lollyfidy1965

I don't think this is the place to ask a question like that....you should ask your surgeon. All the best

If you're a reader, I would highly recommend reading "The End of Overeating". It really helped me understand how the food processing companies intentionally manipulate foods, in order to make them addictive (and I use that word literally...you'll understand, if you read the book). The more I read, the angrier I became...and now I have a much stronger ability to resist those foods that are tempting to me...because I know the temptation is a function of those addictive attributes (of the food). Its made my post-surgical process MUCH more bearable....I'm not going to allow any food manufacturer control my health anymore! Best of luck to you!

I wish you all the best, Tiffany, and will have you in my thoughts and prayers throughout the day tomorrow!!! Laura

I like the Unjury chicken broth flavored powder...particularly when I mix it in liquid chicken broth, instead of water. I bought a big bucket of the Syntrax Nectar Fuzzy Navel, and can barely stand the taste (thanks to everyone on here who said it was wonderful...blech!). My favorite protein drink is the ready-to-drink chocolate Muscle Milk Lite...it reminds me of a melted chocolate shake, but no guilt!

I'd check with your surgeon regarding your "hunger"...it may actually be acid reflux, which is very treatable. I also use the Celebrate Calcium PLUS 500 calcium chewables (the cherry flavor), but have had no problems with them making me sick. That's another good question for your surgeon...alternatives, or alternative dose timing (with or without food, for example). Best of luck to you! Laura

Mine was 3 weeks...3 "meal replacement" meals, and 1 "normal" meal (but the meat portion was limited to very lean meats, and no more than 4 ounces). I could eat any non-starchy veggies I wanted, all day, as much as I wanted. Hang in there....this too shall pass!!

I hope this doesn't come across as overly critical, but....that looks like an awful lot of simple carbs (doughnut...sugary yogurt), and not much protein. If you're going to "pms eat", it would be better to choose low-fat, sugar free yogurt, or items higher in protein (instead of carbs, or junk food). Best of luck!

I had neither procedure done prior to my surgery, but every surgical/insurance program seems to have its own set of requirements to be met, prior to approval. Be thankful your insurance company doesn't require a 6-month, medically supervised weight loss program prior to approval!! ;-P Best of luck to you! Laura

Well said!

Well...that will depend entirely upon the post-surgical diet plan you've been given (assuming you intend to follow it "to the letter"). I had to wait until I was released to reintroduce real food (as opposed to "soft/pureed/etc) to attempt any fresh veggies (and I was dying to have some!). That happened at about 8 weeks post-op. I'm still only able to eat cucumbers after removing the seeds (just scrape a spoon down the center of a cuke sliced in half...very easy). I ate canned green beans when I was eating "soft" foods...because they're cooked half to death prior to canning. Thinly sliced deli meats (including ham) fell into my "soft" phase...but not in a sandwich. My plan discourages the use of breads, pastas, rice, and potatoes throughout the losing phase, post-op....because they're too high in simple carbs, and because the first three tend to expand in the stomach, reducing your ability to eat the Protein you need to be eating. Salad falls under "fresh veggies" for me. When I was released for fresh veggies, I was told to only eat "shredded or finely chopped lettuce," to make it easier for my sleeve to digest. Again...your individual nutritionist should be able to give you plan-specific recommendations regarding each of your questions.

Perhaps this has already been suggested here (I've not read every post), but if you call the old dentist's corporate office, and threaten them with the words "insurance fraud" I'd be willing to bet it won't take 6 months for them to review, and pay, the refund to your insurance company. Better yet, if you have a friend who happens to be a lawyer, have them make that call. Sorry for all your frustrations....I hope all turns out well for you!! Laura

This might seem like a silly response, but my suggestion would be to reach out to your nutritionist, and see if they can offer any suggestions (re additional food options you could have now)...as well as an answer to your question. As Gustavo points out...."normal" is a relative term. Do you mean "normal food" (as in not liquids/mushy/soft/pureed foods)? Do you mean "normal amounts" (as in anything resembling how much you ate prior to surgery)? Based on my own research, conversations with my surgeon and nutritionist, and the post-surgical plan that comes with my program, I understand that I, personally, will never be able to eat "normally" again....at least in terms of many types of foods, and quantities, eaten prior to my surgery. And I'm very ok with that. Best of luck to you!

That's what I call (and have heard called in the medical community) acid reflux that a person experiences...even though they're being medicated for acid reflux. In other words, the acid level "breaks through" the effects of the medication being taken.

I had terrible reflux immediately following surgery, and came home with a prescription for liquid Zantac. At 3 weeks post-op I developed breakthrough reflux, and had a daily Prevacid solutab added to my meds. (In addition to that, I was bumped back to full liquids for an additional 3 weeks.) Today, I'm 10 weeks post-op, still taking both meds, and haven't had another moment of acid reflux. Make your surgeon aware of your issue, and ask for something to take (or something additional, if you're already taking something for acid). Don't take anything OTC without clearing it with your surgeon first. Best of luck to you!

