Amanda 3.0

Thank God my primary care physician is not like that. The gynecologist I went to a couple of times was like that. It was misery going there so I stopped. Nagging us isn't going to make us lose the weight, but it will make us dread healthcare. My PCP and my brand NEW gynecologist are supportive of WLS. And, they are pleasant people, not nags.

Even once you are clear to try whatever, you'll want to go slow. I am "allowed" to have anything now, as long as I chew, chew, chew, but pizza did not feel good. Fortunately I only ate about two square inches of very thin crust.

Hooray for you! I've been wondering when you were going to update! I'm sure you will be feeling better soon, and that you will be glad for the extra days before the long trek home. Congratulations!

I tried a tiny bit of thin crust pizza at maybe five weeks? It wasn't a good experience. Not terrible, just not a smooth experience. I was still on liquids at your stage. Like others have said, take it slow.

Well, your ticker says you are doing well. Congratulations! In spite of my limited capacity, my weight is not coming off super fast. It's all good though, because I know I'm going to get there eventually!

I probably could have done the brie and the prosciutto at one sitting. I can do about an ounce of cheese and two ounces of lean meat, and I'm satisfied. I rarely eat to a "full" stage, I don't think I have as much capacity as many. I don't count calories at all. My nutritionist told me not to count calories anymore. That is a huge relief to me, although I do take a look when I am reading labels at the store. I can eat a 1/4 cup of cottage cheese with a few pita chips, or a Wasa cracker with a Laughing Cow or slice of cheddar. Last night I, I didn't weigh my steak, but I would guestimate it was about 3 oz and I was uncomfortable after and had to go for a walk. While making dinner we nibbled on some cheese and wine (Valentine's Day) and so I think that was really too much.

It isn't making me nauseous but how unappealing! It didn't used to be that way.

You can puree black bean Soup, which is great Protein, and even lighten the consistency some with some additional chicken broth. Or, just add chicken unjury. I did a lot of homemade Soups during my liquid phase, all with the nutritionist's blessing that they counted towards my liquid intake. Also, if you are allowed and want coffee, I mix a serving of chocolate muscle milk with 8 - 12 oz coffee each morning (16g protein). Later I have 12 oz Crystal Light with a scoop of strawberry sorbet Unjury (20g protein). Almost all my liquids do "double duty" as ways to get in protein, except for my Powerade Zero, to which I add my Benefiber. Plain Water, I am having a hard time with that.

Review your actual plan documents. They should spell out everything you need to do. The last thing you want is to go through the process and find out that there was another surprise hurdle to jump before surgery. Sometimes the person on the phone at the insurance company doesn't have the correct info (like the people who omitted mentioning the six month period of weight loss), but when the claims start hitting the insurance company, that plan document is going to be their bible for paying. Ask for your plan document - it might even be on line. I even printed the relevant pages out for my file. If they do make an exception and allow a shorter pre-op weight loss program, be sure to ask them to put that in writing for you. If you can't get around the six months, can you arrange to have the surgery around the end of year holidays? In my opinion, the pre-op requirements are really important for your new life after surgery. You will want to be very prepared for the changes. Good luck to you!

When I started foods, a tablespoon or two was really enough (I am at eight weeks today). Even today, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese and a few pita chips is more than enough. Maybe slow back on eating and just ease into it so that you get used to the idea of eating healthily, but won't feel guilty. A lot of us are probably used to feeling guilty for eating and for me it was a relief to not have to deal with the food during that liquid phase. Congrats on your loss!

OMG, I have been trying to explain this to my husband, and wondering if it will happen to me. I have seen it in some VSG people as well though, IMO. But, most VSG patients seem to look very "fresh-faced" (compliment). But yes, I know exactly what you are referring to and have been thinking of that the past few days.

Were you given a diet plan by your surgeon's office? If so, I would try to stick closely to that. I was not allowed crackers until 5 weeks, and those were to be added to Soup. Of course we all have different plans, so it seems. If your stomach is in constant turmoil, there could be a few things going on. Some might say acid. Another thing, is it truly your stomach? Because now your stomach is sitting much higher than it was, like high in your chest. If the turmoil is in your gut, it probably isn't your stomach. And, don't hesitate to take a step back to full liquids if solids are not agreeing. You don't have to progress too quickly if you are not ready. Just consider that your body really needs Protein, and a lot of it. Are you getting enough? Regardless of any advice received here or anywhere else, the results will be what they are. If you don't eat the right foods, you may lose your hair. If you are eating junk food, you may not lose weight. If you go back to bad nutrition choices, you can still gain weight. I hope you are feeling better soon!

