DebiC

You're only a week out so everything you are experiencing sounds normal. Each day will be a little better. There are a few other vegetarians around the boards. I will not ever claim to be a total vegetarian, but do have meatless meals several times a week. Way more often now that I have been sleeved and am working hard to eat healthier in general. Putting so little food into this huge body make me want to be sure that whatever I put in is of the best nutrition possible. I have been looking more and more into "clean" eating. But as long as I am still trying to lose there are a few "diet" foods that I refuse to give up. Hang in there. It WILL get better. For now the most important thing is to get in enough liquids to keep you from getting dehydrated. Worry about the Protein and stuff later.

I'm so glad that so many have responded to this thread! Dooter-It's getting close!! Are you so excited?? I'm sure you know from reading that these next few weeks will be especially hard and you will probably wonder if you did the right thing. But come back here and read about the progress your friends here have made-and you'll realize that you did do the right thing. Make sure you write us and let us know how things are going. Good Luck. Tif-Glad to hear everything is going so well-relatively speaking of course. When does your surgeon allow you to start eating? At least soft foods or Mushies? That will help so much. And of course within a month or so it will all just be a distant memory. I could drink well at the beginning also-but have found if I take 3 normal size swallows in a row it makes me nauseaus. How weird is that. Circa-You're just starting out too-How's it going? You're so lucky to be satisified with liquids. Terry H-111 lbs is sure nothing to sneeze at! I never realized that this journey could be so hard and yet so easy at the same time. Have you met Paul? He list over 275lbs by his 1 year. That certainly gives me hope. I don't think most of our surgeons really think that we can do the 200+lbs without switiching to the Bypass. I hope I can prove my surgeon wrong. BrandyMarie-Look at you-starting off with Protein drinks before you even have to-You go girl! On another thread this girl has added an attachment with 90 or so different shake recipes-You should check it out. I personally will be happy if I never see another shake-although I just bought a case of Premier from costco. I'm going to attempt to make ice cream with it tomorrow! Paola-What do you do for exercise? I have my first appointment with a trainer (provided through my surgery center) tomorrow. I have been sooooooooo heavy for so long-my exercise was just getting out of my chair to go to the bathroom!! I have been able to go walking since losing, but can't envision what other types of exercises I can do at my weight. My daughters have started doing Jillian Michaels, but I will need to lose another 200+ before I would even consider joining them! Writergirl-Get a ticker going so we can see how you're progressing. I was scared to at the beginning. Afraid it would indicate my beginning weight! Now that I've lost some-it's not so bad. I actually weigh in tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to change mine! Massindex-All I can say is WOW. 200lbs in a year. That is so great. While I can't tell much difference after losing 60+ lbs I'm sure I'll be able to after losing 200. What kind of difference has that made in your life? You give us hope. I had originally set my goal to lose 200 in 2 years, but I'm hoping now that it will happen much sooner. Unfortunately I really need to lose over 300lbs, but even 200 would change my life so drastically, I could live with that. MzPecanBrown-I love that name! that is such the SouthernBelle name. Do you say Pea-Can or Pea-Con? I don't watch my protein, calories and stuff as much as I should. I just try and always eat protein first and then some veggies or fruit. I really should keep better track. I'll have to give that My Fitness Pal a look see Well, I hope everyone is doing better today than yesterday. I'm so excited to see so many people respond. If anybody wants please feel free to message me. I'd love to have a buddy or two to travel this journey with. Keep in touch!!

I started eating salads about 5 weeks out. I usually eat 1 every day. The only thing my doctor said was "No Iceberg". Too fibrous and NO Nutritional value. So I do mostly romaine, spinach, whatever else comes in those "specialty" bags of lettuce. I through in any veggies on hand (except celery) and use about a tablespoon of a low or non fat dressing. I can usually eat about 1 cup and have it with whatever Protein I'm having. I've made it into taco salad, greek salad, chef's salad.

I feel very fortunate that my Doctor has not mentioned anything about goals. I mean how much control do we really have over this whole thing? I think most everyone is eating close to the minimum necessary to sustain life!! do they expect us to go down to 400 calories a day? Unless of course someone is eating nothing but candy and donuts. But I doubt that is the case.

