DebiC

I couldn't stand the Protein shakes either. My doctor switched me to Carnation Instant Breakfast with fortified milk (that is adding 1/3 cup powdered milk to 8 oz of Fluid milk). At least you get one meal a day, Mine allowed nothing but shakes and clear liquids for two weeks. Just keep telling yourself that it will be over soon and this really is only a small time in the over all scheme of things (which doesn't help much-but every little bit helps) Soon you will have your surgery and then slowly, but surely things will start to get better and as you watch the pounds fall off-you'll forget all about how awful pre-op was!! It will all be worth it!!

It's so funny to hear you guys say the same things I have been thinking. While I am past the pureed stage, I still wish I could just take a protein pill and not have to worry about this. Just this morning I was asking myself-When will I get to the point where my whole life isn't wrapped up with food? I thought I had an obsession with food before, it seems worse now. Counting every gram of protein (I refuse to count carbs!)-every ounce of liquid. Worrying if I will get dehydrated or if my hair will fall out because I haven't met either goal even once.

Good to know. I have really missed my straws since surgery. I know I will get more fluids down if I can use a straw. Tomorrow I'll give it a try.

A lot of surgeons (not mine tho) have their people do 2 or 3 protein shakes and 1 lean meat and veggie meal a day. Thank heavens I am past that stage (and that doesn't mean it necessarily gets easier-just different). I agree with Bitties however that it is REALLY important that you do the clear liquids for a few days before surgery.

I don't get this whole carbs thing. I decided I wasn't going to worry about carbs and all that (I only eat "good" carbs anyways), but then once I started tracking my foods online and saw how many carbs I was eating It sounded like so many. I ate 1/2 a sandwich thin for Breakfast and 1 corn tortilla at lunch some milk and juice and it added up to 83 carbs and I have only consumed 600 calories. I saw where others were trying to stay under 20 or so. Is this really something I need to be worrying about (as if I don't have enough with worrying about Proteins, Water, vitamins)? Oh-I am only three weeks out, but allowed to eat anything except fresh veggies, dry meats, Pasta, or rice.

I am only three weeks out from surgery, and my experience may not be the same as others-but I don't "feel" any different. I don't even feel like I've had surgery. So unless I am actually in the middle of eating, there is nothing at all different about how I feel inside. I do have problems if I eat too much, take big bites, or eat too fast. All things I am learning to deal with meal by meal-just new habits to get used to. I have never felt "chokey" even if I take big sips or bits. It just feels nauseating when it hits my stomach. Sorry you are having to feel so anxious about this. Once I made the decision (and it took me years) I knew it was right and I had no qualms. I was very worried however about the after since I had read so many peoples bad experiences, then I realized it was just because if your experience is good you aren't posting about it. I needed no pain meds in the hospital or after. Only had gas pain once and it walked right off. I haven't vomited (although if I eat too fast or two much I wish I would) and I haven't had problems with any of the foods I've eaten. My doctor has us start on soft (not pureed) foods at two weeks so I have had a week of eating real food. I can only eat about 2 oz of Protein or about 1/4 cup. I have eaten out several times already and had no trouble with spices or anything. So while everyone's experience is different, and there is the possibility of side effects and/or complications, there are plenty of people out there who have a great experience right from the start. Good luck on your decision.

The sleeve allows you to consume a wider variety of foods than the band or the bypass. Not more food-just more variety. I never would consider the bypass myself because of the malabsorbtion problems, the dumping and it just seems so much more drastic than the sleeve. Because I have so much to lose my surgeon said I may need to have the bypass later on, but I said that at my age (56) I didn't think I would worry if I never got to a size 12 (I too am 6' tall).

Penpen-Did your surgeon recommend all those different Vitamins? Mine just said a multivitamin every day. That's it. I'm worried that with how little I am eating, not only am I missing out on Fiber, but a great deal of other nutrients also.

