Ready2BHealthier

You look great - these photos keep me inspired!!!

Me too! I'm six months out and lost 86 lbs. but the scale hasn't really budged for about four weeks now (up one, down one). I just read all your posts and will drink more. I know I haven't been as good as I used to be with that. I also seem to be eating some more carbs than I used to - wonder if that is making that much of a difference. Small crackers here and there - nothing major...

Congratulations! That is great news!

I haven't lost 100 lbs. yet but am somewhat close. The hunger has not come back but I do find I am eating more than I did when I first had the surgery. Then, I was totally not hungry. Now, I do pick and graze more (bad habits die hard) but I also cannot eat as much as I once did so it is not as bad...

I haven't been sleeved yet, but hope to in early December. Here is my question. For those of you who have lost 100 plus pounds, or are more than a year out of surgery...are you hungry? Does your hunger slowly come back? Thanks for your insite : )

I've been having some fun too - not buying too much as I'm still losing, but it was fun to go into Old Navy and have a bunch of choices of what to buy!

All the best to you - this has been an awesome journey for me - almost five months out and no regrets!

Hi everyone!

I am sitting here in shocked surprise that I have a surgery date on Sept 27th. My initial consultation with my surgeon was on August 26th and I had my appointments with both the NUT and the Psychologist within 10 days. Everyone kept pointing out that I was being "fast tracked" but I had no idea it would be 30 days from start to finish! Talk about whirlwind LOL!

It's funny, I looked into WLS two years ago and decided that having Gastric Bypass was just not for me. I could not get past the malabsorption, long list of potential complications and giving up the NSAIDS that save my sanity in dealing with the arthritis in my lower back. Since then my co-morbidities have multiplied to include diabetes, and I have put on an additional 35 pounds; walking is no longer just a normal thing to do. I have more aches and pains than my 81 year old mother and I am only 49! I was surfing the net one day and found this forum, decided to ask for another referral from my primary for a bariatric consult...that was the end of July. Dr. Ali (UC Davis Center of Excellence) agreed that a bypass was out of the question because of the NSAID use and also having IBS; he said VSG was just what the doctor ordered LOL. I had the group meeting the second week of August and everything has fallen into place easily, almost too easily. I keep telling myself that it is because it was meant to be this time, that right now was my time to take charge and make the decision that will not only save my life but give me the quality of life I so desperately want. I don't care about being a size 7 again, I just want to get down on the floor with my grandson and not have to crawl over to a piece of furniture to pull my 260 lbs off the dang floor!

There are so many brave souls here...thanks for sharing, you are making me braver for all the positive support that you give each other.

Smiles!

At three weeks out, I was only on thick liquids. I had things like cream of chicken Soup, mushy tuna salad, cottage cheese, greek yogurt. I would not even think of anything with breading until a ways in. I have just started (at 4 months) trying to experiment with one nugget and I scrape most of the breading off. If you eat too little, your body will think it is in starvation mode and will not work with you. What I would try to do is have three meals a day. For example, breakfast have a soft scrambled egg - a bit later have a Protein drink (Atkins or Muscle Milk light) - lunch have some cream Soup (chicken, Tomato, mushroom). Be sure to drink Water in between. For dinner have some cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna - something like that and if you are still hungry, have another Protein Drink. I would eat canned fruit only in its own juice (not with light syrup). Watch the smoothies as the skins from the fruit can bother you early on. You have to start being really careful now and get into the habit of thinking about every thing before you eat it. You will do fine, just watch carefully what you eat.