Most likely it's just your body adjusting. Every few days I think the same thing. then I realize that it would be physically impossible NOT to be losing weight at this stage. You body requires about 10 calories per pound that you weigh just to maintain bodily functions. So as long as you are eating less than that consistently you have to lose weight. it could also be hormones. Your body has undergone some massive changes in the last 3-4 weeks (assuming you did a pre-op diet) and it needs to adjust. I think at some point or another we all think that we will be the ONE person that fails at the sleeve. And while they can't guarantee that you will lose weight-I haven't heard of anyone who didn't. Hang in there. think positive (I know it's hard) and just keep doing what you are supposed to. Good Luck.

You don't say how old you are, but there are many here who are in their 50's and 60's. There are some age related forums listed-you might check into those. I will be 57 next month, and thought I was too old. But after only losing 75lbs I feel like I'm 20 years younger!!

I'm glad you chimed in Countrysjr- I was feeling like a pig compared to some other posters. I was sleeved 11/14 Most days I eat Breakfast-2 egg whites and 1 slice bacon or 1 cup high fiber Cereal Lunch-3-4 oz Protein and 1 cup salad or 1/2 green vegetables Dinner-Same as lunch My doctor doesn't allow snacks-but if I do it's generally a piece of fruit plus I drink 8oz of milk and 8oz of fresh juice during the day in addition to my waters. He doesn't allow dessert either-but every night I have a 100 calorie dessert- Light ice cream, cookie/milk, 100 calories of chocolate.

I wish someone had told me everyones experience would be completely different. I had no pain, no gas, no tube down my throat. I did have a drain and staples that had to be removed, painlessly. I have never had the slimes, or hiccups when I am full. However if I take even one bite too many or too fast I gag like I'm going to vomit. Not a pretty sight. I did not become lactose intolerant, I need all my drinks ice cold and hate any warm or Hot Drinks. I never had to have another Protein shake after my surgery, I'm not cold all the time, I didn't have a 3-week stall. I thought I would miss bread more than I do. Same for burgers. I miss Pepsi more than I thought I would. I never knew that plain Water could taste so different. Brands I loved before I can't even swallow now. I wish I had taken "before" pictures so I could see the results that the scale says are there. I wish I hadn't taken so much stuff to the hospital, and also not worried so much about having enough stuff on hand for the mushy stage (unless you live an hour from a grocery store!) because my tastes changed dramatically after my surgery. I wish someone had told me how good I would feel after even losing just a small amount of weight. But mostly I wish someone had told me about this years ago-My life would have been so much different.

Never had a crawfish or a boil (and never plan to have one either!) but I had the same concerns about pizza or taco's or whatever. What happens is that you are physically unable to pig out without causing considerable pain and/or vomiting. I am one who believes in eating what you want, within reason, only controlling the amounts. Protein first then veggies (have almost no desire for breads, rice or pasta) I would think eating crawfish would be "legal" and I think you'll find just a bite or two of the potatoes and whatever else will satisfy you. My problem is that I after I eat the food, it tasted soooooooo good that I want more. But I know that if I take even one more bite I will be uncomfortable for hours. So that keeps me from over eating. You only have so much space and if you try and overfill it-it just can't fit so it comes right back up. But I say go and enjoy and socialize and just figure out how to make the meal work into your plan. In small amounts.

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"

Not quite sure what Forum this should go under-so i'll try here. First off, i have never worn shapewear (I have been a 6X for years-so wear loose clothes anyways). So I am looking towards the future. Here's my question/dilema. I have to lose about 250# and will need to wait to have any plastic surgery done. So lets suppose I lose most if not all of my weight. That will mean I will have A LOT of excess skin hanging around. My question is-will shapewear really be able to handle that much excess skin? I mean it hardly seems fair that if I lose all this weight that I have to go around with my stomach hanging to my knees for a year or two until I can get plastic surgery. I guess I should be happy just to be able to enjoy the health benefits of weight loss. But seriously, who doesn't want to also look better, and if I work this hard I want to be able to wear something besides a muumuu or stretch pants!! But how will I fit in anything if I still have so much skin hanging down?? Anybody here actually lost a significant amount of weight and had to deal with this problem?

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 keep coming to this forum to look for currents posts-but there are none! Now I know that I am not the only one out there who needs to lose 200+ lbs (or am I?). If you have 200+ to lose whether you are just starting or near/at goal, you know that our needs are totally different from those who need to lose less. Not that they don't have a journey, it's just different. I know for me, I find I need more encouragement, my family is supportive, but they don't really understand. I know that my journey will not end in a year (unless I have results like Paul!) and even tho I have already lost 60+ lbs you can't even tell a little. I'm doing great, feeling great, so that's not my issue. I'd just like to hear more from those of us who have had a slightly different/longer road to travel.

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.