My surgeon starts us on cooked veggies and soft fruits (no skins) at 2 weeks and fresh veggies (including salad) and fruits at 4 weeks. So I would think that anything you tolerate well would be fine. Just be careful to start out slow and work your way up and avoid the more fibrous and gas producing produce. Canned fruits seem to go down easier than fresh or frozen. After my Proteins I have very little room for fruits and vegetables-but I try to include at least one spoonful or slice with each meal. I have been working on the same pear for 3 days now-I just cut off a slice and then wrap and refrigerate the rest.

As a long-time Pepsi addict, being told by my surgeon that I can never have a carbonated beverage again came as quite a blow to me. But I also believe that this isn't just a journey about losing weight (at least for me) it's about learning healthy habits that will keep me from ever going back to where I was. Agreeing with Paul, there really is no redeeming value to soda and I know that for me (based on my past experiences with giving up soda) one sip will lead to one can to going back to where I was. For me that is a risk I dare not take after all the work I have done so far. My surgeon is one of the ones who firmly believes that drinking soda will lead to expanding your stomach, whether it's before, during or after your meals. I for one am not willing to take that chance.

Sounds really good. Works good for zucchini slices too. One concern I have tho is about reusing the crumbs. If your chicken was in the egg first and then rolled in the crumbs and you reseal those crumbs to use again-what about the risk of salmonella contamination from the egg to the sealed crumbs?

It's no lie-the pre-op diet and the first weeks post-op really suck. At least some allow veggies, lean meats, or Cereal pre-op while others (mine included) allow ONLY shakes pre-op. Post-op also REALLY varies from doctor to doctor. Some allow only shakes for weeks or months post-op, some have you do clear/full liquids for a month or more, and others allow soft foods at two weeks. What's important to remember is that no matter what plan you have to follow, it really is only for a short period of your life. Whatever food you are craving will still be available to you when you are ready for it. And although I am only 2.5 weeks post-op, if I ever have to see or smell another Protein shake...

I think we all feel that way. Even though it isn't realistic for most-We think the weight should just drop off. It's true that those of us with more weight to lose will lose quicker-our bodies need more calories each day just to move. I've read on here where people have lost 250+lbs in a year and others who have lost 60lbs in a year. I think one thing that's important to me is not to weigh myself often so that I don't become obsessed with how much I've lost or stalled or gained on a daily basis. I need to just keep plugging away and look for more of those NSV-which you seem to hv already noticed in yourself.

My con-and one I'll just have to get used to-is that food doesn't taste as good when you only take a tiny bite and have to chew it to death. But i think that is definitely a con I can live with.

For me it doesn't hurt-but it makes me nauseous. I am so used to taking-not gulps, but more than sips-of Water that I 'forget" until it hits my new stomach and makes me feel yucky for a while. Hard for me to get in enough water without taking regular size drinks. But I know that some people are actually physically incapable of swallowing anything more than a sip after their surgery. Not drinking when I eat is very hard for me. I have to put my water where I can't even reach it-so I don't just grab for it out of habit.

It's only greedy if you only have a very small amount to lose. But if your insurance company is even considering you-that must not be the case. I felt the same way for years and would not even consider WLS. I felt that it meant that I was weak and couldn't do it on my own. News Flash-I couldn't-But not because I was week. If your BMI is high enough that your surgeon and insurance company think you are a candidate for surgery, Then I say go for it. That's not being greedy-it's taking care of yourself.

Everyone keeps talking about carbs and having too many or not enough. My doctor didn't say anything to me about carbs or limiting them, but I noticed on his post-op approved food lists that he never mentions potatoes, rice, breads, or Pasta at all. So how do I know how many carbs I should be eating? Do you think counting carbs is essential to weight loss after WLS? It seems to me that my caloric intake is so low that eating some potatoes or rice (after Proteins and veggies of course) wouldn't be too bad. I never was an Atkins supporter so carb counting is not in my background. I always thought that "good" complex carbohydrates (whole grain products) were good for you?

