ladiJ

you know I was really stressed over this but then started thinking, I use to be a big time coffee drinker and did not drink any the first moth, 2 weeks ago I added in 2 cups a day. It takes me a couple pf hours to drink it and since I have been drinking the coffee I have been drinking less water. As of tomorrow I am going to limit the coffee to one cup and make sure I get in at least 48 oz of water

I say if you have the time take 6 weeks. I figured I would need to recover not only physically but get on a schedule as far as fluids and proteins. However I have heard of people returning much sooner.

cheese eggs chipotle chicken salad with cucumber slices (use the slices in place of crackers) string cheese lean thin sliced beef, I use it with a bag of frozen, no preservatives added stir fry veggies am currently trying one new recipe a week.

I asked my doctor at my last visit but he said they don't weight it. Just gets sent to pathology and sliced up for exam.

I am 6 weeks out, trying more and more foods and not really having difficulty with digestion. I have had a poor appetite and my taste buds have been off, everything has tasted bland and not near as good as I seem to remember or believe. I had only lost 19 lbs and was feeling rather disappointed in myself and the process. Then I realized I have been eating, not like a healthy life style but as if I were recuperating from a surgery and just making do waiting for everything to return to normal. I had not been getting in my protein. My water intake was not adequate, my carb ingestion way too high. I had to stop and think duh.......this is not waiting to get back to normal, this is my new normal and this is for life! What the hell did I do this for if I was not going to develop the healthy habits I had planned on. Light bulb moment. For a smart woman I sometimes take awhile to get it. So yesterday and thus far today, made my water requirements, protein is up, carbs down and exercised too!!!!!!! look out baby I am back in the game and I intend to be a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand!!!!!!! My daughter is trying to lose weight after having a baby and we have been encouraging each other to eat healthy and exercise. However she keeps sneaking in snide remarks about how I will lose weight even if I don't exercise or eat healthy because I "cheated and had surgery". I understand where her mind is..and the envy...and the no clue how hard it is when your older..thus I don't kill her.......but sometimes I want to.

I understand how you are feeling. I just had to have a "come to Jesus meeting with myself" You need to remember why you had this surgery. A new life, new opportunities to get healthy. This is just a tool but a great one! I am not starving like I was when trying to diet before and there is no way I can eat as much. All I really have to control is why I choose to put in my mouth. So fill your home with nothing but protein and go ahead an eat. I know for me there is no way I can overdose on lean protein choices

I just asked my doc at my check up last week. He uses a 34 bougie. I think its just the right size for me.

Ok so I had surgery a month ago. I had read the boards and was prepared that I may have a change in my taste buds. To be honest it seems like my taste buds may be super aware......seasonings, smells.......does it change or revert back because to be honest although some things are edible and I would rate as "ok" now that I am eating regular foods, I have yet to eat one thing that I can say "wow, that was great!". It seems the seasonings are off.........? I can't believe that me, who loved to eat and really enjoyed food could really care less....

well my doctor's instructions said to limit yourself to 2 oz at a time. So while I probably CAN eat more, I try not to. also when you move to denser protein you won't be able to eat as much. Tonight I made a homemade turkey burger (pattie) It was 4 oz, I have been eating on it for 3 hours now and still have an ounce left;), I just nibble at it..

ah ketosis, duh, i dunno why I did not think of that. Thanks! I made my own homemade turkey burger tonight, and since I seasoned it myself it was actually tasty....

well I hope this resolves at some point as I would like to taste something and be able to say wow thats really good. But in the meantime I am going to consider this a positive for sticking to my nutritional plan.

I had my surgery consult 3 months before surgery. My doctor did not require a preop diet however he did insist you gain no wait. In the three months I gained 10 lbs. So even though he did not require a preop diet I had to do the soup, protein drinks and no carbs for two weeks prior to lose those 10 lbs. I don't think you should totally limit yourself but I wish I had started making a few healthier choices early on.

I have been battling some buyers remorse. I am soooooooo tired of soups and soft foods. My docs instructions, are full liquids, protein drinks, scrambled egg only, yogurt, cheeses, refried beans and fish. No purees. This sounded great 2 weeks ago but now I would rather not eat than have the things I am allowed. I am not getting in my protein or all of my fluids. I have also hit a stall. I am sure its because of my lack of protein and fluids. It has been so depressing when my daughter insisted I go out to lunch with her the other day, I replied "why so you can pay 12.00 for the 3 spoons of soup I will hate?" This morning I had a talk with myself, I know this is temporary. I know I needed this surgery and was blessed to be able to have it. I am determined that starting today I will eat some protein every 3 hours, drink my fluids and do some light exercise. In one more week I can add shrimp, crab, chicken and turkey, soft veggies, salad and fruit!!!!!!!!! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life will be so much easier then. I will feel like I can actually make a regular meal, I have been collecting some high protein recipes and can't wait to try them.

4 weeks out and on regular foods, trial basis for each item. I took advice from the board and am consuming 1 protein drink, 1 protein bar , 1 greek yogurt and one string cheese a day. This amounts to 54 grams of protein and with my dinner and other bits of food here and there I am sure I am meeting my protein needs. I am feeling so much better physically and mentally since getting of soft foods and soups. I use to like soup, I can't imagine having soup again in the next year. I have lost 15 lbs, I am happy with that and now am starting to exercise. I still need to work harder on getting in my fluids and vitamins. The short time of frustration and regret has passed and I still feel blessed to have had this opportunity.

well i had surgery the 5th and have "only" lost 15 lbs. I think if you are doing all the right things, then the body is going to do what it wants, when it wants. All you can do is keep working the guidelines and know it will come off. Perhaps some kickboxing of the nurse would have been a good workout. *halo*

Thanks to your menu I am having a much easier time meeting my Protein requirements. Everyday I have 1 Pure Protein shake for 23 grams, 1 atkins Protein Bar for 10 grams, I greek yogurt for 14 grams and a string cheese for 7 grams. All of these are easy to get down and =54 grams. This does not include dinner. Keeping these 4 items the same has helped simplify and ensure I am meeting those requirements at least. Still need to work on liquids and a better timing of Vitamins.

I am making a grocery list, looking at recipes and just cleaned out my pantry sending home a million cans of soup with my kids. I don't think I will be eating any soup for the next year or so. I am doing the happy dance!

Ooh my first challenge! Before sleeve 260 12/5/12 day of sleeve 251 1/1/13 238.9 3/20/13 1st day of spring 199.9 rather ambitious for me, a slow loser, but hey reach for the stars!!!!

sending prayers your way, see you on the other side!

I am three weeks out and ate a mild chicken tamale. Of course I started eating it xmas eve and finished it xmas day. No problems with it in my tummy though.

I understand I am 17 days out and having trouble knowing when I am full. Seems I go from empty to overfull in less than a bite. It has caused a few episodes of pain or tossing my cookies. (note there were no actual cookies). I have to learn to eat slower. Also twice I forget and used a straw and drank fluids, all of which led to the above.

I am two weeks out, on soft foods, fish, eggs, cheeses and yogurts. Plus of course soups and protein drinks. My doctor wants me to eat 2 medicine cups of food 4-6 times a day. I am having a heck of a time.