EdZinVA

I enjoy the 100 calorie bags of Smartfood - and I appreciate the automatic portion control. I'll also do an ounce of soy crispettes. Both give me a good amount to eat. I'll also do peanuts, cashews or flavored almonds, but you have to watch the calories with them.

My treadmill died and will be too expensive to repair. I am wondering if I should just replace it or if I should move to an exercise bike or elliptical instead. Any recommendations or advice?

I'm a big baseball fan, and my treat when I go to games is a chili dog (Ben's Chili Bowl in DC.) I take a bite or two with the bun and then use a fork and knife to eat the just the hot dog and chili. Probably looks strange - like Mr. Pitt eating a Snickers - but it works for me. It was actually the third thing I tried when I graduated from mushies to soft foods.

I was able to lay on my stomach in just a couple weeks but, like ADS above, I was in a modified side sleeping position that felt very similar to my usual position without putting pressure on my stomach.

I waited eight weeks on my surgeon's advice before having popcorn, seeds, nuts, etc. I also worried about being able to resist movie popcorn. What I've done is have my wife sneak in a couple snack-size bags of Smartfood in her purse and that limits my portion size but satisfies the cravings.

I didn't really have a problem, but it was a little difficult to twist for the first couple days. I bought a small pack of flushable wipes which was helpful.

I know it's not easy, but you have to force yourself to eat the right foods. Think about everything you've gone through: major abdominal surgery and the removal of 80% of your stomach. Do you want that to be for nothing? You have made the brave choice and now have a great tool to help you manage your weight - so use the tool right. Not only are the sugary foods going to make it hard to lose weight, but they will slide through your sleeve and won't make you feel full, so you'll end up eating more. Also, remember that if you don't get enough Protein, you'll lose your hair. Personally, I don't have much left, so that's a big motivator for me! Good luck - I know it's not easy, but you can do it!

Got these at GNC - it is 45g of protein in a 3.1 oz container that looks like a big test tube. I tried the fruit punch flavor - it's almost cough syrup-like in its sweetness and consistency. It's a lot easier (and faster) to get down than a bottle of Isopure, though. My two worries are that it contains 8g of carbs (5g from "sugar alcohol") and a blend of protein. I was told to try for 100% whey protein if possible. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

I've found that the pre-packaged Perdue Chicken Strips - which you can get in various seasonings - are moist enough to eat by themselves. You may do better with them.

I've been using Flonase since I got home from the hospital (3/27) and have not had any problems. The benefit I get from Flonase is SO much better than what I get from Claritin or Zyrtec, so I definitely recommend it.

Has anyone else had hot flashes? I was drinking a protein drink this morning and my face suddenly got very warm and turned bright red. I opened my window and used cool paper towels to cool off and was fine after 30-45 minutes. Has anyone else had this happen?

I wondered if that was what it was - I was trying the Liquid Morph+ (45g protein in 3 oz). Glad it didn't go as far as it did with you! I think I'll put them on my "Return to GNC" shelf.

I'm having the same fears. Especially in this liquid-only phase, I find myself craving that 1/4 of a hamburger. Four french fries. A small taco. Amounts that I probably will be able to eat, but not the best food choices. As mentioned above, my plan is to eat healthy 95% of the time, but to allow myself to indulge the cravings once in a while. The good news is that I won't be able to go overboard with the indulgence. There's just no way I'll be able to finish a double quarter pounder and large fries anymore! And I've warned my wife and some friends I work with about ways I've heard other people cheating and asked them to point it out to me if I do it. I do feel much more positive and optimistic about this than I have about any diet that I've done. Gotta keep the optimism and positive feeling going to succeed and, with the pounds melting off, it's been easy to do so far!

Hi - I had my sleeve done last Thursday (3/25) and my surgeon wants me on Clear liquids for another 5 days. I'm getting a little bored with Isopure, Crystal Light, Beef and chicken broth, and SF popsicles. Does anybody have any unusual or different things that you've done? I saw a suggestion somewhere else about cucumber Water (puree the cuke in a food processor and then strain out the pulp) that I'm going to try. I would love some variety right about now. Thanks!

This may be the best advice I've heard since my surgery. I haven't had anything but Clear Liquids since March 23 and I am DYING to have something more, but this is a great reminder not to rush things. I'll get to soft foods and "real" foods soon enough.

Hi Wannalise! Congratulations - I hope you're doing well. It's great to find someone on the same timing as me. Sorry to hear that you're still feeling weak. I still tire easier than usual but otherwise am feeling pretty good. I did a 1.5 mile walk today. I guess I'm pretty lucky with my recovery. I'm going to try the orange flavor of liquid Morph tomorrow - only 30g of Protein in that one though.

I'm 8 days post-surgery and I remember the exact feeling you mention. I think it is related to the size of your sip, and it does get better. Good luck!

Some of the crystal light flavors have added Fiber ("LiveActive" brand). I remember reading somewhere that new sleeves have trouble digesting fiber. Is that true? Should I avoid these flavors? Thanks.

Thanks, all. I appreciate the ideas! Hugapug - my wife got some miso soup and french onion soup from Whole Foods. The miso soup definitely didn't look clear, but maybe I should try a restaurant or another brand. The french onion soup had cane juice as its third ingredient, so I've been reluctant to use it.

I came home from the hospital five pounds heavier than when I went in. I assume that was Water retention from the surgery. I'm now down 17 pounds from that point! I'm feeling pretty good, incisions are healing nicely, and in my daily walks I'm over a mile now. I'm on Clear liquids for five more days and full liquids for four days after that. I'm already looking forward to tasting pureed foods! Unfortunately, I'm going to be traveling for the first two days that I'm on pureed foods, so I would love some advice on how best to handle that. Gourmet cooking and fine dining have been a major part of my life - and, quite frankly, not the reason for my weight. (It was the junk foods and snack foods that led to that!) One of my main reasons for choosing the sleeve instead of a bypass was that I would not be restricted in my food choice - just in the amount that I eat. I would love to hear from anyone else who has the same interests. Ed