Catracks

Shanbutler, did your surgeon send you to a nutrition class? Does he have one on staff. I might gently suggest that you speak to someone about food issues. You are 3 days post op and wanting to dive right back into foods that got you this way.
Moderation is for people with good control. I have some, but I rather not let my tastebuds and body get used to that stuff. Right now, sugary stuff is sickening sweet to me and I hate it. I rather it stay that way.
Right now it sounds like you are having a massive attack of head hunger that you might want to nip in the bud. Just a suggestion.
One can eat around this sleeve and sabotage weight loss. It would be a shame to say the least.

It is the best. I can never figure out why some of the non-working moms I've seen use formula. I suppose their could have been a problem, but I think it was more what they were brought up around.
My mother bottle fed my brother and I just because that was what was done in middle class America in the late 50s, early 60s. I breast fed because I was more read and less inhibited than my mother was/is. I'm also VERY lazy and could not stand the thought of warming a bottle. Hungry kid? Well into bed with you then!
I also kind of hate bottles after seeing 5 year old walking around with them. Yes, seriously.

There is really no excuse for this. I got lazy, pure and simple. I have been hit and miss about taking my Vitamins and Calcium. I am regular with the B-12, but let the others go. I didn't think it would make such an impact, but it did.
My labs came back and the surgeon sicced the nutritionist on me. I didn't talk to her yet, but I know what she is going to say.
I'm back on a strict Vitamin regime today. I won't let this happen again.
I don't suppose there is a question here other than wondering if any of you are sloughing off or had before. I just wanted to warn you that's its not okay. You can do real damage. Not only that ...
I just connected the dots. I've been stall for just about as long as I've been bad about the Vitamins. I just went searching. Sure enough, Vitamin D deficiency call stall weight loss and contribute to obesity. Same with Calcium.< /p>
At least I think I have an answer now.

Yes, but watch the rest of their menu. I think I figured the only other thing edible thing for me on the menu was the salt and pepper prawns, but it's really high in sodium. When we were choosing a place to eat, I gave up on PF Changs and went elsewhere.
I like Vietnamese garlic chili paste, soy sauce, sesame oil and some OJ too!

I had dim sum yesterday as my co-workers were throwing a retirement party for a friend. I do not recommend it. I didn't eat a lot, but my stats were horrible, I only ate about 800 calories for the day, but my carb count was through the roof! My Protein was WAY too low. I've looked at restaurant Chinese dishes and most of the sauces they throw on make it difficult. Good authentic Chinese food is better than the fast food type crap they sling at Panda Express, but only just.
Cook it at home and control the sugar and starches or get steamed veggies and lean meats or seafood without a lot of sauce if any. Omit the noodles and rice unless you can stand soy noodles -- which I cannot.

40 grams in the clear ones.
Debly, I am a TOTAL foodie. Do you know what I had for dinner? Homemade crab cake and just a few purple, red and white roasted potato slices with onions. You can eat the very best food, just not much of it. the sleeve won't allow it. I eat ribs, ribeye steak, scallops, grilled salmon, pulled pork, tarragon chicken, cheeses, all kinds of things. The only thing I really had to give up was regular bread and Pasta. There are alternatives for that stuff. Oh yeah, and popcorn. My surgeon says 6 months. I can do that. What's the rush?
When people complain about not liking food and of hating the Protein shakes are not doing it right. Go to: theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and look at her recipes. She is a bypass patient that was 5'2" and 350 pounds. She now wears a size four. Her recipes are incredible and there are a lot more things out there on the internet. All you have to remember is protein first and to not eat too fast or overeat.
The point of the sleeve is so we can eat like normal thin people do. It doesn't mean you can never taste pie again down the road. It means that you have a bite or two and savor it. Then you can walk away.
It's normal to be scared, but just don't fall into the trap that you should be depressed about not being able to scarf down at a buffet.
What you will be able to do is wear nice clothes, ride a horse, wear a bathing suit, hike, walk, run, skip, feel good ...

Oh, for non-edibles I definitely recommend mini-storage containers. I have about 24 of the in the freezer holding Soups, baked Beans, chili, crock pot leftovers. In the fridge there are 10 more holding my Greek yogurt dips and other leftovers. Great to take to work too.
I also recommend Gas-x strips, a good heating pad and a small soft stomach pillow. It made me feel secure for the first week or so.

there are folks even on this board who when I mentioned that I count out almonds and weigh, measure and log my food told me that I was too consumed by it all and why don't I just eyeball things. I told them that it takes maybe 5 minutes to log the food and 20 minutes to prepare and pack my food and Snacks for the next workday. I told them: "What's the big deal about less than half and hour out of my life to make sure I'm on track?"
I wasn't ready to hear anything until I finally had that "Straw that broke the camel's back" moment. Then I started asking REAL questions for REAL and not just complaining.

I went to a diner and order a side of bacon. The watress said: "That's all?" then I proceded to give my daughter 4 of the 5 slices and take from her a tablespoon or two of eggs.
Mine was a 32 bougie.
I love my sleeve, I love my sleeve.

