AmyInOrlando

I buy tilapia and salmon at Costco, package and freeze them in single serving size. My favorite for salmon is a ginger wasabi sauce I bought at a gourmet grocery. It's from Robert Rothschild Farm. One teaspoon is only 10 calories, and it's amazing. I'm sure if it's not available locally, you can find it on-line. For tilapia, I just sprinkle some Cajun seasoning on it and grill it on George Foreman, same goes for shrimp. I put them on a skewer and sprinkle Cajun seasoning on them. I'm just 2 and a 1/2 weeks post op, so I'm still on liquids, but I'm looking forward to having fish and seafood. They're going to be my protein staples I'm sure.

Why not bring your own food. You can tell the server you just had surgery, and I'm sure they'll warm your food for you. If you've been keeping your surgery a secret, then you could certainly order some tea, and say you're not feeling well... or whatever.... I've chosen not to keep my surgery a secret. People that know and love me understand the battle I've had with food my whole life. They've seen me lose and gain >100 pounds in the past. I need their support now. The people that don't understand, or don't want to... that's their issue, not mine. This was my last resort. I'm saving my own life.

Good luck, that's a lot to take on at the same time. I wish you the very best. I thought I bit off more then I could chew when I detoxed from caffeine and food at the same time. I was instructed to do a 7 day liquid diet pre-op, but I was on an out of control binge fest knowing I was having the surgery. I decided to start my liquid diet 7 days early to stop myself from the out of control eating. Once I made the decision, I stuck to it. I'm sure had I not done that, I'd have been 10 pounds higher on my day of surgery. It takes 14 days to change a habit, so that's what I gave myself. It was a good decision.

Been there, done that, have the T shirt. Not during my pre-op liquid diet, but thousands of times before when I was "dieting". I suggest you get the book, "Eat It Up", the complete mind / body / spirit guide to a full life after weight loss surgery. It goes beyond the "how to" of maintaining weight loss, and deals with the things that have been eating us... that led us to become weight loss surgery candidates to begin with.

There have been lots of posts regarding constipation. I recommend Miralax. It works great.

I was on liquids for 2 weeks before surgery, clear liquids for the first week post op, and now I'm on full liquids until next Saturday (2 weeks). Other then the pudding, all the foods you've listed are on my soft food (phase 3) list, which starts at week 4. I've had a problem with chronic constipation for many years. The most effective thing I've used is Miralax. It mixes easily with water, is tasteless, colorless, and not gritty. It works great, with no cramping or straining. I had my first BM 15 days post op. I started the Miralax at day 12. I started taking 2 Colace soft gels at day 7.

Miralax is my new best friend.

Too difficult for me..... but if anyone in the Central Florida area makes it.... please invite me over for dinner.

I am hooked on Chobani FF Plain Greek Yogurt. I flavor it with either SF DaVinci or Torani Syrups, or Mio, Crystal Light or Dasani drops. The flavors are endless and you can make them sweet or not so sweet depending on your tastes. It's high in protein, and you're not adding any calories or carbs by flavoring it.

Oh my goodness.... our poor pups are going to need sleeve surgery next.

At five and a half months out, you've been up and ambulating... I don't think you have to worry about blood clots at this point, unless you have a history of DVT's. Then I would call my Doc. Before surgery I was taking a coated Aspirin 81 mg. My Doc said to wait till I'm a month post-op before restarting it. No Ibuprofen. Tylenol is OK. The only NSAID I can take is Celebrex.

We just had major surgery. Listen to your body, it's telling you to rest. Don't second guess your vitamins, etc. Dr. Alvarez gave us all the same instructions and he has great outcomes. I'm taking the gummy vitamins and Omega 3's. and the rest of the supplements that were on his list. Listen to your body, don't fight it to try to find a way to have more energy and do more.... It's telling you to slow down. Once you're healed then it's true, increased exercise will give you increased energy.. but you're still in the healing stage, and you need rest. Enjoy the ups when you have them, and do what you can, but don't push yourself. We're only a little more then 2 weeks out. Rest when your body tells you to.

Why not call her and ask her what's going on? Tell her you're disappointed that you haven't heard from her, and don't understand it. Don't text, call her and invite her over for "lunch". Let her know you miss her...

