ashleyxx

I use a straw with no problems, I'm 10 months post op, I just started using them a few months ago. I haven't tried pop, diet pop pre-op was a big addiction for me so
I have not wanted to try it at all!
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I use a straw with no problems, I'm 10 months post op, I just started using them a few months ago. I haven't tried pop, diet pop pre-op was a big addiction for me so
I have not wanted to try it at all!
Sent from my iPhone using VST

In my opinion, someone so far out (I will be 4 years in Dec) should avoid Protein bars - way too many calories (and carbs!) in a small package. I have more appetite and less "restriction" then I did in the first year or two so I think hard about avoiding "calorie/carb" dense food as a daily staple even if it is high Protein.< /p>
I do however think that Premier Protein premixed drinks (and some other good brands) ARE a good protein bargain. I consume one before noon in my coffee, drinking it, making a smoothie - whatever. 30 G protein/ 160 calories / 5 carbs
For another Breakfast idea is to sautee veggies, a healthy (usually chicken) sausage cut up. then add egg beaters and let cook. I love to "finish it" under a broiler - sliced Tomato over the top, with a light sprinkle of very good and strong cheese. It is usually too much to eat at one sitting, so I have half early and the other half 3-4 hours later - some days that is lunch.
My favorite lunch is a costco salmon patty cooked per directions (grilled!) on top of take romaine lettuce. The romaine is spritzed with olive oil. the salmon and lettuce get a dose of WHITE balsamic vinegar. I also add tomato, sliced cukes, mushrooms or other things I might have to the salad.
Snacks - a piece of (organic or less processed) sandwich meat.
-leftovers from a previous dinner
Dinner: Fish, seafood, chicken or beef as main course. I do eat turkey and pork, but more as sandwich meat then main course.... my point is, pick your favorites
Low carb veggies next.
I generally avoid large quantities of rice, noodles, bread, potato.
Does this help any?

Im 5"7, My highest weight was 360, day of surgery 338 and currently 245. I'm not near goal weight yet, but happy I'm losing weight, Indont even remember the last time I was this weight. If you want to check out my gallery I have some pictures.
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I'm curious about something.... If you have made the decision to not move forward with any type of bariatric surgery, and you plan on losing the weight and keeping it off in your own chosen method, why did you feel it was necessary to come here and let the world know of your decision?
Although there are some people on this website that are still in the decision making phase of their journey, you've made your decision if I'm correct. Did you post hoping that someone was going to try and talk you out of the decision you've made? And if that wasn't your intention, what made you think that anyone here really cared that you decided not to have surgery, not to mention you've continued to defend and fight against other members comments.
If you've decided you're not having surgery, then just leave the forum and go on with your life however you chose to live it. Why continue with any conversation at all?

You are not alone. I'm 3 years out and have gained 50 pounds.. ugh I hate just even typing that out!
The best advice I have read is that we still have our tools, so we need to take advantage of that.
I've been back on track these last 3 days, I went back to the foods I ate when I was losing (chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese, low carb veggies) I've been eating Protein first, then LC veggies and it seems to be really helping alot!
I've also been drinking a ton of Water and brewed green tea, I never cared for it much before but now I love it.
Good thing you're doing something about it now before it became more. Wishing you the best of luck, you can do this!

You are not alone. I'm 3 years out and have gained 50 pounds.. ugh I hate just even typing that out!
The best advice I have read is that we still have our tools, so we need to take advantage of that.
I've been back on track these last 3 days, I went back to the foods I ate when I was losing (chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese, low carb veggies) I've been eating Protein first, then LC veggies and it seems to be really helping alot!
I've also been drinking a ton of Water and brewed green tea, I never cared for it much before but now I love it.
Good thing you're doing something about it now before it became more. Wishing you the best of luck, you can do this!

You are not alone. I'm 3 years out and have gained 50 pounds.. ugh I hate just even typing that out!
The best advice I have read is that we still have our tools, so we need to take advantage of that.
I've been back on track these last 3 days, I went back to the foods I ate when I was losing (chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese, low carb veggies) I've been eating Protein first, then LC veggies and it seems to be really helping alot!
I've also been drinking a ton of Water and brewed green tea, I never cared for it much before but now I love it.
Good thing you're doing something about it now before it became more. Wishing you the best of luck, you can do this!

