Sara51692

@TheRealMeIsHere! Thanks -- you seem like you'd done great! Congrats on reaching your goal (even if it was a few months ago) =) I'm so nervous about carbs. My family gets take out a lot and my friends go out to eat a lot, and every time I've looked at a menu since surgery, it seems like everything is full of carbs. I love cooking, but I commute for almost 3 hours a day so it's difficult to do every night.

Yeah, I'm trying to "undestimate" my portions because I know I'm going to want to finish what's on my plate, even if it's one or two bites, so I'm giving myself smaller portions so I'm able to do that still. It's so weird when I realize my mind is on this mindset that just says "OMG eat everything you can, you are NEVER getting food again - KEEP EATING." And it's like, no, brain, you're fine, you can eat whenever you want later, it's not the end of the world and everything doesn't have to be eaten right now.

I know - I really never doubted my surgeon until this point. I think it just really shocked me and I felt unprepared. I'm very good at following things for a short amount of time and then I stray. I wasn't expecting to be able to eat solids so soon. I mean, my family's doing a cookout next weekend for the 4th...don't know how I'm going to handle that! I was worried about that with the calories...I don't want my body to get used to this amount, and I've heard stories of people increasing their calorie count to get out of stalls, so maybe it'll be good for me to increase my calories a bit and aim a little higher. @@Babbs I've struggled with that concept because I love veggies. I was a vegetarian for several years and don't like a ton of sources of protein, but I'm trying. I've had chicken the last several days and nights and that's how I've hit my protein goal lately. Before, I was doing more veggie purees and they didn't give me nearly enough protein.

I actually posted a similar question - though I'm not as far out as you! Maybe some of the respones will help you? http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/343869-how-many-calories-are-you-getting/

I posted this as another topic, but figured I'd share my update with my fellow May sleevers: So I had my one month follow-up appointment yesterday and assumed I was moving from pureed foods to soft foods for two weeks until my 6-week appointment. But my surgeon shocked me by saying I'm okay to move onto solid foods. He made a few disclaimers, such as trying new things when I'm comfortable and avoiding fibrous vegetables like celery right now. So I basically ended up in Stop & Shop with my sister last night looking around like a person who had never been in a grocery store before because I had so many options now. I felt totally unprepared because I was expecting soft foods first! I only bought cucumbers (to eat with hummus) and crystal light. I ate some chicken last night, non-pureed, and it went down fine. So I don't think he's wrong that I'm ready for solids, but I'm still really nervous! I also asked my surgeon about my calorie intake and I told him I was getting 400-600 a day but the last few days it was more like 700 because I was hitting my protein goal. He told me I needed to be around 1000-1200 which shocked me too, because I've read about people on here who are maintaining on that... And finally, I told him how I wasn't getting nearly 64 ounces of water, and he told me not to worry about it and to keep separating liquids and solids and just drink when I'm thirsty. I'm also allowed to drink alcohol (in moderation, of course) at this point. -------- It all feels so real now! I'm starting to freak out. I'm totally afraid I'll fail. It's a lot easier to avoid carbs when you're limited to pureed foods.

My chicken last night went down well. I think I'm just freaking out because it's a LOT easier to avoid carbs when I'm limited to pureed foods. I'm scared I'll fail. Even though I've already had the surgery, it all feels a lot more real now. I agree about the calories. I have a feeling him and my NUT feel obligated not to endorse any diet under the minimum recommended amount of calories so they say "You should be getting 1000-1200, but do what's comfortable..." At least that's what it felt like!

I just ordered a sample of Genepro for $4.50 -- we'll see how it goes! I'm going to order the nectar sample pack too -- $15 for 15 kinds plus $2 shipping. Seems worth it, but I hate calling places!

Oh I did use chapstick too! A lot! I couldn't eat or drink anything for the three days I was in there but I was allowed to use these little sponges on sticks in ice water to wet my tongue and such. They were so cute!

Did you do samples? I haven't checked them out yet, but hoping to order a sample first...

Honestly, you don't need too much if you're just going to a local hospital (rather than flying somewhere/abroad, etc.) because the hospital will give you what you need. I brought a book and didn't read it at all. Didn't use my GasX strips in the hospital either. They gave me an ice pack to help with the pain - which helped a lot because it sort of numbed the area. I didn't pull anything out of my bag except a clean pair of underwear (to put them on once I was in my room and settled....didn't want to walk around in my johnny completely naked!) and on my last day, I changed into loose, thin sweatpants, a sports bra, a shirt and flip flops. Of course, I had my cell phone and charger...that kept me busy when I wasn't sleeping.