When I mentioned to the nutritionist that I sometimes throw a bit of fruit into my Protein shake she said that I shouldn't be putting anything thing in there. Hell, half their bypass patients make them with Water. No wonder people complain about the Protein shakes. I've made mine with 2% milk and fruit from the get go. I used Jello pudding powder and Torani syrups too.
I wouldn't be sticking a whole banana in there though. 1/2 or even 1/4 will flavor it just fine.

I love the stuff. Yes, cook it like rice with twice as much Water as grain.

I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! From now on I use coconut oil for sauteing and extra-virgin oil oil for cold things. I've been reading about all the benefits of oils that don't oxidize and damage your arteries. Saturated fat is good for us! Who knew? Cereals and grains are the things that have been causing inflammation in arteries and high cholesterol is not necessarily bad.
Everything the government said was bad for us turned out to be good and vice-versa. Why am I not surprised there?
I love the taste of the coconut oil too. It does have a slightly sweet taste to it, but it agrees with me. I like the olive oil for the same reason -- it has a taste to it.

Eye opening, but I figured as much. With the Lays potato chips, you can just lay them on a napkin for a minute and they leave a grease stain.
I am unable to refrain from binging on certain things even now so I don't have them in the house or substitute healthier options in their place. I save my treat (a slice of rustic bread with Peanut Butter or almond butter) for when I'm hiking or paddling.
I'm not suffering for it so it's okay for me (I say as I gnaw on a pork chop bone). Pork is on the menu and this carnivore couldn't be happier. The carbs I do eat are in the form of vegetables, fruits and the occasional sweet potato or even more rarely a white potato, whole wheat Pasta or quinoa.
I don't do sugar outside a square of dark chocolate.
It whatever works for you. I was a volume eater and I know what I can and cannot handle. Potato chips and onion dip turns me in Gollum after the ring so I don't go there. Cat sucks at moderation with some things.

I think the idea of once being so successful and gaining weight back is utterly intolerable to us. I am not going back to what I was in 2011 - NEVER!!!
Meant to ask you Cowgirl, How has weight loss impacted your riding?

I has been while, hasn't it? I think I started to drift away when the boards started the weird little wars (aka: when can I eat Cheetos again -- You shouldn't do that -- have a little compassion -- stop judging me). I haven't been outside the veterans board and don't think I will.
Check! No two days in a row. Tuesday/Thursday for me then.
Thanks for the links!! I think I'll hang around.

You will be happier with the Xterra. I have a 2002 and LOVE it!!! It crawls up rocks almost as good as a Jeep. It does need to be lifted to clear some bigger rocks, but it is a wonder in the low gears.
I don't have rashes either. There is no way I would be covered under insurance. The extra skin on the thighs and arms I can live with. The extra skin on stomach and lower abdomen really gets to me.
I wonder if surgeons have low interest payment plans :-P

That sounds like so much fun and adventure! I haven't spent much time on a horse. Just a ride here and there... No doubt the horses thought I was stupid too! It was really fun. I had a boyfriend in HIghschool that was a "cowboy". He rode broncs in Rodeos. Quite a wild boy.

I just had my TT. They removed 6 pounds of skin....with very little fat it was quite a large section. I had to pay cash but it was worth it. I was going to buy. Toyota forerunner last year which is over $30000. I bought a Nissan xterra instead which was under $20000 and boom....surgery paid for. Great trade off in my opinion.
But....with my insurance, the keys to getting it paid for we're medical complications caused by the excess skin. The 2 most common are rashes or immobility due to the skin. I had neither, and would have needed well documented proof by my pcp to even attempt to get my surgery covered. If you have either issue, my suggestion is go to your pcp and seek treatment/diagnosis for the problem. If he can't resolve it with other means then he can refer you to P/S which might then be covered.

I has been while, hasn't it? I think I started to drift away when the boards started the weird little wars (aka: when can I eat Cheetos again -- You shouldn't do that -- have a little compassion -- stop judging me). I haven't been outside the veterans board and don't think I will.
Check! No two days in a row. Tuesday/Thursday for me then.
Thanks for the links!! I think I'll hang around.

A strong core makes all the difference. I don't ride as much now as my neighbor moved with her horses. I used to ride a sturdy Morgan. She had real issues with people on her back off balance so even when heavy I was pretty good. She did not startle easily at all, but one day, not paying attention, she jumped back at a rabbit and then spun half around. I was unseated and fell off still clutching the reins (boxed in by major streets). I landed on my side and messed up the ligaments in my lower back. Took me an age to get over that.
My profile picture was on a horse in Supai, Arizona. This one was owned by a Havasupai Indian and he was busy with a pack train so he said, "Ride ahead. I'll catch up." and "They will run." BTW, If you heard that the Havasupai don't take care of their horses, that is bullsh**! That is their bread and butter.
Anyway, that was the first real ride I had taken. The way in and out of Supai is horse, mule, hike or helicopter. It's a 12 mile ride with the last (or first) mile up a VERY steep canyon wall. All the horses and mules take the whole trip at a fast trot with either mail or supplies. They are in the best condition of any horses I have seen. Our weight, or lack of was probably a mini-vacation for them. That and I let him play in the Water at his leisure and intermittently walked. When the trails forked off, I trusted him to know the best way. That was funny because he would pick a path and then look at the other path not taken, sigh and move on. I could actually hear horse brain gears turning. He probably thought I was stupid.
My point of this long story is that I rode fast and rode well. The pack train only caught up to us as we were heading up the canyon wall.
Cowboy mounted shooting!!! I like. I would probably like competitive trail riding.

