the design of the program? I just don't know, and may never know, but I sure do wonder! I agree it sounds nutso to allow crackers and such - it does say in limited amounts, and of course, Protein is first. I suspect pts so long for something to chew on after 6-8 weeks they had to make a few concessions. I do know that coffee is a no no because it tends to be a diuretic, and because caffeine stimulates more gastric acid. Those who are marginal in getting enough hydration don't need the extra challenge of a diuretic. Or so they tell me!

[Letgo 15]

My surgery was July 17th! My surgeon is very strict too. I was on puree for 6 weeks. I just got to go to soft foods. I will be on that until 6 months after surgery. I cant eat much because I get full really fast. I seem to be having a problem with Water now. Before I drank more then I was supposed to. Now I struggle. I am tired of drinking LOL

[J San 1,071]

Have you tried adding MIO or some other type of flavoring to your Water to help out. Or maybe Protein waters like Protein2O?

[Tracy1978 113]

I'm about 8-9 weeks out right now. I can eat pretty much what I want just much smaller portions. I make much better decisions now too when it comes to meals. For example, Breakfast I have a triple zero oikos yogurt and coffee. lunch is usually some sort of Soup or Kroger brand omelette bites (4 count). When I get home from work around 3:30 I have a snack. Usually v8 with some hummus and crackers or cheese spread with crackers. Then we make dinner about 6-7pm. I make stuff for tacos but I usually make a small taco salad no shell with some ranch on the side. Or, a few pieriogies and chunky marinara. When I go out to eat I no longer order my own meal. I just eat off my husbands and daughter's plate. I refrain from eating any appetizers or free starters like some places have: bread, rolls, chips and salsa or peanuts. I don't buy a drink at restaurants because I cant drink while I eat anyway. So I am a cheap date these days! It's been so nice on my wallet.

[Letgo 15]

On 9/15/2018 at 10:37 PM, J San said:

Have you tried adding MIO or some other type of flavoring to your Water to help out. Or maybe Protein waters like Protein2O?

No not really. I love Water. I have only drank water or milk pretty much my whole life. I dont like sweet things...unless they are real chocolate or Cookies LOL. I think I am just tired small drinks. I used to chug water. I cant do that anymore. I know I will get past this and its just a phase :-) once this phase is over its on to the next new phase LOL.

[PPMom 4]

2 minutes ago, Letgo said:

No not really. I love Water. I have only drank Water or milk pretty much my whole life. I dont like sweet things...unless they are real chocolate or Cookies LOL. I think I am just tired small drinks. I used to chug water. I cant do that anymore. I know I will get past this and its just a phase :-) once this phase is over its on to the next new phase LOL.

I have a problem with water, too. I've been doing Decaf green tea, some zero Vitamin waters or plain water with lemon. It's hard to remember that we can't chug anymore. LOL!

[Letgo 15]

On 9/7/2018 at 7:14 PM, nibble said:

Yeah, I know I know! it IS most interesting. From a bird's eye view, I am amazed by ALL the very different protocols for both pre and post-op food plans. It makes me wonder WHY? Why are surgeons not in greater agreement and working toward some level of standardization? Is it the varying opinions of the legal department of hospitals, deciding what degree of patient risk is acceptable with a given procedure? Is it the personal opinion of the surgeon on the design of the program? I just don't know, and may never know, but I sure do wonder! I agree it sounds nutso to allow crackers and such - it does say in limited amounts, and of course, Protein is first. I suspect pts so long for something to chew on after 6-8 weeks they had to make a few concessions. I do know that coffee is a no no because it tends to be a diuretic, and because caffeine stimulates more gastric acid. Those who are marginal in getting enough hydration don't need the extra challenge of a diuretic. Or so they tell me!

