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I was the same way with the water post op.... Couldn't drink it plain. Now at. 3 months out I am able to drink plain water without the yucky feeling. Good luck

Those are all great recipes. I found these tasty, too... 1) 1/2 blended banana in the chocolate shake 2) PB2 added to the vanilla shake 3) tangerine Mio added to vanilla tastes like a dreamsicle As for the premier shakes, I always thought they were too thick I dilute them at least 1/2 1/2 with skim milk....and that adds another 8g Protein. I learned to tolerate them because they are definitely the most bang for your buck when it comes to protein. The other thing I did both pre and post op was to add unflavored protein powder to broth. It was a nice change from all the sweet flavored shakes.

But does the high protein/low carbs rule still apply on that end?

All the 18's are spoken for, but here's what I've got. They are all boot cut and are either relaxed fit and/or stretch denim. (Except the cords that are Levi's baggy style) Rods no gap waistband size 19/20x34 (starting to wear on inner thighs, so have internal reinforcement patches) Wrangler Q baby Tuff Buck 20Wx34 (minor wear good condition) Wrangler Cash 19/20x34 (good condition, one ripped belt loop in back) Cruel Girl relaxed low rise (faded denim, button fly, some fraying on bottom cuffs) Cabelas casuals 20 long (good condition, one ripped belt loop on side) Levis Silver Tag Baggy cream color corduroys W38 L30 (excellent condition) Wrangler Q baby Tuff Buck 22Wx34 (excellent condition) Wrangler Q baby Tuff Buck 22Wx34 (some wear, fraying on bottom cuffs)

I have several pairs each of size 18, 20 and 22 jeans. Mostly Wrangler Q baby, but some Carharts, Lee, and Rods. 32-34" inseams.

Only you can control your head hunger. VSG surgery can provide the "fix" for physical hunger and limiting our quantities, but the real challenge is our mental state. Everyone of us needs to figure out how to deal with our destructive relationship with food, whether the "head hunger" comes from emotional eating, bored eating, stress eating, carb cravings, whatever. Without the mental commitment, any WLS is a waste of time and money. If appetite suppressant drugs actually worked (without deadly side effects ) we wouldn't need WLS. As for me, I'm 3 months out and only just started to even want to eat. Evenings are the worse, but whenever I get the urge for something, I make myself drink at least 24 oz. by the time I'm done, the urge is usually gone...or it's time to go to bed.

The sweet Protein shakes got really old post-op, so I mixed unjury unflavored protein powder in cream Soups, broth, mashed potatoes, etc. I found myself a little lactose intolerant postop, too. Greek yogurt and cheese are fine, but milk upset my sleeve a little. I love almond milk, but it doesn't have as much protein, so I switch to Lactaid milk and haven't had any problems. As for malnutrition, you may be lacking in the beginning, just because of our limitations, but as you get farther out, your Vitamins and good food choices will be adequate. I have no doubt, despite my mass quantity of food intake, I probably was malnourished before surgery because I ate crap.

I'm with you....I have a size and how do I feel goal, not a number. I do weigh once/week at work so I have something to put on my ticker, though. I also have "interested parties" Asking me all the time how much weight have I lost. But I think everyone that whines about their stall needs to be "grounded" and have their scale removed for a month. Just like taking a video game away from a kid who's playing too much and not doing their homework. All that mental anguish caused by the numbers just doesn't seem worth it.

Depends on where you are having it done and what payments they accept. I went with OCC and I could pay with cashiers check or Paypal, but there were extra fees if you used PayPal.

Have you booked your surgery date with OCC? They sent me a huge packet of info immediately when I booked with detailed preop instruction and checklist. If you have booked but not received info, let me know and I can forward my info packet (it was actually several emails including a health survey, preop diet details, payment instruction, travel arrangements and correspondence from their cardiopulmonary specialist in regards to use of your spirometer).

Broth and tea went down best for me. I had to dilute my premier protein, too, and I used skim milk instead of water (more protein). I also got unflavored protein powder and added it to diluted/strained cream soups and broths. I pretty much had to start sipping from the time I woke up till I went to bed to even come close to fluid requirements. The artificial sweeteners in the flavored waters, crystal light, etc, started tasting really gross to me, so I switched to diluted juice (apple, cranberry, grape). 100% no sugar added only.

Going to Mexico can be perfectly safe or risky depending on the surgeon and facility you choose. I was sleeved 12/20 in TJ and everything was textbook perfect. Really no postop pain, was back at work in a week, transitioned through food stages well, and am losing at a good rate. The stay in TJ was actually fun since I was there with my sister. I've had a non-VSG complication (Clostridial infection caused by antibiotics from surgery and a tooth abscess) and my surgeon has been great with followup correspondence and coordinating my treatment with my PCP and gastroenterologist. I feel great, I have great restriction, and am thrilled with my progress so far. Which surgeons are you considering at this point? I would be more than happy to discuss the details of my research and decision to use Obesity Control Center if you are interested. Feel free to PM me. As for payment, I saved up for almost two years and paid cash.

