So Cal Kurt

I don't have hunger but do have carb cravings when I work nights. I did some research and found that the carbs are craved for shift workers to regulate serotonin. Serotonin is the feel good hormone, normally released by the body during a regular sleep cycle. No wonder eating sweets feels good! I am probably the poster child of what not to do but I do give in. My overall daily calorie count is still low enough that an extra 200 calories 6 days a month isn't going to hurt as long as I get the cardio in to burn them. I am also finding that the slight calorie increase leads to a better weight loss the following week when I hit the gym every day for 2 or 3 days straight. As far as the Wendy's frosty. I have been have been having reduced calorie ice cream since maybe week 3. A Wendy's child size chocolate has 150 calories and 4g of fat. Either a weight watchers pop, a skinny cow or a child size frosty. My weight loss had been consistent though out. I am thinking I must have been hitting the sweet spot as far as exercise, calories and protein intake. I am under goal, still losing in the 1lb a week range and taking in 1500+ calories a day.

I have no problem telling people about my surgery, it saved my life. I have seen no negative attitudes at all. I have gotten the occasional, "what is your secret to losing so much weigh?' I tell them. I thought people would be a lot more critical, I have been pleasantly surprised. Maybe it is my age, I don't know. I have stopped worrying about what people think about me a long time ago.

I am having a lot of the same issues. I am lucky that I don't have a lot of excess skin but when I look in the mirror, I see 20 lbs to lose. The funny thing when I looked in the mirror 106lbs ago, I saw 20 lbs to lose. Why don't we see ourselves as others do? The other day someone referred to something and said, " a small guy like you". I can't wrap my head around it, being a small guy. My weight of 193 might seem a little high but I wear size 31 jeans. I guess I am a small guy. Now I need to sit in my little chair in the corner.

Tomorrow is another day, don't beat yourself up. It is funny how our old ally food still wants to be our support. It is really hard to unlearn old habits. The Reece's PB Eggs got me too. I was mad that my daughter left a bag on the counter last week. I know I ate more than a few. Just recognizing the pattern is the biggest thing. I came to a conclusion over Christmas that if it has chocolate and peanut butter, I am powerless over it. I just need to stay away from it. I gained 4 lbs in 5 weeks from the never empty tray of kiss cookies. I think I grabbed 2 every time I passed it. January came, I got back on track, lost the 4 and 4 more by the end of February. I hit goal and am now 6 under goal (well I was until this weekend). If we weren't powerless over food, none of us would be on this forum. Luckily for me, holidays are really the only time that there is junk food in the house. The good thing is that 30 minutes on the elliptical burns almost 400 calories, I usually do 40 minutes. One extra day at the gym eliminates 12 of those little Reece's eggs. Not so bad when you do the math.

they gave me loratab, a liquid pain med. went down easy, made me feel better. I didn't have to take any after my 2nd night home. (3rd night after surgery)

I am also from So Cal (Ontario) 10 months post op. My wife is also a sleever, 4 weeks post op. Already on the list for the May7 get together.

My Dr specifically told me no high calorie coffee drinks. I probably do drink too much regular coffee for my own good. I take it no sweetner with either 2% milk or my indulgence of half and half. Empty calories from drinks have been out of my life for a very very long time. Well except for the whiskey and bourbon. They haven't come up with low calorie Jack Daniel's or Maker's Mark yet. Some bad habits simply can't be totally overcome.

They shaved mine, looked really funky. About a week or two out so I took out the clippers and clipped the rest of my chest to match. I decided to keep it that way in spite of my wife's initial negative response to it. A couple of months later she told me I need to trim it up because my chest hair tickled her nose. I guess she wound up liking it. Never too old to " manscape" I guess.

I should have remembered the post as pre-op, hence limited carbs. Post op is a whole different world.

I was also told never to have carbonated drinks. Lucky for me, no one told me no caffeine. I even asked about coffee because I am a shift worker. I was told as long as it isn't a 500 calorie latte I was fine. The truth is, after 10+ months of no diet coke, I have no desire for it. I would drink 6-12 cans a day. not to mention going out and swilling down 4 or 5 giant cups. I have tried a sip every now and then and it tastes terrible. I think just getting away from the carbonation and the artificial sweeteners alone are a big benefit. It never ceases to amaze me how every Dr has his own idea of what requirements should be.

I am a recent greek yogurt fan. My sister tried to get me to try the plain about a year ago and it was just nasty to me. To me all the difference is the fruit. I really like the strawberry and the blueberry varieties. The two that I think taste the best are Chobani and Dannon. I have also found some new protein powder, Isopure zero carb strawberry. I serving size is 2 scoops has 50g of whey isolate protein and 210 calories. I use one scoop for half of that mixed with 2/4 cup of 2% milk gives an addtional 6 grams of protein. I blend it with ice for an awesome 31g protein shake with right at 200 calories. That is a lot of bang for 200 calories.

