Indymom

Don't forget to try and walk, too - that will help the gas bubbles pass more quickly. I think that's why my recovery was so easy, I made myself walk right away (even though I felt like crap!). Congrats and hang in there!

I'm getting rid of all of 'em! I will NEVER wear a size 24 again . . ..

I had a bloody mary last night (well, okay . . . 2 . . . ) and it tasted wonderful! I think it was pretty weak because I didn't get much of a buzz, but it was nice to enjoy a grownup beverage again. I'm only 9 weeks out so not making a habit of it, I am still wanting to get closer to goal before drinking regularly, but it was GOOD!

GREAT POST! Thanks for keeping it real.

I felt really icky when I was in full-blown ketosis, early on post-op (I knew I was in ketosis because I still had a bunch of ketostix from one of my failed Atkins attempts). I added in some soft fruits at that point, bumped out of ketosis and felt like a million bucks. I need a few carbs and so far, my weight loss doesn't seem to be affected. I am also working out a ton so like one of the prior posters said, that might be making a difference. I'm trying to stick to whole grains (I've had a piece of whole grain toast a couple times and it went down well) and fruits/veggies for my carbs. That said, there was an unfortunate struggle this evening with a small baggie of leftover chocolate animal crackers, and I'm sad to say that the animal crackers won. Back on track tomorrow morning!

To the OP . . . 27 lbs divided by 4 weeks . . . almost 7 lbs per WEEK! That is amazing weight loss when you think about the "typical" dieting weight loss of 1-3 lbs per week. I'm 9 weeks out and only down 38. I'm trying to roll with it and I know that as long as I'm sticking to plan and exercising, the weight WILL come off.

I was restricted from anything but walking for the first month. I started by walking about 10 minutes after each meal, totaling about 30 minutes a day. I increased it as I could, at this point 9 weeks out I am walking/jogging 3 miles, 3 times a week and taking a strength fitness class 2-3 times a week.

Good find!

I've never heard of the Molina band but I really hope that the removal goes well and that your revision is successful!

I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and try week 4/day 1 today. HOLY COW! I did it (even the 2 5-minute runs) but it was tough. I'm feeling good tonight though,not worn out or in pain, so I'm glad I tried it today instead of repeating week 3. 40 lbs ago I would have never believed I'd be jogging right now!!

I've found that any of the dense proteins fill me up quickly including chicken, chicken burgers, deli lunchmeat, etc. I also buy reduced-fat block cheese and slice it up . . . that also fills me up. Eggs are really filling - I have one every morning with a piece of bacon or turkey sausage and often I can't finish all of it.

I'd say you'll need at least a few weeks off and then maybe go back part-time for a few weeks to ease back into it. I went back to work within a week but I work a desk job with no physical stresses at all.

Just a quick post on my 2-month surgiversary. Why didn't I have this surgery sooner?!? I'm down 38 lbs in 2 months. I've gone from a 24 pants/3X shirts to size 20 pants and 2X or 1X shirts. I'm walking/jogging 3 miles, 3 days a week, and taking a strength fitness class 2-3 days a week as well. I can't remember a time in my recent past that I had so much energy! I don't get winded from walking anymore, I actually enjoy parking farther out in parking lots and at work to get extra steps on my fitbit. I'm eating 2-3 oz per meal, around 600-800 calories a day max (usually between 650-700). I am sad to report that due to a crashed hard drive on my laptop, I lost my original "before" pics but am going to try and track down something on my desktop computer that shows me in my 'before' state so I can start posting progress pics. While I have great restriction with my sleeve and easily get full on 2-3 oz of dense Protein, the carb monster is always lurking in the back of my brain, trying to take over. I've had a few moments of weakness but I've pushed past the temptations and remind myself every day that I am going to be thin and even more healthy soon! For all of you just starting on your sleeve journeys, especially if you're only a few days or a week out and miserable on liquids/purees . . . know that it gets better very quickly and you'll soon feel like a normal human again!!

Indymom ~ 239 SW . . . . . 225 CW . . . . . 200 GW . . . LBS to GOAL: 25 September 5 ~ 239 lbs September 12 ~ 237 lbs (-2 lbs total) September 19 ~ 235 lbs (-4 lbs total) September 26 ~ 230 lbs (-9 lbs total) October 3 ~ 228 lbs (-11 lbs total) October 10 ~ 225 lbs (-14 lbs total) I'm thinking that it's not likely that I'll hit my goal by Halloween, but I'm OK with it because I'm still losing each week and feeling GREAT!! Keep up the good work, everyone!!!

Updating ... I finished week 3/day 3 earlier this past week. The 3-minute jogs were REALLY hard, though. I'm nervous about trying to progress to week 4 with the 5-minute jogs - I'm thinking I might do another week of the W3 and see what happens . ..

I've had a few bites of fried foods here & there. They seem to go down OK, but I feel kinda icky afterwards. I've been trying to remind myself of this when I'm tempted to have a bite of something that sounds good but probably won't be . . . !!

Was it expensive? I saw the kettlebells at the store and they were REALLY pricey . . . I've heard it's a good workout though.

Prednisone is yuck, but hopefully you won't be on it for long. Follow the dosage instructions to the letter, if they have you on a tapering dosage you need to make sure you follow it. Tapering off pred is tough. It will give you lots of energy so you should be able to maintain your activity levels with no problem.

I bought a pair of spandex running pants at JC Penny's for my jogging. I'm sure they look terrible, but they keep things pretty compact and tight.

A trainer is a great idea. I'm trying to balance out both cardio and strength training,so I'm doing C25K (jogging/walking training program) 3 times a week,and then I'm taking a strength class at the gym twice weekly (which also includes some cardio). It's going great so far.

Indymom ~ 239 SW . . . . . 228 CW . . . . . 200 GW . . . LBS to GOAL: 28 September 5 ~ 239 lbs September 12 ~ 237 lbs (-2 lbs total) September 19 ~ 235 lbs (-4 lbs total) September 26 ~ 230 lbs (-9 lbs total) October 3 ~ 228 lbs (-11 lbs total) Only 2 lbs for this week . . . I'm a little disappointed but maybe I'll be one of those people who has a few weeks of not much loss then a big burst. I'm working my a$# off so let's hope that's the case!!

I am 8 weeks out as of yesterday, and my meal plan increases from 2 oz/meal to 3 oz/meal. I had already been eating close to 3oz/meal at times prior to now, though. A typical lunch for me is half a Costco chicken burger (2 oz) and either some veggies or about an ounce of cheese. 3 oz seems to be about my limit at this point (assuming I'm eating protein). I've tried to avoid most carbs and "slider" foods but I'm sure I could eat more than 3 oz of carbs/sliders.

I am only 8 weeks out, and no pre-op diet - and I've lost 35 lbs.

I don't like a lot of the preservatives (for me or my kiddo) in most deli meats but I buy the Hormel natural choice ham and salami. The salami bugs my tummy as it's pretty greasy/fatty, but the ham is WONDERFUL. I just actually ate 4 slices (2 oz) of the ham and 1 oz of 50% reduced fat Cabot cheddar cheese (and a mini dill pickle) and am STUFFED. (for the record, the ham & cheese was only 140 cals total, 18 grams of protein and only 3 carbs).

I used gum for about 2 weeks, but it burned my throat. I knew I HAD to quit for surgery so I just gave up the gum and went cold turkey. I have had maybe 3 or 4 puffs from a cigarette since I had surgery 8 weeks ago and I really don't have the desire to smoke at all now (I actually rarely even think about it!). Of course I'm not drinking either, and that's usually my big trigger. I also am not around many smokers so that helps.