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Happy Labor Day from BariatricPal!#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members, Happy Labor Day! It’s the last official chance to throw a summer party, go to a parade, and if you’re lucky, see a few fireworks. It’s a good chance to make sure you give summer a healthy send-off and you greet autumn with healthy intentions…and that’s what we hope this newsletter does. Here’s what you’ll find. Packing Your Labor Day Picnic Basket Getting Back into the Groove Enjoying the New You – A Reminder Have a great time going through the newsletter, and also have a great and healthy holiday. Happy Labor Day from BariatricPal! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Packing Your Labor Day Picnic Basket Going on a picnic this Labor Day? It’s a nice idea if you’re going to watch a parade, take the family to the park, or watch fireworks later on. Here’s how you can get in a good meal without going off your WLS diet. Picnic Favs You Can Eat Picnics tend to have a lot of food you can’t eat, at least, not if you’re serious about losing weight. Fried chicken, tuna salad subs, and potato chips just aren’t on the diet. But there’s no reason you can’t make your own picnic favs! Have grilled chicken or baked “fried” chicken coated with high-fiber cereal instead of breadcrumbs, or make tuna lettuce wraps instead of tuna salad sandwiches. Instead of potato chips? Try baked kale chips. You can round out your basket with proteins and veggies like hard-boiled eggs, fat-free refried bean dip, salad, and cut raw carrots, cucumbers, and celery sticks. Prepared Salads…The Healthy Way It’s not a picnic unless it has pasta salad. Just skip the pasta! Take your favorite pasta salad recipe and make a few small changes. Use cooked zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta. Substitute fat-free Italian dressing for full-fat dressing, or use Dijon or spicy brown mustard as your main flavor. Add plenty of veggies, such as cherry tomatoes, green onions, and broccoli florets. Add some sliced olives for a little healthy fat and a lot of flavor. Add low-fat feta or diced lean pastrami for some flavorful protein. You can always healthify other traditional prepared salads, too. Use cooked cauliflower instead of potatoes in potato salad. Toss shredded cabbage with low-fat Asian dressing instead of mayo for coleslaw. Use Greek yogurt or fat-free mayo instead of full-fat mayo when making tuna or other salads. The “Extras” Can Fit into Your WLS Diet The “extras” at a picnic can be high-sugar, high-calorie, and devastating to your weight loss efforts. Drinks like soft drinks and sweet tea, and desserts like brownies and chocolate chip cookies, can set you back by days, not to mention make you feel sick. Be sure to pack plenty of cold water to drink. Also, bring some appetizing fresh fruit to eat instead of sugary, fatty desserts. Apples and oranges are about as easy as it gets, but you could also make a red, white, and blue fruit salad with strawberries, white peaches, and blueberries. Getting Back into the Groove Summer is a little more relaxed than the rest of the year. Even if you’re not a student or teacher who gets an extended summer break, the season is a little slower moving. It’s easy to lose focus. Your diet may get a little less strict, or you might have trouble getting out the door for a workout in the summer heat, or you may be a little less aggressive about being on the phone with the insurance company or finding the right surgeon for your WLS. After Labor Day, that all changes. Now that kids are back in school and people are back from vacation and going back to their regular schedules, it’s time to take a look at your own schedule. Did you hit your summer goals? Are you following your WLS diet to a “T?” If you haven’t had surgery yet, are you doing everything you can to get it scheduled and paid for? Think Back and Ahead Think back over the past couple of months. Were there some times when you knew you weren’t making the best choice for your health, like when you went out for ice cream and got your own scoop instead of bringing an apple to munch on? Did you skip a few workouts? Did you get out of the habit of measuring your food? Did you stop making phone calls to the insurance company because you just couldn’t face being on the phone anymore? Plan Your Schedule With everything starting up all at once, things can get pretty hectic. That gives you the opportunity to create a new schedule for yourself. You can be sure to include the things that are important to your new healthy lifestyle, such as time for cooking at least once a week, and going to the gym a few times a week. Sometimes it seems hard, but success is largely a question of building a habit. The sooner you get started, the sooner your healthy behaviors will be habit. You won’t have to think about making the “right” decisions, and it’ll be easier for the weight to come off! Enjoying the New You – A Reminder The WLS journey is hard, no question. You form new eating habits, give up some favorite foods, develop new relationships with food and sometimes with people. You may spend a lot more time thinking about your health and acting on those thoughts. With all that hard work, we thought we should take a second to remind you to enjoy the rewards! There are probably some victories you can’t help but notice and celebrate, like hitting milestones on the scale. But don’t bury yourself so deep in the daily choices that you forget to enjoy the journey. Notice how much better you feel when you’re sitting in the car, or how much easier it is to push the shopping cart around the grocery store. Notice how much easier it is to spend time with your kids, friends, and other people. You can even appreciate your changes in mentality, from “I can’t,” “I’m not worth it,” and “Maybe I shouldn’t be eating this pizza,” to “I can,” “I deserve it just as much as everyone else,” and “I’m so proud of myself for enjoying these carrot sticks!” Thanks for reading the newsletter and making BariatricPal part of your Labor Day weekend. Have a healthy, happy, and safe holiday, and thanks for your support!

