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I don't think it is quite as important as you adjust but it can keep you craving carbs! Have you actually tried the Edy's sugar free? I normally do not like sugar free anything but the Edy's are delish! I would cut back on those if you can't deal with sugar free- you wont start the true losing process while you are stoking the fires with carbs. Good on getting the Protein though!

As fat cells are burned hormones pour out- so we are all in for up and down mood swings for months to come! My doctor warned us at our seminar- even people who have never been depressed are likely to experience it. I agree that walking and exercising is a great help It is hot here today too but we will walk by the bay where it is cooler . I agree it is tough with all the barbecues and stuff but next year you will be able to eat a little bit of everything- and you will be thin!

2 is good for us! xoxo

I can't believe it- after posting that....tonight I had my version of a dumping episode! I ate half a small ripe peach and a rip apricot....and within 10 minutes had terrible stomach pains and a bathroom experience that was not pleasant. I will absolutely hate it if this is going to happen every time I eat that- especially the apricot- our tree is just ripening and they are FABULOUS. Actually now I remember I had one yesterday with no issue! In any case my body needed to get rid of it, and fast. I did not eat the skin of either.

Aha! This makes sense! And I am actually happy to know I will eat more as I feel I am eating an unhealthily low amount. We have ripe apricots now on our tree- I would so love to eat more than 1 and 1/2!

I just thought of another question- do you get hungry? I do not- so I never "feel like lunch" or think crackers sound good...I have to make time to eat and make a point of it or I would go hours without eating. I will say cheese and crackers are a favorite so as soon as I am cleared for cheese (Monday) that will be on the menu- but this lack of hunger also keeps me on the low side with calories and carbs. I guess what I really mean is that in a way I am doing the same as you but my tiny sleeve Thumbelina and my lack of hunger have me eating very little. It worries me that this will bite me in the butt later. I know one time I will truly be testing what it means to eat by restriction only- I will be in Hawaii at the end of the month for 2 weeks and I do not plan to have any rules because I will be eating with my family. It will be interesting to see what happens!

I really do agree with you- mostly. I certainly don't want to get caught up in to that huge denial thing that gets paid back with interest, bigtime. I want to live life in a natural way, without the food devils. The thing I was trying to say though is that I do want to get my 60-80 grams of Protein and the probem is in trying to do that, plus some veggies and fruit- I just can't fit anything in! Today, for example, I started with my morning protein/coffee drink for 30 grams- then an hour later had a 1/4 cup of cottage cheese because I am crazy about it right now with a little dusting of hidden valley ranch powder- yumm...and I was stuffed after that... a couple of hours later after coming home from a long walk I had some chicken salad- again- couldn't even finish my 1/4 cup- when do I add the calories and carbs? Tonight I really wanted some cream of chicken Soup from our local Hofbrau- they have it on Saturdays- I stirred in half a scoop of Protein powder to help with that...and now it is 10pm and I have only had 490 calories and 17 carbs. It's really wacky having this tiny sleeve. When you look at a 1/4 cup measuring cup- well that is my world and there is just so much you can fit of anything! I don't deny myself- the main thing I strive for is my protein grams and my Water. I am thinking my sleeve will get more capacity eventually- that maybe judging by the state of affairs at 7 weeks out is not forever. Maybe? Edited to add- how do you manage to get 1000-1200 calories in? I can't do it!

One question dear Crosswind- do you count your Protein and Water? No reason for the question- just wondering... do you start with protein first? Or just kinda do what feels right at the moment? I guess I am more on the counting everything team because low carb WORKS for me- and is not a hardship. I haven't been hungry since my surgery and my sleeve is so tiny that if I start with protein I simply don't have room for much else! 1/4 cup is it for me, max. Though if you saw the account of my recent Lost Weekend you know that I do know how to do slider foods too! I know my sleeve will have more capacity and I guess I want to take advantage of that honeymoon period we hear about. That said I am not losing really fast- my body is doing its thing as it always has.

