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I was on liquids for 3 weeks (5 weeks if you count preop). Are you on a PPI? If not, you should start. Your hunger could be acid. If you are, take some Maaloxx or Rolaids when you feel hungry. If it's acid that will help. Are you getting at least 64oz liquid? Thirst can also feel like hunger. And are you sure it's not just head hunger? Are you getting at least 60g protein everyday? If none of the above help and you are truly physically hungry, well, no one said this was easy. It will get better when you start pureed and soft foods.

Oooo I love frozen Girl Scout mint cookies.... Gotta get me some power crunch bars!

Jess9395 where were your gallbladder incisions? There is a good chance I will need mine out. My bariatric surgeon did such an awesome job keeping his incisions below my belly button, I'd be bummed to end up with scars in the middle of my abdomen if I didn't have to.

How about warm tea? Celestial seasonings makes a Sleepytime complete care that has echinacea, vitamin C and zinc in it. There are also a number of herbal teas that claim to boost your immune system. And the warmth may be easier to swallow. I had VSG, but it was my friend who had bypass 8 years ago that turned me on to herbal teas.

You look so snazzy! Congrats

I brought sweatpants, a couple short sleeve shirts and a couple long sleeve shirts and a light jacket for evenings. The pockets in my sweats worked great to hold the bulb of my drain, but I guess they're not doing drains anymore so any comfie elastic waisted pants would do. My belly was very swollen and stuck out like I was pregnant so regular pants would not have worked. I actually didn't fit in my jeans for 2 weeks. Several other ladies wore loose dresses. Slip on shoes that are also comfie to walk in (I walked to Walmart/Starbuck's like 5 times plus all over the avenude Revolucion area.). My Crocs were perfect. That's about it. Everything easily fit in my carryon. You should check the weather online to see what to expect. It rained the day before I got there but was nice while I was there....I think mid 60s during the day.

I only had like a 2 hour flight, so really no issues. I wore the compression stockings that my surgeon provided and walked the halls waiting for my flight. Needed to ask for help lifting my carryon onto the X-ray belt and into the overhead compartment. I was told to get up and walk the aisles if it was a longer flight, so you might want an aisle seat. I brought along propel zero packets and decaf tea bags and I also found Muscle Milk protein shakes in the airport. But It will definitely be a long day!

Ok, so we all know the golden rule of NSAIDS postop, but I wondered if anyone has been taking either NSAIDS or steroids regularly after VSG and if so, how's your tummy and does your doctor recommend any stomach protectants while taking them? BTW, I am 11 months out, so well healed and have no problems with my sleeve. The reason I'm asking is that I'm having a flair up of a compressed nerve in my neck. I've had C4-C5 fused, but am now having problems at C5-C6. The compression and narrowing of the neural foramen showed up on MRI years ago but has been asymptomatic until now. In the past, prior to my fusion, a 1-2 week course of 800mg ibuprofen 2xday or methylprednisolone would reduce the inflammation and relieve the symptoms. (Until it got so bad I needed surgery, that is). And unfortunately, both meds can put you at risk for ulcers. I just texted my PCP to see what he suggests, but he is not a bariatric specialist. I also sent an email to my surgeon's office for his advice. But I thought I'd ask if anyone on here has had issues if they absolutely have to take NSAIDS or steroids. If it was just a couple Advil, I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm looking at a longish course of a pretty high dose. Thanks.

About the 1/2 dose...I guess because a full dose is 4 capsules and in the beginning I was taking so many supplements I just didn't feel like 2 more capsules. I make it a point to eat healthy (including a good balance of fruits, veggies and whole grains as well as protein) and a number of my protein shakes also have extra vitamins and minerals added, so between a 1/2 dose of multi, the protein supplements and real food I figured I'm getting all of my RDA. (And bloodwork agrees) And don't get me wrong about the VITALEPH....it seems like a very good multivitamin. It actually has higher levels than mine does of a lot of things. So a 1/2 dose of VITALEPH would be just as good as my 1/2 dose and 1/2 the cost. But I would say take all your recommended supplements initially and let your bloodwork determine what you may or may not need as you get farther out.

