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Hahahaha Julie...thank you. This was good timing to revisit the post as I just returned from Tijuana for a second time. I travelled as a companion this time for my very good friend who just got sleeved by Dr. Kelly too! I am so glad I wrote this too, because my girlfriend new EXACTLY what to expect at every step. I think just about all of us are paranoid about sending monies to foreign countries and most certainly, putting your life in the hands of someone you've never met face-to-face... No bragging, but it takes a pretty courageous person to cross the border to do something like this!! I obviously had those, "are you out of your stinkin' mind" moments! Because we did not go through any broker (i.e., American Coordinator) because my friend was my referral, there were some bugs to work out as far as finding the most efficient payment process, etc....but it all worked out wonderfully. My girlfriend, knowing my experience...didn't have all those concerns that others may have had, not knowing a real patient who had lived to tell their story! hahaha Dr. Kelly is building a private practice after having left a very successful career at the beautiful Angeles Hospital. Things aren't "super slick" using Trish...at least not from a "polish" aspect...but they are working out some procedural things and what IS impressive, is the personal care that you receive. Trish now physically works for and has an office at florence Hospital. I come to think of her a friend of the family. She's a remarkable woman. Anyway, my friends trip was almost identical to mine...her recovery was also exceptional and we were laying poolside at the Lucerna when she looks at me and confesses..."I feel so good! Part of me actually thought you were lying about how good you felt!!" Hey, what are friends for!! teeheee As a newly sleeved patient myself, I was a little concerned about what I would eat; especially since I need to focus on Protein and I'm a woman. I'm not so brave (or stupid) to go wondering off campus by myself in search of food. I was fully prepared to live on Jerkey and cheese sticks...but not to worry, I was driven anywhere I needed. Trish took me to Breakfast and I had a fantastic Chili Cheese Omelette...she took me to market so I could get cottage cheese, yogurt, pork rinds and anything else my little tummy desired. She was wonderful. We had a blast.. It's funny...Dr. Kelly is the only other person besides my family who gets away with calling me Susie. As a side note, when you book directly through Trish (which I had also done...but paid by credit card through the other coordinator...), you are picked up by a professional driving service. The driver meets you at baggage claim and has a sign with your name on it. This is for those that read my story...I just wanted to update you, because I expected something else, not realizing that because I had used the other website merely to make my deposit (I never spoke to them or ever had contact with them) they did arrange some of the details and apparently were paid the booking fee. Going directly through Trish, there are some minor differences, but I would call them improvements. Before, I wasn't processed at the border as a medical patient, this time we were and were expedited through a MUCH shorter line of cars.

Atkins Lift protein drink . . . 20 g of protein per bottle, counts as water, not nearly as disgusting as protein shakes. I still like eggs, thank goodness. A lot of stuff I've tried I'm not crazy about--canned chicken pureed and made into a salad was disgusting to me. I'm okay with the ricotta bake, but can't eat a lot of it. Like yogurt or cottage cheese. Still early days here . . .

I can eat yogurt but I'm so sick of all the sweet because of these protein shakes. I drink vegetable broth because I don't eat meat and it fine I guess but I'm tired of everything and I'm struggling to get enough protein. Sent from my SM-G950U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Before a longer run I usually have overnight oats (1/4 cup oats, 1/3 milk, half a container of yogurt and some peanut butter). That holds me well and gives me good consistent energy

