Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

happyteacher’s Posts

happyteacher
on 1/8/12 7:30 am

I am about 3 weeks out with a protein target of 82. I alway**** target and I drink maybe one shake a day. The last week or so I started really struggling with the shakes. On the other hand, this coincided with the onset of the puree stage, and I have eaten protein instead. I average about 600 calories a day, but that does not include vitamin calories or the calories from the cream in my coffee. I do vary- some days 400 and once in a while 700 calories. I use at least 1 isopure plus per day so this helps me avoid shakes.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 7:19 am

Topic: RE: Black cherry juice to lower uric acid- related to ketosis?

How much do you recommend- 2 tablespoons to 8 ounces of water is way too strong. I had to use about 16 ounces to make it tolerable. One of these a day??

Thanks Tray for posting by the way :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 7:11 am

Topic: RE: Black cherry juice to lower uric acid- related to ketosis?

Thanks. That is all I needed- somebody who tried it before and found it to work. Going to pour myself a glass now... Hope the calories and carbs are not too bad! Found it by the way for $10 at the Vitamin Shoppe if you happen to have one near you...

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 6:47 am

Topic: RE: Sleeved Thursday and a couple of questions

Hi Tray,

I had a hernia repair too and what you are describing sounds about right. The gurgling business went on for more than a week, but by the end of week two was only a distant memory. Try to increase your fluids- maybe warm liquids will go down a little easier? Carry a drink with you everywhere... Hang in there :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 6:43 am

Topic: RE: Sister and her hubby are so smug

Schwag, LMAO at your comment :) Ruggie, I think you say things I only wish I said! Alas, I can be too polite.

Remember, this is about you sleeve sister and not your "I need to take a shot at you to make myself feel better" sister. My approach tends to be quiet resilience with a healthy dose of determination that leads to goal.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 6:36 am

Topic: RE: Ruggie's really horrible acid reflux - anyone experience this?

I had a hiatal hernia that caused what I thought was a lot of reflux, but nothing like that. I am glad to read they seem to be on the right track for treatment. Hang in there and sending good karma your way!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 4:48 am

Topic: RE: Howlong did you wait before buying new clothes?

I had a complete set of one size down and a partial set of two sizes down already from earlier years. I am over 6 feet tall, so consignment shops for slacks are out of the question. Old navy carries tall now, but only up to size 20. I currently wear a loose 26, probably a 24 if I had anything in that size. I bought 1 pair of jeans and chinos though from Old Navy to have them to try on periodically- just kind of a goal thing. Walmart has very limited tall, but again I need to be a 20 to make it work, and this is true with most any store that carries talls. Lane Bryant is an exception so hopefully the clearance racks will be kind to me when I am ready to go down to a size I do not own. 5 pairs of slacks though per size until I stabalize.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 4:37 am

Topic: RE: Black cherry juice to lower uric acid- related to ketosis?

Hi,

So my uric acid is high. Researched it a bit and this can lead to gout and arthritis- yea, looking to avoid that. I get to drink more :) I found online suggestions to drink black cherry juice- anyone know if this works? Wan't planning on adding juice into the diet, but if it works then I will try.

Is it possibly related to ketosis?

Finally, I really think it may be linked to the ursidon (spelling?- gallbladder meds). Before surgery I did a 2 week stint on a full liquid diet (this was before the official 2 week stint) and I never lost an ounce, retained a ridiculous amount of fluid, had blood in the urine... the NUT and Docs told me to stop the liquid diet. I did, but I also backed off the urisodon. It resolved itself after I stopped taking it. Post op I started taking it again and noticed the exact same pattern so I went down to 1 per day instead of 2. I will chat with the doc about this next week, but in the mean time I was wondering if anyone had any info or insigthts on this. Thanks :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 4:32 am

Topic: RE: Surgery in TWO days!!!! What do I need...

Load up on the vitamin supplements. Chewable multi vitamin- try to avoid swallowing the ginormous capsules. Calcium citrate. If applicable for you D3 and B12. Pepcid or whatever version your surgeon recommends. A variety of shakes- tastes change post op so what was tolerable before may not work after. (I didn't have an issue with this, but many post that they do). Fluids, fluids, and more fluids. Sugar free popsicles. Tylenol extra strength. Applesauce to dump the gallbladder capsule into to take (if that works for your dr).

I packed a lot, but ended up only using the lip balm. The house was fully stocked for when I returned.

