DebiC

I was so afraid my surgeon would require me to lose weight before surgery (I did lose 26# on the pre-op) or that my insurance would require it. By the time I got around to deciding on the surgery I was in no state of mind to try on my own, again, for the 100th time. I can understand their thinking-we want to know that you are taking this seriously, or that you have the ability to follow the post-op diet (which in my opinion is harder than Weight Watchers or some of the other "diets" out there). But still-they should understand that we are here (most of us anyways) as a last resort-and we don't want to play games or prolong the process. I'm glad you decided to follow the rules so that you can get sleeved. Good luck on your surgery. Keep us posted

Just discussing this with my daughter the other day-How since surgery my diet has almost become Paleo just on it's own. Except for the dairy. Since most of my meals meals consist solely of a Protein and some veggies. But never will become completely Paleo until they figure out how to do a Paleo pizza!!

Have no fear-most likely at least some of the hunger will come back!! if not real hunger, at least Head Hunger from the sight and smell of old favorites. We are still living life and need to figure out how to accomodate some of out old favorites. When it comes to pizza (my diet nemesis) I saute up some zucchini, onion, bell pepper. Then I take the crust from one piece and dispose of it and toss that cheese and sauce on top of my sauted veggies and enjoy right along with everyone else. If we are having Pasta, I just put some sauce into a ramekin, add my Protein, top with a little cheese and broil. Or I might add some steamed zucchini or spaghetti squash to the sauce and have that alongside my protein choice. There will always be temptations and for the first time in my life I am allowing myself to throw away perfectly good food-I'd rather throw it away or give it away than sabotage my food plan. My daughters family has never eaten so well!!

I live alone-but my daughter and her two daughters eat dinner with me almost everynight. I have been lucky that my daughter had decided that they needed to eat healthier-so they have adopted several of my new habits. If we have a Pasta type dish-I take my protion out before adding the pasta. If we have something like pizza-I substitute zucchini for the crust and top with sauce/cheese/veggies and bake. My meals usually consist of a Protein (about 3 oz) and then a very small-1/2 cup of salad or 1/4 cup cooked vegetable. I don't have any room left for additional food-so it's not too much of a temptation if they add pasta, or rice or bread. it's difficult to want to cook when you get to eat so little of it. It's not worth the time or the mess. I do a lot like Lissa and freeze portions to have another time so I don't end up eating the same meal 3 days in a row.

In my experience the pre-op diet is the hardest part. While we all have different post-op experiences it seems most are very easy and without complications. Hang in there. Soon this part will be nothing but an unpleasant memory as you start to watch the pounds melt away after surgery!

To ab76307: You lost 98# in 3 months? That must be some kind of record!! You rock-any tips? I got sleeved about 3 weeks after you. Haven't weighed myself in 2 weeks so no real clue where I'm at. Lets just say I started at over 450# I'm 6' tall. Had my clothes custon made (too big and tall to shop at regular stores) so not sure about size. About a 6X I think. Although I have lost about 70lbs haven't gone down enough to change even one size . So I am just looking to be even a size 32 so I can at least buy dresses at a regular store and then we'll go from there.

While I agree that it is important to be careful and to take our surgery seriously, my surgeon (and he was one of the VSG pioneers) advocates a full diet by 4 weeks. He discourages Protein drinks after surgery and only "allows" 3 meals a day and no Snacks. I don't think there has been any empirical studies done on post-op eating and many doctors are going by the old Bypass recommendations-which is why we have so many differing pre and post op diets going on. So while I don't think we necessarily need to stick to soft foods for 2 months-we should certainly follow our surgeons recommendations to give us the best chance at success.

Not everyone's tastes change after getting sleeved. For most of us, we would never have gotten as big as we were if it wasn't for mental/emotional/addiction issues. None of that changes just by getting a sleeve. If food was your "go to" comfort food before, then it will still be. For me it was Pepsi. About 3 weeks after being sleeved I had a crisis and the first thought that came to my mind was "I need a Pepsi". I did not indulge. I agreed to give up soda 100% after I got sleeved and I'm really trying to keep that promise. Also-food tastes good (I do make healthier choices now). After I finish my 2-3 oz Protein and 1/2 cup vegetables I am full, but it tasted so good I still want more. Of course I don't partake (been there-not fun), but the desire is still there. What you said is all true-in a perfect world. But unfortunately we are not able to make perfect choices-or we wouldn't have been overweight to begin with. I personnally bought several books on WLS and the mental/emotional aspects. I also just started going to a therapist who believes that a lot of my food addiction problem stems from the verbal/emotional abuse I have suffered throughout most of my life-so I need to work on that. But ultimately I think if we don't find a way to figure out the problems that made us so fat, our behavior is not going to really change, and sleeve or no sleeve I don't think we will resolve our weight problems in the long run.