wasabubblebutt, and all, You are correct. A "destroyed" metabolism isn't a good description. I believe it is that you can slow your metabolism way down by bad dieting habits over the years. Eating certain foods and no exercise and your metabolism will be slower then a person who eats good food and exercises. Most of us on this forum probably have slowed our metabolism down to a crawl before the band. The minute you "diet" your metabolism crawls because most of he time your body thinks it is in starvation mode. And I was NOT discounting what she said just because she was 19. But to say "I know it all" is a common example of a 19 year old point of view, and the fact that certain parts of the brain do not mature until 25 (like the part that says 'look before you leap because you may not like where you land') is a fact (at least in the latest 'discoveries')). So, age does have to do with perspective on things and giving advice. I do not believe that the person is unintelligent or anything like that. You know, what you said is true, IF a 15 year old is going through what we are...but that could NEVER be the case because we are NOT 15. And she is NOT 45. I didn't have this done at certain ages because i was not 'ready". You have to exhaust all avenues first. surgery is and should always be a LAST choice. (although i am NOT promoting "dieting" but a change of lifestyle). She would have to have a change of life style AFTER the band anyway, or she will just get fat again or not lose much to begin with). All i am saying is that in the teenage years, IF she made the other changes , truly made the other changes, she probably would not need the band, because having bad habits for 10 years is not as bad as having them for 30 or 45 years in some folks cases. Most of us have found the dedication after the band, because it helped us with discipline (pre-op diet even started this) and we learned nutritional information (some in classes pre-op and from this forum, and in general as we have become more dedicated). Yes, the feeling full helped, but it is alot easier to keep to 300 calories until dinner then it was before the band because i eat better food to fill that void (yes the void is smaller). But, I could eat ice cream at lunch instead of my fat free yogurt that is 60 cal. i could eat that snickers instead of the fat free pudding that is 100 cals for snack. But again, we are not 15. When I needed to lose at 15, and even 20, 25, whenever i felt i had gained, i would have discipline and ate less and worked out more. At one time, I had a gym for he weekend and a gym for during the week. I got fat when I stopped watching what I ate, stopped working out and got a sit down job, and all the self esteem issues were smothering me all at once. I should have taken care of those self esteem issue FIRST, when young, and paid attention more to me so that as i got older and life didn't go my way, I could have handled it better. I believe, and I truly do, that a teens self esteem needs to come from within FIRST, then deal with the body issues. I got the band, because I dealt with the "me" first. Or I wouldn't have been successful, thus far. I realize that each of us is unique and do not have the exact same issues as all bodies are unique. Some heal quicker, some heal slower etc. But the one thing that is most common is the lumping of age groups. As a rule, 15 year olds will lose easier then 25 year olds. 15 year olds will run rings around 35 year olds. easy? no. easier? yes. The band is good, but surgery isn't. I don't believe, and this is just MY belief, that at 15, such a young age, not even really out of puberty yet, body changing so dramatically still, one could explore all avenues honestly and wholeheartedly and still come up with surgery as the only answer. Would you let your child get lasix surgery done at 15 (IF you could get a doctor to perform it at that age)knowing her eyes haven't fully developed/grown? Why should her stomach be so different? Because we are sensitive to it? Because we made mistakes as youths (and it wasn't NOT getting the surgery) so why should she? I will shut up now,, (I know you are saying (finally lol)) and will not reply no matter what (lol).

My morning "muesli" - greek yogurt, walnuts, pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds, cold hardboiled eggs, snall cans of salmon and tuna, babybel cheeses, cans of chick peas and three bean mix and my recent fave indulgence from the local thai restaurant - chicken satay skewers.

I don't know what nectar is, but I can say from my own experience that I think you need MORE Protein and Vitamns. When I don't get my protein and vitamins.I am exhausted... but when I do, I feel great. Are you getting the 60G daily....???? It is hard to do, try making your own Protein Shake and add some Yogurt drink to it to pump it up. I like the unjury Protein Powder. Good luck, Cinderella

Thank you I do have yogurt. I love yogurt! I am trying out shakes now, sample ones. Thanks again!

Yogurt and some low fat cream Soups (if you can eat that). I was way over prepared and thought it too much, I ended up getting all sorts of high Protein drinks (carnation bfast, clear ensure and recovery gatorade), powders etc and couldn't stomach any of them..........big waste of money. Make sure you like the Protein before buying the grocery store out. I ended up going back to my pre op shakes. Good luck to you.

So basically I eat greek yogurt EVERY DAY for Breakfast (and I love it!) I usually buy the one's with the fruit on the bottom and add a little granola. My DBF made the suggestion to get the big tub of either the plain or vanilla and add whatever to it. Any suggestions?

