springlife

I went to my post op nutrition class on Monday (I'm 8 days post) and one of the things I asked the nutritionist about was not being able to tolerate the chewable Multivitamin (Bariatric Advantage-Vitaband 1 (2) times daily). I started taking it the 3rd day, tried it twice both times almost vomiting it up. She suggested just waiting then until my stomach is healed and they allow for capsule usage vs the chewable. Great with me but when I asked when that will be she said about a month (4 weeks post).. I then said OK would it be alright then to take (2) children chewable flinstone completes OR the gummy One A Day adult Multivitamins in place of the ones I cannot tolerate until I can move onto the capsule and she said NO don't worry about it, you can go without the Vitamin for a month. I just kinda said OK with a reeeally look on my face. Wouldn't you think having some type of vitamin would be better than having nothing at all? I'm pretty sure I have seen some of you here on the boards using the alternatives I mentioned above, if so there were no obvious issues with them, right?

Yes I should have said that. I work the night shift so when I would get off work at 7am after working 12 hours I was having trouble getting in 3 "meals" throughout these weird days where I swap shifts. My doctor recommended I eat a bar after I get off of work, before sleeping, because normally I would not eat anything at all. I've been really happy with it so far they set easy on my tummy, and feels good knowing i'm getting a little more protein where as normally I would be getting none!

Hello all, Have any of you tried PowerCrunch Protein bars? I had to get on here and ask, or suggest to those who have not, to definetely seek them out if you haven't. I have only tried 2 of their flavor options, but they were both delicious! I have not seen them in stores, rather I bought mine from my surgeons nutrition store. However, I did find there website (www.bnrg.com). The two that I have had are Peanut Butter Fudge, and Peanut Butter Creme but there are others that I hope to try soon too. The Peanut Butter Fudge one has 13 gr protein, 5 gr sugar, 10 gr carbs, 12 gr fat, and 200 calories. If you have ever had a 'nutty buddy' snack, it to me taste very much like that, but better.

Hello all I attempted to create an album just a while ago but the submission of photos was failing so I just thought I would attach a few progress photos here, if it works. Perhaps another time I will try to make an album again with more before and after pictures, but for now here's an idea of the changes that I am experiencing. PS Recent mini shopping spree was amazing, feeling good and confidence in new clothes is on the rise!:thumbup:

Many kudos and congrats to you Tiff. You deserve everything bit of the fabulous results you have accomplished with such dedication and determination. You look amazing. Great job!

Hello all, I've noticed a weird feeling come about my calves since surgery. Actually it started sometime yesterday I think, after sitting in a rocker for a bit and then when I stood up to walk away I felt what I would describe a mild charlie horse "knot" inside my calf that went away as soon as I started walking. It did it again early this morning after sleeping most the night. I just thought its probably because I am deficient in a Vitamin or something due to such limited diet right now. Anyone experience this? I will call my doctor if it continues, as I know he had mentioned the reason for being up and walking all the time was to eliminate blood clots. I have been taking strolls around the neighborhood at least once everyday, sometimes twice. So I don't think it is lack of circulation. Since surgery (wednesday) I have consumed only broths, Water, v8 light splash, Powerade zero, and sf Jello and popsicles. I am taking a daily chewable multi-vitamin as well. This is basically what I am limited to for 1.5 week when I will begin bringing in cheese, eggs, refried Beans, and dark meat Protein.

just an update to my own post for others if they may begin experiencing this. The knots in my calves did settle early last week. While I do believe it had something to do with being deficient in a particular vitamin, the cramps have stopped although I did not add supplements.

Thank you for all the replies and advice. I will look more at the gummies. I do recall her mentioning that the BA vitamin included iron so I will need to start that seperately if the gummies do not include it. I just feel so drained right now being almost 9 days out and haven't had anything except water, broth, sf jello and sf popsicles. I feel like since I'm not even tolerating the protein shakes (I've had 1 since surgery) that I need to be putting something in my body for everything that is coming out, and coming off.

I do agree how that looks like you would be signing up for failure if you really thought you would never touch these foods again, but there are other areas throughout the plan where it states these are the foods that should be avoided. In person during our meetings they elaborate more so saying they do not think we will never have a piece of birthday cake or have a meal that is outside the ideal path to our weightloss, but in order to get to goal and maintain throughout the future these are the eating behaviors that are needed to keep it off longterm. While I think I will incorporate an occasional rice, potato, etc in my meals, I will not start a pattern with it because there are obvious better food choices. The way I looked at it after seeing that is they word it so blatently because when we fail with food getting us to the point where we need surgery, is like handing you a free pass to do drugs if they freely allow it knowing these are the things that helped get you to bad health in the first place. I agree though, as I'm only one week post op I keep reading more of everyones experiences after meeting goal and I'm sometimes surprised by their eating behaviors now. While I hope it all works out for the best, I think my program has the right idea when it comes to longterm maintenance.

