lollyfidy1965

So sorry for your loss...prayers for you and your family. I highly recommend tracking EVERYthing you eat/drink, including the amount of Protein, carbs, and fluids. I use a DietMinder food and fitness journal (I started tracking religiously about 6 weeks prior to surgery to build the habit)....it works wonderfully, and provides space for everything I need to track (food, liquids, protein, carbs, Fiber, medications, and exercise). Be mindful to eat protein first and foremost, and get as many ounces of fluids as you possibly can. In the long run, making healthy choices is all we have....and remember to be proud of yourself every time you make one!! All the best to you on your journey!

I'm 7 weeks post-op today and eat between 500-650 calories a day. My typical day at the Y consists of an hour of walking (at 3.0mph, with a 1% incline) followed by an hour of water aerobics. I do that twice a day (8-10 am, and 6-8 pm), Monday-Thursday. Friday I only do the morning. Saturday and Sunday I walk an hour twice a day (no water aerobics classes offered on the weekends). I burn a little under 900 calories a day walking...the water aerobics adds another 600-800 calories, depending on the intensity of the class.

Aspartame (in anything) gives me horrible migraines, so I avoid it like the plague. You might try 4C packets...they're sweetened with Splenda, and all the flavors I've had, so far, have tasted really good to me. Best of luck!

When I eat too much (and it really is a matter of just 1 tiny bite!) I feel pain high up...in the middle of my chest (think sternum area). I've found that if I get up and walk around for a few minutes the discomfort will lessen. Burping often helps, too. Mostly, I just try REALLY HARD to NOT eat that 1 tiny bite too many!! LOL To avoid, eat very tiny bites (I use a cocktail fork now, and a tiny spoon...found both at Bed Bath & Beyond for $1.99 each), chew each bite til its (literally) liquid in your mouth, and eat very slowly. Eating slowly will allow you the time to feel your "fullness" before it gets to the "OMG I think I'm gonna die" stage! Best of luck!

Get yourself a good diet tracking journal (I use Diet Minder, and love it), and use it religiously!! Not only can you use it to know how you're doing, you can use it to plan ahead (I plan my days food and drink the evening before, that way I know I'll get enough of everything before the morning even starts...no guess work...I just follow the plan for the day). Best of luck!

I questioned the juice, as well. I'm only allowed a maximum of 4 oz of a non-sugar added juice, and that only if diluted to 16 oz. Even with no sugar added, its way high in carbs (and those carbs are empty "fruit sugar" carbs). If you're wanting fruit flavored drinks, I would suggest switching to something like Fruit20, or another flavored, non-carbonated, Water. Other than that, there isn't a "maximum" amount of fluids you can drink...at least not that I know of....as long as you're also getting enough Protein (my rule is 75-85 grams of protein per day). Best of luck!

The "hunger" you're feeling may, in fact, be acid reflux. If you're not taking anything for acid, call your surgeon, and ask about getting some liquid Zantac, or something similar. Many people (on this site) post issues with "hunger" that turn out to really be acid. Best of luck to you!

I went through everything in my closet 2 weeks ago, and filled up 4 kitchen garbage bags with clothes to donate!! I'm down to 3 pairs of jeans (that are now too baggy to be comfortable, but they have an elastic waist, so they don't fall off LOL), and about 7 blouses (that really could go into another garbage bag, but a girl has to have SOMETHING to wear!). All of my gym pants are falling off...even with an elastic waist. Time to invest in some big safety pins!!

I'm not quite 7 weeks post-op, and am eating between 600 and 700 calories/day. I get most of my calories from shakes....I had more inflammation than typical, and am just barely able to eat 2 ounces of "real" (soft) food at a time. 5 days a week (Mon-Fri) I spend 3 hours at the gym....1 hour walking on the treadmill (at 2.9-3.0 mph, with a 1% incline), and 2 hours of Water aerobics (1 in the morning, after walking, and the other in the evening). On the weekend I usually only walk for an hour on the treadmill each day....those are my "take a break" days. LOL If I have a low-energy day (and I do still have them from time to time) I'll cut my walking time in half, and play the rest of the day by ear. And if I miss a weekend day, I don't worry myself over it.

My rule is 75-85 grams per day. I average 80-90 most days, and use protein shakes, syntrax nectar, and Gelatein 20 to make up what I don't get in "real" food.

