DebiC

I don't get it. I keep seeing people who are 4,6 or 8 months out who can barely eat 4 bites. while my ability to eat has definitely gone down (from 4 pieces of pizza or 4 tacos to 1) I don't find myself only able to eat like 4 bites. How are these people able to get in enough protein/calories to sustain life? Granted I am only allowed to eat 3 meals a day NO Snacks, so maybe I have to eat more at each sitting. I guess if I was eating 5-6 times a day a smaller amount would satisy me. I feel like maybe something is wrong with me or my sleeve and I will not succeed because I am eating so much. For breakfast I had 2 egg whites, 1 slice bacon and 8oz milk. lunch or dinner usually is about 3-4oz meat and then 1/2 cup of veggies or 1 cup salad. I will admit that I cheat on my doctors plan and have a 100 calorie "dessert" every night. I am almost 3 months out.

The advice everyone here is giving is good. Ditto for the Top Ramen-high on the sodium but at this point it's more important that you get in your fluids. I did the spicy ones. Either cook just the packet or give the noodles away! I also "treated" myself and went to a couple of restaurants and ordered soups 'to go' and took them home and pureed them. Olive Gardens and Chili's worked especially well with this. My doctor is not a fan of Protein shakes and so I too had just 1 weeks of clear liquids (which included shakes) and then was allowed the "full liquids" which included the pureed soups. While I also say you need to trust your doctor, I also found I had to do what would keep me sane without taking the risks of hurting my sleeve-so I do admit I followed the plans of whoevers doctor was most lenient. It really is true that after only a few weeks this will be nothing but a bad memory and you never have to have a Protein shake again unless you want to. Many people continue using them daily. Others never again. Hang in there (you really have no alternative choice, is what I kept telling myself) this stage is definitely HARD but I'll bet in a week or two you will be writing us to tell us how much you Love, Love, Love, your sleeve. Good luck-and see if there is someone here you feel you can really relate to and see if they will be your buddy or mentor. This journey really is easier with the help of others. As they say in OA "Keep Coming Back"

This happened to me a few years ago in front of my house. Only no one was around to help! I had to crawl to the stairs to use them to help me get up. This has been a real fear of mine for years. I am so frightened to walk in the winter for fear I'll slip on ice! I just got surgery 11/14 and am doing great. Hopefully by next winter I'll only be afraid of falling because of my age and not my weight!!

I am looking for a protein bar that is made with real sugar, honey or agave. No sucralose, no stevia, no truvia. Has anybody seen any like this? I can't handle any artificial sweeteners (nothing to do with sleeve).

OH Lissa-I thought I was OK about Crunchy Cheetos. Then they had some as a sample at Costco. I took my little cup of 3 and savored them and then began seeking out more! I knew then I had better never buy a bag thinking it wasn't a trigger food!

I feel deprived sometimes-but only because I was addicted to Pepsi. So I really miss that. And I know that if I even had one drink it would be all downhill from there. It's kinda wierd tho-I haven't really allowed myself to be deprived of foods I love, so that isn't an issue. What's weird is that I sometimes feel deprived over the small amount I can eat of something that I love. For example tonight we had chicken fajitas. Now I used to eat 4 tortillas worth. Now I have one, and have to stop about 2/3 of the way through. That's when I feel deprived. My head is thinking how good that fajita tastes and how I really want to eat more because it was so good. But my stomach is saying-"Take one more bite and you'll be sorry!" I'm GLAD that my stomach wins out. Otherwise I probably wouldn't lose any weight. I guess I just miss the enjoyment of eating. Does that make sense?

I've been wondering where the 50's are also? We need to keep this topic going. Don't let those 40's and 60's show us up!! I'll be 57 this March. I live in Utah. I just got on disability for my weight in November (the same month I got sleeved!) so I don't work. I just graduated from college in 2009 with a Bachelors in Social Work. I have 5 kids (had-1 was killed a year ago when he was hit by someone who was texting) and 4 granddaughters. I have a husband in name only-we have been separated for 8 years (married 38). His employer has great insurance so it's easier this way. I have had a great time with my sleeve, No pain, no problems that I don't cause myself. I have lost 70+ lbs in 3 months, my goal is to hit 100 at my 5 month anniversary. How about you?????

You are amazing and an inspiration for those of us who are still at the beginning of the journey. Did they have a category for those of us who could do a lap in 15 min?? Just curious...

I too had to hold a funeral for my best friend. Pepsi. We spent every day together. Some times all day. He was seldom further than an arms length away. I wanted to be with him from almost the first moment I woke up each day to the minute I went to bed. I knew he would be there, icy cold, any time I was feeling down or stressed. I still miss him quite a bit.

What a success story! You look so happy!

