New, waiting, nervious, excited, questions....
New on forum, insurance approved 6-18. Waiting on the next step.
I have lots of questions, some may be premature.
I'm a trucker (team driver, long haul, coast to coast). We go for days out there & eating the "right" foods is a real challenge. Cooler food gets old, truck stops have lots of fried food. I'm open for suggestions, please. High protein, things that can be kept in small containers or baggies, in a plug-in cooler for several days, a variety. I can get skim milk at any stop that has a subway. I'm a big tea drinker (splenda). How about some of the protein drink ads that are flipping by at the top of the screen? Like the isopure? Or is what I will be getting from the doctor's office better for later? A mix of clear fruit & cho/van shakes would be nice. Is the sliced chicken & turkey from a deli too processed?
Curious about B-12 & iron shots. Very many post-op having to take either? I hear the iron shots are rough, don't know anyone who has to take them. I know 2 (25+ yrs out & 2 1/2 yrs out) that take a 1x month B-12 shot. In fact I give the 25+ yrs out person their B-12 shot every month. They started taking these last year after finding out the hard way their B-12 was WAY low.
Thanks for any suggestions!
ljc
I have lots of questions, some may be premature.
I'm a trucker (team driver, long haul, coast to coast). We go for days out there & eating the "right" foods is a real challenge. Cooler food gets old, truck stops have lots of fried food. I'm open for suggestions, please. High protein, things that can be kept in small containers or baggies, in a plug-in cooler for several days, a variety. I can get skim milk at any stop that has a subway. I'm a big tea drinker (splenda). How about some of the protein drink ads that are flipping by at the top of the screen? Like the isopure? Or is what I will be getting from the doctor's office better for later? A mix of clear fruit & cho/van shakes would be nice. Is the sliced chicken & turkey from a deli too processed?
Curious about B-12 & iron shots. Very many post-op having to take either? I hear the iron shots are rough, don't know anyone who has to take them. I know 2 (25+ yrs out & 2 1/2 yrs out) that take a 1x month B-12 shot. In fact I give the 25+ yrs out person their B-12 shot every month. They started taking these last year after finding out the hard way their B-12 was WAY low.
Thanks for any suggestions!
ljc
Only you can decide on the protein drinks. What one person likes, another can't stand. If you like what's available thru your doc, then get it. I've heard it said before that the best protein is the one you will drink, not the best protein that isn't used. That said, I suggest you send off for samples from these ads. It's a good idea to have a variety of protein drinks because our tastebuds have a way of changing after surgery. Plus everything gets old after a while. For lowest cost, the powdered whey protein is good because it doesn't have to be refrigerated. I would also recommend you get a Blender Ball shaker cup. I got mine online thru Amazon. They're amazing, put in a scoop of the powder, add water, shake and voila!...no lumps. You want it colder, add ice. Flip top lid, perfect for the traveler. By the way, that tea needs to be de-caf because if not it will actually subtract away from your required daily fluid intake (min. 64 oz.) because of its diuretic effect on your kidneys. They make a form of fruit flavored protein powder that a lot of people like called Nectar. It's by a company called Syntrax. You can get it at GNC or online from any number of suppliers like Netrition.com, etc.
I've never heard of iron shots. Iron infusions done in a hospital by IV but not shots. The B-12 shots aren't necessary unless you already have a deficiency pre-op. I would think the same would apply to the iron. Check with your nutritionist and surgeon to be sure. My surgeon's vitamin regimen calls for us to have (per day): 2 adult multi vitamins, 1500-2000 mg calcium citrate, iron and sublingual B-12. For me I got chewable vitamins (Centrum), Citrical w/Vitamin D tabs, iron tabs and a liquid B-complex with B-12. The Citrical tablet is too large to swallow and even broken and taken half at a time, it will sit like a rock in your new tiny pouch. This one I know for SURE. Ouch. Best bet is to get a pill crusher. They can be dissolved in your drinks too (they're tasteless) but there is a gritty residue that won't break down and will be left behind so you wouldn't be getting all the calcium dose. Best to pulverize it and wa**** down. The new pouch does not have the acid environment anymore after RNY surgery so you would be helping yourself to absorb it better.