My first suggestion would be to call your nutritionist, and see what they think. If I found myself in the same place, I would work to increase my protein (I'm supposed to get between 75 and 85 grams per day...regardless of the diet stage...if that means I keep drinking protein shakes, then I keep drinking protein shakes), and work to reduce the number of carbs (I keep mine between 20 and 30 grams per day, so I stay in ketosis, burning stored fat). Your nutritionist may have different directions for you, but I've had very steady weight loss over the last 7 weeks using the instructions given by mine. Best of luck!

Height and weight distribution aren't the only factors at play. Bone structure, in general, plays a huge role, as well. I'm 5'11", and wore a size 26 (tall) pants at my pre-surgery weight (330-354). My frame, however, is very broad...even when I was "thin" my shoulders were wider than an airplane seat-back. I'm at 270 today, and 24 pants are getting baggy (YAY!). There are also HUGE variations between clothes manufacturers. I find Roamans clothes to run chronically small....what I would normally buy in a 3X, or a 26 I have to buy (from Roamans) in a 5X or 34/36. Catherines also runs a little small, and many of their clothes shrink, if dried in the dryer. Silhouettes runs truer to size, in my experience...but I hate buying clothes (online) that I can't try on first.

Like most of the folks posting, the idea of eating bread caused me to raise my eyebrows, too. I'm 6 weeks post-op (today), and bread is a major no-no (along with rice and pasta). A typical "lunch" for me consists of 1/4 cup of tuna salad (with fat-free Miracle Whip, and sugar-free pickle relish), and a TBSP or two of fat-free cottage cheese. All Protein, all the time. I'm not able to eat enough protein yet to get to veggies...much less fruit (which will always come last, because of the sugar/carbs in them). Protein always comes first....if I'm still hungry after my protein, or if my protein is a little dry, I will add some mashed soft veggies (cauliflower, carrots, green Beans, etc)...but only a very small amount. Part of the goal of the "eat high protein, low carb" plan we're given is to put our bodies into ketosis...which burns fat quickly (think Adkins). I'm all for staying well away from carbs...particularly starchy things (breads, Pasta, etc) and sweet things (fruits). Best of luck to you!

Hysterectomy?

My surgeon is VERY clear on this topic....no NSAIDS (Advil, Ibuprofen, etc) EVER after having VSG surgery. While I was in hospital, recovering from my surgery, I had a roommate that was about 18 months out from surgery....back in the hospital (for the third time) with a marginal ulcer...from taking Advil. She required surgery to repair the ulcer, and was miserable for weeks afterwards. I never want to have to go through what she went through....and will be sure to follow my surgeon's directions regarding this particular class of drugs. Best of luck to you!

LOL I've experienced this sort of this...both in my "real world", and in reading posts on this website! I'm amazed, almost daily, by the posts (here) that read "I'm X number of days post-surgery...when can I have (insert bad food/drink/behavior here) again??"! I rarely respond to those posts...sometimes its just better to keep my mouth shut... LOL As for people in my life, I tend to treat each question (and, Lordy, have there every been questions!!) as an opportunity to educate the other person regarding the realities of this surgery, and life afterwards. Oddly enough, the thing that seems to raise the most eyebrows is when I decline ordering a drink (and by drink I mean a non-alcoholic beverage) with my dinner. That really seems to throw waitresses right off their game! LOL Let people be amazed and bewildered by the lifestyle changes and choices we're making....maybe our example will make a difference in someone else's life one day!

I generally weight myself every day, first thing in the morning. If I find I'm "stuck" on the same number for two days in a row, I'll wait a couple days before weighing again. (This helps me avoid the desperation of getting "stalled".) Typically, if I wait a couple days, when I step back on the scale, I will find the number has dropped again. I track my weight on a spreadsheet, and LOVE to see the steadily declining data line!!! Best of luck to you!

I'm with the 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after crowd. My suggestion....do whatever your doctor instructed you to do. His opinion should be the one that matters to you.

