Fiddleman

At 3 weeks I did not have a lot of energy. Enough for walking my dog for a few miles a day. I felt really confident about my recovery and tried a hard hike (mount index serene lake in WA cascades) around that time. I felt so dehydrated afterwards when I ran out of Water at the top of the hike. Don't do this amount of exertion at 3 weeks. Felt like going to the ER. Recovered after hydrating at the car(60 oz as we drove home). Still took a few days before feeling better. Seven months out now and I could probably easily do the hike now that I am in really good shape and have a healthy diet. Still would take extra water though.

I wish I had your draconian sleeve. I seem to eat 3 oz of dense protein with no problems in 10 min or so, sometimes less depending on my ability to slow down.

Oh, kind of like a finale episode of Biggest Loser for the winner.

I am glad that caffeine is not banned this year. What do you think about Cellucor C4? This stuff really helps with maintaining efficiency and form during a long run as a pre workout drink. I think it also helps with recovery.

I finally figured out what I am going to do today. Two things actually. 1. Buy a matching leather coat that fits my new size. I like my current leather so much. 2. Get a message at massage envy Once my wife reaches goal ( still pre op), we are going to take a vacation to Disney world in FL.

Oh yeah! Just bought the game on my IPad yesterday too.

Many have trouble with the stringiness nature of celery before 5-6 months post op.

I waited 5 weeks before getting on the elliptical. Lots and lots of different types of walking before then. I was walking the same day I came home from the hospital. Not more then a quarter mile, but at least it was a start. I remember needing to increase my O2 capacity with the little breathing applicator in order to gain strength for walking further. By the end of the month, I was walking 5 miles a day in addition to hills.

My comment above is just from my own knowledge base and should not be attributed to medical fact. You may be perfectly ok taking the extra iron. Others may not need it ( like myself). I tried to take more iron back around 1 month post op and it gave me the gag reflex for some reason. Never went back to it and my six month labs did not report any issues. If you are not sure, it is a good question for your NUT.

Ditto- baby rays is the best! I put it on chicken and pork.

My dr has allowed nsaids six months which has really helped with back and foot inflammation ( from a previous surgery). Aleve seems to help the most, but I also do diclofenac. Hoping this is not going to bite me later on. I always take an extra prilosec when ever I take nsaid for protection, just in case it is needed.

Good choice.

I agree with everyone on this thread. Eating every 3 hours has worked really well to keep hunger at bay, energy constant, insulin levels flat and a general sense of well being. Your meals will start out at 1-2 ounces of protein after 1st month, but should increase to 3-4 ounces by 6 months. I like to have shakes for morning and bedtime meals, simple protein for mid morning and after noon snacks, and a mixture of protein and veggies for lunch and dinner. I am eating between 900-1000 calories at 7 months out (exercise an hour a day also), but do remember only hitting 300-500 calories for first few months with exercise primarily being different types of walks. My exercise did not get serious until about month 5. I now try and eat more low glycemic carbs to help my cardio and strength training, but only before my exercise; otherwise, I am eating pretty clean protein most of the time.

Yay, awesome! You are now only 1 weight group away from "normal" BMI. You will get there soon. Keep up the good work. Again, congratulations.

My food list : chicken breast, chicken sausage, chicken large sausage (3 oz), chicken meatballs, seaweed salad, eggs, soy milk, broccoli, green Beans, mango salsa, ostrich Jerky, wild salmon, pork chops, chicken patties, Syntrax matrix Protein powder, BA caramel Calcium chews, rotisserie chicken, energy squares from nuts.com, shrimp, feta cheese. I am about 7 months out.