Bufflehead

Chobani Simply 100 Greek yogurt has 5 grams of fiber and 100 calories per container, plus it is all natural! I add a teaspoon of Equate sugar free fiber powder to my shakes, and also to yogurt and cottage cheese. I can't taste it at all. You can blend up some strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries in your shakes. You don't want to blend too much because you actually can get rid of some of the fiber that way. You can add things like chia seeds and hemp hearts to yogurt or protein shakes. I make it a point to eat green veggies with at least two meals a day. 2 ounces of lean protein and then an ounce of green veggies.

For my soft food phase I was allowed: --any meat that could be easily cut with a fork --cooked green veggies that can be cut with a fork (nothing raw, no starchy veggies like potatoes or peas) --fruit that could be cut with a fork (ripe mangoes or bananas sure, as long as you can fit them in your daily carb allowance, which I couldn't, ripe peaches, berries, etc. No to apples, oranges, anything tough, hard, or membranous). --cooked, soft beans and pulses (lentils) --nut butters --dairy

I would suggest getting a lot of samples and then stocking up on something only if you've tried it and liked it after surgery. Some of my favorite brands are Syntrax Matrix, Syntrax nectar, unjury, Chike, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, Designer whey, BSN Lean Dessert, and BSN Syntha 6. Here are some places to buy samples online -- these and many other brands! http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html http://www.chikenutrition.com/chike-variety-pack.html http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-protein/unjury-starter-pack.html http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=protsamp&SortKey=sku&SortOrder=ascending&template=Templates/ProteinSampleQuickorder.html (has by brand plus scroll to the bottom for things like vanilla lover sampler, strawberry lovers package, cookie lovers sampler, coffee lovers sampler, etc.). http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Bariatric_Protein_Samples_s/35.htm (has samples by brand but also things like a coffee lovers sampler). I also really like the Protein hot chocolate and hot cappuccino: http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Pantry_Selections_Hot_Chocolate_Protein_Drinks_p/ps-ht_choc_variety.htm http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Pantry_Selections_Cappuccino_Protein_Drink_p/ps-capp.htm What you mix it with is up to you. IMO Syntrax Nectar flavors (the fruit flavors at least) are best mixed with ice Water. The others are best with milk or something like it. You can choose - skim milk, soy milk, almond milk, unsweetened vanilla almond milk -- they all vary by taste, calories, carb, protein -- it depends on what you like and what you need nutritionally. If you have Kroger grocery stores near you, you might want to check out their CarbMaster milk - fewer calories, fewer carbs, and more protein than regular skim milk. They have it in plain and also chocolate and vanilla. These are my standbys for mixing Protein shakes. For hot chocolate or hot Cappuccino I generally mix with 4 oz. water plus 4 oz. CarbMaster milk, and that consistency seems right to me. Good luck! ETA I forgot one of my favorite brands, Jay Robb! http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/whey-protein-samples.asp

I think it is absolutely fine not to push yourself if you are not ready. My plan called for four weeks of full liquids, followed by four weeks of purees, followed by four MONTHS of soft foods - no raw veggies, nothing you couldn't cut easily with a fork. A lot of people would find this kind of plan constricting, but I have to say I never encountered a food type or texture that made me uncomfortable in any way, I think because my plan was structured so that I couldn't. I guess my general advice is to make sure that meat is very tender -- so that you could cut it with a fork -- and stay away from raw or tough veggies. If you want to puree things, go for it, but every 3-4 days give yourself a little test with just a few bites of food that is very tender but not pureed. I'll bet you'll find yourself with an increasing tolerance for it. Good luck!

Quest bars are too high in carbs for me after surgery, so I don't eat them. Also (and more importantly) I discovered pre-surgery that they are a trigger food for me. If I have access to them, I WILL eat them. Until they are gone. For me they are basically glorified candy bars. So, they are not a part of my life and I doubt they ever will be. Lots of people do just fine with them though.

Most surgeons go with the ASMBS guidelines -- your surgeon may have his or her own requirements. Mine is happy with my taking a double dose of Trader Joe's High Potency Chewable multi's - this meets the ASMBS guidelines except for one strange mineral I think. I also take supplemental iron, calcium citrate, B12, D, and K2 -- but I would be taking those things with or without the sleeve. As far as protein shakes go, my guidelines are no more than 130 calories and no more than 6 carbs per serving -- except for a rare treat or splurge. I use protein powders, not RTD, so I would have to adjust that a bit if I used RTD protein.

