CowgirlJane

Obesity is such a complex topic, there are alot of forces at work here. We talk about "head hunger" "emotional eating" and all that but we should not discount the genuine chemical/hormonal psiological factors that drive so much of this! We hear alot about grehlin, but there is a whole lot more that drives our appetite/hunger. I am no expert, but I know from my own reading and my own experiences that what we eat can trigger responses - it will trigger what we WANT to eat. Dr Kessler talks about it as the overabundance of highly palatable (not necessarily tastes good, but triggers the eat more feeling) but low nutrition food. Obesity is actually a type of malnutrition!!! I personally believe that this eating clean idea is the key. Avoiding highly processed foods, avoiding alot of the sugars and simple carbohydrates. Staying away from the stuff that just isn't natural, real nutrition!!! I truely believe that eating a lean Protein and wholesome veggies based diet, with a limited amount of whole grains, with very little else, will help keep a person from over-eating. It will keep your body from going haywire and demanding the junk. That is so much easier said then done. We are SURROUNDED, knee deep, buried in the types of food that trigger many of us to overeat and/or to eat the very things that are not good for us. I don't ever try to push the envelope of what my sleeve can "handle" but I feel like I am really really still fighting the battle to not desire crappy food. I don't even like crappy food, but I have spent too much of my life under it's spell, it is not so easy to just make the total break. Lately, my big thing has been dying for nuts. Now, nuts are a healthy food, but for whatever reason, I am not happy with 2-3, I want too many and they go down really easy. I think it is the salt/fat that is triggering that desire. Anyway, I get your point and I sometimes wonder why people seem to be tring to find the "edge" of what their sleeve lets them do. Maybe it is just the choice of words, maybe people don't really mean that. I am trying to find the other end... trying to find out how I can eventually become one of those people who forget to eat.... lol I wish I was a more perfect being, but I am not and so I do the best I can and give myself all the kudos I can when I do "pretty good, even if not perfect"

You should maybe think in terms of excess weight lost rather then number of pounds. My NUT gave me rough guidance that 2-3 months post op people should have lost 20-30% of their excess weight. Excess weight is start weight minus "ideal weight" according to the charts.. I am one month out and have lost about 24% of my excess weight already.

Well, that pesky stall broke - lost a little bit last week (after like 6 days of no weight loss!) but this week was great results at 5.8# lost! So that is 28# lost since my surgery date and 36# counting my 2 week preop diet. My valentine's day goal is really aggressive, but I am still shooting for it! Today is my 4 weeks surgiversary!

I hope you are recovering well. I think the gastric sleeve is a great choice when you need to get rid of the lapband. I am not sure I understand the worst case comment - you weren't planning on having the sleeve procedure done?

okay, gotcha, I misunderstood - I thought you were doing the revision in one surgery. So, here is my story - I had my band removed on a Thursday in September, I returned to work the following Monday. I was feeling poorly, I think reaction to the anesthesia (and maybe even a little depression over the whole band failure?). I was okay, sorta, but then got sick with a virus. I wound up working Mon-Wed that week and taking Thurs and Friday off. i think if I hadn't gotten that virus, I would have been okay with just the "long weekend" to recover. The port incision was sore for awhile though. The other thing that happened was that starting about a week after the band came out, my hunger went through the roof. I hadn't had Fluid in my band for years, but once it was removed, I felt like my stomach was a bottomless pit. I finally got control over the weight gain by doing a low carb thing with my family doc, just to kinda hold me over until I was sleeved. For me, the Sleeve was a much harder recovery. Part of the reason for that is you have very restricted fluid and calories - so in addition to all the surgery recovery you just aren't getting the fuel you are used to getting! Some people bounce right back and go to work in a week or so after the sleeve surgery. Many people needed more time, I am one of them even though I didn't have any complications. I am almost 4 weeks out, have been back at work for a week and am just exhausted. Some days are better, some are worse, but I am certainly not back to my normal self. Having said all that, I still think it is worth it. I am already enjoying being a bit lighter on my feet!

I am so glad you found an experienced revision surgeon. I am shocked he thought you could go back to work after so few days... I sure couldn't! I went back to work after 3 weeks, desk job, and have really struggled due to exhaustion.

Fruit Was not on my liquid phase plan. I had a strawberry and protein smoothie - homemade - once I entered the "soft food" phase as that is when fruits and berries were allowed on my plan. Something to watch is that some of those can be really high sugar and carbs... so having them too often might not be best thing for your eating plan.

I like the "cheese crisps" as they are a salty tasty treat that goes great with tuna or chicken salad. You make them by taking 1 oz which is about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese and "fry" them on a non stick pan in 6-8 little lumps. They spread out flat as they brown, then flip em so they cook on the other side, and then they harden when you let them cool. I will probably eventually buy saltines or something, but yummy crackers like those keebler buttery tasting ones are a trigger type food for me. I guess with the sleeve I probably couldn't eat very many, but i just don't want them in the house to find out while I am in the weight loss phase.