My surgeon said he has been doing this for 12 years about 10 surgeries a week and in that whole time has had only 2 people with leaks. He says its because of the very stick diet he has. The diet kind of sucks...well it really sucks but I trust him and understand why. I have not read about many others talking about their diet being as strict as mine. For a while I was kind of resentful and feeling sorry for myself - that everyone was eating all kinds of stuff. But know I am thankful and think it is the best for me. It seems like a long time when its happening but in retrospect its just a fraction of time compared to your whole life.

Edited September 17, 2018 by Letgo

[PPMom 4]

1 hour ago, Tracy1978 said:

I'm about 8-9 weeks out right now. I can eat pretty much what I want just much smaller portions. I make much better decisions now too when it comes to meals. For example, Breakfast I have a triple zero oikos yogurt and coffee. lunch is usually some sort of Soup or Kroger brand omelette bites (4 count). When I get home from work around 3:30 I have a snack. Usually v8 with some hummus and crackers or cheese spread with crackers. Then we make dinner about 6-7pm. I make stuff for tacos but I usually make a small taco salad no shell with some ranch on the side. Or, a few pieriogies and chunky marinara. When I go out to eat I no longer order my own meal. I just eat off my husbands and daughter's plate. I refrain from eating any appetizers or free starters like some places have: bread, rolls, chips and salsa or peanuts. I don't buy a drink at restaurants because I cant drink while I eat anyway. So I am a cheap date these days! It's been so nice on my wallet.

Eating at a restaurant is difficult because the portions are so large! I do the same...share, but sometimes people want all of their food. Lol. If you like yogurt, you might like the yogurt drinks I make with yogurt, coconut milk and strawberry (Polaner all fruit) preserves and a bit of stevia. Oh, my gosh. They are so good! I might not have made it through the first month if it weren't for those drinks.

[J San 1,071]

I can only speak for Protein2O because it's the only one I've tried, but it's pretty good. Not really that sweet. It adds to your Fluid intake for the day plus the added bonus of the Protein. $7 for a four pack, give it a try. You never know. During mushy stage I started mixing them with yogurt. Tastes really good.

[Letgo 15]

1 minute ago, J San said:

I can only speak for Protein2O because it's the only one I've tried, but it's pretty good. Not really that sweet. It adds to your Fluid intake for the day plus the added bonus of the Protein. $7 for a four pack, give it a try. You never know. During mushy stage I started mixing them with yogurt. Tastes really good.

Thanks! I will give it a try

[nibble 201]

3 hours ago, Letgo said:

y surgeon said he has been doing this for 12 years about 10 surgeries a week and in that whole time has had only 2 people with leaks.

I was reading that bariatric surgery doesn't have enough stats yet on the long-term outcomes of patients, so that's one reason there may not yet be much protocol standardization. I appreciate the conservative approach of surgeons; right now I long to have coffee or other things, but I would hate to suffer acid reflux in 5 years because I drank caffeine again too soon, or get gout because I ate too much Protein, or some other thing. For those who stay active on this forum long term, it will be interesting to see if there are common problems that befall us in 5-10 years and beyond. I am 70 now, so may not be around in 10 years, but I'm going to enjoy the heck out of the years I have left with this new lifestyle. I think about those in their 20's - 40's who are having the surgery and hope they won't have a future of digestion issues to deal with. I suppose new meds will keep being developed to meet the challenges.

[Tracy1978 113]

On 9/17/2018 at 7:28 PM, PPMom said:

Eating at a restaurant is difficult because the portions are so large! I do the same...share, but sometimes people want all of their food. Lol. If you like yogurt, you might like the yogurt drinks I make with yogurt, coconut milk and strawberry (Polaner all fruit) preserves and a bit of stevia. Oh, my gosh. They are so good! I might not have made it through the first month if it weren't for those drinks.

Sounds yummy! I just might have to give that a try. Looks like it would be high in Protein too from the yogurt. I could probably add some protein powder to it too....Thanks for the suggestion!

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

Wanna being this thread back to find out how my buddy July sleevers are doing. I was sleeved July 10th and doing great. Down 50 pounds.

[Tracy1978 113]

Same here! July 20th and I too am down about 50 pounds.