MissLiss

I got a cookbook called Eating well after weight loss surgery- it has some nice light sauces and some interesting ideas like zucchini flan. But I will admit for the most part I don't cook that much. I will get 2 ounces of fish at the fish counter and make that with 1/4 sauteed veggies, or a filet mignon which I split with my dog and cats-lol. I'm still a fan of a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese and that takes so little. It does seem like alot of work to make a meal for myself that is so tiny but I try to do it at least 2 or 3 times a week because it is part of taking care of myself. I tell myself that Variety is good for interest and health.

I missed my period before surgery probably due to diet changes and the next one was a month out from surgery - It was the heaviest period I have ever had. I am hoping that it was due to the long gap in between periods. If you miss more than one it is always worth a visit to the Ob/Gyn to be sure.

I have tried a couple things and have discovered that things i used to crave do not sit well with me- the foods don't taste the same or generate the same feeling I got from them and I'm very grateful. Among the things I have tried bites of was a pretzel (very gluey), Sausage- I didn't want to get full fat sausage so I tried turkey sausage and it was too fatty- I did find one that is much more reasonable and works for me as an occasional treat and it is a source of Protein just not something I want to incorporate daily, nuts- I like the crunch but they don't sit well, etc. So basically I am realizing I want crunch and I can do that other ways. Also for the cheeseburger- is there any reason you couldn't make yourself a little cheese slider without a bun? or maybe wrap it in lettuce? I used to replace cheeseburgers with the 'whopper salad' I browned some turkey or beef with diced onion and served it over chopped lettuce and tomatoes, a little grated cheese on top and the 'dressing' was a mix of lowfat mayo and ketchup to simulate the burger king whopper. In the winter I served it over steamed zucchini 'pasta' that I made with my Spirooli. What I am trying to do now is if I have a craving I google that thing along with the term low carb and there are some great healthy tasty ideas out there

Congratulations! Glad to hear the gas isn't too bad. Have a relaxing night!

It was 7:38 when I read this...It's happening! Lots of good wishes!!!

I called my doctor yesterday. I have inflammation in one of my joints and was told that I can take an NSAID but for no more than a few days and I must take with the Omeprazole.

You look great!! Thank you for sharing these pics- very inspiring!

Hello! That's great! Enjoy the ride

I didn't know the surgeons could remove the gas?! That would be my biggest complaint and it passes fairly quickly - no pun intended I have not experienced nausea with anesthesia until this surgery. They placed an anti-nausea patch behind my ear ahead of time. I did, later that day, end up having dry heaves and that felt pretty awful but it also got rid of some of the gas-lol. The nurse taught me how to breath when the nausea came on and the next day I had none. I was told that the more I could walk the faster I would heal so my first time up to the bathroom I was up and walking the halls. I did have some pain- not much- the worst was (sorry) wiping after attending to business in the bathroom but that got easier as time went on. The incisions made themselves known but were not so bad. They taught me to use a pillow when getting in and out of bed in the hospital but by the next morning I wasn't using it and i did not have one for the car ride home. I did have very soft sweats - about 2 sizes too big- my belly area stayed swollen for some time. Even 2 weeks after when I tried on my loosest jeans they were now tight around my waist. What I was not expecting was the Lovenox. I had to give myself injections of blood thinners twice a day for two weeks. Again mild in the scheme of things but an unexpected surprise. And now- 6 weeks out- it's all just memories and I'm shrinking and I'd do it again

I didn't get to meat until soft foods and I'm still not sure if I'm allowed to have Beans yet. My first pureed food wasn't even pureed it was cottage cheese and it tasted so good! I also made a puree of roasted acorn squash with a little fat free half and half and the truvia brown sugar blend. That was also quite good.

Lol- yes I was tired too and I didn't think I should be but people kept reminding me- even though it's laporoscopic it is major surgery and your body needs to recover. Stubborn person I am I went back to work the following week but only did half days. The week after that was full time and I would go home and fall asleep for an hour. I also experienced some pangs of regret but squared my shoulders and decided since it was an irreversible surgery (and I truly do not want it reversed) I was going to look at what could be done and do that instead of wishing or wanting something else. I'm about 6 weeks out and am feeling much better! It's coming! But let your body have the rest it wants...and when it's ready enjoy the return of energy

@@kater I have had a very good experience with the sleeve. It's just that I think lots of people think it's the magic pill of weight loss but it's not magic. It's a tool that does make it easier to do the things that I was not able to do on my own without this tool. So pre-sleeve if I exercised, stuck to a diet etc I could only stay at it so long and in part it was due to my own doubt that it would work. I have no doubts about this so I feel confident giving it my all because I know it's going to get me where I want to go. There are some more difficult parts- liquid diet can be monotonous but it's temporary, luckily I was only on liquids for a week or two. Exercise can be daunting but I have come to really love it. Getting in Protein and Water takes an effort because we need 60-90 grams of protein daily and at least 64 ounces of water. It all takes an effort and as long as you are willing to make that effort I think you're going to be fine.