Well, I have done some sort of activity pretty much all my life. not always intense, but always ***something*** In 2004, i did the Susan B Kommen 3Day walk - 60 miles over 3 days, man that was intense! I weighed about 250 then, fitter then recent years, but still packing alot of pounds around. I have always believed that even fat people feel better and benefit from activity. I have only lost 30 some pounds and even though i am tired, I am already finding my hilly terrain walks sooo much easier. Just getting rid of some weight just makes it alot more enjoyable. I think for people who don't like "exercise" finding an "activity" you do enjoy is really beneficial. Walking the dog, raking the leaves, gardening, ballroom dancing, walking along a beautiful beach or whatever rings your bell - that all counts! Sure, being a gym rat is great, but it isn't for everybody.

I had the band for 10 years - don't be fooled that it is without issues as many band patients have terrible side effects especially a few years out.... PeaceQueen - hugs and lots of prayers for a speedy recovery!

I need to second the statement that removal of most of your stomach DOES decrease your absorption of certain Vitamins. If you reseach gastectomy that is done for stomach cancer, you will find that those patients need B12, Vit D and Calcium supplements too. I know this because of a relative who had this procedure. Iron I am less sure of - I thought we needed that because of the volume of meat reduces so much. Anyway, you will find plenty of people who feel fine and notice no ill effects without vitamins, at least in the near term, but I for one don't want to take the chances with my health over the long term. I don't want to have brittle bones 10 years from now. I HATE taking the vitamins. I am finding this to be the hardest part of the lifestyle change so far, but I do think it is really important.

You have done just great - a real inspiration to me! I hope a year from now I can be posting my success story!

So, my original question had to do with finding objective evidence for low carbing improving success after weight loss surgery. Even without eating simple carbs (sugar, junk food, bread etc) it is still pretty easy to get carbs in. Carbs are in many of the Vitamin supplements, in fruits and veggies etc. I find that when i try to stay under 40 TOTAL carbs per day I don't feel as good as when I eat a bit more of them. I have alot of weight to lose and want to do as well as I can this first year post op, but am not sure it is worth it to try to stay truly low carb as opposed to just eating Protein first. Once i am further along I plan to replace some of my higher carb Vitamins, but right now I have a liquid Calcium citrate and it adds quite a few to my daily total.

It was really great to be able to sample them in advance. My nutritionalist sponsors "tasting parties" and they handed out samples - I found I don't like most. Some of them are horrible and we all seem to have different tastes! I like the premixed ones best - Premier Protein chocolate is probably my favorite. For the powders, I really like the nectar ones, and you can order a sample pack for about $13 with no shipping charge. I like several of those flavors. This is the instructions for the protein powder "sample" order, YOU CAN ONLY ORDER THESE BY PHONE. THEY ARE LIMITING ONE PER PERSON. IF YOU HAVE NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD, YOU CAN PUT IN AN ORDER UNDER THEIR NAME AND CREDIT CARD. SYNTRAX'S PHONE NUMBER IS 1-866-333-7403. ASK FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE (THEY CLOSE AT 5P.M. CENTRAL TIME, I THINK)

I had my band removed in Sept and then was sleeved in December. I didn't realize that the band and port bothered me mentally - but I can't even express how much I LOVE not having that dang port anymore. I somehow feel more normal. I have heard that some people are very successful with the band, and I did lose 70# years ago. I went from 272 to about 202 over a year. I lost 30 of those pounds during my first month post op liquid diet - and dieted and exercised to get the rest off! It was such a struggle. It was embarrasing to be at a business meal and make a mistake like getting a piece of lettuce stuck and not be able to eat the meal. It was so unpredictable -other times it seemed I could eat anything. I really hated the band over time, but once the Fluid had to be removed, i regained everything. I think that some people, who really had the right education and support and for some unknown reason found it to work - do okay. I think most people get poor to fair results over the long haul. When I feel pissed about it, I remind myself that in 2001, there were only the band and gastric bypass to choose from. I guess I took my chances and lost the lottery. I CANNOT understand why so many people are still being banded knowing that the long term results are SO poor and there are so many complications at the 5-10 year out mark. Anyway, I went through a real emotional rollercoaster about getting a revision. So far, 3 weeks out, I am very happy with my decision.

I am 3 weeks out and still on pureed food so I kinda know what you mean. I have some of the same fears, that I won't be able to change. Here are a couple of things I am doing. -I am tracking food and exercise to increase self awareness -I am getting junk food out of the house, to the extent possible. Hubby is a real snacker, which is my downfall.. I just have sad "no cheetos" and don't get near the bag. If I lived alone, I would make sure that that stuff wasn't even around. -I just started upping my activity level. This is helping with my mood -I realize that when I am busy, I am not really hungry. Sitting around gives me too much time to think about food. I feel hungry but I think it is more head hunger During recovery, there was more sitting around then moving around so my focus going forward is on staying busy. There are closets to clean, friends to visit, window shopping to do... you know... anything that gets me away from the TV and old habits. -Take your PPI and drink your fluids. Acid and thirst can both feel like hunger! -I too was panicked about how easy it was for me to consume fluids (and even liquidy pureed things). The NUT assured me that will change as I start eating thicker food. Today i had some ricotta cheese flavored with sugar free vanilla flavoring and I feel quite content on a small portion. I do think that more solid food will help with this. also, remember not to drink 30 min before or after consuming pureed or solid foods. I am scared I won't be able to change, so I am trying to pick one habit at a time. I am now focused on eliminating the eating after dinner habit. It is an ingrained habit, i have done it for years and it hasn't served me well. I am working on changing it. 3 days in a row now - if I can make it more like 3 weeks, then hopefully i have changed that habit. Maybe you can choose one small bad eating habit to work on rather then trying to change everything overnight and feeling overwhelmed.