Natures Bounty D3 5000iu gel capsules 3 days/week Source Naturals B12 1mg sublingual 3 days/week ( I was taking Twin Labs B12 until I read we should be taking methyl cobalamin, not cyanocobalamin) I still had some source of life gold chewable vitamins leftover which I gagged down until they were gone. Started the Vitamin Code capsules probably 2 weeks postop, but was taking the Vitamin D gel caps starting day 4. I had also been taking Solaray calcium capsules (opened and mixed in my yogurt) and Garden of Life Healthy Blood iron capsules too. But my calcium and iron were both high on my 6 month labs so I discontinued them. And I wouldn't bother with the "fat burning" pills. You will lose plenty of fat without a fad diet pill. Kinda surprises me they have such a thing...makes it look like they don't have faith in their own surgeries. Oh yeah, and I live in the boonies, so I get everything online (except the vitamin d the local grocery store carries).

Full liquids for 18 days. Protein shakes, broths with unflavored protein powder, diluted and strained cream soups with unflavored protein powder, drinkable yogurt. I was allowed SF pudding and SF Popsicles but didn't like them so never ate them.

I never used OCC's products (they were called Enspira when I had surgery). I prefer whole food based vitamins. I was taking Source of Life Gold chewables before surgery, but postop everything tasted way too sweet so I switched to Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women because it came in capsules. They contain probiotics, digestive enzymes and no chemically synthesized vitamins. They are so good, I only take 1/2 the recommended daily dose and my bloodwork is great. I do also take a B12 sublingual and vitamin D 3 days a week. I was able to discontinue my iron and calcium supplements.

I did the weekly pill vial thing, too. I take some everyday, but some only 3-4 day/week and I could never remember which days. The pill vial totally worked, and it got easier as I was able to discontinue a lot of my supplements after my 6 month labs. They also make pill vials that have AM and PM for each day in case you have certain ones you have to take apart from others. I never tracked my food or calories, but a lot of people do and seem to like My Fitness Pal.

Isopure is the only thing that ever made me gag. Jay Robb and Bariatric fusion were all pretty gross, too. Premier, Syntrax nectar, Syntrax matrix and muscle milk have all been really good. But everything was too sweet for me, too. I dilute premier 1/2 and 1/2 with milk and use twice as much Water or milk to mix the powders. I also mixed unflavored powder with every kind of broth and cream soup I could find to totally get away from the sweet. Dilute, blend and strain the dream Soups while in liquid stage.

That makes perfect sense! Can't believe nobody has made that connection before. As for me, Artificial sweeteners hurt my sleeve postop so I didn't do sugar free anything for 4 months. I drank milk, Regular lifewater, regular Vitamin Water, pedialyte, diluted fruit juice, Powerade, etc. I had to find Protein drinks sweetened with stevia or real sugar or make my own with unsweetened powders. I used honey and Torani syrups to sweeten plain Greek yogurt. Made popsicles by freezing Protein Drinks. After 4 months I could tolerate the sweeteners but don't really like the taste.

True! But it was so much fun the first time, I'm sure she wouldn't mind donating again if you ever feel up to it....she's THAT generous! ???? ) But seriously, I do sometimes wonder how much that has contributed to my success.....

@@BeagleLover , what is included in the comprehensive metabolic panel? I had surgery in Mexico and this is what my surgeon recommended..... CBC, platelets Electrolytes Glucose Iron studies/Ferritin Vitamin B12 Liver and Kidney Function Lipid Profile 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Zinc Folic acid Just want to make sure I'm not missing out on something important.

If you can't get an Rx, The generic omeprazole is cheaper and right next to the Prilosec on the shelf. If you need to take a lot, you can get it in bulk at Costco or SAMs.

I've always gotten 1/3 to 1/2 of my daily Protein from Protein smoothies....nearly unlimited flavors..... Apple, peach, lemonade, cherry, cake batter, grape, red velvet cake, banana, caramel, vanilla, chocolate, chai, pumpkin pie spice, Peanut Butter, hazelnut, English toffee, coffee, and strawberry (to name a few ????) And depending how far out you are......Peanut butter, Protein Bars, Jerky, pumpkin seeds, elk, hamburger, venison, pork loin, ham, pastrami, bacon, steak, beef roast, fish, crab, mixed nuts, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, cheese, BBQ ribs, chicken, turkey, refried Beans, split pea Soup, bean soup, eggs, edamame, roasted soy beans, whole grains, and sausage

I had no issues either. I saw my PCP for bloodwork at 3 months and 6 months. That's it. No followup checks or weigh ins, no nut visits, no counseling, no group meetings. I will get my annual bloodwork done later this month and as long as everything looks good then I'll repeat labs in another year. For me, I didn't see the point of costly and time consuming doctor visits since I wasn't having any problems, I lost all my excess weight, I have a good support system of friends and family and I am dealing with life's stresses in a healthy fashion. It's your journey, do what you feel I'd best for you.

