BLERDgirl

Yes you can take an OTC PPI like nexium or prilosec (omeprazole). Keep in mind it's not a reactive drug, it needs to be n your system to work effectively. It may take up to 5 days before you really feel any relief. Start with 40mgs and see how that works. Pay attention to the time of day you feel the acid the most and take the meds 2 -3 hours before hand. If after 2 weeks you don;t feel any relief, call your doctor.

@@jenn1 - you're the first fellow bento maker I've come across on the boards. I love making pretty bentos.

I didn't have nausea but a friend of mine used lavender sachets to help with pregnancy nausea along with sea sickness bands. I was released on full liquids and found veggie broth very soothing. It was on my approved list of post op foods. Stay positive, not everyone has a traumatic recuperation. I didn't have any pain, nausea or gas.

Clearly mileage varies here. Personally I've never used more than a tsp. I like the flavor. It has never burned my stomach. However the major difference is there is no protein in the filtered clear brands and there is in the organic brands.

@@Melvyn96 - I'm glad you saw a doctor. Most of us here have no problem helping others, but your need to provide us with a clear picture. You initial post made it seem like you were just ignoring doctor's advice. If you have a handbook, follow it. Let it be your bible for the first few months. This is especially important in your case. If you have questions, please feel free to ask here for clarification.

Call your doctor. It's likely just scar tissue. An ulcer would burn like hell every time you ate something.

I would also add yogurt to this. Yogurt is higher in Protein. Perhaps for Breakfast try having some greek yogurt with a tsp of flax powder, wheat germ or psyllium sprinkled on top. Other lunch ideas are refried Beans with a bit of cheese or a ricotta bake with a bit of chopped spinach for some additional Fiber. These are also things that would make good dinner options as well For snack, try adding half an orange. The additional fiber several times a day may help with constipation and help break the stall. These foods may also help get you closer to your protein goal which may help break the stall. You might also want to start keeping a food diary for a bit so you have a better idea of how you are meeting your protein goals.

1. Breakfast. I often workout in the morning so I tend to make a Protein shake. My favorite is greek yougurt, Protein powder + a tbsp of almond butter. Occasionally I switch it up and add fruit and spinach instead. On non-gym days I eat eggs w/ cheese, hardboil eggs or make overnight oats 2. lunch. My favorite lunch is a salad w/ either romaine, spinach or baby greens, black Beans, a hard boiled egg, shredded cheese, and with salsa or olive oil as dressing. I'll toss in avocado if I have some on hand. 3. Snack My go to are 1 ounce packs of nuts, Usually pistachios or cashews. 4. dinner. Most days soups. Sometimes I do a stir fry with seitan or tempeh. You can sub any lean protein. 5. Late night snack. I'm not a late not snacker. For one I eat dinner later than most, around 7pm most days. I'm also typically trying to get the rest of my Water in. Most often I go for a cup of tea if anything. However if I am feeling munchie. I like sliced cucumbers with a splash of lime and sriracha. It's the crunch and spice I often crave and next to no calories. If i'm feeling hungry, I eat a hard boiled egg, a string cheese or a small bit of yogurt. The small amount of fat usually fills me up.

It depends on your needs. If you have a spouse who you will want as your support person, it might be helpful to bring hem along. Take a notepad and take notes.

A capful in 8 ounces of water. Typically that first drink of the day before breakfast. I don't drink it everyday, maybe 3 times a week. It's sold lots of places. My local produce market carries it, the health food stores and Whole Foods. I think I've even seen it at Acme.

. Accidentally double posted

This video illustrates why we separate eating & drinking.

I did 100 grams with about 850 - 875, but that usually included a Protein shake for breakfast. If I drink an Isopure Nocarb it's pretty easy. My nutritionist wanted me around 800 calories. It worked until around month 10 when I found myself getting truly hungry. I now eat in the 1000 - 1075 range. As for the hair loss, that's the shock to your system from the rapid weight loss. Increasing protein doesn't really change that. Some people get it and others don't.

Yup I use it all the time. I use Braggs brand. It's good for cooking, drinking and as a clarifying rinse for your hair. The cloudiness is the "mother". It contains a small amount of protein and s much better for you than regular filtered apple cider vinegar. The protein is good for your hair. I like the taste and occasionally will add a capful to my water. It's good for the digestion so for those experiencing constipation it might be helpful to use. I've heard reports of it helping people to clear their skin up, but I don't really have problem skin. I also use a tiny bit when cooking vegetables and I like using it to make salad dressings or vinegar based cole slaws.