Do you think they might be able to make an exception based on doctors orders? It is hard to get all the fluids in post surgery since you can't just chug 16 ounces on a short break. I am 3 weeks out, and can drink no problem, but still not chugging and don't plan to anytime soon....

I guess food has always been part of my evening routine too. Hubby sits there and Snacks on and off for hours. Difference is, he doesn't get fat so for me, right now, it is just better to end the habit as I can see that it will interfere with my success. Back when i did Weight Watchers I used to eat lots of veggies, low fat popcorn etc... just to be eating something without lots of calories. Now that I am sleeved, I hope i can just change the habit. 3 nights in a row - so far so good!

I think this is one of those "it depends" subjects. I am 47, well over 100# to lose and my family and friends have watched me try every diet under the sun. I lose... and then regain plus some. They know that doing the activities I love have been getting harder and harder. I have sleep apnea and really bad arthritis in my knees. When I announced my surgery plans I got 100% enthusiastic, support - they want me to live long, and live healthy and they know I have tried everything else to get the weight off. It is going to be embarrasing if I don't do well or if I regain, but hey, I am only human and am loved even with my flaws. All that weight is there for everybody to see anyway - not like it is some big secret.

90% coverage is pretty good... I don't know of any insurance to cover 100%. I would start saving money everywhere I could and set it aside!

Okay, I am now 3 weeks post op and my liquid MV and Calcium have been working out fine. I am using celebrate chewable Iron with C and then the sublingual B12. When the liquids are gone, i want to replace with lower carb/lower calorie choices. The liquid calcium is especially high calorie. I find this to be a bit challenging as I have always used lower quality Vitamins - calcium carbonate whereas now i need the high quality stuff. By the time you add it up, it is alot of money ordering from Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate, but i don't want brittle bones and I can't take pills yet so I am thinking of trying the celebrate calcium plus 500 chews next. That is fairly low carb/low calorie and hopefully tastes decent.

For as long as I can remember, eating late in the day has always been my downfall. IT didn't matter if i ate plenty earlier in the day, typically I could eat another day's worth of food dinner and after. Many years ago, I would wake up in the middle of the night and if I didn't eat a bowl of Cereal or something i couldn't get back to sleep. I broke that habit by toughing it out, and a week of sleepless nights and haven't done that in ages. I figured I could do it again with the after dinner habit. The first few weeks with the sleeve the focus was on getting enough Protein and fluids so I didn't worry too much about the time of day thing, but i am 3 weeks out now, on pureed food and couldn't help but notice that the only time of day I really feel hungry is the evening AFTER dinner. So, for the last two evenings, I have decided to simply not consume anything after the dinner meal (no calorie fluids and Vitamins being the exception). Yesterday, I didn't quite get all my protein in, but i figure one day of missing that target is okay, and today I will plan better. It wasn't as bad as I expected, I slept okay and I didn't wake up starving. I think this really is head hunger. I hope that if I can identify and tackle these small bad habits one at a time, I can make permanent changes.

Maybe it is because my age (47) or my impressive resume of trying EVERY diet with at least temporary success, but I have never seen this as the easy way out. For me, it is the ONLY way out. I am only 3 weeks post op, so of course cannot really claim to be a success story, but I am hoping and praying that I can finally get my weight permanently under control. I was not able to do that in a lifetime of dieting, although in my younger years I was more successful at keeping my weight more in the overweight or first stage of obesity by dieting. Although I would LOVE to be "trim" and a normal weight, but reality of it is that I started this journey at over 300#. If I can get under 200#, although still overweight, it would be a MAJOR victory and improvement in my life.

5Dogma, I am with you - I was sleeved 12/12 and really really wanting more energy. I am eating right around 600 calories, but i have started to allow myself more carbs. I was staying in the 20-30G a day but i could barely scrape myself up off the floor. I am now having 40-50 total carbs a day and feeling a bit more energetic. I am taking all my Vitamins, getting in 60g of Protein and the Water too. I meet with the nutritionalist on Jan 10th and I really want to figure out a livable calorie/carb zone because I love being active but don't want to do anything more then sit around when my energy level is so low.

I was told 400-600 calories, but that is rough guidance not hard and fast. I am in the pureed food stage and i am not sure how you are getting enough protein with so low of calories, but i guess most of it is coming in the isopure? How are eggs going down, NUT told me not to try them just yet as people often have problems with them.