2b4me

I've been feeling guilty about having sf pudding as even with skim milk, it doesn't have the Protein amount I'd like. I tried sf pudding with Protein powder but together, they made a Soup. Today I made sf chocolate with ricotta: In blender, place: 1.5 cups skim milk .5 cups ricotta 1 package sf chocolate instant pudding - blend until smooth - refrigerate The consistency is a little stiffer than that of regular sf pudding. I find I can't eat as much of this compared to the plain.

It would be terrific to be able to create a 'cheesecake' for WLS. Unfortunately, Canada has fewer choices than the US. The fat free Cool Whip we have, but not the sf. And, there are only 5 flavours of sf pudding: vanilla, white choc., choc., choc. fudge and butterscotch carmel. Greek yoghurt can be found in specialty shops but it is very expensive. So, when making tzatziki or anything requiring 'thick' yoghurt, I strain any sf/ff yoghurt through a large coffee filter, into a bowl. Cool Whip is great but it is whipped, which means it has a lot of air causing a lot of gas and bloating. If anyone has any alternatives to these Canadian choices, please let us know! Thanks bunches!

Thanks very much for this.

I will never regret trying to control my weight with VSG. I'm down 30 pounds -- from this angle, what's not to like. Yet, there is more than one perspective. It can be difficult to socialize with people who do not know about the surgery. For instance on Thursday, I went out with my friend to a teahouse. She bought me a Chai latte that tasted just great! But it had whole milk vs. skim and was very rich for me. I drank it as slowly as I could but still could not finish it. My friend thought I didn't like the drink and kept apologizing. And, not long after, I was invited to a prime rib dinner and I had to decline whereas before VSG, I would have gone and had a great time pairing wines with the food. And I will never be able to do what they do again -- match volumes of food. This also means I won't be able to eat 'with' them (keep pace with them) as I will be full much faster than they. Right now, I'm single. So all the Protein mixes, etc., have simply replaced my previous groceries, in the main. My grocery bill has decreased substantially. But, all of that protein etc., is expensive and especially if adding it to a family's budget. For me, it is fantastic to be full on 8 oz of skim milk with chocolate protein. The only way I can let the little person out of me is to eat like a little person. I've never been able to do that for a long period of time, before the VSG. Do I regret it -- nope, not at all.

Hi, I hope you're doing well! Could you tell me how you were feeling, physically, after leaving your recovery site, please? I will be at my recovery facility for 3 days. After that, the plan is to be in San Diego for 2 nights. One of my favorite places is Seaworld and I want to walk and sit through there for a few hours. I will have my Water with me as well as a bottle of my Protein drink. What do you think? Did anyone else do something similar? Thank you! ....4 sleeps until surgery!

Hi, It sounds like you are up to full liquids, yes? Well, liquids go right through the pouch -- even the Protein. You feel hungry because your pouch is not full. You're also feeling hungry because at 10 days out, you are on a very restricted diet and your body is still saying, "WTF?, You expect me to work on these few calories"? Now put both the liquid issue together with the low calorie issue and it all makes sense -- you are hungry! Another poster, Tiffykins, found this article that is great! Here is the link: http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf Until I read this, I couldn't figure out why I was so very hungry as well. But, I can't get past mushies/purees. So, I bought some unflavoured protein at GNC and started mixing it with full liquid items such as sf/ff yoghurt. It thickens the yogurt, which makes it 'stick' more to the pouch and decreases hunger. A thicker shake worked for me too (1 chocolate protein serving + 1 unflavoured with 8oz. skim milk. I hope you're feeling better soonest!

Hi, There are many bariatric surgeons in Canada. Do you mean doctors who complete VSG's for self-pay patients? According to my research, there are none. This is why so many of us go to other countries to have the VSG surgery done. Otherwise the wait would be 3-5 years. On the other hand, there are a few that take self-pay patients but for lap-band surgery. Cheers.

Hi Kai, This is supposed to be my 4th day on mushies. But, I'm not ready. I tried to have some pureed lentil soup, tried the fish etc. and it just doesn't go down. The stuff was stuck for so long that my throat now hurts. So, I'm not going to force it. I'll try again next Monday and if it doesn't work, well then that's o.k. One thing that did work was a low fat Babybel cheese round. I nibbled a bit and chewed very well. It tasted so good, I also didn't want to swallow! I'm fine with shakes for Protein (+ I get in 2-3 glasses of skim milk:) and broth is also just fine as well. I have unflavoured protein mix to put in cooled broth and yoghurt. My chewable Vitamins and liquid Calcium will just have to do for now. Besides, my tracking shows I'm getting all the nutrients I need. I'm so grateful for the liquids because while I'm hydrating, I'm also detoxing and fat eliminating at the same time. My life has changed: My protein doesn't look like it used to and most of it never will. But it's very o.k. Let me know if you'd like to talk more. xo Cheryl

Whew! I really thought I would have to drink sweet stuff for the rest of my life as after surgery, Water tasted simply, awful. Now, I'm 3 weeks out and water is now a beautiful thing again. For me, it was just a matter of waiting it out a bit and I hope this is all it takes for anyone. Cheers!