Hi Cinderella, I think you are right that I wasn't getting enough Protein. I had my husband pick up a container of pho (vietnamese soup) broth for me yesterday and drank it all, and today when I woke up I was feeling better. Tomorrow I go on full liquids which includes Protein Drinks made with milk/soy milk and I think that will help too -- I have unjury chocolate splendor and vanilla to try out. Also trying yogurt starting tomorrow, so my protein grams are going to go way up compared to what they have been.

Okay TCT2FLY, you suck! :tongue: To be able to eat that and STILL lose weight, you are sooooo lucky! Have made it half way thru day one of the 5 day pouch diet and have only had yogurt as the funeral I went to had lasgna and garlic bread and cake for dessert. I then got a frantic call from my hubby who has the day off and our hot water heater had leaked water all over our basement, so spent the last few hours cleaning that all up. I am having a Fresca, which I know is carbonated, but has no caffeine, which is what we are suppose to avoid on this 5 day diet, but I have that old left shoulder ache, which tells me I have gas going on inside there and I need to burp or move around a lot to get rid of it. Amazing what you notice when you are not thinking about food all the time. Right now I am not hungry, which is good, but then I also have been so busy cleaning up that darn basement that I have had no time to think about it. My stomach did growl when I smelled that good old garlic coming from the kitchen at church!

Yes, omeprazole. I had read all the stuff and how to take, I was doing all 4 at once. Now I take PPI about an hour before I eat, then take antibiotics about a half hour before I eat and it seems to help. Not going to bathroom as much, and not as much gas gurgles. 10 more days after today. I have always used yogurt/kefir (sometimes I make my own), but making sure I drink kefir and eat a yogurt daily, and continue with probiotic I have always used. I hate that antibiotics kill all the good bacteria too.

I was going to add that I wasn't big on sugar-free anything. To soften the blow on the sugar-free pudding, I would add low-fat whipped creme. You can put a little on your pudding or Jello. I rarely like jello because of that two week before and two week after surgery. After the two weeks after surgery, I really did not like eating anything sugar-free. I would rather have nothing than having it or would rather just have a smaller amount of the real food (not sugar-free). I don't think the sugar-free part of foods is good for you. I also made my own soups/broth. It seemed more flavorful. You can freeze it so you always have some around. Creamy Soups had more flavor too. Popsicles were good too. I bought the ones with low sugar. I can't eat those anymore either because I ate them for two weeks before and after surgery. I think I as burned out on all those things. Yogurt really helps too when you get the mushy stage.

Greek yogurt is also good it has a lot of protien. I jike the dannon and fage brand of greek yogurt

I had my surgery on the 19th, and I am just now to the point where I am hungry. Try taking some plane yogurt and adding some of your protein powder to it. I know that when I was doing my pre-op diet, I was having a really hard time with finding something that would stop the hunger pains, and this really helped. Good Luck!

Hmmm, I wish I could relate to this but I was not hungy the first week at all. As a matter of fact the first days I had to force my self to eat and would stop when I was full. Maybe you should eat more of the jello, popsicles, and yogurt in between.

Thanks.....that make sense. I just don't see how yogurt is considered a part of the liquid diet but I did better on that.

My doctor does not believe in Snacks. He wants me to eat 3 meals a day that's it. My quesiton for you is have you made preplanned eating times in your day and you eat whether you are hungry or not? My normal eating plan is: Breakfast- Chobani fruited yogurt, half scoop whey isolate vanilla Protein powder, benefiber, about 1/3 cup Kashi high protein cereal. \ lunch - 3 oz skinless chicken breast with either laughing cow cheese, or salsa and low fat cheese, or spagetti sauce with parmasian, raw mini sweet peppers, grapes/cherries/small dole fruit cup Snack- Premier Protein shake (prework out) Dinner-3 oz skinless chicken breast, veggies, fruit I do have a prework out protein shake (160 cal) as I usually have a long time between lunch and dinner (6-8 hours). This is a will power diet until you get restriction. I find the best defense against the munchies is a plan. Have an apple or banana if you need a snack in the evening. Sure they are 100 calories but the pizza was probably 2-3 times that.