Good luck!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/8/12 12:36 am

Topic: RE: 11 Days Post-Op & No Weight Loss In 4 Days

Try not to worry Tony. I only lost the first 4-5 days post op, then nothing for nearly 2 weeks. It has started up again though. As long as you follow your plan you will be ok. It is really normal to stall at week 2-3.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:40 pm

Topic: RE: These pre op days are tough.

Hang in there. Thus far, pre op was the hardest part for me. You will be amazed post op at how much you are not hungry, how much you no longer eat, and all of a sudden portion sizes look enourmous!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:25 pm

Topic: RE: Explaining your weightloss.. My thoughts....

Personally,

I think you have to be careful and thoughtful about who you tell and how much you tell. I told one sister and asked her not to tell my mentally ill other sister, as she would perserverate on the topic and in a bout of active schizophrenic psychosis it could potentially harm her once the "facts" got all jumbled up on her. The sister told her anyway. The point is that IMHO it is MY decision on who to tell, and when somebody else reveals the information it is no longer MY decision.

I was not planning on telling the in-laws yet. My husband did anyway. In this case it worked out well, as it was a relief to just get it over with.

Now at my job, nobody will know. I work with kind folks over all, but a highly judgemental boss. The moment I do not do something he wants, it will be blamed on the "health" issues. Yea, this guy threw cancer in my face when I balked at trying to reduce my 80-85 hour work week down to 65 and was not on board with a pilot program that I found to be toxic to the staff. You just can't win in a situation like this. This is why HIPPA is in place- to protect against discrimination that can (and does****ur in the work environmnet.

But alas, it is a small world and I wonder if somehow it will trickle back to my work that I had it done. Only time will tell.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:13 pm

Topic: RE: I am shocked..

Just go back and get the 10 now :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:11 pm

Topic: RE: It has been a really good week!

Love your post :) Maybe i will skip the cream of wheat I was planning on having for breakfast and instead go with the standard eggs and feta :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:45 am

Topic: RE: What kinda cheese do YOU like in your cheese crisps?

You don't have to use tahini in hummus- it adds a lot of fat. I use a food processor, chick peas plus lemon juice and garlic powder. I use so much garlic it makes it spicy hot, but no need to go over board. You could also grind roasted peppers (in a jar) for flavor. Here is a more precise recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/real-hummus/ Again, tahini is not mandatory.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:26 am

Topic: RE: Pre-op Diet Question......

I was 2 weeks full liquid diet. Shakes plus one lite meal. It really really helped me to get my eating habits primed for the post op and lost weight for a great start before the sleeve. I am super glad that this was required.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:24 am

Topic: RE: Sleeved on Thurs. And home this evening,

when is back to normal?? Ater one week I felt great, but still took things very easy to help the recovery move along so that I could return to my classroom on time. By week two I would walk about a mile or so a day, but was content to let my family wait on me hand and foot :)

How long will you stay out of work? Exactly 2 weeks and I returned to the classroom. I was afraid I would be tired, but the work day went great. I was able to walk 2.4 miles each night after work. By Thursday I was a little worn down, so I went to be early. Little extra sleep today on Saturday too. Feel great overall. Can't do the eliptical- the hiatal hernia repair doesn't like that.

will you have to take liquid meds...
liquid vitamins?

I highly recommend chewable vitamins. Right now I am using the bariatric advantage brand, but they are expensive. Many here use Centrum chewables with excellent results, and I will switch to that after mine run out. I have a capsule (gallbladder medicine) that I dump out into a few bites of applesauce. Not ready to try a capsule. My other pills that are the size of a M and M or smaller I just swallow like normal. My first calcium chew worried me, but it was fine. I do normally use the bariatric advantage calcium chewable tablets, and they taste like chalk :(

what is a normal day of food like?

I am just short of 3 weeks out and in the puree stage. This morning I had scrambled eggs with feta, a shake with 1 scoop extra of protein supplement, and dinner was tilipia. I had to supplement with one bottle of Isopure plus to reach my 82 gram goal. In the full fluid stage I kept it mostly to shakes and greek yogurt, did cream of wheat once but that was no protein. (Just found a cream of wheat that has 7 grams of protein in a serving - looking forward to that for breakfast). Week one I was not hungry, week 2 a little- enough to remind me to eat. I am allowed 3 meals plus two snacks. I just eat 3 meals and not sure if the isopure plus counts as a snack. Overall very easy to stay on plan! Had potroast last night and that was the first time I felt the true extent of the restriction. 2 ounces seemed like a mountain of food! I limit my carbs under 40... not all do that.

