Tracy46545

PB2 is INCREDIBLE stuff! I used to buy it by the case and take it to support group meetings...lol. I'd sell out a case in about 15 minutes. Most people add it to Protein shakes, or add it to plain yogurt. I also just reconstituted it and spread it on celery or really toasted whole wheat english muffins. Use it to make a great lowfat peanut sauce. There are some great recipes to use it on their website Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter and More! and HungryGirl.com. It's a great protein source to add to a carepack going to our armed forces too. In fact I think Bell Plantation is doing that through some sort of government program. Don't be afraid to try it, it's wonderful!

I confess that at first I wanted to return to college for my bachelors degree so I could get a job doing advocacy work. I now just want to get the fastest degree possible to make the most amount of money in a job with health insurance so I can get my knees replaced! (haha, this decision was reached after completing my first week of accelerated courses online).

I hope you can get stabalized into a maintenence weight Tiff... I have to say, it seems so far from any reality I've ever lived ....to have to eat more to "hold" my weight. I'm looking forward to it a bit...but I would be concerned if I do that and still continue to lose. Keep us posted!

Congrats Charity!!!! That's a big accomplishment. Stay nourished!

it really does help to track your food in a good food diary of some sort. Here's one I use ... www.myfitnesspal.com

I'm pretty sure it's stable as soon as the incision /staple line is healed fully. (Maximum 6-8 weeks. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

OregonDaisy, I guess I was thinking the moderators could offer up that information when they remove the post IF the poster wants to allow people to contact them privately. It doesn't happen that often so it shouldn't be that big of a step. Also, a simple caution "sticky" could be added to the top of the forum providing information that posts could be removed if they are deemed to be too negative.

marci, the lower calorie Gatorade is called G2. You can find it at Walmart in a variety of flavors in 6 or 8 packs. You might also try running a humidifier in your bedroom. You can't be drinking overnight so it really helps to have a bit more humid air to breathe during the night. I didn't see where you live but if the heat is running, you're house is probably dry. I have a one gallon humidifier. It sits on the dresser about 3 feet from my head and I use it every night. Side affect is that my face doesn't dry out as much in the winter either! Good luck!

girls...don't force the gas by burping. Try using a heating pad 20 minutes at a time. Use GasX strips and be sure you're sipping fluids, and not gulping. It will all get better very soon!

I think the easy answer is to post that you had a positive or a negative experience and allow people that are interested to contact you via email. That way the board doesn't get dragged into negativity and name calling and it's between the person having the experience and the person who wants to know about it.

Lan2K, my knee is improving daily. Still turning down the "advice" to have an MRI but other than being able to definitely diagnose the damage...my doctor is happy enough with my progress. I don't have to use the walker anymore and I'm off the Vicodin. Swelling is down and bruising is fading. The weird skin hypersensitivity is gone so the nerves must be healing too. I walk with a noticeable limp but really doubt there are any major muscle tears...I believe it was a severe strain and sprain caused by the knee dislocating, with accompanying soft tissue damage caused by the impact of my knee hitting the ice. I'm mending..and taking it easy! Thanks for asking!

nope...it won't hurt......at least not in MY surgeon's opinion. But he doesn't insist on a full liquid diet pre op either. You should follow YOUR surgeon's advice (disclaimer)...oh hell, go ahead and eat the cheese.

Way to go Ready2BeHealthy! Just keep walking and sipping! Best wishes!

I'm 33 days out from surgery. I've lost 24#. I have no tenderness in any of my incisions. Swelling in my stomach is gone. I am just working my way into solid foods and last night 2 oz broiled fish was enough. I'm watching my carb intake and keeping it between 30-40grams a day. I'm supplementing protein with protein powders, shakes etc to keep that between 70-80 grams a day. Cottage cheese is used in a multitude of ways. Same with Greek yogurt.