Thanks, I went to their site and found several locations nearby (how did I never see these while shopping!). Unfortunately, only the pints and not the bars . This week I am also going to try making ice cream from Costco's Premier chocolate shakes. I put my cylinder into the freezer last night-so it should be ready by tomorrow!

Yes, IF you are able to itemize and IF your medical expenses come to over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You will only be able to deduct the amount that is OVER the 7.5%, not the entire amount. Hope that answers your question.

Personally I have found that there are two groups of people here. Not saying one is right or better, I've just noticed two trains of thought. The first is people who are desirous to mold their life around their sleeve. The others are desirious to mold the sleeve around their life. The problem is that some from each group think that their position is the only "right" one. I craved "fast food" when I was first able to have real food. I headed for In-n-Out and got a Protein burger (a burger without a bun). I had that and some fries. It was good. But it hasn't appealed to me since. pizza on the other hand... I have about once a week. I also go out for mexican about once a week-I don't do the chips and slasa anymore. Nor do I eat the tortillas. There is no where that says we can't have fast food during the losing part of our program. I think with thoughtful choices or small portions almost nothing should be "forbidden" I have seen others post about how they chose this tool so that they would not have to be on a "diet" the rest of their lives. I have seen people who post that they still drink soda or alcohol. If that is how they choose to work their program than that is their choice. I opersonally choose to have a dessert almost everynight. A piece of chocolate, a scoop of ice cream whatever. I try to keep it around 100 calories. I figure that that means I will lost about 1 pound less each month. I can live with that. I figure I will be eating this way the rest of my life, so for me I chose to work my sleeve around my life. that being said-I have also decided that my purpose is not just to lose weight but to get healthier-So in addition to eating less, I am working on incorporating "clean" foods into my life. So that will seriously limit my fast foods in the future. But considereing pre-op I ate out about twice a day, I think my twice a week now is a big change already. So Rico-you have to decide about fast food-and if you choose wisely you don't HAVE to wait until you reach goal.

My addiction was Pepsi-full sugar, preferably fountain. I had tried weaning off several times, but it never lasted. So I decided this time I needed to go cold turkey. I drank them right up until midnight the day of surgery (yes, I know they aren't a clear liquid). Then that was it. I have read of several people who still drink soda's after surgery (my surgeon says "Never") but for me I think it has to be none. There have been several times when I have thought about how much I want one, but quickly realized that that was usually in a stressful situation. Ding! Ding! Ding! Pespis must be my Go To Comfort food. So that is all the more reason to stay away. The only people I know who have failed with bypass or sleeve had gone back to sodas. So I think for me even one sip would be too much. I too hope you can be strong enough to stay away forever. I, fortunately, have two small "Sheriffs" (granddaughters) who are right there to remind me should I ever even say the word "Pepsi".

Opting for diet soda instead of regular, won't help fight the bulge. Data from a recent study by the American Diabetes Association shows that while diet sodas may be free of calories, they do not prevent you from gaining weight. In fact, they may contribute to weight gain. Diet soda also contributes to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-06-29/news/30010277_1_diet-soda-weight-gain-aspartame#ixzz1koMApTiM

Thanks- I've already seen several recipes I want to try.

Have you tried the Wasa Crisp'n Light? Comes in light rye and 7 grain. Only 20 calories perslice. I have almost entirely given up on bread. I do love the Wasa tho. If I'm in a real hurry for breakfast I spread 1 Tlb of peanut butter on the Crisp 'n light and have that. It's an entirely different texture than the regular Wasa, so I keep both on hand.

I know that I started out this journey MUCH larger than most of you. But it's so hard to hear how after losing 30 or 40 lbs you've gone down like 4 or 5 dress sizes!! I have lost almost 70 lbs and not one thing has changed-size wise (yes I probably should measure-but I know that won't happen). So 70# later and I don't even get to buy a new, anything! I bought a new bra yesterday-and it is the same size as my old one-and tight! I know from prior weight loss experiences that it takes about 100# before you can notice on me. And even then only some people notice. Don't get me wrong-I'm thrilled to have lost what I have. It now seems doable thst I'll hit the 100# mark by 5 months. I love my sleeve and have absolutely no complaints. Just want to go out and buy some new clothes!!!!!

Don't drink-so I don't know this from personal expericence-but I was told by my surgeon that 1 drink with affect you as 3 would have pre-surgery. So just allow for that.

Your recipe sounds delicious. But I thought cheese was a no-no on a Paleo diet? Also what store is BJ"s?

I'm with Lissa. I'm only about 9 weeks out and all that seems like a distant past. I only have 3 meals a day-no Snacks. So when I wake up I figure out what my timeing for the day will be. I take my pills twice a day (although my surgeon only has me on 1 multi and 1 calcium, but I have other meds). With Breakfast and at night. I carry Water around with me all day and thankfully no longer need to sip. I can just take a drink. Things got much more normalized once I was on a full diet-which for me was 4 weeks. A lot easier to plan your eating.