Depending on the food stage you are on, here are a few high protein suggestions:
Cottage Cheese
Greek Yogurt (add SF syrups for sweetness or Splenda)
String Cheese
Sliced Cheese
Turkey Jerky
PB2 (Powdered peanut butter, water reconstitues it)
There are a wide variety of canned soups that are good too. One I like is Progresso Cheese Chicken Enchilada. It says carb monitor on the label. Just be a diligent label reader. If sugar or any form of sugar is the 3rd item on the ingredient list, put it back. It could make you dump. Another rule of thumb about sugar is no more than 4g per serving.
You asked about deli meats. When you get to that food stage you can take a slice of thin deli meat, lay a slice of cheese on top and then roll it up. Great light, yet high protein, lunch. When you get to the puree stage or if you have trouble with meats just grind it up in a food processor or blender, measure portions and put in your containers or thermos.
In the beginningbe ready to sip constantly and don't be discouraged. You just have to keep at it all day long and work up to those daily fluid and protein goals. In 2 weeks you will find things are much easier than that first week. Then after that it's chew well, eat slow and give it time between bites. Good luck on your surgery!
I've never heard of iron shots. Iron infusions done in a hospital by IV but not shots. The B-12 shots aren't necessary unless you already have a deficiency pre-op. I would think the same would apply to the iron. Check with your nutritionist and surgeon to be sure. My surgeon's vitamin regimen calls for us to have (per day): 2 adult multi vitamins, 1500-2000 mg calcium citrate, iron and sublingual B-12. For me I got chewable vitamins (Centrum), Citrical w/Vitamin D tabs, iron tabs and a liquid B-complex with B-12. The Citrical tablet is too large to swallow and even broken and taken half at a time, it will sit like a rock in your new tiny pouch. This one I know for SURE. Ouch. Best bet is to get a pill crusher. They can be dissolved in your drinks too (they're tasteless) but there is a gritty residue that won't break down and will be left behind so you wouldn't be getting all the calcium dose. Best to pulverize it and wa**** down. The new pouch does not have the acid environment anymore after RNY surgery so you would be helping yourself to absorb it better.
Depending on the food stage you are on, here are a few high protein suggestions:
Cottage Cheese
Greek Yogurt (add SF syrups for sweetness or Splenda)
String Cheese
Sliced Cheese
Turkey Jerky
PB2 (Powdered peanut butter, water reconstitues it)
There are a wide variety of canned soups that are good too. One I like is Progresso Cheese Chicken Enchilada. It says carb monitor on the label. Just be a diligent label reader. If sugar or any form of sugar is the 3rd item on the ingredient list, put it back. It could make you dump. Another rule of thumb about sugar is no more than 4g per serving.
You asked about deli meats. When you get to that food stage you can take a slice of thin deli meat, lay a slice of cheese on top and then roll it up. Great light, yet high protein, lunch. When you get to the puree stage or if you have trouble with meats just grind it up in a food processor or blender, measure portions and put in your containers or thermos.
In the beginningbe ready to sip constantly and don't be discouraged. You just have to keep at it all day long and work up to those daily fluid and protein goals. In 2 weeks you will find things are much easier than that first week. Then after that it's chew well, eat slow and give it time between bites. Good luck on your surgery!
I'm glad you mentioned the blender ball shaker. I'll try one! Sounds perfect for the truck and my past use of just shaking leaves lots of powdered lumps. Ugh!
The constant sipping doesn't sound bad, I've always got a drink close by anyway. I've just got to trade my tea in for some of the protein drinks & water. I've been reading the posts & following some of the links & had noticed the variety packs. Thought I'd try a few of those. Hadn't thought of asking if they had samples though. Good idea.
Thought the sf syrups sound interesting too. Perhaps I can find some samples of those too.
My PCP told me he has some post-op WLS that comes in for iron shots 1x a month, it's the only time I've ever heard it mentioned. So I'm hoping that means it's rare.