I WANT TO KNOW IF I AM GOING TO GAIN WAIT???, BECAUSE IN THE MORNING I DONT DO BREAKFAST ONLY A BOILED EGG, BECAUSE I WORK AND DONT HAVE TIME, THEN I EAT chicken meat DONE AT MY OVEN, AND MASH POTATOES DONE BY ME AND I EAT THIS TWICE A DAY... WHEN I EAT THIS THINGS I DONT KNOW WHEE I GET FULL SO I VOMIT A LITTLE BIT, I USED TO EAT AND DRINK SO IS DIFFICULT FOR ME NOT TO DO IT NOW, THEN I EAT CANNED FRUIT WITH LIGHT Syrup BUT IT SAYS NO SUGAR ADDED AND I AM AFRAID TO GAIN WEIGHT BUT IS THE ONLY WAY I GET FULL CAUSE I AM ALWAYS HUNGRY, I DRINK A LOT OF Water TRY NOT TO DRINK juice OF ANY KIND, I AM ONLY 3 WEEKS POST-OP AND EVEN DO THE FIRST TWO WEEKS I LOST 17LBS I DONT WANT TO GET ON THE scale AND SEE THAT I GAINED WEIGHT, SO I AM TRYING NOT TO EAT NOTHING,TODAY I HAD TO EAT SOME NUGGETS FROM MCDONALS AND A REAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE DID I DID WRONG I DID IT BECAUSE I DINT EAT ANYTHING ALL DAY AND I ALMOST PAST OUT..... ALSO I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE MILK I NEED SUGGESTIONS...I TRY TO TALK TO MY NUT. BUT SHE NEVER ANSWERES, I NEED HELP AM I DOING MY THINGS RIGHT, AM I EATING TOO MUCH?? AM I EATING TOO LITTLE FOR SOME REASON I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SEE LOOSING WEIGHT BUT IF FEEL I'M NOT, THEN I EAT ALL THE TIME TOO, IS NOT LEA meat IS CHICKEN LIKE CHICKENWINGS IN THE OVEN HELPPPPP PLEASEEE!!

I am four months out and have lost 75 lbs. I hope to lose 160 in total so am close to half-way there. I know the loss slows down after the initial few months so I am also concerned I won't hit my goal. My NP said that I won't lose much after the first year and I had better start exercising so I don't get upset with myself at the year mark that I could have done more. I just got the Leslie Sansone walking video and will try that this weekend.

Ginabill, I had my surgery and could have driven two days later if need be. I tried to take it easy for my own healing as I have a tendency to rush things, but really felt fine. My suggestion would be to start walking as soon as you get back to your hospital room. I was up and walking a few hours after surgery - up and down the halls. I never had that pain in my shoulder or neck from the gas and was able to get around fine...

I think I've been okay with them - they seem to do the trick - I need a little crunch here and there texture-wise. I have a few Wheat Thins each day. I don't have bread every day - probably only 2x per week and then it's a slice of ww toast or 1/2 english muffin (ww also). I have been totally away from rice, Pasta and the like. I've had some pierogies also - just keeping the portion down. I seem to be losing okay so I'm guessing it is okay...

Hi!

I am curious how the carbs are for you? I have not yet had any bread, rolls or buns....havent touched them cause of the unnecessary calories & carbs.... a grilled cheese sandwich sounds wonderful and english muffin with Peanut Butter... OMG.... but the carb issue is a concern, I have really been trying to stay away from the carbs... ugh.... dont they leave you wanting more?

Wow! Congrats - you are a role model!

I am proud and excited to say that as July 18th I have officially joined the 2 century club! I am now down 204lbs since the start of this journey. I still can not believe it's gone as well as it has. I thank God for the success he has allowed me to see with this process.

For the first time in at least 23 years I am under 300lbs. This takes me back to my early days in high school. I have never been at my current weight as an adult. I still keep expecting to wake up from this dream and find myself still carrying around nearly 500lbs of mass.

For all those that have 200+ to lose and question if it can happen for them let me tell you it can and will. I started this journey at 492 lbs with a BMI of 72ish. If I can do it, so can you.

I'm between 3 and 4 months out - don't do much of the Protein bars/shakes - only if I'm really stuck do I use those as a backup. I've been trying to do 'real food' which does give some more variety. Not sure if that's good or not, but I think I'd get bored quickly with the same few things. Some ideas on what I've been eating...

- 1/2 toasted english muffin with Peanut Butter

- scrambled egg with one slice of bacon each morning (sometimes with veggies in it)

- slice of meatloaf with mashed potatoes or creamed spinach

- turkey meatballs

- lox (smoked salmon) with some crackers

- cheese and wheat thins

- grilled cheese on whole wheat

- 1/2 burger (or small slider) on toasted bun with some ketchup

- sliced turkey rolled up with some cheese

- wheat thins with peanut butter

- grilled chicken thighs with lemon pepper seasoning

There are some other things but these are the ones I have most often... hope this helps.

Hi,

I am at 7 months out and am dealing with food issues - "head hunger" ... I feel like I am in a rut with my food choices and would like input or advise from others.