Applesauce or a tiny bit of nut butter. I was allowed 1 tbsp a day and saved it just to take meds. The almond butter was a strong enough taste to mask the flavor of the pills.

You could try the clear Protein drinks like Isopure or Syntrax nectar. They don't taste as thick as milk based shakes. You can also try having Soup or broth with a bit of unflavored protein. Non shake based suggestions: Try adding a mid-morning snack to the mix.Try also adding a tbsp of nut butter and or greek yogurt as a snack. If you don't have a cholesterol problem, eat the whole egg. Most of the good bits are in the yolk. Add a bit of shredded cheese to the eggs. I've read other posters have a Protein Bar for snack instead of shakes. I'm not a fan of Protein Bars, but the qwest bars seem to be really popular. ETA: Try this: Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1/8 shredded cheese 2 sausage links - 24protein Snack - qwest bar 20 protein lunch - 2 ounce baked chicken ½cup of romaine (or spinach leaves for another 2gms protein) hard boiled egg and shredded cheese with either a light vinaigrette or oil/balsamic vinegar or salsa to keep calories low) 17 -19 protein Snack: String cheese 7 protein dinner: 2 ounce baked chicken or other lean meat. Dark green leafy veg ~ 9 protein That should give you between 76 - 80 grams of protein without a single shake and plenty of Fiber to keep you regular. Add an Isopure nocarb drink (40 grms protein per bottle)diluted with Water and you increase your protein to close to 100

Don't worry about the calories for now. You have plenty of fat reserve to pull from. The key thing is to stay hydrated. Make sure you are drinking and taking your vitamins. As you get stronger you will drink more. This is only temporary.

Keep a food journal. Fresh fruit as a snack is good but can often have super high sugars. How many calories are you eating a day? How far from goal are you?

I see many post about constipation. My doctor started me on colace while in the hospital so I had no issues. I just wonder why other doctors don't do the same.

Well I don't do low carb at all. I eat a mostly plant based diet so there will be carbs. I avoid processed carbs and refined carbs like breads and pastas. My program doesn't focus on carbs at all. The concern is to keep calories low and Protein high. I aim for 100 grams of protein each day and I work out 4 -6 days a week. I use carbs and protein to fuel my workouts. This has worked for me and to the best of my knowledge I have never experienced a stall. I think you may do best googling and downloading a handbook. Otherwise you'll get a thousand different and conflicting instructions. Google also complex carbs vs simple carbs.

My program also gave us binders and required we bring them to every f/u appt. They were pretty thorough with explaining things so there wasn't much left to ask. A few things I would request based on the post I see on here: I would ask about aftercare. What will be done to manage constipation & acid. I would ask to be started on prescription strength stool softener and PPI or at least discharged with prescriptions. What availability is there in the event of an emergency? Will there be support throughout the food stages?

Read upthread. Several place to buy it have been mentioned. I find it in the pasta aisle, I think I paid $3.99 for a bag.

Hoping you are better. However please do not go without food because you cannot afford it. Apply for EVERYTHING. TANF, SNAP, short term disability, everything! Going without meals is not good for growing brains or healing bodies. Speak to hospital social workers and ask for referrals to food cupboards. Apply for utility assistance such as LIHEAP, check out your local Community legal aide about bill consolidation for any credit cards. Taking advantage of these things will help keep you financially afloat while you get your health straightened out.

You need a handbook. Google bariatric handbook food phases. I would also engage a nutritionist or medical person locally for your follow up. Various programs have different recommendations. Mine wasn't concerns with carbs, but did give me a calorie limit based on my particular needs. Yet speaking to others, my numbers are vastly different. I also see some programs are much more concerned with carbs than mine.

Early on there is sometimes a concern that the pill will get passed through your system before your new tummy can break it down and absorb it. Eventually you'll be able to swallow them, but for right now you need to make sure you are getting the most benefit from them. Also notice what time of the day you seem to get acid and take your pills 2 -3 hours before that. Omeprazole is not a reactive pill so you need to take it consistently for it to be most effective.