BLERDgirl

Pre-op we were instructed to practice eating slowly, at least 30 mins on each meal. My first egg post op took an hour to eat. Even now I consciously make an effort to eat slowly, at least 15 -20 mins. I think it helps give my body time to send the signal to my brain that I am full.

Animal Protein isn't all there is. You also do have to allow for your dietary needs. The easiest thing might be to find a brain of unflavored Protein powder you like and purchase a mini whisk. I bought one from Target for about $2. Adding unflavored protein powder to foods your family typically eats means you aren't making separate meals. If you want tomato Soup and you're not making it from scratch, watch the sodium count. Perhaps even thin it out with a bit of broth. Then whisk in a half a scoop of of unflavored protein powder. My tip for adding to hot things is to first dissolve the powder into a tbsp of warm Water. Keep whisking until it's smooth. Never add the powder over direct heat (like into a hot pot). Then slowly add your beverage, whisking at the same time. So now you have protein packed tomato soup. For more protein and Fiber add a bit of frozen chopped spinach while the soup is cooking. As for grilled cheese, for the first year post-op I'd pass on it. It's a lot of simple carbs and fat. If you have to have it. Cut a ¼ of a grilled cheese sandwich into small croutons. Other items that are great for low income budgets & high protein: Beans, oatmeal (plain not the sugar filled packets), quinoa ( a great substitute for rice), spinach ( you can buy it frozen or buy it fresh, puree in a nutra bullet and freeze in ice cube trays. One ounce is approximately 1 standard ice cube. Great for popping out and adding to soups/sauces/smoothies), nut butter if you buy the plain kind with no added sugars, plain greek yogurt.

It varies person to person. I didn't really have any. I was sore when I woke up but I never really had any pain.

I take 10,000 mcg a day. It works best with Multivitamins so I take them together.

It's helped me believe in myself. Especially in a day and age where fat shaming and bullying is so rampant. I have always loved me and been proud of my accomplishments. I was never a shrinking violet who was a afraid to live life. I never want to forget how easy it is to eat mindlessly. I love fashion and I love shopping. I look forward to being able to shop more in brick & mortar stores instead of online.

@@Indieflickers - I've always been super regular. Prior to surgery I would go 2 -3 hours after eating so I often went 3 times a day. I read all the constipation horror stories on these boards and I feel bad for folks. The only difference I can think of is I've been vegetarian for nearly 20 years so my diet is really high fiber.

I'm fine with separate food sections. Personally I prefer not to have anything in the house I will binge on. However, I draw the line at food shaming or policing of my food by outsiders no matter how well intended. It just sets up a cycle of shame and guilt I don't think is healthy. For me part of this process is learning how to eat and function in the real world and also take responsibility for myself.

You should double check with your NUT or surgeon, however I would say off hand you don't really need the green supplement. if you're going to add things to yogurt or make protein shakes in the nutra bullet you could add a handful of spinach instead. You may also want to consider adding a tsp of flax powder, pysillium or wheatgerm to your drinks or yogurt daily. It may help prevent constipation.

I understand the concern over the weight gain, but why not try a more balanced approach going forward? Do you good log? Try planning a snack in your schedule so those random bites here and there don't catch up yo you again? Also t coming up with non food ways of celebrating. Don't let this one misstep throw you back into yo-yo dieting.

Definitely speak with the surgeon. The reflux issue does make you a better bypass candidate, but there is a possibility you can use NSAIDs under close medical supervision.

@Yaberhooee - Water walking isn't that intense. Depending on how easy your recovery is you can return to working out fairly quickly. @A New KK - put the scale away. It's gonna make you crazy. Hit Protein & Fluid goals. Once your body adjust to all the new changes the weight will come off. Sometimes even a good BM and the scale changes. Put the scale away for a month. You will be pleasantly surprised when you do step back on

Aren't you still in the same place as you were before surgery? This is a personal choice. You need to decide if you need the sleeve to help you lose weight.

It happens but it's very rare. That doesn't mean you shouldn't follow your pre-op instructions per your program. If your program does xrays as part of pre-admission testing they can get a good idea of the condition of your liver. Your pre-op blood levels may also be an indicator. My surgeon warned me that he has done it. I followed his instructions to the letter and despite starting at a high weight, I had no problems with surgery.

The closer you get to goal, the slower your weight loss may be. I would touch base with the nutritionist to make sure you don't need to increase calories.

They should do a leak test before you leave the hospital. Some doctor's do one before you wake up from surgery. I am not 100% sure how they repair one. I think it's a surgical repair. I didn't have one so I can't say for sure.

Perfectly normal. Many people do lose a lot in those first 2 weeks, but just as many don't lose at all and some even gain. Don't compare yourself to others. Just focus on following your NUT's instructions. Hit those protein and Fluid goals and you'll be fine.

@@Djmohr - I would ask your Baratric program. Many have relationships with reputable doctors and they would know if they were equipped to work with bariatric pts.

I really liked Biochem Vegan but I haven't used it in years. Many people really seem to like the Vega.

I drank CVS whey Protein mixed with almond milk, ProSource Nocarb mixed in herbal tea or warm Water, Isopure unflavored protein mixed in vegetable broth, water & Kefir yogurt drink. I was on Full liquids. (no clear stage for me). I started the day with the ProSource Nocarb in herbal tea. It's what they gave me to drink in the hospital. Around noon I made a shake with the CVS whey Protein powder and FAGE 0% greek yogurt. Sometimes I added a hand full of spinach or a tbsp of almond butter instead of the yogurt. I blended it in the nutra bullet and thinned with water if necessary. dinner was broth with unflavored protein powder added. It was a nice break from all the sweet stuff. In between I sipped water. Sometimes I had the Kefir as a snack.

I like roasted chickpeas. You can make them yourself and season them anyway you like. I also love steamed edamame pods. For a filling crunch, I like cucumbers with a splash of sriracha and lime juice. Not exactly high Protein, but terrific if you like crunchy and spicy. All are naturally good for you. For baked cheese crisps, grate some cheese and make little patties on a silpat sheet or nonstick cookie sheet. You can season anyway you like. Then bake at 350 until golden brown (about 5-7 mins). Once they cool they are crunchy.

This is not hunger, it's behavioral. My advice is to work with the ED program as closely as possible. Perhaps also consider joining OA.

Initially I saved my questions for my follow up visits. Between my 6mth and 1 year follow up I needed to increase my calories and when I had a few questions about, hair loss, blood work, and supplements I emailed them. The policy is to expect an email response in 2 -3 days. Every time I had a response by the 2nd day. The nutritionist called me to discuss increasing my calories. Since I use the email system I get regular updates about staff additions or guest speakers for the support groups. I last attended a guest speaker and support group about a month ago. I have enjoyed my program from start to finish and always feel comfortable with them. I print out my bloodwork and forward it to my primary so she is kept in the loop.

Agreed. It's one of the reasons why I make it a point to not weigh every day or even every week. There are so many other wonderful benefits to having this surgery that if I only focus on those numbers on the scale I get crazy.

It varies person to person. I was able to go upstairs and sleep in my bed from day 1. The first few nights I propped up on extra pillows, but by day 3 I was back to normal.

I did. It was easy. It literally felt like I went to sleep for 5 mins. Some very slight soreness later that evening but nothing really uncomfortable. I didn't even need to take pain meds for it. I had mine put in the day before I got sleeved.