First of all, congrats on sticking to your decision. Citing your health as the main reason kind of says it all. Looking back, I had my last meal the evening of my 2 week pre-op Dr's visit. My liquid diet started the following morning. I had a crappy Burger King meal that I didn't finish, At the end was disappointed that I didn't opt for something of a more fitting end to my lifetime of excessiveness. From my present perspective, the last meal is the end of your old life. Your new life is going to be so much better. A last meal is the bridge to a new life of deprivation. The truth is, you won't really feel deprived. The way I feel now the last meal didn't matter one bit. My new healthy life, free of medication and struggling with physical limitations is gone. The truth is, it won't matter in 6 months one way or another. Follow your Dr's instructions, he is the professional. Good Luck!

Any of you guys on Blood Pressure meds prior to weight loss? I went on them for about 8 months prior to my surgery. That seemed to diminish the morning wood and keep things from their full potential. I was glad to see things return to normal shortly after surgery and no more meds. BTW, I am 2 weeks shy of 49, I am just glad at my age, I still have it.

I read this post a couple of days ago and it made me think. (I must have a pretty mundane life) Now that I am in size medium or small underwear, I have quite a few that are fly-less. It is a lot easier to unbuckle and go over the fence than to try to reach in and grab it through the leg hole or over the top. Also, I don't like really loose jeans so if the drawers don't have a fly, there isn't a lot of reaching room inside my pants.

How far out from surgery you are what percentage have you lost? 10 months out, started at 299.7, now at 196. Dr's goal goal was 200. new goal might be 190 want 15-18% body fat. 85 -104% depending on how you look at it How many times a day are you eating? 4-6, 3 real meals and 1-3 Snacks. . What is the amount of normal food (non liquid) you are now able to get down? approx 1 cup What kind of supplements are you taking? Types and Brands Trader Joe's chew able Multi Vitamins 2 a day, Trader Joe's sub-lingual B12 with folate, Vitamin shop liquid Vitamin D 5000 units, Kirkland Calcium citrate 1000 units, fish oil 1000 units How much Protein are you supposed to be getting and how much are you actually getting in daily and what are your sources of protein (brands of shakes etc), 60-70 grams, mostly lean meat but I do supplement a premier Protein shake (30g) or a Protein Bar daily. How much Water you are actually getting down each day at least 48 oz, I know it is low but I break the rules sometimes and drink coffee and energy drinks. What is your exercise routine, type of exercise, and how often 3-4x a week. 40 minutes or more hard cardio Followed by weights. How is your energy level? Through the roof (for an old guy)

Remember, no aspirin or ibuprofen a week before surgery. Feel better.

Ditto to what Shontel said about the first 2 months being the hardest. For me, more mentally than physically. You will have stalls and even gains. The important thing is you get on track and back to basics when you encounter those. Protein intake, exercise and following your diet are key. When you approach goal, you need to be ready for your weight loss to slow to a crawl. The rewards so far outwiegh any negatives. I wish you the best of luck!

One thing I forgot, keep an eye on your urine color, as long as it isn't dark, you should be OK as far as fluid intake(if everything is working OK). Concentrated urine is s a sure sigh you are dehydrating and need to up your fluids. This is just a rule of thumb and there are other factors and I am not a medical professional.

You are only 4 weeks out, 800 calories seems like a lot to try to get in. I remember meeting with my dietitian at 4 weeks out and her telling me that in another month or so I should be eating 1200 calories. I didn't think I would ever get there. I am a newbie to the forum but am 10 months post-op and under my Dr's goal. For me stalls came for 2 reasons, not enough protein or not enough exercise. OK, there was a third over holidays called Christmas Cookies but I wont go there. I stalled at 4 or 5 weeks for a couple of weeks then rebounded and lost 30-40 more in the next 2 months. after that, things slowed down but my bmi was shrinking and I was getting closer to goal. It is all relevant so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Follow the plan, get your 64 oz of water and 60g of protein, you will succeed. Walk every day if you can, if you can't , walk as often as you can. And most of all take it easy on yourself!

Hello all. I am a 10 month (June 9, 2010) post-op sleever living in Southern California. My start weight was 299.7, currently I am 4 lbs below my Dr's goal of 200 at 196. Feeling great and can't imagine living the old life complete with diabetes and high blood pressure. I stumbled on this site researching medic alert bracelets for VSG patients.

Thanks, I have yet to attend a support group. I work a really messed up schedule and can finally make my first one from my surgeon in Orange a week from Tuesday. I'll hit you up for the info on the Riverside meeting.

What is it about peanut butter? It is the only thing I really crave post surgery. I guess it could be worse, I could be craving Ben and Jerry's NY super fudge chunk.

I am also a huge fan of the bagel thins, especially the everything ones. I even eat them with a little peanut butter. I find them now my go to bread. If I get a fresh bagel, I slice the top and bottom off and throw the middle away. BTW, I toast everything.