cseidman

Yay! Just got home from a follow up appt with my surgeon and I have the all clear for all sorts of fun. Once again, I get to take baths, swim, exercise (besides just walking), and have sex. I can advance off the soft food phase and start the "diet for life". I can add one new food a day and just see how my body responds to it. I don't really know where I want to start. The only issue to come up was that my blood pressure is pretty low, which explains why I'm always feeling so dizzy and lightheaded. He said it's probably related to lack of fluids, so now my Fluid goal has been increased to 70oz minimum per day. Phew, that's tough. So, now to decide what to do first - eat something new, drink something, exercise, take a bubble bath, or call my husband and tell him to come home and fool around with me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! I'm looking through recipes right now doing a bit of meal planning. Suddenly I feel motivated to cook. And I already told husband that he's entertaining the kids tonight while I take a long hot bath. Ah, the simple joys... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll definitely give it a try. So far I haven't had any problems with cheese or yogurt, but I just can't do milk! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Quick question regarding the almond milk. I'm 5 weeks post op, and not dealing well with milk. Not sure if this will be a permanent lactose intolerance or something that will improve with time. I considered almond milk, but soy milk has so much more Protein that I went with that. How did you decide on almond instead of soy? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, this is great information! Thank you so much for such a thorough response. I really appreciate all the suggestions on substitutions. I will definitely be giving those a try! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My husband has been incredible supportive. We do see a counselor together and we've discussed both of our worries, fears, and excitements about my new lifestyle. We are really focusing on how this will be good for our entire family, not just for me. He'd like to lose about 20 pounds and we hope to model better eating habits to our kids. In fact, last night we discussed a possible reward we both want to work towards. My dream vacation for many, many years has been to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. So, we will book that trip when I reach goal (50 more pounds to go). This has him excited to be in better health as well. Now we just have to figure out if we can afford to take the kids along with us. Anyway, getting him and the family invested in this journey has been extremely helpful. Let your loved ones know what this means to you, and also what it can mean for them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I agree! I have seen that before, but never knew what it was called. I'll add that to my list too. If bucket lists are all the things you want to do before you kick the bucket, I wonder what I should call my list of things I want to do after significant weight loss. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's a great idea! I do live in a university town, so I'll definitely look into it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Zorbing? That's one I have to google right now. Maybe it needs to be added to my list too. You're off to such a great start that I'm sure you'll continue to do great! Keep all those adventurous activities in mind for future rewards. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have started looking around locally. There is the dietary department at the hospital, and they work with most of the bariatric surgery patients, but I'm guessing it will be cheaper to find someone in private practice. Like you mention, not having to deal with insurance is a definite plus for the practice. There was one locally who I had heard great things about. Went to her website and she has a lengthy statement on there about her views on bariatric surgery. She calls it a mutilation of the body and is adamantly against it. So, she's a no go. I think I'll just start calling around and asking people about their viewpoint and experience with surgery patients. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

90 pounds?! That's fantastic! You'll definitely need to Celebrate the 100 pound loss you're so close to. What about doing something that you couldn't have done before? For me, I think I'd like to try a zip line, or take a river rafting trip, or jump on a trampoline, or go horse back riding. Maybe even sky diving. Eek! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hesitate to post some of my questions, because I think they may be rather dumb questions. I know that shouldn't stop me, but sometimes people can be rude, especially with the anonymity of an online forum. But, I'm sure I'll be asking anyway. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! I'll definitely take a look at the videos! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I began to slowly introduce them a month post-op. There's several great brands of sprouted bread that I've tried, but Ezekiel's was the one my dietician recommended by name. It's more widely available at grocery stores and Target. I like Dave's Killer Bread as well. You can get it in a thinly sliced loaf that is lower in carbs. http://www.daveskillerbread.com/#first-slide These breads are often in a refrigerated section rather than on the shelves, and they are a bit pricier but are better quality. If there's a Sprouts grocery store near you, you can find a good selection there. Trader Joe's carries Ezekiel and some other sprouted breads as well, but I've found that their loaves get mold much faster because they don't keep them refrigerated. Thanks! I do have a sprouts nearby. In fact, I can ride my bike there, so I'll definitely check out the Ezekiel bread. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I thought the same thing! I also can't imagine how any emotionally healthy person would think this is a good idea. Sure, I'll eat that whole pint of ice cream, cuz I can just pump it right back out. I don't get it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been wanting to ask about Calcium too. I've been doing the Bariatric Advantage chewables (caramel is my favorite). They are 500mg each. I was instructed to take 3 or 4 a day, separately. Can anyone explain why they all need to be taken separately? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh, I LOVE the idea of using spaghetti squash or zucchini to make crispy hash browns! Huevos Rancheros is one of my favorite meals, so I will definitely try this. A veggie hash brown, topped with egg, cheese, and green chili. Yum! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I think I just needed to hear this. I have never tried spaghetti squash, and I just heard of zoodles, so maybe those are better options than fake pasta. I'm also really wanting some crunch. Looking forward to nuts, and crunchy peppers with tuna salad. Any other ideas? What about whole grain crackers? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's a very good point. I am meeting my protein goals, and that alone fills me up plenty. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