When your newly sleeved your stomach is still numb and healing so you wont feel that restriction yet. I didn't notice until I started on more dense Protein.< /p>

I wouldn't be that worried about hittinf your Protein goals this early out, main thing is to stay hydrated. Alot of us were still on a liquid diet at the time and with how little we could sip we weren't hitting those protein goals yet.

YAY! Yah I think Im just feeling anxious at this point. Check in at 11AM. We are going to rock this WLS thing!

You were right. For the last 16 mths since my sleeve revision, I've belonged to the school of thought that I can eat whatever I want, just much less of it. 6 months ago I was 5 lbs from goal. I've now gained almost 20 lbs eating whatever I want. Since I can eat much more now, that way of thought doesn't work anymore.
It was a nice thought, however...
Just got back from vacation (3 weeks out of state) and I gained 3 lbs. Eating out, drinking local micro brewed beer, and not exercising. While I'm relieved that I only gained 3 lbs, hardly any of my clothes fit. My jeans r way tight.
Went grocery shopping yesterday. Not 1 article of junk food went into my cart (cept a couple of Lean Cuisines). Starting last nite, no more nightly glass of wine. In itself it wasn't bad (110 cals) but afterwards I think it's a fantastic idea to cook a frozen pizza or corndog. I snacked on 1/2 apple with almond butter last nite. I ate a home cooked, real food meal last nite. I'm not doing a particular diet (such as low carb, low calorie, etc) I'm just going to cut the snacking mindlessly while watching tv at nite. Thats where about 50% of my calories come from. From now on it will be chamomile tea ( i find that I hafta sip on something while watching tv) a pc of fruit or a veggie with Protein. I will consume more Water and I go back to the gym tomorrow. My dog will actually be walked everyday. I will attempt to eat real food (cept the occasional Lean Cuisine pizza) and drink no beer (not really a soda fan and I only drink maybe 1/2 a beer. I drink it so slow that it gets warm and I toss it).
I might even do the dastardly deed of counting calories...and keeping track of what I eat. Guess it can't hurt.
So all of u who said my way of thinking would make my world come crashing down, u were right. I'm bowing down in shame to u...
And for all the newbies out there who follow the same school of thought that u can eat anything just in small quantities - u r incorrect. U'd better come up with a better plan before u eventually fail. Cuz u will...

Just checkin in...day four of gettin back at it! I've worked out everyday, kept my calorie intake between1100 and 1300, and my spirits are still high. I'm using my fitness pal and looking into doing the 5:2 diet. I saw it on this forum when I joined up!!!!
I did gain a pound so I'm now at 211 but I'm not discouraged. I'm in it to win it this time around! Oh yeah....definitely feeling more restriction since drinking more Protein shakes instead of shoveling in the food! ????

Wishing you the best of luck! I'm in the same boat as you, coming up on 3 years and gained some weight back. But today has been a good day, cut my calories and carbs down, and started exercising.

Wishing you the best of luck! I'm in the same boat as you, coming up on 3 years and gained some weight back. But today has been a good day, cut my calories and carbs down, and started exercising.

Wishing you the best of luck! I'm in the same boat as you, coming up on 3 years and gained some weight back. But today has been a good day, cut my calories and carbs down, and started exercising.

I'm 5'7 surgery weight 326 current weight 199. I'm 20 years old.

From what I heard they will give you a pad to wear so no worries.

