PdxMan

I treated sharp white cheddar like it was a cracker. Such bold flavor, which I was DYING for. Anything to cut through that acetone mouth from ketosis.

Canned tuna mixed with ranch on sharp cheddar cheese. So good to chew again.

I see there is a Fresco Style MexiMelt, but not sure exactly what that means, though I see the site says it is a 25% reduction in fat. If you are not ordering it Fresco Style, the nutrition information on these is not the greatest. 7 grams of saturated fat, 730 mg of sodium ... OY! And it is a soft tortilla, so the breads is basically nutritionally irrelevant while taking up so much valuable stomach real estate. Perhaps just try to eat the insides of a Fresco Style if you are in a pinch. ** Edit *** To the OP, once you progress to solids and begin with the routine of eating lean Protein first, then you will get the expected restriction.

I think it all depends on the person. At 3 months, mine were still pretty noticable, but it didn't stop me from going to the swimming pool. I didn't care. At about a year post you would have to know where to look to notice them.

That is a difficult question to answer because everyone may have a different understanding of what "excess weight" is and will be difficult to quantify. Does excess weight mean weight as it relates to goal? If so, then I lost about 140% as my original goal was 200#, but the lowest I saw the scale was 159, which was too low for me so I got myself up to the 185 and am holding there, so that would then be around 120%. Does excess weight mean as it relates to fat? Even at 159 I still had some fat ... I think ... or was it just excess skin? But even now at 185 I definitely have some fat, so I would say I would be at 80% excess weight loss. Forgot to add, 27 months post-op. Got to 185 initially in 8 months. Was at 159 at 14 months. Got back to 185 at 19 months.

It definitely comes more with solids as the liquid in the soft mushy foods is going to help the food move through the stomach quicker, thus you don't feel the restriction as much or as long. Also know that the feeling of full is going to be somewhat different and difficult to understand at first. Just take things slow, don't rush to eat. Put your utensil down in between bites and assess how you feel. Chew well and don't drink liquids just before during or just after eating. You will come to know your new "full".

I think we tend to believe only obese folk have self-image issues. I believe it is more prevalent than we think, even for skinny people. Just remember these are her issues, not yours. A tactic people often use is to try to project their insecurities upon others so they can feel "normal". Be your own person and don't let these people bring you down.

As I posted in another thread HERE: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/96538-confused-feel-the-same/ I think the people who don't have issues don't post about it. Like you, they feel guilty or since nothing bad is happening, they just don't post. Like product reviews. People will write to complain, but not say everything works as expected.

And the fun has just begun

I also got this surgery because I knew my obesity was going to kill me. How many morbidly obese people do you see over 60? Not many and I worry about what the quality of life would be if I were able to make it there. I wasn't able to keep up with my kids, either, which was discouraging. I'm not going to lie and say vanity had no role, but for me, it was more like icing on the cake if my wife found me sexier or the usual discrimination aspects of being overweight were suddenly not apparent in my life. The Drs were going to put me on all kinds of medications and I just wasn't going to go down that road. I needed help and for me, the sleeve has been a life-saver. I wish you well on your journey with the sleeve. I have learned so much about myself, my relationship with food and how I am enabled to lead life without this coping mechanism I once abused.

How long ago were you sleeved? If you are early post-op, you may still be pumped full of liquids from all the IVs. Also, the pure stress of it all may be a contributing factor. Of course, always contact your medical team for all health related issues.

As someone who had to rebuild a server this past weekend in an emergency situation, I can appreciate when things don't go quite as well as anticipated. We hate computers as much as we love them. They'll get it figured out, but you are right .. an update would be appreciated. ** Edit ** Sorry ... powder Room. Didn't check.

Well, my capacity is about half of what you guys are able to eat. But, when I was exercising like you guys are, my capacity did seem higher ... wonder why that is ... Like Butter, I pretty much stay away from the starches and breads. Maybe a bite or two. I get about 1,400 calories a day, I would estimate. More now with Halloween candy all over my house ... (First Halloween party tonight for Scouts) I am just over 2 years out.

Don't feel bad about what you are experiencing. From my experience, and from what I have read here, what you are going through is quite normal. I would estimate almost everybody has at least one day where they say to themselves, "OMG, WTF did I do to myself!?" But, just to let you know, 20 pounds in less than a month is freaking awesome. When have you ever been able to do that and know that it is going to stay off? Obviously your expectations for initial weight loss were not realistic, but your reality is still VERY good. As far as talking to your psy, there is an old saying: We are only as sick as our secrets To not share something you know you need to would be worse than not sharing at all, in the long run. Tell me, what would be the worst thing that could happen if you do talk to them? What could be the best? I have found that, "Patient, HEAL THYSELF!" seldom works. It is my belief that pretty much every person getting WLS has issues with their relationship with food, though only a small percentage will admit to it and an even smaller percentage will seek help to deal with it. Each of us must find our own way and asking for help does not mean we are weak. Quite the opposite, actually.

