meggiep

I am limited to 1/4 cup at every "meal" and can usually but not always, eat it all. I make sure to wait at least two hours in between every 1/4 cup and also definitely wait 1/2 an hour to drink after. I have never seen this be anything but an absolute rule as it pushes your food through to fast . I also set my phone timer for every 10 minutes and drink so that I don't fall behind.
It is important to work on getting that Protein so that your body does not turn to your muscle to burn instead of your fat. That is another reason low carbs is important. Finding a Protein drink you can drink once a day is pretty key and I myself find I can manage one if I mix two scoops of chocolate with a cup of Decaf and ice and blend. The Unjuy chicken Soup has also been a lifesaver - savory and really just lie broth to me- I do add 12 ounces of Water instead of 8 or it is just too salty.
Certainly you will lose when you are eating so little but eventually your body will go ointo starvatio mode and stop losing and this is the time to get theprinciples like protein and Water in place. For the first couple of weeks it is not so important but certainly once you are a month out those goals should be met for the best results in the longterm.
The acid inhibitor can really help!
Good luck- I feel for you who are having problems. I kind of grouse about my 32f bougie because my capacity is SO small but I get my protein and water every day without fail.

So far I haven't had a single gain so could not answer. I am early out though....

I just read this whole thread and boy have things changed since my rosy post in the third month after surgery.
I am now a year and almost a month out- and I am 2 pounds under my goal weight, or at any rate my doctor's goal, which was 162- a normal BMI. I myself am playing with the idea of aiming for 155, not quite sure why other than the fact these last few pounds have finally been coming from my belly- the place I most want it to go away ;-P,
Back at the beginning, when I first posted, I had never gained. Not true now! I definitely fluctuate normally up a pound or so . When I say normally, this is besides the times when I embark on what I can only describe as lost weekends, lost weeks even. That kind of binge eating still bedevils me and I have gained as many as 8 pounds in 12 days. Luckily as soon as I eat clean for a few days the weight leaves, probably because it is mostly Water weight as one of my favorite binge foods is buttered movie popcorn which we get free from our son the manager at a movie theater.
I continue to work hard on my emotional issues to do with food- somehow I still tend to do things as "on" or "off" the plan and I really want to stop doing that! I want to be able to live life, have a treat here or there, and not be feast or famine. However, I have finally gotten that I am best served emotionally and physically, by not eating processed sugar and having that be the only rule now that I am essentially in maintenance. I allow myself everything else, and when I do that I maintain and do not feel deprived on a basic level. It feels like being a normal person. It is what I need to do.
I will admit that I do not like this fact. I had hoped to could get to the point of popping a cinnamon bear or two before Zumba, for example, without it springboarding me to downing a large amount of slider ice cream, chocolate, etc. And that just is not the case for me . I do occasionally rail against the unfairness of it all.
What helps me be ok with it? I never in my adult life have ever been smaller than size 16. I was size 24-26 when I started this journey and my goal was to be size 16 again if I possibly could.Right now people I am a freaking size EIGHT! I work out a TON, and so I now am very fit, I have long toned legs that I love after hating my legs my whole life. I love being in this body and having gone from being told I would soon be in a wheelchair and not being able to do anything but deep water classes to rocking 11 Zumba classes a week, walking three miles a day with my husband and our dog, and basically being a fit active attractive alive woman.
Yes, I too sometimes moan about having to sort of but not exactly diet the rest of my life. My sleeve, Thumblina, is a great tool but is not perfect as she allow too many slider foods of exactly the wrong kind. But in the end, yes, I totally love my sleeve.
By the way- I cannot stress enough the importance in my life of support. I belong to several Facebook groups that are so important to my success that I can hardly even articulate it! One of them does challenges every other month, and was directly responsible for me getting to goal. One of them is aimed at emotional work, getting to the bottom of why we became obese and how we can change the things we do to sabotage ourselves. Some of the people I have met in this way are in my heart forever.

