Newfoundlove

My nutrition plan was exactly the same. Only two days of clear liquids, then seven days of other liquids (shakes, broth, cream Soups, etc) followed by 7 days of purees (I LOVED this stage as I wanted flavor and man did I puree lots of foods!), then 7 days of mushies (also a good stage for me) and by the fourth week was on regular food. I had no problems with any of the stages. Now at 10 weeks out, I'm eating everything, including steak without an issue. My NUT did have me introduce fruits with skins and lettuce last but I've had no problems with those either. I eat about 3/4 cup of food now at most meals (sometimes less) and usually have one of Eggface's shake recipes daily too. My calorie intake ranges from 600-800, with usually around 70-80 grams of protein. I try and keep carbs between 40-50 - more of the time though I'm under 40 carbs.

What a pain in the butt (pun intended) this is. Colace worked for awhile for me, then stopped working. I'm 10 weeks out now and eating pretty much anything, so my NUT said to add natural fiber foods in like oatmeal, more vegetables, apple slices and prunes. So in the morning, I eat a Sunsweet Prune, and I've been adding more vegetables into my diet too and it has helped. Also, the more water I get in the better I do. If I'm below 64 ounces I seem to have more issues.

Yes, it is common. I actually do burb and that's my signal to stop eating. Everyone has a different signal. But, I would also mention that some people have trouble with eggs. You might try eating some canned chili ground up (good processor or blender) or refried beans. They are both high in protein. Other things that I did successfully during the mushy stage was to blend canned soups and maybe add some different spices to make them taste better. Mix it up a little so you don't get bored with the eggs.

Weekly weight-in: SW: 207 CW: 205 (need to update my ticker) GW: 180

There are some WW recipes that I have been making, I just look at the protein and make higher protein meals. I always have a protein shake or a protein bar for a snack or breakfast, so with the addition of foods that contain good protein, I make my protein goals. I have use the WW recipes post-surgery to help make wholesome, healthy meals, not only for me, but for my family. I do not, however, count points or anything though. Several of Emily Bites recipes have WW points attached to them and are high in protein. Go to www.emilybites.com.

I'm in. SW: 207 GW: 180

I'm 11 weeks out tomorrow and do include vegetables daily, even if it's just a couple of bites. In the morning I have low sodium V8 juice, and I add lime juice and tobasco to it. At dinner I always have a few bites of vegetable like summer squash, green beans etc. I've also made zucchini squash squares and cauliflower pie from Eggface's blog. I cook for my family so there's always a vegetable. I also make a very small 1/4 cup of cherry tomatoes, sliced with some fresh basil, chopped garlic, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a tsp of vinaigrette dressing-yum!

This was fun! I made goal, plus three more pounds! SW: 220 GW: 210 CW: 207

My NUT and Doctor said the same thing, no straw, but didn't give a time frame. Their reasoning is because you can suck more air in with a straw which can be really uncomfortable for some people. But, I started using a cup with a straw last week to get my protein drink down. It's the only way I can do it. No side effects whatsoever. I told my NUT last week that's how I was getting my protein down and she didn't have a problem with it. I'm eight weeks out now.

I'm two months out now and rarely get hungry. I do really well during the week getting my food in because I actually schedule it on my Outlook calendar, but weekends are still a little hit and miss for me. But, I have found something that helps me. I love reading cookbooks and recipes. So a couple of times a week, I go to either Emilybites.com or Eggface's blog and find some recipes that appeal to me and plan meals and snacks using them. Just reading the recipes incites good head hunger for me. I'm still in the range of 400-700 calories but usually get my protein in because I like cottage cheese and greek yogurt. It wasn't until just a couple of weeks ago that I could drink the Premier Protein shakes so I will have one of those daily now too. It was too sweet before. I also eat protein bars. I bought a box of the Coconut Almond bars from Amazon. I like them because they are chewy but don't stick to my teeth and dissolve when chewing to practically nothing so I can swallow them easier. I can now eat a whole bar. Each bar has 22 grams of Protein too. They also are not too sweet for me. I can't eat sweets really at this time - they just don't taste good to me.

