weho

After week 6 for me. I buy the 96/4 ground beef at Walmart and grill about 4 pattys out of a 1 lb package. Each half patty (the most that I can eat) is about 12 grams protein, 75 calories, and 2 grams of fat. I pair it with sliced tomatoes and pickles to help it go down a little better.

Very interesting. I remember learning about the omentum in anatomy and physiology but I've never heard that theory!

Even during the massive heat wave this sounds and looks great!! Have you run the nutritional info on it? I seem to have a sleeve of steel so the spice in this should not bother me one bit. Thanks so much for sharing Chef Neil. I like the soyrizo idea too. I've seen it at Walmart but have not tried it yet.

I too made the rounds to my favorite restaurants before my liquid diet. My "last" meal though was a "double barrel baked potato" from Soulman's BBQ and an order of stuffed Jalapenos from Church's Chicken. My lord I can't beleive I ate all of that! Good luck with your upcoming pre-op diet. That was the most difficult time in this whole journey for me. Post op just seemed so much easier to deal with because I had very little hunger.

I'm so envious of you...I can't get past w1d1 of the c25k program due to foot pain. 21 minutes is AWESOME!!! A half marathon?!?! WOW!

Yogurt goes down easy; when you begin to eat dense protein it will be much different. That overwhelming feeling will go away soon. It took me about 3 weeks to feel "normal" again. It will be second nature to you before too long. Drinking should be much easier by 4 weeks out. I have been able to gulp fluids since 5 weeks out. I know it seems like a full time job right now but I promise it does get easier. I am still a stickler about getting my fluids and protein in but know I am a much healthier person now in doing so; it's worth every bit of energy! I love my sleeve!

I also used Dr. Castro at Methodist. He was great. His staff is very courteous and professional; especially Mary in dealing with insurance approval. He is a great surgeon with an awesome reputation at Methodist which is where I work. The hospital stay was alright...I just wanted to get home. I have not had any complications or "side effects" from the sleeve. It is the best thing that I have done for myself and family.

Jeeze, how awful. While doing research and interviewing my doctor, I found that during his practice as a bariatric surgeon (he was a trauma surgeon previously) that he has lost 3 patients. All stemming from complications post op. This can happen here. That is what helped me decide NOT to go to Mexico, not that I was considering it much anyways. **** happens after surgery and I wanted to have a surgeon here that I could trust if the **** hit the fan. Even GREAT doctors have complications. I have a great surgeon and I was one of the lucky ones who sailed through post op with no problems.

Imawhodat, considering all that you've been through, I think that you are doing great. As your stomach heals, once you can actually get some food down, you will wonder how the heck you've eaten so much It has to get better! I've said a couple of prayers for you!

Pre op was so HARD for me. I really started to question my decision to have this surgery during that crazy week. Post op is SO MUCH EASIER!! It is worth it so hang in there.

Yummy...I crave enjoy salty foods so this will be satisfying...thanks Karen and Chef for the great ideas.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! I actually snuck some wine in (a glass) and took an ambien (ok per staff). I still did not "pass" but I had already been approved due to my high blood pressure.

The dietician at my hospital told us to stay away from protein drinks with "collagen" or "collagenic" in the ingredients just because it is supposedly unclear how much of that our bodies absorb. If you look at the ingredients it is the second ingredient listed

Heather, Your surgeon's office is in the hospital where I work; I've heard real good things about her. I went with Dr. Castro- I think they used to be in the same group. Good luck with your surgery!

The dietician at my hospital says the same thing that SuperMom stated...not that the collagen is bad but we just don't know how much of it our bodies absorb.

I drink wine several times a week. Usually a glass or at most 2 (5 oz servings). My weight loss isn't super fast, but I am losing while still indulging in one of my guilty pleasures. I have read on here that others were told they aren't EVER supposed to drink alcohol again after surgery...sorry but that doesn't fly with me. Moderation is key...and I only drink when I've met my daily protein and fluid requirements. I find it takes much less for me to be satisfied...I used to drink a whole bottle of wine. If my weight loss stops, well then it's time to give it up

I started mine the day before surgery and they allowed me to wear my tampon during surgery which suprised me a little. As ASBgirl said, it was inconvenient after surgery but what can you do, ha? I don't recall any cramping though thanks to the pain meds. Good luck to you!

I've been on it for almost 3 weeks and the only thing I've noticed (may be unrelated) is that my hair seems so brittle and dry. Other than that I haven't had any problems; but I haven't had any blood work to check liver functions either. I too questioned whether I really needed to take it but the responses on here talked me into following my doctors orders. I only have to take it for 5 months total.

Our stats are quite a like. I think that it doesn't seem like we've lost a lot of weight because we started with lower BMI's. Yes, I would like to be losing weight more quickly but I am scared of losing the hair and the really loose skin so I am being happily patient. Have you started working out? I have noticed my weight loss has slowed in my little exercise "vacation" that I have taken the last week and a half. Your weight loss is actually very good. You've lost 1/3 of your desirable excess weight. Keep your chin up! It will come off! I am thrilled that I have lost weight and don't even feel like I am dieting!

I totally agree with your mindset Mini-Me. I had this surgery knowing that there would be a lot of things "off limits" for a while, but eventually I would be able to incorporate them back into my diet (althouh in very small amounts). You look like you have done very well! I ate half of a slice of frozen thin crust pizza at about a month out, crust and all. It took care of the pizza craving and I haven't had pizza since. That's what I love about this surgery; it doesn't take much to tame the beast anymore.

You will feel better everyday; so be careful, it's easy to over-do it. The first few days for me were difficult due to the whole sipping thing. I finally got to my 64 oz minimum on the 4th day. The first week I felt real fuzzy due to the anesthesia. The second week is when my soreness (not bad though) from the incisions kicked in. My stomach muscles felt so weak for the 2nd and 3rd week. The 4th week is when I felt pretty normal; no more muscle soreness and my energy level felt pretty normal. I am almost 7 weeks out and feel like I can drink pretty normaly- just not huge gulps. My eating habits also feel pretty normal to me now (although quite different than before surgery). It was all very worth it to me! Good luck to you and hang in there. A week from now you will look back and wonder where time has gone.

Yes Lyndy, saying a prayer for you right now.

I cheated on my pre op with 1 low carb meal a day. And I was fine. Good luck on your date!

So sorry that you are having such a hard time. I promise you though, it does get better. Have you spoken with your surgeon regarding this? That does seem to be a pretty small amount of fluid for one week post op. Have you tried the isopure? I will say a prayer for you that your tum will start healing quickly.

Speaking from my personal situation, I let my employer know as soon as I got a date. I am glad I did, because within the 3 months notice I gave them, two people quit, and one put in for vacation around my surgery date. We were short-handed but my time-off request was already approved. I took 3 weeks off, but was on lifting restrictions the week after I came back.