lollyfidy1965

Yep...I went through a LOT of the unjury chicken broth powder when I was on liquids. I mixed it in plain Water, as well as in canned chicken consommé (broth). The only thing I would change about it would be the temperature at which you can mix it...I'd prefer it to be a little warmer than 130 degrees, if possible. As for Thanksgiving....focus on how thankful you are for the gift of your sleeve, given by a fantastic (and sensible!!) surgeon!! Enjoy the company, and the broth, and keep your eye on the prize!

Best bet would be to ask your surgeon's advice, as this is clearly a medical question. Best of luck, Laura

I came home from the hospital taking Actigall. I open the capsule, and mix the contents in unsweetened applesauce. As sensitive as my taste buds are, since surgery, I don't notice any alteration to the taste of the applesauce. You might give that a try.

Is it possible what your experiencing is actually acid reflux? That sensation feels very like hunger, after this surgery.

Personally, I think you should respect your surgeon's approach. I suspect he uses it because he knows it works, allowing your body to sufficiently heal, while reducing the risk of possible complications. My surgeon is more conservative than yours, but I'm grateful for having had no issues, and great success, as a result.

"gummy" things swell when exposed to liquids, and can cause a blockage in the sleeve. None for me, thanks!

You may not be physically ready to advance to solid foods yet. I was still on full liquids at 7 weeks post-op, because I had problems eating pureed foods when I was originally advanced, roughly 4 weeks post-op. After those additional 3 weeks on full liquids, I was able to progress quite easily. If you're not getting enough Protein, I would suggest you stop eating crackers (which have NO protein value), and go back to focusing on consuming high-protein items...even if its just Protein shakes. You need to make sure you get what your body needs, and at 5 weeks post-op, you're really still healing from your surgery, and protein, and fluids, need to be your primary concern. If moving back to full liquids doesn't appeal to you, and you're truly concerned about not being able to swallow things, give your surgeon a call, and see what he/she has to suggest. All the best, Laura

I wouldn't say you're doing anything "wrong"....I'd say your sleeve isn't quite ready for pureed food yet. Try going another week on full liquids, and then try a little something thicker again. My first "thick" food was whipped cottage cheese (which was actually on my "full liquid" stage diet), and when I first tried it I had to thin it with a little skim milk. Don't push your sleeve....take things very slowly, and listen carefully to how your body reacts. If something makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. If a certain consistency makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. Eat what works for you, and don't worry about what "stage" you're in, or not in. As long as you're getting enough fluids, and Protein (even liquid protein), you'll be fine. Eventually, your sleeve will heal enough to be able to tolerate thicker foods...I promise. And, just as an FYI...I was on "full liquids" for a total of 7 weeks, because my sleeve didn't tolerate pureed foods when I was advanced. After a couple relatively miserable days trying to eat thicker foods, my surgeon pushed me back to full liquids for an additional 3 weeks. When I advanced the second time, everything went perfectly, and I've had no issues since. Oh...and I can't eat eggs anymore, either. I love the taste of them, but they make my stomach very upset. This is a relatively common issue, after VSG...along with people developing lactose intolerance. I wish you all the best! Laura

I'm a huge fan of Muscle Milk Light...chocolate, at least. I have 16 oz every morning (8 before the gym, and 8 after), for 30 grams of protein, and only 200 calories (total). I've tried other Muscle Milk flavors, but didn't care much for them.

There's one available from Vitamin Shoppe...berry flavored, and chewable. I take one twice a week, and quite like them.

I love love love the chocolate brownie Quest bars...have one every evening, to top off my protein for the day. I also like the vanilla almond crunch (no...they're not crunchy), and the cinnamon bun ones are ok, as are the strawberry shortcake. I would definitely recommend you buy a single one of a variety of flavors, to give them a try, before buying a larger box (they come in a box of 12). I buy mine through the Vitamin Shoppe website....their delivery speed is amazing. Enjoy!

Try the parmesan crusted tilapia, without the pasta (get a side of broccoli instead). Its high protein, low carb, and decent calories

I use MyFitnessPal, and track every single thing that goes into my mouth. I highly recommend tracking what you consume....its the only way to be absolutely certain you know how much you're consuming. Measure everything, as well...many studies have shown that people almost always underestimate portion sizes when they "eyeball" amounts.

I agree re calling the dr for prescriptions. Both of mine (liquid Zantac and Prevacid solutab) are prescription. I wouldn't take anything....even Tums...without clearing it with my surgeon first. Call me crazy, but I love my sleeve, and don't want to do anything to jeopardize its well-being!