I think your NUT is crazy. Ice cream, milkshakes & the like are slider foods and completely empty calories. Fat & sugar will either upset your stomach at best or cause dumping & sliming at worse. Soft cheeses, cottage cheese, Peanut Butter, and greek yogurt are a much better choice. Instead of the 0% greek yogurt, go for the regular. Hell, have some guacamole, it's loaded with good fats. Drink whole milk for your Fluid intake. Just do your best on getting quality calories, not just hitting the number. It will come in time.

WOW! Do you know round about what the calorie count is on this? Are you using fresh fruit or Greek Yogurt with fruit? Does the splenda cut down the sour taste?

Thanks for the suggestions. I do the cottage cheese. I tried the Greek yogurt and didnt like it very much.

Even healthy foods can be sliders and its an insidious habit, one I think we ALL fall into without realising it. If I eat something for lunch that includes solid Protein like chicken, some grains like brown rice and vegies, I'm good for six hours. I dont get cravings. So, to keep my weight down, just eat like that, right? If only it were that simple. The trouble is your tastes subtly change and what you fancy is usually something easier to eat. YOu dont want to get stuck in the restaurant. You dont want to get stuck in the staffroom in front of your colleagues. You dont have time to eat really slowly. For me the things I fancy for lunch are stuff like cheese on rice cakes, yogurt with nuts and muesli stirred through, cheese and crackers. All healthy choices. But all foods that i can eat 500 calories worth of with no trouble and foods which leave me with the feeling that I fancy something sweet an hour or two later. The effort involved in a) making a non slider meal and eating a non slider meal subtly convinces my brain that those foods arent appetising. dinner is the exception for me. I eat tiny dinners. Because dinner is never sliders. But I can eat a huuuuge bowl of oatmeal. But only one egg on toast! So if you can eat it relatively easily and tend to fancy it often, its probably a slider to some degree. No matter what it is. But its just a matter of being aware of the habit. For me, I let myself have what I want but I might add something REALLY hard to eat (like an apple!) to the mix just to add that satiety.

I could not even have meat the first 4 weeks post op per our guidelines and it said skin was distressful and to avoid it. In this case you would had been better off to grab a yogurt to eat once you got there. I was stuck in the ER room the other week with my husband who had a gallbladder attack.. I did not plan and did not bring any food and the vending machines did not have anything I could even think or want to eat. I did finally go down to the cafe and got just a single chicken breast. I cut it up but still ate too quickly so I could get back to him. He is having surgery on the 11th so I will plan much better in taking foods I know I can eat. A hard lesson to learn but thanks for sharing so we can learn from you.

Unfortunately, yogurt is the one thing I've had a negative reaction to so far. But there are a ton of recipes available out there for every stage, and it helps immensely to have choices. When you're limited to Protein shakes (I was for the first few days until I ordered a bunch of different things on mybariatricpantry) it is almost an effort to drink your protein. I lived on juice, gatorade and Water for a few days. It really gets better once you find a protein source that you can tolerate (hooray for Chike and Syntrax. Loads of flavors that really helped me). Walking and mild exercise are so much easier once you start getting some protein in. I was in miserable pain for the first...six days? It was hard to walk even part of a block, let alone the whole block. I wasn't sleeping well because I've never been a back sleeper either, so the first week I was pretty miserable (never enough that I regretted the decision, mind.) Coming to the forums here, plus a few other friends who have had the surgery and gave some pretty decent advice during that time kept me going and kept me positive. I think it was Day 7 that something just clicked. The pain was less. I was able to walk. And the more I walked, the better I felt. Prior to that, it was a lot of distracting myself so I didn't think about the physical discomfort. Reading, watching some of the shows my bf recorded while I was in the hospital...it helps if you focus on something else.