Dragonsmate

Zou, check out this website: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html The ricotta bake is amazing! Other things include refried beens mixed with enchilada sauce-but I just noticed ur entry about beans; I get some of the Soups from Panera or Jason's Deli and put them in my single-serve blender...have not tried egg salad or tuna salad in the blender yet but that and roasted cauliflower pureed Soup are on the list of things to try

Ok, I, like many on this forum, have been "dieting" for most of my adult life, well essentially my entire adult life and something that has NEVER amused me struck me as funny this morning. I have pretty much had a Love/hate relationship with the scale (yes, yes, not to get my knickers in a twist over "numbers" but that wasn't the amusing part)...I have dropped what I, and my doctor, consider a good amount of weight loss since surgery. Granted I am only 2 weeks post-op, but it was making me laugh every time I got on the scale and it continued to drop-it was like, holy s**t am I really seeing this. The weight loss stopped for 5 days (Fluid shifts etc-I really was not upset or stressing) and I got on this morning and dropped 3 more pounds....this is truly unreal to me and I looked at the scale and said "you gotta be kidding me," and I actually chuckled... I just thought I would share what I found humorous after a lifetime of hate...I know I have a long way to go and I know there will be stalls/plateaus in my future but now that the pain and nausea are finally getting controlled, I am starting to feel a sensation I have not felt in a very long time...hope. Bless everyone of you and I hope your day is full of good things

Zou, you were sleeved about a week ahead of me so I have started pureed this week and what I can tell you is I also am finding it difficult to "feel" my stop point. I use a baby spoon and I have a very small bowl (my husband is a potter so he actually made this for me) that holds about 1/3 c of food. I am learning to be the burp whisperer (LOL) and take my time. This understanding will take time and practice. My NUT at this point wants me to eat 1 c of pureed divided into four 1/4 cup servings in addition to my shakes and I tell ya, I have not been able to do it yet. Because I started pureed this week, I am just enjoying the flavor of real food (albeit in almost liquid form) that it is easier for me to slow down. Guess I am just trying to echo what many have said in that we are still healing, nerves are still not sending all the signals they usually do, and we are dealing with a MUCH smaller organ with a tighter range for fill Hang in there chica, we got this.

the 1 cup is in addition to my protein shakes...clarification

my NUT wants me to try and get 1 cup of pureed in daily divided into 1/4 c servings--initially, I could only get 2-3 small spoonfuls down. I am on pureed for a week and then I think it is soft foods. She said if I wanted, this was the time to have some mashed potatoes but I declined, as I have essentially been off white carbs for 6 weeks. I usually eat refried Beans mixed with enchilada sauce and a bit of melted cheese, there is a ricotta bake recipe that is TODIEFOR...website is here: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html Good luck and check in with your nutritionist if you have concerns or questions-that is what they are there for good luck!

I did not mean to make you cry Solea I am just enjoying my "honeymoon phase"

at 4 pounds/week, my NUT would have been very satisfied--my surgeon said this is a time of healing, you will have Fluid shifts and weight will fluctuate--the key is slowly working towards the solid food while the sleeve heals evenly and completely...Please don't let this get you down-you are doing fine. Remember to hydrate and make sure you are walking every day, even if it is in 10 minute increments 3 times a day...be proud of your progress because it is progress!

2Big2Skate, no I didnt try the carb control--I just tuckered out after trying so many different ones...right now I do 2 scoops in Water with ice and a touch of the sugar free Torani (sp?) syrup in white chocolate and it is 25 g Protein with 200 cal. I do this morning and evening and between then, I am trying to get my cup of pureed in via divided doses...If I decided to try a pre-packaged one, I will try the carb control. Thanks for the info--I will consider it if I need something on the go <tips hat>

I hope I won't cause it is all big picture now-stalls happen and I will just need to keep plugging...for now, I will savor the feelings-keeping a journal helps

GRATS! I go for my first post-op visit this afternoon when I hopefully graduate to pureed Looking forward to it!

sounds like the herniated discs were irritated and are now pressing on your sciatic nerve (big nerve running down the back of the leg). May want to check in with your ortho/spine doc if you have one (or your PCP) for suggestions-also have you tried warm rice packs to your lower back/buttock?

sleep my first week home was pretty damn hard so I get you. Lots of internal and metabolic adjustments going on not to mention you just had a major surgery. You have been given anesthetics, narcotics, and various other IV and oral medications which take time to metabolize. You were woken up every 4 hours or so for vital signs and nurse checks so getting back to a quiet environment can make sleep difficult. If you have Restless Leg Syndrome, it can actually get worse when you get home while your body is metabolizing the anesthetics. There are very valid reasons for sleep disruption but please believe me, they pass with time. I have a few non-medication suggestions below, otherwise, you can call your PCP and see if they recommend a short-acting medication you can take for a few days. If you have access on an iphone/android/ipad to pick up some "guided imagery meditation" tracts, they can be very very helpful. Itunes has several for sleep induction. Make sure your bedroom is cool (not cold if possible), and dark and only used for sleep (or sex---once cleared by the surgeon), just no computers, TV, or other social media/technology items. Some people like sleep machines with sounds of waves, rainstorms etc but I find that distracting. Don't eat or drink anything an hour or so before sleep--this can cause reflux (not to mention waking you up to pee). Lastly, Lavender scent (essential oil, or dried lavender buds) has been used for sleep induction for hundreds of years--olfactory association. I know this may not help you in your particular situation but hopefully may give a few things to try. My doctor gave me no restrictions on sleeping positions so you may need to check with your doctor if you have them. A soft back rub with lavender lotion from my husband did wonders mentally, physically and emotionally (my mother did that for me as well after a surgery I had several years ago and it was very soothing). Will send good and peaceful thoughts your way hun.