A strong core makes all the difference. I don't ride as much now as my neighbor moved with her horses. I used to ride a sturdy Morgan. She had real issues with people on her back off balance so even when heavy I was pretty good. She did not startle easily at all, but one day, not paying attention, she jumped back at a rabbit and then spun half around. I was unseated and fell off still clutching the reins (boxed in by major streets). I landed on my side and messed up the ligaments in my lower back. Took me an age to get over that.
My profile picture was on a horse in Supai, Arizona. This one was owned by a Havasupai Indian and he was busy with a pack train so he said, "Ride ahead. I'll catch up." and "They will run." BTW, If you heard that the Havasupai don't take care of their horses, that is bullsh**! That is their bread and butter.
Anyway, that was the first real ride I had taken. The way in and out of Supai is horse, mule, hike or helicopter. It's a 12 mile ride with the last (or first) mile up a VERY steep canyon wall. All the horses and mules take the whole trip at a fast trot with either mail or supplies. They are in the best condition of any horses I have seen. Our weight, or lack of was probably a mini-vacation for them. That and I let him play in the Water at his leisure and intermittently walked. When the trails forked off, I trusted him to know the best way. That was funny because he would pick a path and then look at the other path not taken, sigh and move on. I could actually hear horse brain gears turning. He probably thought I was stupid.
My point of this long story is that I rode fast and rode well. The pack train only caught up to us as we were heading up the canyon wall.
Cowboy mounted shooting!!! I like. I would probably like competitive trail riding.

I has been while, hasn't it? I think I started to drift away when the boards started the weird little wars (aka: when can I eat Cheetos again -- You shouldn't do that -- have a little compassion -- stop judging me). I haven't been outside the veterans board and don't think I will.
Check! No two days in a row. Tuesday/Thursday for me then.
Thanks for the links!! I think I'll hang around.

My surgery was Dec. 11, 2011. You can see my stats below. Life is great. This summer I got back from a trip where I had to hike 13 miles in and then back out of a canyon. I'm climbing mountains and loving it.
The only problem I'm having is the extra skin which is bad, but not bad enough to be covered my insurance and these last few pounds I would like to loose.
I am afraid that I've gotten my body into a metabolic syndrome by restricting calories for so long. I'm short and don't seem to need much, but am still at 800 calories. If I add carbs or more calories, I gain rather fast. To loose I'd have to drastically cut back, but what will that do in the long run?
Anybody dealing with this? Anybody have a guess about what I should do to get going again. I think I have been gaining and loosing the same 5 pounds for two years now.

A strong core makes all the difference. I don't ride as much now as my neighbor moved with her horses. I used to ride a sturdy Morgan. She had real issues with people on her back off balance so even when heavy I was pretty good. She did not startle easily at all, but one day, not paying attention, she jumped back at a rabbit and then spun half around. I was unseated and fell off still clutching the reins (boxed in by major streets). I landed on my side and messed up the ligaments in my lower back. Took me an age to get over that.
My profile picture was on a horse in Supai, Arizona. This one was owned by a Havasupai Indian and he was busy with a pack train so he said, "Ride ahead. I'll catch up." and "They will run." BTW, If you heard that the Havasupai don't take care of their horses, that is bullsh**! That is their bread and butter.
Anyway, that was the first real ride I had taken. The way in and out of Supai is horse, mule, hike or helicopter. It's a 12 mile ride with the last (or first) mile up a VERY steep canyon wall. All the horses and mules take the whole trip at a fast trot with either mail or supplies. They are in the best condition of any horses I have seen. Our weight, or lack of was probably a mini-vacation for them. That and I let him play in the Water at his leisure and intermittently walked. When the trails forked off, I trusted him to know the best way. That was funny because he would pick a path and then look at the other path not taken, sigh and move on. I could actually hear horse brain gears turning. He probably thought I was stupid.
My point of this long story is that I rode fast and rode well. The pack train only caught up to us as we were heading up the canyon wall.
Cowboy mounted shooting!!! I like. I would probably like competitive trail riding.

You know what I love about this forum... maintenance really scared me when I was losing weight. Now, I have all these others to get support from, give support to, and just keep myself focused.
It may come as a surprise to those of you that regained a few pounds... I am MOTIVATEd and INSPIRED by you. You regained a few... not a few hundred...LOL. You are taking control and working back t where you want to be. I hear that "normal" (non obese) people do this! It is that ongoing ownership of maintaining our health/weight/good eating habits that i have never mastered before.
I feel for the first time... this might be possible. I might really be able to stay in the range of normal over the rest of my life...not just the rest of this year.