DeniseM

I used to drink the Coconut Isopure (I have tried every flavor and it is the ONLY one I like)- I would mix it half Isopure, half Water and then add a splash of Orange Tangerine Juicy juice. I drank that every day for the first two weeks when I was on liquids. You would think that watering down the Isopure would make it worse, but it really helps disguise the flavor and then with the shot of juice, it wasn't really that bad. My advice is buy one of each of the flavors of Isopure and taste them all because we all are different, and all like different flavors.

I was able to eliminate the shakes by six weeks, but I occasionally have a protein bar now if I am really busy and need the extra protein- usually on the weekend. At four weeks I still wasn't physically able to eat that much food.

I started at 339 and in just 3 months I am down a total of 75 pounds (19 on the two-week pre-op diet and 54 since surgery) I didn't tell anyone except my boss and my immediate family that I was having surgery because I was afraid it wouldn't work and they would judge me. What I credit my success so far to is following my doctors plan precisely. I did not cheat one time either pre-op or post op. I ate ONLY the foods on my list during my five week post-op period and now while I do have occasional treats, I always get my 80 grams of protein and 64 ounces of water first before I put anything else in my mouth. I have made taking care of myself my first priority when before it was my last priority. I had some issues with one of my incisions not healing and then having my gallbladder removed so I have not exercised much more than walking (I paid a lot of money for personal training sessions and I have not been able to use most of them due to my health issues) but starting next week I will be focusing on my fitness for the first time in 20 years, which I am excited about. My only regret is that I did not do this sooner!

Your gallbladder is on your right side- if it keeps bothering you, you should have that checked out.

I am on my phone and cannot see my ticker, but my BMI was 51 (I think) and now close to 40. I have a lot more to lose, but I have been so happy with my results so far.

I have had bacon with no problems. I am not a huge fan so I wouldn't eat a piece plain, but I have had bacon on things like chicken and in salads. The reason bacon is on the naughty list is due to the fat and sodium content, but a piece here and there once you are on full foods after post-op will not hurt anything.

Being on liquids was really hard for me too- I got SO sick of everything being sweet. Once you start eating pureed food it gets much easier because the food has taste and there is more variety. Hang in there- it will be over before you know it!

I just used a hand blender and blended all different kinds of soups until they were completely smooth. I didn't add cream or milk to them, but blending them made the texture creamy. I don't like any of the "Cream of ____" soups except tomato and that got old fast. I would get soup from Panera bread and blend that up- tastes so much better than soup from a can!

I was wondering what saganaki is as well....

As a Christian I understand what you are saying, but I can tell you that God's will would be for you to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby and by refusing to follow your doctor's advice and not use birth control you could put both yourself and your baby at serious risk. After surgery your body needs time to heal and for your weight to stabilize. Please talk to your surgeon about this. My surgeon wouldn't do my surgery unless I signed a contract stating I would use birth control for 18 months. I am on birth control now (Nuvaring) for the first time in 12 years. As much as I want a baby, I want a healthy and well nourished baby. I would never forgive myself if I caused harm to my baby due to my nutritional status after surgery.

I'm not sure what size you wear, but I found these great push-up bras by Warner that fit me really well and give me the boost I need for my deflated boobs. I found them at Kohls, but they only go up to a C cup. Warner has a whole line of bras at Kohls, but the push-up style was the one that worked best for me. I saw one style that specifically said something about back fat, but I don't have that issue, just super saggy boobies... I used to buy my bras at Lane Bryant but now they are all too big.

I know it is hard when everyone seems to be on a different post-op plan, but you really need to follow YOUR doctors plan, not someone else's plan. There might be a specific reason your doctor has you on clear liquids and you can really harm your sleeve if you progress too quickly. If you want to go off your post-op plan, I would talk to your doctor first. I know how hard the post-op part is when you are wanting to eat food and are still on liquids- we have all been there and it sucks. But, before you know it you will be off liquids and eating food and feeling so much better. Hang in there- you can do this!

I eat four meals a day, and plan them carefully so I get 20 grams of Protein with each meal. Some days I have a snack or two as well, so if you count every time I eat that would be 5-6 times a day. If I only ate three times a day there would be no way I would get in my protein!

Totally normal. I still have it at almost 3 months, but not as bad. Still have hiccups too!

If you are taking Prevacid every day you should not have heartburn. Talk to your doctor about trying something different or increasing your dose. I take Nexium every day and I have only had heartburn twice, both times I forgot to take my medicine. Also, how you take your PPI matters- my GI doctor told me to take mine on an empty stomach first thing in the morning with plain water and not eat for 30 minutes.

In the beginning I drank a combination of half Isopure with half water and a splash of juice to be able to get in both my proteins and fluids each day. It's hard in the first few weeks, but it gets easier every week.

Aside from the obvious protein, water, and exercise, one thing that I have found that works for me is getting enough sleep. If I can somehow manage to get myself at least 7 hours of sleep a night, I always seem to lose the next day, some days it is just a few ounces, but it is always a loss. When I get 5 or 6 hours of sleep, I usually do not lose anything or gain a few ounces.

I don't eat anything with artificial sweeteners ever due to my personal preference of not wanting to put those chemicals in my body. However, I am not a diabetic. My NUT also told me I could not eat anything with sugar because I would not loose as much weight. I have had no problems with my weight loss so far and I eat things with regular sugar several times a week. I am really careful with the quantity of food with sugar and I only have a few bites of whatever it is.

I was allowed raw fruits/veggies at four weeks. I have had no issues tolerating either. I probably have fresh fruit 2 or 3 times a week as a snack. I would eat more but I usually don't have room.

Be really careful with that incision- the one near my belly button never healed and when I started going to the gym it opened up the first week and then for five weeks I had to go twice a week for wound care which was SO inconvenient and then when my gallbladder came out I had to have the incision revised. So if you still have a scab at four weeks, have your surgeon check it before you start working out. My new incision has healed very nicely this time around, so yeah for that!

Until I started having gallbladder issues, and now after, I can eat anything I want. Nothing has made me sick and I have not thrown up once. I eat primarily proteins with a few bites of veggies and such, but all of the things I read about that people have issues with like raw veggies, bread, sugary foods, etc. have not been a problem for me. I feel very lucky.

I eat whole hard boiled eggs and scramble my eggs whole as well. I don't seperate out the yolks and only eat whites. The yolk does add more fat and calories, but I eat eggs maybe once a week so it's not an issue for me.

All I could do was walk for four weeks, then no exercise restrictions.

I just have to say that no matter where your surgery is, U.S., Mexico, or anywhere in the world, and no matter who your doctor is, or how highly trained they are, one of the risks of surgery is death. We are all told this, and we all make a choice if we are going to take the chance in going through with the surgery. I am so sorry for the family of this woman who passed, but this is the reality of VSG. There are risks, and sometimes the worst case scenario happens, and it happens to all surgeons all over the world.

Not sure how you plan on eating limes- in your water? on your food? by themselves? I don't think a few drops will hurt anything, but you will want to be careful with how much you have due to the acidity of them, it might irritate your stomach if you have too much. I have had lemon in my water and lemon on fish and had no issues.