wannalise

Does anyone have favorite tips about how to use the unlflavored Proteins that really masks them? I tried crystal light and I was still too aware of it. I'm a whiner I know! I am just trying to be vigilant about getting the Protein in. Thanks ya'll!

Tiffany, Make sure that you are tracking EXACTLY what you are eating on OH, the daily plate, or fitday.com. Seeing how you are doing with fats, calories, and protein will help you know if you need to tweak anything or not. Also if you plan exactly what you'll eat and drink in a given day it will really make a difference in the obsessiveness and won't let you get to that nervous place where you don't know for sure what you're going to have so you make a bad choice. I haven't hit any true stalls, but I will stay at the same weight for a week and then when I step on the scale bam, something changes. You will have your big moments too, but really 17 lbs is over 5 lbs a week. You are well on your way sister!

No! You are not alone at all. The anxiety for me about all the food stuff was much greater preop than I've experienced after surgery. I am learning new things I can do, my appetite is different and there is something that feels so empowering about knowing you have complete control of your body. It really feels amazing.

OH!!!! And there is the yummy ricotta bake recipe that was originally on eggface's site, but I've seen it posted in our recipe section as well. I've made it and it really is yummy.

I'm with you, I hate soup. Hate it always had. I wanna chew my food. This phase was difficult for me, I used egg beaters and would make scrambled eggs 1/4c. and 1/4c of cottage or ricotta cheese in them. That was yummy to me. I also have heard several people talk about refried beans with melted cheese and greek yogurt on top. I am so sorry! I don't have much more than that. I think this is the tough part. But you can do it, and it really will be worthwhile.

Well, I wouldn't be so rough on myself to say I was cheating, but there are a couple of things I would probably try differently. At 19 days your tummy is still very swollen and in order to meet your bodies protein needs to heal protein has to happen first. I wouldn't deviate from that especially during the healing phase. Secondly, and I'm still a newbie too, I looked at the phases where I built up to whole foods as an opportunity to learn new habits. I know its hard to find things that will taste good to you, but I would avoid high sugar/high carb foods. The sooner you can get them out of your normal routine, the easier things will be for you when you reintroduce whole foods again. It is tricky and boring and frustrating sometimes, but there really are options. I remember hating mushies way more than I even hated liquids, it felt like a tease, like I was kind of getting to eat! Hang in there a little longer and set a good track record for yourself.

Easier. You will get sick of protein shakes, but your energy levels adjust somewhat. Try to mix it up and do broth or strained egg drop soup so you can have something that feels warm and like you actually had a meal. It does get way better though. I actually preferred full liquids to mushies.

It sucks! I am so sorry you have to go through this part. Hydration is the key and for me it was very unappealing, but it is the difference in a slow/fast recovery. If you can get through this first little bit it quickly becomes worth it, I promise! You can do it.

Yay! How are you feeling? Super cool to get to move your ticker eh?

I had no idea that they were related to my former lifestyle choices, but I used to get a few headaches a week that I would take tylenol for. Well today I am 5 weeks out and in that entire time I have had ONE. That is amazing to me.

Thanks for the vitamin tip. I had it happen again today. So frustrating! I may go and get the childrens chewables as well. I really wanted a better quality than that but when I am throwing em up anyway I don't know if quality even matters. My throat is raw today and I am super paranoid that having this happen all the time is going to cause problems long term with my esophogus. Anywhoo! Thanks for the tip.

I'm so glad today feels better. The first stretch is rough, and it is frustrating sometimes when you feel like you are experiencing stuff that no one else has. Hang in there!

Really truly there are no last meals. I enjoyed my favorite food yesterday (part of a taco) and it was delish! You'll get to incorporate favorites and I am discovering new ones too. It is actually kind of an adventure to cook and modify things. Angie don't tell ourobourus but Dr. Aceves lets you have a margarita and a last meal. It seemed a little kookie to me, but I had fajitas and three diet cokes before going to bed the night before surgery.

Hey all. Things are still going really well and I really appreciate all of your support. To those of you vets, I have a couple days a week where food sounds icky and I end up back on protein shakes and mushies. Just wondering if this is something others experience and does it go away? I got some herbal tea to see if starting my day with that would help, but we'll see. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Oh a man after my own heart. Diet coke is the only thing I really have missed. It was how I began every day! I just wanted to wish you well and tell you how much I've appreciated all your posts thus far. I'm sending good thoughts your way!

Let him know we're thinking of him too. And can't wait to hear even more about his journey. Thank you for posting!

I'm so sorry. I am only a five weeks out and didn't start taking a ppi until a couple weeks ago and that has made a huge difference in the hunger pangs and heartburn. I really thought that once I was on regular foods I wouldn't need protein shakes but I still do and that makes loads of difference in my energy. The other thing that helps my energy is my multivitamin. I have a really high quality one that is chock full of b-12 and I can tell a huge difference on the days I don't take it. I have also noticed in the last few days that the swelling of my tummy has finally started to change and I am able to eat a lot more normally. I think these first few months are rough and we just have to power through and get all our liquids and protein in. 18 lbs is great and you will start feeling better soon. Hang in there and keep venting if you need to. We all have our days!

I forgot one other thing that I bought and love. In the baby section at walmart there are these little tupperware thingys called take n' toss. They are dishwasher and microwave safe and i will make 2 oz of meat or small servings of cottage cheese and yogurt and they are perfect to take work.

I went to TJ Maxx and they had cute stacks of desert plates. They help me eyeball things, and it is less disappointing when your plate looks like it has food on it rather than only occupying a little section. There are a few foods that I do like to use a baby spoon with so my bites are a little smaller, but for the most part I use regular spoons/forks.

Angie, Its all normal. There is a lot of unknown going into a surgery in a place you've never been. You will be great. The minute you walk into the hospital and meet Lucy and Dr. Aceves any worries you have will melt away. Try to enjoy these last few days with your munchkins cuz it'll be a little while before you are at 100% for them. Good luck. PM me if you need to vent or have questions. Anna

Okay. Well I have yet to meet my exercise goals, I am still struggling with the exercise part of this whole thing! Tuesday-Swim w/clients at rec ctr. Weds-Swim w/clients at rec ctr Thurs-Swim w/clients at rec ctr Fri-Walk river trail Sat-Batting cages

I've done both. I have the bariatric advantage chewables. If I suck on them like lozenges and only small amounts get to my stomach at a time then I do okay. I even called Dr. A's office to see maybe if I could switch to my old pill kind of multi's and tried that for a day and I was talking to a friend and had to run to the bathroom.

I don't know if this is unique to me, but when my multivitamin hits my stomach I get super nauseated. It stays that way for about 20-30minutes.

Jillian, I hope my replies did not offend you. Please know that no matter your decision that this is an excellent forum for support and I really do understand how desperate it can feel to feel like your body is not in your control. I wish you the very best of luck.

Thanks, I'll try again. I'm having this weird day where food and drink all sound awful, so I was trying to make myself at least get fluid and protein in. I'll give it a go!