My doctor is wonderful- he has been doing lap surgeries for 9 or 10 years, and worked with the originator of the sleeve in New York.
He works with Palo Alto Medical Foundation doing surgeries at Sequoia and Stanford,
PAMF takes all kinds of insurance..
His web page:
Dr. John Feng

I read this with interest as I reached goal eight weeks ago and now of course am hyper critical of the small areas I wish would be different ;-P
I have been lucky in that I have some pouchy skin at belly and midriff, and some bat wings, but not much else. Considering the 120 pounds lost I feel fortunate! I also have worked out, and continue to work out, a LOT. I think that has been a major factor in keeping the loose skin at bay. Certainly at my age, 59 next week, elasticity is supposed to be much worse.
The one thing i noted is that it is almost impossible to follow the suggestion to not lose too quickly as by nature WLS causes a much more rapid weight loss. I think that is why we are all particularly susceptible to this issue.
I will give a scrub a go just to see if it helps. I do know that as I have always gotten at least 64 ounces of Water in, and for the last few months 96-128, my skin is very soft and feels good for the most part. I get my Protein, work out a TON, and use sunscreen.
I have hopes that six months from now some of this will be better! I can't afford surgery.
I would love it if everyone was to weigh in with their results in trying some of these things...
The other thing of note is that I never thought I would be one to even care about a little loose skin as I have never been particularly vain in that way. But lo and behold, now that I look good and feel so good and wear a size 8 I do care in a new way. It makes me laugh at myself.

Now of course I mean each morning- not at night! I think because I am post menopause I don't face the TOM weight gain either.
I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

I am thinking maybe there will be at least some closer to me so we could also have a meetup- I wold be fine going to Fremont or another place across the bay if necessary but my nerve pain in my back does not allow a really long drive like Sacto ;-(
In any case I'd love everyone to tell where they are from!

Now of course I mean each morning- not at night! I think because I am post menopause I don't face the TOM weight gain either.
I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

So far I haven't had a single gain so could not answer. I am early out though....

So far I haven't had a single gain so could not answer. I am early out though....

So far I haven't had a single gain so could not answer. I am early out though....

Now of course I mean each morning- not at night! I think because I am post menopause I don't face the TOM weight gain either.
I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

She actually does NOT have cancer- that was the rumor that went around . She never confirmed it and if you really look on Google you will see she denied it totally and just says she had surgery that will add years to her life. The cancer thing took wings when she started losing so much weight after being in the hospital! I think it is pretty lame that she wont say what the truth is- she admits surgery that helped her health , denies the bypass, and wont say more. I am guessing lap band as well. She could do so much for people with morbid obesity. To deny it implies shame. Bummer.

HI everyone,
I am on the search for this as I think having stuff you like can make a huge difference!
My doctor has an e-sales area on his site and I would love to know if this seems like a good deal or not I am just starting out looking around but if his stuff is good and if it's reasonably priced I would love to get it through him.
It actually is the Bariatric Advantage stuff- I would love feedback about it.
If anyone in Northern CA is looking for a great doctor - Dr. John Feng
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Post Op Kit
Contains:
2 - Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacements (35 servings each)
(21 days/3 meals per day = 3 TUBs)
1 - Bariatric Advantage® Multi-Form Chew Orange (180 count bottle)
(2 tablets per day= 1 bottle)
1 - Bariatric Advantage® chewable Iron (60mg) - Passion fruit (90 count bottle)
(1 tablet per day= 1 bottle)
1 - Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate Lozenges w/ Vit. D. - 500mg (270 count bottle)
(3 tablets per day= 1 bottle)
$ 215.25