@@*Lexie* how far out are you?

@texaslady52- Thank you! I didn't realize. Very good to know

My NUT told me 60-90...I drink 2 Premier Protein shakes a day which are 30G of protein each and then I have what I want for the last meal. In a pinch I have also made a smoothie with a Premier Protein shake and a scoop of unjury Protein Powder which gives me a total of 50 protein. Someone mentioned that protein is crucial for healing...is it just for healing? or does it set us up for more weight loss?

I am 1 week and 2 days post op. My doctor told me to start cardio 30-45 minutes 3x a week. I love walking, I used to love hiking, I used to love the recumbent bike. I don't belong to a gym yet so yesterday I walked up varied hills. There was some hill, some flat some downhill. I broke a sweat but the demand on me changed throughout the walk so I'm not sure this is a good enough answer. I tried the recumbent bike at work, which is a glorified home version and I hated it- I think I would like the gym quality one again though. I have to say- I'm a little at a loss. From 0-30/45 is a bit much so I think maybe I should work up to 30 minutes- I want to exercise and I do not want to discourage myself- I've also ordered a few cardio beginner dvds. I think I am actually a little embarrassed that I'm not able to just hop on and do 30 minutes...does anyone have suggestions? maybe interval with longer periods of cardio? I know it won't be completely painless and that I have to work but I'd love to know I'm not alone and hear how you tackled cardio?

Yes SF Jello and Popsicles made it bearable for me. I am out of pureed foods into soft foods now and I find that I am thrilled to have fish but I miss crunchy stuff- carrots, apples and other stuff that is really no longer a part of my routine just because of the crunch factor...Oh hey- I wonder about ice chips?? might be worth trying for both of us But it is coming so I am just trying to enjoy the discoveries each step brings.

Two of my favorite shows are Masterchef and Hell's Kitchen and I find myself watching them differently- I saw something fried and wondered how I could reproduce it oven baked and crisp...I watch recipes that I can make small portions of and I pay more attention to the flavorings- i.e. sauces, salsas, etc.. I just realized- it would be typical of me to get up and experiment cooking while watching the show whether I was hungry or not....now I am simply noting ideas for another day. What wonderful freedom and an unexpected gift!

I'm finally on soft food!! Yay! And that means I can have Salmon tonight I figured I would get some veggies from the salad bar to steam- i.e. mushrooms, onions, carrot slices? and the smallest red potato I can find, cut in half, cook and mash it. Now for the Salmon...I have no idea if the fish counter will be willing to measure out 2 ounces of Salmon? Anyone have any tips of what they do to get some nice fresh food in small portions for our tiny tummies? I'm all ears!

I don't feel so well today and it is unrelated to my sleeve...I got a bit of an appetite and made grits- which I'm allowed- but I made the whole packet and wasn't being mindful when I ate and caught myself trying to finish the container..I have to say...aside from being overly full I am surprised at how I pushed myself to finish and I never even thought this was a behavior for me. I am going to learn from it and move on...but I just wanted to share. As much as I would like to have removed that part of me along with the majority of my stomach it is still there and I must be mindful.

Thank you for all the feedback! I ended up stopping at the seafood counter and the guy was more than happy to weigh out a small portion- I said 2 ounces and it came to 1.8. I also got the cutest smallest red potato I could find...but ultimately ended up with just the salmon with some fresh dill. I did enjoy, very slowly, and the last bite went to the dog. I hope this pic shows up- for your amusement- I was definitely amused. https://twitter.com/mglvernon/status/601751824517869568

I think there has been some good advice here- and there are factors, as I'm becoming familiar with these boards that affect your loss. Calories in, calories out, Water, water, water, Protein intake, exercise and type of exercise- are you adding new exercises? walking, biking, stairs? breaking a sweat? to name a few. Also 15 pounds in 4 months averages to a little less than 1 pound a week. I've been told the average weight loss evens out at 1-2 a week. So maybe with trying a few things here and there and some talks with your doc and nutritionist you will find a combination that takes it off more quickly. That said, at 3.75 a month in one year you would be down close to 50 pounds. I understand wanting it faster- I feel the same way- but also think you are not gaining either and hopefully making new healthy eating habits for yourself and those are tow very invaluable things to me. Hope to hear back from you here...and hope things speed up a little for you.

Ok- it worked! I got an email back right away and it is fixed! Excellent support here.

I'm 251 this morning!! and I want to shout it to the world...why? cuz I'm so close to being under 250 AND my spare tire looks more spare than usual. I'm down 17 pounds and feeling great...with the exception that I am unable to get my page to save the changes to the new weight I recorded....help?

Found a contact us thingy at the bottom of the home page. Sent an email- we'll see how it goes.