The 25+ years out that I give B-12 shots to (also 1x month) just about fell out of it last summer. He couldn't make sense of anything. We didn't know what was going on at 1st. Thought he'd had a stroke or something. Never dawned on us it was related to his WLS (hospital found it). His body doesn't absorb the B-12 & after so many years he had almost none in his system. Surgery was probably different then & ALL the vitamins wasn't stressed then either. So he gets the shot & has been given daily meds now. The other I know, is only 2 1/2 years out. She just started getting the B-12 shot. Hearing that made me wonder if it's more common than I 1st thought. Even if it is common I still figure I'd rather take my chances of maybe 1x month B-12 over all the insulin shots my mother & grandmother use to take.
I appriciate the info & comments. I've got 2 lists going already. 1 for right after & another for things to try on the truck (space is a big issue, sleeper is like living in a closet).
Thanks... can't wait to get my surgery date! :)
The constant sipping doesn't sound bad, I've always got a drink close by anyway. I've just got to trade my tea in for some of the protein drinks & water. I've been reading the posts & following some of the links & had noticed the variety packs. Thought I'd try a few of those. Hadn't thought of asking if they had samples though. Good idea.
Thought the sf syrups sound interesting too. Perhaps I can find some samples of those too.
My PCP told me he has some post-op WLS that comes in for iron shots 1x a month, it's the only time I've ever heard it mentioned. So I'm hoping that means it's rare.
The 25+ years out that I give B-12 shots to (also 1x month) just about fell out of it last summer. He couldn't make sense of anything. We didn't know what was going on at 1st. Thought he'd had a stroke or something. Never dawned on us it was related to his WLS (hospital found it). His body doesn't absorb the B-12 & after so many years he had almost none in his system. Surgery was probably different then & ALL the vitamins wasn't stressed then either. So he gets the shot & has been given daily meds now. The other I know, is only 2 1/2 years out. She just started getting the B-12 shot. Hearing that made me wonder if it's more common than I 1st thought. Even if it is common I still figure I'd rather take my chances of maybe 1x month B-12 over all the insulin shots my mother & grandmother use to take.
I appriciate the info & comments. I've got 2 lists going already. 1 for right after & another for things to try on the truck (space is a big issue, sleeper is like living in a closet).
Thanks... can't wait to get my surgery date! :)
Good morning!
The other poster gave you some good info. Just wanted to put in a couple of things.
First of all, B-12. You can avoid the shots by taking it daily sublingually. I take all of my vitamins twice a day, when I brush my teeth in the morning and then when I go to bed, including a 1,000 mc of B-12. You can't overdo it...what isn't used is passed out of your system, but prolonged lack of it can be devastating! My last B-12 level was greater than 2.000, which is as high as their test goes.
Wendy's chili and Taco Bell pintos and cheese are great for on the road trips. You'll never eat a whole order early on, but they are both high in protein and low in fat. Tasty, too! Turkey pepperoni is really good, very low in fat, high in protein and flavor, small package is good for limited space.
One last thing.....thanks for using the larger font in your post, my poor old eyes couldn't real your first one.....lol
The other poster gave you some good info. Just wanted to put in a couple of things.
First of all, B-12. You can avoid the shots by taking it daily sublingually. I take all of my vitamins twice a day, when I brush my teeth in the morning and then when I go to bed, including a 1,000 mc of B-12. You can't overdo it...what isn't used is passed out of your system, but prolonged lack of it can be devastating! My last B-12 level was greater than 2.000, which is as high as their test goes.
Wendy's chili and Taco Bell pintos and cheese are great for on the road trips. You'll never eat a whole order early on, but they are both high in protein and low in fat. Tasty, too! Turkey pepperoni is really good, very low in fat, high in protein and flavor, small package is good for limited space.
One last thing.....thanks for using the larger font in your post, my poor old eyes couldn't real your first one.....lol
Susan
Hello,
I didn't even notice the font. But I'm glad you mentioned it. :)
I wouldn't have guessed the chili & pintos would be high protein & "low" fat from Wendy's & Taco Bell. Great to know... I like both & both are common in the truck stops. Never tried turkey pepperoni. Probably a lot of new things I'll be trying in the coming months. I'm hoping to replace the cottage cheese & plain yogurt though.
The bad thing about driving for so many hours, every day is it's soooo easy to "snack" and the lack of exercise. I'm planning to use the time I use to stop & eat, to stop & walk. I may have to start keeping a cup of ice at hand to chew on (besides all the sipping).