Yup, so you have to know you are not gaining fat, so it has to be Water weight...

My insurance doesn't cover any bariatric procedures, so I was self-pay. I believe you can petition your insurance with the backing of your surgeon and PCP and all the other things supporting VSG no longer being seen as experimental. It takes awhile for things to get across the right person's desk.

How do they have you getting protein in during the first 6 or so weeks without protein drinks? I know some people can handle pureed meats, but I was not one of them. Good, nutritionally balanced liquid calories early out were the only way I was able to survive the first 6 weeks.

This is what I call a CYA NUT. Covering their rear if you don't lose at the rate you expected. "Well, you had a cup of coffee 2 months ago and I told you not to, so, there you go." Eeesh! You are going to have to find your way with the guidelines. The problem is, some people take things too far. "Oooh! I can have a cup of coffee!! Starbucks venti triple cream blah blah blah, HERE I COME!" To the tune of 800 calories ... "But you didn't say I couldn't have coffee ... " Some of the sports drinks have a ton of sugar as do a lot of juices. They are empty calories. If you are buying broths and stews at the store vs making them yourself, they have a TON of sodium in them, but when you make it yourself, you can control these things. The bottom line is to be changing how and what we eat. If you want things to change, then you must be the instrument of change. The sleeve is a tool to use to lose weight, it will not do it on its own. I like to say ... my sleeve will help me move mountains, but I still need to bring a shovel.

What is your pre-op diet? Changes in foods will cause your whole system to shift, so ... how's your liquid intake? Fiber?

Have you contacted your medical team? What are you trying to eat? Does it happen after the 1st bite or after several? How much time are you taking between bites? Some folks end up lactose intolerant for a bit, so avoid anything milk based and see if it resolves.

Oh, I know you weren't looking to inhale. The sleeve isn't going to let you do that, anyway! But, as Atlanta pointed out, the main function of your stomach is to mechanically break down the food. When we had 100% of our stomach, we didn't need to chew as well as we had this 1HP garbage disposer in our chest. Now, we have a 1/6th HP unit. We need to shore up the missing effort with our teeth. When I said I don't want to inhale my food anymore, I am referring to the time from one bite to the next. If I am spending more time chewing, that is lengthening the amount of time until the next bite. This also gives me more time to feel the "full" feeling. Otherwise, I may consume more than I should and get the uncomfortable feeling. It is also important if you are not making up that difference with your teeth, and drinking with your meal to release that uncomfortable feeling, you may get that uncomfortable feeling in your intestines as the food was not digested enough before passing through the pyloric valve. Just one of the reasons why we try not to drink before, during or immediately after eating. I know it is tedious to be making everything you eat into baby food, but, as time goes, you will find the consistency you need to avoid an upset stomach and intestines. Just listen to your body and do what it needs. Don't push yourself past what it needs you to do.

Low BP can be attributed to dehydration. Be vigilant today with your water intake. Set a reminder on your phone every hour. Have that be your #1 priority today. In the morning, drink more water, then, an hour after waking, take your BP again.

It's funny, I saved all my size 38 pants and XL shirts and sweaters ... for years they sat in plastic storage bins. My wife wanted to get rid of them, but I would always deny her saying, "No! I will get back into those! DON'T TOUCH THEM!" It was one of the motivating factors for getting the surgery. After about the 3rd time where she wanted to get rid of them, I was able to realize I needed help and turned to VSG. Funny thing, after saving these clothes for years, I was only able to wear them for about 3 weeks! Oh, well. Goodwill was my best friend until I stabilized.

For me, chewing better than I did pre-sleeve became a new habit which I carry with me today at over 2 years post-op. Especially fibrous foods or meats as if I don't my tummy will complain or not feel as comfortable if I would have chewed more. This all falls into the new habits of taking smaller bites and eating slower. Not chewing well was just one part of the way I inhaled food in the past. I don't want to do that ever again.

Wait an hour and take it again. It is always lower right after waking. Has this been a trend? How is your water intake? How for out from surgery are you? Do you have a history of high or low BP? Are you on any meds or changed meds/dosages? Have you contacted your medical team with these concerns?