Swiftflow

They definitely use some spanx or something to hide the loose skin. This is why about midway through the season they start doing weigh-ins with the shirt on. As we all know with any rapid weight loss, loose skin is an issue. When you look at the big picture as Tiff outlined above, it really makes me even more grateful I made this choice for WLS. For achieving my goals in a more realistic manner (I don't have 4-8 hours a day to go to the gym) and for keeping it off long term.

Of course if your doctor has any guidelines on this they would be the best resource. I have been able to get fluids in very quickly since day 1--for the most part fluids just run through the sleeve into the intestines. I would say if you don't have a directed amount by your doc, then sip slowly as needed and 8oz/hour is not an excessive amount when it comes to liquids only. I could drink a 16 oz bottle of Water in about 15-20 mins while walking very early on--Of course if you are having any feelings of restriction or if fluids are not moving right through your sleeve due to sweelling etc then you would need to take this much slower--but you sort of get a "feel" for it...hard to explain.

Thanks for the tip on cherries, it will taste better than prunes and I need something.. as for how far out I don't see them being an issue with some docs. I was cleared for all foods after 2 weeks except raw veggies--fruits were fine. Its all up to the doc on that one.

Part of reaching that point of having WLS as a man is admitting you can't do it on your own...many men probably let that pride get in the way. In fact for me it was a male friend having WLS that actually changed my mind about it. I have know a few women that had WLS but it did not have that same effect.

One thing I see among many docs is not eating before or after a meal and that would be very tough. Luckily my Doc takes a more realistic approach. Since liquid runs right through the sleeve, we can drink up until the point we take the first bite of food. This helps when out to eat, you can sip your Water while you wait etc. Then the rule is 30 mins after you eat before drinking again. Occationally I will still rince my mouth out with a small bit of water, but never enough to cause any issues. There are some reasons behind all of this: 1. You can take in more of certain types of "slider" foods or some foods loosen up enough with drink to slide right through your sleeve defeating the restriction of it. 2. with dense food or a full sleeve you will over fill yourself with liquid--possibly overflow! its nasty and I have done it out of habit a time or two and it came right back up. You learn quickly that trying to drink after you feel full is likely going to have a bad ending. Anyway, its not as hard as it may sound, especially when your seeing the scale move and just loving doing things the right way because of the constant results.

Sweet, I love the two's... Congrats!!

I think the little preparations like the dates, times, who is going to watch the kids or go with you to the hospital, etc. all work themselves out with basic planing. The one item you can begin to prepare for is the mental aspect of this major life change. Whether by establishing a support system, support groups, or counseling, there is a need for each of us going on this journey to realize the huge role that food plays in our lives. Of course whether we are ready or not the physical change immediately changes how we relate to food. The mental readiness for that change helps allot. There are so many events in my life that revolved around food, I have really had to change those in my mind for the events to be about the people or fellowship and to realize how my life had been so food oriented that I had truly missed out in the past. The gut reaction is to think I am missing out on the food when in reality food was way out of priority in my life. I have had a couple of "moments" whether it be nostalgia or just wishing I could dive in the way I used to--I have had to build that mental bridge and "get over it".

This is only my opinion, so I would really advise a doc or nutritionist over anything I have to offer. But based on your length of low calorie I would do a 3-4 day higher calories to "reset" the system vrs just throwing in the one day. I do the one day thing myself because I have never gone longer than three days at extreem lows since the beginning.

Welcome to the bench! Your gonna rock that sleeve!

Got back and weighed this morning to find I had dropped over 4 lbs this week. So far I am keeping the stall away with this calorie shifting... (knock on wood) Today is a high calorie day--to be honest the hard part is convincing myself every forth day to go ahead and up the calories for the day.

My opinion only--but since you had so much success with the band before the problems I think you will be great with the sleeve. You can always go to a DS later if needed, but the restriction and much of hunger being removed may be all you need.

