lsereno

My program allowed raw veggies after 6 weeks. I didn't eat much because things still didn't sit well at that time and it was easier to eat frozen because I could just eat a few bites at most. Raw tomatoes were too acidic for me. Lynda

I haven't tried altering how I eat. I have seen some reports, but I'm already pretty low carb and eat very little gluten. Going vegetarian would be a strain for me. I really rely on the solid Protein to fill me up and keep me full. And def not vegan. I love my greek yogurt. Lynda

I started at 254. Day before surgery I was 222 ( I had been on pre-op diet for 4 1/2 months) Lynda

I have RA. It didn't get better after surgery. In fact, I wasn't even diagnosed till post-op. When the weight came off and the Dr. could see how badly swollen some of my joints were, they did more tests and I was diagnosed. I'm on methotextrate (6 pills once per week) and 2 sulfazines, twice per day. I haven't had any more flareups since starting the sulfazine. My hands won't close all the way but the Dr said that damage may be permanent. Lynda

I've been at goal for 14 months. My BMI is 21.8. Lynda

After two years, I can tolerate everything I've tried except: Greasy foods bother me. I can eat chips, fries, buttered popcorn etc. But foods like fried chicken or things cooked with a lot of oil I only eat a bite or two. Tortilla. It took a long time before I could eat grains other than crackers or well toasted bread. Now all grains I've tried are OK except tortillas. A few bites and that's enough Milk products other than greek yogurt and firm cheese. I can now have ice cream, milk, and other products, but not every day. Lynda

"My Dr. and I have decided this is the best option for me." If they continue and you can't get away from them for whatever reason then I say "I don't care to discuss" For family members and those I cared more about, I provided more info about how the surgery has very low complication rate and how surgery success rate is much higher than diet and exercise alone. For example, my Mom was worried. I took her to two support group meetings and she went to the surgeon appt with me. Lynda Lynda

Most restaurants have a soup. I usually ordered off the appetizer menu. There are a million things you can say in case someone else brings up how little you are eating: I'm on a diet my Dr. prescribed. (Dr. wants you to not eat over a certain amount so that's true) My stomach feels a little upset (It will if you try to eat to much!) I'm full. Lots of time people simply don't pay attention to what you are eating. Lynda

Anderson Split Pea Soup or Low fat Turkey chili (dump in cup and heat in microwave) Protein drinks Starbucks Instant Decaf (great with skim milk or soy milk for 9 grams of protein) No sugar added apple sauce cups As others have mentioned: Greek Yogurt cups, low fat string cheese (great with a slice of lunchmeat rolled around it), low fat lunch meat, cottage cheese Lynda

I like hummus too. It's pretty calorie dense and light in Protein, so I only have it as a treat food. Like many others, I think of my sleeve as Sleevie Wonder. It's done wonders for me and I'm still very happy two years out. Lynda

Ah. I see the stickies are on a separate tab in the app. And lots of people really aren't good with tabs (I was UI designer in a previous life :-) My suggestion is to change the app so that stickies appear at the top of the threads in the app the same way they do on the site. It's not that much to scroll past them. Of course, people will complain about that too. Lynda

Alex, I think it's a good idea to suggest that people post reviews under their surgeon's profile, but not limit reviews to there. Maybe pin something in the Mexico and Self Pay and the Gastric Sleeve (VSG) Surgeons and Hospitals forums explaining how to post a surgeon review in the correct location and assign someone to watch for obvious trolls trying to boost a surgeon on the list. Also, a pinned topic for each of the more popular surgeons and hospitals in the Gastric Sleeve (VSG) Surgeons and Hospitals would be good. A lot of people really don't know how to use the site. I see stuff posted in the wrong groups all the time. Sometimes I suggest they repost in the correct section. I always say "You might get more responses if you post in X because this is where people who are interested in the same subject will be looking. This topic is for Y, so you might not get many responses here." It helps them understand they have posted in the wrong section without being a slam. My two cents: I'm not bothered by the Mexico reviews no matter where they are. I'm not interested, so I don't read them. To me, it's a tempest in a tea pot. People flow through this community and all the pissed off people will be gone after a while anyway. And some people are not going to find the information they need no matter how obvious you make it. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont is clears for two days, then modified full liquids (includes Protein drinks, milk or soy milk, diluted fruit juice (1 part juice to 3 parts water), strained cream Soup, strained pureed Soups, broth, sugar free Jello and sugar free Popsicles) for two weeks, then soft foods (fruits must be peeled, no beef or pork, or raw veggies), then after 6 weeks pretty much cleared for everything except caffeine and alcohol. Cleared for caffeine at 3 months if all is well and alcohol at 6 months. Lynda

