mistysj

I'm confused. Turkey is a great source of protein. You probably don't need to worry about protein in your side dishes if you are having turkey.

Great tip! I moved this to the Food forum since it really isn't a recipe and more people will see it there.

Lettuce is not very nutritious and it's very filling. I tend to use shredded cabbage instead of lettuce and use mostly the "fillings" instead of the leafy stuff. Lots of protein (chicken, ham, egg, etc), peas, carrot, tomato, beets, pickles, whatever looks good. I choose flavorful stuff and use a bit of cottage cheese instead of dressing. So good.

The reason shipping is so expensive is because water is 8 pounds a gallon and you are basically paying to have water shipped.

You can't hurt yourself with water after the 6 week mark or when your surgeon considers your stomach totally healed. You'll just throw it up if you overdo it. I can gulp down about half a cup at once with no trouble at 7 months out.

13 pounds to go! Remember all the times you have lost 13 pounds? It must hardly seem like anything. but I know it seems huge too. Our brains are silly like that.

I look at myself and don't feel like I have a ton of loose skin yet. There still seems to be a lot of fat there especially in the hanging belly area. I try not to be too critical, after all I have lost heaps of weight and gone from a size 20w to a 14 so far. Also I don't take baths too often. Our tub is not really that comfortable because where you would lie back is not sloped but squared off. It is a built in tiled tub and we don't currently have plans to change it. But it means baths are not as appealing as they might otherwise be. It has been several months since I've taken a bath, though I'm sure I have had one since surgery. Well I'm on a business trip and it turns out I am in what is probably considered a 5 star hotel, in Bangalore India. There is a huuuuuge tub, and I decided to treat myself to a soak (and a glass of wine). I filled the tub, stepped in (it is deep), sat down. And my loose floppy belly FLOATED! OMG. Like a beach ball. Seriously it kind of gathered itself up and floated. The skin around my hips was pulled tight and flat and I could see what a difference it would make to get a tummy tuck. Just wow. I could also feel how "loose" it really is. That is where I am carrying all my weight now. If it were not for that pannus I think I would be in a size 10 rather than a 14. Just experiencing that floating belly in the tub made me understand why people don't see where I could lose 15 more kg. it's because jeans really hide that. It was kind of gross and weird but also fascinating.

I did! Thanks. You are looking great, by the way. Your profile pic shows a lot of weight loss in your face!

The sleeve is the first "half" of the DS. Would you consider the sleeve, with future revision to DS if necessary? There are heaps of Sleevers who have lost more than you need to lose. Anecdotally I am a sleever who left the hospital with a sleeve and without diabetes. I have also lost over 70 pounds in just under 7 months so far. I got the sleeve with the plan that if I needed a revision because I couldn't get to a healthy weight, I'd go with DS. Another thing to consider is your pattern of eating. If your weakness is fatty foods, the DS is known to be more "ok" with that, because it inhibits absorption of fats. But if your weakness is sweets, you are much more likely to have dumping with DS than even RNY. And we are talking uncontrollable diarrhea and nausea if you eat a lot of sugar or carbs in a sitting. Some people would consider dumping a good thing because it can keep you on the straight and narrow, but others would consider it a quality of life issue they are not willing to risk. True dumping is very rare with the sleeve or band because the pyloric valve is left intact and the intestines are not shortened by rerouting. Evaluate your food demons, your goals, and what potential side effects you feel able to handle, research, and talk frankly with your surgeon or even several surgeons. That's my best advice.

Hi there! I have not experienced symptoms of dizziness, but I know that it can happen because of blood pressure changes as well. If you are on blood pressure medication, you may need to work with your doctor to change the dose as you lose weight. I have modified the topic of your thread to be a little more specific, so that people can find it using the search function if they have the same question. I hope the dizzies stop soon!

You've gotten good answers so far. I'd like to move this thread to the Post-op forum because you are likely to get more eyes on the thread and more feedback there, since your question is not specifically about pre-op or post-op diets. Let me know if you disagree.