I found it hard to believe, but I started with a BMI of 69! I refused to consider a Bypass for many reasons, and was thrilled when I first read about the sleeve. My surgeon tried to tell me I could do better with the Bypass, but I felt very strongly that I wanted a sleeve. For many people the sleeve is done, and then later converted to a bypass if you don't lose enough weight. I am only about 2 1/2 months out, so I can't say whether or not I will eventually lose enough, but at my age (57) I don't need to be a size 6 in the end. (I am 6' tall). I would be happy to be 250! There are others on this forum who have lost over 200+ and one gentleman who has lost over 275# in one year! Personally, I think the benefits of the sleeve far outweigh the benefits of a bypass. With a Bypass you may lose the weight faster, but eventually that evens out between the sleeve and the bypass. The sleeve allows you to eat mor normally. More food choices, no dumping. Also no malabsorbtion issues. Your body is able to get the nutrients it needs from the food. Only you can make this decision. My surgeon said mine was one of the hardest he has had to do-but he did it. Laproscopicly and I had NO pain and NO complications at all. I was able to resume eating a completely normal diet at 4 weeKs. I can eat almost anything I want, a meal generally consists of a 3 oz portion of a Protein and 1/2 cup or so of vegetables. I eat 3 times a day and have no desire to snack inbetween (for the most part). I miss eating a big meal-but that is in my head, not my stomach and would apply to either surgery. I occasionally have some bread, or crackers, but it really doesn't appeal to me and since I can consume such a small amount I hate to waste it on a filler like bread or Pasta. I hope this answers some of your questions.

I was going to say-You must be further along than me, because I don't generally eat enough to warrant cooking just for me! On Sundays however I have family over, and try to cook things that work for me. This past Sunday we had Taco Soup. I cooked up about 1/2 lb 93/7 ground beef with some onion. Added 2 cans of Beans, drained. 1 can corn, drained and 1 can each Rotel and petite diced tomatoes. Then about 2-3 cups beef broth (I use beef base and water) then cook. Some people wanted to make Taco salad, so they just strained the broth off the bean/meat and put that over shredded lettuce and topped with some cheese, crushed tortilla chips. As for chicken, my favorite is just to do a Greek roasted chicken and veggies. I use boneless, skinless breast or tenders, cut into bite size pieces. Put into a large bowl with chunked veggies (onion, carrot, zucchini, sweet potato, fresh beets, whatever you like) then I sprinkle with a SMALL amount of olive oil (or spray with an olive oil spray) and sprinkle with Greek Seasoning and a small amount of lemon juice, some garlic. I spread the whole thing out on a sheet pan and roast at 425 for 45-60 min. I try and make enough for several meals. It reheats well and I even love it cold. If I am making it for the family I also roast chunked potatoes with it. It really couldn't be easier and uses whatever is on hand.

Now I am no eggface-but i was thinking about how she makes dozens of flavors of "ice cream" from soy milk and Protein powder and added ingredients, like torani syrups, nuts, fruits etc. I was wondering today about the possibility of making "ice cream" out of the premixed shakes (I'm thinking premier-the only one I can even swallow). I was thinking I could take 2 cans (24oz) and use my Cuisinart machine (the kind where you freeze the container) and then put it into individual serving size containers to have for Breakfast (I hate to cook in the morning). I was thinking about having one and a piece of fruit. Then I started thinking about adding fruit to the ice cream itself before freezing-peaches with vanilla, banana pieces with chocolate? Before I invest my hard earned cash into buying a case of shakes (I don't do Protein Shakes anymore) I just wondered if anyone had tried this?

Glad to hear you are doing so great. Everyday will get a little better and then soon, you will hardly remember this part at all. Can't answer about the dairy. Some people become lactose intolerant after the surgery (I did not) and other find they just don't care for the taste. I would suggest you just take a bite or swallow and then let that be it for about 24 hours to see how you react. If it's a problem, wait a few more days and try again. What you may not tolerate one day will sometimes be fine a few days later, and sometimes not. I would suggest you try yogurt, greek yogurt or a Protein shake. The most important thing at this stage is to get your liquids in. Don't worry so much about the protein. Try Jello, popscicles, clear juice, broths, and of course Water and just sip, sip, sip. almost constantly. Also at this stage some peole do better with warm liquids, I had to have everything ice cold. Warm beverges still do not appeal to me 9 weeks out. You are so lucky to have your mom there to help. Have you tried Gas-X strips? A lot of people swear by them. I have more of a problem with heartburn than gas. Just can't resist spicy. Good Luck and keep coming back to post.