Hi Jocelyn, I had my surgery, RNY, on 8/28, I'm just a few days ahead of you. Im struggling with your same issues. Since everything medicine and supplement wise has to be crushed, I'm eating one applesauce cup a day divided in thirds. 1/3 in the morning for my Calcium Supplement, 1/3 around 3:00pm for my next 2 pill dose of Calcium and then the last 1/3 I mix with my Bariatric Chewable Supplement. Believe me, this is more than enough to fill me up each day but know I need more and want more. I've been adding high protein yogurt to the mix, cottage cheese and the best thing ever was yesterday, an Egg Beaters Scrambled Egg with low fat cheese...HEAVEN!!! I just bought an amazing cookbook called , "Earing Well After Weight Loss Surgery" by Levine and Bontempo-Saray. The authors recipes sound delicious and they break down the recipes telling when in your recovery, you can have the recipe. This is where I got the idea for the scrambled egg. Keep the Faith my fellow weight loss surgery sister, we can do this!!,!

Congrats on your success. I'm down 77lbs total and 60+ of that since June. I feel great but I still don't push the eating. I eat two to three meals and snack several times. I love Greek yogurt and frozen cherries, sometimes with some honey. I still can eat other things but carbs are gross and take up too much space in my belly! Keep up the good fight everyone!

Some of my favorites that are easy and I usually have ingredients on hand: Cottage cheese with salsa. chicken salad with sliced cucumbers. Turkey breast deli meat and cheese roll ups. Light & Fit Greek yogurt with some trail mix or Grape nuts on top. Tuna salad.

I make a pot of vegetarian chili (with things like carrots and bell peppers in it) occasionally on the weekend and we take that for lunch that week. I also keep string cheese and Greek yogurt in my fridge at work in case I don't have anything else to eat. Sometimes leftovers from the night before. I used to make hummus and eat that with baby carrots when I was a pre-op - I should start doing that again now that I'm cleared to eat raw vegetables again.

I have not had surgery yet. I know we all know the feeling of being judged. I have been super careful about what goes in my cart these past few months. I was in Wal-Mart yesterday and talking to my friend who is also my new gym buddy about the frozen veggies and rice. We were discussing sodium counts and how we want to be able to add our own seasonings. As I was telling her at my grocery store, they have no salt added canned veggies and that most things I do for shakes, I use fresh and into the Ninja. I then hear someone say, "OMG, thank you!" She goes onto how she came into the aisle for ice cream and our convo made her change her mind. She was then seeking frozen yogurt and I explained to her how she could do this herself and save some money. I didn't feel like I should have been thanked. But I was glad to be a helpful hand for someone not even noticing I was. With that said, we are being judged constantly whether good or bad. And it's completely normal to have an initial reaction but some times it truly is because of us seeing ourselves and our struggles in that person.

Half a cup plain greek yogurt half a thinly sliced banana. Finely chopped strawberries (2) One scoop vanilla protein powder. 1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter A few raspberries Topped with a natural granola. You can also use chocolate protein powder. It tastes a lot like cheesecake meets mousse. SO SO good for those days were swallowing isn't a b***h

I went out yesterday and got a couple of the protein water type drinks but I'm really not wild about them - tried Isopure and Cocotein but they are too sickly sweet. I ordered the sample pack of Syntrax nectar from mybariatricpantry.com but I'm getting my protein from premier, Greek yogurt, and unjury chicken soup for now.

I'm on day 4 of my pre op diet. I'm allowed 3-4 Protein shakes, Greek yogurt and non fat creamed Soups. I was so hungry today I almost went completely off the diet. I hate Plain yogurt so I added Splenda but I think that made me even more hungry. Is anyone else going through this? Also, does anyone know why the diet is these specific types of soft foods? Why no applesauce, etc? Is the point to lose weight only or to clear out your system? Thanks!

