SleeveDreamer

I am 17 months out and I stopped counting calories about 9 months ago. I was tracking on MFP and never came close so I thought I would try it on my own because I didn't want to think I was always on a diet, and thats's what counting calories reminded me of. I have been very successful and have gotten to my goal of 75 lbs. i really only had 60 lbs. to lose that my doctor wanted me to lose but he said I could go to 75 if I wanted to as long as I felt good but not any more. I just started tracking calories again yeterday on MFP and have not changed anything, I just ws curious to see about how many I am actually taking in so I can tell him next month when I go for my 18 month checkup. He himself told me that alot of his patients stress out too much and worry about calorie intake. I was surprised yesterday when I started tracking again and I am taking in less than 1,000 still. I still can't eat that much, but he did tell me that your stomach restriction changes at 18 months. So I am right on track for that and have proven that I have changed my wy of eating so much, that I can do it on my own. I will continue tracking for 3 months to see if my restrictions change like he says they will, and will probably have to increase my caloric intake a little to keep from losing more. I am 62 and healthier than I have ever been my entire adult life. Have gone from a size 18 jeans to a size 2. I take Bariatric Advantage chewable Multi Vitamins, BA Chewable Iron, BA sublimal B12 and BA Vitamin D. I am not on ANY meds at all at age 62! Will be 63 next month! LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Stay away from iceberg lettuce ( too veiny and dense) and try either romaine or bibb or butter lettuce. You will definitely see a difference. I am 16 months out and never eat iceberg lettuce anymore.

Yes that's all I have. You don't cook the oats! You blend everything up and the batter looks just like pancake batter ao it probably wouldn't matter anyway. I use one packet of Splenda. And then I use a little sugar free Syrup drizzled on top when they are done.

I'm still pre-op, but I'm planning ahead for things to eat. I hate the texture of cottage cheese, but can deal with it smooth. I recently blended up some cottage cheese with a little honey & apple pie spice. It was pretty good! I also want to try it with pumpkin pie spice. I use my little 3 cup food processor, but a blender would probably do fine.

My favorite go to snack is caprese "salad."
5 mini mozzarella balls- fresh mozzarella in Water is the best!
5 cherry tomatoes
fresh basil- few leaves
drizzle of olive oil
drizzle of balsamic vinegar
Calories: 158
Protein: 10g
Carbs: 5g
It is DELICIOUS!!!!!!

No, but only because they don't sell them where I live. I have to go to a Turkish market just to find the dried ones. That said, it's possible to do it with canned chickpeas. Just rinse them well and then toss them with a little oil (very little - just a tsp or two to make the spices stick - and if you use canned Beans you might not even need the oil) and your favorite spices, then bake at 400 on a lined baking sheet for 30-45 minutes, until they're dry and crispy.
~Cheri

I am still a few weeks out from raw fruit and veggies, so I like 4 wheat thins crackers with an ounce of pepper jack cheese. Simple and so yum yummy.
-Kendra

Please be careful of your stomach staple line though. It wakes twelve weeks for that to heal. bread will swell and possibly damage your staple line. Same with Pasta and rice.I wasn't allowed those things til 12 weeks.

Actually alot of people eat pizza with a fork and so can you and just eat the Protein and stuff off the top if you want. Who cares what they think! You will be full in no time and no bad carbs.

I only had about 55 lbs. to lose, but I have lost 70 and I am done losing. I had a horrible esophagus issue and problem that was repaired at the time of my sleeve. All of my weight was basically in my abdomen since 1/3 of my stomnach had protruded through my diaphragm. I was a mess. I went to the doctor just today for my 18 month checkup. my doctor is so happy with me. I have finally started to exercise to tone up about two weeks ago ( I hate to exercise). Remember when you start to do that, you may not lose pounds since the fat is turning to muscle. My fat % has gone down from 54% to 26% and I have gone from a size 18 jeans to a size 2. I have lost 14 inches in my waist. Please don't get discouraged, you will lose, but it doesn't happen overnight. You will not lose a pound or two everyday. I weigh myself everyday and i always have and always will, but not necessary. Whenever we go out to eat i have a white russian or a glass of white zin before my food comes. No problems. I never order too much. I know my limits. If I want clam chowder and a shrimp cocktail for example, I eat my shrimp cocktail first and a few spoons of the chowder then give the rest to my husband. I usually keep my meat portion to about 4-6 oz, then eat veggies or salad (but not all cuz I am usually getting full off the meat. I eat more red meat and pork now than I ever did. Don't like chicken anymore really. Not moist enough. But I have been very successful and you will be too. Just take it one day at a time. See before and after pic on my profile page.

you look awesome Lissa! Hope you are feeling better after the gall bladder episode!

