AliveAgain

That is just ridiculous! But it's probably their way of covering the time the waitstaff spends on their table. Also sounds like their portions are (shocking) too big, and rather than address that they would rather pass the buck to their customers.

How far out are you? I starting adding mushies to soup (soft tofu, cooked mushrooms, very cooked asparagus) at about 4 weeks out. But not in the first 2 weeks post-op. Now, I eat Soups all the time. Preferably, you still want to limit HOW MUCH liquid makes up the soup and count it towards your meal. For example, I can eat about 4-5oz of solids comfortably now, so when I have soup I try to estimate that solids (chicken, veggies, etc.) make up about 3oz and the broth is about 2-3oz. If it's a heartier soup like a low-fat clam chowder, then I can usually only do about 4oz. Remember to chew the solids!

I use SynTrax Nectar powders mixing in a Blender Bottle (you can find at Bed, Bath & Beyond) with some ice. Never clumps, always comes out smooth. Not sure you'll be able to purchase it before the weekend though, since I normally order from Amazon or my surgeon's office. They make great sample packs that are easy to throw in a purse or suitcase, too.

Decaffeinated teas are mostly green and black teas that have been decaffeinated through a special process. However they may still contain up to 3% of the original caffeine content. Herbal "teas" or Tisanes are any herbal infusions not made from Camellia Sinensis (tea plant). Tisanes may be made of flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, roots etc. They are naturally 100% caffeine free. The examples of herbal teas are: Chamomile, Peppermint, Fruit Teas, Hibiscus, Lemon, Verbena, Rooibos (red tea).

Since I am NOT A DOCTOR, I would advise you to talk to your doctor first, make sure he's aware of you taking it. Most appreciate knowing about any herbal or homeopathic remedies. Especially since I do not know what medications you are taking or not taking!!! For my knee surgery, I was instructed to take Arnica Montana (30c dosage) Arnica Montana is available in health food stores. You want to purchase 30c tablets. Obtaining the correct dosage is important as it reflects the dilution. A 30x dosage is ten times more concentrated. Take two tablets, three times a day, for the first three days after surgery. Place the tablets under your tongue to dissolve about 15 minutes to 30 minutes before eating. Boiron is the most trusted brand I use. You may want to go with a slightly smaller dosage like 6c (that's what I use for basic bruising and strains). Do not use the topical Arnica (Traumeel, etc) on open cuts or incisions! You do not need a prescription, but again -- tell your doctor in case any medication he may have you on should have complications or may be compromised in effectiveness.

The only time I had to sip Water was the first two weeks. Then I could take bigger sips in the next few weeks. By about 5-6 weeks out, I was back to drinking water just like I did before surgery. Now I can take multiple sips in rapid succession, and I rarely "gulp" it down unless I'm out exercising in really warm weather. Isopure counts, but try it first. I couldn't stand the stuff, left a weird aftertaste in my mouth for hours like someone rubbed my tongue on dirt.

Yes, we have a portion and taste problem here in the US! Internationally, I used to laugh at serving sizes being so small down to the tiny-child glasses for juice or soda. But the food was so FLAVORFUL! Now I truly see portions for what they are -- TOO MUCH for anyone! Even sugary caffeinated drinks, why would anyone ever need more than a small (tall) size? There is this psychological notion that we NEED the caffeine to get through the day, when really it's just a bad cycle of getting a quick sugar rush then a crash thinking we need more. Mexican food used to be one of my favorite meals, now not so much. It's because what I loved were the carbs. The giant amount of lard-cooked refried beans, oil-soaked Spanish rice, mounds of guacamole (good fat, but highly caloric), fried tortilla chip, sour cream, and the refined-flour-tortilla burrito with cheese sauce. Butter, cream, oil: Oh my!!

I have one, but have yet to use it when I'm with people other than my husband because he's the only one who knows I had the surgery. And I've done all the tricks: To-go box before eating, sharing with my husband (we do this at most meals), telling them it's quite delicious and I'm very satisfied. Once, we got the bento box at our fave sushi place -- I eat the sashimi and some edamame. The waitress asked if I wanted to order an extra soup/rice since it only comes with one. I was very nice, told her "No thank you, I'm not that hungry" and she brought it anyway. She said, "I don't want you to be hungry!" I was perplexed as though she thought I would get enraged and take it out on her after declining. Ugh, I know it's something I'll always have to deal with. Maybe it has to do with where I live, customer service seems to be on the decline everywhere I go lately not just in the food industry.