Hey everyone! I am 4 days post op and am so far able to tolerate most of the things on my diet plan. I am sticking to the recommended portion sizes (for instance 1/2 cup of creamed Soup or 1/4 c of applesauce or yogurt) and never going over. My problem is, I don't have the feeling of being full. I feel like I could've had more than just 1/2 cup of soup if I wanted to, but since I'm so scared of throwing up and being in even more pain than I'm in now, I stopped after that 1/2 cup was gone. I alternated between soup and applesauce, taking a bite each minute. That seems to be working well for me, and I will continue on this path. As I mentioned before, I am still in a considerable amount of pain. If I am feeling full, I wouldn't know because of the pain I'm in. Is this normal? Is the "full feeling" different from the pain? Is it too soon to feel full? Any information you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated! TIA!! (and yes I'm walking, taking in my fluids and Protein and will start Vitamins tomorrow... =)

Deli meat and sliced cheese in a roll up... refried beans, taco sauce and cheese... pepperoni 'chips'... almonds... cottage cheese... Greek yogurt

After surgery, the NUT has given me a Diet Progression list. Day 1 & 2 - Clear liquids Day 3 - 7 - Full liquids - protein shakes, sf jello, sf pudding, smooth yogurt, blended cream soups. Week 2 - 3 - Soft foods Week 4 and on - Regular diet The only reason the first few days diet would extend would be how I tolerate things. Also from day 1, 48 oz of fluid/water, and from day 3, 80g of protein. And vitamins, chewables.

I was sleeved on August 31! I have to stay on a liquid diet for 3 weeks and its tough! So far I've had : chicken broth, tomato soup, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, sugar free ice pops, chobani yogurt and carnation instant breakfast. (none of which have made me sick!) But i need something else besides this, although the pudding (with skim milk ofcourse) and the tomato soup (also with skim milk) have really been getting me through! Anybody have any other idea as to what you can eat while on this liquid diet?!

Hi! I was sleeved on 8/31, too. I'm feeling good, not much pain but I am just SO exhausted. I'm getting about 50 grams of Protein a day plus all of my fluids. I have no issues drinking - can swallow almost as well as pre surgery. I came home on puréeds but mostly just eat soup and Greek yogurt. I feel hungry 5-6 times a day and eat accordingly but haven't taken more than 2-3 tiny bits of anything. Still defending on Protein drinks for energy. I'm down 15.3 lbs since surgery morning. I tried my long-too-small wedding rings on today and they slid right on!! My first NSV

I use almost only fresh foods. The exception are Greek yogurt, the occasional Protein bar for a snack mid afternoon when I have to run out the door. An occasional can of chick peas and a very occasional Diet Snapple with Peach. Everything else is fresh and the best I can find. Even the tea I drink is loose leaf and comes in a can from Sri Lanka. After surgery. I did look at what I ate before surgery with fresh eyes and the picture of health did not come to mind. We have to make the changes that can best fuel our bodies. Given our reduced absorption it is of the outmost importance to be smart about what we eat.

Hello! Heather from Tampa here! I will be 37 next month and today is my first full at home day post-op VSG. I had my surgery 4 hours South in Boca Raton Area by Dr. Shillingford. I have a medical background, so I understand most of what is going on and understand it, but it still doesn't change the fact that I am actually living it. The biggest issue I am having right now is the swollen abdomen and gas that is left to come out. I am on Percocet for pain, every 4 hours. They wanted me on a liquid pain med, but I do not tolerate that well, so it was either deal with a pill or throw up the liquid, so of course we opted for the pills. I had a rough day after surgery when I threw up the contrast dye for the Upper GI Series that is done to check for leaks. That created a lot more tightness in the abdominal muscles and more pain that I would have most likely been in. I am taking in as much liquid as I can. My doctor does a pureed diet day 3-14, so my day has gone like this so far: slept on the couch in a mostly sitting position. Woke up at 2am and 6am for pain meds. Had some nausea do I drank some caffeine free hot tea (a few sips) which calmed the nausea, and I took my Protonix. At 7:30am, I ate about 1 ounce of Fage greek yogurt (strawberry). 10:00am - got in about 4.5-5 ounces of Protein shake (I highly recommend Beverly UMP chocolate btw). 10:40 had another pain pill. I took a nap from 11:00-12:40. 12:45 I ate about 2 ounces of plain cottage cheese. I like plain cottage cheese, so this did not bother me at all. So far, so good, I am waking around he house fairly often, but not overdoing it. I am urinating easily and still burping. I am not passing much gas from the other end at all, but I think that will take some more time. I have Gas-X and hoping that will help some too. On another note, because of the swelling, I am back up a few pounds from what my surgery day weight was, so I am not trying to focus on that right now. I know it will move once the first week is out of the way. So that is my summary so far. Any thoughts on how long the swelling and gas actually lasted for others would be great!

