Kindle

None for me, either. All carbs, no protein (or very little) and I would think a slider food. I mixed a high protein, whole grain oatmeal in my Greek yogurt when I was in the soft food stage, but that's about it.

Ha! My friends would have a good laugh if they ever heard me described as gentle or kind. Lol. But thanks!

I totally agree. I guess it depends on where you want to get your calories while in your early weight loss stages. Good fats are definitely important. I did eat avocados in puréed stage (and still do). And once I hit goal, I purposely increased my carbs and fat. Added more whole grains and fruit, Switched to real peanut butter, 2% instead of skim milk, regular instead of low fat cottage cheese, ate more nuts, etc. I still use PB2 in my smoothies, though. It just mixed better than peanut butter.

Congrats! And good advice.

I had a BMI of 39 with no comorbidities. My insurance doesn't cover WLS, so it really didn't matter anyways. I went to Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Martinez were my surgeons. I can't recommend them enough. You can check out this thread... .http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261806-dr-ariel-ortiz-and-obesity-control-center/ It's super long, but There's not much left unsaid! Or PM me.

I'm a big advocate for not spending money you don't have. Finance charges and interest will add up fast. I saved for two years for this surgery so I could pay cash. I did put my plane ticket on a low interest credit card, but I paid it off within 3 months when I got my tax return.

Can you imagine how much happier everyone would be if no one stepped on a scale for at least one month after WLS? Two months would be even better to get past those "late" 3 weeks stalls. Everyone could just concentrate on healing and eating healthy and exercising because those things matter WAY more than the STUPID NUMBERS ON THE SCALE!

Premier protein will give you 30g protein, 160 calories and 1g sugar.

Congrats! I've got to do the same. For the first time in my life I weigh much LESS than what my ID's say.

Artificial sweeteners really upset my sleeve between 1 and 4 months postop. So I was drinking regular vitamin water, regular Lifewater, regular powerade and 100% no sugar added juice. Since everything also tasted too sweet to me, I cut all of these 1/2 and 1/2 with water. Even after my sleeve could tolerate the artificial sweeteners, I developed a strong distaste for the artificial flavor. So I really don't drink "diet" or "zero" anything. Plain water, Flavored decaf iced tea and dilute fruit juices are my goto drinks.

Like Linda said, we all did it. 34 days of liquids for me. Just suck it up and do it. It's temporary and is really minor compared to the more important things in life.

I ate lots of PB2 starting at puréed stage. Also added it to Protein shakes. I switched to Peanut Butter once I reached goal. PB2 - 5g protein, 5g carb, 1.5g fat, 45 calories Peanut butter (skippy natural) - 7g protein, 6g carb, 17g fat, 190 calories

You (and your hubby) look great! Thanks for posting and always, thanks for your kind and gentle words you give so generously to everyone on here. You are an inspiration.

Talk to your doctor about what may be the "best" NSAID to take if you really really need to. I'm thinking aspirin is not at the top of that list since it's so "good" at causing ulcers that researchers used to administer aspirin to induce ulcers on purpose in order to study ulcer treatment medications. My surgeon actually sent us home with a sublingual NSAID (supradol) that is less irritating to our sleeves. I picked up extra while I was down in TJ so I'd have it for future use if needed.

My first fruits were canned peaches and mangos. Maybe try them. For some reason I thought watermelon would be too "fibrous". But I eat lots of it now!