Sorry you're not feeling well. I think initially you felt so good, that you were doing too much and it all just caught up with you. We just went through major surgery. You've been cooking for the family, taking care of your Husband, riding the exercise bike. Dr. Alvarez told us to only walk for the first several weeks. It sounds like you're doing everything right. Drinking enough, getting enough protein, taking your vitamins, etc. What you're feeling now is similar to what I was feeling initially, so Rest, Rest, Rest. Don't push yourself too hard. I know you "felt" energetic and well enough to do all that you were doing, but now your body is telling you to SLOW DOWN. Listen to your body. And, feel better soon. (((Hugs))), give one to R. for me.

I was crazy itchy. It was worse immediately after surgery. I didn't have a rash, so I thought it was a sensitivity to the pain meds and not a true allergy. Well, I've been off the pain meds for almost a week and I'm still itching. Not nearly as bad, and now mostly on my stomach, so I'm sure it's due to the incisions still healing. My steri-strips are just now starting to begin to peel off.

I had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve surgery. I never had any symptoms, so it was never diagnosed. My recovery was a little rougher. I had shortness of breath, chest pain with inspirations, left shoulder pain and some jaw pain. I felt like I'd swallowed a golf ball and it was lodged in my throat. It was scary because the symptoms mimicked cardiac symptoms. I had no cardiac history, but then again... I had no symptoms of the hiatal hernia to begin with. Well, I spoke to my Doc and he reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack. Everything I was feeling was due to the hernia repair. It took about 10 days before I started feeling better. My Dr. said hiatal hernias were not unusual and he does several repairs at the same time as the sleeve surgery every week. I'm feeling a whole lot better, in fact, I'm going back to work on Monday.

Hi, I'm Amy, I've been a Psych Nurse for 38 years. I too spent several years working in Corrections. That was a fun job, but I hated the 12 hour shifts. I had surgery 15 days ago with Dr. Alvarez. I'm going back to work on Monday. Michelle.... you're gonna be in great hands. Call Susan and find out who your "sleeve sister" is going to be. I hooked up with both my "sisters" on line and on the phone. When I got to San Antonio it was like meeting old friends again. We went through everything together and have become great friends. We spent 2 hours on the phone last night on a 3 way call. I'm in Orlando, Linda is in Kentucky, and Nancy is in California. It was a great experience. Dr. Alvarez and his staff are amazing. You couldn't be in better hands. The three of us traveled alone... but we were together through the whole process. My Boyfriend wanted to come with me, and I'm glad I told him to stay home.

I put Cajun seasoning in my Southwestern veggie soup.... no problem

Apple juice was what got me through the first few days. That, and Mango Italian ices. I needed the sugar and carbs the first week for energy. Of course once I made it through the first week, I gave up the sugar and stuck to SF liquids and popsicles. I still have another week of full liquids. FF Greek yogurt is great with a drizzle of SF Davinci or Torani syrups. Gonna try some apple sauce tonight... yum

Great attitude !!!! Slow and steady wins the race. Happy Friday !!!

I have problems with insomnia myself. I don't like to take sleeping pills because I don't want to be dependent on them, but I have them when I absolutely need them. I'm sure that lack of sleep influenced my ability to lose weight for the past several years. I don't get home from work till midnight, and for the past year and a half I'd been eating from the time I got home till I finally put myself in a carb coma. The sleeve will definitely change that behavior. I go back to work on Monday for the first time since surgery. Hopefully I'll be tired and can start to build new sleeping habits.

Welcome Lindsay, I had surgery 2 weeks ago, and I based my decision to have the procedure after several weeks of reading posts on this site. Lots of information and new friendships.

I was sleeved 2 weeks ago. The first 10 days were a nightmare. I had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair done at the same time. I'm a RN, and planning on going back to work on Monday. I'll be 61 Sept. 24th. My only regret is that I didn't have this surgery sooner.

My PCP was a little concerned when I told her I was going to Mexico and why. She was reassured when I told her all the research I had done before choosing Dr. Alvarez. She was extremely supportive. She was willing to do my EKG and any pre-op labs that were required. I brought her Dr. Alvarez's book and she copied the page with information about post-op follow up needs. I called her when I got home to tell her about my "surprise" hiatal hernia repair and that I was alive and well. I scheduled a 6 week follow up with her and will bring her a copy of my surgical report and the labs that were drawn in MX. She has seen me struggle with my weight for years. After watching me lose 150 pounds with diet and exercise and then regaining 75 of those pounds, she understood my desperation. I've got the best PCP in Central Florida, and had the best Bariatric Surgeon in Mexico.

If crackers are a "trigger" food for you, it's best to not start. They were for me. I'd open a box thinking I would only eat "one serving", and before I knew it, the box was empty. If you fill your sleeve with protein and produce.... there won't be room for carbs with little nutritional value.