ttdish

I searched the forum, and despite a ton of posts requesting Protein powder recommendations, I couldn't find this topic.... So, can anyone suggest a Protein Powder (preferably unflavored) that gives a good amount of protein but doesn't require a big scoop? I currently have Jarrow, and the scoops size is about 1/4 cup for 18 G protein. That is a lot of bulk to add when my meals are so small (almost two weeks out). I can use half a scoop, but then the amount of protein added seems really small. So I guess I'm looking for either a powder with a decent amount of protein with a small scoop, or a powder with a much larger amount of protein per scoop, so I can halve the scoop and still get a good protein punch. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Sleeved 8/31/15 HW: 245 SW: 233 CW: 134 (Height 5'3") Down 111 pounds total. Original goal was 125, but am happy where I'm at, and have some extra skin I need taken care of. So much happier and healthier thanks to my sleeve!

Tight 20 to a loose 6! Some brands I'm a 4 (mind blowing to me!), and some I'm an 8. Want to slice this extra skin off, but otherwise thrilled!

That drove me nuts too. And even a wrong image (RNY labeled as sleeve). For me the frequent typos/grammatical issues made it nearly unreadable because they bothered me so much (totally my issue, it's not actually unreadable). It's really too bad, because it's good information, but they sorely need a new editor.

I had one, inserted after I was out, and taken out as soon as I was mobile. I had the sleeve.

I agree with you there.... not having forbidden foods really helps take the pressure off... i feel it teaches you to make good choices for yourself, not having someone dictate them for you. I feel that if i was told you are never to have x,y,z.. i would probably rebel and crave it so much more... but this way i know i can have it in moderation but CHOOSE not to.... that is exactly what i need to make a long term lifestyle change.... this is for life, and sometimes in life you will want a small piece of cake or a bread roll... denying myself or completely eliminating an entire food or food group is not healthy in my opinion (psychologically).. that for me would bea set up for failure.. i would feel deprived! Well said! It's funny, I always thought when I got pregnant (before surgery) that I would gain a ton of weight because I could have an excuse to binge... I'm eating for two, it's pregnancy cravings, the baby wants it, etc.. I only gained 25 pounds (a perfectly healthy amount), and it's because I basically gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted without guilt, and the need to binge was suddenly gone. After the pregnancy when I needed to get back on the wagon, I started bingeing again, put on 40 more pounds, and then obviously got the sleeve. My point to that long story, is that the same feeling of giving myself permission to "cure" my binge eating that I had while I was pregnant is how I feel now (I'm almost a year post op). Food doesn't equal stress. Life is so much better when I'm not OBSESSED with food!

Nothing is forbidden on my diet. That alone makes me less likely to eat the junk. Giving myself permission to eat whatever I want has been the single most important thing this surgery has done for me. I feel like I'm finally on my way to healing my relationship with food.

Just ask the bartender to put it in the same glasses the cocktails are in. I doubt anyone will notice!

oh man, no liquid/purees? how did you manage to get away with that? lol Totally on plan! It's not common, but there are some surgeons out there that go straight to solids. I was nervous that it would hurt, but I followed my plan as written, and it was awesome, haha

I have heard that this isn't true for sleeve patients. With bypass they don't have a pyloric valve to regulate how quickly the food leaves your stomach. For them, liquids can push food through too quickly. Sleeve patients have their pyloric valve intact, so that should keep fluids from "pushing" food through too fast. This made sense to me when I read it, but didn't do any further research, so I can't say for sure if it's correct.. I do about the same as you though, I drink up to 5 min before I eat, and the 30 minutes after (and I agree, the after part is brutal!). If I ever do drink while I'm eating (sometimes by mistake/habit, I grab my glass), I get too full, and am not able to eat enough of my meal to be satisfied for long enough. If I try to drink too soon after eating, it's uncomfortable and upsets my stomach.

Mine was very smooth. Some nausea in the hospital (especially after drinking contrast dye. Yuck!). I was sore for a few days, but nothing worse than after my c-section. Just took it easy. I also wasn't miserable about not eating because I never had a liquids/puree stage. I got to eat small amounts right off the bat, so I never felt deprived. Almost 1 year out, down 110 pounds. I was also self pay.... Best $10k I've ever spent!

