LisaE19

I will tomorrow - we have a support group meeting. Thanks!

My HDL is high - 72 (in range it should be between 40-60)

Historically, I have always had low cholesterol (it had to be genetics!). The highest its ever been is 190 and the lowest was 160. 2 months prior to surgery, my CHOL was 170, TRIG = 51, HDL = 72 and LDL = 133. I am 5 months post op and had my labs done today by my PCP and my cholesterol is the highest ever - 221 with elevated HDL and LDL. I was SHOCKED. I am strict with my diet, I have had no sugar and carbs are at about 24 grams per day. I basically eat meat, veggies and low fat cheese and yogurt. I work out 7 days a week - swimming 2 miles a day, 3x per week and work out at least 30 minutes the other 4 days a week. I had better cholesterol levels when I ate crap! I have an appointment with my surgeon in April (I believe this is the visit where he will also draw labs for my 6 month check up). Has anyone else experienced increased Lipid results after surgery?

Hi - just checking in! My surgery was 9/28 (two months tomorrow/9 weeks out on Thurs). I am down 36 lbs from surgery and 70 lbs total (had to do a 3 month physician supervised diet that I started in mid April). With the exception of needing to take Miralax or Ducolax to get things moving, I haven't had any complications or issues from surgery. Although I feel like making sure I get all my water and protein in is a full time job and I am really tired of yogurt with protein powder (I do not like shakes), this has been a really easy process ...so far. My calories are around 500-600 per day and I am eating about 3 oz of food per meal + 1 snack. On Thursday I am officially off my post op diet and will move to my lifetime eating plan and I am so excited to eat raw veggies (couldn't have them until I made it to week 9). I have been craving a salad, but will hold off on that due to all the horror stories I have heard around digesting lettuce. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week where I do 30-45 minutes of cardio and another 30 minutes of weight training. My energy and endurance are increasing. The only bummer is that prior to surgery I had knee pain (bone on bone) and lower back pain and with losing 70 lbs, none of that is better. My ortho said that weight loss will likely decrease the knee pain and perhaps delay knee replacement surgery, but so far, I still have pain- I just basically ignore it. I couldn't be happier with the way things are going so far!!!

Where have you found Protein2o Water? I will give it a try!

How much of the pureed chicken soup can you eat for a meal and how much protein will you get from it? With my doc only wanting me to eat 3 meals a day, I have to get a minimum of 20gs of protein per meal (to avoid having to resort to protein powders again!).

My doctor doesn't want me snacking - just 3 meals a day. I am 10 days post op and currently on full liquids. To get all my protein in every day, I have to add protein powder to Oikos Triple Zero yogurt and SF pudding (allowed in this stage in my program) + a significantly watered down Premier Protein Clear drink (which I can barely tolerate). I have tried unflavored protein powder in soups, but I can't eat enough soup (less than 1/3 of a cup for 7 grams of protein) to get to what I need in protein for a meal. I gag on every protein shake I have tried. I have tried...I am just not a shake girl! Later this week, I am moving to the pureed stage. I am planner + I can't wait to get "eat" something different so I have started to think through this... Is it possible to get my required protein in without continuing to eat yogurt/pudding + protein powder and Premier Clear? I am anticipating I would get fuller, faster and couldn't eat enough to get the amount of protein I need per meal to get 60 grams of protein. In other words...I am trying to get out of having protein powder during the pureed stage and meet my protein goals in the pureed stage but I am not seeing a way out of it. One other complication in the pureed stage is that I hate eggs. Am I over thinking this? I know everyone is different, but I am also curious as to how much (ounces, bites, tablespoons, etc), you could eat for a meal in the pureed stage. I would be grateful for any info or guidance y'all could give...

I currently use the patch (the multi-vitamin and biotin). My doctor said he has seen good results with it, but I won't have my blood drawn for 5 more months to check my vitamin levels. I figure if my labs don't have good results, I will go to a chewables or what ever I am allowed to use.

Thanks! I definitely can scrounge up 6 pillows!

Hi - New to these boards and this site! I had surgery on Thursday 9/28 and was discharged from the hospital on Friday. I think I am doing pretty good? Yesterday was able to get 64 ounces of water in me. Today is going a little slower because gas pains started but I will do my best to make it to 64 oz again. I have no interest in food at the moment. My incisions are not too sore, but my guts are- It feels like I did sit ups all day. I wish we had a recliner, because laying in bed (and getting out of bed) is really uncomfortable, but I know it will get better. I am walking just about every hour - up and down our hallway. I would rather be outside walking but I can't wear a bra because of an incision location and no one wants to see that!! I am coordinating my nephew's wedding rehearsal and wedding next Saturday so I pray that every day is better and I am in good shape to make sure everyone is where they need to be at the right time and everyone gets down the isle! Yes, I will be wearing a bra for that - somehow!