KittyKat848

I was a pretty big coffee drinker before surgery, but I gave up caffeine per the dietician's orders. Funny thing is that my surgeon at my last appointment advised me that the belief that moderate caffeine consumption dehydrates you (the common reason we are advised to avoid caffeine) is a myth. He told me that he really doesn't care if I want to drink a cup or two of coffee per day after 8 weeks post surgery. He advised waiting 8 weeks because our healing space is small and there's little nutritional value. Also, coffee is acidic. That said, I have only used decaf thus far -- and rarely at that. Coffee doesn't taste that good to me anymore and I am kind of glad I broke my caffeine addiction. I also worry about the acid and ulcers. ANYHOW, my point is, perhaps you could ask your doctor if one cup on working nights would be acceptable?

I had left side pain for a LONG time that started about 3 weeks after surgery. My pain was to the left of my navel. It perplexed me because I didn't have an incision where it hurt, but the pain felt a lot like I had! At one point it was so bad that I hesitated to get up -- that's when it hurt the most. It was a burning awful pain. I spoke to both the nurse and the dr about it. The doctor even saw me. I was sure I had a hernia or something terrible going on. It was normal. The nerves start to regenerate about this time -- and the pain I was feeling was nerve pain -- and the nurse assured me that it would go away as suddenly as it came on. I didn't believe her. I used some of my left over pain medication for a night or two, a heating pad and took it easy. One day I woke up and it was gone! Crazy! Anyhow, that's my story. Hope your pain subsides very soon.

I make hummus at least once a week. For dippers, I buy Kraft Deli Deluxe cheese (yes, it matters) and cut a slice into 9 even squares. Then I arrange them into a circle on parchment paper in my microwave. Cook on high for 45 seconds. Viola. Little crunchy cheese crackers. 80 calories, >1 carb and 5 grams of Protein. I also use "Just Great Stuff" powdered organic Peanut Butter powder. It isn't unnatural -- it's made with organic peanuts, organic coconut sugar and sea salt. It has 45 calories in 2 TBs and only 1.5 grams of fat. It has 5 g of carbs (1 is fiber) -- so it'd be hard to make you dump. It also has 4 grams of protein. I mix 1 T with a 1/4 of PLAIN greek yogurt. It is delicious. Greek yogurt has about 22 grams of protein per cup -- so about 6 grams in my 1/4 cup. This can be eaten plain or you can use it as a very healthy dip --- my son loves to eat it on apple slices.

I track my Vitamins -- anything that I chew. My vitamins and Calcium come to around 50 calories. I do this because I can also see how well I am meeting nutritional goals, too. I don't count them toward my calorie goal, however. For example, if I was limited to 800 calories per day, I would only count food toward that goal.

Just a note: they can tell if you've just left in running or actually used it by the compliance data. Sleep apnea is one of the largest killers of the obese. A surgeon who requires this is doing a good job.

I use celebrate vitamins. CelebrateVitamins.com

I decided to give up swearing and name-calling. I noticed that I've gotten a bad habit of calling other drivers "idiot" or "dumbass" --- and that I have gotten lax about swearing. So, I figured this is something to change this lent. :-)

I've lost 68 pounds (344 to 274) since 12/17. I have gone from a 30/32 to a loose 26. No one has noticed. ????

Water retention? I'm not sure, I don't remember bloating. I hope it eases soon!

Yay!! Many blessings

The drained feeling is normal. Don't cheat and keep up the good work. I swear it gets easier!

Hi. I checked out your food diary. I'm going to be very honest with you. You are eating almost all fast and processed foods that are laden with salt and carbs. Perhaps you can find a way to replace These largely empty foods for ones more on post op plan. Dump the biscuit, pizza, fried food, and candy bar. These just aren't good choices. Hugs to you. I know it's hard! But you are worth it.

I sent a friend request

I hope you're feeling better now!