There is a whole sub-forum dedicated to protein drinks. I'll move this thread there and you can also read the other info available in there. I think you'll find that your tastes change after surgery, so don't buy a lot of anything during the pre-op! For what it's worth my favorite protein drinks are the Optifast VLCD chocolate. Not too sweet, not too high in calories, but reasonable amount of protein (17 grams in a serving). There are other protein powders with 30+ grams in a serving, but I find that the calories are higher than I am willing to go, and the Optifast also has a good coverage of vitamins and minerals.

Do you mind if we change the title of this "What to bring to a potluck" and start adding other ideas as well? I have a feeling this could be really helpful. Here are a few I thought of: 1. A cold cut and cheese platter 2. 7-layer dip (you can make it healthier than you think) or bean dip, with those pop chips or pita toast or something (you don't have to have much of the bread if you don't want to) 3. Three-bean or seven-bean salad, though this might work better in the summer 4. Deviled eggs -- you can find recipes that use other things than mayo. My tip for deviled eggs is buy the eggs at least two weeks before the event. Older eggs are easier to peel.

Breakfast in India (but western breakfast): scrambled eggs, toast, hash brown, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomato. Seem big? Here is a before/after. I'm quite full. Really enjoyed the mushrooms.

I have noticed something interesting. I dislike compliments about my weight, especially out of the blue and in real life. I think I liked them at first (the first 10-15 kg) because they validated that I really was changing. Now, 30 kg and over 6 months out, they are just unpleasant. First it means that I was fat before and they noticed. Second it means they are looking at me and noticing me for something besides my brain. Third it means they are judging me and probably comparing me to themselves. Fourth it means I am suddenly the focus of attention when something else should be (like the party, if it is at a party like last night). Fifth, nobody is ever discreet. They practically shout it at the top of their lungs and then everyone nearby feels obligated to chime in. I'm a manager with a successful team and a successful career. I have a lot to be proud of. At work I want to be known and admired for work. I don't want to be pigeon-holed into the "woman crowd" that worries about weight, makeup, and clothes all the time. Also the number of people who have INSISTED quite loudly and persistently that I tell them exactly how I lost weight. Don't get me wrong, I have actually been quite open with my friends and especially obese people who ask. But some random male coworker from a different part of the company doesn't get to invade my business that way. I know this is some mind of first-world problem and that in a year I might feel differently. But right now I just hope it starts slowing down and getting less obvious so I don't have to be on high alert for the Gushing Praise Posse, especially at work! Am I the only one? I feel ungrateful even typing this. Oh and don't even get me started on "How much more?" And "But you're done now, right?"

Congrats on getting a date! I hope you can contact the doctor office and have them email you the link to the diet. I think you may get more responses if I move this to the pre-op forum. You will be post-op before you know it!

Oops I guess that is a low traffic forum!

Do you guys mind if I move this to the monthly support group forum rather than food and nutrition?

You look great! Do you mind if I move this to the Gastric Sleeve Stories forum so it can encourage people who are not looking in the local support group forums?

Moving this to the US support group. Please let me know if this is incorrect.

Moved to the post-op forum so you can get more support. I hope you are recovering and starting to feel better.

Oh man just one cup off. If that happens again can you just chug another cup of water before bed?

Log in on the website (not the app) and click on the gear at the top next to your username. That takes you to your settings. On the very first page, set your surgery type. That should do it.

The barium is awful but when it's done it's done. I had to do it twice because they didn't get a clear image at first. Drink really small sips. Let it just run down your throat at first. Drinking will feel like a full time job at first. Soon enough you will be able to gulp down half a cup at once. Don't worry. Also try watered down juice at first. It will go down softer than Water. It took me 5 months to tolerate plain water. I used the Powerade powder at half strength before then. Yes it was calories but it didn't hurt me.

If the OP requests it, we can delete or lock this thread. I have not seen anything rude but have to respect their wishes.