Sorry, just realized the article was cached on my computer and may not work for you. Here is a copy/paste of the content: Weight Loss Stall or Plateau A weight loss stall or plateau is an extended period of time during reducing efforts where is there is no weight loss according to the scale and no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This is why it is so important to take your body measurements before surgery, so you'll have a reference as your weight loss progresses post-op. We suggest you take measurements of your chest, waist and hip, neck, upper arm, thigh and calf. Be aware it is very common for your weight loss to "stall" shortly after surgery. Diana explains the reason for this below. The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored. Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days. What You Can Do About a Stall or Plateau If you are experiencing a post-op weight loss stall or plateau further out there are a few possible causes. First, check that are you really in a stall. If the scale has stopped moving you may be losing inches, so check your measurements. Too Many Carbs? Carbohydrates can start sneaking into your foods without you being aware of how quickly they are adding up. For more information on carbs, see our section on Carbohydrates. If you are struggling with your weight loss you may want to examine your daily carb count. You can try to keep your carbs under 50g a day and see if that makes a difference in your weight loss. Do not eat carbs before bedtime as it triggers insulin and initiates fat storage. There are some great web site resources you can use to keep track of what you are eating. Fit Day Spark People - If you join Spark People also join the DS group. The Daily Plate Calorie King For more tips on keeping a food journal see the Personal Nutrition Guide. Eating Enough? If you are under-eating or go more than 4-5 hours without eating, your body will shift into fasting mode, slow your metabolism and conserve your stored energy (fat). This can contribute to a weight loss stall or plateau. Make sure you are eating small meals or small Snacks throughout the day and also ensure you meet your daily Protein requirements. Try eating some protein with every meal or snack. For more information on protein requirements see our section on Protein. Drinking Enough? An adequate level of water in your body aids in the effective breakdown of fat. The daily minimum recommendation is 64 Fluid oz of water a day. If you are in ketosis you will need to drink even more water to ensure the ketones are flushed out of your system. You may also need more than the minimum amount of water if you are exercising or live in a warmer or dry environment. Exercising? Exercise can increase your metabolism and burn fat. Strength training will build muscles and will boost fat burning. In a stall you can try increasing your volume of exercise or changing up your routine to overcome a weight loss stall or plateau. If you have been doing mainly aerobic activity, try doing a bit of strength training, and if you have been doing mainly strength training, try an aerobic work-out. The High Fat - High Calorie Stall Buster Many DSers swear by the fat/calorie shock as an effective weight loss stall or plateau buster. Having a day of higher fat and calorie eating followed by a returning to consistent low carb eating can sometimes "shock" your body back into weight loss mode.

Yes, this is normal for EVERYONE. It's why so many of those diet pill/gimmick companies can claim "lose 20 pounds in two weeks!" or the like. This article is very good at explaining weight loss stalls and plateaus. Potassium also gets depleted in the water weight stored, that's why it's normal to feel wiped out in the first month after surgery -- and to make sure to take vitamins, drink plenty of fluids, and stay on stop of mineral levels (electrolytes) with your surgeon, doctor, or NUT!

My surgeon never gave me a pre-op diet, just directions to lower the carbs, go high protein, and try to lose 10-15 pounds before surgery. He said the most important thing is to shrink the liver to allow better access to the stomach and reduce chances of complications. It's also a chance to practice what you'll have to do more stringently after surgery, so that you don't go into emotional shock in the first two phases after surgery (liquids and full liquids). So I just dieted like normal with salads, veggies, no soda, cut out sugary stuff, ate lots of chicken, tried out a few protein shakes. But I still made time to have some of my favorites, just in very small bites. Then of course, clears 24 hours before surgery for anesthesia reasons.

I've been using Arnica orally and topically for years for anything from small bruises, sore muscles, and yes after surgery (knee and VSG). It is homeopathic, has very few if any reactions with other medicines, and is nearly impossible to overdose. And since it's sublingual, no worries about upsetting the stomach. It's hard to say how much of a difference it really makes since I don't have a control to compare it to (only one of me), but it helped after my knee surgery. Do make sure you take the right dosage for your situation.

I asked this same question when I was about 50 pounds out, if you want to read the responses. And everyone was right, a lot of people think it's rude, don't know if they should say anything, or just simply don't notice b/c they don't pay close attention. There is a "magical" point when they will start saying something, and then you won't be able to avoid it! In just this last week, I've had more people tell me, "You don't look like the same person anymore." Just enjoy feeling great and watching the loss!

Had this happen a couple of times my first month on solids, then it went away. Came back twice this week, both times with pills I take with swig of water before/during meal. The first time it happened I had that horrible pain in chest for 20 minutes. Now I know it's better to just stand over a sink and let the slime come up, feel better right away.

I hated cottage cheese before surgery, then it was one of the first mushies I tried. LOVED IT! I still eat it a few times a week now.

My doc gave me the OK at 3 weeks when all my incisions were closed. If you're just getting wet, should be fine. But remember that standing in moving water, bracing for waves, picking yourself up can use your abdominals muscles more than you realize. I'd be more concerned with overdoing it or pulling something. Stay safe!!

Hi Kate, I live in Santa Cruz and had my surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital (Blue Cross). My surgeon is out of San Francisco, but has offices all over including San Jose. But I'm pretty sure he doesn't work with Kaiser. Where are you in your process?

Do a search for "constipation" or "bowel movement" using the search bar or the main search page. It been asked and answered many times! Milk of Magnesia, Benefiber, and/or Colace should help - drink plenty of water!