I am super pleased with the sleeve so far! The recovery was very easy for me, I have no ossues with any food or liquid intake, and I have lost 1 full size already. My weight is a bit slower than most, but I only lost the first 4 of 5 days then nothing for 2 weeks. It did just kick in again a few days ago and I am down 16 pounds as of yesterday. I only weigh every couple days, so it could be more.

Good luck with your surgery!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:13 am

Topic: RE: Sleeved on Thurs. And home this evening,

Hi Tray,

Glad to read you are home snug as a bug! The hardest part is done and hopefully you will be surprised at how much better you will feel in just a few short days! Did you pass the barium test?? I am assuming you did if they released you :)

Great idea to walk during the commericals! How is getting out of chairs/bed?

Go Lions!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 9:08 am

Topic: RE: 12 month check-in

46 11tobeme- Have you tried walking in a mall if you have one close? One lap at my mall is .8 miles, climate controlled, and now that the xmas crowds are gone it is less crowded. Downside is I have to smell Cinnebon and the cider and donut stand!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 8:05 am

Topic: RE: quinoa during the pureed phase?

Ahh... perfect post ya'll, thank you. I too can have cream of whea****ery oatmeal, etc.

I cannot have seeds though and I was not thinking of quinoa as a seed! I will wait, thanks!!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 4:38 am

Topic: RE: quinoa during the pureed phase?

My favorite at the moment is scrambled eggs with feta. Sometime with the veggie sausage, but it is quicker without. Had pot roast last night with crock pot sweet potato and turnip (less than .5 ounce though of the non protein). Went out to eat for the first time at a place called Stir Crazy- asian fare that has been Americanized. I ate the inside of two potstickers (able to mash with a fork) and seared Tofu from the daugher and husband's plate of Pad Thai. Delicious and loved saving the cost of a meal for me! The Tofu was so good that I am going to look up how to prepare it, as one container would be protein for multiple meals. Tried a mango/silken tofu blend and that was nasty. Still do greek yogurt with protein powder, but I am happy to have added in the eggs for some variation in the morning. Tonight is going to be fish. Again prepared so that mashing with a fork is possible. I found that using the blender to puree is a bit of a bummer, so I am gravitating toward food that is fork mashing friendly, and that is working quite nicely. At some point this weekend I am going to do some Chili.

I think the best part is that I feel like I can eat food that I like :) I make intelligent choices as far as making sure protein is there without a lot of carb, but I am content with the diet. Looking forward to soft foods in a week, as it will make lunches and breakfast that much easier to add in a few more go to items. I will add in immediately low fat mozerrla sticks and veggie sausage (links, not patties- found that I like those better).

Realized that once I started eating and using less shakes that my protein is down a bit. I have supplemented with 2 Isopure plus' a day- an easy 30 grams of protein and I need the fluid.

I have been getting my minimum liquids in and more, but got a call from the hospital saying my uric acid is up and to increase fluids. Sigh. Hope I can avoid blowing out the gall bladder!

What have you been eating?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 1/7/12 4:29 am

Topic: RE: Anyone use Keto Stix? (testing strips for ketosis)

Ordered some off of Amazon, but not here yet. I was thinking the same thing as you- one more piece of information that we can use to keep us on track and note patterns with weight loss. I don't have funky breath, but not sure if that means ketosis is not present by definition. Carbs have been under 40 for a while now...

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

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happyteacher
on 1/7/12 3:43 am

Topic: RE: quinoa during the pureed phase?

Can we have quinoa in the pureed phase?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 1/6/12 9:11 am

Topic: RE: Oh help...I have broken the no sugar rule

I feel hunger. It is not as strong as it once was. Today for example, I forgot my lunch. I had a shake at breakfast and was reduced to a second shake that I stock there for days I forget my lunch. Hungry by dinner, but not insane. I did find for the first time I overate the sleeve, just a smidge. I made the mistake of measuring out my portion of 2 ounces pot roast and .5 ounce turnip/potatoe. Happy to have felt the restriction for the first time, but didn't keep down the proverbial last bite was one to many that I had read about on here. Somewhere I read not to go by what you measure, but what your sleeve tells you. (Measure to make sure you don't go over...)

Oveall it is more like a reminder to eat, and not crazy hunger. I have noticed though that once it returned (no hunger the first week or so post op) that I think about eating poor choices more frequently. Some days are better than others, but the higher carb days from shakes it is noticably harder. I clearly am a person that needs to carefully plan meals.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 1/5/12 8:44 am

Topic: RE: Had my first multi vitamin post op and OMG..

Can you empty the contents out into a couple of spoonfuls of applesauce? That is how i get the gallbladder meds down.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

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