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Everything posted by Pennie
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I've heard of some patients doing the milk pre-op diet. It sounds really difficult! My pre-op diet was certainly more liberal - I was allowed shakes and even a few veggies. Even so, I found the pre-op diet to be the most difficult (but mercifully short) stage of this entire journey! Hang in there! If you can make it through this, then life after the sleeve will seem like a breeze by comparison!
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Congratulations! Sounds like you are getting really close!
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Ordering Protein Stuffs For Post Op
Pennie replied to amytug's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Samples are a great way to go. Like others have said, your tastes can change after surgery so it's best to not "stock up" on anything right now. I never liked Protein shakes, and I liked them even less after surgery! I got so sick of sweet stuff. One thing i enjoyed was using unjury chicken broth protein powder in my "clear liquids" stage and adding it to strained soups when I was in the "full liquid" stage. Very yummy and savory. The downside is that it's high in sodium. Now I really enjoy bariwise hot chocolate. There are artificial sweeteners - but I think the marshmallow flavor just use sucralose and not aspartame. 80 calories and 15 grams of protein -- and I've shared this stuff with non-sleevers/non-dieters and they love it. It just tastes like yummy hot chocolate. I've heard WonderSlim makes a good one too, but I haven't tried it yet. I believe they are aspartame-free. -
Low Bp And Pulse - Virtually Dead?
Pennie replied to PollyBlue's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I've had problems with low BP and pulse too. I'm glad you are under the care of doctor, because that's where I would send you, just to be safe. My heartrate is often in the 40s. I've accepted it as the new normal as doctors havent been able to find any negative reason why. My blood sugar tends to be borderline low. Last check I believe it was 65 fasting. It has been suggested to me that low blood sugar can be the cause, perhaps dehydration. My case is different from yours, though, because I'm asymptomatic. I wouldn't know my bp and pulse were so low if it wasn't being checked. No dizzyness or headaches ... nothing! So I think that is part of the reason that my doctors say to not worry about it. Have you had your blood sugar checked lately? I wonder if you have really low blood sugar that might be the culprit? -
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennie replied to Lilee84's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This is an AWESOME post!! I wish I had been able to read something like this before I had surgery. One question that I get asked a lot by potential sleevers is "Does the sleeve stretch out?" Everyone is familiar with stories of how the pouch on an RNY patient can stretch out significantly over time. In my research and understanding, the answer on whether or not a sleeve can stretch out is "possibly, but very little." We can be at risk for gaining weight if we graze all day or discover a "slider food" and eat that excessively, but we should have good restriction for life if we stick to the basic rules of sleeve-eating. -
The difference between a 32 and a 34 is almost certainly not going to make any difference in your long-term success. If you pick a surgeon that you trust and that has good stats, trust that whatever size bougie he or she uses is the size that works best in his or her experience. There are other variables that go into what the ultimate size of your sleeve will be - like if the surgeon "overstiches" or not... and maybe even more significantly, what the length of your natural stomach is (along the lesser curvature). A 32 or 34... or even a 36 or 42... will give you good restriction and you will lose weight! It's great that you are thinking about these things, though, and researching them. Lots of research seems to be the mark of a successful sleever!
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Everyone Here Seems To Need More Doctor Visits Before Surgery...
Pennie replied to topha86's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Exactly!! -
Psych Evaluation - What To Expect?
Pennie replied to dreamnslim2012's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've never heard of the test where you have to count backwards by sevens. Sounds pretty... innovative! I probably would have turned red with embarassment as I tried (unsuccessfully) to do the math in my head. My psych eval was very simple. I just talked to the psychologist about my weight history, what I expected from the surgery, and things like that. I also had to take that long questionairre - which was a bit repetitive, like they were trying to "catch you" cheating the test by being inconsistent. LOL! I think they want to make sure your expectations for the surgery are in check, that you are reasonably stable and have a support system in place. They also want to make sure that if you've had an eating disorder, that it has been under control. There are a few other red flags that they look for. Very few people fail the psych eval... most people that get this far in the process are fairly good candidates. All in all, it took about an hour and cost my $20 co-pay. I have heard that some people have much more extensive evaluations than I had, though. But, don't worry. For most of us, this is a pretty brief and painless encounter. You don't need to lay on a couch and cry about how your mother never let you dance ballet when you were five... unless you really want to. -
How exciting! The time will fly by and you'll be sleeved before you know it. Sounds like your surgeon is really thorough with the pre-op testing. Always good to have a surgeon that likes to err on the side of caution - a good sign, I think!
