Luvin_Life125

I was told to eat 6 times a day until I am able to get sufficient quantities of protein in during meals. I have a lot of restriction and can only eat about 1/4 cup max at a time so it is difficult to get sufficient protein daily even with 6 meals a day. I also have to supplement with liquid protein through out the day to hit my goals. I suggest checking with your doctor and/or nutritionist and check what their guidelines are.

Glad everything came out great! Good luck on your surgery!

I have a child with multiple food allergies and his specialized foods are also tax deductible under medical expenses. The caveat is only the cost above what a normal version of the item would cost is deductible. For example, my son has to drink rice milk at a cost of $5.98 per gallon. Regular milk is on average $3.28 a gallon. $2.70 is deductible for us for every gallon of rice milk we purchase ($5.98- $3.28= $2.70). I suggest double checking to make sure the same stipulation is or isn't applied to bariatric foods. Also, double check about deducting the mileage also to purchase bariatric foods! I suggest working with a good accountant if you want to use these deductions to make sure everything is done correctly. Thanks for sharing a wonderful tip!

Congratulations! You can get back to goal and have the power to do it. Thanks for checking in . It is wonderful to hear from people who are years post op and doing well. It inspires us newbies and those considering surgery to keep on track and it can be done!

My surgeons program is post op days 1-4 Clear liquids, days 5-21 full liquids including milk based Protein powders. Today I was just advanced to soft foods and will remain on that until 12/30. It is difficult because every surgeons requirements and expectations are different. I hope this helps.

I really hope you feel better soon. I take the generic version of lortab pills and have up to 3 times a day since day 4 post op. My surgeon said all of my meds could be kept in pill form and taken whole. Do watch how much Tylenol you are taking in a 24 hour period because Lortab also has Tylenol in it. Feel better soon!

The syntrax peanut butter cookie is my absolute favorite! I mix it with milk and I could drink it every day.

I also slept in my recliner for the first week home. Laying flat felt like it pulled my stitches inside and the recliner gave me just enough support and the rift angle to not pull anything. Now after 2 weeks I sleep in bed and wake up in every position imaginable. I bought a new recliner a few weeks before surgery because I figured I would be spending some quality time in it.

My first week sucked! I was sore, couldn't drink much, dehydrated, sleeping in the recliner , and not the least bit thrilled with my decision to have surgery. Every day was better than the last and by 8 days after surgery I felt like a new person. Just remember if it starts out rough, it does get better. I am just over 2 weeks out and you would never know I had surgery that recently. I hope you have an easy and quick recovery and good luck on your surgery!

I buy mine at Walgreens and I have also seen it at WalMart. It is located in the medication area and is on the shelf with miralax, dulcocet, and the other laxatives and stool softeners. A box is under $5 and it works great for constipation relief as an occasional help.

I used to run/speed walk 3-5 miles a day before my back gave out. I am very picky about walking shoes and have tried many brands. My #1 favorites are Brooks but they are about $110+ a pair. My second favorites are Asics because they tend to have a wider toe box (for the front of your foot) than any other brand I have tried and they also have good arch support. The thing to watch out for with Asics is they make them at different price points. The ones that have a suggested retail of over $70 tend to have more cushion & support IMO. I always watch for the pricey models to go on clearance and grab them when they get to $50 or less. They come out with updated models regularly so as long as you don't mind last seasons colors you can get a great pair of shoes for a very reasonable price. I like 6pm.com for great sales on good shoes. Let us know if you find any great shoes too! I am always looking for new ones to try as my everyday shoes.

My prayers are with you. I hope they are able to find what is wrong and fix it quickly so you can be on the road to recovery soon.

Very interesting topic!

I use the smooth move tea to help combat the effects of the narcotics I take daily. It is effective and gentle. I never would have believed it if I hadn't tried it for myself.

I absolutely can see the great work you have done so far! Keep up the great work! I think it is some kind of mental block where we can't see it in ourselves no matter how much we lose. Keep tracking your progress and taking pictures!

I just got an email from Nashua Nutrition and wanted to share! The are offering free shipping on orders of $49 or more when you enter the code HALLOWEEN at checkout. The offer ends. 11/2/14 at 11:59pm est. Happy shopping! They offer samples of almost every Protein shake they sell for $1.95 each. They will package an individual serving from manufacturers who don't offer a retail single serving. This is a great way to try many different manufacturers and flavors without the cost of a large container. Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

I love to cook from scratch and that probably won't change. I enjoy new recipes and trying to make new things. I have already found myself looking for healthier substitutions and new things to try once I am able to move beyond liquids. My love of cooking is evolving, but I am sure it won't go away.

I am hosting dinner at my house and I am still on full liquids only. I also cook everything from scratch because my son has multiple life threatening food allergies. For everyone but me I am making: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. For myself I am making a low fat high protein butternut squash soup. Everyone gets some great home cooked comfort food and I stick to my food requirements. My hubby doesn't mind being my taster this year. I plan on freezing left over white meat in 3 oz portions with just enough gravy to keep it moist for when I get to move on with my food intake.

Pre period bloating could be a culprit definitely. I also find my belly looks more distended when I am constipated, maybe that could he adding to the bloat?

Good luck and prayers for a speedy recovery!

I am almost 2 weeks post op and I am also still trying to learn my body's signals. From what I have read and understand, the nerves in our stomachs are also traumatized from surgery and aren't reliable yet. Your best bet is to only eat the amounts your surgeons office says to ( ie 1/8 cup) until you learn your body and your body becomes reliable. It is a learning process. Congrats on your surgery and keep up the good work!

I am so happy to hear I am not the only one getting tired of full liquids! I am on full liquids until at least 12/1 and I just want to chew something. Other than being tired of my food choices I am doing surprisingly well. Tomorrow is 2 weeks since surgery and I can get all of my fluids in and have no problems drinking. It is still a struggle to get enough protein everyday, but I keep trying to improve my protein intake every day. I am scheduled for an upper GI on Wednesday because I when I lay down the acid backs all the way up my esophagus and it feels like there is nothing stopping it. I am talking pain like I have never felt in my life. The pain was so bad I was sweating, pale, and on the verge of passing out from it. I had to convince my husband not to call an ambulance and that I wasn't dying. So I have yet to sleep in my bed because I do not want to ever have a repeat performance of that acid burn. I like my recliner and it is comfortable, but I just want my bed back! Keep up the good work everyone! I am so proud of you all!

Great job! Keep it up!

8 months is a short window to work with. I also would push it along and make sure you get everything done ASAP. Getting ready for the procedure can take some time. If it helps any, I was always weighed fully dressed, even when I was wearing my winter boots.

I am now 12 days post op and still wearing mine. It makes a huge difference in supporting my abdomen and incisions. Without the binder on it feels like the weight of my stomach pulling down really pulls on the incisions. It is a tremendous help to support my belly when I am asleep too! I will keep wearing it as long as I need and as long as my incisions hurt with movement and pulling.