You might also try Gelatein 20....its a high-protein Gelatin. If you email the company they'll send you a sample of each of the two flavors (fruit punch and orange). I bought a case of the fruit punch, and eat one almost every day. It comes in a 4oz cup, and packs 20 grams of Protein in each cup. I found Isopure to be truly disgusting....WAY too sweet, even before surgery. LOL I have used chocolate flavored Muscle Milk...either the "regular" or the "lite" varieties. In addition to that, I use unjury chicken broth flavored Protein powder. 1 scoop mixed in 8 oz of warm (less than 130 degrees) Water delivers 21 grams of protein. If you mix it with chicken broth (instead of water) its actually quite good. (Its passable good in water, but I'd prefer it hotter to drink...not possible.) I've also used the unflavored Unjury protein powder...mixed in broth, hot tea, oatmeal, cream of wheat, tomato Soup...you name it...as long as it isn't hotter than 130 degrees! Just keep trying things until you find something that you're able to tolerate...and work work work to increase the amount of protein you can get in every day!!! Best of luck!

I'm off over the summer, so I have the advantage of being able to track everything hourly. I use a "Diet Minder" journal, to track food, liquids, and exercise. For my food, I plan my day out, by the hour, the evening before...so I know what I need to be doing (eating, drinking, or taking meds) as the day progresses. I typically eat every 3 hours, give or take...whether its soft food (tuna fish, salmon, cottage cheese, etc), or a protein shake. In between, I'm drinking water, hot tea, etc. This approach enables me to make sure I reach my protein and liquid goals every day, and keeps my energy levels steady throughout the day. As for my meds, I have alarms set on my iPhone, so I'm reminded to take every supplement as directed. If I'm going to be out of the house during the day (when I would be needing to take my Calcium + Vit D tablets), I make sure to pack a couple in a ziploc bag to take with me. Also, I never leave the house without a bottle of Muscle Milk and 1 or 2 bottles of water in a little soft cooler, with ice packs. I never want to find myself in a situation where my energy is dropping, and I don't have a protein boost to tide me over til I can get home. Yes, it takes a little planning, but its well worth the security it brings, and knowing I'm getting everything I'm supposed to be getting (protein, water, meds, etc) makes me feel like I'm truly succeeding! Best of luck to you!

You can also always ask if they offer a "side" of protein (for example, The Olive Garden will give you a "side" of tilapia, for $5.00, instead of making you take the entire meal, with sides you won't be able to eat much of (if any) for $16.00. Ruby Tuesday also has some healthy options on their regular menu, and will serve you a smaller portion of your meal up front, putting the remainder in a to-go box, before bringing it to the table. (I did this last night...asked the waitress if she would put 2 oz of the grilled salmon on a small plate, along with 2 TBSP of the mashed cauliflower, and put the rest in a to-go box. She was more than happy to do so for me, and my dinner (which I couldn't finish) was awesome!) I won't be ordering off any kids menus...the food offered there is nothing but garbage carbs and fried foods, for the most part. I'd rather take three meals worth of left-over healthy food home with me! Best of luck!

Liquid Zantac and a little dissolvable Prevacid tablet did the trick for me! I had horrible acid reflux after surgery, and will be happy to take these meds (even as nasty as the Zantac tastes!), if it means I don't have to experience acid reflux again!!! Best of luck to you!

I was prescribed liquid Zantac when I came home from the hospital. After 3 weeks, Prevacid (a dissolving tablet) was added because I was having breakthrough heartburn. With the combination I have had no more issues with heartburn, and I plan to take them as lo has my surgeon will let me!! (My acid issues were miserable after surgery....I don't want to feel that way ever again!!). Best of luck to you!

I hit a stall around 3.5 weeks post-op (like many on this site speak about). I kept my calories between 500 and 600/day (I'm still on liquids due to some minor complications), but added water aerobics to my daily exercise plan. For the past four days I've been walking 30 minutes, then doing an hour of water aerobics in the morning. In the evening I go back for a second hour of water aerobics. Since adding the water classes I've lost 5 pounds (in four days), and am feeling great. Find something to change up, or add to, your daily exercise plan, and just stick to it....the weight will start to drop again, once your body acclimates to the rapid weight loss. Best of luck to you!

300 calories a serving seems awful high to me. You can get ready-to-drink Muscle Milk "lite"....its only 100 calories in an 8 ounce serving (it comes in chocolate or vanilla), or ready-to-drink Muscle Milk "regular formula"...its 131 calories in an 8 ounce serving, or 180 in an 11 ounce bottle (the "regular" comes in more flavors...chocolate, vanilla, banana creme, cookies and cream, etc). You might try switching to one of the RTD varieties, to decrease the number of calories you take in, when you have a shake. Best of luck!