Yes, that's how my NUT defines it. I don't see it as harsh personally, and I honestly don't have an issue with a stall either. But, I might feel differently if I had a stall for three weeks. I am no longer weighing daily because I did have days where I went up a pound or two (discovered that sodium in beef jerkey really makes me retain water). No I weigh every Wednesday, so I had two weeks with not a pound loss but didn't sweat it. Measurements did change those two weeks and I'm doing everything correctly so I know I'll lose what I need to eventually. I'm also over 50 years of age, so I expect the weight to come off a little slower and I'm okay with that too.

I actually define a stall as my NUT has sort of defined it. No weightloss in one week. So I've had two stalls so far at eight weeks out. But, it seems that as soon as I hit that seven day mark (so far), the next day I've lost a pound or two. I'm perimenopausal so my TOM only comes every four months or thereabouts, so hormones haven't played a role - yet!

I'm eight weeks out and my surgeon and NUT are pretty progressive about moving us to real food. I moved to real food at about four weeks, although you kind of introduce foods a little at a time with meats and fruits with skins, and lettuce last. I've now introduced all of them and am doing great. Actually I think the added Fiber is helping me lose a little bit more. I'm fanatical about getting my fluids in as I've noticed that I wake up with a headache the next morning if I don't, and my skin has been super dry since surgery. Here's how I do it: First thing in the morning when I wake up. 6-8 ounces of Water (with pills/supplements I am taking) Breakfast: Protein shake (11 ounce RTD counts as fluid), or 1/2 cup cottage cheese or greek yogurt (5.5 ounces also considered liquid) (my sleeve actually lets me eat rather quickly without an issue - probably not good for me though). Immediately when I get to work, I fill up a 32 ounce bottle I have with water and Mojito Crystal Lite. Goal is to drink it before lunch time. Sometimes I don't finish it until around 2 pm. Snack at 10:00 am - 2 Babybel cheeses, or cheese stick with a slice of turkey lunchmeat, or half of a Protein Bar Lunch: Tunafish salad, chicken salad, or leftovers (today I am having a small piece of Korean Short Ribs and two brocollini spears). After Lunch - if I've finished my water from the morning, I refill. Many times I am finishing in my car on the way home. Snack at around 3:00 pm - Turkey Jerkey, Babybel Cheeses, Cottage Cheese, 1/2 Protein bar, 9 almonds, or a hard-boiled egg. Dinner: A piece of fish, or chicken/turkey, some kind of protein source (Lasagna Cupcakes are awesome!) plus a couple of bites of vegetables 7:00 pm or so - a pot of Bengal Spice Decaf Tea - 16 ounces Total fluids for each day ranges from 80 ounces to 101.

Generally for the first two or three weeks you are going to be swollen and retain fluids some so you may not see huge amounts of weight come off. I actually gained almost 15 pounds in surgery but it was gone a week later along with a few pounds. I'm eight weeks out and have lost 26 pounds since surgery (the rest of my weightloss so far was pre-surgery diet) so I'm losing 2-3 pounds a week and have had a couple of one-week stalls.

My surgery was on May 3. Last night we went to a Mariner's baseball game and were guests of a local resort here in their suite. The food choices they had were great. Tried my first 'ruffage' - raw spinach as well as my first bites of raw apple. Both went down without a problem. I also had some pineapple and blueberries - yum! They had dessert but I just didn't even feel like a taste. That may change as I get further out, but for now I'm happy not to want sweets. Every morning I have a tall skinny latte - decaf. No problems with decaf coffee and I get some protein in too.

I reiterate what Wheetsin says above. Very common at three weeks. Mine didn't come at three weeks, but came at 5 weeks, lasted for one week, then I lost three pounds the next week. I was in a stall last week too, no weight lost for one week, and then two pounds lost this morning. It's part of the process, our bodies are adjusting.