I just read this whole thread and boy have things changed since my rosy post in the third month after surgery.
I am now a year and almost a month out- and I am 2 pounds under my goal weight, or at any rate my doctor's goal, which was 162- a normal BMI. I myself am playing with the idea of aiming for 155, not quite sure why other than the fact these last few pounds have finally been coming from my belly- the place I most want it to go away ;-P,
Back at the beginning, when I first posted, I had never gained. Not true now! I definitely fluctuate normally up a pound or so . When I say normally, this is besides the times when I embark on what I can only describe as lost weekends, lost weeks even. That kind of binge eating still bedevils me and I have gained as many as 8 pounds in 12 days. Luckily as soon as I eat clean for a few days the weight leaves, probably because it is mostly Water weight as one of my favorite binge foods is buttered movie popcorn which we get free from our son the manager at a movie theater.
I continue to work hard on my emotional issues to do with food- somehow I still tend to do things as "on" or "off" the plan and I really want to stop doing that! I want to be able to live life, have a treat here or there, and not be feast or famine. However, I have finally gotten that I am best served emotionally and physically, by not eating processed sugar and having that be the only rule now that I am essentially in maintenance. I allow myself everything else, and when I do that I maintain and do not feel deprived on a basic level. It feels like being a normal person. It is what I need to do.
I will admit that I do not like this fact. I had hoped to could get to the point of popping a cinnamon bear or two before Zumba, for example, without it springboarding me to downing a large amount of slider ice cream, chocolate, etc. And that just is not the case for me . I do occasionally rail against the unfairness of it all.
What helps me be ok with it? I never in my adult life have ever been smaller than size 16. I was size 24-26 when I started this journey and my goal was to be size 16 again if I possibly could.Right now people I am a freaking size EIGHT! I work out a TON, and so I now am very fit, I have long toned legs that I love after hating my legs my whole life. I love being in this body and having gone from being told I would soon be in a wheelchair and not being able to do anything but deep water classes to rocking 11 Zumba classes a week, walking three miles a day with my husband and our dog, and basically being a fit active attractive alive woman.
Yes, I too sometimes moan about having to sort of but not exactly diet the rest of my life. My sleeve, Thumblina, is a great tool but is not perfect as she allow too many slider foods of exactly the wrong kind. But in the end, yes, I totally love my sleeve.
By the way- I cannot stress enough the importance in my life of support. I belong to several Facebook groups that are so important to my success that I can hardly even articulate it! One of them does challenges every other month, and was directly responsible for me getting to goal. One of them is aimed at emotional work, getting to the bottom of why we became obese and how we can change the things we do to sabotage ourselves. Some of the people I have met in this way are in my heart forever.

47? Young 'un! I am 58 too and though I have been somewhat blessed with much less loose skin than many, I am bugged by the skin that I do have on the tummy not to mention the droopy boob situation. If I ever can afford it I will most definitely deal with both- and this kinda blows my mind because if you asked me this last year when I had surgery I would have said NO WAY. Now that I am at goal and loving how toned most of me is, the part that isnt is just not making Meggie happy! In addition, my legs and hips are so much smaller than my stomach that it keeps me in a bigger size and then the leg and butt of pants are saggy. URK! Yep girl- DO IT!