As you know, I'm definitely in the "I'm not on a diet and I eat what I want when I want" camp. For me, all the tracking and measuring and counting and planning of meals is way too much like the dozens of failed diets I've been on in my life...,weight watchers, nutrisystem, HCG, zone, Atkins, etc. (and remember Richard Simmons food Mover?????). I just knew I could not stick with that type of regimented lifestyle. My daily routine is unpredictable and food rules and restrictions would be very frustrating. I knew I had to do it differently this time. Here's a good example of why I eat the way I do.... Say I had a meal plan where I am supposed to have grilled chicken breast and broccoli for dinner. But on my way home I get to thinking about the commercial I saw for the new Subway pastrami sub. Mmm. That sounds good! So I could 1) go home and eat what's on my plan. I would be physically satisfied (not hungry), but I would be thinking about that pastrami sub and be bummed I couldn't have it. So I would go to bed mentally unsatisfied and stressed. Or 2) I could stop and get a pastrami sub with Swiss cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts, onions and pickles. Give the top half of the bun to the dogs, eat 1/2 of the 6" sub and put the rest in the fridge. Now I will go to bed physically AND mentally satisfied. The "get in all your Protein, Water and vitamins/everything else in moderation/eat when I'm hungry/don't overeat" plan has worked great for me. I guess the key is the what I want to eat part. I wouldn't be very successful if the answer to that was cake and Cookies and spaghetti and chips and ice cream. But fortunately, the things I want to eat are healthy, nutritious, usually (but not always) high protein things. I eat sweets, but 1-2 bites is all I ever want. I lost 100 pounds in 8 months doing it this way...22 pounds below my surgeons goal and 12 below my personal goal. My bloodwork is spot on, I feel fabulous and I have easily maintained within the same 2-3 pounds for almost 4 months. Granted, I'm only 1 year out and who knows what will happen in the next year or 5 years. I guess if I start gaining I will reassess my situation. Just like everything else about this journey, it's about personal choices and what works for one person may not work for someone else. There are dozens of ways to be a successful WLS patient. Glad we have both found our ways.

YEA! You're AWESOME!????

I am the ultimate grazer/nibbler. I don't get a lunch break so I get in at least 3-4 Snacks during the day. In the evening I eat another 3-4 times. On weekends I have a decent breakfast and then nibble/graze/snack all day...probably 6-7 meals/snacks.....A handful of this, a small bowl of that... But I've been doing this ever since I had surgery a year ago. I'm 100 pounds down and been maintaining 12 pounds below goal for 3 months. I know it goes against all the rules, but I guess as long as your total calories in don't exceed your total calories out, it doesn't really matter how often you eat. And what exactly is a meal vs a snack? 2 BBQ ribs, a serving of Greek yogurt, a plate of raw veggies dipped in cheese spread, a pancake, a bratwurst, a Protein smoothie, a handful of jerky or mixed nuts, an small elk burger patty with cheese, whole grain Cereal and milk, a one egg omelet with spinach, 1/3 of a burrito, V8 juice with olives and pickles, summer sausage with string cheese, 1/3 Apple with Peanut Butter, 3-4 frozen pineapple chunks, small plate of edamame, etc are all typical things I eat. Which ones are the meals?

I was prescribed 40mg omeprazole to take daily for 2 months, mandatory. Excess acid is very common postop. Basically you are producing just as much acid but with a teeny sleeve to hold it. The antacid helps create a less acidic environment for your incision to heal. Many people have to stay on a PPI for a lot longer or even for life. I'm not positive, but GERD is probably the #1 long term side effect of VSG. Fortunately, I don't have it, but I do get a sour stomach sometimes (basically feels like hunger pains) which Rolaids takes care of. And I will get a little gastritis on occasion (usually from a medication or drinking alcohol) and take Prilosec for 7-10 days when I do. Never took a single antacid product prior to surgery. So yes, it is common to go through a lot of antacid products.

I was almost all Protein with some fat (mostly from dairy) and non-starchy veggies from the very beginning. I added in more fruit and whole grains as I got close to goal, about 6 months out. No white carbs (bread, Pasta, rice, sugar) until I was at goal, and even then only 3-4 times/month. I'm not particularly "low carb" now that I'm in maintenance, but my carbs are coming from fruits veggies and whole grains. I never had a plan from my surgeon that involved calories or carb count or specific foods....just made smart, healthy choices....pretty easy plan. So what is he telling you to eat? The first couple months is actually the most crucial time to get in protein to help with healing and hairloss.