My nut wanted us on drinkable yogurt and probiotics ASAP after surgery. My PCP suggested something more than just your basic acidophilus products you can get OTC. Instead, he urged me to find a higher quality, refrigerated, multi-strain product. Florajen 3 was available at the local pharmacy (no Rx needed) and better yet, I found 33 strain / 50 billion CFU capsules from Garden of Life at the local health food store. I've been fighting a C. diff infection for almost 2 months so I have become somewhat of a probiotic expert.

Details on size 16 jeans?

Anything jeans size 16?

Total and partial gastrectomies have been around a lot longer than bypass. They've just been doing them for other reasons.... Cancer, ulcers, trauma, etc. so the long term effects of losing most of your stomach are pretty well known. It's just the weight loss stats that aren't as far out as bypass.

My surgeon makes a pretty tight sleeve, so I have a lot of restriction. I'm almost 3 months out and I wouldn't be able to eat 1/2 sandwich even now. In my soft food phase I could maybe handle 2 tablespoons of something. And speaking of sandwiches, I was told to avoid breads, pasta and other carbs. Protein first, then veggies, then maybe carbs if you have any room. The protein fills me quickly and I might be able to handle 1-2 bites of veggies. Haven't had any bread yet, but I did end up with a couple noodles when I had a cup of Thai soup (after eating most of the broth, a few bites of veggies and a couple shrimp).

If it makes you feel any better, why don't you take all the money you will be saving on groceries and donate it to a soup kitchen or other organization that helps feed starving kids.

Covatila, just wanted to let you know the month long stall is over! Feeling better, so Doubled my fluids and calories over the last week and lost 3 pounds for a total of 2 pounds down in the last month. Yeah, it's slow, but is still LOSING and I'll take it!

Sorry I have to laugh at your post...sounds just like my mom. The whole telling strangers in a restaurant and I, too, am known as the WLS daughter in her community. To tell you the truth, though, it really doesn't bother me. I am more comfortable accepting compliments and talking to the people that do know than I am facing the people that don't know because I feel guilty about lying if I don't disclose my "weight loss secrets".

So 4 weeks ago, I was 184, 3 weeks 187, 2 weeks 185, last week 185. And this was all while I was sick with diarrhea and on antibiotics that made me so nauseous I could barely eat or drink. Even needed 3 rounds of IV fluids. Well last week my gastroenterologist switched antibiotics and I feel great! I probably doubled my calorie and fluid intake and lost 3 pounds! But really I'm just THRILLED to not feel crappy anymore. Had a great time at a chili cookoff fundraiser on Saturday...I had one or two bites each of the 3 best chilis, a bite of tiramisu, and 32 oz. of propel zero. Yes, I'm quite a party animal!

My mom is the same way. I reluctantly told her after my sister talked me into it. She's been incredibly supportive, but she's also told everyone she's met. It's a major topic of conversation at her retirement park in Arizona. I called her one day and she was talking to the mom of an old HS Friend of mind whom I hadn't seen in 20+ years. Guess what they were talking about! The Christmas card I got from my aunt had a little note in it wishing me luck with my surgery. I told her to stop it but she hasn't. I've got two big mouth friends that also told dozens of other mutual friends so pretty much everyone knows. Fortunately everyone has been supportive and several are curious as to the details of my surgery and post op life. "You are so skinny now....bitch. Wish I was brave enough to do that too." is a phrase I hear a lot.

HW 238 SW 216 CW 182 Month long stall finally over!!! Lost 3 pounds this week after upping my calories.

I didn't get to start puréed until day 18 and even then it took about a week before I could eat more than 2 tablespoons. Then felt major restriction again when I started soft foods at 28 days. I just took everything slow, overlapped my stages and only ate what I was comfortable with even if something was an "approved" food.

Cream or Puréed soups with added protein powder (split pea and bean soups have a lot of protein without adding extra) blended tuna salad with mustard, mashed potatoes with added protein powder, plain Greek yogurt with puréed peaches or bananas or mangos (the pre-flavored yogurts were way too sweet for me) guacamole, hummus, laughing cow cheeses, Huevos rancheros made with refried beans, egg whites and green chili, mashed sweet potatoes with added protein powder, puréed cauliflower, no sugar added applesauce. I also had bought some SF pudding, but I was sick of sweet stuff by then.