I love cruises and have been on several-not since being sleeved-but I have thought about my next one which is when I am 7 months out. I found that eating in the dining room as opposed to the buffet-you are served smaller portions and the eating is slower. With most waiters I have found that if you request something once (such as low fat dressing or no bread) they will remember that each time. You can also ask for skim milk or no Water. They are used to unusual requests and will think nothing of it. Take your own water bottle so you can refill it often, that way you are not relegated to buying their water (at outrageous prices) or having to go to the water dispenser each time you want a drink. Even of you do eat at the buffet-you will be able to select the quantities that you want of the items you want. There is usually a large fruit and salad bar and a large selection of sugar free Desserts. I personally have not been fond of most of the desserts (they seem to all taste the same although they look different) and so it wasn't hard to pass those up. Of course you can always share with your girlfriend. Take your own Snacks so you aren't tempted to buy something that wouldn't normally be your choice. And then remember. This is only 4 days of your life. I'm sure you can splurge a LITTLE. Have a great time.

After 2 weeks of Clear liquids, surgery, and then 2 weeks of full liquids, I was so excited to start on soft-but REAL-foods today. I had been craving "fried" egg whites with ketchup (gross to some I know). I carefully calculated the Protein and calories for the 3 whites I planned to have. Plated them up. And then could only finish 2! In the "before" days I would have found a way to force down the last once-which looked and smelled so scrumptious-but I knew that taking even one more bite would push me WAY over my limit. Who knew I would EVER be satisfied with a 2 egg white Breakfast, with no sides! Certainly I never would have thought that possible. Even though I am only two weeks out I am certainly glad I chose this tool to help me along my journey to having a healthier more active life.

I realize that this is not the end of the world, and probably won't be the last time it happens, but I overate today and it angers me. Not exactly over ate, but since I am on full liquids any eating could be considered over eating, right? I planned and started out so good with my tablespoon of potatoes and my Jello. But then I just couldn't resist having two baby bitefuls of turkey, then a baby size bite of 2 pies. Calorie wise it's no biggy, and I doubt that I hurt my sleeve (I'm 10 days post-op). But I feel so angry at myself for letting this happen, I want so bad to overcome my bad eating habits and here I can't even make it through one temptation meal. Sorry, I just needed to vent.

I'm having the same problem-sort of-I eat until I'm full, but the amount is so small. I tracked it today and with three meals I have only eaten about 225 calories. I am not able to swallow anything between meals and I feel so stuffed for about 3-4 hours after so no Snacks. I'm worried about consuming so few calories and only about 25-30 grams of Protein. But I don't know how to up the count without making myself sick. Who would have thought we'd ever be worried about not eating enough. P.S. I'd rather DIE than drink a protein shake!!

I got sleeved on Nov 14 and for the first two days felt like I had been hit by a truck. Not pain-just the coming out of anesthesia stuff. Since then it has been all uphill. I totally get that "I wonder if he really did take out my stomach" because that's how I felt. Like maybe they didn't really do the surgery. Until I tried to eat and found I couldn't even finish off 1/4 cup. Stacey-Exercise, Really? sounds like your daily life is exercise! I remember those days of chasing the little ones-seemed like more than 30 min of exercise to me. Glad to hear you are doing so well.

First off-be thankful your surgeon lets you start on foods at 2 weeks (so does mine). I've read from a lot of people that they have to stay on full liquids for 6 to 8 weeks or more. Tomorrow is my 2 week and I survived the period by splurging on special soups. My doctor allows almost any Soup as long as it was pureed (check with yours first of course) so I bought Wendy's chili, Olive Garden soup. At the crocery store I found a really good generic Chunky soup called chicken con queso-tasted almost like nachos. I also did the Progresso light beef pot roast and others that seemed hearty. Hang in their-it'll be over before you know it. Best of luck.

I am still only able to eat 1/4-1/3 cup, I use a baby spoon. Put my spoon down between bites. But it only takes me about 5 min to finish my meal. We are not supposed to read or watch tv while eating and I live alone so no conversation to distract me. Do i just sit here and twiddle my thumbs until it's time to take another bite. Now, I know if I eat too fast I miss the full signal, so I'm not talking about big bites or spoonful right after spoonful. Am I worrying over nothing? Oh yeah, I'm talking about mushy's.

You look great. Congats on the weight loss and the marriage.