Not a little black dress, but I love these pics.
For reference

My doctor says that a good loss is at least 5-8 lbs. per month that stays off. This is a healthy consistent weight loss. I was at goal at 9 1/2 months and I have averaged 7 lbs. a month that has stayed off. I weigh every day and always have and always will, and I never have gained even 1/2 lb. back! you don';t want to lose then gain, then lose then gain, etc. You need to keep on a consistent loss. He also said that the more wieght you have to lose, the faster you will lose, and the less weight you have to lose, it may be a little slower. But ask yourself whe you lost even 5-8 lbs. on your own! Even if you get into a stall, which you will, you will still continue to lose inches. There is no way that you are not going to lose weight with such a small stomach. It's not going to happen overnight. Please don't get impatient. Your time will come.

My doctor says that a good loss is at least 5-8 lbs. per month that stays off. This is a healthy consistent weight loss. I was at goal at 9 1/2 months and I have averaged 7 lbs. a month that has stayed off. I weigh every day and always have and always will, and I never have gained even 1/2 lb. back! you don';t want to lose then gain, then lose then gain, etc. You need to keep on a consistent loss. He also said that the more wieght you have to lose, the faster you will lose, and the less weight you have to lose, it may be a little slower. But ask yourself whe you lost even 5-8 lbs. on your own! Even if you get into a stall, which you will, you will still continue to lose inches. There is no way that you are not going to lose weight with such a small stomach. It's not going to happen overnight. Please don't get impatient. Your time will come.

Red Lobster is very good at accomodating you if you tell them you have had stomnach surgery. The wood fired trout is awesome too and you have enough left to take home and eat for three days! LOL! I used to be able to eat two dinners!

I always get the shrimp they have on a smlaa skewer with pineapple tidbits and some knd of sauce. Ask for the saled with my meal and eat some of that after the shrimp.

New dress for Christmas. Size 6!!!!

I eat Popchips and Lundberg Rice chips in moderation. Popcron is also OK. My NUT says popcorn in moderation is very good for us for the Fiber. But be careful. these are slider foods!. Goes down easily and don't fill you up since you chew so much with no nutritiional value. No more fries for me. If I go to a Mecican restaurant I may have a chip or two then stop cuz I don't want to feel full before I eat!

I am over one year out, but I could have tortillas
I am over one year out but i could have tortillas at 12 weeks when i was also cleared for bread, rice , and Pasta.

That is not true these days. A lot of fast food places have very healthy selections and are great for us who have been sleeved. You just need to make different choices from the menu than you did before. I don't go to them that iften, cuz I don't work but when I am out and do stop, I always find something great.

Also there is a great book called Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook fro Dummies. Great recipes in there. Make sure you get the COOKBOOK and not just the Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies book.

That is not true these days. A lot of fast food places have very healthy selections and are great for us who have been sleeved. You just need to make different choices from the menu than you did before. I don't go to them that iften, cuz I don't work but when I am out and do stop, I always find something great.

I made the taco casserole from the Bariatric Foodie blog in the link below. It was DELICIOUS!. I made myself a small bowl, and I broke up three tortillas chips to spread on the top to give it some crunch. My family enjoyed eating it with chips like nachos. I parceled out the left overs into small tupperware bowls and ate it the next two days. It keeps really well.
meat (whatever you use)



1 small zucchini, diced (I leave the skin on for extra fiber)



1 small yellow squash, diced (same deal)



1 small onion, diced



1 clove of garlic minced



1 envelope of taco seasoning mix



1 can black Beans (I used the spicy kind), drained and rinsed



1 can fat-free refried beans



1 can tomatoes and chiles (or canned diced tomatoes if you don't like the heat)



2 c. shredded Mexican blend cheese (you can do reduced fat or regular but NOT fat free!)




Optional toppings:
Unflavored Greek yogurt



Salsa




Directions:

In a sprayed pan, sautee veggies with garlic until they are softened. Drain any excess liquid and transfer to a bowl.



Brown ground meat, drain and then transfer to the same bowl and mix with canned beans and tomatoes and chiles.



Mix in taco seasoning thoroughly and then transfer mixture to a 13x9 casserole dish.



Evenly spread out fat free refried beans on top (this may be easier if you heat them in a microwave safe bowl for a minute or so.



Top with cheese and then bake in a 350 oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is oozy, melty and slightly browned.

And as you'll see from the post, I had this ridiculously huge ham leftover from Christmas. If you have ham, I have a Winter's 15-Bean Soup with Ham for you. Due to the unusual cooking method (oven) the Beans stay intact and the soup remains brothy the way our sleeves like it... the smaller beans don't desintigrate into a mushy mess.
http://soup-a-woman.blogspot.com/2012/12/hamzilla-winters-15-bean-soup-with-ham.html

Try egg cupcakes the lasagna and cheeseburger won ton cupcakes from emilybites.com and theworldaccordingtoeggface.com You make a dozen or so at a time and heat up in microwave before you leave and wrap in foil and you would be surprised how long they stay hot.