Kelly my friend Kim in New Zealand on You Tube does what she calls a Flappy Dance SHe is at 208 and when she gets to Onederland she promised to do a video FLappydance for me. Susan- we can do it! It is great to have a goal like your cruise. I think I need to set a short term goal as we are going to Kauai on 7/27 to photograph a family wedding and two family birthday parties- hmmm.... Maybe I will try for 220! Red Velvets together! We can support each other.

Ok so I feel a bit better about my 32 ;-P When I first started solid foods, pureed, I was a big whner- I can fit 1/4 cup max of food- never a bite more, and often less. I wasn't whining because I was left hungry , because I am never hungry. I just find it hard to get a lot of Protein in without a couple of Protein drinks a day...and it is hard to get a variet- protein, veggies, fruit, with so little in each meal. When advised to get more calories- it is TOUGH! However, I am pleased to think it will serve me well in the future!

I am almost jealous of you who do dump! When I had popcorn on my birthday- no problem- slid right down...ditto the ice cream I had, and the english toffee in one of the ice cream flavors. Also the 1/4 biscotti I ate. Maybe the fear is a good thing Kelly! At the same I need to know I can have anything- I don;t want to get too freaked out about this as it will remind me of too many diets I have been on.

Since I count my 18 i the two week pre-op diet you and I are at exactly the same 27 pounds! I am very happy with it- I have had two different week long no loss periods. When have I ever lost 27 pounds in seven weeks? Uh- that would be NEVER! I hope all my Red Velvet girls have seen the article about the chemistry of weight loss that I am always posting here- it really explains the way your body does things and reassures you that even when you show no loss on the scale you are losing. I know we all want to be the ones who lose 100 pounds in five months etc. but each of us will do what we do, our unique bodes do their unique thing.I just have to remind myself that I followed a low calorie diet in January for two months and lost SIX pounds- which I promptly gained back. I remember going briefly down to 272 when I had diarrhea and then bounced right back up and just could not get down there again. Now I am at 235- in nine weeks! I feel so blessed. I honestly feel that I have reurned to myself- my joy, my spark, my energy, my life. It is the best thing I ever did! I am in a challenge right now to get to Onederland by the end of summer and though that seems like it may be unlikely I like to have a REAL challenge! September 20th is the last day of summer so that gives me 80 days to lose 35 pounds ;-P Welll....maybe not but this I know- I WILL be at onederland because I am rocking my sleeve- getting my Protein, getting my Water, keeping my carbs low, working out- I will get there. Believe it! For yourselves- don't compare yourself to anyone else- you are the only wonderful you!

One thing have done is fall into a rut eating the same things a lot. Today at Costco I bought some new things to add- some turkey meatballs, some turkey burgers, some shrimp, and a chuck roast to crock pot! I have been having cottage cheese, chicken salad, and refried beans so much and I don't want to burn out on them. I LOVE making the Eggface ricotta bake with a layer of ground beef- I have some servings of that frozen to use as needed. I am planning to make her crustless quiches this week as I think that would be great to have on hand too.

Don't forget that when fat cells burn hormones pour out so even people who have never dealt with depression may need medication for a short while, while folks like me who have battled depression most of their lives may flare up anew. SIgh. On top of everything else!

Are we on for next Saturday? I have it in my plans so we should do it! I am really wanting some hug action with my No CA sleeve sistahs and brothas. I'm in!

Are we on? I have it on my calendar and am planning to hug you guys in person! What time, what place! I know Kelly needs a Mapquest to make sure she finds us so we need to finish planning. I thought maybe we could all bring Protein powder we don't want or need and exchange it. I also have two pound cans of Chike chocolate and strawberry I could sell for $30 each (huge deal!) as I ended up with a double order. Chike is tasty.

My husband was with me and waited on me hand and foot! To this day he brings me my first protein shake in the morning and a cooler with bottles of various things to drink to meet my fluid requirements. I think part of the reason I have been able to get all my protein and fluids since day five has been his support and help. Take help if you can get it!

