lsereno

Hope you are feeling better soon! You should be able to enjoy small amounts of some foods. Although I have a wide list of items I can eat without nausea, I know what you mean about food aversion. After a couple of bad early incidents, I no longer like steelhead trout or tuna. And I'm sick of ham and turkey lunchmeat and chicken unless it's doctored till it's not recognizable, like the yummy PF Changs Chicken Lettuce Wrap I had for lunch today. I have always disliked eggs and since surgery I've developed lactose intolerance, so cottage cheese and dairy products other than hard cheese and yogurt are also off my list. Lynda

I'm a little over 9 weeks out. At 6 weeks, I had lost 27.5% of my excess weight following surgery (Goal weight is 135, Day before surgery weight was 222, I am 5'6"). Excess weight % is going to vary because everyone has a different goal weight/BMI. Mine is at the lower-end of normal. Lynda

Don't let your Dr. just toss it off. I took Wellbutrin for a few years after my husband mentioned that I was never happy anymore and I realized he was right. Might be the surgery or any number of other things. The only thing for certain is you don't have to just live with it. Lynda

Edamame is the Japanese name for soybeans cooked in the pod. Shelled they are good in salad or eaten like a snack. They are typically served at Japanese bars and restaurants with the shell on and accompanied by soy sauce/ wasabi for dipping. You dip the pod in soy sauce/wasabi mixture then suck out the beans. McDonald's Asian Chicken Salad has edamame. You can make a similar salad at home by using snow peas, mandarin oranges, edamame, and a little jarred red pepper on a bed of lettuce topped with Newman's Own Low-Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing. Yum! Lynda

Hi Carolina, My family is from the south too (southeastern Oklahoma in the Ouachita mountains). I feel your pain! I am so glad you are going to take charge of your health and make the changes you need to ensure a long, healthy, and happy life. With the Vertical Sleeve you will be able to eat special family dishes at events and gatherings. It's one of the reasons I preferred the sleeve over the bypass. It would be a shame to never have biscuits and gravy, fried catfish, cornbread, or banana pudding with vanilla wafers again! Welcome to the forum! I look forward to hearing about your journey! Lynda

Hi all, On Sunday, I'm two months out from my surgery. It's been quite a ride so far! Post-surgery, I have lost 30 lbs. I lost 32 lbs. on my three-month pre-op diet for a total of 62 lbs. I have met some mini goals on the way: I'm now merely obese, not morbidly obese. And I'm in onderland! My surgery was uneventful except for a small, undiagnosed hiatal hernia that my surgeon repaired. That added about an hour to surgery. Recovery has been pretty smooth too. I did discover in the first few days that I am now lactose-intolerant. I'm hoping that will go away in a few months. I've read here that many people become lactose-intolerant for a few months after surgery. I also had a couple of weeks of diarrhea, but that resolved by itself. So far, I've tried to be very compliant: eating on plan, taking my Vitamins, getting my fluids in, and exercising 5 days per week. I'm following Kaiser Fremont's post-op plan. Currently, I'm downing around 600 calories, mostly low-fat Protein, in three meals and one evening Protein shake per day. I have had a few uncomfortable incidents after eating. Sometimes, food just doesn't sit right. I've had the slimeys twice, spitting up copious amounts of foamy saliva. I got sick and threw up for the first time since surgery this week. I had eaten 1/4 c. fresh peach and 1/4 c. greek yogurt in the morning. I can eat fresh peach later in the day, but first thing in the morning, my sleeve is p-i-c-k-y! One good thing: I had been worried I physically could not throw up because I've felt really sick but hadn't puked since surgery, but I know that is not true now! My energy level is still not 100%, but I feel stronger and better the more time goes by. I'm back to my pre-op exercise routine of five days per week, but I am moving less throughout the day. I've been doing less yardwork and housework and just generally moving less. I hope my energy is back to 100% by the end of this month. In the last couple of weeks, I have eaten some foods I shouldn't, such as salty Snacks and sweets. And last night, I had popcorn, Cookies, and fruit instead of my evening Protein Drink. Not a lot of any of them, but I can see they are the devil. I'm going to try a diet trick I've used before: Cheating one day per week only. So for this week, I've already had my cheat day on Friday. I'm looking forward to being three months out. I expect to be gaining energy this next month and meeting a couple mini-goals: A weight that starts with 18, and A BMI that's merely overweight, not obese. Do I regret the surgery: No I don't. I can see it is just a tool, but it's the best tool I've ever had! Lynda

