Starwarsandcupcakes

Even after my VSG I was still drinking at least one a day, mostly for “breakfast” mixed with coffee seeing as I work nightshift on the weekends and the thought of eating a full blown meal at 3pm when I wake up is a huge turn off.

Make sure you stay hydrated. When urine gets concentrated it smells very strongly, even worse if you’re a diabetic. Lingering traces and stress incontinence issues can make it seem even worse. If you can, try wearing pantyliners for a while to see if that helps some. Along with what others have said, our bodies so weird things when burning fat for fuel.

Syntrax nectars and matrix are definitely some of my favorites. I use the unflavored one in lots of stuff to boost the protein content. You can mix it with unsweetened applesauce pretty well. The lemonade one is great blended with water and ice.

Mine worked with my dad for over a year to try and save his leg before they ultimately amputated. I’m thoroughly convinced he saved my dad’s life. I actually met him at one of my dad’s post op appointments 2 years before I needed him. Fast forward to April 2019 and I need an appendectomy and he’s the surgeon I chose for that. At my post op he invited me to a bariatric seminar and he did my sleeve in December 2019. He’s also my surgeon for my RNY revision this coming Tuesday. I don’t think I could trust another surgeon with what he does.

They have a lot of good options and their produce is usually cheaper than other stores, at least in my area. Also, their protein powder is pretty decent for 170 calories a serving and 30g of protein.

My case isn’t typical. I developed a hernia in March that has lead to some severe GERD, esophagitis and inflammation because of it. I’m actually having revision surgery this coming Tuesday to fix everything. I do agree with the others. While your surgeon and nutritionist may say 600 calories a day, try adding an extra 100-200 calories and see if that helps. Stalls happen a lot. We just have to figure out what works for us to break through them.

My VSG was December 17, 2019 as of today I’ve lost 49lbs. That’s in 8 months. So yes, it is frustrating to know you’re doing everything you were told and not getting where you think you should be.

I’m also buying the Healthy Choice dressings. They’re a great marinade for chicken or just on salads. I also love the torani sugar free syrups for coffee or in plain Greek yogurt.

I buy a lot of turkey bacon but my kids eat more of it than I do. Since my VSG I’ve notice plant protein sits a lot better I’ve added pictures of 2 of my favorites. The Lightlife sausage is a great ground beef replacement. I still eat a lot of chicken and shrimp that I cook in the air fryer because it’s not as dry that way. I also buy A LOT of zucchini and tomatoes and mushrooms.

I’ve always wanted to wear a backless gown.

Pumpkin spice smoothie- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 8oz almond milk, 1/2 c pumpkin purée, 1/2-1tsp pumpkin spice mix blend with ice. Blend. Makes 2 servings Decaf Mocha- 1tsp decaf instant coffee, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 cup water or almond milk, ice. Blend. Makes 2 servings. Creamy chicken soup- 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk, 1 cup skim milk, 1 cup water, 2tsp chicken bouillon, dash celery salt, garlic and onion powder. Blend milk and nonfat milk powder. Add to pan with other ingredients. Heat over medium until warmed. Makes 2-4 servings. Potato soup- 1 medium potato peeled and boiled. 1 cup skim milk, 1/4c nonfat dry milk, spices of choice (I use a little season salt and garlic powder) 1/2-1c water to thin if needed. Blend everything and warm over medium heat. Makes 2-3 servings. Homemade protein pudding- 2 cups skim milk, 1/4c nonfat dry milk, 2 egg yolks, 2T sweetener or sugar free syrup, 1 1/2 tsp corn starch 1-2 cups skim milk. Heat 2c milk and nonfat dry milk over medium until it just starts to bubble. In a bowl add remaining ingredients and combine. Slowly add warm milk into egg yolk mixture and whisk like life depends on it. Add back to pan and cook over low until thickened to liking. Cool in a shallow dish in fridge and make sure you cover in plastic wrap touching pudding surface.

Curry powder, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, garlic and onion powder for almost everything, ginger, pumpkin spice for homemade shakes, once you get to solids again try dukkah seasoning. I'm also using a southwest chili protein powder from the BariatricPal store for tossing veggies in before baking or sautéing. So good!

I’m on my second round of pre-op liquid diet (did it in December) and I have noticed this time that they’re a lot tougher to drink. Today I’ve only managed 2. I think I’m going to just end up using powders and make my own. Those go down much better than the ready to drink ones.

