My RANT!
Hey..... some people and doctors are thrilled with the 50-60% EWL average...... with a 20% regain.......
That's deemed "successful" in many programs......
When will I be able to eat normal again????
Who's normal???? the modern day American normal???? America..... the land the I love!!! the home of the brave and the 3000cal portion!!!! The "Full Meal Deal" "Super Size Me" "Big Gulp"
When can I have Pasta again?.....That's my weakness......Crack Kills....
I can't stomach Protein drinks........ Hey, I like Ice Cream more than Broccoli...... Suck it up.......!
Plug your nose and swallow.....
frisco
SW 338lbs. GW 175lbs. Goal in 11 months. CW 148lbs. WL 190lbs.
" To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art "
VSG Maintenance Group Forum
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
CAFE FRISCO at LapSF.com
Dr. Paul Cirangle
Wait... You mean I shouldn't take up those protein muffin recipes (with over 200 calories and only 6 grams of protein) and have one each morning when I would have been hard pressed to have 2-4 in a month previously? 
Just kidding...
Seriously though. I am just over 2 weeks post op and have been playing a tough love line for a while on the section I frequent most.
I'm not going to say I am perfect... but I make things work for me. I can't always follow the ideals because my eating needs to conform to my allergy requirements... but I am working the plan my facility has for me.
There is only one thing that I didn't agree with 100%.
I do NOT like protein drinks for the most part because many of them contain things I am allergic to. I suck it up and go with a couple low reaction options when I need to or I get it in through things like 0% greek yogurt, beneprotein, etc.
I did a protein modified fast prior to surgery (no opti for me like most in Ontario now due to developing na allergic reaction to that when I did it in the past)... I was to have a protein shake daily on it. I planned my day and maxed my protein (129g/day required) so that I only had to have maybe 3 a week.
Is that "wrong" because they are "recommended/required" in my pre and post op diet plans? I don't know but I don't see how it is wrong to make something from scratch... And my protein shakes I make have the same protein, lower calories, the same fat, and maybe a handful more carbs from the greek yogurt.
My plan put me into pureed food this week and mashed potato became "allowed"... I still focus on the meat first but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't make 1/2 cup extra lean ground turkey, 60 ml of club house fat free low sodium gravy, 1 table spoon of cut up cooked carrots, and 2 table spoons of potato mashed into one of the nicest cottage pie type meals going. It was worth every one of the 60 minutes it took to consume and I didn't want or need a snack in the evening.
Shell
Dr Sullivan VSG Jan. 8th, 2013!
Lost 100 lbs in a year post op with a VSG.
Of course it is not wrong that you are making substitutions for medical reasons. You are making very good substitutions and making it work within your personal limitations. I was allowed greek yogurt during my full liquid phase, but it was too thick for me to eat more than a little bit (1/4 cup) and I was full. I had to rely on protein shakes the first months because I simply could not eat enough to get in enough protein that way. I could have done what you are doing, but without the need I didn't think of it. So, good for you.
In general, I am talking about the woman who didn't like the taste of her protein RTD, so instead wanted to go to Jamba Juice and get a protein smoothie. That's okay, right? Do you see the difference between what you are doing and what she was trying to rationalize?
That sounds really hard. I find myself wondering if I am having an easier time of doing it without the shakes because of the hospital having to put me to full fluids at 23 hours out of surgery (they could only find tea that was corn free for the clear fluids). I basically was told to take my time, add a bit more fluid if needed, and get it done... So i went from 45-60 min per 1/4 cup of something to 20-35 min per 1/4 of something over the last 2 weeks.
It really is a needs thing and if you were in my shoes I am sure you would have. I can't imagine struggling with the thickness and having to drink it vs eating it. *gentle hugs* That had to be frustrating for you.
My struggle is to get more than 8 glasses of water + eat and not have the water too close to the meals and snacks. The 30 min rule is kicking my butt a little.
Now... Onto the one that you just mentioned.
*breaths in through her nose and out through her mouth*
You had to mention Jamba Juice... and protein smoothies... 290 calories... 54 g of carbs (45 of which are sugar) and only 17 g of protein. *whimper* I'd have a sugar spike and crash from it. I tried a sip of some ones Jamba Juice one time and my hands started to shake from the sugars.
I am by birth... Hypoglycemic. My fasting blood sugar is 1.8-2.6 and my A1C is 0.041-0.043 (move the decimal for the American way of putting it on paper so 4.1-4.3 I think a friend told me). That much sugar... and that many carbs would literally have me dizzy, sweating, nauseated, and shaking. The kicker would be that pre-op I would have chugged 2 glasses of water and stabilized but now I can't do that.
There is a huge difference between what I make in 3 minutes with my magic bullet and what she is making. The joke is I bet I could get the same flavour for way less carbs, etc. It is something I have come to excel at... Making things I can have at home. I cook and enjoy it... so while I might occasionally want something from a restaurant or fast food I know it is not to be a staple item.
We are actually told in our program up here... NO smoothies. I again qualified and clarified that what I make at home is ok... It is the store bought or restaurant ones they don't want us having.
Did peoples Surgeons never think to tell them what mine said to me? And I quote:
"It is entirely possible to fail a VSG and even gain weight with a VSG if you consume a high caloric liquid diet!"
Which was followed by the failing resulting in another surgery conversation and him telling me "If you fail this I will give you a RNY!" - I think he knew this would put the fear of failure into me as I am not RNY compatible.
I seriously think more surgeons need to be that blunt. Yes I know a DS is the intended 2nd stage if you need it but in the Ontario program they push the RNY hard and do convert people to RNY.
Dr Sullivan VSG Jan. 8th, 2013! Lost 100 lbs in a year post op with a VSG.
Elina and now you!?! WTH! Haha! Love you guys. I actually enjoy reading these forums when I get to read things like this. I have started myself on eating healthier. My dinner tonight was steak and grean beans. 48 grams of protein and 3 carbs. When you fill up on protein and veggies you don't need the carbs (go figure). My husband even made mashed potatoes with the steak. I didn't even blink an eye at them (go me!!). I'm still pre-op and am down 11 pounds. I'm doing this on my own because I know I need to prepare. I don't start my liquid diet until 2/11/13. I can do that too. Liquid diet? Come at me bro!
