beachgal2935

@@Grace2115 So how's the liquid diet going? Did you get your flavored liquid Stevia and if so, do you like it?

@@francheskii I couldn't agree more with Djmohr! We were taught at Mayo to have 3 meals and 2 high Protein Snacks every day. That's what I've done and at 5 months post-op it's working just fine. I'm never hungry and get an average of 120-125 grams of protein in every day while staying between 800-850 calories. I've included a page out of my "Nutritional Guidelines" book given to us which breaks down every stage of the diet. Hope it helps. Congrats and keep on your successful weight loss journey

@@TristanNicole Super excited for you! Heck, I'm excited for all of you October WLS people For those 50+ don't let that worry you one bit. I had my surgery 4/21/15 and I'm 53. I was on meds for type II diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and now I'm med-free on all of those counts! This surgery and lifestyle change has been the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. It works and is continuing to work as I'm only 5 months post-op (pics). I'm here if you have any questions or want any recipes.

@@bam052005 I cannot even imagine as I've had no complications. My heart goes out to you and I'll keep you in my prayers. Like others have said, we can be your family. If you need me, I'm here for you. I've got some good recipes I can share or just an ear to listen if that's what you need. (((HUGS))

I'm 5 months post-op and still can't tolerate scrambled eggs. What I have been eating since week 3 post-op is my delicious Magic Crust quiche. It is very moist and flavorful. As a matter of fact, I had a piece for lunch today with a side of my squash casserole (181 calories/16g protein). It is a staple in my diet and my go-to meal when I need something quick. While it's a little labor intensive to make, it only takes a minute 20 seconds in the microwave to heat up! Here's the recipe with the Nutrition info and a couple of pics: Magic Crust Quiche - Ham Ingredients 2 cups 1% Lowfat Milk 1/2 cup All-purpose flour 5 large Eggs 1/2 cup 2% Reduced Fat Pepper Jack cheese shredded 1/2 cup 2% Reduced Fat Swiss Cheese shredded 1/2 cup 2% Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded 7 oz Ham diced small 1/4 cup Cooked red bell pepper diced small 1/4 cup Cooked Vidalia or sweet onion diced small Preheat oven to 350˚. In a blender or NutriBullet, mix eggs, milk and flour until blended, season with salt, pepper, taco seasoning or whatever you’d like. In a bowl combine all cheeses, cooked meat and cooked veggies. Now add blended mixture and stir to combine. Pour into an 8”x8” or 9”x9” square glass dish. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Let stand 5-10 before serving. You can add whatever cheeses, veggies or meats suit your taste. The small amount of flour firms up the sides and bottom making the “magic crust” while saving tons of calories. The Nutrition Facts are based on recipe above. FYI - the heavier meats, like ground beef, tend to fall to the bottom. Serving size is approximately 2”x2 1/2” Nutrition Facts Servings 12 Per serving: Calories 120 Protein 12g Fat 5g Cholesterol 94 mg Sodium 253 mg Potassium 59 mg Total Carbohydrate 7 g Sugars 2

My NUT at Mayo said we were allowed to have one caffeinated beverage 6 weeks post-op. I usually have a cup of half & half coffee for Breakfast with my Protein shake as the creamer. She said caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which is why they don't want us consuming large amounts. This is a Mayo physician's response to this online question: It is true that caffeinated fluids can contribute to your daily Fluid requirement? Drinking caffeine–containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration. Still, caffeinated drinks can cause headaches and insomnia in some people. Water is probably your best bet to stay hydrated. It's calorie–free, caffeine–free, inexpensive and readily available. Everyone's Bariatric team is different but I thought I'd share my experience with you

@@irishaggie Everyone has given you wonderful advice. Sometimes our minds like to mess with us. My husband and 19 year old son have been 100% supportive pre and post surgery. You're very blessed in that department. I had days where I questioned myself as well but once I got my surgery date it was on! I don't think I could have been more prepared or excited once my 2 week liquid diet arrived. My NUT laughs at me to this day. Said she'd never seen anyone have more fun on their liquid diet! Keep a positive attitude and preparation is key. My liquid diet consisted of 5 Optifast shakes per day and any non-caloric beverages. That was it. I bought a Nutribullet, some flavored liquid Stevias, Tazo chai teas and coffee. I love Starbucks so I made my versions of pumpkin spice frappuccinos, English toffee lattes, hot chocolate and root beer floats, just to name a few. I'm 5 months post-op and down 77 lbs. I'm off all diabetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol meds. This is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. You will do just fine if you follow the rules. I can't say that enough. At almost 54 years old, I feel better now than when I was 24!!! We're here to support you in whatever way we can

Thank you everyone for the nice compliments. You're all very kind

Monday was 5 months post-op for me and I hit a personal goal of 75 lbs. lost. It was time to take a few pics, so I thought I'd share them here. My tight size 3X is now quite large on me. My son suggested I hold one side of it out to show just how big. The black outfit is a size "L". Been fighting this obesity battle for 30+ years. Still have a ways to go but feeling so much better in my almost 54 year old body! BEST decision I ever made

So happy for you. Welcome to the other side

@@abs0253 Yes they are delicious! I've tried the powdered version and it makes me gag. My #1 fave is the English toffee and I've used it in my coffee for about 3 years now. I carry one with me in my purse. When I go out with my girlfriends on Monday's , after we go to lunch and shopping, we always stop in at Starbucks. I bring my vanilla Premier Protein shake in a little cooler and order a tall brewed decafe coffee and add a few drops with half of the shake. Makes the BEST tasting latte for only 80 calories with 15 grams of protein! If I want it cold, I just ask for a venti cup of ice. Where there's a will, there's most definitely a way

@@jess9395 I'm with you. Don't like the crumbly. The S'mores is way too sweet for my taste!