Congrats! on your surgery and your great recovery! Please don't feel guilty :001_tongue: I think it's terrific that you have (and hopefully, everyone has) these small wins to keep us going. Concentrating on the positive is just so very important. I'm really lucky that I can drink a lot of liquids so I'm not dehydrated, at all. First, it kind of scared me but now I'm grateful for it. Liquids don't fill me up. But, mushy stuff? I can't eat more than 4 oz. in 1/2 an hour. Whew! Now I know it's working! Keep on going! You're doing great!

It's great to hear from you all! I've found something that I love. It's made by Pepsi and it's called "Aquafina plus+ Vitamins 10 Cal". First, it is a great low calorie substitute for Water. Second it has 120% of the Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 we need everyday. Here, it's not that easy to find. I get mine from the local gas station! Cheers to everyone!

Would you please tell me your surgery date? I'd like to know when yours was in comparison to mine. I'm wondering if staff changes have taken place since you were there. Thanks!

I wrote about my experience in this forum, with the thread "before, during and after TJ, Mexico" (or similar title). I had an excellent experience that I would rate as 9 out of 10.

Hi, I don't think you can make an informed decision unless you actually see what you are getting. There is so much money, time and of course, health involved, why not visit the place(s) in MX you think you might like to use. Really, getting first hand research is the way to go as with all due respect to Posters, including myself, only you can make 'the' decision, based on what you have seen. Please, do yourself a favour and spend some time and a few bucks doing this. You won't regret it, regardless of your final decision. Take care, Cheryl

Hi, Yep, the reaction happened to me. I was told to keep the areas clean with Bactine or similar 2-3X a day and to leave the areas to dry -- don't cover them with anything. Bandages, etc only aggravate. Bacteria thrive in warm wet places. I did all this and the infected areas dried up and disappeared in 3-4 days. All the best!

Thanks very much for this link.

I'm very sorry things did not go well for you and I wish you only the best and fastest of recoveries. I know you're not feeling well and I'd bet you're not really feeling up to complaining to your coordinator and Dr B. But, this is what you must do. And, I hope you communicated all issues loud and clear to everyone while you were there. It's good that you've posted your experience so others can read it and ask questions of you and the coordinators there. Again, I wish you the very best.

This is still a Protein powder suggestion but I think a unique one? GNC has a whey Gourmet product in iced tea flavour. I've tried it with Water only and it's pretty darn good. However, compared to USA folks, us Canadians are not the iced tea experts. This is what I will do to make it even better. Instead of using plain water, I will make iced tea and use that for the base. Or, Nestea has product out that is sweetened with Splenda and that I find tastes great. There are 3-4 flavours and I think the lemon iced tea version would work really well if added to the iced tea and Whey Gourmet. Each scoop has 20 grams of protein and only 90 calories, that makes it a good, all-day sipping drink.

Hi Sarah! Here are some suggestions that I think will make you feel better: Make your list of thinks to take: - Warm, comfortable clothes -- I went to Wal-Mart and bought men's BUM equipment, 100% cotton sweatshirts that were $10-$15 each. - Slippers - Gas-X - An antacid -- I use Prevacid and I've not yet had any problems - ear plugs - the recovery houses are noisy as is the clinic - rest! as well as walk (I did stairs) during recovery. This time is for you so take advantage of it and -- rest. - throw away facecloths -- use a clean face/wash cloth everyday -- if you can, just leave them in the trash. Wal-Mart has a package of 5 for $2.00 - inexpensive cotton underwear -- 2 pair for surgery day as the surgery pair will be quite soiled with iodine, etc. from the surgery (if you can, make these disposable as well) (My point is: pack what you need but bring back as little as possible so that the return trip is as 'easy' as possible) I did not take Vitamins the week of surgery. But, I started again, the week after. Do contact Melissa with any questions -- she will help. Do positive, do well!

Hello and thank you in advance for your responses. I am able to drink a lot of Clear liquids -- e.g. I can drink an 8 oz. glass of Water or juice, 4 oz. at a time, which is 1/2 a cup. Was anyone else able to do this? Should I be doing this (I'm thirsty!)? If so, what are the consequences for the new stomach size? Thanks very much for your help. Kindest regards, Cheryl

I do know I'm a fast healer, so perhaps that's why I'm able to have so much liquid. Melissa checked with the Doc, who said it's normal. I also asked about the consequences to the sleeve, and there appeared to be none. On the one hand, I'm feeling 'abnormal' as it seems so many lose their appetite, period. Not me. I'm thirsty and hungry. On the other hand, of course I'm happy that I'm able to keep hydrated. I have to up my Protein so full fluids (e.g. apple puree) have protein mix in them until I get to 65-70 grams protein and 30 grams of carbs. Way enough about me, how are you doing overall? Thanks for your message! Cheers for now, Cheryl

Hi -- thanks for the information. You're right -- I wouldn't want to break the sutures. During and after I drink, I do not feel any discomfort. Actually, ever since I was able to get down the 1/2 glass of blue stuff with very little problem, I've had no issues with drinking clears. And I, like many others, were never given any "maximum" amounts to drink -- only "minimums". I suspect my fundamental fear is that I'll also be able to do this with the next food levels so that the sleeve stretches and/or I'm not able to lose weight. C