HopefullXOXOXO

Thank you Meggs11! I have been very weak and tired and I told this to my nutritionist and she just said "it'll get better". She's given me conflicting information and I think maybe even bad information. It just makes sense that there has to be a minimum protein grams and calories. She also told me not to have protein drinks and to concentrate on eating real, although soft, foods. I just can't eat enough to get what I know I need. That's why I started drinking that protein drink. I'm definitely going to add another protein drink to my day, among other things. Like maybe add part of a banana to my protein drink. Thank you!

Taoz or anyone else, My nutritionist keeps telling me I don't have to count protein grams or calories. I'm 6 weeks out tomorrow. This just doesn't seem right to me. Can you please tell me what you've been told about minimum protein grams per day and calories? I'm lucky to get 500-600 calories a day and I'm concerned that this will put my metabolism into reverse if I keep it up. I also can't have any starches for another 2 months at least. I just remember when Oprah pulled the wagon of fat out on her show years ago after losing a lot of weight on Optifast only. Since then she's said many times it was a huge mistake because it changed her metabolism forever and not in a good way. That's the last thing I want to happen to me. I'm feeling ok but still not eating much. I have to drink Isopure Zero Carb (20 oz. has 40 grams of protein and goes down like water) in order to even come close to 60 grams of protein each day. I also don't want to lose muscle, especially since I have so little of it! LOL! I'd love to know what others have been told about amount of protein and/or calories we should be consuming each day. Please.

I've noticed many posts suggesting sugar free pudding, sugar free hard candy, etc. I got the sf jello pudding but didn't like the taste at all. Tried it with unflavored protein and thought the protein was the problem so I made another batch according to directions. Nope! The weird taste was the pudding mix. Anyone have any suggestions for sf treats that actually taste good? I'm not planning to live on them, I just want a few things I can turn to for special occasions. Thanks!

The question I wished I'd asked is: For the 4-6 weeks after surgery, what doctor can I call if I have problems? My surgeon only takes "surgery related" questions and there's no one else to ask questions. I'd also ask: Other than complications from the surgery (which I didn't have) what are the potential problems that could happen first 4-6 weeks and beyond that you should be aware of. And don't let them get away with "Everyone's different, it's impossible to say." because there are certain things that are more likely to happen and I wish I'd been aware so I could have prepared ahead of time. My specific problems are constipation and GERD since the surgery. It's been difficult figuring things out on my own. Thank God for this site!

Thank you! Can you tell me how much yogurt you used? Sorry. I used the 24 oz. Siggi's. With small portions it's lasted me a week and I still have 1/4 container left.

Thank you for reminding me of this Jess. I am making myself crazy trying to figure out what's causing the symptoms. To me, it seems everyone else here is doing much better than I am when it comes to stomach/intestinal distress. I assumed it has to be something I'm eating because I've never had so many intestinal symptoms before in my life (I'm 65). It's only been 5 weeks and I know the healing takes time. I shouldn't be so impatient. On the good days, I'm not impatient. It's the bad days that scare me because I think it will last forever and not go away. There's that four letter word again....TIME!

Since my sleeve surgery 5/3/18, I've had excess gas and bloating but no diarrhea, the opposite, along with what feels like spasms or cramping. I was not lactose intolerant before surgery but NUT said it's possible after surgery. I'm walking and following all instructions and thought this would be better by now but it isn't. Since the surgery I have been having whey protein and Greek yogurt so I'm wondering if that's what's causing this? Maybe this is just how it is for a certain period of time after the surgery? Any thoughts or recommendations anyone has is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jess. I'm not even sure if it is lactose intolerance. I was sleeved 5 weeks ago and when I wake up I feel good. I find that even water will cause a gas bubble to form and the burping begins. And I'm not aware of swallowing any air. I'm staying away from all dairy to see if it helps but so far I haven't noticed a difference. Only been two days. My gastroenterologist said it could be GERD and has me taking two PPI's a day. I've been doing that for two weeks though and I can say some days are better than others. When it's bad, it's bad. Whatever it is! I can't figure out what's different on the "bad" days as I've pretty much been eating the same things. If they' were bothering me, why would I ever have a "good" day? So I'm eliminating dairy first. I'm concerned about getting enough enough protein each day without the whey protein or the Greek Yogurt. I just can't eat enough meat, fish or eggs. My gastroenterologist did tell me when I'm having a bad day I can add Gaviscon which I can tell you really helps. For that reason, I'm thinking it's more about the GERD. I don't understand how that causes so much excess gas and bloating though? I know it's all trial and error, I'm just afraid I'm not ingesting enough because on the bad days I barely eat or drink anything for fear of making it worse. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon. Thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate it.

Thanks for the heads up. The bottle says two a day so that's all I'll take, at least to start, and see how it goes. I just think it's wonderful that I can get fiber and a treat all in one.

