BLERDgirl

YAY!! Welcome to the loser's bench! Keep taking those sips.

@@JerseyJules - I admire your commitment to health. With or without surgical assistance I hope that is the goal for everyone on this forum. I hope this continues to work for you. Thanks for the update.

@@Heather Morales - You should still be able to see or call the doctor for follow up. My f/u appointments were included in my surgical fee. Double check your old policy. That said. What are you eating and drinking? Are you getting in at least 60 gms of Protein and 64 ounces of fluids a day? Are you exercising? Your thyroid issues may play a part in slowing your weight loss, however not eating enough or not eating the right things can put you into starvation mode and impede your weight loss.

Isopure Unflavored. You can add it to the yogurt and the soups you like. It won't change the flavor at all.

@@joatsaint HA! Thankfully I'm not that sensitive. I also don't do them every single trip to the market. You think these are bad, you should see the makeup hauls people post.

Prior to WLS I was the same way. I aimed for 50gms of Protein and actually loss weight at that amount. Of course being a vegetarian it's the first question everybody asks you. I use to use it as my breakfast/pre gym drink. I use it as supplement now because of the sleeve requirements. I too do a morning shake. Sometimes I just add it to my morning coffee. After that I eat regular food for the rest of the day.

Just realized I have done this once or twice, but it was in the context of showing folks how much I could buy at the produce market with $30. I was having conversations about how to eat un processed foods on a budget.

I've use protein powder for years well before WLS. I prefer to have a protein shake before my morning workout. Other than that I get my protein from food.

I have one of those spiral slicers. You can pick them up for about $15 at Walgreens or Kamrt types stores. Another Pasta alternatives is shirataki noodles. I buy them from Whole Foods. They are extremely low cal. Just remember to rinse before cooking.

I never had reflux issue before WLS and initially had no problems post-op. I was put on prescription strength 20 mg of omeprazole for 90 days post op. Once I started incorporating regular food back in I had to increase that to 40 and we're doing another 90 day run. So far as long as I take it I have no problems with it. Perhaps you need a higher dosage because of your prior history. I also had to play around with the time of day I took it. I finally figured out I would get acid in the early evenings so taking it around 2 -3 ish worked for me.

@@BeagleLover - some program a contract with suppliers and as part of the program requirements pts buy their Protein drinks and/or Vitamins & supplements directly from the doctors office

My doctor has a specific protocol; 2 weeks full liquids, 2 weeks purees, 2 weeks soft foods, then everything as tolerated. I had no issues with any foods I tried. I think the 2 weeks full liquids provided sufficient time for things to heal so eating was never painful or uncomfortable for me. I've tolerated everything I've tried. I've been a very compliant patient and just had an easy time of it.

Lots of similar discussion HERE.

I had a different protocol. I was on full liquids for the first 2 weeks post op. I couldn't have cream of wheat or oatmeal until week 3

@@Peace Love & Sleeve - I never had that feeling. Sorry. I was sore and swallowing wasn't easy that first day but I never really felt out of sorts. I hope things improve for you.

@@Stacey Nicole - Pfft! I climbed in the bed as soon as I got home! I was happy to be in my own bed after 2 days in the hospital.

Woo Hoo! Let's hear it for @RJ'sBeginning! She's been through a lot and always so positive!

My only regret is not doing this 20 years ago.

@@beltran2000 - Hopefully the most of your weight gain is from all the fluids and you'll soon be on the mend.

It really depends on you. I didn't have a pre-op diet. I was just told to cut back on carbs & fat and increase my Protein. I wanted this surgery to go well so I did just that. As for post-op, it's been pretty easy. My biggest challenge was finding a Protein Drink that worked with my multiple allergies and vegetarianism.

I just got regular and crushed them then cover them with a tsp of almond butter. I got chewable samples from Bariatric Choice. The caramel/starburst like ones were good. The other chewable pills were nasty. I now just swallow them Those are good but too candy like for me. Also Pricey for the amount you need to take a day. As mentioned Tums is calcium carbonate, not citrate. Citrate is better for absorption and what is recommended for bariatric patients.

'Hauls" in general are popular Youtube vids. I'm in a few fashion & makeup groups and you'll see shopping hails and makeup hauls. ::Shrug:: Not my thing, but I'm not really phased by it. I will on occasion post a picture of my dinner but usually only when I've made something really good that also photographs well. (cause sometimes good food looks like vomit or dogfood when photographed).

@@tootie09 - Yup, sleeved on 9/18/14 and do not regret any of it

Be careful with snacky foods like Dove squares and such. I only keep nutritious Snacks in the car like nuts or Protein bars. I don't want to make it easy to snack on them when I shouldn't.

@@minniegirl - I was the same as your friend. Not nervous, just READY!