I totally get what you are saying- I have had to get so good at reading what my body is saying! I have had a tough time figuring out when I am full - wish I had a hiccup like some do, or even a sneeze! I too have no hunger but I try to eat every 3 hours or so to keep my metabolism humming. It is so weird not being hungry! I can't decide if I have head hunger but I have those times of a kind of restlessness where I want to reach for something carb loaded just out of restlessness or boredom- but I love tat there is not real hunger- that saves me.

It is so great to hear from everyone! Wow Michelle- 75 pounds? TWO MONTHS? AMAZING!!!!!!! It i hard to believe it will be 8 weeks on Monday- it seems like it just happened- eh? I had my lost weekend for my birthday (I gave it its own thread!) so that stalled me for that week- but I am losing again this week and have now lost 45 pounds since starting my two week pre-op on April 25th. I really do consider that my start0 two weeks of liquids- a tough two weeks indeed! One funny thing I notice is that when I feel full I sometimes have the same guilt as when I ate too much in the past- then I realize that having a sleev that holds 1/4 cup max will keep you pretty much feeling full all the time! Yeah Kelly- you are 30 lbs from goal- everyone is slow so close to goal- you are doing great! I have only lost 27 since actual surgery date and I am 75 from goal! And hooray we get to hug in person next week!

There is a thread asking about what slider foods are....in addition to things that slide down like ice cream, pudding, Cookies, crackers...popcorn is a slider. I speak from unfortunate experience! On my birthday last Saturday I decided to allow myself for the weekend two of the things I steadfastly avoid- buttered movie popcorn from the theater where my son works, and ice cream We bought the four new flavors I had seen of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (for those who want to know ;-P- Bonnaroo Buzz- coffee and malt ice cream with a whiskey caramel swirl and english toffee, Red Velvet Cake- red velvet batter ice cream with chunks of red velvet and cream cheese icing swirl, Late Night Snack- vanilla bean ice cream with a salty caramel swirl and fudge covered potato chips, and Clusterfluff- Peanut Butter ice cream with a peanut butter swirl and a marshmallow swirl and with actual caramel corn in it... we have always loved trying their wacky new flavors) and I planned to have a few spoonfuls of each spread over two days. The popcorn was a huge eye opener! Thumbelina, my sleeve, is 1/4 cup in size. No matter how I try to wish her a leeeetle bit bigger- nope- 1/4 cup and sometimes not even that. So I figured I would feel the usual restriction with the popcorn- which I chewed very very well out of fear of the kernels swelling, etc. To my shock I could eat a LOT more than 1/4 cup. I learned what a slider food is in an almost disturbing way. I would eat some until I did feel a little restriction, wait half an hour, drink for a while, and then have some more. I would say I could easily eat 2 cups without feeling restriction. The ice cream was also like that but I knew better than to go to town on it.... I actually kept my calories quite low those two "lost" days...because I didn't eat any "real" food except the morning Protein shake my husband basically insisted I eat! I felt pretty crappy physically by the night of the second day....and even more than that I felt really unsettled emotionally at how easily those foods went down and how easy it was for me to spend a couple of days off the routine I have been to totally committed to for the six weeks before that. I truly felt I had lost my moorings, which I have discussed a bit on my latest VLOG. Honestly I was tripping on it- thinking my sleeve was totally stretched, my weight loss was over, blah blah blah drama queen drama queen drama queen! It was actually a relief to return to my clean eating, which I have had zero trouble doing the whole time, but which I worried I would not be able to do now. My concerns about craving carbs were alleviated immediately, and the first protein meal I had Thumbelina told me she is 1/4 cup still, thank you very much. I also ate 1/4 of a biscotti, something my husband and I used to love snacking on....and when you choose those puppies to powder they too slide right on down. I feel I learned a valuable lesson about some of the things I face as I move forward to goal and then to maintaining- and for now I am happily back on my plan eating 70 grams of protein a day, less than 40 grams of carbs, more than 2 liters of Water, and exercising every day. (We did go for long family walks on the lost weekend because that was what I love to do- we went out to the bay and walked the dog for an hour both days and so at least that didn't go down the tubes!) I lost 0.2 pounds last week so I probably had an effect from the sliders even though I kept calories low. Back on track, I have lost 2 pounds this week. WHEW! My sleeve still works :lol: For inquiring minds? Bonnaroo Buzz was surprisingly good- not too heavy on the whisky flavor, Red Velvet was the traditional cake, sweet but not chocolatey, Late Night Snack was a bit odd- probably perfect for TOM!, and Clusterfluff was quite good- you can't go wrong with peanut butter!