I just read this whole thread and boy have things changed since my rosy post in the third month after surgery.
I am now a year and almost a month out- and I am 2 pounds under my goal weight, or at any rate my doctor's goal, which was 162- a normal BMI. I myself am playing with the idea of aiming for 155, not quite sure why other than the fact these last few pounds have finally been coming from my belly- the place I most want it to go away ;-P,
Back at the beginning, when I first posted, I had never gained. Not true now! I definitely fluctuate normally up a pound or so . When I say normally, this is besides the times when I embark on what I can only describe as lost weekends, lost weeks even. That kind of binge eating still bedevils me and I have gained as many as 8 pounds in 12 days. Luckily as soon as I eat clean for a few days the weight leaves, probably because it is mostly Water weight as one of my favorite binge foods is buttered movie popcorn which we get free from our son the manager at a movie theater.
I continue to work hard on my emotional issues to do with food- somehow I still tend to do things as "on" or "off" the plan and I really want to stop doing that! I want to be able to live life, have a treat here or there, and not be feast or famine. However, I have finally gotten that I am best served emotionally and physically, by not eating processed sugar and having that be the only rule now that I am essentially in maintenance. I allow myself everything else, and when I do that I maintain and do not feel deprived on a basic level. It feels like being a normal person. It is what I need to do.
I will admit that I do not like this fact. I had hoped to could get to the point of popping a cinnamon bear or two before Zumba, for example, without it springboarding me to downing a large amount of slider ice cream, chocolate, etc. And that just is not the case for me . I do occasionally rail against the unfairness of it all.
What helps me be ok with it? I never in my adult life have ever been smaller than size 16. I was size 24-26 when I started this journey and my goal was to be size 16 again if I possibly could.Right now people I am a freaking size EIGHT! I work out a TON, and so I now am very fit, I have long toned legs that I love after hating my legs my whole life. I love being in this body and having gone from being told I would soon be in a wheelchair and not being able to do anything but deep water classes to rocking 11 Zumba classes a week, walking three miles a day with my husband and our dog, and basically being a fit active attractive alive woman.
Yes, I too sometimes moan about having to sort of but not exactly diet the rest of my life. My sleeve, Thumblina, is a great tool but is not perfect as she allow too many slider foods of exactly the wrong kind. But in the end, yes, I totally love my sleeve.
By the way- I cannot stress enough the importance in my life of support. I belong to several Facebook groups that are so important to my success that I can hardly even articulate it! One of them does challenges every other month, and was directly responsible for me getting to goal. One of them is aimed at emotional work, getting to the bottom of why we became obese and how we can change the things we do to sabotage ourselves. Some of the people I have met in this way are in my heart forever.

Hey there!
I had the VSG on May 9th 2011 and m in maintenance now for almost a year. Having watched You Tubes avidly during my preparation (and now too) I started a video record of journey pre-op that continues to today. I received an email from someone who found me and thanked me for making them as I helped support and guide her as she prepared. I realised that I have forgotten what a great source of help it can be and decided to return here, the place that also fed me my support and inspiration back then, to give the link to anyone who might need my help!
Know that I am happy to answer questions personally and that no question is silly, and also there are never too many in a day. I am mentoring someone through surgery locally and sometimes hear from her ten times a day.
The VSG is the best thing I ever did besides having my son and marrying my current husband lol.
I have been to the edge of the regain abyss and back too, and that can be a source of support.
Good luck to all of you about to embark on this journey!
http://www.youtube.c...ser/meggieprice

Hey there!
I had the VSG on May 9th 2011 and m in maintenance now for almost a year. Having watched You Tubes avidly during my preparation (and now too) I started a video record of journey pre-op that continues to today. I received an email from someone who found me and thanked me for making them as I helped support and guide her as she prepared. I realised that I have forgotten what a great source of help it can be and decided to return here, the place that also fed me my support and inspiration back then, to give the link to anyone who might need my help!
Know that I am happy to answer questions personally and that no question is silly, and also there are never too many in a day. I am mentoring someone through surgery locally and sometimes hear from her ten times a day.
The VSG is the best thing I ever did besides having my son and marrying my current husband lol.
I have been to the edge of the regain abyss and back too, and that can be a source of support.
Good luck to all of you about to embark on this journey!
http://www.youtube.c...ser/meggieprice

Hey there!
I had the VSG on May 9th 2011 and m in maintenance now for almost a year. Having watched You Tubes avidly during my preparation (and now too) I started a video record of journey pre-op that continues to today. I received an email from someone who found me and thanked me for making them as I helped support and guide her as she prepared. I realised that I have forgotten what a great source of help it can be and decided to return here, the place that also fed me my support and inspiration back then, to give the link to anyone who might need my help!
Know that I am happy to answer questions personally and that no question is silly, and also there are never too many in a day. I am mentoring someone through surgery locally and sometimes hear from her ten times a day.
The VSG is the best thing I ever did besides having my son and marrying my current husband lol.
I have been to the edge of the regain abyss and back too, and that can be a source of support.
Good luck to all of you about to embark on this journey!
http://www.youtube.c...ser/meggieprice

You are totally right- all of these procedures have complications! I think I am resopnding to a few posts I saw saying the plication was reversible.
I just wanted to state what my doctor said- feeling tender about my WLS brothers and sisters here and not wanting to imply anything about the choices that have been made, yet wanting to have it be known what the response was to my question. I was actually very surprised by his answer- from what I had read plication seemed like an ideal thing, perhaps the next new best choice. He made it very clear he was concerned about many issues.
Best of luck and light and love to you! I look forward to seeing your great results on your journey.