Hey all- Dooter here. I haven't been on here in a while, but this thought has been plaguing me, and I need to get it out. -Let me preface this discussion by saying I am GLAD I had the sleeve surgery, and I would not change it for the world. I had NO complications and I lost 102 pounds in eight months, and for that I am grateful. I needed to do that quickly for my own sanity and health. HOWEVER- that said-
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT think for one teeny tiny minute that having surgery and dumping a bunch of weight is going to fix your head and the behavior that got you here. Not gonna happen. During the "honeymoon" period where you can sneeze off five pounds at a time and you're never hungry after your teaspoon of food, you can't imagine EVER returning to old feelings and desires. I am here to tell you that it sneaks back in a little at a time. A taste here, a taste there... "oh look. I've gained a pound. well, that was salty food, I'll just drink more Water tomorrow." HORSE HOCKEY!!!! That's where it starts. Your old head trips creep in. Hiding food. Eating junk now, figuring you'll just shape up "next week" or "tomorrow." Tomorrow never happens and you've gained 30 pounds back. Yes. With your itty bitty stomach, you have gained 30 pounds back. It can happen. Or worse, you gain it all back. That can happen too.
The reason I am writing this and being to harsh about it is that you are a person who is considering, or who has gone through a MAJOR life changing surgery. SO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!! Be vigilant. come out of that honeymoon with your armor on! You WILL stop losing at one point and your body will begin to fight you as mine has. The diet my surgeon gave me no longer works at this point in the game, as my metabolism is stuck in cold molasses and it has taken a personal trainer/dietitian to get it moving again, and it is majorly hard work and painful and distasteful at times, but I have another 100 lbs to lose AFTER the 30 lb regain is gone.
​Have somebody close to you hold you accountable for exercising and eating right. Splatter it all over Facebook if you have to (I did) so you'll have MANY people holding you accountable! Do what you have to do to reach your goal. Don't settle for less and don't eat crap. And don't think that surgery is the final solution. It's a tool that will get you halfway there. The rest is up to YOU and no one else. Thank you. That is all.

Let us know how it goes for you, I tried a few times but never stayed committed to it.

If I'm honest with myself, I know that for me, maintenance is going to require hard work and discipline for the rest of my life. I'm extremely sensitive to sugar, and somewhat to other carbs. Early trials with "in moderation" eating led me right back into the old binge eating habits I thought I'd conquered, and I put back on more weight than I really like to admit out loud. Last year I started off back on track and made it six weeks before falling back into sugar habits, fought them all year and ended the year yet another 10 pounds heavier than I'd started it. This year I'm doing better, I've got half my regain off and am hoping to get back to my happy weight. I know that to achieve that FOR ME will require staying off sugar. I envy those of you who can handle it in moderation, but I've learned where that approach takes me - to a closet full of clothes I can't fit into.
I think we all have to figure out what works for us, what our triggers and challenges are, and what will work. I also suspect many of us will need to continue to adjust along the way if we want to maintain. Life happens, motivation flags, injuries can sideline our fitness routines, and aging will change our metabolisms. It is what it is. I always liked Dr. Sharma's urging to live the healthiest life you can enjoy. It's a balance.
Ricky, I hope you are successful in finding the new paths that will work for you.

You know that you will never hit your goal weight if you intentionally try to cheat on your diet by sneaking bites or deciding not to log certain foods. But what if you think you are doing everything right and are still not losing the weight you expect? Hidden calories may be to blame. Figure out the sources of hidden calories in your diet, and you just may have a weight loss breakthrough!


Overeating is Possible after WLS

You got WLS so that you could lose weight, but it is important to remember that WLS is only a tool. To lose weight, you need to use that tool properly. If you fall into the trap of thinking that WLS automatically leads to weight loss, you might never hit goal weight. As a reminder, these are how the lap-band, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), and gastric bypass can help you lose weight.
Lap-band: The lap-band creates a small pouch, or stoma, to help you fill up faster so that you eat less.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG): The surgery removes most of your stomach and creates a small sleeve out of the remaining portion. The gastric sleeve restricts the volume of food you can eat and it reduces hunger by reducing the amount of ghrelin, which is a hunger hormone.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: The surgery restricts food intake by creating a small pouch, and reduces nutrient absorption by having food from your stomach bypass much of your small intestine.