His lack of B-12 last summer caused some major signs of dementia. It was truly scary for him & myself. He's been doing great since. And other than that has done well with his early 80's WLS.
I've got to say I remember you (& a couple other faces on here) from the group support meeting I went to in late April / early May. I may go to the next 1 just to listen again. The clothing exchange sounds like a good idea.
Thanks for the info. I love hearing what others have found to work well, it may save me some time & $$$! :-)
ljc >^..^<
I didn't even notice the font. But I'm glad you mentioned it. :)
I wouldn't have guessed the chili & pintos would be high protein & "low" fat from Wendy's & Taco Bell. Great to know... I like both & both are common in the truck stops. Never tried turkey pepperoni. Probably a lot of new things I'll be trying in the coming months. I'm hoping to replace the cottage cheese & plain yogurt though.
The bad thing about driving for so many hours, every day is it's soooo easy to "snack" and the lack of exercise. I'm planning to use the time I use to stop & eat, to stop & walk. I may have to start keeping a cup of ice at hand to chew on (besides all the sipping).
His lack of B-12 last summer caused some major signs of dementia. It was truly scary for him & myself. He's been doing great since. And other than that has done well with his early 80's WLS.
I've got to say I remember you (& a couple other faces on here) from the group support meeting I went to in late April / early May. I may go to the next 1 just to listen again. The clothing exchange sounds like a good idea.
Thanks for the info. I love hearing what others have found to work well, it may save me some time & $$$! :-)
ljc >^..^<
I'm sure I remember you, too. Since you've already been to the pre-op meeting, you're more than welcome to come to the post op meeting. You'll find one pre-op meeting is MORE than enough....LOL
Our meetings tend to be more "user friendly" to WLS. We're in the trenches, so to speak, day in and day out.
We'll be happy to see you again!
Our meetings tend to be more "user friendly" to WLS. We're in the trenches, so to speak, day in and day out.
We'll be happy to see you again!
Susan
The meeting is Thurs., July 9th? Same place? 5:00pm?
I may come. I'd like to. I hate to miss water aerobics though. I've been doing the Mon - Thurs evening classes. But maybe I'll make it up by going to the Fri morning class. :-)
O... & I ordered a blender ball shaker today that the 1st reply mentioned. I'm sure I'll use it on the truck if not before.
I've been following some of the suggested links / sites for protein shakes, soups, & etc (window shopping). The numbers don't look too bad, but a soup I just looked at seemed like the sodium was awful high. I will look through my paper work they gave me between now & the meeting for max & min amounts & will probably have some questions if I do make the meeting. I remember it saying 60g of protein per day but that's all that seems to have stuck with me so far.
Thanks for the invite. I would have gone to the pre op meeting otherwise.
ljc >^..^<
I may come. I'd like to. I hate to miss water aerobics though. I've been doing the Mon - Thurs evening classes. But maybe I'll make it up by going to the Fri morning class. :-)
O... & I ordered a blender ball shaker today that the 1st reply mentioned. I'm sure I'll use it on the truck if not before.
I've been following some of the suggested links / sites for protein shakes, soups, & etc (window shopping). The numbers don't look too bad, but a soup I just looked at seemed like the sodium was awful high. I will look through my paper work they gave me between now & the meeting for max & min amounts & will probably have some questions if I do make the meeting. I remember it saying 60g of protein per day but that's all that seems to have stuck with me so far.
Thanks for the invite. I would have gone to the pre op meeting otherwise.
ljc >^..^<
Yes, the meeting is the 9th, but at 6:00-7:30. Post ops meet in the doctor's dining room in the far right hand corner of the cafeteria.
60 grams of protein is a good START. Most of us do much more than that.
IMO sodium content isn't really much of a factor IF you get in all of your fluids. After all, a soups sodium content is based on a serving, which is usually a cup or so. Remember, you'll be measuring in TABLESPOONS!!! So, I wouldn't worry about that. Protein is the single most important thing to consider early out.
60 grams of protein is a good START. Most of us do much more than that.
IMO sodium content isn't really much of a factor IF you get in all of your fluids. After all, a soups sodium content is based on a serving, which is usually a cup or so. Remember, you'll be measuring in TABLESPOONS!!! So, I wouldn't worry about that. Protein is the single most important thing to consider early out.
Susan
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