I asked my doctor about the pication. He is one of the best WLS surgeons in our area, and has been doing the sleeve for a long time- worked with the surgeon who developed it. He will NOT be doing the plication- he believes the problem with lack of blood flow will be common and these complications are the tip of the iceberg.
I am not wanting to be a Debbie Downer, I am just relating what my doctor said. I had been very interested in the plication, as of course it seemed attractive to keep the rest of your stomach and reverse it when you reach your goal. Once he told me his feelings, along with some of the complications I have seen, I decided full heartedly on the sleeve.
I also wonder, considering the fact for many of us surgery is the last resort after trying everything, if reversible surgery will mean lots of weight gain ultimately.

From my post in the thread a ways down below this one:
" Ok everyone here is what I came up with for the wonderful RIcotta Bake, so delish on purees or anytime I think! I could see adding a layer ofr ground turkey when I am on a fuller diet.
Anyway, this nutritional info based on using full fat ricotta cheese, regular parmesan (I used shredded from Costco) a large egg, and low fat mozzarella cheese, as well as my particular fave vodka/marinara sauce for the topping . It is also based on dividing the complete dish into six servings, which is about perfect for my 1/4 cup ability here at three weeks. So if you want to eat more, multiply my totals x 6 and divide it into the number of servings you want it to be.
Obviously if you use low fat cheese all the way around it will change. Like Eggface I prefer full fat for the most part though I don't mind low fat mozzarella I am all about the flavor!
I use Spark People to feed the ingredients in and create the recipe and then got the nutritional data- easy! Hope this helps anyone obsessed with having the right thing to log every day like me!
Serving = 1/6th pan
Amount per serving
Calories 160.7
Total fat 10.9 g
Cholesterol 74.0 mg
Sodium 335.8 mg
Potassium 74.0 mg
Total carbs 3.1 grams
dietary Fiber 0.3 grams
sugars 0.9 grams
Protein 11.5 gram "
Since them -I actually changed the recipe for me- half the parmesan, a 1/4 cup more mozzarella, and 4 ounces of ground beef under the Tomato sauce now that I eat meat. It is still my favorite go to Protein tasty meal.

I read this with interest as I reached goal eight weeks ago and now of course am hyper critical of the small areas I wish would be different ;-P
I have been lucky in that I have some pouchy skin at belly and midriff, and some bat wings, but not much else. Considering the 120 pounds lost I feel fortunate! I also have worked out, and continue to work out, a LOT. I think that has been a major factor in keeping the loose skin at bay. Certainly at my age, 59 next week, elasticity is supposed to be much worse.
The one thing i noted is that it is almost impossible to follow the suggestion to not lose too quickly as by nature WLS causes a much more rapid weight loss. I think that is why we are all particularly susceptible to this issue.
I will give a scrub a go just to see if it helps. I do know that as I have always gotten at least 64 ounces of Water in, and for the last few months 96-128, my skin is very soft and feels good for the most part. I get my Protein, work out a TON, and use sunscreen.
I have hopes that six months from now some of this will be better! I can't afford surgery.
I would love it if everyone was to weigh in with their results in trying some of these things...
The other thing of note is that I never thought I would be one to even care about a little loose skin as I have never been particularly vain in that way. But lo and behold, now that I look good and feel so good and wear a size 8 I do care in a new way. It makes me laugh at myself.

I have a total crush on Zumba! Before my sleeve I could only do Water classes- and then in November, six months out, I ventured to try Zumba. I loved it! I have to be careful as I have nerve damage in my back and knees. I don't jump, for example. I now do TWELVE classes a week!