Kindle

You're right about fighting the food demons. I have no doubts the 1st year will be sunshine and roses when it comes to losing weight, but it's the next 30+ years that are going to be hard. Unlike alcoholics, we can't chose to never eat again. It's more like handing an alcoholic a beer and a shot EVERYDAY and telling them "ok, that's it". Of course I'm preaching to the choir, here. As for the book, There's a lot of preop stuff that I read after the fact but it still helps get your head in the right place. I'm only on chapter 6, but the future chapters look like they address any issues I can think of that most of us will deal with in one form or another.

I'm reading "the Emotional First Aid Kit- a practical guide to life after bariatric surgery". It's not going to dig out your deepest darkest secrets like a psychiatrist, but it's got a lot of good tips on dealing with food issues and even step-by-step instructions for achieving goals.

Sounds like you're covered. Good for you and your goals. I've got my concealed carry permit in Idaho and it's not so I can be packing everywhere I go. I'm single and do a lot of traveling and camping by myself so overall, having the permit just makes it easier to travel with my gun. I can have it in my glove box or center console, or bag, etc. Without the permit I would have to have it laid out on the dash or front seat in plain sight. Sorry for the tangent, folks!

Too bad you won't be able to walk around Chicago in your fancy new shoes with your gun hanging on your hip!

Right there with ya! My multivitamin and the Life Water I'm drinking are giving me enough B12, should I add a tablet? Maybe it's a lack of protein. I'm not at 60 grams/day yet. I'm around 40. You need to take sublingual B12 ( 500mcg daily) or injections (1000mcg) monthly. They removed the fundus part of your stomach which produces intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is required for your intestines to absorb B12. So basically we can no longer absorb oral B12, so all the multivitamins and Lifewater in the world may not be enough. Make sure you follow up with post op bloodwork to monitor your B12, iron, calcium and D3 levels at least annually.

I was able to have green veggies preop so I poured this over broccoli and spinach and Brussel sprouts. Now I'm 8 days post op and on full liquids. I just mixed this in with Swansons tortilla soup base and YUM!

I've got both Syntrax Nectar and Unjury unflavored and they're both fine. The Unjury smells and tastes a little less "whey-y" but I usual mix mine with soups that have a strong enough taste to mask the whey. Both mix well with a blender bottle as long as your liquid is under 140 degrees. Syntrax from Amazon and Unjury from their own website.

*Premier, Advantage and EAS shakes, *Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powder added to chicken or beef broth, *Syntrax matrix vanilla powder *PB2 *Unjury proteind cheese sauce (mixed in chicken broth or with veggies below) *Water flavorings (Mio, Dasani, crystal light) *Spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, green beans (we were allowed unlimited green veggies) *Popsicles I made with flavored water and unflavored protein.

I am 8 days out and I got Unflavored Unjury and Syntrax powders that I add to everything.... Cream of spinach, cream of mushroom, seafood bisque, butternut squash bisque, tortilla soup and hot and sour soup, etcetera. I strain the soups and water down the cream ones. Lots of variety! I also make shakes using Syntrax matrix vanilla powder and adding PB2 and various Mio and Dasani flavorings to that for more variety. Still have 10 days before pureed, and there's no way I could drink the same old shakes day after day. Not a huge fan of any of the RTD shakes. Some tasted OK but they were all too thick and went down better after I watered them down. The only isopure I had was immediately postop. There was a GNC I could walk to from the Marriott in TJ. only tried the punch and the grape and liked the grape.

Mashed potatoes? Applesauce? Blended soups? Pudding? Yogurt? And you can add unflavored protein powder to all of them. Are you taking a PPI or anti acids? They can really help with nausea. Getting in vitamins? Especially B12....which helps with IBS regardless.

So much for any sort of recovery vacation. Worked 3 hours from home yesterday and went in for 6 hours today. I'm a vet tech, so it's not like I spent the 6 hours sitting at a desk. Walking dogs, holding cats, talking to clients, lab work, getting up prescriptions, and driving. Being self employed (I am partners in a 2person mobile vet practice), if I don't work, the business is closed. I'm feeling great, getting in all my fluids and Protein, so I figured what the heck. Just no lifting - we did have to postpone a nail trim on a very reluctant 80 pound dog since he's going to require major wrestling technique But now I get the next 2 days off to relax and back at it on Monday. I'm really just thrilled to be feeling so good. Had cream of shrimp Soup with added Protein powder for dinner. Mmmmm

Not sure. I usually make up 1/4 - 1/2 the can and add protein powder. Then spend as much time as it takes to eat it spoonful by spoonful. I actually found a small grapefruit spoon in the drawer and am using that. End up having to reheat it several times.