Here are some of my favorite Pre-op liquid diet drinks. I took pics because my NUT couldn't believe how much fun I was having. The first was my Pumpkin spice frappuccino, next my English toffee iced coffee and the last one was a thick chocolate shake! I also made rootbeer floats and if you add less ice and only pulse it a few seconds you'll have more of an ice cream texture. The flavored liquid Stevia's are a staple for me even today. They come in so many tasty flavors. Be creative and use your Nutribullet if you have one. It adds volume which will fill you up and keep you that way longer. Be sure to put them in pretty glasses because you deserve it. If I'd have just pulled off the little foil and drank from the box I would have been depressed. I was a 100% snacker. Loved chips & dip, cheese & crackers, you name it. If it was crunchy and salty, I was eating it! Add to that pizza, Cookies, etc. I didn't get to 285 lbs. (my highest) eating celery sticks! You ladies can do this and you'll be so glad you did

How exciting! Don't be nervous, everything will be just fine and the calmer you are the better things will be. A couple of tips ... take ear plugs and an eye mask so you can sleep better. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the world Let me know if you need anything such as recipes or just support. It takes a team!

@@Brandon Long Now that I've figured out how to post pics, here are a couple before and after baking the "ground chicken breast pizza crust" pizza I made with the recipe I posted. I'm telling you it is so good even my husband and son like it.

@Veronica_mm Looks like you're about 6 weeks out. I was staying between 550-600 calories and 65-75 grams of Protein at that point. I was able to up my protein count and keep it within the calorie range by using my Premier vanilla Protein shake as the creamer in my decafe coffee and Protein2.0 Water helped as well. I've added a picture. Visit their website and you can put your location in and find out where you can purchase them. They average $1.99 but my local Gate gas station always has them on sale for $1.50. My faves are the berry and Grape. At 5 months post-op I'm up to 800 calories and 125 grams of protein per day. I have really thin hair to begin with and can NOT afford to lose any of it Keep up the great work and Best of luck to you!

@Threetimesacharm@dwinette@The Post Op Thank you so much

@Grace2115@LKB418@Ashlegal@abs0253@Astrosgirl@ccdomaika Let me tell all of you beautiful young ladies it is the BEST decision you will ever make in your lives. Be thankful you didn't wait until you were 53, like me. I have battled obesity for 30+ years and it is no joke. I had a stroke at 52, the day before Thanksgiving 2013 and was left with a debilitating nerve condition on my entire right side. I fought my way back, went through pain rehab in the Summer of 2014 and the final piece of my recovery was to lose this weight and reclaim my life. I had surgery 5 months ago and haven't regretted one minute of it. The liquid diet was a fun challenge to me. I bought a Nutribullet, some flavored liquid Stevia and went to town making my versions of rootbeer floats, flavored coffees, hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream, chai tea lattes and best of all pumpkin spice frappuccinos. You get out of this what you put into it. If you need recipes, I'm here for you. Just let me know what kind of liquid diets you're on. I had surgery at Mayo hospital and all I was able to drink were 5 Optifast 8 oz. ready made liquid shakes per day plus Water, coffee or any non-caloric beverage. I have recipes for other stages of the diet as well. My Magic Crust Quiche, pizza and Quest Protein bar Cookies are some of my favorites. I just took pics this past Monday so you can see for yourself that this RNY works! My once tight 3X is now quite loose on me. The black outfit is a size "L". You may need to grieve the loss of your favorite foods but trust me, there are ways of making versions of them that taste just as good! My 80 year old mother still tells me she feel so bad that I can't eat "good" food anymore. I just laugh and tell her I love the food I'm eating. When I look at what my husband, son and most everyone else around me is shoving down their throats, it makes me sick. All of that "good" food is what got me to 285 lbs., at my highest weight. At 5'2" it was nothing more than a death sentence for me! I'm excited for all of you and wish you nothing but the best!!!

I use Walmart's generic brand of Miralax called ClearLax ($12.92 for a 30 day supply). One capful EVERY day in my coffee or any beverage as its tasteless. I'm 5 months post-op and it works like a charm as I go every day. My doctor recommended it.

@@choosehope Yay - ladies my age! I'll turn 54 next month. I had bypass 4/21/15 and had my 5 month anniversary this past Monday. I took pics and will share them with y'all. As hard as it was to take those "before" pics, I'm so glad I did. I took pics in three different outfits. I took them again at 3 months and now at 5 since I hit a personal goal of "75 lbs" lost. I can't believe how that once tight 3X now hangs on me. It was my son's suggestion to hold my shirt out to show the difference. The black outfit is a size "L". Haven't been in regular size clothes in years. I have hit stalls along the way after my surgery but have upped my Protein to average an of 125 grams, keeping within my 850 calorie goal, so that seems to be doing the trick. I've been battling obesity for 30+ years so I will take my success and be happy with it as I feel blessed to have had this life changing operation. It's my second chance at life and I will NOT squander it!!! HW: 285 lbs SW: 257 lbs CW: 181 lbs

@@KalelsWifey - You look gorgeous!