BLERDgirl

I would review all of these questions with your nutritionist since every program has it own set of protocols. Here are my responses. 1. coffee? Do many people continue to drink coffee post-op? If so, do you still use creamer, or just milk? I am not a daily coffee drinker. I was told early on not caffeinated drinks since is can cause acid in the stomach. I drank decaf until week four and then I started having coffee on occasion but only in small doses. Instead of cream I used a vanilla RTD Protein drink or almond milk. I still only have coffee on occasion. 2. Smoothies/juicing? How early were you able to make a smoothie with frozen fruit? Or have juice using a juicer? I used to have these after my morning workouts and really enjoyed them. I would get them with veggies and a couple fruits. I have a juicer and a nutra bullet. I rarely juice because all you get are the concentrated sugars in liquid form as the Fiber and nutrients it contains get tossed with the pulp. Hence I would only occasionally juice then freeze the juice into ice cube to add to smoothies made in my nutrabullet. I use my nutrabullet almost daily.I have used it since I was discharged. I would mix my powdered Protein shakes in them. It was helpful to get my Protein Drink mixed smoothly. Early on I added almond butter, chopped spinach and fruit to them. I watch the fruit sugars & use unsweetened fresh fruit. Smoothies have been my got to Breakfast for several years now. I take a 9 am Water aerobics class 4 -5 days a week and I don't like working out on an empty stomach but can't eat a heavy meal pre-workout. By the time I add my greek yogurt to my Protein shake I get 30-38gms of protein in one shot. 3. Drinking out of straws? Does most people drink out of straws with no problem? Or is it really best to avoid them? My nutritionist advised against them, especially early on. You suck in too much air and that can cause gas in the tummy. There's just not enough space in your belly to have it filled with gas. 4. Caffeine? Stay away forever? I don't know if I can do that...at least some tea every now and then. I don't think it's forever, just those early days when there is a tendency to have acid and/or reflux. Again, you should review these questions with your nutritionist since they are the ones managing your care.

@@Kindle - You live in a state that refused to accept the medicaid exemptions, huh? I have friends just one state over in the same predicament.

My advice is don't obsess over the weight. The scale is not your friend. Focus on eating healthy, getting your proteins and fluids in and finding some form of physical activity to do for 30 minutes each day. I only weigh myself once a t month at the doctors office. If I had a 3 week stall I was blissfully unaware. I am 4 mths out and every appointment has shown a loss.

That's probably at least 6 weeks down the road. It's not something I eat so I haven't had any trail mix. I eat nuts on occasion but I'm sure I didn't start until I was cleared to eat as tolerated.

Everyone has a different experience. I had no pain. Not even anything I could even remotely call pain. I didn't use the pain pump in the hospital or need any narcotics to manage pain. It felt like I had done a vigorous workout the day before. No gas pain, no constipation, no nausea, no dizzyness, no spasms, nothing. Mind you I was exercising 3 times a week pre-op so maybe my core strength helped. I was walking in recovery. I was able to drink in the hospital and have not had any trouble with any foods I've tried so far. The drain felt odd, but wasn't what I would consider painful. I just felt the tubing running through my body. I didn't even bother getting the prescription for pains meds filled when I was discharged.

Food stopped being my friend s my allergies got worse. Once the food you eat puts your in a 4 day coma it stops being your friend. I was not scared of this surgery, I welcomed the chance to put my allergies into remission.

I don't know models or number but I like the short one for home use. I don't want the newest one they have that's just a fancy smoothie maker.

YES! Especially if you want to learn to cook from scratch. Do the easy pay options on QVC. Like @blondiebabs it's just me and the cat, but I have a kitechenaide mixer, a juicer, a kitchenaide food processor and a nutra bullet. As soon as I can swing the funds I'll be getting a vitamix. I cook mostly from scratch and it has changed my life and improved my health.

@@nprcowboy Block whoever sent you that message and keep it moving. You don't owe anyone here a darn thing, much less an apology. You do what you need to heal and tend to your wife.

@@trulyamazingtoo - If I can do it as a vegetarian anyone can do it. You can make chicken and beef a million different ways.

A question for the other posters; Legally could the OP drop her employers coverage and purchase insurance on the exchange?To piggyback on what @@MissMac suggested. Try to decrease the amount processed foods you buy. The fewer items that come in a box or a bag, the better. For example Hamburger Helper might be more convenient but buying your own macaroni, cheese & ground beef and seasoning yourself will save you a load of sodium.

It may be because it's new. They likely cover the bypass. Have them send you their policy in writing. Find out specifically what type of weight loss assistance they do provide whether it's dietitian classes and a medically supervised diet or what. Exhaust every possibility before giving up. You may have to actually submit a request and get denied then go through appeals. Never accept the first "No" as final

It might not be an option.The doc would have to carefully word his op. notes to justify the procedure and it might still get rejected by insurance. I wouldn't put the cart before the horse. Wait until you receive response from the insurance company and exhaust all appeal for what you do want before looking at alternatives.