I just tried unjury unflavored and hated it. I didn't even put NEAR the serving amount into a large bottle of Crystal Light and it had a bad aftertaste. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it...maybe try to sneak small amounts of it into my meals and Water all day? UGH. I do the Premier Protein premade chocolate ones and they're great, but I'm sick of sweet things. I'm looking forward to trying GENEPRO and nectar.

@@tera1982 If you've already gone through all the other steps and you've stuck to the process this far, I'm sure you're in a good mindset now and have heard a lot of great information from your surgeon and NUT and others along the way. I was really anxious about the appointment too, because I knew my lack of family support/family's health, my depression and anxiety, and history of eating disorder and self-harm would make me seem like a horrible candidate for this surgery. And I was 100% honest with this psychologist. I didn't hold back one thing that would be an obstacle for me in weight loss. But I "passed," so to speak, so I guess she saw something in me. I have a feeling not many people who get as far as the psychologist visit in the process get denied by the psych. because they've already shown a commitment. I think they're basically looking for what the insurance looks for: a history of failed dieting and a commitment to sustainable, healthy eating habits.

Same! Even though I have a great surgeon and NUT, this site has been so helpful.

I didn't have a drain and I didn't throw up at all after my surgery - had a little nausea right after, but it went away.

Does your protein goal decrease as your weight goes down? I know my nutritionist used my weight to calculate my protein goal, so I'm wondering if I'll have to adjust the goal as time goes on? Will I not need as much?

Maybe I need to go back and have the doc take out more stomach? I'm getting in almost a half cup of food for a meal so don't feel too bad! Our stomachs, pre- and post-sleeve are all different.

I'm about a month out and just finishing the pureed phase...I've been able to get in almost a 1/2 cup without problem. Though I'm mostly weighing my food in grams lately, so I'm not totally positive the cup/volume equivalent.

I hit the stall too, but before I knew it, it was over! It'll come and go quickly, though I'm sure we'll all have tons of other stalls too. I read somewhere on this site (I think it was a Do's and Don'ts section) to never say "only lost xx pounds" because it's negative thinking. Sixteen pounds from your body is gone for good! Celebrate every pound gone and keep working to make sure it doesn't come back. How did the gym go? I haven't gone back yet but will be asking my surgeon about it today. I still have some abdominal pain so I'm a little worried.

I know some people don't care for it but I really like the Isopure protein Water. I will drink 10 oz mid morning over ice and get 20 gr and another 10 oz mid afternoon and get another 20 gr. between that and a protein shake for breakfast with 25 gr of protein I get 65 gr a day min and some days More. What is your protein goal each day 60g, I've gotten over that the last two days. Are the isopure protein water fruity ones? I bought unjury unflavored and tried to mix it in my crystal light like they suggested... I didn't even put a whole serving and it was disgusting! =(

I do a protein shake for breakfast, and actually, I hit my protein goal again today. I think I was eating too much vegetables and none had enough protein. Now that I'm eating chicken for lunch and dinner, I hit my protein goal yesterday and today - I just need to work on the fluids. Counting my protein shake, I've had less than 20 ounces today. I just feel uncomfortable if I drink too much at once. And I'm busy at work and don't remember to drink any. It's so frustrating! Maybe I need to try the fruity protein shakes so I can drink more than one a day and get more liquids in.

Yes Phew, well, I'm getting a little more fluids in than I thought then. But not where I should be. I'm definitely asking my surgeon for some advice tomorrow.

@@Inner Surfer Girl Definitely sounds like what my NUT said! I mean, I know she's right, I'm just a crazy person, haha. Getting all my fluids in feels like a full time job, and I find I'm too distracted with my actual job (well, the one I get paid for) during the day to focus on Water. It's very frustrating. Can I count my Protein shake as fluids?

@@ShrinkingPeach I've only hit my Protein goal one day so far since surgery, so I'm not doing too good on that front. I bought some unflavored Protein powder, added it to my crystal light, and it tasted disgusting. Plus it wasn't even near what the serving was supposed to be! So I need to work up the courage to try to add it to something else. @@Babbs Thanks for the guide! I feel better knowing I seem to be in that range, even if it seems impossible to get all my protein in with that range.

Agreed, I don't think I could get near 1000. My surgeon said no exercise (besides walking) until 6 weeks out, but I have a follow-up tomorrow so I'm going to ask him if I'm able to start before if I feel okay. I'm anxious to get into an exercise routine because that part is harder for me than the diet.