Usually it is the surgeon's preference as far as I know.

If it's driving you crazy, well, there's no law requiring you to have a scale in your house. If you live with someone, have them hide it from you (or at least the batteries if you trust yourself not to just get more batteries and turn it back on). If you don't, take the scale to a friend or family member's home and ask them to put it away in their house for a few months. Good luck!

I think the favicon I see on my Firefox tab is new . . . or at least new-ish? Today is the first day I remember seeing it and I love it. I'm kind of OCD about my web browsing and a site without a favicon drives me nuts! I'm so happy to see it now. It's very nicely done, too.

I second the recommendation for the powder/fiber stuff that fills in thinning hair. I had to use that stuff starting WAY before surgery due to bad genetics. But it really does work well! My favorite brands were Toppik and Nanogen. My advice is if you are going to buy it, buy one canister in a shade you think will match your hair and another canister in the next lighter shade, just to be sure. I eventually had to go to getting what they call a bonded topper, which is kind of like a toupee for women. Again, this isn't surgery-related, it just sucks to have my bad genes when it comes to hair. But I love my "piece" and wouldn't be without it now. Since you are in New Jersey, you would want to go to Flora -- they are one of the best if not the best with toppers and other hair loss solutions. This kind of thing is expensive but you may want to at least check it out. Mine has really changed my outlook and feeling about myself in an incredibly positive way. http://designbyflora.com/ Lastly, you might want to consult a dermatologist if you haven't. They are the doctors with the most experience with hair loss IMO. You might specifically ask whether steroid shots in the scalp might be helpful in your situation. Good luck, believe me, I feel your pain!

2 cups of popcorn is not going to make you gain 2 lbs overnight, I promise. Not even if it was drenched in butter. If it was really salty, it may have made you retain some water. Or you might be retaining water for other reasons. Or your scale is being weird (mine does that sometimes, it is super frustrating). Just keep doing what you are supposed to and those 2 lbs will go away before you know it. Good luck!

You can find lots of recipes using the search box and searching for something like puree recipes or pureed recipes also, this sub-forum has tons of good suggestions: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1055-pur%C3%A9e-stage-2/ Good luck!

@@JacobsMommy it's very possible that your employer's specific Cigna plan requires 6 months while the standard Cigna plan, without modifications, requires 3. I have Cigna and I know the basic Cigna standard plan is 3 months, but my employer (Tennessee) modified the plan to require six months. So I had to do six months, and that was that. I got there eventually though, and I am sure you will too!

I was given decaf in the hospital the day after surgery. I waited 3 months after surgery to drink it after that (it's acidic and can be hard on a healing, wounded, stomach). But I've been drinking a couple of cups a day regularly since then, no problems.

For the first seven months or so I only weighed myself every couple of weeks, if that. Now that I am getting closer to goal, I weigh myself every day but only record it on MFP on Saturdays. Once I get into maintenance, I want to be in the habit of weighing every day and taking that weight as information, not as a victory or a defeat to be handled emotionally. My plan for maintenance is to weigh every day and immediately go into weight loss mode if I get more than 3 lbs over my goal weight. So I need to make this a habit, and learn to use the information rather than freak out about it, now. But early out, weighing infrequently was definitely better for me.

Honestly? I think you should focus on using the first several months after surgery, a time when you will likely be free from cravings and limited in the amount you can eat, to lose as much weight as possible. If you are want to eat in a way to slow down your weight loss because of possible (not proven) cosmetic benefits, how committed are you really to weight loss and your health? I know this sounds harsh and I don't mean it to be that way. I know we all want to look good. But your priority should be weight loss and health and doing things according to your surgeon's plan, IMO. Just something to think about.

@@Sha0717 If your surgeon told you that you need to do 2 weeks of Optifast, then yes, you need to do them. It's never a good idea to start disregarding your surgeon's instructions based on what you pick and choose from anonymous internet people. The best advice I got before getting sleeved was to trust my surgeon and his team and not start second-guessing them based on what I pick up on the internet.

It varies depending on your insurance plan, i.e., your employer/administrator, not just Cigna. Cigna has lots of plans with different requirements. You should have a member benefit handbook that spells out exactly what YOUR Cigna plan requires. If not, get in touch with HR or your insurance administrator and ask them for one, or for a web link to one. If Cigna tells you something on the phone, make sure they confirm it in writing and that it applies to your plan specifically. I speak from hard experience here! Cigna does not always have reps that know wtf they are talking about on the phone!