My husband and I were just informed that we are invited to Celebrate his Uncle's birthday with his family tomorrow. They've chosen the Olive Garden. None of them know that I had surgery 8 weeks ago. I don't intend to share this fact. I haven't been having trouble eating solids -- I am at about 2 oz of true solids at a sitting. I haven't had any non-naturally occurring carbs and plan my eating pretty rigidly. SO, I looked up the menu so that I could make an educated decision about what I will eat tomorrow. Can you help me decide what is better? I considered ordering Soup, but I really don't like any they offer and I am NOT eating Pasta nor bread. So here's what I've narrowed it down to -- of course I won't eat it all. I am a bit nervous not having eaten either of these dishes before with my new pouch (I call her Matilda) -- so I am also concerned with what you think will sit best, too. Thank you! Baked Tilapia with Shrimp 340 calories total fat: 11 Sat fat: 5 Sodium: 1070 Carbs: 14 Fiber: 5 Protein: 48 or Seafood Brodetto 410 calories Total fat: 14 Saturated fat: 3 Sodium: 2250 15 carbs (without bread that accompanies) 47 Protein

Hi everyone. I had surgery 12/31/2014. Like another poster here, my diabetes began with my pregnancy in 2005. It stabilized after his birth but returned in 2007. Since then, I've had two late miscarriages. I'd love another baby, but I just turned 43 so it's too late for me My first pre-op apt was in Feb 2013. At the time, I was a non-compliant type II diabetic. My A1c was 9.7. I brought that down to 7.2 by the surgery date. I took 2000 mg of metformin and 35-40 units twice a day of novolog. I also took losartan (cozaar) for high blood pressure and kidney protection. Since surgery eight weeks ago I have lost 62 pounds and am off ALL medications. My blood sugars run from 95 to 115. Thank god for this surgery. I just wish I'd done it sooner.

I had the same question before surgery. I couldn't imagine not wanting to eat or being satisfied by so little. After surgery, it has been an amazing transformation. I still like food, but I'm no longer obsessed. I think it's the regulation of hormones like ghrelin that change the appetite. It's funny, I can eat a few bites and be completely satiated.

Ladonna -- are you on "on my fitness pal"? I log everything that I eat. I looked over my past week, and I have yet to go over 37 grams of carbs in a day, and many days I am under 30. I personally know that carbs are my trigger. Also, it's hard enough to get my Protein goals in without filling my pouch up with carbs! If you are on MyFitnessPal, feel free to add me as a friend (noelscat) -- my food diary is open -- and maybe we can encourage each other. :-)

Me too.

I'm frustrated too. I promised myself I wouldn't freak out about stalls -- but I'm officially freaked!!????. I haven't budged in 8 days. I was at an average 485 calories per day and 60 G protein. I've tried increasing to 750 and 80 g of protein. I've tried more water. I've tried eating a saltine. I've tried adding more treadmill time. Ugh!!

Hi Mellie! Welcome. I'm usually on the post-op board, but I really liked and related to your post. My pre-op process took about a year, and I'm really glad that I took that time to look at my eating and how/why it got me to the point that I needed surgery. I'm the first to admit that I love food -- all food. I eat for all occasions and also have a tendency to binge. I attended all the classes and support groups, listened to my NUT and also forged a relationship with a counselor with experience in eating disorders/addictions outside of my surgery center. These were really positive things and have been a great help in transitioning my relationship with food post surgery. I had a lot of "food funerals" in the months leading up to surgery. Looking back, I think it was good because it highlighted that I have/had a sick relationship with food but also let me come to terms with it. I will share that since the surgery, the greatest gift I've experienced is that my feelings towards food is much more normal. I know that it may not last forever, but it's wonderful to have a reprieve from my obsession. I'm using this time to firmly cement good habits.

I had my surgery done at the Cleveland Clinic.

I take celebrate, too -- you must be taking the chewy ones with only 250 each. They sell 500 chewables (not chewy) that are better because they include D3 (for better absorption), magnesium and zinc. I take two of them and two of the chewy kind to meet my goal of 1500 a day.

Ladonna -- I'm a 12/31 -- so I also consider myself a Jan post op too. I got up right away and went back to teaching college two weeks later -- but I haven't begun to really exercise. I blame this winter (constant snow) but really it's more that bad habits die hard. I've lost 61 pounds from 12/17 to now -- 36 since surgery -- so we seem to be similar. I wish it were faster!!! I've been at a stall this week -- 5 days with nada. I have yet to eat more than 650 calories and meet my protein goals. I'm thinking I need to get moving!!