My social life has improved! I don't get out much because I have a husband who travels a lot and a toddler. But when I do get out, it's so much more fun, since I actually feel good about myself. If I'm out on a social occasion, I'll have one drink before dinner, and just order something small for dinner.

Give it time. I had the same worries a year ago

I think a lot of people have a small gain when they start solids. I promised myself that I wouldn't weigh myself until a week post op (or more, I don't remember) to account for extra weight from IV fluids. BUT... This early out, I wouldn't be worried. You WILL lose. Your body is in a WTF are you doing to me stage, lol. It will catch up when it figures out you aren't starving it.

Not at all. Immediately post-op (after discharge, so day 3) I was allowed up to two ounces of any soft protein (cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt, refried Beans with cheese, etc) three times per day, plus Protein Shakes. It was tiny portions, and I generally could only eat about half. I would set a timer for one minute between bites and chew chew chew! I was also supposed to eat whatever I comfortably could out of the two oz portion within 30 minutes, then stop. My stages progressed from there, but as you can see, to liquids, no purees, etc. It's interesting for me to hear stories about people who "cheat" and jump stages, saying, "I ate refried beans while on Clear Liquids, and it made me so sick!" I think the reason I never got sick or felt uncomfortable is because I didn't have a huge period of time post op with no real food. It's a different approach than most surgeons take, but it worked for me!

I've shared progress photos here and in a sleeve FB group for my surgery month/year. I didn't post a lot of pics of myself in the time leading up to my sleeve. I've been much smaller in the past, and posted plenty of pictures then. I post now, without much regard for what I look like in the picture, but still don't post all that many pictures, especially full body (even though I'm almost at goal).

I think the "no straw" rule is one of the most debated here. By all means, follow your surgeons instructions, that's always your safest bet. As far as I've figured out, the no straw rule is because some people swallow too much air while using one, and can get painful gas. I've used one frequently without incident. I see this as more of a guideline, and if I can use a straw without problems, I don't see any reason not too.

Not all surgeons have as strict of stages. After hospital discharge I had no liquid stage. I was (on plan) eating yogurt and cottage cheese 3 days post op, scrambled eggs, ground beef, Beans, etc 4 or 5 days post op, and professed quickly from there to no restrictions on texture. I had no nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or any other complications. I'm down 111 pounds and approaching 11 months post op, and 9 pounds to goal. I don't share this to encourage anyone to not follow their surgeons plan- I absolutely believe everyone should follow their instructions as given. I just find it very interesting how varied post op plans are, from what I followed to 3 solid weeks of liquids immediately post op. Good luck to you in your journey!!

Mine was about six weeks, but could have been sooner if that worked for my schedule. The ONLY benefit of self pay is the quick path to surgery, lol

I definitely use less sugar free/fat free type of foods these days. Mostly because my portions are so small, I can just enjoy the real thing in moderation.

Thank you! So very sweet It's still hard to get used to this new body.

Started at 245, goal is either 125 or 130, depending how I feel when I get there. Currently at 137, and down 108 pounds so either 7 or 12 pounds from goal. Currently in a size 6/8 depending on brand. I'm thrilled with my success so far, and feeling more like a normal person about how I approach food. Struggling with body image, as I know size 6/8 is not fat, but with jiggly excess skin on the tummy, I don't feel very trim. Working on that. Where are the pics people?? Lol YouTube: trishassleevestory

Also, congrats on your upcoming surgery! Your life will never be the same

Sure! I recommend always following your own surgeon's instructions, but it certainly can't hurt to get more information from other sources and ask questions. I'll have to dig up my information sheets from my surgery, but I did do a YouTube video on my post op diet when I was 3 days post op that I'll post a link to. If you want more detailed information than that, let me know and I'll find my post op paperwork.https://youtu.be/KWmDNXTFBtw ^^ Man, I look SO different now!

So exciting!! You'll be almost a year exactly behind me. I was sleeved on 8/31