First of all, I hate it when people do that. They are sharing anecdotal stories and almost certainly leaving out relevant information. It's akin to sharing horrific birth stories with an 8 months pregnant woman. Second, it's normal and smart to be concerned about the potential risks. Asks your doc any questions you have and make sure you follow their guidelines. I was self pay, so I was terrified of complications, not just for health reasons, but for financial as well. But I have stuck to the rules and everything has been fine. Zero regrets here! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! You're off to a great start! I'm 5 weeks post op and I agree - this is the best thing I've ever done for my health, and I'm so excited about what the future holds. I see my doc on Thursday and am hoping to get the okay to start eating normal. A new normal, anyway. I want ground beef and chicken and veggies! I'm so ready to move off the soft food stage. I really like eggs and cheese and yogurt and Beans, but it's getting a bit boring now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 5 weeks post op, so I'm still new to this, but I'll be cheering you on! Great job on your weight loss this far, and on reaching out to this group for support and encouragement. Have you tried changing things up a bit to see if it will kick start some more weight loss? Maybe a change in your exercise regimen or foods? I know from past diet plans that I am very much a creature of habit. Same exercises, same foods, etc. Changing those routines a bit would sometimes help end a stall. I wonder too if it would help to read post from newbies who are in that excited stage right after surgery. That's me right now. I feel amazing and am so motivated to do this right. Maybe participating in some threads and helping newbies out will be a good reminder of that initial excitement and a motivator to keep it going. Christi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved on May 10th, so I'm just a few days ahead of you. Fish is really sitting well with me right now. I've especially been enjoying tuna and salmon. I'll cook up some fillets, or I'll make a tuna salad with some light mayo. I also really like the ricotta bake (recipe on the eggface blog). And I am really loving the taste of hummus right now, even if I do have bad garlic breath. I like scrambled eggs too, but I know you said it didn't sit well for you. How well cooked was it? I tend to cook mine so they are soft, but my husband cooks them too long and then they're harder and less pleasant. Other things I've eaten include refried Beans, soft cheeses, mashed sweet potato, and avocado. Hope that helps! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

At one month post op, I've been doing pretty well. I'm meeting my Fluid and Protein goals most days. However, today did not go so well. We drove to Denver for a short family vacation - one night in a hotel, the zoo, and the museum. To prepare for the zoo today, I brought a cooler with plenty of food and beverages to meet my specific needs: cheese, hummus, tuna salad, etc. Now I'm looking back on my day and realizing how little I've actually eaten. It was over 90 degrees and we were hot and sweating in the sun all day. I didn't want to eat anything, because I knew I would have to stop drinking for 30 minutes after. I only wanted to drink, and I wanted to take huge refreshing gulps. I drank plenty, but there's no way I'll meet my protein goal today. So, how do you beat the heat? Any tips or tricks on how to get enough food and drink on super hot summer days? It's so weird to me that I actually didn't want to eat. On the plus side, this will be my first day since surgery to accomplish 10,000 steps! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, and I should say that my hiking now is kind of pathetic. More like short easy strolls. Hopefully I'll be under 200 pounds by autumn and better able to take on some of the more impressive hikes. Living in Colorado, we definitely have some good ones. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App