I hope you took a moment, privately, to share your feelings with him. I'll assume the best, and think he wasn't even aware of what he said, or how it would affect you...but he really needs to be more conscious of his words...at least until you've gotten past the point of caring (quite so much) about what you can't have. I went through periods of anger related to what I will never be able to eat again (even if that "never" is strictly by my own choice), but it has gotten much better. I want so badly to be at a healthy weight....and that far outweighs any fleeting desire I might have for a particular (and unhealthy) food item! Best of luck to you!!

It would depend entirely on where the lump was. If it was on the part of the stomach that would've been used to create the sleeve, the wall of the stomach (in that area) may no longer be strong enough to be integral to a sleeve. (A thin spot in the wall would (I would think) be more likely to rupture, or leak, post-op.) If I were in your position, and determined to do whatever it took to get my weight off, I would go with the bypass procedure. When I went through the process of evaluating procedures, I was actually going to have a gastric bypass. After long discussion with my surgeon, however, he convinced me to go with the sleeve. The tipping point in my decision process was the decreased risk of malabsorption issues (commonly seen in bypass patients). In reality, though, if you take ALL the supplements prescribed by your doctor, and following the guidelines for diet after the bypass procedure, you should be fine in that regard. I hope it was biopsied, and that it all turns out to be negative. Keep us posted on your decision!! Laura

Butterthebean...your post should be required reading for all people using this site! I will say, without judgement implied, that I am daily amazed by some of the things posted here...how long did you wait to have macaroni and cheese, or a milkshake, or to drink alcohol, or to smoke pot, or whatever other unhealthy thing you can imagine....and I wonder (usually to myself)..."Have you learned nothing about why you ended up needing this surgery??" Most of us had (and, I dare to say, still have) no real concept and understanding of "moderation.". We didn't track every bite we put in our mouths prior to surgery, so how can we know what is "moderate" in comparison? Without honest tracking, we rarely have a realistic impression of what was consumed (there have been amazing studies done on the disparities between what we "think we ate" versus what we actually ate!). Like you, I have made the conscious choice to not eat things that are harmful to me...to continue to do so, after having gone through the pain of surgery, makes absolutely no sense to me. While I understand I can't do anything to directly help anyone else on their journey (and I often get "smacked" on here for trying), I do sincerely worry for those who give every indication of not having changed their relationship with food. Best of luck, to each of us, as we continue on our journey to better health! Laura

I didn't use the program at Tufts, but I am in the Boston area. Give me a shout, if you'd like to compare notes.

Gotcha. In that case, I'd be sure to clear it with my surgeon before taking...just to be on the safe side!

Doesn't Midol have ibuprofen in it? If so, its off-limits for me....my surgeon doesn't allow NSAIDs of any kind after surgery (increased risk for marginal ulcers, which are very nasty).

When I was in the hospital, recovering from surgery, I had a roommate who was in for the repair of a marginal ulcer...caused by her taking 2 Advil. My surgeon doesn't allow it...because of the increased risk for marginal ulcers...and, having seen her pain, I'll take his advice and skip NSAIDs altogether.

I just recently went clothes shopping (and was gifted with a boat-load of clothes from a wonderful friend!). I tried on size 22 jeans, but decided to keep wearing my baggy 26's until I could get into 20's. When I got home, I ordered 3 pairs of size 20 jeans (from CJ Banks online). When they showed up, a week later, I tried a pair on....on a lark...and THEY FIT!!! My blouses have gone from a 5X to a loose 2X, and I bought new bras this past weekend....I've gone from a 50F to a 46DD! I've lost a total of 14.5 inches, from neck, chest, waist and hips, since a week after my surgery (June 19th). I couldn't be happier!!

My taste did change, at least in regards to some things. Something you might try...Manishevitz (sp) chicken consommé, with a scoop of Unjury chicken broth protein powder mixed in. The chicken consommé is the only brand/type of chicken "broth" I truly enjoy...its got a wonderful flavor (like matzah ball soup, but without the matzah balls!!).

Abbie...we could be twins! I'm just a hair under 6', my highest weight (in March of this year) was 354. Day of surgery I was 302.4. Current weight (10 weeks post-op) is 258.6. My goal weight is 180! I actually commented on someone's post the other day.....she said she was getting surgery, and was currently 180, hoping to get down to something I'll never see....I laughed and said simply "180 is my goal weight!" LOL I don't feel bad about it....I know that, at 180, I will be rockin' whatever I'm wearing! This truly is an amazing....and completely individual...experience!! Laura

My suggestion would be that you call your surgeon, or your primary care doctor, to be sure you get an accurate explanation for the way you're feeling. And make sure you mention that your vitamins were making you feel nauseous...maybe they can give you a recommendation for an alternate that won't bother you. Best of luck!