Joni

I was told to just hold off on bread and crackers because they swell and take up room that Protein should have, but as time goes on, they can be reintroduced. I would never be able to give up bread forever!! Yikes. Anyone tried the bariatric high protein hot chocolate? BTW, Protein Shakes went down sooo much easier today. I was so relieved.

I will just share with you what my NUT has told us - you can take any over-the-counter chewable MVI as long as it says "complete" on the label (includes Iron in the tablet). This included children's Flinstones which would be 2 a day. I was taking those preop but I wanted to be sure I had something really good immediately postop, so I bought Celebrate chewables. These are also 2 a day and are huge. Up to now, I've had no problem but now they are getting harder to take. I like the idea of the gummies, but NUT had said check the carbs and sugar cuz they can really add up in the gummies. Don't know how much though, and if it's a difference between taking those or nothing, I might just do that.

I am going to try notime's ricotta recipe. I did make eggface's ricotta bake, and it was too rich for me. I think this might be a little easier to take. I've always been a slow eater so that has never been a problem for me. Although, I don't like to stretch eating a 1/2 cup over a half hour... Sheila, I ordered the hot chocolate from bariatric choice with 15 gm prot and will see how that tastes. Anyone else try that? I had tried Muscle Milk Light RTD before surgery and it was okay. Yesterday I tried one (first one postop) and had to spit it out. I was going to look for more RTD yesterday at the store, but when I got to the aisle, I felt nauseated and like looking at them would make me gag. How weird is that. Interesting, my unjury vanilla with milk that I had always started my day with and had to be choked down the last few days - this morning, it went down smoothly again. Go figure. Maybe I'm going to be one of these people with off and on tastes. Hit and miss. One day good, next bad. I was really getting scared, but after this morning's drink, I'm feeling so much more optimistic. Please continue to share what you are eating and any ideas. Thanks so much! Kellie and Dogmom - how's it going?

Pronounced as boo-gee. Surgeons usually have their own idea of what size to use, not sure if you can tell him what to use. I think mine was a 32. He said that's what they've had the optimal weight loss with.

I have that too, but doc said that is where biggest incision and stomach was taken out, so it is more sore than anywhere else. That is the only place I have pain left.

I'm so sorry no one else has responded. If I were you, I would post again cuz I think a whole new group of people would see it.

Thanks - I'm in my 3rd week and in pureed phase, but I've been struggling with everything and I can't eat enough to get a good amount of protein through food which is bumming me out. I think I just need to relax and keep trying to do the best I can.

shrinkinmama - how much can you eat of these things at one time?

Hi Brooke and welcome to the site. It's awesome here. Can answer any question you have! good luck.

pookey - it's Torani syrup. They come in sugar free versions and can flavor all kinds of things. I haven't tried them but I hear they are wonderful.

Kat - Welcome here, and you'll even find those in their 60s rockin' their sleeves! I'm having a hard time right now, but still sooo glad I did this. Congrats on making the decision for a better healthier you!

Did you have a hiatal hernia? I had spasms like what you described, but I thought it was from the hernia repair. They eventually got further and further apart and then stopped. I'm glad you put a call in to your nurse. Call her back if you don't hear because you should be advised by them what to do. Oh, and a heating pad really helped me. Sorry this is happening to you. Good luck

Please tell me how you are getting/got in your protein and fluids at 2 wks postop. Yesterday, I was to start purees but that's turning me off. I tried some tuna - gagged. I tried an egg - after 2 bites I was full. Cottage cheese did not sit well. In the grocery store, just looking at some foods is enough to make me gag. It seemed so easy the first week. The second week was a lot harder, and now the start of the third week, I feel like I'm in trouble. All the protein drinks are turning me off bad. Water still goes down the best. Food fills me up so fast after just a couple teaspoons, how can that even count for a good amount of protein? I would really like to get more protein from food so I don't have to drink those shakes. This morning I tried some greek yogurt which was 12 gm prot for 5.3 oz. I thought great, I'll eat this and have 12 gm done. I ate half and was full. So that was only 6 gm. So I tried to supplement with a protein drink, got in approx half for 11.5 gm. Total of 17.5. My goal for the day is 70 gm protein. I will sip water now, and will have to force other things on myself the rest of the day. Also, anything that sounds good, like tomato soup which I really enjoyed that 1/4 cup for a couple days last week, now it can gag me to think about. And that's the way it's been going - things that I do like for a couple days suddenly are gross. Any tips, suggestions, advice for me? Thanks

You look radiantly happy in your picture! Congrats on your weight loss too.

ditto - my blog is simply to have a journal of the 1st year. I want to be able to look back and see how it all evolved. And if it helps anyone else, that's awesome! I post questions, etc., to the forums almost every day too.

Please tell me how you are getting in your protein and fluids now. It seemed so easy the first week. The second week was a lot harder, and now the start of the third week, I feel like I'm in trouble. All the protein drinks are turning me off bad. Water still goes down the best. And food fills me up so fast after just a couple teaspoons. For example, I would really like to get more protein from food so I don't have to drink those shakes. This morning I tried some greek yogurt which was 12 gm prot for 5.3 oz. I thought great, I'll eat this and have 12 gm done. I ate half and was full. So that was only 6 gm. Tried a protein drink, got in approx half for 11.5 gm. My goal for the day is 70 gm protein. I will sip water now, and will have to force other things on myself the rest of the day. Anything that sounds good, like tomato soup. I really enjoyed that 1/4 cup for a couple days, now it can gag me to think about. And that's the way it's been going. I like something for a couple days and then NO MORE. I'm throwing out so much. Any suggestions for me?

Also, have you heard of http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ ? She does love to cook, but has lots of easy recipes for us. Since you have that gorgeous oven, she has a lot of "protein bites" recipes you might be interested in....

I hear you. Kinda on the same page with your feelings right now. I am just going to have to go to bed earlier too. Can't wait til I finally reach the stage where I am eating a regular diet. 2 wks postop right now and just starting pureed phase....

someone on here said their dr considered shrimp a "soft" food. newlife, how far out are you?

Aren't you the one who was sooooo anxious and scared?? Glad it went well!! Now relax!!

Thanks for the fast answer!!! Those patties are totally doable.

When you do get to a regular diet, why do you think you have to cook? There are so many easy, high protein things to eat in the grocery stores, or whole food stores that are good for you too. Things you can just pop in the micro, ya know? Someone just posted about a chicken patty at Sams Club with 18 gm of protein. So I say don't worry, it will work out, and your dietitian/NUT can help you too. Good Luck!

Can you let us know the fat and sugar gms please I'd really appreciate it. They sound delicious!

Remember there have been so many others who have gone before you, who felt just like you do, I am one of them. I was so frickin miserable. But I got through it, and you can too. Be nice to yourself, protect yourself the best you can. You will be so proud when you get through it. It really is a huge accomplishment. Hang in there.....and cross those days off one by one.

I would definitely say don't take HRT. It's not worth the risk. Estroven (over the counter) helped with my hot flashes. There's a ton of information out there and remedies. Just gotta try em and see what will work for you. I feel for you!