I keep my calories between 1000 - 1200 and carbs under 45....

My meals are all pretty much the same, my tummy cant handle much in the morning so I do an EAS low carb premix shake, mid morning snack Atkins Peanut Butter protien bar. Lunch: 1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese and 1/4 cup of either chunk chicken or imitation seafood. afternoon snack - beef jerkey or protien bar evening dinner is either a salad or 1/2 cup of chicken/turkey/seafood. SF popcycles & SF fudgecycles are a staple at night! I rely heavily on crystal light and flavored Water.. some days I get more than 64 oz and some days if I am super busy at work I struggle to get my Water intake in.... I know I need to work on making sure I have my 64+ Fluid a day.

Any advise from others that could help me along more? I cant do yogart...just cant get past any of the tastes and cheese has a bad effect on me!

Thanks for any advise you can offer...

I'm new to this board too - had my surgery on April 26 of this year. Down about 67 lbs. of the 160 I'm hoping to lose. So far it has been pretty simple. The weight loss does slow down eventually but I need to kick up the exercise - am really bad with that. Looking forward to seeing how we all do together

Hello, I am new here. I have been researching WLS for a couple of years and I am finnally going for it. I have gotten the referal from my doc. I have had the blood tests and appt that are required from my insurance. (chess xrays, ekgs ect.). I have my first appointment with my surgeon on the 13th of July. I am very excited. I would like to lose 150 lbs. Currently 315ish and would like to get down to 165.

I am having a hard time getting the PSYCH to sign me off. I had marriage issues in January and she does not believe that enough time has passed for me to go through such a change. The marriage is doing fine and is back on the right track, if not better. I have made another appoinment with another doc. My cousin told me not to tell the truth and just to tell them what they want to hear.

I do not want this hanging over me. I feel like I am being punished because I got help when I needed it. (Military spouse, and the miliatry looks down on mental health still)

My hair started falling out a few weeks ago (around 3 months). I figured it was coming but was worried about cutting it into a better style because the thought of removing more hair on my own seemed crazy! But, I went yesterday and got a more 'shaggy' cut so the layers are shorter. It has seemed to slow down after the first two weeks also. I take my Vitamins each day - think my body is just in shock as some of you have noted. Hoping it will continue to slow down and level off soon. My nutritionist said it's common but she's never seen anyone lose all their hair...

I had this twice and stopped eating and taking my Vitamins too close to bedtime. I moved my vitamins to after bfast and lunch and no longer eat anything an hour before bedtime. No problems ever since... The two times it happened to me were awful - I had never experienced it before and then I couldn't stop coughing either.... Hope this helps

Breakfast - one egg

Dunkin Donuts sugar free peach iced tea

lunch - one mini cheeseburger (no bun) and 2 oz applesauce

A sugar-free Apple-Cherry Slushie (from 7-11)

Snack - 3 oz. Chex mix

dinner - 1/2 cup of sauteed baby scallops and shrimp, 3 mini cheese & potato pierogi

I have been having Peanut Butter on melba toast rounds about 3-4 times per week to try to get some Protein in. I've still been losing pretty well so I don't think it's impacting me too much. I went for my ten week follow-up today and the nurse practitioner told me to watch the calories in the Peanut Butter also. I know the Peter Pan Whipped has the lowest calories of the commercial brands.

My nut said peanut butter was a bad idea because it is so high in fat - but it seems like such a good source of protein!

Anyone had alternative advice regarding peanut butter or nuts in general?

Okay...here is my day...

B - One egg

S - Babybel Light cheese

L - Bourbon chicken from the mall (had three forkfuls)

S - Chex Cheddar mix

D - Some leftover Bourbon chicken, a few pieces of diced avocado with vinegarette dressing, the insides of one potato blintz

S - A Weight Watchers 1 point ice cream bar

Vitamins and probably about 20 oz Crystal Light, 12 oz Arizona Diet Iced Tea and about 12 oz Snapple Diet Raspberry Iced Tea...

I thought I would start the thread for today!

B- Boiled egg- only the whites and one turkey sausage link

S- Pure Protein Chewy chocolate Chip bar

L- 2 Homestyle turkey meatballs

S- Beef Jerky

D- 2 oz baked chicken thigh

I am 7 weeks out today and doing my best to eat 500-600 calories a day.