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I also think Protein shakes suck. If you can't stomach the Bariatric Advantage, maybe you could ask your surgeon if you could try something else. If not... I found that some shakes were more tolerable if I froze them and ate them that way. Experiment as much as you can (within the requirements of your diet). As for adding fruit - I like to sometimes add frozen fruit (rather than fresh) to give the shakes a more shake-like consistency. Really, though, I can't stand most protein shakes. My favorite protein supplement nowdays is hot chocolate! Bariwise makes a yummy one - just 80 calories and 15 grams of protein. I think WonderSlim makes one too, but I haven't tried it yet. I seriously just tastes like good hot chocolate - no protein taste at all (that I can detect). They are kind of expensive and you have to buy them online, but I love them! Good luck! Things get so much easier once you can get your protein primarily from "real food" sources! Hang in there...
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Working While On The Liquid Diet Before Surgery
Pennie replied to nancylovescats's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You may be a bit cranky and your energy may sometimes be low (totally understandable with a sudden change in diet) but there are a lot of RTD shakes that make taking shakes to work easy. (RTD = ready to drink, by the way) I used to like the EAS brand - you can get it at Walmart and many grocery stores. It isn't too sweet and the price is good. Just pack a few in a cooler for work. Does your surgeon require specific kinds of shakes? Some surgeons prefer you to use a particular brand. Good luck! -
The scale can be so aggravating! Stalls happen, whether you've already had the sleeve surgery or not. I had a THREE WEEK stall just weeks after my sleeve surgery. It was so disheartening because I was eating 650 cals a day, following all the rules and the scale just wouldn't budge. You can try changing things up a bit - changing your exercise routine, increasing Protein even more, increasing Water... even adding another 100 calories to your daily intake may shake things up. BUT, I think it is far better advice to just keep following your diet plan "rules" and trust that the scale will eventually start moving. Anyone that thinks weight loss is as simple as a calories in/calories out formula has never been significantly overweight and dieted! There are SO many variables that can make an impact on the scale - water weight, hormones, muscles, stress, etc. If you stick to your plan, at least you know you are doing everything you can. It'll move. I promise! Hang in there. Your body might just be in a bit of a shock (or state of stress) due to the change to the liquid diet. As a result, you may have a lot of water weight. It'll pass... literally lol! You'll probably drop a couple of pounds overnight. (((HUGS))) I seriously think the pre-op diet is the hardest part of the journey. You are doing great! Good luck!!
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What Are You Eating On Your Pre-Op Diet?
Pennie replied to NJsharon's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow, you have a lot more leway in your pre-op diet than I did in mine. (Mine was basically all Protein shakes, broth, and then just a few vegetables). Not that this makes you feel any better. I will tell you this, though... I thought the pre-op diet was the hardest part of my journey. (Mainteance is hard too, but in a different way.) Really. If you can tough it out through this pre-op diet and stick to it, you will do great with your sleeve!! Congrats on your upcoming surgery!! -
Protien Shakes The Good The Bad The Ugly
Pennie replied to carol m's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I just wanted to warn the pre-ops to not stock up too much on Protein shakes for your post-op life. I found my tastes REALLY changed after surgery. I don't know if this is due to being in ketosis or some hormonal change or what... but I do know that a lot of post-ops experience this too. So what you like pre-surgery may not be what you like post-surgery. -
Considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Pennie replied to lmitchell40*'s topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Recovery time varies tremendously. I'd say the majority are able to go back to desk jobs after a week, but some people need more time. Unfortunately, without a crystal ball, there is no way to know how much time you'll need. I think it's a good idea to plan for a week off, and hopefully they will understand if you aren't ready to come back full time when your week is up. (Be sure you know how many days - paid or unpaid - you are "allowed" to take off ahead of time, just in case you need them.) I didn't have any complications, but one of the more common complications with this surgery is a leak. This typically happens within the first week or two after surgery (most commonly, closer the the surgery day). You can ask your surgeon what his leak rate is. More experience surgeons tend to have lower leak rates. The chances of a leak are still pretty low - probably just 2-3% (again, ask your surgeon for his/her leak rate) but if you want to know about possible complications from the sleeve, that is a good one to read up on. It can be anything from a realtively easy fix to a life-threatening situation - and everything in between. Good luck! -
Protien Shakes The Good The Bad The Ugly
Pennie replied to carol m's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Oh, I just remembered another favorite of mine early-out. unjury chicken broth. (It's actually vegetarian!) I was sick of sweet, so it was nice to have something savory. High Protein, low calorie and did the job well those first weeks as I was recovery from surgery. Just as a warning, though it is high in sodium! So it won't do you any favors if you are retaining Water. I know it isn't a Protein shake, but it's a nice alternative to protein shake when you can't stand to have any more "sweet"! -
This Will Happen To You!