Never told him but I intentionally had him go with me to my first surgeon's appointment and he was right there when they weighed me in. He loves me no matter what size, just very concerned for my health. I was 140 pounds less when we met and I still outweighed him (he is 5'7" and 135-140 pounds) LOL. He has been supportive from the beginning and wants what is best for my overall health and well being. He admits he doesn't understand the weight battle, but he is sympathetic and he has several family members who are overweight and obese facing the same battle. Thankfully, he doesn't harp on me or ask me every time I get on the scale what my weight is....he is just there for support and will listen if I feel like sharing.

Ok, finishing up 2 weeks post-op and I have my first PO follow up with my physician tomorrow (well, today if you are CST or later)...Last bit of input: Anesthesia can (not always, but has the strong potential) change flavors. Inhaled anesthesia is relegated to fat cells and when you metabolize it (regular rate ramped up because of the weight loss), it can have some funky weird affects on taste. I ended up chucking ALL the pre-packaged shakes and sticking with Muscle Milk Light Cake Batter. Additionally, I had quite a bit of nausea and you learn according to your body how fast is "too fast" and how big a sip is "too big." Also, I went back to mixing the powder with straight Water and ice-was mixing it half and half with milk and water but the milk was just too irritating to my sleeve. For an occasional Protein boost, if I must drink a pre-packaged shake, it will be one of the 6-star advantage vanilla shakes-I evidently do better with a thinner texture and less intense flavor. Guess what I am trying to say is try a variety but understand that tastes can change and to be open to trying new things even after surgery. I hope this was helpful And insomnia is a rude, nasty witch who can go DIAF cause I love my sleep...when I can get it >:

came off the carbonated beverages (including hard cider which Ioved) about 4 months prior to surgery because I know me and I watched my mom gain a significant amount of weight back post-RNY when she started drinking her soda Water. found a few crystal light flavors I like (can't stand plain water yet) and I am glad I took my time to ween off of them...Diet Dr. Pepper addict in recovery now

So I am 9 days out from surgery and I am having some troubles. Overall, I have done very well, so a part of me feels guilty even complaining at all but this feels like a safe group to vent to. I know the panacea, honestly, is time and I know this will all straighten out-I am just tired and feeling a bit down. As far as pain, it is manageable with a few tylenol. The steri-strips are coming off, the bruising is getting better and dear god, the weight is literally falling off (15 pounds since surgery). So why the "pity party for one, seating in the back?" My sleep is completely jacked up. I have Restless Leg and the usual medicine is not working-I am tired as hell but cannot fall asleep until around 7 am. I have been walking (except today), and I have been trying to get my Protein in-I can usually only tolerate 2 shakes a day because no matter how long I wait, the third shake comes up slimed. Honestly, the thought of another Protein Shake makes me want to barf...Been doing well with my Fluid intake but overall, I still feel weak as a kitten and I am just frustrated. I know there are no quick fixes and I know there are no easy answers, so I guess I just wanted some page-time to b***h. Lastly, the head-hunger everyone talks about-is it always this....psychotic? I am going along fine going from the computer room to the kitchen and it hits me out of the blue "bacon and eggs RIGHT NAO!!!" and after a minute it is completely gone-and it does it at the weirdest times-it sometimes stops me in my tracks and I actually have to verbally say, "silly girl, you know you can't have that so soon after surgery wtf is your problem?" Baffling to say the least... thanks to those who took the time to read my crazy rants--so much up and down emotions it feels like a big, fast, unpredictable roller-coaster...

I know he probably has many physicians (rad onc, med onc, ENT, PCP etc) but if he isn't followed by a neurologist for his RLS he should be once his treatment time settles down. Finally, the medical community is looking at RLS as a real medical illness, albeit starts in the head, it has peripheral consequences My neurologist says that if the ferritin level is 30 or lower (understand that is still in the normal range for most labs) Iron supplements can help. My doc wants me around 60 and I haven't had a lab since surgery. Fergon makes a liquid formula but you gotta flush the tube because Jess is right in that it will clog. It isn't an overnight response either so just keep that in mind. Thanks for the help, support and well-wishes...feeling a bit better.

The Bariatric Advantage Iron can be crushed, added to Water and put in a feeding tube. The reason I did not go for the Fentanyl patch is I am a medical provider and I can't in good conscious be making medical decisions under the influence of a narcotic, much less, tolerance builds and eventually, the patch dose would need to be increased. by typing this stuff out I think I figured out why my RLS is bad now and it is just because I am processing the anesthetics AND losing weight on top of that, possibly dumping more anesthetic by-products into my blood stream. I will sleep when i can, take my shakes when i can and walk when I can...

Have had the Restless leg since I was a kid, was on Mirapex, Requip (at super high doses), and now I am on Klonopin at bedtime (refused to start a Fentanyl patch for a variety of reasons)-it was well controlled for a long long time and my sleep doc said to increase my Iron intake because it has to do with iron depletion in the dopamine receptors (even if your serum iron and ferritin are normal) which I did with the Bariatric Advantage chewables (passion fruit flavor is pretty damn stellar). I am gonna give it a few more days-I see my WLS doc on monday and I will try and see my PCP later that week-it is probably all the anesthetics I am slowly releasing (they are stored in fat cells by the way) causing all this up and down stuff-which is contributing to my mood swings I would bet. Thank you for your kind thoughts I know, I know, this to shall pass, it is just easier if I talk about it