Pre Gastric Sleeve
Jennyjen1214
Posts: 17 Member
Hello Everyone. My husband and myself are getting Gastric Sleeve sometime soon just waiting insurance approval. We did all our testing and doc visits the past 4 months. I'm getting scared and nervous about life after surgery any tips or advice for a beginner Sleever lol. What's are some of your favorite protein shakes Thanks for any tips or advice.
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Welcome! Honestly, the scariest part for me was BEFORE surgery. Afterwards, I have stuck to my doctor's plan he laid out for me and have an immensely improved quality of life. I eat three meals a day, about a cup total or less each and a small snack, most often a protein bar to ensure I am getting the recommended amount of protein (80 grams daily).
I start my morning by drinking a half of a Premier Protein Chocolate shake. It's 30 grams for a whole one, so I get 15 there. The protein bars I like the best are Atkins Chocolate Chip with 1 gram of sugar and 16 grams of protein per bar. String cheese is easy on the stomach and delicious and gives me between 5-8 grams each depending on brand & type (Colby jack, mozzarella, etc.). For lunch, I try to eat something with chicken, pork or beef. Dinner, usually the same. Eat your proteins first, then whatever else you have. Don't eat any more when you start to feel full.
You will be told not to drink anything for 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after each meal. Believe in it, stick with it and live it. Drinking helps force the food through too fast and you will feel hungry earlier than you should which of course, leads to overeating. I take a sip here & there while eating, especially if the food is a bit dry but that's it.
You also want to avoid putting extra salt on your food to help keep your sodium intake down. Log every morsel you put in your mouth on MFP to help keep you accountable. I now eat sugar is very small doses. Today, I ate a "fun size" Snickers bar at work for example. I haven't eaten white rice or any breads/rolls/etc since the surgery, but do eat a small amount of pasta if it's part of the meal. And finally, take your vitamins! Centrum chewable multivitamins are good and sublingual (dissolving) B12 tables in the morning. Afternoon, I take B1 and Calcium +D. In the evening, I take an Iron supplement. And finally, I don't drink any caffeinated or carbonated beverages. During the day, I drink ice water with a bit of lemon. I occasionally add a sugar-free lemon flavor packet to sweeten it up a bit. I use a packet made for a 16 ounce bottle for 44 ounces of water.
My surgery was August 18th. As of October 29th, I have lost 48 lbs. My skin is cleaner & clearer than it's ever been. My mind is sharp, I'm no longer lethargic & tired and I just get up and walk around whenever I have the opportunity whereas before I sat there like a lump. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner. My wife had her sleeve done in September 2012, lost nearly 150 lbs and has kept it off ever since.5 -
Good luck - Inhad gastric bypass on April 18th. Here are some of my favorite sites/products:
The World According to Eggface - great site and fabulous recipes especially the ricotta bake
Bariatric Foodie - Love the taco casserole
Bariatric Eating - Love her no pie pumpkin pie and manicotti. They sell products and LOvE their protein crunchers and all of their shakes. Mexican Chocolate is plant based so a bit gritty but the others are whey isolate so very smooth. I am about to buy the 2 layer bars. I use their Hair Balance and 3+3 capsules..I find I take fewer pills this day but get everything I need
Bariatric Choice - TONS of products and great customer service
Cooking Sites (not Bariatric but great recipes and you can modify as necessary)
Skinnytaste
Emily Bites
Carlsbad Cravings
Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Damn Delicious
Skinny Kitchen
Half Baked Harvest
Peas and Crayons (mostly plant based)
Oh She Glows (plant based)
Lots of good luck!
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Thanks for all the info!!! You guys are amazing!! Thanks for all the tips and sites to check out!!1
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Steven. I seen in another post your surgeon was Dr Minkin he will also be my surgeon! Did u like him ?0
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Jennyjen1214 wrote: »Steven. I seen in another post your surgeon was Dr Minkin he will also be my surgeon! Did u like him ?
Dr. Minkin and the entire staff at MyNewSelf Bariatrics were the best! I was originally scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Scott, but he retired to do research in Columbia. Dr. Minkin comes highly recommended and from my personal experience, I would absolutely recommend him. He also performed my wife's surgery four years ago as well as one of my co-workers just a few weeks ago.
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Awesome. Thanks so much for all the info you have givin me.0
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Jennyjen1214 wrote: »Awesome. Thanks so much for all the info you have givin me.
You are very welcome! Good luck and get ready to enjoy life!
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Awaiting approval. Denied Wednesday a weight from 2013 was missing. I should find out one way or the other next thursday1
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A weight from 2013?? Omg why did they need that?? I'm awaiting approval all my stuff got turned in last Tuesday0
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@jennyjen214 insurance... Had a 6 month long prequlifiying period ddoctor and dieticians monthly, couldn't miss a month. shrink visit too Had to lose 10% body weight too.. im ready for my answer thursday. I would really like a liquid thanksgiving.1
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I know my insurance required 5 years of weight history so could be that - just a technicality so if your doctor can provide that to the insurance company then you should be fine. Good luck!2
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@jennyjen214 insurance... Had a 6 month long prequlifiying period ddoctor and dieticians monthly, couldn't miss a month. shrink visit too Had to lose 10% body weight too.. im ready for my answer thursday. I would really like a liquid thanksgiving.
I really hope you get a good answer Thursday. After I had all my final approvals, I ate a few really good meals, things I knew I wouldn't be able to eat in a long while after the surgery.
I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, mostly for the family getting together. I have no problem knowing I'll be eating one little piece of turkey, a tablespoon of mashed potatoes and a tablespoon of dressing. Maybe a bit of cranberry sauce on the side and that will be about it. I'm no longer obsessed with consuming mass quantities of food and am more than happy to just eat my "one cup" for each meal. I actually think I enjoy it more now since you have to take your time to chew everything into oblivion. It takes just as long to eat, I feel content and I'm full. To me, that's not a bad thing at all!
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