Well you know the old joke, if you look like your passport photo, you aren't well enough to travel. (lol - had to throw that out there). I don't know - you are probably okay, but as you are ~70 pounds less now, it would depend on how you look and your features, I would think. Maybe post the photos and see what people think. I have heard that the passport office is much quicker these days, especially if you have a main passport office in your area where you can walk in and deal with them direct, rather than the post office locations. That might save the expedite fees, anyway. I'm a better safe than sorry kind of person.

I agree with what everyone else has already said regarding jumping ahead of your diet. You may wish to call your surgeon's office to tell them what has transpired and see if they have some help for you to handle the cravings. Realizing that you are a food addict is a big part of the battle. Did anyone who is part of the pre-op process discuss that with you before this surgery? One thing that really helped me differentiate between head hunger and "real" hunger is to know where my "new stomach" is. It is not in my abdomen, it is up high in the chest. So, all that activity I thought was hunger is either head hunger or just noise. Knowing that makes it very easy for me to walk away from the kitchen when for some reason I think I am hungry. In reality I haven't really felt true hunger. Can you call your surgeon's office and get some assistance?

I would probably use my belnder more if it was easier to clean and the carafe was smaller. If I were in the market for one, that Magic Bullet would be on the top of my list. If you have a Sam's or costco membership, you usually get extra containers or accessories in the box that you won't get at the regular stores.

Congratulations! I'd be crying too, it is an emotional ride! Woohooo!

When I get some room in the freezer, I am going to try to make ice cream with the Premier protein shakes. Or, maybe even some of the protein powder I bought before surgery that is too sweet and doesn't float my boat so much.

A couple of friends used him and were very happy. I considered changing to him after talking with friends, but didn't. My PCP recommended Dr. Cribbins and I am very happy with my choice (and highly recommend), but Dr. Nicholson has excellent feedback from people I know.

We've eaten out a few times in the past week, what a learning experience. My husband ordered a medium rare filet mignon on Saturday and gave me a little. It was very easy to eat. We were planning to go out for Valentine's day, but instead we picked up a package of filet mignon from costco. I have never spent that much on a package of meat before in my life, but we would spend more than that going out so why not? There were four filets in the package: three huge and one small. I put one of the huge ones in the fridge to share on Tuesday, froze a huge one on its own, and froze the tiny one with a larger one. Eventually, I am going to eat that little one on my own, although it might last two meals. I bought too much Costco and Sam's canned chicken and turkey in my pre-surgery frenzy, so I need to work through that so I can get on with fresh, home-cooked chicken. The canned chicken requires a sauce, and I am not enjoying my pre-surgery salad dressings. This weekend I found a pomegranate vinaigrette with all natural ingredients, so there is hope.

Yes, as the others have stated, the actual Blender Bottle brand. I got mine from Amazon, three of the 20 ounce bottles get me through the day.

I'm almost eight weeks post op. I didn't really use my regular blender. I used shaker cups for almost everything, and when I pureed Soups, I used my immersion (stick) blender. I made mostly homemade soups ahead of time though, so didn't have noodles or anything to process. Good luck, hope your process goes smoothly!

By "chug" I mean I can take several gulps of water or clear drink at a time. I still drink other beverages, like my coffee mixed with protein, or a glass of wine, very slowly. I drink water and Powerade Zero while on the elliptical trainer, to quench thirst, and so that goes down much faster.

You can't really tell what kind a friend a person will be though. We just fall into our friendships, which evolve. We invest a lot of time getting to know a person, and then something like this ruins the friendship. Sounds like she has her own issues that were probably similar to yours and mine, but addressed in a different way. People are going to do what they are going to do, think what they are going to think, but when they open their mouth and start passing judgment like she did, friendships get broken. Also, too many people broadcast way too much on Facebook. Hello, is she 12? There is no need to broadcast every thought and opinion on Facebook. For5 some people, Facebook is drama central.

I am able to drink normally. I can almost chug! Give it time, you will probably be just fine.

I am sorry you lost a "friend" because you made the very personal choice to better yourself through WLS. It is really not her business, but she chose to be very judgmental and lost a friend. We all know it isn't the easy way out. I hope you can surround yourself with supportive people who don't make it all about themselves. By the way, your stats look fantastic! Congratulations on your hard work!