Kelly

Good luck to you! I had my surgery on April 26, 2011 here in NJ. No pre-diet required for me so my top weight was my surgery weight. I have now lost 47 lbs. - today was nine weeks from surgery. I also did a lot of research and have no regrets thus far. I really had no pain, no major issues. I'm now on regular foods - trying different things to see what works. I still cannot eat very much and am not all that hungry. I am trying to keep my Protein going and need to start getting some more exercise. Feel free to ask questions - lots of people here have answers and ideas

Hi everyone! I have been overweight my entire life and have thought about having weight loss surgery many times throughout the years but my insurance didn't cover it. I then found out that United Healthcare started covering WLS again and I decided that it was time to make a major change in my life. Years of weight loss and gain can finally come to an end. I became sleeved on June 22, 2011 in Baton Rouge. I wasn't a good candidate for the Band because of GERD and I felt the bypass was just too much of a risk for me. So I decided on the Sleeve. A lot of research went in to my final decision and I feel I have made the right choice. I began the process back in March of this year and it felt like the never ending journey with all of the appointments, tests, procedures, sometimes 3 or 4 a day, and then finally came the approval. YES! My highest recorded weight was 345 pounds and my weight at the start of my journey was 280 pounds. I began the diet my nutritionist put me on in late April and I was 258 pounds on the day of surgery. I weighed today and I am now at 245 pounds. I have a long way to go but this is a wonderful start and I know I am on a new path to a healthy new me. I am still having pain on my left side though when I move and I am still swollen. I'm not sure if this is common but any feedback would be helpful. The low grade fever and constant restroom business have stopped thankfully and I'm looking forward to brighter days. I'm on a full liquid diet for another week and then a week of soft foods. I don't really know anyone close to me that has had this surgery so I searched the internet for answers to my questions and thankfully I found this site today. I would also like to say thank you to everyone who has posted on a variety of topics. I've spent a lot of time reading and the knowledge I gained today was priceless. I look forward to following all of you on your journeys as I embark on mine. I'm excited to see where my new "sleeved" life takes me.

All the best with your surgery - will keep you in my prayers also!

Hi everyone,My name is Holly and I'm going to be having my surgery on June 28th. I am very thrilled about this and I am so thankful to God for allowing this to happen. My grandmother has blessed me with the money to pay for this surgery as my insurance would not approve it. I'm 400 pounds plus a few so I'm definitely going to be relying on faith, God, and encouragement from others to get me going in the right direction. My good friend had this surgery 2 years ago ( was bigger than me) and has currently lost 250 lbs. He was cured of lung disease (which is a miracle since they say it's incurable), diabetes, CPAP etc. He has been an inspiration and mentor to me. I really hope to get to know others through this process.

I also wanted to let everyone know that my church (Community Bible Church in San Antonio, TX) has ONLINE Bible studies. They have 3 pastors with 3 different messages also being put out through the online church website 24 hours a day. This has been a blessing to me as I've gotten so big that I get exhausted trying to go places. I'm also a single mom to 4 kids and at times I don't get to a physical church. So just wanted to let everyone know about it and I will post links for you. Someone just tell me if I'm not allowed to post links. This week we have all new Bible studies starting online. You can join at any time for free just by clicking the link into the class. In fact, I am going to be attending the "Made to Crave" Bible study myself starting this Friday @ 10 Am but there are other times. Made to Crave is looking to be a great Bible Study for those trying to lose weight with faith! We watch the video and then have chat!

In addition to that Bible Study, I am going to be leading an online Bible study starting tomorrow @ 10 am on Joy. I lost my mother (my best friend) on New Years Eve and it's been extremely hard. Not to mention being a single mom. But I know we all have struggles so learning more about the joy God provides is something I want to do.

Here is the link for the schedule http://live.mediasoc...v/cbclifegroups

I am also a moderator at the online church services which go on 24 hours a day with chats at certain times.

http://live.mediasocial.tv/cbc

Feel free to say hi to me, add me on FB (just tell me you're from this site), and check out my blog. If you have a blog, let me know as I'd love to follow you too

So thankful to meet you all!

I'm eight weeks out from surgery and have no regrets. I did have some anxiety before the surgery though. Try relaxing, breathing calmly and thinking positively about the future. This will be a step that will make you feel much better in the long run.