Too hot if liquids can cause clumping. It might be the protein powder you use. I use syntrax most of the time and it is but I also have found that some of the plant based protein powders are better for people who are averse to milk. Try Vega. It’s pretty good. Oh and I also blend a lot of mine with almond milk or water and ice. It changes the consistency a bit and makes them easier to drink.

I’m going to preface this with- totally worth it, would do it again in a heartbeat. That being said, I vomited for several hours after surgery that I remember. I tend to be really sensitive to anesthesia. My biggest issue once home was having a bowel movement but some magnesium citrate took care of that. I didn’t have much pain at all and wasn’t really ever hungry either. I did have some issues with certain foods after like room temp water was an issue for a long time. However, I did develop a love of protein pretzels and other crunchy snacks. In 3 1/2 months (mid December [264] to March [230]) I lost 34lbs making for a total of 95 including presurgery. I didn’t go back to work for 9 weeks but that’s because I also had knee surgery doing to same leave period. After mid March I didn’t haven’t lost much else (currently 218) but I attribute that to developing a new hiatal hernia, severe GERD, intractable hiccups and esophagitis causing a ton of inflammation. I’m having surgery to correct them on the 11th. Like I said though, would do it again in a heartbeat even with the hiccups (literal and figurative) along the way.

I was fine by myself after being driven home from my gastric sleeve. I don’t anticipate my sleeve to RNY to be any different on the 11th once I’m discharged home.

WLS is a complete mind game. You aren’t doing anything wrong if you’re following your post op plan. You aren’t cheating yourself and definitely hold off on any exercise besides walking for a while as it can lead to injury. I’m going to suggest that maybe you try and find a therapist to talk with to help you better navigate this new way of life you’re now living. Might help put your mind at ease. Also, shove that scale in a closet and leave it there for now. Only weigh yourself at the office that way it puts less pressure on you with the scale.

I can’t believe they waited so long and you haven’t been given the option of an RNY revision. Everything you’ve said sounds like be minus the extra surgeries and time. I’ve had GERD pretty bad for the last 5 months (Pepcid and protonix with tums) and a new hiatal hernia (had one repaired with my sleeve in December 2019) and my revision surgery is in 9 days. I definitely think you need a second opinion for sure! Sorry you’re in so much pain. I really hope you get answers soon!

I got the call from my surgeon’s office that my appeal for revision surgery was approved! Already scheduled surgery for 8/11! I can’t wait to get rid of this hernia. I can’t wait to get rid of the GERD and esophagitis. Most of all though, I can’t wait to get rid of these hiccups and be able to sleep more than 4hrs at a time without having to wake up and take tums again.

It’s really not. It gives me 2 weeks of pre-op diet and that’s it. The nutritionist is calling me tomorrow and then I have a final pre-op visit the day before surgery.

Add spices to make it more flavorful. Try freezing protein shakes to add to coffee instead of ice. There are some protein powder soups out there I suggest that will lend to variety. Also, try freezing crystal light until slushee for a treat.

I was told to avoid caffeine during the liquid and soft phases after that it was as tolerated. I was also told to avoid skin and seeds on fruits and veggies, fried foods, high fat meat and dairy, and pasta which I rarely ate pre-surgery. Best advice is to follow what your surgeon has outlined for you because what works for one might not work for the next.

I, unfortunately, don’t have the luxury of staying home. I worked over 70hrs last week, on top of running a small business (not included in my work hours) and setting up college classes. I’m dealing with a hernia of almost my entire sleeve that causes intractable hiccups and fighting with insurance trying to get the surgery I need approved is no picnic. I also have my own children to take care of by myself and a disabled father that I help care for. There’s a lot of stress there and even if I don’t change my eating habits stress causes me to gain weight. I’m glad I haven’t and have actually lost about 10lbs but it’s been rough. I have noticed an increase in mental health crisis episodes lately which might be why I’m working so much so others can care for them and I can take over their work tasks. Not everyone is equipped to handle the same situation in the same or a positive way. Having patience and understanding goes a long way when we don’t know the path the each individual is walking. While it may be easy to just say, “you know what to do so why aren’t you?” We also have to be mindful that as a whole most people have never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude before so coping mechanisms for everyone is different when life is completely thrown off kilter is expected. All we can hope for is trying to make each day a little better and healthier than the last.