Used2b575lbs

It depends on what your doctor, and nutirionist recommend for you... On some days I was able to eat half a cup of cottage cheese or chili and at other times not. Eat slow and don't over do it and you should be ok but other then getting in your Protein there should be no reason to eat more. For me it was 3 - 3 oz meals for quite a while.

Don't buy into statitistics, they are just numbers, everyone is different. At 575 lbs if I bought into statistics I would still be overweight with morbid obesity as a death sentence. While I say this I think it's a way for doctors to gauge their success and to get their patients to realize that the surgery was successful. If I didn't lose another pound from this point on I would consider myself and this surgery a success. Obviously I wish to continue losing and look forward to a healthy weight but to me this is already a success. My doctor did tell me that he could see me at 270 lbs post surgery after all the weight loss I have prior, it kind of hit me and probably was a subconscious part to the stall I just experienced but now i'm poised and ready to lose it all. Much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder whether or not this surgery is successful is up to the person. Many would be happy to lose 50%, maybe to lose enough not to need medication, or not to have back pain, or to fit into a certain clothing size. Be the one that's exceptional not just average strive to be great... work the tool and it will reward you over and over again. Good luck to all! I do fall that most of those who have come here to seek out support will make that average 65% look low.

Lack of sodium/potassium I found that drinking G2 the low calorie version resolved this problem for me

WTG what great news!!! and now onderland is right around the corner excellent!

I struggled with this when I was on Protein shakes but as soon as I moved to mushies I added hot sauce to everything for flavor. If you like it and can tolerate it I suggest it not only will it add flavor at a low calorie cost but it should mask the bad breath. I did have to brush my teeth more often as well. You just got out of surgery not to long ago so check with your doctor. The one other thing that helped at 4 week I would occasionally have a small amount of natural applesauce if I felt lightheaded this made for better breath as well.

It is a tool to help you make what will hopefully become a permanent behavioral change. While preparing for the sleeve and afterwards and in all those visits with doctors, nutirtionists, and support groups you are learning proper behavioral modifications. Modifications that are not easy, this is hard work. Also many of lost weight to get to the surgery, I myself lost 200 lbs prior to getting sleeved and I know the hardest part "maintenance" is ahead of me but I've now spent over 18 months preparing for that battle that will last the rest of my life.

Got caught up on tortilla chips with queso for a while myself but pita chips with hummus definitely has some allure

Anything the doctor is prescribing is for your health they want that liver small and out of the way so that there are no complications. yes it's tough and trust me months later I still don't want a protein shake, jello, or broth but it was all so worth it... Stick with it and you'll be rewarded!!!

That's great man I mostly wear 42's now though I've squeezed into some 40's I started at 66 man was it hard finding pants that size. Keep up the great work!!!

Hey just joined the boards trying to get support, I haven't been able to get to the local support group due to my work schedule. Sleeved on July 12, 2010 and loving it. I was extremely heavy and lost 200 lbs before the sleeve now down 317 lbs and loving life. Will continue to work the sleeves magic until my body tells me it's time to maintain. 258 right now looking to lose at least another 20-30 lbs if not more. 245 lbs is a huge goal as that is the lightest i've weighed since I was 12 years old.

I think I was getting head hungry around the same time and I started making bad decisions and consuming slider foods that allowed me to eat more. I recently went back to eggs, chicken, turkey, and all the Protein and I don't feel hungry, on days I workout I also try to get in 100 ozs of Water I think that has helped too. I do cardio and weight training 4 times a week, if you think it's truly hunger try chicken, turkey or fish and see if that holds you.

Everyones doctors have different plans but I know on my plan carbs like saltines were a definite no-no for at least the first three months. I would suggest trying some softer Proteins like cottage cheese, or turkey chili to get in your protein. I normally follow the water rule, one of the things that helps is to eat first thing when you get up as you haven't drank since you went to sleep your 30 minute waiting period has been served. Sure theres days when everyone falls short on either of the requirements but it's important to try and it sounds like you are so kudos!!! I haven't tried that protein but i've had quite a few different ones and I prefer real food to any of them. Haven't touched a Protein shake since 6 weeks after surgery got burned out on them. If you haven't already I'd contact the doctor or nutritionist to see what they suggest and keep a food and liquid journal for a week to show them so they can come up with a plan that will work for you.

Stick with it over the first 7 weeks of the year I gained just over two pounds then this past week I broke through and lost 12... Change the types of protein your eating, maybe the type and inensity of exercise, drink more water if you can, check with your doctor see what suggestions they have, just mix it up in general to break through... remember it's a marathon not a sprint... You can do it!!!

Started July 2009 at 575 was under 500 by October, lost 200 by July 2010 had my sleeve lost another 100 in the first 6 months and this morning almost 20 months later i'm down 317 lbs and still working it!!!

Start losing and changing your habits now, this really helped me I was extremely heavy and lost 200 lbs on my own in the year leading up to surgery I think it really helped in my recovery. If you drink anything with carbonation stop now or at least cut way back. I used to drink 2-3 liters of dr. pepper a day and some beer but i knew that this was the best decision and the only thing that you really should never have again is carbonation. Start moving as much as possible I started out walking 10 minutes on the treadmill at a snails pace, walking is very important after surgery. Just relax and let the doctors, nutritionist and nurses tell you what to do when it comes to diet and nutrition as well as the day of the surgery. Build your support group, here, and locally through meetings, try to buddy up with someone who also had or is having the surgery. Good Luck!!!

Posted on my profile and just added some to this thread http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/14148-before-and-after-photos/page__gopid__120699#entry120699

Before weightloss Before Surgery 6 Months After Surgery

During the first seven weeks of the year I gained 2 lbs, but this past week I recommitted to working my sleeve and lost a whopping 12 lbs, protein, water, and exercise were key, so excited it was great to see the pounds come off again.

Don't know what stage you are in but I found for the first several months I would have one of three things Beans (served at many restaurants as a side or on their salad bar), chicken wings (I know not the best option as they're fried but when you eat two or three and are full it's not too bad, or chicken breast with some light sauce whether it was light dressing, hot sauce, or something else to moisten the white meat. I found that once I started inviting the carbs back they came back tenfold and lead to 7 weeks of up and down with a total of a 2 lb gain and some old habits creeping in again. If you can control it to once and a while that's good. It's also important not to beat yourself up if you go in without a plan and order something that really isn't part of the plan. The way I look at it is I think if this was before my new healthy lifestyle and sleeve what would I have ordered and ate and in most cases appetizer, meal, dessert, and several dr. peppers was the norm... Pat yourself on the back for just having mashed potatoes or soup, you've come a far way!

I just joined today myself I started at 575 lbs so I know what you mean when you say you can't believe you got yourself into this situation. Good luck on your journey, follow the doctors plan and you should see the weight come off.