I had a dinner meetup with friends at a place that has a full menu all day. I ordered one scrambled egg. My total with tip was under $2. Previously it would have been $20 to $30 with drinks and dessert. I'm on week 5 postop, which means I'm not on full meats yet. I have one scrambled egg with one triangle of laughing cow cheese for breakfast; 1/3 cup tuna with a little mayo for lunch; and 1/2 avocado with a little mayo for dinner or 1/3 cup mashed sweet potatoes or 1/2 greek yogurt. I drink crystal light. My surgeon wants his patients to keep Protein powders and supplements at a minimum. My food bill has definitely gone down.

Try a half cup plain Greek yogurt, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, half a banana, a tel spn of peanut butter and some strawberries cut up. It's so so delicious! Even if you just have the yogurt, Pb, and protein powder it is a great way to get protein without the gross taste of plain Greek yogurt

Question: I developed an awful itch a few days after surgery. I got medicine, i was told I would be feeling great after the first day, and now it's day 2, I've woken up with my eye lids puffy and huge bags under my eyes ! I don't know what exactly my body is reacting to! All I've had is premier shakes and water and yogurt, if anyone has had this happen, please write back, Ty .

Well, I found out the reason I couldn't get with it. I had a hernia when I went in and when they did my surgery they pinched it off well I hadn't had a bowl movement in 11 days they did an emergency surgery Thursday and thought I was going to have to have a colostomy bag. Turns out during the surgery I aspirated some bile. My mom was really worried. So now I have to weight a few more days on my phase 2 diet which really isn't fair. I'm going to eat setting to day even if it's cottage cheese or yogurt I've got to have something.

Vegetarian here. I do eat eggs, but I also like plain, greek yogurt. FAGE 0% is brand of choice. For Protein supplement I prefer Isopure unflavored and my nutra bullet. It is plain, 100% whey protein isolate with no added flavorings or sugars. I mix the Isopure with yogurt, with vegetable broth, coffee, tea, etc.. I also eat bean, legumes, seitan, tofu, tempeh, dark green leafy veg. such as spinach, kale or broccoli, and cheese. I am allergic to most artificial sweeteners. I can occasionally use sucralose aka splenda, but try not use it often. I prefer to use raw, locally sourced honey but do not use it often. I use the Isopure and make my own Protein drinks. Typically it's yogurt, Protein powder, fruit, spinach and Water. I can also tolerate the Isopure green tea, black and coconut protein drinks. If you are having trouble with nausea, call your doctor and get a prescription for that.

Idk I feel like I've eaten a lot today In the morning I had an activia berry yogurt like half of it and then I went to chilies with my friends and got grilled fillet fish with mashed potatoes and I've eaten it all..obviously spread out through the day. Lunch and dinner...is that a lot?

Sometimes I would have trouble with the Protein drinks that had a creamy texture or were made with milk or yogurt. What helped me was the Syntax Nectars. They have many many flavors. Oddly, my favorite was the grapefruit, because I fixed it with Crystal Lite Lemonade and it tasted JUST LIKE Fresca soda, which I can't even get anywhere around here, You can get a sample pack from a number of places. I got mine here: http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/SYNTRAX_NECTAR_PROTEIN_POWDER_SAMPLES_p/nectar-sample.htm I usually made it more dilute than what they say.

I have been hitting 100g of Protein a day since about week 4 however I do still have 2 Protein drinks a day which I mix with Water not milk. Cottage cheese, high protein low fat greek yogurt, chicken, eggs, fish etc all add up nicely. At week 6 I am on 4 meals and 2 protein drinks a day. Works for me Added: about 500-600 calories a day although I am trying to up that and 72 oz water a day.

My surgeon said the opposite! Take it easy on your stomach and let it heal... no point in stressing it and making it work harder. I had one week of clear fluids, one week of full fluids (no dairy, no carbonation, no caffeine), then two weeks of purees (including scrambled eggs, applesauce, yogurt). Today I'm moving to soft foods like tuna, which will be for a week, then meat as tolerated.