Lan2K, I didn't like the greek yogurts the first time either. (then again...I hated ALL yogurts..) Now I get the plain...and mix in a teaspoon of sugar free Smuckers peach preserves or strawberry preserves. It adds enough flavor without being so sweet. I also use the Greek yogurt in place of sour cream when making cauliflower Mash fauxtatoes. ONE frozen bag of cauliflower, cooked till it's entirely dead (no tender crisp...this has to be soft). I drain it very well, even pressing on it with a couple paper towels to get it dry. Then I mash it with a potato masher, add 1 T each of Greek yogurt, Neufchatel (low fat) cream cheese, and margarine or butter. Salt and pepper to taste... It keeps for four or five days in the fridge and is easy swallow early in the mushie stage. It gives you the feeling that you're having comfort food. Easy to measure out too, I usually have about 2-3 tablespoons for a portion.

Tiffykins, I'm told you can find bison at Whole Foods in Florida....probably expensive though. I'm fortunate that there's a bison farm here in the area.

Paying someone else to handle the mowing for a six week period of time might just well be one of the expenses you have to include in your particular "cost of surgery". As for catastrophes such as hurricanes...there's no way to plan for them except to plan your surgery well ahead of the hurricane season to avoid the highest risk of having to do the "chainsaw workout plan" while healing. You will be limited to lifting no more than 10 pounds for about six weeks after surgery. (it varies between different surgeons). As for nutrition and fluids during periods of heavy exertion, by all means drink as often as you possibly can and keep high protein/complex carb Snacks in a cooler or something nearby. Protein drinks are a viable option. Early in your "sleeved life" you will not be able to drink as fast as you used to which will mean you have to concentrate on drinking 2-4 oz every 15 minutes and really try to hydrate well in the mornings and evenings. Once you are totally healed from your surgery I don't think any of the activities you mentioned would be an issue. (although I hope you don't have to participate!) You're right ...you will have to plan your surgery around the seasons of the most heavy labor to be expected so that you have time to be fully healed. good luck!

Love the idea of using pork rinds from a Protein standpoint....but finding the 25 plus grams of fat a problem. I try not to eat things that are more than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories. I'll have to run the numbers using bison, turkey or ostrich. Thanks for the recipe idea....it's great to have these as a starting point that we can each tweek to our own eating plans.

Give it time....less than a day has passed since you posted your request.

I'm weary of dieting too. I looked back and out of the last 7 yrs, I was dieting for six of them!....South Beach Diet, lost 75 pounds, regained 60, Lapband surgery, lost 65, regained 55, and now...the VSG. I still feel that the South Beach diet taught me the most I've ever known about the food I put in my body and taught me to read labels and understand. I follow the South Beach Diet principles with my sleeve, ie; healthy carbs, higher Protein, no junk carbs like white flour, rice, potatoes, or sugar. I'm a bit more forgiving of myself now and allow myself to taste special treats. Thankfully, with the sleeve, that's finally enough...just a taste. My hope, once I reach goal, is that I'll be able to quit being obsessed about food entirely. Eat only when I'm truly hungry and be satisfied with just enough of healthy choices. I don't think that's dieting....so I'm planning to live "diet free" at that point.

I didn't start counting carbs until I was 30 days post op. I drank liquids that were sugar free and only had cream of wheat once because it is such a high carb food and it makes me have a sugar crash after, but I didn't count the carbs in my Soups. (I wasn't eating anything with noodles, just things like Cream of Shrimp, Cream of chicken, pureed bean soup). The first 30 days is about getting in enough liquids and Protein for your body to heal. Slowly adding in foods in the prescribed post op diet incorporates the foods your body needs. My advice is to "watch" the carbs and try to avoid "junk carbs" but not to obsess about it. For instance...don't go out and drink a Steak and shake Milkshake, but don't panic if your Protein Drink has a few extra carbs. JMHO,

Just remember that Unflavored doesn't mean tasteless. It just means it's not flavored with a fruit, or chocolate, or vanilla. unjury unflavored is pretty good. Haven't honestly looked for an unflavored in any of the stores.