No pain? No bloating? No vomiting? I had problems getting enough fluids the 1st three days (too bloated) but by day 4 I felt tons better and I've gotten everything in days 5,6 and 7. Went in to work today. Be grateful we are one of the lucky ones!

Well I went back to work today (yes, 7 days postop) so I stepped on the scale. Up 5 pounds since surgery day. Oh well. It's still 17 lbs less than I weighed 24 days ago.

Thanks for the input, Slvrsax (didn't mean to drag you into anything ). I'm just really impressed by how they took care of your issues so quickly and how well you're doing now. Kittychick, you can call or email your coordinator (Lori or Carolyn) with any questions or concerns or details you are wondering about. Believe me, I have a whole separate OCC file in my inbox for the dozens of questions I asked. I practically had Carolyn on "speeddial email" before surgery.

True. My insurance specifically excludes any WLS or treatments or procedures related to WLS unless the procedure is necessary to correct a life threatening condition. Which basically means they would make sure the docs did everything possible (with all the costs on me) to avoid something they would actually have to pay for. As for complications while you are there, you may search for posts from Slvrsax and/or PM her. She had some issues related to her specific anatomy that required a second surgery. OCC took care of everything and she is now home and doing well. I met her while I was down for my surgery. Not sure if she incurred extra charges.

The liquid (or even puréed) stuff you drink stays in your stomach (sleeve) for less than 5 minutes so of course you will never feel full until you get on solids. That is the main reason we can't drink and eat at the same time. Anything you drink will flush the solid food out of your sleeve quicker and you will get hungry sooner.

I did a lot of chicken and beef broth preop. Added Unjury unflavored protein so it substituted as one of my daily shakes.

Are you taking anti acids or better yet, are you on a PPI? My surgeon sent me home with 2 months supply of Omeprazole 40mg with strict orders not to stop taking it any sooner. Helps keep your stomach from getting irritated as it heals. And I've read several posts from people who were have vomiting issues and anti acids cured the problem. In those cases it was more of a stomach irritation issue as opposed to a real nausea issue. (And ditto to what Laura-ven said)

Exactly why I don't own a scale! I use the dog scale at work (I'm a vet tech) when no one's around . In fact, other than the weigh-in at the doctor's office on my surgery day, I haven't weighed myself since 12/16. No idea if I've lost anything since surgery. I can't help but lose at this point, so why obsess over it?

Wow! What an inspiration (as you have always been). Can't wait to post my 2014 pics! You look fabulous.

Great ideas from NMJG. As for the Omeprazole, for How long, and how much are you taking? My surgeon sent us home with 40mg/day for 2 months with strict orders not to stop early. Slvrsax was at OCC same time as me and she had bad nausea issues. One of the docs there switched her to a liquid PPI (ryoban) which helped immensely.

Agreed, NyQuil is a little overkill for insomnia. Try melatonin and camomile tea before bedtime. If that's not working and you really want to try drugs, you might try Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). They make a children's liquid version. Make sure you are well hydrated, though as this can really dry you out. Or better yet, speak with your PCP or nut for suggestions.

I just got back from Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ariel Ortiz, Dr. Martinez and Dr. So and am doing fantastic. Actually going to work for a few hours today 6 days postop. Rather than repeat a lot of stuff, might I suggest looking through the thread "dr. Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center". It's super long but pretty much everything you'd ever want to know. Also check out Hoosiergirl's website for even more details including steps to take in choosing a surgeon (Just google it). There are other good Mexican surgeons out there but do lots of research, as there are some sketchy ones with histories of complications and infections. I don't want to start a debate by naming names here, but if you search this and other WLS forums under both the doctor and the facility name you should be able to uncover the sketchy ones. I spent 6 months researching before making a decision. Good luck!

Ditto on the liquids stage....I had several slugs of drinkable yogurt and a chocolate protein drink (instead of traditional eggs Benedict) for breakfast, butternut squash bisque (instead of prime rib and fixings) for dinner, strained French onion soup as a snack, and vanilla PB2 shake (instead of Danish Kringler) for desert.