Wear the hospital gown they provide. That's what gives the health care people easiest access to your incisions plus any drain sites, catheter, etc. When you leave your room to go walking, just put another one on facing backwards. That way you won't accidentally flash anyone. If you are going to need or want a bra, bring one that is a cotton sports/leisure type bra that fastens in front. Depending on your surgeon's technique, you could well end up with incisions right where your bra hits, which is really uncomfortable with a standard type of bra. Definitely no underwires!

I am 10 months out. My typical day: --early morning protein shake --a couple hours later, breakfast of 2 oz. lean meat wrapped in a romaine lettuce leaf, sometimes also have a couple of strawberries --lunch around noon - a couple of ounces of lean meat, 15 grams roasted edamame, sometimes I add in a Babybel light cheese, a couple of prunes, or some green veggies --afternoon snack - might be 1/2 container of Greek yogurt with some PB2 stirred in, some beef or fish jerky, or another protein shake --dinner - varies a lot. Might be some kind of fish (a couple ounces) with green veggies, 1/4 c. refried beans with a poached egg, or an avocado egg bake. --evening snack - I don't always have this but I might have a piece of cheese, a couple pieces of dried fruit, or some Greek yogurt. All in all I keep under about 850 calories and 60 carbs. Not always perfect but close.

It sounds like it might be orthostatic hypotension. Did they discuss that with you? Are you on blood pressure meds? If so, you might want to discuss lowering or stopping them with your PCP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostatic_hypotension One thing I have seen a lot of people say is that if you pump your legs for several seconds before standing up, and stand up slowly, that helps a lot. Disclaimer: I am NOT a health care professional of any sort! This is just something I have seen discussed on the boards before as a common result of wls.

It's hard to control tone on the internet, so let me say in advance, I mean this in a very gentle way -- please stop letting other people control what you do. First, with respect to your children -- don't let them set the menu. Cut back their snacking drastically* and they'll be hungry at meal time. It's GOOD for children to be a little hungry at meal time. Let them get used to the idea that you make one meal, you are not a short order cook, and if they don't want to eat what is served, that's fine, but that's their only option for the meal. As for your boyfriend, I am not sure why you are letting him give you orders about going to the gym or not. If you really can't bear to not follow his orders, then keep in mind that exercise is great, but the battle to lose weight is won at the kitchen table, not in the gym. Not going to the gym is not an excuse to just give up and not eat healthy. You can lose weight effectively without doing any exercise. You have those post-wls cookbooks -- use them! And if you are not a great cook, there are Youtube videos to teach you everything from how to scramble an egg to how to peel an avocado. You can do this! And if you really just hate cooking, you can get a lot of healthy, pre-made foods at stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. There are lots of great options out there. And don't let the stalls and hair loss get you down -- I know they suck, but everyone goes through them and things do turn around. Don't let them throw you off track. Keep following your program. The weight will come off if you are eating anywhere close to right, and your hair loss will eventually stop and your hair will come back. Don't just despair and decide you can't do it or it isn't worth it -- you can do it and believe me, it is worth it! Best wishes to you! *you don't mention snacking specifically but it seems like most American parents let their children snack constantly, usually on stuff like crackers and granola bars that children don't need. In many countries, children don't snack or have very limited Snacks, like one piece of fruit, yogurt, or a sweet in the afternoon -- and they do just fine! So I am assuming that you are American and that you do what most American parents do with respect to almost unlimited snacking -- my apologies if I am wrong on either count!

I take a double dose of the Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi vitamins. One with breakfast, one with dinner. I've had my labs drawn at regular intervals and they have always been excellent.

I am a coffeeholic! Some of my favorite coffee protein drinks: 1 scoop Chike (standard serving for Chike is two scoops, but I only use one because otherwise it is too high calorie for me) + 2 tsp instant espresso powder, mixed with skim milk, or Carbmaster milk if that is available 1/2 packet Syntrax Nectar cappucino + 1/2 scoop Unjury Chocolate splendor, mixed with milk 1 scoop Unjury chocolate splendor + 2 tsp instant espresso powder + 1 shot Torani sugar free almond roca syrup, mixed with milk - makes a delicious chilled amaretto mocha protein shake.

There was a multi-page post on this over in the general food forum a few days ago. Not all the ideas would be appropriate for your stage, but there are some good ones there, plus recipes! And what you can't use now, you can keep in mind for later. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303521-need-breakfast-ideas-sick-of-eggs-and-protein-shakes/