It took me longer than many here, but I can eat about anything now. Tortillas still bother me but not if I only eat a bite or two. Greasy foods don't sit well either, but that was true when I was younger too. I think I spent so many years eating a lot of them my pre-op tummy got used to them, but no more! I also prefer my apples peeled now. And surgery unmasked my lactose intolerance. It was really bad early out, but I can have a little ice cream soft cheese, or milk now, just not every day. I was able to tolerate greek yogurt and hard cheese pretty quickly after surgery. Lynda

My program recommended not going over 900 calories per day while in weight loss mode. I had plenty of strength after month 4 and I got between 600 and 800 calories per day till I was more than six months out. I'm in my late 50s and have rheumatoid arthritis so that may have contributed to a slower bounce back. I was jealous of those who felt great after a week or two, but by the end of month 4, I was feeling great too. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont (and most other NorCal Kaiser Bariatric Centers) require patients to lose 10% of their weight pre-op. They provide a suggested diet and list of foods. Basically, it's: Breakfast 2 Protein 1 fruit 1 milk 0-1 starch 1 fat lunch 2-3 protein 2 vegetables 1 fruit 1 starch 1 fat dinner 3 protein 1 milk 2 vegetables 1 starch 1 fat With the following info: Calories: 1200 calories per day Protein: 70-80 grams per day Carbohydrate: 130 grams per day Fat: 30 grams per day Fluid: at least 64 ounces per day • Practice principals of mindful eating • Eat at least 3 meals per day; no snacking or grazing • Drink at least 64 oz of decaffeinated, non carbonated Fluid per day (8 cups) • Eat slowly (one bite a minute); chew food completely (30X) • In each meal, be mindful of your portion size Lynda

Just say :"thank you" it's short, to the point, and let's the other person feel acknowledged. You can ponder on what they said later. Lynda

I didn't eat Peanut Butter till I got to goal. Too many calories for too little Protein in my book. My program counts peanut butter as a fat, not as a protein. Lynda

Don't give up on those rides forever. I know 6 or 7 months seems like a long time post-op. but your body is still adjusting. I had high blood pressure pre-op and it dropped dramatically post-op. I went off all blood pressure meds and had the dizzy feeling off and on for a few months. But it eventually has crept back up. My blood pressure is not as high as it was pre-op, but I am back to taking two blood pressure meds to keep it controlled. Lynda

That's what the doc told me and hubby did say I snore less post-op. Lynda

At six months, your stomach is still adjusting to post op life. At two years out, I eat more and tolerate a wider variety of foods well. I do still have Snacks between meals most days. Some people continue to use Protein drinks for the rest of their lives. See Shelly's blog, http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/. She is several years post-op. She had a RNY, but the long term eating habits are not that different than VSG. I never ate protein bars, but Fiddleman loves them. I hope you are taking a good Vitamin regime. Are you taking a PPI, such as Prilosec? If not, perhaps you should try one. Acid reflux can be an issue for VSG post-op. Lynda

I hope so too! I do think the support group and staying connected is key. It is something we will have to work on. It frightens me to see the long term successes dropping off the radar because I wonder if they are no longer here because they started to gain and just don't want to talk about it. Thanks for sticking with us and letting us know what long term issues to expect. Lynda

I often go to an early matinee and I bring my lunch. One of my favs to take is a low fat cheese stick with low fat lunch meat wrapped around it, Special K crackers, and can of V-8 juice. Early out when I still struggled to get enough Protein, I brought beef Jerky or a Protein shake. I don't eat jerky or Protein shakes now that I can get enough protein. Grapes, berries, or cut up fruit are also good. Or raw veggies, such as cucumbers and carrots sliced into small rounds, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and celery (my program allows celery, some do not). Lynda

I can easily eat that amount now, but at a few weeks out, I often couldn't eat 2 oz. of firm Protein at a meal. I didn't eat bread for months. My meal plan back then was more like this: Wake up- 1 cup soy milk mixed with 1 packet Starbucks instant decaf, Breakfast - 1/2 fat free greek yogurt made into a smoothie with a little OJ, some Water, a couple strawberries, and Splenda lunch - 1-2 ounces tuna, 1 tbsp light mayo, 1 saltines Afternoon snack: Light cheese stick dinner - 1-2 ounces fish, 1/8 cup cooked vegetables Before bed: Protein shake

My doc found hiatial hernia when doing the VSG and fixed it. I never had trouble with it, but he told hubby I would snore less. Lynda