Pennie replied to Knee2010's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
LOVE IT!!! -
Pre-Surgery Right Side Pain?
Pennie replied to Gene1970's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a similar pain that was sort of a dull ache that would come and go just under my ribs. A serious cause was never found, other than the fact that I had a fatty liver. My pain went away and never came back after surgery! I suppose the combination of the weight loss (I've lost over 100 lbs) and the changed diet (low protein/low carb) helped my fatty liver. I can't know for sure if that was the source of the pain, but it would make sense that it went away once my diet changed and I started losing weight. Good luck! I hope that pain goes away quickly because I know how awful it can be! -
Protien Shakes The Good The Bad The Ugly
Pennie replied to carol m's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Early-out, I like the EAS ready-made shakes. They were nice and thin, which felt more comfy with my healing sleeve. Also, they weren't overly sweet and they didn't have any of that chalkiness that some shakes have - very smooth. Their price was good too - cheaper than other RTD shakes on the market, so that was a bonus! But now, the only Protein drinks I like (and by like I mean LOVE) is hot chocolate!! Bariwise makes an awesome hot chocolate in variety of flavors. I like the cinnamon hot chocolate the best, but they are all good. 80 calories and 15 grams of protein - seriouly good stats there! There is absolutely zero protein taste or aftertaste. It just tastes like awesome hot chocolate. In the summer, I might get sick of the hot chocolate... but while the weather is still cool, it's such a nice treat. LOVE IT. (Downside, it is a bit expensive and you have to buy it online. I use diet direct, but I'm sure they sell it elsewhere too.) I cannot stand any other Protein Drink. And I've tried them all. I've become really picky, I guess. -
You might want to call the office to find out. I had to do a pre-op class with the Nuts, and then another meeting with them right before I started my final pre-op diet. So its possible that one-on-one meeting with the nut is to get you started on your final pre-op diet... but I don't know if that is how your surgeon does things. It could also be just to review your eating plan and stages with the NUT and answer any questions that you have.
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You know, different surgeons have different "rules" for their diet plans. Are you in the pre-op phase? In my pre-op diet I could have carnation instant Breakfast (very liquidy, but definitely not clear) or Bariatrix Protein shakes (which are pretty thick). For my surgeon, the only time I had to do "clear liquids" (as opposed to "full liquids" like shakes) was the day before surgery, and then a week after surgery.
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Bariatric Surgery Do's And Don'ts
Pennie replied to LilMissDiva Irene's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Nicely done!! Excellent post! I would also like to add one of my favorite sayings... DO remember that the sleeve is stomach surgery and not brain surgery. If you are an emotional eater, or a compulsive overeater, or if you have any sort of serious eating disorder you cannot expect the sleeve to automatically fix that. It's extremely important to address the mental and emotional reasons that you eat and not just rely on the restriction of the sleeve to keep your eating under control. -
Good luck to both of you! I've only heard good things about Dr. Alvarez, although he wasn't my surgeon personally. He has a lot of awesome videos on you tube with a lot of info. If you haven't already seen them, you may want to check them out.
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Eating Like Crap When Poor : (
Pennie replied to SlevieNicks's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes! I always wonder if this is part of the reason that college freshmen gain the "freshman 15". Without mom and dad's $$, they eat cheap stuff - fast food, ramen noodles, etc. But, more than just being cheap, it's also easy. You can definietly make healthy food on a tight budget. It just requires a lot more work. Unforuntaely, those who are on a very tight budget are also often tight for time. Learning a few healthy recipes can save you money... but it will require much more prep time than just nuking a cup of ramen. Congratulations on having a job that you love - that is awesome! -
Help - In Pain What Can I Take Pre-Surgery?
Pennie replied to kccgm's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was only limited to no asprin, but you are smart to do what your surgeon suggests. Have you called their office to see if they might suggest something? They may just tell you to go ahead with the tylenol, but it's better not to risk it unless you know they are on board with it. I also second the heating pad suggestion. Hopefully, it'll start to feel better soon!