I'm going to play devil's advocate a bit here when it comes to the claims that you must have followup appointments with your surgical team in order to be successful. I'm someone that did go to Mexico for my surgery. I did a ton of online research, read a couple WLS books, talked to other WLS patients, chose which surgery I wanted, selected a qualified surgeon, made all the arrangements and lost all the weight they wanted me to preop. All without ever consulting a doctor or nutritionist or psychologist or therapist or attending any informational seminars or support group meetings, or any other insurance hoops. Although I have been able to contact my surgeon's office postop via phone calls and emails, I have had no doctor office visits, weigh-ins, or nutritional consults. I simply read and followed the instructions I was sent home with. I figured out what foods and supplements I like and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what foods you should and shouldn't eat. Counting and tracking and measuring really has not been necessary for me because I make smart choices and listen to my body. I hit my surgeon's goal before 6 month and my personal goal about a month later....and still losing about a pound/ week. I just posted my before and after pictures http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/315787-new-and-improved-after/ and I am really quite proud of myself. At six months out I contacted my PCP and asked him to order the labs my surgeon recommended. All my levels were normal (except Iron and Calcium were high so I've adjusted my supplements). I'll do the same thing at my one year mark. I have no doubt a strong support team and followup is helpful and maybe needed for some people to succeed. But I also think any individual that is committed to their WLS Decision and is willing to take responsible for their own health can do this. I'm not one to hold someone's hand through life and I certainly don't expect or look for someone to hold mine. Of course I am only 7 1/2 months out, so I'm not yet considered a "success", and only time will tell if I'm full of sh... t or not.

Unfortunately, no, not in awhile.

I make my own Popsicles by freezing my Syntrax nectar Protein drinks. I got silicone molds for freezing on Amazon. Frozen vanilla Protein Powder mixed with OJ (or Water flavored with Mio tangerine drops) is a yummy dreamsicle. I also make "ice cream" with Muscle Milk cake batter protein powder, milk, plain Greek yogurt, Torani SF Gingerbread syrup and chopped nuts. And three words.... "Frozen pineapple chunks". Mmmmmmmm....

I used to eat Subway ALL the time. In fact, that was my last meal before I started my preop. But I've only had it once postop. Turkey bacon with all the fixings. I took the top 1/2 of the bread off and sliced the bottom 1/2 in 1/2 so it was a thin sliver of bread. It took me 3 meals to eat a six inch. Now that you mention it, I may have to go get one of their applewood pulled pork sandwiches soon....I will just eat the meat with a fork. Mmmmm

Between 3 and 4 months I really started feeling better (normal)

I found this formula in several places.... How to Calculate Your Protein Needs: 1. Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 = weight in kg 2. Weight in kg x 0.8-1.8 gm/kg = protein gm. Use a lower number if you are in good health and are sedentary (i.e., 0.8). Use a higher number (between 1 and 1.8) if you are under stress, are pregnant, are recovering from an illness, or if you are involved in consistent and intense weight or endurance training. Example: 154 lb male who is a regular exerciser and lifts weights 154 lbs/2.2 = 70kg 70kg x 1.5 = 105 gm protein/day {Using this formula, at my current weight I should get 54-121g protein/day. (I don't just sit around all day and I'm not an avid exerciser/weight lifter, so My actual requirement is in the middle somewhere.) And immediately post op I weighed a lot more so my minimum daily requirement would have been closer to 80g. So the 60g goal is actually pretty low in my case}

There are hemp, rice, pea and sprouted seed Protein products out there. I'm not a vegetarian, and most of my shakes are whey / milk based Proteins, but I like to mix up my protein sources to give my body variety. I love the Garden of Life Raw Protein and Raw Fit products (whole food based....protein from sprouted seeds). And I just ordered a jar of Spiru-Tein banana (soy protein) from the Vitamin Shoppe to check out. Just remember, the less protein you eat, the more fat and carbs you are eating. Protein is better for weight loss and general health (muscle building, cell repair, immune system functions, etc.)

I planned my surgery at Christmas time because it was the easiest to get off work for me. With travel I was gone a total of 8 days but only missed 4 days of work. Then when I did go back, I had the weekend and New Years to break it up so I I didn't have to jump straight into a full 6 day week.

I LOVE this website! I was never much of a cook before surgery, but I love these recipes. Sometimes I tweak them to make them fit what I have on hand (I hate grocery shopping even more than cooking) and find ways to incorporate even more Protein by adding flavored or unflavored Protein powder where I can. BTW, the bananas foster French toast is to die for! I added vanilla protein powder to the batter in place of vanilla extract.

I had the same surgeon as sndgord53....had surgery in TJ on a Friday. Was back to work (active job, on my feet, lifting, bending, squatting, walking) by the next Friday. I had a 25 pound lifting restriction for three weeks, but was able to take care of all my other duties.