I am not a Protein drink drinker. Even in my Clear liquid phases I drank Instant Breakfast. Couldn't stomach the thought of a Protein shake. (doing Optifast 20 years ago made me nauseas just thinking of protein shakes) BUT-I was at costco today and they were sampling both the chocolate and vanilla Premier canned protein drinks- 30 grams of protein, about 180 calories, 1 gr sugar $24 for 18 cans. I was actually able to swallow it! Both flavors! Didn't notice any protein aftertaste. The vanilla had a faint coconut flavor-but it was nice. If I had to do Protein shakes ever again I would definitly go with these. And with Costco, if you buy the case, try one and don't like it-You can return the remainder of the case and they will refund all of your money.

When I eat too fast or too much and start to feel like I'm going to vomit-I find that taking a few sips of Water helps things to settle down. Funny how the opposite is true for many. My Doctor is so adament about the no drinking rule-that he told me that he has stopped drinking during his meals also, even tho he has not had WLS. Sometimes for Breakfast I do drink milk. I don't see how that is different than if I had milk on Cereal. But that;s just my opinion. I understand the reasons behind not drinking while eating-but it's hard to break a lifetime habit.

I am only 2 months post-op, so I can't give you personal stats-I haven't weighed in 2+ weeks but at 6 weeks post-op I was down 58 lbs. I have seen several people here who have lost 100# in 5 or so months. Some have lost 200# in about a year. But of course that's not everyone. As Rootman said-the more you have to lose the faster it "should" happen. If you are on a pre-op diet now for the time before surgery, that should help you get to your goal. I lost over 20# in just my two week post-op diet. Good Luck and have fun on your cruise. I too had planned to go this year, but decided for several reasons (weight being one) to wait another year.

I am only 8 weeks out, and have been eating salads, veggies (except raw celery) and fruits (apples with peels, all types of citrus). Maybe my stomach is more ironclad than most-but I haven't had any problems. My doctor is one who puts you on a normal diet at 4 weeks, while I know some don't for 3 to 4 months. But personally, I haven't had any problems with "healthier" foods. When I do eat bread (which is rare) I eat 100% whole wheat. I also eat an egg almost every morning without problems. Good luck on your decision.

It's so funny to me how since we started at different weights it makes our goals the same, but different. Here I am hoping to get into the size clothes you all can't wait to get out of!! Unfortunately I am also 6' tall so I can't even ask for your hand-me-downs. I just want to shop at a store-any store! They make clothes for big people or tall people, but not big&tall. Of course I have to make sure my shirts are long enough to cover my butt, so I have had to have my shirts made for me (pluswoman.com) for the last few years. At $100 a shirt! Needless to say I only have 3 different ones. And those lovely black elastic waist pants from Roamans. I just can't wait to fit into a 28!! I have seen so many cute clothes online that go up to a 28. It may take awhile-but at least I'm headed in the right direction.

I see that some people eat 3 meals and a snack or 6 meals-And I just wondered how that works? I eat 3 meals a day 4 hours apart which is what my doctor wants. When I eat a meal I am full and then there is no way I can eat anything again for the full 4 hours. I've tried moving it up by 30 min or an hour and I could barely swallow a bite. So how do you work in 6 meals? Or when could you fit in a snack? I don't do Protein shakes so each meal is an actual meal. I don't want to change my plan, I'm just curious about why our sleeves act so differently.

Been exactly where you are for 30 years. I finally left 8 years ago. We had 5 kids and all have been permanently damaged because of him and his behavior. In my case talking to him about his behavior did no good-It took me over 20 years to get up the nerve to confront him and he denied ever calling me or our kids names. I think part of the reason I gained weight was in response to his behavior. I can almost guarantee that losing weight will not change his behavior. He'll just find something else to pick on your for. But as your self-esteem starts to return you will be better prepared to make decisions about what to do. Regardless, now is the time you need to focus on yourself. Do the things you need to help yourself get healthy. And whether or not you think you'll ever leave him, I would suggest that you get some job training-we never know what our future will hold-but it's best to be prepared for whatever. I wish I had done that. Good Luck and please keep coming around for support. There are many of us who have been where you are.