I do feel sometimes like I have taken a second job managing Thumbelina, my name for my sleeve! I just have to trust that it will get easier I post this article all the time because I think it is really reassuring and explains that you are losing weight during stalls- it is a natural chemical process when your body is rebuilding its glycogen store- I really recommend measuring yourself- I have never been one to do tha and did not do it until I was about three weeks along- and I am amazed at the inches I am losing- even, for example, last week when I lost ZERO. Last week, my sixt week, was my second week of 0 lost in my seven weeks, so you are not lone! As of today I have lost 45 pounds in the 9 weeks since my pre-op started . It will happen!!!!! Trust in the process and your tiny tummy. Really work on the Protein and the Water and know it will work. The article: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

Girl isn't it a mystery? I wish there was just a certain routine- and if you follow it- voila- the weight falls off. No such luck! One thing though- you have lost almost 80% of your excess weight! Though you lost much of it pre-surgery you are bound to slow down as you get closer to goal. Just do the principles as you know them and trust you will lose, even if a bit more slowly than you hoped- you are 30 odd pounds away from goal! I would love to be there! I just had a non losing week and the like you lost 2- go figure! Who knows why! I do think you should eat more, especially since you exercise every day. IMeanwhile PM me your address so I can do a Mapquest for you for next Saturday!

Are you a coffee drinker? I am able to tolerate my chocolate Protein powder mixed with 8 ounces of decaf and ice. I can hardly stand any others, though now that I can have things like banana and strawberries it can make some of the strawberry ones palatable. If you really can't make them work, you will need to really work to get food sources. Tofu is a great one- as are some of the other legumes. You are right to be concerned because getting the required amount is the lynchpin of making this surgery work for you and not losing muscle. My surgeon reiterated it again today at my 6 week appointment. The reason it is critical to find at least one drink you do like is that you don;t want to have to dedicate every bit of a meal to protein- you want to be able to get a variety of foods. I Have my coffee/choco protein in the morning and an Unjury chicken soup in the afternoon- with the 50 gams those provide i only need 20 from food and can have a few vegetables and fruits too. You have a lot to figure out! Good luck to you.

I had diarrhea for the first two weeks- my doc suggested diluting the Protein Drinks a bit more. It went away in week 3 (now the opposite!) So glad you are home!!!!

I would say the people who have the best results here follow the simple principles that most (not all of course) of use are given by our doctors. Mine are: 600-800 calories in the higher losing phase <= 40 carbs a day (many go for 30) daily exercise - i walk an hour a day and do Water aerobics- my knees can't handle everything at least 64 ounces water a day Vitamins Some people don't count carbs- for some low carbs does not work- you will need to figure out how YOUR body does best! It is best not to compare weight loss results- your body will do it the way your body will do it but if you follow the rules you WILL lose. As for loose skin- I think again that depends on your own physical makeup- some will bounce back quickly- others have lots of loose skin. For adding new foods, my doctor recommends you add one new food at a time and follow a process when you are first adding solids: take a bite, chew it very very well, swallow. wait 2 minutes- if it goes down well and feels ok take 2 bites- always chew very very well wait two minutes take three bites- chew very very well if this works well finish your portion. Chances are you may feel full already- which is in itself a learning thing. You will have to figure out when you are full if like most sleevers you do not have hunger to guide you! Good luck to all of you!!!