I just made something that's SO good, I have to share. I hope you like it or a version of it! It's a simple, 3 ingredient SF, FF strawberry yogurt. I got frozen strawberries, put 2 cups of them in a biggish bowl and microwaved for 1 1/2 minutes. Then I mashed them with an old fashion hand masher. Not an electric mixer. I got Plain, 0 fat Siggi's yogurt. I wanted to try this even though it's expensive because it has 25 grams of protein per 1 cup. Next time I'll probably get Greek, Plain, FF. This yogurt is VERY creamy though. You'd never know it's FF. I added the yogurt to the strawberries. I then added 2/3 cup Splenda and mixed together my hand. I'm in heaven! I'm sure you can use whatever fruit you like and however much Splenda you want. I added Splenda slowly and kept trying it until I got it "Just right" for me.

I got Vitafusions SF Fiber Well gummies. that's what they have near me. What a great idea! I never would have thought of this or even known about these if not for your post so I really want to thank you. With all the protein and added iron, I need the fiber and what a great way to get it!

I'm 4 weeks and 2 days post op and have lost 16 pounds since the surgery.

Thank you! Have you tried making these with a sugar substitute? Like Splenda?

Thanks to everyone for the ideas!

I'd like the recipe please.

What brand?

Two weeks and two days post op. Most of my recovery has been uneventful except for 3 days of bad heartburn. First time I was on protein drinks and mostly water. Lasted two days. This time I’m on soft food. Nothing spicy. Scrambled eggs with little bits of ham. Tiny ground turkey burger. I can’t figure out what’s causing this. I barely ate today even though I’m allowed to, I was too sick all day. It feels like there’s a hole being bored into my stomach. Tums helped for about 3 minutes. Any thoughts about cause or what I can do to help myself? I can’t live like this. Is it to be expected the first month?

How many milligrams of Prilosec? Have you had any problems? Thank You!

Hi Jules, I found what I'm told is a "protein capsule" made by NOW Sports called "Amino Complete" says "balanced Blend of Protein and Free-Form Amino Acids. Maker told me it's a complete protein in a capsule. You can get it from Amazon and maybe your local nutrition store.

Hi Taoz, I have been taking Pantoprazole for GERD. My surgeon knew about this pre op and I specifically asked if getting the sleeve would be a problem as I'd heard it can make it worse. It was his belief that fixing the hiatal hernia would fix the problem (took him a 1 1/2 to fix) and even told me to take the Pant. for only 30 days post surgery, 10 days off, to see if I still needed to take it. I was excited...till now. LOL! The LAST thing I want is another surgery! The other thing he told me I can do is take my regular medications and vitamins. One is a iron supplement. I'm strongly suspecting that's the cause of this even though I didn't get heartburn every day. I began taking it last Sunday and had heartburn Monday and Tuesday. Took Wed., Thurs & Fri., no problem. ??? Took Saturday and had a big problem Saturday and Sunday. I did not take it yesterday and will find a liquid I can take instead. I was also told to take them all together, 2 hours after breakfast, on an empty stomach. Not doing this anymore either! Going to divide them AM & PM and take with food or protein shake. I'm really hoping this will help. Like you and others have said, I'm also going back to more protein shakes, soups, purees and BLAND soft foods for a few more weeks. To be honest, I was shocked when my nutritionist said (and gave us in writing) we could have meat already. She did say to cook it in a slow cooker until very tender first and cut into pieces no bigger than my smallest fingernail. That's what I'd been doing. Not going to do it now. Going to see if I can get my stomach back to feeling better first. This has been very scary for me. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

I’m 17 days out. Was on protein shakes and clear liquids only first 14 days. I’d been eating whatever size a boiled egg is. 1 Oz-2o? Each meal, so not much. Going to do purée and protein shake mix to try to get under control. Thanks!

Thank you Sammy 10-30. I appreciate it. They have me on "soft foods" but maybe that's too much. This also happened for two days during my liquids phase the first two weeks.

I have been taking Pantoprazole (another PPI) for about 20 years. I'm still taking it now but for some reason there have been, now 4 days, where my stomach is on fire. I can't eat much when this happens so it hasn't turned into GERD. Believe it or not, I had hoped it was common the first month and not something specific to me. Clearly, I'll have to contact my surgeon tomorrow and let him know. Thank you for your thoughts.

Hey Taoz, we were sleeved very close together. Mine 5/3. I’m having the same problem. This is second time and first time lasted two days when I was still on protein shakes. I’d love to know if this is common the first month or so. I can’t figure out what’s causing it.

I was two weeks out and my surgeon told me to do it. Before that, I didn't touch them. I was afraid I'd open the wounds. By two weeks out the glue was curling up at the ends and ready to come off. My surgeon looked at the incisions and just said "you need to get in the shower and remove the glue." So I did it.