At Kaiser Fremont, our plan recommends returning to full liquids or Clear Liquids for a day or two if anything upsets your tummy, Try adding one new food per day so you can judge whether it is bothering you. Stop as soon as you feel full: When I first started soft foods, I overate and had a tummy ache. I just assumed I could eat a couple of ounces. Now that I quit as soon as I feel full, even if it is only an ounce, I feel much better. Be more careful in the morning: I (and others on the list) have problems with many foods early in the day. I can eat them later, but at Breakfast I cannot. Hope you are feeling better soon. The first few weeks are the hardest! Lynda

I'm still slightly ahead of my schedule of two lbs per week to reach goal. I'm at 191.6 today. Less than 2 lbs. to my first mini goal: A weight that starts with 18!!! This week has been more challenging for me. I've eaten some foods I shouldn't and I had some intense dental work done so I missed exercising on three of five days. Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-191.6...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: July 29: August 5: August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

I am 8 weeks out and I follow my post-op plan, which is three meals per day, with a Protein shake in the evening till I can get in 60+ grams of protein at meals. My day looks like this: Breakfast : Somewhere between 9 and 11 a.m. Lunch: Somewhere between noon and 2 Dinner: Somewhere between 5 and 7 Protein Shake: Around 9 p.m. Lynda

I think it's do-able with a break every 2-3 hours: Before work/breakfast: 8 oz. Eat Breakfast On way to work: 8 oz. First break (2 hrs in ): 8 oz. Second break (5 hrs in): Eat lunch Third Break (7 hrs in) 8 oz. Off work and on way home: 8 oz. At home, relaxing before meal: 8 oz. dinner After dinner Protein drink with 8 oz. of fluids Late nite drink: 8 oz. It's gonna take some effort. I recommend buying the bottled Water in the 8 oz. bottles. It makes it easier to tote and measure them. Also, I do think its a good idea to let the boss know. The biggest issue is eating lunch and getting liquid in. I know for my plan it's not preferred, but maybe have a Protein Drink for lunch. That way you could skip one of the drinks after work and get more hydration mid-day. With 1/2 hr. break to eat and drink, I don't see another way to get both in for lunch. Best wishes for a speedy recovery after surgery! Lynda

My BMI was fairly low (just over 40) and I heard that a lot from people. Here's what I said: You're not big enough: Thanks! I carry my weight well, but it is a health issue for me. I want to be healthy and have a long life. Why don't you just diet and exercise? I wish I could take the weight off another way, but that hasn't worked for me. WLS has the highest success rate and I want to be healthy. Surgery is so risky! Yes, WLS surgery has risks, but those risks are less than the risks that come from being overweight. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

I had diarrhea the first couple of weeks. It went away on its own. I did discover I was lactose intolerant and after cutting all milk products except hard cheeses and yogurt, I got down to 2-3 poops per day by day 5. Like others here, after a couple of weeks, I developed a little constipation and finally got things on an even keel- with an occasional need for a stool softener. One thing my Dr. told me to watch for: Is the diarrhea really smelly and is it getting worse? If so, that's a sign it might be an errant bacteria that has taken up residence in your intestinal track. The first few weeks are the worst! Hang in there. Lynda

Besides what others have mentioned: Small spoon like a tiny dessert spoon or a baby spoon. One oz. cups or shot glasses (shot glass generally holds 2 oz. when filled to the brim) Measuring cups ( I used these like a pitcher so I could drink 4 oz. per hour without getting up every few minutes. Extra pillows if you don't already have a few ( I slept propped with lots of pillows the first couple of weeks) Flushable wipes ( I had diarrhea for the first two weeks and most people do) Only Protein powder I tolerated at first was unjury chicken. It must be ordered, so you may want to buy it ahead of time: http://www.unjury.com/ I agree with others: don't buy too much ahead of time. I bought Jello, sugar free pudding, and Popsicles and gave it all away. The Jello and Popsicles tasted funny to me and I'm lactose intolerant after surgery. Lynda

Congrats! I'm so glad you made it to Onderland: the land of merely overweight, not obese, and -gasp! even normal BMIs! The land of normal size clothing and shopping in any store- not just the ones with Plus-size departments. The land of theme park rides, airplane seats, and restaurant booths. The land of happy knee joints, normal blood pressure, and feet that can walk for miles without screaming for mercy. Onderland - it was the land of my dreams for more than 10 years. I'm happy to say I'm with you and looking forward to the 180s!! Lynda

Hi Kelly, Sounds like your 3 month post op appt, which is a group appt. I got details on it with my discharge info. For Fremont, it is a 2-3 hr. group appt at which we will see Dr. O'Brien (medical dr. associated with bariatrics; she is not a surgeon), the nutritionist, and possibly the psychologist. We are supposed to bring our Vitamins to the appt. Lynda