There is no way I can eat enough food either thats why I went with the liquid calories in the Suplimed. As Kat mentioned this was originally a bodybuilding method and I tried it while on an internet ebook program called "Burn The Fat Feed the Muscle" and it did work when I stuck to it--the problem pre-sleeve is that hunger would just kill me on the low cal days and it is tough to live that way for a long amount of time. The benefit of the sleeve for me has been that I have not had the hunger and just add a few shakes on the high calorie day--I choose suplimed for the balanced nutrition--if I used junk to increase calories would run into other mental/bad habit issues.

Dr. Daryl Stewart also does revisions you can look the office up at weightlosssurgeon.com However, I have heard great things about Dr. Nicholson too.

Yet to be determined--we will see if any stalls come. I have not updated since last Thursday since I am out of town. Hopefully it will drop quite a bit for Friday morning weigh in.

I don't really count calories either with the exception of every 4th day I try to get more than 1500 on what I call my maintenance calorie days. A regular day is likely under 800 though based on rough math-- I count protien and my water intake an just try to limit carbs. I am testing a theory of 3 days on typical vsg food and one day increased calories to keep my metabolism up. Please note: this is not from a nutritionist or doc--I figured I would try it and see how it goes for a bit. I am out of town all week, so I have not been able to hit a scale. Clothes are getting very loose and the belt had needed to go in another notch this week. Granted, I cannot eat that much food on my high calorie days--so I suppliment with "Suplimed" a well balanced weight gain drink on day4. So far most food has just been like taking medicine--not hungry, but I know I need the nutrients.

Walking is fine, my doc even ok'ed walking at an incline. Anything more strenuous than that he said 6 weeks--better safe then sorry on the abdominal muscles.

I was presented with the option of doing a 6 month supervised diet and hoping my insurance would no longer consider the VSG "experimental" or apealing etc etc. I went for the self pay. In 6 months I hope to be close to my goal as possible and on with living-- Honestly there is no better investment than your health.

That realy is a big one... along with doing away with all of those negative feelings assoiated with the repeated failure.

She is in Maintenance--big difference there, but its something to look forward to! Everyone is different too in sleeve sizes etc. She probably needs to eat that much to keep from loosing.

I am in that learning stage now--right now I measure the food amounts and don't push it. I can now guess about 1/2 cup worth. As I am moving now to more dense foods I will have to slow down and feel it more. My only episode so far was eating a tuna salad that was too dry and chunky during my mushie stage--it was unpleasant but it came up pretty quick and I was fine. Today I had tuna salad again--same brand--I added low fat mayo before hand this time and took my time--no issues. You really do get a feel for it.

Here is a youtube poster that shows pictures of what she eats now. Good info. [nomedia=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uTV-pOxCNI]YouTube- Wk #47 - Pictures of food portions I eat now[/nomedia]

I started chewables at 1 week post-op per my doc.

If food is something that gives you comfort or that mentally you link to happy events then there will be some pain and remorse in giving it up. I was ready to give this up to finally succeed in this area of my life--BUT that does not mean it has not hurt to do that. I have sat and cried realizing I could never be the same again, it may seem silly to some but food has been a major part of my life for so long. You have to be completely ready to change your relationship with food as you are now realizing. It is a good thing that you are coming to this reality now--now you can make the decision based on the knowledge of what you are really giving up. Of course you are trading up to a better lifestyle in my opinion, but you are not choosing this lightly there is a cost. Best of luck to you in your decision--we are here to help support you!

Talked to my surgeon today and he said 6 weeks before incorporating any muscle work--also walking until then for the most part. I can do a little uphill on treadmill as long as I am not over working it. I am so ready to run again...

Excited this morning to finally cross the 300 lbs mark and hit 299 on the scale. 21 lbs since my surgery date 4/28. I also updated my youtube vlog--so subscribe if you like. (link is in my signature) I am loving my sleeve!!