I had my sleeve at about 10 yesterday and now I'm laying in the hosp bed nauseated and having a slight anxiety attack wondering what the heck have I done. If anyone is up at this rime can u please tell me if this happened to you? Will it be ok? Will I've ok.

Hi there - I started solids a few days ago. I also was not able to eat too much but am able to hold down a little more now. I have been finding it hard to get all the Protein in as well as all the fluids. It seems as though I would need to be either eating or drinking constantly to keep up. I just ordered some Atkins Protein Bars which I will bring to work for Breakfast or lunch. It has been nice to move to the soft solids though. Today I was running around all day and didn't have time to get home for lunch. I went to Dunkin Donuts and ordered an egg on a flatbread. I ate about 2/3 of it. Ordered an iced tea with it, then realized I couldn't drink it until 1/2 hour after I finished eating - by then it was warm and in the garbage it went... maybe I'll remember next time. The things I've now been having (new to this phase are) - 1/2 toasted whole wheat English muffin with Peanut Butter, boneless chicken thigh marinated in some soy sauce, tilapia with some sauce to make it moister, wheat thin crackers with Laughing Cow cheese spread, hummus with Special K-thins (thin crackers). There has been some variety at least... It did work pretty much immediately though...

Hey my fellow April Sleevers!! How's everyone doing? So... most of us should be on solid foods now, or at least transitioning to solids soon, and I was curious to see what everyone is eating, what works well for you, and what kinds of food simply dont work!!

I'm on soft foods and will be going to solids next week. I'm really scared since I'm still not able to finish a full 1/4c of anything yet that's not pureed. How did all of you transition to solids? Did it work immediately or did it take time?

Surgery Date: 4/26/11

Down 34 lbs

Feeling a little discouraged and would like a head count....

Please list your surgery date:

And exactly how many pounds you've lost Post-Op:

Was sleeved 4/25

Down 25lbs

Mine is a bit shorter...

2 days clear liquids

2 weeks full liquids

2 weeks mushies

2 weeks soft solids (I'm here now and had 1/2 of a soft, mushy burger with some melted cheese on it).

It's still very small portions (max 4 oz.) but there is some variety in this current phase.

How many steps does your program run you through between surgery and being on your new normal diet?

I just learned today there's one more step to my program and it's really set me back in terms of tolerance and attitude. I've tried very hard to be patient, as my program seems to advance people slower than others do. In these first 3 weeks when most of the healing takes place I'm fine with it. In fact, when I read stories about people who are on regular foods at 5 or 6 weeks, it sort of takes my breath that they are that brave..or able. But then today I learned that "mushies" and "soft" are two different stages in my program, each 3 weeks long. So after surgery:

3 days clear liquid

3 weeks full liquid

3 weeks mushies (this means puree and thin everything with the food less watered down than full liquid)

3 weeks soft food (this is what I thought was combined with mushies and means all 'soft' food, not treated to soften it in any way. Something like sweet potato. You should still have very little chewing.)

Then finally -

Slowly advance to full food, adding 1 new food per day to your diet.

Does anyone else have 9+ weeks between their surgery and being able to eat something like a boiled egg? That's not considered "soft" because it would need considerable chewing. I think this is overly cautious. Or am I wrong and does everyone have these two steps of mushies and soft?

Thanks. Now that I've learned I have 3 extra weeks before I can throw caution to the wind and eat a slice of deli chicken I see some cheating on the horizon.

I did a scrambled egg (kept breaking it up in the pan), mushy tuna, mashed potatoes, hummus, cream of chicken Soup, puddings with a little fat free cool whip. I just finished this phase and am now on soft solids which is a little better still!

I've been on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. Tomorrow I can start my soft/protein foods. What did some of you eat during this stage? I've got cottage cheese, refried Beans and potted meats so far. Anyone have any good ideas? I've seen Egg Face's Ricotta Bake recipe and I think I will try it one night.

Thanks guys! Hope you are all having a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

Sometimes I can eat the whole 4 oz and sometimes no. It also seems to depend on the food. I can do yogurt, cottage cheese or pudding no problem, but have more trouble with tuna, tilapia or pastina. I guess it is just trial and error. I, too, think I'm doing something wrong but then I realize it's not even four weeks from my surgery yet...

I had Surgery April 11th and i feel great!