My pooh has has been dark green since my VSG on May 17. I assumed that was normal and never thought to ask about it. Lynda

Try the Greek Yogurt in a smoothie - it masks the taste and the texture. This one has 10 grams of Protein and about 95 calories: 1/2 c. Fage 0 Greek Yogurt ( I buy it at costco, comes in a giant tub): 65 calories 1/8 c. OJ: 15 calories 2 strawberries: 15 calories Splenda to taste ( I use a couple tablespoons) Lynda

Kelly, Which Kaiser in Nor Cal did you go through? Kaiser Fremont counts Protein and calories. I know each bariatric center has different requirements for surgery, but I didn't realize the aftercare was different too. Lynda

I couldn't even wear my stretchy workout/pajama pants at first or even my undies! My tummy was sore and swollen. Of course, I gained 14.5 lbs. from the hospital IV and it took 8 days for that to go away. I wore a nightie the first couple of weeks. I put on the stretchy pants and undies only if I was leaving the house. By week 3 I could wear my jeans comfortably. I was still swollen in the tummy a bit, but I lost enough weight it made up for it. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont guidelines are 400-600 calories per day for the first six weeks and then 400-900 up to three months. Three months to the end of the first year is 600-1000 per day. They also recommend exercising 30 minutes or more most days. At 7 weeks I'm averaging 600 calories a day and I exercise 5 days a week. My BMI is currently 31 and I am losing 2-3 lbs per week. Lynda

Yahoo! I'm slightly ahead of my goal of 2 lbs. per week! I'm at 193.7 today. I'll be checking in each Friday. I weigh every day, but I only log on Fridays to keep myself sane. Just 3.6 lbs. to my first mini goal: A weight that starts with 18. Last time I saw that it was the year 2000, and I got there with hypnosis. I made it down to about 185 or so. Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-193.5...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: July 22: July 29: August 5: August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

I'm with Kaiser Fremont. Most people (including me), advance to Stage 4 at 6 weeks, which includes basically all foods. I was advanced last Thursday and so far have enjoyed raw bell peppers, lettuce, and carrots. I've also had corn on cob. Yum! I am so full after eating my Protein that I haven't had room for much else, so it's been 1/8-14 cup max on the veggies. Kaiser seems to advance faster than many Dr.s programs. Clears last less than 48 hours, Full liquids (which includes greek yogurt, cottage cheese and cream soups) lasts till two weeks post-surgery, and soft foods (soft fruits, cooked veggies, all soft Proteins except beef) lasts till six weeks after surgery. Lynda

I had my 6 week checkup last week (sleeved May 17). Dr. advanced me to Kaiser Fremont Stage 4 diet: Pretty much all foods allowed, sticking to low-fat, low-sugar choices, Protein first 400-900 calories per day in three meals with a Protein Drink if needed in the evening. I'm averaging 64 oz. of fluids, 600 calories, and 65 grams of protein a day with a typical day looking like: B: 95 calories: smoothie of 1/2 cup Fage 0 Greek Yogurt, 1/8 cup Orange juice, 2 Strawberries, 2 Tablespoons Splenda L: 110 calories: 1.5 oz. Ground Beef, 1/16 cup Raw Baby Carrots D: 95 calories: McDonald's Asian Grilled chicken Salad: 1.5 oz. Chicken Breast, 1/4 cup Mixed Vegetables and Mandarin Oranges, 1 Tablespoon Newman's Own Light Ginger Soy Dressing LNS: 190: 1 cup Plain Soymilk, 1 scoop Gold Standard whey Protein I exercise 30-45 minutes per day, five days a week. As of today, I've lost 27 lbs. post surgery plus 32 lbs. during the 3 month pre-op diet, for a total of 59 lbs. Currently, weight loss is averaging 2 lbs. per week. My energy is still a bit lower than I'd like and my blood pressure has not dropped enough for me to ask the Dr. to take me off meds yet, but I'm hoping that will change with the next 10-20 lbs. I am so sick of protein it's not even funny, but I know I must have it first. So far, one of my favorite Proteins has been chili. I've had one "lost weekend" over 4th of July, but I'm back on track. No regrets from the surgery, but I am REALLY looking forward to being a few more months out and adding a little more fruit and vegetables and some healthy starches (I'm not an ultra-low carber). Lynda

Hi, I don't have an answer (although I think less meds and less weight will help). My suggestion is reposting your question in the Men's Room forum. Best wishes to you and your wife! Lynda

I'm in San Jose so Great America would be perfect for me. I'm not up for Great America, but could meet outside the park. Vacaville is a bit far. It's about 1 hr. 40 minutes from my house. Lynda