hello tia I'm no expert by no means, and I'm only 1 week out post-op but from what I have learned from the nutrition classes in my post-op program is that once you are past the healing phase (probably 3-4 weeks out) you should not be taking Protein shakes so much as taking real protein food sources like chicken, steak, turkey, fish, etc. These foods are more dense which will keep you fuller and satisfied longer (as well as good serving of protein) versus a Protein shake that will go right through your sleeve (funnel factor). While the smart ones may be a healthier alternative to a non-sleeved persons diet, while you are on the decline trying to lose, the smart one dinners probably aren't ideal as they do have large amounts of carbs, calories, from the Pasta contents, etc. Try to eat whole protein foods first, then add non-starchy vegetables. Did you surgeon provide a post-op diet plan to follow? If you are interested you can look at the information provided here from my surgeon, it gives a good plan to follow once you are in stage 3 and able to eat normally again. Weight Wise Bariatric Program :: Patient Resources :: Post Op Instructions Good luck to you. Keep working at it and you'll find what really works for you.

I don't think its completely impossible. I know before I left the hospital they weighed me and said its normal that weight always goes up after surgery because of the large amount of anesthesia they pump into your tummy during surgery. I went up 4 pounds, but my nurse said that it will come off quickly during the first 2 weeks, and will take with it a lot more. Perhaps what you see in the loss is mostly anesthesia weight. Maybe? Anyhow good deal, and keep it up

Hello everyone, I was sleeved Wednesday early AM and everything is going really good thus far. I just wanted to ask about reaching maximum capacity while in the liquid phase for 2 weeks. I've never really experienced acid reflux before surgery, but while I'm sipping my liquids and hear the gurgles and growls, i've just been assuming it was acid reflux. It got me thinking though, while we are on liquids like powerade zero, broth and water do these liquids just go right through our sleeve or does the liquid meet our sleeve and fill? For an example, I fell asleep last night around 11:30 P and just woke up at 4:30 A. I knew I needed to get some water in just to keep myself well hydrated, so I've been sipping for about 15 minutes some h20. Within the first couple drinks the gurgles and growls began. I just didn't know if this is because I am still full inside the pouch and am pushing the liquids too quickly or is this just normal reaction to liquid as the tummy is healing? Also how long would you say it took you to consume a glass of h2o or broth? Sometimes I want to get it in and over with prior to a nap or sleeping time so I will sip small but frequently. Could the sleeve become too full from the liquids? I just didn't want to be drinking too quickly or if this is normal acid reflux? Thanks, anyone with similar experience please do share :redface1:

Here's my little update: Well its official, I'm sleeved and o so relieved... to be home! I had my surgery yesterday morning, was up and rolling the halls around 1:00, but I had horrible gas pains just as many of you had also experienced. Of course I did take my heating pad and gas x strips, just to be told I could not use either while in the hospital, blah. I'm curled up in my recliner tho making great use of the heating pad now! I was up doing my laps in the hallways throughout the night and it definetely did help. I rated my pain a 7/10 at highest immediately following surgery, but was given dilatid (sp) pretty much on the hour which really helped keep it at bay. Then late last night they started liquid lortab which is what I was released on to take home, while it has helped thus far, I am fable to feel more pain at the incision sites and within the muscles, like I took a drop kick to the belly! Since surgery i've been sipping lots of water and wylers broillon broth, beef and chicken, and just had a popsicle. I am experiencing a lot of gurgling which I guess is normal as the swelling is still present. As I was being discharged they weighed me before walking out the door, and I was 4 pounds up because of all the anestesia they pumped into me. I was relieved with that however, the nurse said often it is alot more than that, as as I continue to drink and pee drink and pee I should see that fall right off, and more! Thanks for your well wishes to us all. My surgery was thankfully a smooth procedure and thankful to be feeling how I am today. Ladies, please post your updates also when you feel up to it. I'll look forward to hearing all about it.

So excited for you! Did you remember to get your gas X strips and heating pad? As I've read they can be lifesavers while your shacked up in the hospital. I have to be there at 7AM, surgery at 9. So as I'm starting to get up and get rollin the hallways, you'll probably be heading back to the OR. I will be thinking about you and hope all goes well for all of us tomorrow, and for the lady having hers on the 20th as well. I'll try to add you all as my "friends" so we can keep eachother motivated and give updates! :thumbup1:

8 days You're same day as sunshine and I, i'm counting em down, ready as ever! Good luck and keep us posted, can't wait to hear how you guys are doing come post-sleeve. Yay!

Congratulations! I am sharing in your excitement and anticipation as my surgery date is also May 19th. We can be sleeve buddies, and keep each other motivated as we each move along post-op, if you would like. I did my final pre-op appointment today with my surgeon and everything appears to be right on track to surgery day. Good luck on your 2 weeks liquid pre-op diet, it will be tough but you can do it. Just stay with it.

Hello Bookleen I am 25 yrs old, BMI 37.1. I have hypothyroidism, but no other co-morbidities. I am also self-pay. My surgery is scheduled for May 19th. When is yours or have you not received a date yet? Good luck to you. I am trying to become more active on the board now that my date is soon approaching.