Your weight loss surgery will not work for you if you cheat in these ways.
You eat more frequently – and take in more calories – than your surgeon suggests without feeling the restrictive effects of the adjustable gastric band.
You eat sugary, fatty high-calorie foods. The lap-band, especially, is unlikely to cause you to develop dumping syndrome. That is good because you will not get the unpleasant symptoms, but it is bad because it does not prevent you from eating sugar, starch or fat. Even with a stoma size of just 4 ounces, or a meager 1/2 cup, you could fit in 400 calories’ worth of M&M’s in with room to spare.
You drink fluids when you are eating solids so that you are able to consume more at a single meal or snack. Drinking fluids while eating solid foods can also cause your stomach, sleeve or pouch to empty faster so that you get hungrier sooner.
You sip on beverages that provide calories but do not fill you up.

How Hidden Calories Might Be Throwing You Off

What if you think you are following your weight loss surgery diet diligently? You measure your food whenever you can, you use your dietitian’s food list when you go grocery shopping, and you order chicken and vegetables when you go out to eat. You get Protein at every meal, and you drink plenty of Water each day.

Hidden calories are the ones that creep into your diet. You might not know you are eating them, or you might think that you eat so few “extra” calories that they don’t matter in your diet. But, they do impact your weight loss. An extra 20, 50, or 100 calories here or there really affects your weight loss. Remember that a pound of body fat equals 3,500 calories. That’s an average of 500 calories per day to lose a pound a week. If you are getting hundreds of hidden calories a day, that could easily be a pound a week that you’re not losing.

Where Are the Hidden Calories?

Good question! They can be almost anywhere.
Starches are not necessarily unhealthy, but they should only be part of your meal after you eat your protein and vegetable or fruit.< /span>
Protein is the first thing you should eat at each meal and snack, but it is also a source of calories. Fatty meats and poultry with the skin can have 100 or more extra calories per 3-ounce portion compared to lean meats and chicken or turkey breast.
Healthy foods can be high-calorie. A handful of nuts or dried fruit or a big spoonful of Peanut Butter can have 200 to 300 calories.
Condiments can wreck your diet. A tablespoon of Mayonnaise has 100 calories, a tablespoon of jam has 50 calories, and a tablespoon of Salad Dressing has 80 calories. ketchup, teriyaki sauce, and marinades can have 15 to 20 calories per tablespoon.
Restaurant foods can be tricky. Vegetables that you think are steamed can have butter in them, and chicken, fish and other Proteins that you think are good choices can come in sauces with 100 or 200 calories per serving. Portion sizes can be several times what you need: a 12-ounce steak is 4 to 6 WLS-sized portions, and a 3-cup plate of Pasta is 6 to 8 WLS-sized portions.

o Examples of each of the below. Carbs: toast, crackers. Eat celery. Smaller pasta, more protein meatballs.
o Protein. It’s a nutrient, but it’s also a source of calories. Esp. if with sugar/carbs in supplements, or hi-fat protein foods. Bacon
o Healthy hi-cal foods: nuts, pb, dried fruit (fresh). Portion sizes. Avocado.
o Condiments. Fatty dressings (choose low-fat), use less (use herbs), sugary
o Portion sizes. MEASURE. Nibbling without measuring, eyeballing. You get 60 extra calories every time you take a piece of cheese that is the size of your thumb (1.5 ounces) instead of weighing it to make sure that it is only 1 ounce.
o beverages
o Restaurants: salads, fat added to “grilled” foods or steamed vegetables, beverages, “healthy” bagel instead of low-cal doughnut
o Eating too frequently. Tips for if you’re starving (protein, no Fluid with meal); tips to make meal smaller (if you’re eating so many meals, don’t need to be big)

The Good News
The good news is that small changes add up to big calorie savings.
Have an ounce of low-fat cheese instead of full-fat, and save 50 calories.
Have a quart of regular or sparkling water instead of a quart of a sports drink, and save 200 calories.
Skip the bite of cookie dough after you finish baking for your children, and save 100 calories.
Have 3 ounces of 95% lean ground beef instead of 85% lean ground beef, and save 70 calories.
Rinse the spoon instead of licking it after you serve yourself peanut butter, and save 30 calories.
Spread peanut butter or tuna on 3 large celery stalks instead of 6 triscuit crackers, and save 90 calories.
Have one-third of a cup of pasta with your meatballs instead of a full cup, and save 120 calories.