@@aclinton16 - Yes plain greek yogurt instead of mayo. I am partial to FAGE 0% greek yogurt and use it instead of mayo. You can't taste the difference and you get bit more protein. I don't buy flavored yogurts. I am hypersensitive to food additives such as artificial dyes and fake sugars so I prefer to buy the plain and add my own fruit.

THIS! I weigh once a month, preferably at the doctor's. Worrying about the scale will make you crazy.

Agreed. Until you get closer to goal and want to start spot training for body shaping just focus on doing something you like that gets you moving.

One of the things my nutritionist suggested was getting an ice tray. When you make a post of Soup freeze it in the ice tray. Pop out 1 or 2 for soup. each regular ice cube is approximately 1 ounce. Buy the covered ice trays if you are worried about freezer burn or put them in a ziplock freezer bag once they set.

Perhaps the doctor is trying a work around that your insurance will cover. I've most commonly heard of these being used in premies with chronic reflux issues. (Not that it can't be done on adults with severe reflux, but I worked with premies and chronically ill children). So maybe your surgeon is looking to plication but bill it as this since the procedures are similar. Have you exhausted all appeals for the sleeve?

Cool down song - Part Time Lover by Stevie Wonder. Perfect for the slow jog Work Out, high intensity - Titanium Club Mix by Sia featuring David Guetta. Yoga or Pilates - Anything New Age-y like Enya Those are just a few.

That's fine. My nutritionist has my protein goal set at 60+ if you are hitting 70, you're doing good. Also it's fluids not water. While it is important to drink water if you are drinking 36 ounces of protein drinks, plus 11 ounces of V8 (just watch your sodium & sugars) plus another 32 ounce of water on top of that you're getting 79 ounces of fluids each day. That's actually really good. Rule number one. Do not compare. There are so many factors at play: genetics, hormones, co-morbs, age, etc... Everyone losing at their own pace. That woman who works at the hospital lab is probably more active in her job than the person who sits at a desk job all day. as I mentioned upthread some people are slow but steady losers and some are fast losers. My pattern seems to be one month a big loss, the next month a small loss. I also know from previous history that I don't lose unless I eat right and exercise. That is how my body works. I'm also wearing an activity tracker and the one thing I have noticed is that I am much more active now than I was a year ago, so even my non gym days are more active than previously. The bottom line is you have to work the program. That's getting your protein, then veg. Getting adequate fluids and getting in some form of activity for at least 30 minutes a day.

Why just egg whites? Most of the nutrients are in the yolk. Eat the egg. 2 large eggs would have given you 12 gms of protein and you'll stay fuller longer eating the yolks.

@@aclinton16 - Try dipping apples in your PB instead. As for veg I would go for chopped spinach instead of broccoli or green Beans. Spinach has more Iron and Protein and is not as fiborous as broccoli or green beans. Fiborous veg can produce gas and be harder to digest. Your nutritionist should be able to give you a list of recommended foods. I also eat a lot of soft scrambled eggs or finely chopped hard boiled eggs. In my egg salad I use half plain greek yogurt and half mayo or skip the mayo altogether and use a bit of avocado which is a healthier fat.

@@Foreverblessedx3 - keep in mind that you need to hit that minimum of 60 gms of Protein to really see those numbers move. Also your body is trying to adjust to all the recent changes to it. WLS is part of a multi-pronged attack at the fat that your body is holding onto. The surgery is but one part, the protein, Fluid and exercising is just as important. ETA: Keep in mind everyone is different. There are fast losers and there are slow and steady losers. Do not compare your loss to anyone else.

Yes you feel hunger but the point is you now only have limited space. Your job is to make goof nutritious food choices to fill that space. I'm not sure Pasta and crackers even though allowed should be a big part of that. They are sliders foods, food that the sleeve will tolerate but provide little nutritious benefit. Remember your eating goal should always be Protein first then veg and get in your fluids. It is also possible that part of what you are feeling is acid. They are difficult to differentiate at first.

Please confirm with your doctor, but IMO NO. The Vitamins are to make up for any potential malabsorption issues as a result of the surgery. Your doctor will monitor your blood levels. That's why you get bloodwork done pre-op. Postop you get repeat bloodwork every 3 months for the first year and then annually after that. Any deficiencies would be caught and addressed by increasing or decreasing vitamins and supplements as needed. Worse come to worse you'll get tired, or feel sick well before you are on death's door. Follow your surgeon's instructions and you should be fine. If you are a forgetful pill taker set up an alarm on your phone.