I would rather eat dirt than eat unsalted peanuts! LOL I love me some Planters peanuts, but can't justify the calories right now. When you're only eating 650-700 calories a day, packing almost a third of that into a handful of nuts doesn't work. They're just not high enough in Protein to be worth it.

There's a difference between "shouldn't" eat something and "can't" eat something. And just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. You're paying your surgeon/nutritionist a lot of money just to start out the journey ignoring their directions. (I'm just sayin'.)

I'm 5 months out and take liquid Zantac twice daily, and a Prevacid Solutab once daily. Don't suffer with it. Call your surgeon and get some meds...and take them religiously. You'll be happy you did!!

I'm glad you sent me a friend request on MFP!! Please...feel free to roam through my food diary! I tend to eat a lot of the same things, for days at a time, mixing it up a little when I find myself getting bored. Fortunately, I'm no longer "high maintenance" when it comes to food...because I don't get the big kick from it that I used to get. I eat to get nutrition, and that's about it.

I hit my Thanksgiving Day Goal this morning...6 days early!! Moving on to New Years Day!!

I'm a full-time student, and I will tell you my experience, as it relates to school, at least. I am definitely struggling with issues of memory, focus, and concentration, since my surgery (5 months ago). I'm better throughout the day if I'm able to go to the gym first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, the one day that I have an on-campus class (2 are online), I'm not able to do the gym before school....and I suffer throughout the entire 3-hour long class. Its difficult to grasp concepts, to focus on new material, to quickly translate what I'm hearing (its a Hebrew course), and to keep my mind from wandering right on out the door!! Whether its the result of reduced ghrelin, or a lingering side-effect from the anesthesia, I don't know...but I pray it will pass!!!

Regarding clothes....find a second-hand store, and buy what you need, as often as you need it! I shop at "Savers," and have found fantastic bargains! I also keep an eye on clearance sections on various websites, and have gotten some lovely things that way. I'm 5 months post-op, and completely swapped out wardrobes three times! I don't have nearly as many items of clothing, but I have clothes that fit properly, and make me feel like I look great! Your emotional craziness may be a function of burning so much fat? Fat tissue stores many hormones, and releases them as it is burned...wreaking havoc on our emotional well-being. Experience the ride, acknowledge it for what it is, and warn your friends and loved ones! This too shall pass....in time....I promise! As for working out....I love fast walking in the shallow end of a pool! You burn an amazing number of calories (because your walking against the resistance of the water), and you can dunk yourself when you start dripping sweat! I also enjoy deep Water aerobics, either in a class or on my own. Everal times a week I do some elliptical, followed by an hour of circuit (weight) training. I didn't start that until about a month ago, because I wanted to make sure everything was well healed before I started really straining muscles. Most important....find something the you LOVE to do.....and do it religiously! You'll be amazed at the results you get!!

My experience was identical, except I was in the hospital 6 days. My best advice....drink slowly but constantly, to ensure you get enough liquids in. The last thing you want to do us to become dehydrated. Make sure your drinks have Protein in them, as much as possible. unjury chicken broth Protein powder mixed in Water, or chicken broth, Syntrax protein powders mixed in water, broths of any flavor with unflavored Unjury powder mixed in, I even drank hot tea with unflavored protein powder mixed in. Seriously....liquid and protein consumption is all you should be worrying about right now. Walk as much as possible, but make sure you get plenty of rest. And know that it will get better....soon!!! All the best! Laura

I can so relate!!

The reality is....this is NOT an "easy way out"!! You will need to be so diligent regarding your diet, and work so hard, physically (exercising)....the only difference is that you will be limited in terms of how much you can eat, and whether or not you feel "hunger". If you have it in your head that this is a cop out, you need to get that thought right out of there!! You are taking advantage of an amazing gift...the "sleeve"...and getting your health, and your life, back under control. GOOD FOR YOU!!! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. You know why you've come to this decision, and you know its the right decision for you....that's all that matters! The only time I feel even remotely uncomfortable talking about my choice, and my progress, is when I'm talking with a loved one who is also in desperate need to lose weight, but hasn't been able to lose through dieting (and refuses to even consider the possibility of surgery as a solution). Its difficult to scream from the mountaintop, in celebration of my own success, when I know they're struggling, and failing, in their own journey. Unfortunately, I can't do much to help them...all I can do is help myself. And so....I keep on celebrating my little successes, and hope that maybe those successes will motivate others, in some small way. I wish you great success in your own journeys! Laura