This works for exercise, too. Every little bit helps. When you walk for just an extra half-mile, or about 10 minutes, you burn 50 extra calories.
Start to think about where extra calories may be coming into your diet, and see what you can do to limit them. You’ll be happier with your weight loss results!

I was sleeved on August 20th and I've lost a ton of weight. Since December though, it seems to have just... stopped. I am concerned. Sometimes when I step on a scale I see that I've even gained a few lbs. Some major noteworthy things that may be relevant:

- I broke my foot on Oct. 19th and was in a cast and crutches for a while. I basically sat on the couch from October until about three weeks ago. I relied on people to shop for me because I couldn't drive nor walk, lived on Thanksgiving and Christmas leftovers, the holidays happened etc.
- On 1/26 I started back at the gym doing weight-training. I have NOT been doing cardio or any exercises that stress my foot because it's still sore. Mostly seated exercises for now (I'm dying to get back on a treadmill).
- I still don't eat much (relative to how much I used to be able to eat), although I can eat significantly more than I could 2-3 months ago.
- I've been feeling hungry lately, enough that I worry about it.

Here's a snippet of my weight log for a visual aid:


8/5/13 - 383
8/19/13 - 343 (surgery was 8/20)

10/21/13 - 293
10/28/13 - 291 (with cast)
11/4/13 - 285 (with cast)
11/18/13 - 275 (with cast)
12/24/13 - 262 (cast was removed)
1/13/14 - 266
1/20/14 - 261 (started back at the gym on 1/26)
2/13/14 - 265 (been working out 4 days a week)

Reading this objectively, I would deduce that between the weights, sitting around from the broken foot and the holiday leftover thing would explain away my concerns, But, I don't really eat bad food in general (chicken, tuna, brown rice, veggies, Protein Shakes when I exercise, etc). My eating isn't perfect but it's 90,000 times better than it was. Plus, I eat maybe 1/3rd in volume than I used to. Also, I was under the impression that the "honeymoon" period of surgery, where weight loss just goes and goes, is at least a year! Is this just a "plateau" and I may notice weight falling off again in a month or so?

It's been a long time since I've been on here so hete I go...
This has been the most amazing journey over the last year. I have started to live again and love again.
I was a food addict. I still am but im in recovery... I ALWAYS will be.when I was 353lbs I would wake up and think about food. I would eat and eat and eat. I reached the point that I could barely tie my own shoes bc i could barely bend over. I had to roll off of my couch to get up.. I could barely wipe my own ass. I was always uncomfortable.
Miserable.. I was completely miserable.
When I would pull thru the drive thru I would act like I was ordering for 2 bc i was ordering so much food. When I was cashing out at the convenient store I was act like I was buying all that chips and candy for my kids.. not me.
Embarrassed. .. that's what I was.
I would constantly compare myself to everyone... I would look at other women and actually be mad at her bc she looked better than me.. she had a better body than me.. my man probably wanted her bc i was so fat and ugly.
Ashamed is what I had become.
Finally I decided after years of dieting enough was enough.... I had the gastric sleeve 02/26/2013.BEST DECISION I MADE.
It's now been a year and here are my stats. 32 years old and 5-7'.I was 353 and now I'm 183lbs. Went from a bmi of 55.5 to 28.7. I wore a size 26 pants and now I'm in 10/12.
Over the last year I have stayed active. For the first 6 months I was VERY strict.on what I ate. Now I'm more lenient. I eat every 3 hours making Protein #1. That isn't hard for me bc I'm a hard core carnivore. As far as exercise I life weights 2xs a week at home.. 2 10 lb weights.. I walk 3 miles 4xs a week also. I've never busted my ass at the gym and

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I just continue to do what works best for me.

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I've managed to get off track. I've gained 15-20 pounds back after reaching my goal (lost 100 lbs) because of stress and boredom eating - eating tons of simple carbs and drinking calories.
So today, I'm publicly recommitting to going back to the basics. This week, I've already given up the caloric drinks and started back exercising. The last step is getting back to smaller meals consisting primarily of Protein and dealing with stress in other ways.
I'm proud of myself for catching it before gaining too much weight. If anyone else is in the same boat, join me in recommitting to looking and feeling fabulous.
Pamela