No celery!! Except cooked. Crunchy is tough. I like WASA Crispbreads. Only 20 calories for a "cracker" the size of a graham cracker. Actually you may not have use for cruncy Snacks for several months. After eating your Protein and then some bites of veggies-no room left. I, personally do not have space for snacks (although some have them planned in). My sleeve will only tolerate food every 4 hours (3 meals a day) and I have no desire, or space for snacks. I know some eat saltines or other low fat crackers. Also if you check into some of the Atkins type snacks you can find things like 100% cheese crisps-in flavors and things like that. Good luck.

This looks really good. Thanks for sharing

I suffer(ed) from severe depression and PMDD. I was on Wellbutrin for a couple years. Switched to Effexor and then about 3 years ago they added Wellbutrin back. I can't say if affected my libido or not as several other things were going on in my life. But what I can say is that everyone reacts differently to different psychotropic drugs. What energizes one person-sedates another. I had manic episodes from one antidepressant I was on and some cease to be effective after awhile. If you take it and it doesn't provide the results you are looking for-tell your doctor. It may need to be tweaked or changed. I went through 5 or 6 different antidepressants before finding the combination that has worked for me now for more than 8 years.

On this forum I have seen where people have lost anywhere from 50 lbs to 300 lbs. So your weight is right in the middle of that. I personally had NO pain at all. And like the woman above said you can only drink fluids for a few weeks to allow your stomach time to heal. Then you begin re-eating gradually. My doctor allows us to eat a complete "normal" diet at 4 weeks-I haven't had any problems but some people become lactose intolerant. You need to consume lots of Protein and drink lots of fluids-so like a diet you need to keep track of what you eat and of course you will lose faster if you avoid sweets, fried foods, breads/pasta/rice. For me, I can only eat about 1/2 cup per meal (I have 3 meals a day-no snacks). After I consume the necessary protein, I can manage a few tablespoons of vegetables, but seldom have room for, or desire "filler foods". I am almost never hungry between meals. I have lost 60 lbs in 2 months. but I have a lot more to lose than you do so it comes off a little faster. I wish the sleeve had been available to me years ago, but I'm certainly glad I took advantage of it now. Good luck, and keep coming back to these forums for support and to ask whatever questions you have. Good luck.

Your topic says "double up on Protein powder". so are you doubling the powder or just reducing the Fluid? I have read of several people who double up on their protein powders (getting 50-60 grams per shake) to get it all in in one shake. It has been brought up several times that "Nutritionists and doctors have maintained for decades that "people can only digest 30 grams at a time of protein and any additional protein is wasted or converted to fat." . I haven't seen any research to back that up and don't have 100% confidence in everything the medical community says, but I think we are hear to learn to eat properly and healthily (is that a word). If you are just reducing the fluid, don't see anything wrong with that, would get it over with faster (personally would be happy if I never saw another protein shake again!)

Sleeve day-Nothing Days 1-14-full liquids including pureed soups/chili-protein shakes optional Days 15-30-soft foods (basically everything except fresh vegetables, nuts, rice/pasta, dry or tough meats) Day 31+ Full normal high protein/low fat diet limit carbs to 25 per meal

My doctor allows all foods at 4 weeks. I waited until about 5 weeks to do salads-he advises no iceberg (no nutritional value). As for rice. My doctor discourages all rice, Pasta, grains, bread. But I have eaten small amounts of rice. Had no problems with it. I am surprised at the number of doctors who advise their patients to wait until 8 or 12 weeks for solids. The medical community needs to get together and do some research so we could have some kind of a standardized time line.

My doctor is one of the Full liquids/soft foods/regular. He considers full to be shakes, pureed soups, jello, pudding. Soft is almost everything else except fresh veggies, nuts, and tough or dry meats. So his stages are kind of a mixture of the other doctors. I suggest you either ask your NUT or get one of the WLS cookbooks from your library to give you a more complete listing.

I use the WASA crisp breads. They are 20 calories for a cracker the size of a graham cracker. They are multigrain, but not a strong flavor.

I weigh every two weeks. But that's only because I am still 12# over the highest my PCP's scale goes! But even when I am able to weigh on a regular scale I do believe in only weighing once a week. I think you get too discouraged when you weigh every day-and some here even weigh more often than that.