JerseyGirl68

I had small spasms when I drank for about the first 5 days.They were not painful, just noticeable. They became less and less frequent every day. How far out are you? For me, warm liquids were easier. I also sat with a heating pad the first few days.

4oz. ziploc/tupperware/freezer containers. Portioning out my meals has been a great help to me. I'm typically stocked with a variety of choices, since one recipe makes more than I am used to eating. So I don't tire of any one recipe, I freeze at least half for later use.

Awesome! Congratulations!!

I was able to get in warm liquids easier than the shakes. The Unjury chicken Soup is a good source of Protein. Also I had some Bariwise Orangeade drinks to help me get protein in the first weeks out. http://www.dietdirect.com/bari-wise-health-fruit-drinks-bw202-orangeade.html Good luck, it will get easier.

WOW, Great picture! Congratulations on your success!

HI DJ, I am by no means an expert on this but some folks on here whose opinions I have grown to trust on such matters have researched these shots, (just one example) http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/64983-wonder-slim-products/ There are many, many threads on this topic and using quality Protein for our diet. You might want to look around a bit just to make sure you're getting what you need.

WOW, Great! best of luck and have a safe trip.

I can imagine it must be incredibly frustrating. Do you log your foods anywhere to keep track of protein/carbs/fat and calories? Have you spoken to your Nutritionist? Maybe they have some insight.

I'll echo Escape_Pod above. theworldaccordingtoeggface and Emilybites.com are chock full with great recipe ideas. With the exception of pasta/bread items. I am still enjoying my favorites, just much healthier versions of my favs. I'm 8 weeks out, and today I had a fat free greek yogurt for Breakfast, a snack of a Protein bar (1-20 grms of protein). For lunch is was 3oz. of grilled flank steak sliced really thin in a carb balance tortilla with a little cheese. I grilled it up last night and re-heated it. So today I've had 700 calories and 64 grams of protein. For dinner I will have some grilled fish. If you're good with Protein Bars, try and make sure they are low fat/carbs and high protein. chicken salad made with fat free mayo is another big fav of mine for lunch, 3 oz is about 20grams of protein. Deli turkey is is a great source of protein too. My Fitness Pal is a great resource, a lot of us here are on it and we log our food diary. They can be very helpful. If you really have a hard time getting in your protein with meals try a protein additive in your Water like Special K20 or Protein 2GO mixes-- another 5-10gm of protein and you're getting your fluids in. I try and cook on the weekends and somewhat plan out my week. I'll make a batch of bread-free crabcakes and freeze them individually for meals. I invested in 4oz plastic containers to freeze other meals in portions too. Good luck!

Find out from your surgical coordinator what your insurance requires. It's a longshot, but you may not need anything from a PCP.

When I went out prior to being cleared for all foods I ordered a crab cake or shrimp cocktail. Baked or broiled fish is always a very good choice. It you're going for Italian, have a meatball.

Try not to let food control your decisions. Make a good choice for you, one that you can feel good about going into this pre-op time, whatever that may be. I always feel better about decisions I choose to make as opposed to those I HAD to make. You can do this! Best of luck to you!

UGH, I went out to buy another scale too when I kept getting different readings. But WOW, great start! Those last 5 will come off, you still have time. Best of luck!

I consider myself very lucky, I am the same as you, I can drink at least 3 20oz Vitamin Water zeros a day and a 24oz water. I do make sure I count those carbs, but I find I can drink the VW Zero much faster than regular water.

Fantastic! What a great way to start out!! Congrats!

I was told regular over the counter liquid cold or sinus meds were ok. But if you are on pain meds still, check with your pharmacist if there are any issues with taking them together.

Great news! Congratulations!

I'm so sorry you're struggling. Just really try and remember not to advance your diet faster than your NUT wanted you to. Have you tried unjury chicken Soup? It was a good Protein source and very easy to get down. At least if you can get your protein in you will be satisfied longer. Remember too, make good choices. If you find yourself turning to Peanut Butter, stock the reduced fat version so you are not sabotaging yourself. Hang in there. Thanks for sharing. It does get better, I hope for you that is sooner than later.

Awesome! So happy everything went well. Having you as her support system and cheering squad will help her more than you know!

The inner battles are the hardest fought ones. Good for you!!

You can absolutely do this! Drink, drink , drink. It will help. If not just water, try Powerade zero or Vitamin water zero. It might help to have some extra flavor. Good luck!

I was in the same boat, I was a 1pm scheduled time and that got pushed back almost an hour. It is hard waiting, but just do your best to relax, sleep in (as if that were possible). Best of luck to you!!

Very happy to see via My Fitness Pal that shoveling snow for two hours equals 1479 calories burned!! SWEET!!! Hope all you North East Sleevers & families are safe.

Congrats and best of luck!!

Very true, there are many different outcomes. For that reason, I'm so thankful I had a resource like this forum to read them all prior to surgery. I felt I was well informed, even about the possible complications. Thank you for sharing, It is a very good reminder not to compare ourselves to others - pre or post surgery. We can follow our plans and hope for the best. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope the worst is behind you.