BLERDgirl

I am thrilled with my surgery. I have had zero problems. My only regret is that I waited until I was over 400lbs before I did it. It's normal to have a few jitters but the surgery is safe and could change your life for the better.

I was told 3 months as well. I agree with @@Kindle that it should be treated like any other "white carb" . I've always been a social drinker and occasionally enjoyed having a glass of wine after busy day but I never felt compelled to drink. There's not reason you can't enjoy a holiday party without drinking. I agree get some juice and Water it down, toss a piece of fruit in it. The holiday's are challenging enough food wise. Why make it more challenging on your self?

I agree with the others, what are you eating? I'm 3 mnths out and even on my hungriest, busiest gym days I don't think I could eat 1100 calories.

Perhaps try prilosec or omeprazole, both can be purchased OTC. I was only a little sore post-op and pretty much back to normal in about 5 days.

I don't know if I had the dreaded 3 week stall. I only weigh myself once a month unless I go to the doctors. The scale makes me crazy and I tend to lose focus. You do need to try and get your Water in or at least increase your water intake. Your body needs it for weight loss. Try adding maybe a ¼ cup to your Protein shakes or pouring them over a cup full of ice. Most importantly step away from the scale a focus on eating right and exercising. One month out your body is still adjusting and healing. Just continue doing the right things and the weight will come off.

My nutritionist encourages everyone to be getting their protein from food at 8 weeks on out, but I was making smoothies/protein drinks for Breakfast before I even considered WLS since it was the only way I could get breakfast in before my morning workout. Anything heavier and I couldn't keep it down. Now that I am post op and have such a small tummy it's even more helpful. However if you are doing well without, then by all means you should definitely keep doing what works. @@Stevehud - how are you feeling post op? I looked up the Abouttime drink you mentioned since I'm always on the lookout for good protein drinks. Sadly this one contains stevia so if you are allergic to it, stay away. BTW - the stevia plant is also in the ragweed family so people with severe sinus issues or ragweed allergies may have trouble with products made with it.

I researched activity trackers for some time. I wanted a few basic things: it needed to be waterproof since I do Water aerobics as my primary work out, I wanted it to count steps, I wanted it to remind me to move when I had been inactive too long and I wanted the info to be on the tracker & not have to pair it with a cell phone or look at my cell phone to check my activity. Bottom line is not many are water proof. I initially had the Polar Loop. I loved it. It was easy use, had all the things I wanted and was easy to use. The only down side was the short battery life. I found I needed to charge it every night which was annoying. It could only be charged via USB toggle. I then tried the Misfit shine. It was far too complicated for it's own good. I disliked that I need my phone to check my progress. I returned that as soon as it came and I got a look at set up. I currently have the Vivosmart. So far I love it. It even give me notifications when I get an email. I also considered the Vivofit, but I like the sleeker look of the Vivosmart. I like that unlike the Polar Loop, I can synch the Vivosmart with Myfitnesspal. It has a battery life of 7 days and you can use either a USB port on your computer or an AC adapter plugged into a wall outlet. It can take up to 2 hours to receive a full charge. Both the Polar Loop and the Vivosmart/vivofit can be paired with heart rate monitors, however heart rate monitors do not work under water.

What have you tried? My program gave me a list that's a page long front and back. I could copy it and post it.

YAY!!!!

During those first 2 weeks I think I was anywhere from a ¼ - ½ cup of anything. Between that and drinking Water I was good. However, by the end of 2 weeks, I wanted something a little more substantial. That first soft scrambled egg was delicious!

Did you nutritionist suggest the 6 small meals? Can you give me a typical days menu? I wouldn't use the WW's point system as a guide. Bariatric diets are set up differently. Typically they are designed as low cal/ high protein. I'm 3 mths our and the nut still wants me under 800 calories. I can eat whatever I can tolerate but I have to get in my water & protein

Always go for protein first, then veg, then fruit.

how many calories a day are you eating? What's a typical eating day like for you?

Walgreens carries premier protein or you can buy it online. What foods are you eating for protein? Are you getting in at least 60gms?

I did protein shakes and 1 very light high in protein meal the last week before surgery. The day before I only did protein shakes and then stopped at 8pm because I was told to have nothing after that. I was 412 going into surgery and it was a breeze. I was told about fatty liver impeding surgery so I had really cut back in the last 2 weeks increasing my protein, and cutting out all carbs. Weight wise I didn't actually lose a lot, but I cut out all high fat foods.

Try sucking on ice chips instead. It may make it easier to swallow. Then hopefully as the swelling goes down you can tolerate tiny sips.

I'd just stick to the protein shakes. You don't have to have applesauce and jello. I had neither because I don't like them. As long as you can get your protein down you'll be fine.

You may have to force yourself to slow down. It's not a good habit to get into. You may be able to get down a generous amount of water, but food may be a different story and if you aren't used to eating and drinking slowly it could cause problems.

You need a consult or referral for the seminar? Call them and double check usually the seminar doesn't require a referral. You get that once you have an appointment to met the surgeon and medical staff. The purpose of the seminar is to get information about the types of WLS the program offers and what it entails.

Call your doctor and ask. I see no reason why a needed med might not be allowed, but since it's OTC call them and double check.

Full liquids includes yogurt and soups. I was on full liquids the first 2 weeks pot op. It's different than clear liquids which is what a lot of people are put on. pureed black Beans is high in Protein and Fiber and actually really good for you. Just keep following your nutritionist advice and sample menus, you'll be fine.

There are several people here who have had a hiatal hernia and gotten the VSG. The surgeon repaired the hernia at the same time as they did the sleeve.

What? Fruit doesn't give you anything valuable? Perhaps canned fruit, but whole fruit gives you Fiber and Vitamins. In fact some even have a tiny bit of protein in them. For example half of a navel orange even has 1 gm of protein. You just have to be aware of the sugar content. Fruits like apple and bananas tend to be really dense with sugar so yes you have to exercise caution. My doctor allowed me to have fruit have fruit once I got to the soft food stage. I typically have it on gym days or high activity days when I know I can burn off the sugar. To the OP: I would recommend staying away from the fast food. That McD's burger is barely meat and really not good for you. Oatmeal is allowed but McD's is not the best quality and full of added sodium and sugar. Buy plain rolled oats and make your own. I use the RTD shakes instead of milk for an added protein punch. As for the fruit. Keep in mind a serving of grapes is 10 grapes. No more than ¼ cup of pineapple because it's high in sugar. Melons are mostly Water so I would go for ½ cup. Just make sure your nutritionist is aware you're adding these things. Try taking your ant-acid med first thing in the morning. I try to start my day with a glass of water so I take 20mgs of omeprazole then. I tend to get acid in the afternoon/evening so I take another 20 around 3 or 4 pm.

Initially I would get really full. I broke my meals into 5 smaller meals since sometimes I couldn't even eat a ¼ cup of anything. I'd split it in half and track it that way. I didn't want to force myself to eat anything because that felt like going back to old habits of stuffing myself.

You're loss sounds good to me. I don't understand these negative docs. I loss 26lbs at my 2 week visit but only 6 at my 6week. My team was just as encouraging both times. Today I had lost another 16lbs and they were just over the moon. Don't beat yourself up. Work on upping your Protein. I mix greek yogurt in my protien shake and sometimes add a tbsp of almond butter. That alone will give you between 33 -38 gms of protein. That leaves the rest of the day to get in another 30. Are you exercising? I lose a lot better when I exercise at least 3 times a week. Even of it;s a 30 minute walk, do it. Keep working at it. Things will fall into place.