i1Linda

I used Nectar Medical Unflavored Protein.

I can now. But I don't really want much of it anymore. If we go out and order a burger or sandwich, I usually take a bite or two of it as it comes (for the experience of it - I feel like I'm not deprived that way) and then pick out the protein from the middle and just eat that, because it is what my body wants. I get too full, too quick to waste much room in my sleeve for bread. At home, I hardly ever eat bread - maybe 1/2 of a crescent roll on occasion.

Wow! Makes perfect sense. I won't kick my scale across the bathroom anymore. Well maybe.....

Anneartica - Good luck today! Prayers and cyber hugs headed your way. :biggrin0: Keep us posted once you are up to it.

LOL. Bigdd I can just imagine this scenario. Big guy comes in and order what? A Happy Meal?? I don't even order anything anymore, I just nibble on some of my kids Happy Meals. Got to love your sleeve. Congratulations on your weight loss this past week - I'm jealous.

GirlyGirl - I really haven't found this to be a problem. I didn't tell people at all before or initially after. I didn't want to hear their opinion. I was doing this for me. Now the people closest to me know and it isn't an issue and they are completely supportive. When I attend social (food) events, I grab a plate, try a few things, mingle, talk, mingle, nibble... honestly most people don't notice what you eat (or don't). When someone who doesn't know makes a comment, especially at a sit down dinner, I explain I am dieting and trying to cut back (which is true) and compliment the wonderful spread - some must think I have amazing will power.

Longhorn and Barbannn too! We've got several new sleevesters today. :biggrin0:

Wow Tiffy! What an amazing accomplishment. You look beautiful. Good luck with trying to maintain at this point. I know you've been struggling to slow down the weightloss. Here's to a wonderful 2010 for you and your family.

Yay! Back down to 173 today and my knee is still swollen. I guess I'm back on track. 160's....here I come.:thumbup:

Hi Carla! Welcome to VST. Dee Dee is right. What you are feeling is very normal. I was very nervous (there are always risks of surgery - I had the same nerves having knee surgery earlier this month). But, for me, this has been the BEST thing I could have ever done for myself. I am healthier, more energetic, happier - I really don't think of myself as unhappy before - I just didn't know what I was missing. For me, the pre-op diet was the hardest part. But it was a short race to the finish line (surgery) and I can do anything for two weeks. Post-op, the hunger went away so it was much easier to stay on the post-op diet. The only difficulty for me was the worry that something would go "wrong". I am a worrier by nature and it wasn't until about 2 week post-op when I had a CT that showed my sleeve in perfect condition that I stopped worrying and started enjoying the weightloss. Good Luck and again, Welcome!

:thumbup::lol0::thumbup::lol0::lol0: Very Funny!

I have waited maybe 5 minutes (if that) at Dr. Nick's office for every appointment I have had. The office seems to run smoothly and on time. Dr. Nick's pre-op diet was 2 weeks long. It was basically 4-5 slim-fast shakes or meal bars a day and ONE meal of 4 ounces lean meat and 1 cup cooked veggies or 2 cups raw veggies. The day before surgery was liquid only and clear liquids only for evening meal before surgery. Pre-op diet was not fun but was very thankful for the one "real" meal each day. I also used some of the protein shakes/bars that the dietician had, they were about the same cost (maybe slightly more) but IMO, the shakes tasted better. As for scheduling, I attended his seminar in mid/late June, saw him for my consult the following week, and scheduled surgery for August 4th. I could have scheduled earlier but between his summer vacation plans, my summer vacation plans and a business trip I had schedule in July, August 4th was the first day we were BOTH available.

Well - I will admit it. I have gained 2 lbs since Dec 16th - my knee surgery date. I was really good up until the 23rd-25th, but then blew it on the food and booze. Fortunately, today (175) was less than two days after my knee surgery (179 - filled with IV fluids and swollen knee). My knee is still swollen (about 1.5 inches bigger around than my other) so I know a lot of the extra fluid/weight is there. I also can't do cardio - just physical therapy and upper body weight training. But....I'm back on my program and doing the exercises I can. I am certain I did not eat 20,000 calories extra since surgery - it is not fat (heck I didn't eat 10,000 calories total for those 10 days combined). It will go back down - the laws of physics are with me.

Stacie, I was on clear liquids for 3 days and then full liquids for 2 weeks. Week 3 & 4, I slowly progressed to mushies (cottage cheese, mushy tuna salad, mushy chicken salad, low fat cheese) and then week 5 & 6 soft foods (deli meat, taco meat, spag meat sauce - no noodles). I just progressed slowly and backed down a bit if something made my stomach hurt. Nothing with seeds (raspberries, strawberries) until 6 weeks per my surgeon.

FYI - the Calcet Lemon Creamy Bites are pretty good. I did not like any of the chewable calcium citrate products. I don't really like swallowing horse pills either. I have only found them online, but they are like little pieces of lemon pound cake with 500mg calcium citrate (well, more like lemon pound cake batter - but tasty either way). The only problem I have with them is that I need two a day and they are 40 calories each. However, I like them and use them as a sweet treat and get my calcium too. To answer original question - I take adult gummy vits daily. I also take a chewable Iron a couple times a week and they above calcium. My labs at 3 months post-op where perfect so I guess I'm good.

Yes - you can do the same thing here in TX thru the Texas Medical Board Website. I was just wondering which Dr - I live in the area and may have heard of the doctor specifically but don't recognize the clinic name.

No problem - any time. I may not know much, but I am a pharmacist, so this stuff (drugs) I know. Take care

Stacie - Congratulations on your surgery. What a Christmas present to yourself. Good for you. Here is what I lived on during the full liquid phase: Oikos greek yogurt sweetened with SF Torani syrups or splenda Creamed Soups - added some unflavored Protein powder Milk SF Carnation Instant Breakfast made with milk and added a little bit of extra Protein Powder - tasted like chocolate milk. SF pudding and Jello and of course....protein drinks I hope this helps.

Which Midol? There are several forms out there with different analgesics (some of acetaminophen and others have ibuprofen). This early out I would steer clear from anything with ibuprofen in it. At 4.5 months post op I had knee surgery and had to beg my bariatric surgeon to let me take a little ibuprofen (Celebrex just isn't cutting it and the Hydrocodone makes me ITCH. He agreed but put me back on Protonix 40mg twice a day and told me to take the ibuprofen very sparingly. There is a real increased risk of ulcers from NSAIDs with the sleeve - just simple math, less surface area.

I can eat them all easily now. Easily at 3 months - maybe even 2 months post-op. Just let your tummy heal first.

Haven't heard of them. Who is the Dr?

I had to stay away from raw veggies until 5-6 wks post-op. I could eat cooked veggies at 4 weeks post-op except for a few things like asparagas (had to wait till 6 wks for that). Raw veggies are harder to digest I'm told. Not good for your healing new tummy.

No - never have regretted it. For me it's not so much a craving rather it just tastes so darn good and you want that extra bite. I seem to do better when I really take smaller bites (let's me enjoy the taste of my food for longer) and STOP eating when my stomach gives me the signal. I only have problems when I ignore my stomach. Then I sit in pain for 20 minutes, maybe burp once or twice (helps make room) and then I feel better. I have never thrown up, just have that "OMG I can't believe at ate so much" feeling with some pain right under the sternum. My husband is getting pretty good at reading my expressions. He can tell when I am getting full and offers to help me finish what's on my plate and therefore keeping me from over doing it. But regret the sleeve....NEVER. Just regret taking the last bite.