I had one at 2 weeks and 1 month, then I won't see him again until 1 year. Those are just the scheduled visits, granted I could go see him any time if I felt like I needed it. I talk to his nutritionist more, she guided me between food stages and helped with vitamins. I see him when I go to his monthly support group meetings, too.

You will notice a lot of new "mystery" stuff like this as you get back into and increase your activity. I've been in and out of physical therapy since February due to old injuries, balance issues, and increased/repetitive use. I can't use the elliptical b/c of my knees. Odd, I know, since it's supposed to be good for that. But for me, it makes my knees pop and seize like nothing else. I get foot numbness with treadmills, bikes, and sometimes while hiking. My PT gets it when she's on the elliptical, too -- same reasons Butterthebean mentioned. Make sure you have good shoes, go to a fitness store if you can and have them properly size you and suggest the type of shoe you need. I'm in a neutral shoe with SuperFeet orthodics because my ankles/heels need more support than the average shoe gives. Just going from an 8 to a 9 made a huge difference! If anything hurts or goes numb, stop what you're doing for a bit and try it again in a few days. I'd work on balance and stabilization exercises to help use the right muscles for proper stride. You can Google a lot of it and find videos, ask a trainer at the gym, or see a PT.

The good news is that 25 pounds is *usually* easy to drop as the initial loss is mostly happening by making your body tap into it's glycogen stores. By switching from carbs to Protein for energy, your body will tap into the stores that are Water soluble. So once you use them, the water weight usually goes with it. That's why a lot of people see the scale move, but don't immediately see it or feel it. It will be hard work on your part to convert to protein and no/less carbs though. But what your doctor is really going for is shrinking your liver and pancreas by putting them on "vacation" from processing carbs and hormones all day. That will make it easier to get to your stomach at surgery time. I agree with Benjammin, the focus is ridding carbs and upping the protein. Whether it's liquid or solids pre-surgery shouldn't matter, but I think that's part two of the doctor's goal. They want you to get used to what you'll be on for a while after surgery, get to know what flavors you like, etc. so it's not a total shock to your system when you're in recovery. They ask you to aim for the stars hoping you'll at least get to the moon (i.e. asking for 25 pounds, but it's OK if you hit 15 or 20). You'll do great!

LOVE the new profile pic, Pookeyism! You have a great smile to share with the world! I could not agree with you more, how strange it is to have this new body but still see yourself as you once were. I totally do the same thing, all the time. I stared at a pair of size 14 shorts and was convinced they would not go above my thighs or hips, but now I wear them out everywhere. It was the same way on the "way up the scale" when I was going from a 16, to an 18, to a 20 and never felt like I was bigger than I was at an 8. The world was getting smaller, I wasn't getting bigger. Congratulations not just on the weight loss, but the fabulous positive outlook on the future!

Yes, insurance is a pain in the tukas. Do as much prep work as you can up front, and ask a LOT of questions. Hospitals do offer financing as well, if it something you can do.

Do not worry, you will not stretch your sleeve -- especially during the liquid phase! I was drinking my morning and lunch protein shakes about every 4 hours, considering it could take me an hour or more to finish just 8oz in the first weeks after surgery. Then at night, I'd have my broth or soup protein about 5 hours after finishing my lunch shake. Most of the time in between I would be sipping on water or tea to meet my 64oz fluid intake. Of course, I'd stop the water about 30-45 minutes before a "meal" and resume about an hour after finishing.

What is the $10,000 max lifetime? Do you mean "out-of-pocket maximum"? There could be a number of things going on: They haven't been fully reimbursed by insurance, so the bill was sent on a cycle before it shows the adjustments and payments? (This has happened to me before). There is a difference b/n the fee surgeon's charge for "uncovered" services and then what they charge the hospital. They should have explained this to your friend before surgery. Most hospitals offer a financial screening before your surgery to tell you what the estimated charges will be and how much you will most likely owe. Mine did this, and then they offer a discount if you pay that amount up front THEN let the insurance work out and bill/refund the difference. I think mine said my portion would be something like $1200 and they gave me a 20% discount; once all was run through Anthem BC, I actually got a refund of $200. It could just be that after the deductible plus other co-pays, that the percentage left over (of the 90/10) was close to $20,000. I checked into the hospital at 8am and was discharged the next day at 5pm. I had one overnight stay, no complications, no tests run (CT, leak, etc.) Just your basic bed, IV fluids, hooked-up to machines, monitored by nurses, blood drawn periodically, etc. and the total charges billed were something like $112,000 for the hospital. The anesthesiologist is a separate service, and he was $2000. Thankfully I have a $1500 out-of-pocket maximum, so once I hit that number everything went from 90/10 to 100% covered. Had it been a higher number, then upwards of 10% of the "write-off" amount would have been mine to pay, somewhere around $5500. Are there any exclusions to the 90/10? Sometimes labs, diagnostics, durable medical equipment do not qualify or qualify at a different rate (like 50/50).