I'm with you, Star! Nothing has bothered my sleeve, but like you, I haven't tried bread, desserts or pasta and i'm not missing it a bit. I did have a couple of small spoonfuls of Israeli Cous Cous and it tasted good! But, i concentrate on protein. Tonight was Korean Style Short Ribs, grilled with an heirloom cherry tomato salad and one stalk of brocollini. It was delicious and filled me up perfectly! My issue is getting in the 800 calories my NUT wants me to get in while still eating so little really. I'm at about 1/2 cup food each meal and cannot get in more and i eat five small meals a day! I'm still only consuming around 600 calories most days and that's with a RTD protein shake! I'm 8 weeks out tomorrow. How many calories are you getting in? I think we are eating the way we should and I'm not ready to test the waters with any fried food or sweets. It's just not worth it to me!

Gardening is my favorite exercise! It really does give your body a good workout. I live in the Pacific Northwest so the weather (even when it is raining) is almost always perfect for gardening of some type.

WOW!!!!! You look fabulous! Way to go! What an inspiration!

Checking in. SW: 220 CW: 212 (in for over a week!) GW: 210 - only two pounds to go - I hope this stall breaks!

I was sleeved almost eight weeks ago. I've lost 41 pounds total, BUT, 17 pounds was pre-op, and 15 pounds was in the first two weeks. Since that time, I'm losing at about 2-3 pounds a week and I had a one week stall. I also started adding in exercise and when that happens it takes a while for your body to adjust and you might even seen a small gain for a bit (muscle weighs more than fat). Think about this - would you have been able to lose the 15 pounds you've lost in this short of time without the surgery? I know I would not have! I've read lots of posts on here from individuals that are losing at about the same rate as me and to expect stalls, and even a one or two pounds gain every once in a while (TOM, and other factors). My NUT said to expect about 2-3 pounds a week so I am on track. Here's a tip if you are not already doing so - take your measurements and check them weekly. Last week, none of my measurements changed except for my neck and I had lost 3 pounds! Weird huh? But it's nice to see a little change somewhere, even if you aren't seeing it on the scale. And, try not to let the scale get you down. I know it's easier said than done, and I'd be lying if I said I don't get a little frustrated occasionally, but that's human nature I think. If you are following your doctor's plan, you are going to see progress. Some of us are just slow losers. Keep focused on your plan and do your best to stay positive! You're on the losers bench!

You could add some Torani Sugar Free syrups to the plain yogurt while in this stage. I also brought vanilla greek yogurt and ate that without any issues. My NUT told me that the carb/sugar content in the Greek Yogurt is okay as sugar/carbs in dairy is different than sugar/carbs in other food items.

I didn't feel any restriction at first with the small amounts of food either. Same with yogurt, which is sort of like a liquid - I don't get restriction with that 1/4 cup equals two ounces so that's not that much food, but my NUT had me on 1/4th cup to start for the first week or so and then gradually increasing to 1/2 cup. She doesn't want me to eat any more than 3/4 cup of food total at any meal. I would imagine, however, that once you graduate up to a larger quantity, maybe even at 1/2 cup of something (not liquid), you will feel the restriction. Believe me, you'll know it when you feel it. The foods you are eating are not very dense either so they will process better (at least for most people they do). I could probably eat a whole cup of cottage cheese, but I don't because of the carb content in that food, so I keep it at 1/2 cup which still gives me plenty of protein. I also eat it for a snack instead of with a meal. But that's just me. I believe that the first true restriction that I felt was with grilled tilapia. Even though it is soft, I tried to a fairly nice size piece and about 3/4 through, wham, I got this tightening in my stomach and I burped. For me burping is the signal that I am through. Everyone has their own way of knowing when they should finish by the change in their body. You'll figure this out as time goes on. I can tell you that the "one bite too many" feeling is not pleasant, so maybe you'll be fortunate and not have that happen. You are doing everything right by following the plan your doctor has you on at just over two weeks out, so don't worry if you're not feeling restriction yet. Good luck!

You are doing great! I'm almost eight weeks out and having a really hard time getting my calories in too! Usually I am around 600 but my NUT wants me at 800. But, I get in my Water and make my protein goals so that's at least something! I do use myfitnesspal.com religiously and do find that helps. I just can still only eat about a 1/2 cup of food at a time so getting in the calories is really hard! I have an appointment with my NUT and Fitness counselor this Friday so I guess I'll see what they say. We're also on about the same losing pattern, I'm 2-3 pounds a week now but it's progress and I feel great! Keep up the great work!