mom2lucky (suznc)

Measuring - depends on what it is. Meat I usually go with ounces, other things I use the measuring cup. An oz of lettuce is very different than an oz of chicken volume wise so a measuring cup would be better for lightweight items imo. My surgeon recommends 1/2 cup total volume per meal until my 6 mo checkup. Your team may have different recommendations.

Forgot to mention that the blog The World According to Eggface has shake recipes among other tasty ideas. Dashing Dish has shake recipes too.

I don't have any shake recipes but if you want to try single servings of various brands including the Syntrax nectar, go to Nashua Nutrition's online store. Their single serve samples are $1.95 each. Ironically, the brand I ended up liking is one they don't sell. Chike & Unjury also sell singles so you can try before investing in a tub. Also what I liked preop was not always what I liked as a postop.

You can order TVP from Netrition for $2.59 for 10 oz. you can add it to soups and other sauces. Might be a good for you post op when trying to get in your high protein requirements. Amazon probably sells TVP too.

Unjury unflavored & chicken soup don't appear to have sweeteners but the other flavors do. The brand I use has sucralose so that's no help to you but hopefully others have products to share that will work for you.

The only thing I've had >9 gms of sugar per serving is milk & fruit. Haven't dumped maybe because those are natural sugars? Everyone has different tolerance levels so you will just have to gradually try foods to see what your new pouch can handle. Was also told to avoid foods that had sugar or alternate names for sugar listed in the first 3 ingredients on a nutrition label.

What about TVP (textured vegetable protein) mixed in with veggies? I see it sold in bulk bins & in Bobs Red Mill packages.

Tofu? You could add it to protein shakes.

I figure if MFP gives credit for cooking & cleaning, sex should be listed too. Maybe I'll claim it as "horseback riding, trotting". Lol

I'm in Charlotte

I tried beer out of curiosity & nothing happened other than I felt full & guilty because of no nutritional value & worthless carbs. No "buzzed" feeling at all. Not worth messing with in my experience.

YAY for you!!! All the waiting will be worth it.

I've never had cauliflower raw or cooked. The smell during cooking makes me gag but I've been curious about mashed cauliflower as a healthier choice. Can you really not tell the difference? Does it smell bad?

I took hard pills since day 1, just had to space them out. Go with whatever your doc recommends. I would call Monday if you are unsure if you can take the cap whole.

I actually enjoy going to Hooter's with my BF 'cause they have crab legs. We shared an order & I let him have all the butter. Lol They are perfect as is & high in protein. There's also a place nearby that has 50 cent boiled shrimp on Thursdays. There is no minimum number to order so I can order 4-5 without it being a big deal.

At my visit today I asked my surgeon about the types of calcium. He explained that citrate is preferred because you don't need stomach acid or food to help with the absorbtion process. Carbonate needs stomach acid and/or food in order to absorb. For the first 6 months, most of us are on acid blockers so some may be absorbed, just not as much/as well as citrate. Also, whichever you take you need to include vitamin D for absorbtion. This usually isn't a problem since most calciums also incluide D. I have taken calcium citrate for years because I didn't have to take it with food. Sorry if I ruffled anyone's feathers. Take whatever you and your medical team are ok with. I believe most of us want to be helpful sharing what we have learned through experience, MD instructions and research. We all learn from each other. If anyone is interested, this article has more information re calcium post WLS http://voices.yahoo.com/how-choose-best-calcium-supplement-after-a-4842152.html

That's the bacteria that can cause ulcers so it's a good thing they tested you & can treat it with a course of antibiotics. I would ask the office or the pharmacist if the antibiotic can cause a yeast infection just to be safe. Some do & they can prescribe something for that if needed. Hopefully it won't do that though.

Wow. That site has lots of recipes. Thanks for sharing!

I made an Eggface tortilla pizza using a small Mission carb balance whole wheat tortilla. I ate half - yum!

Heinz makes a low sugar ketchup. Walmart, Super Target & local grocery stores have it.

You would think they were citrate because all their other products are but they're not citrate either & are 7 gms of sugar. I brought all these products up with my Nut before surgery & she said we really need citrate & to read the labels of everything for sugars including supplements. Not sure why it's so hard to find a local chewable calcium citrate. I avoid the gummies due to the sugar content & not the right calcium. Just be sure you don't take calcium and Iron together - they negate each other when taken together..