Newfoundlove

Joyce - I promise it will get better! My energy was pretty low for almost two months. Now, I am four months out and let me tell you that I have energy to spare and I LOVE it! Once all the anethesia is totally out of your system and you are on solid protein-rich foods, you'll start seeing an amazing difference. One other thing I have noticed about energy, if I don't eat Breakfast in the morning, the rest of my day is not as energetic, so I make sure I get breakfast. Most days it is a Protein shake of some kind, or cottage cheese with pineapple or some fruit. Also, once you start getting in some cardio and possibly weight-training, you'll notice a difference because your metabolism will speed up. I only work out three days a week - 30 minutes on a recumbant bicycle (I have a sciatica problem in my left hit so I can't walk on the treadmill, or do the eliptical) and 20 minutes of resistance weight training. I can really tell a difference. I wasn't cleared to work out by my surgeon until eight weeks out though, and I really wasn't in the mind set or ready to work out any way. Keep your chin up and your eye on the prize - you're going to love the difference you will feel.

Wow! Way to go!

Down 62 total, 45 since surgery date of May 3.

My NUT says decaf is perfectly fine. I have a tall decaf soy latte every morning. I wouldn't do the caramel unless it was sugar free, but that's just me. Every once in a while won't hurt you and there's an interesting thread going on now about a poster that ate two ice cream sandwiches and how people deal with 'treats.'. Check it out. Some interesting posts in response.

Hi QofC: I read your blog weekly and always learn something. Thank you for writing it. I must say, I've been very fortunate with the affects of my surgery. I can eat pretty much everything, including rice. Every once in a while I'll have a little bit if I've fixed it for dinner, but I concentrate on Protein rich foods. I still love cooking, but I now cook things that are really healthy and my taste buds are really sensitive now -- as in enhanced. Putting herbs, etc now into my food tastes awesome. This morning I had a egg white omelet with arugula and a tsp of Gorgonzola cheese in it-- yum! I've begun losing my hair, but it's not too bad yet, but I was pretty lucky to have thick hair. So, the one thing that is bothering me is that my boobs are pretty saggy and it's going to get worse as I need to lose another 50 pounds yet. I've already decided that a breast lift is in my future next year. That's the only negative I can think of, but I'll take it. There are just so many more positives. Like, today I went kayaking, in my bathing suit! I would not even have considered kayaking last year, or the year before that, or the year before that. You get the picture. And, I loved kayaking!!! It felt great! The amount of energy I have now is extraordinary! My friends and family comment on it frequently and they say I am glowing. Having the Sleeve was the best decision I've made in a very long time.

Salad with sliced strawberries, a little cut-up avocado, a tablespoon of blue cheese crumbles, small amount of sliced cucumber and a piece of Columbus Smoked Turkey shredded in it. Topped it all off with one tablespoon of Ken's Steakhouse Light Italian dressing.

Didn't check in last week because I was on vacation. I lost one pound on vacation which I consider to be a victory! While I was really good with my food choices, I did indulge in some wine drinking. But I also had plenty of exercise with hiking and kayaking. I doubt that I'll make my goal of 180, but I'm okay with that as long as I keep losing. I feel great! SW: 207 GW: 180 CW: 193

I sleep really well, but sometimes it does take me a bit to get to sleep. I now go to bed later than I used to. Once I started exercising, the extra energy really kicked in and I don't seem to need as much sleep as before.

Another good week! Lost 3 pounds and cleaned out my closet. Goodwill was really happy to see me! SW 207 GW 180 CW 195

VSG patients can have symptoms that are similar to dumping, but are not really dumping. I had some issues with peanut butter earlier on (it was less than a teaspoon for heaven's sake!) and when I had my first greek yogurt with fruit. My body had not had sugar in a couple of months and went into a frenzy and I made many runs to the toilet after those episodes. Alcohol can do the same thing, especially early on. Now, at three months out, I have an occasional (very rare though) glass of wine and have no problems, but if I were to drink more, I am sure I would have issues.

At two weeks out my NUT was not worried about me getting in all my protein. I was lucky if I got in 20-30 grams a day at two weeks. It's more important to keep up your fluid intake and get in protein when you can. As you get farther out, you'll be able to add more and more protein in, especially with foods. I think it took me almost two months before I was getting in 60 grams of protein. Now, at three months out, I'm getting in 60-80 grams a day because you can eat more things heavier in protein like chicken, tuna, meats, cheeses, yogurt, etc. I also throw in a Quest or Simple Truth protein bar occasionally if I feel like I'm a little low on protein - especially if I am going to be working out later as I need the energy. While most protein bars also have higher carbs, they are okay in moderation especially if you are going to be active.

My NUT wants me to eat oatmeal as I need the fiber for the 'stoppage' problem that I have, AKA Constipation. So I cook up a batch of steel cut oatmeal on Sunday, and eat about 1/4 cup mixed with some cinnamon and almonds, three times a week - and no more constipation! I sometimes also buy the frozen steel cut oatmeal at Trader Joes. You just heat it in the microwave, but it's kind of expensive.

Sleeved May 3. Down 55 pounds. Averaging now 2-3 pounds a week.

The Sublingual B-12 in Cherry Flavor. I don't order them off the site though, I buy them through my nutritionist as she stocks them. They also have them on Amazon but I think they are more expensive than the Celebrate website.

I'm taking the dots from Celebrate vitamins. They dissolve pretty fast. I recently had my 3 month post op blood work done and my B-12 was excellent. I've always taken supplements so this one is just another small one I take in the morning along with one of my multi-vitamins, Biotin, and vitamin D.

Pickles are one of my favorites and so to keep it in control, I buy the sandwich thins by Claussen. I pack one in my lunch to have either with a piece of cheese or sometimes a slice of turkey, etc. That seems to satisfy my craving. Why is it that the things that taste really good, like pickles, have very low calories, but nasty sodium. Same with olives for me, so I try and keep them out of the house. The good thing, at least right now is that I still can't eat a lot (I'm 3 months out) and I still stick with protein first, so I get full before I could go back to the pickle jar

Had a good week! Lost 4 pounds and hit onderland!! Need to update my ticker! SW 207 GW 180 CW 198

A really fun NSV surprise for me today. I was in our office kitchen eating lunch and noticed that I had my legs crossed. I did it without even noticing. I haven't been able to cross my legs in years! Woot!

This week's progress: SW: 207 GW: 180 CW: 202 It's going a little slow. Not sure if I'll be able to make Goal but I'm gonna try really hard!

I'm almost three months out too - surgery weight was 236 and I am at 202 now. I didn't expect to be below 200 yet as I've been told to expect about a two or three pound loss per week once my body stabilized after the surgery, and that's almost exactly what's happening. I really try now to compare my weight loss to others who were sleeved at the same time, because everyone loses differently. If you're not already on My Fitness Pal, I would join and hook up with some friends there. You can see their meal plans and that may help you plan your own. Also, there are some good websites for recipes, www.emilybites.com and www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com. Both sites have some recipes you can make up and then freeze for easy meals. There's also some great ideas in the Recipes and Nutrition area of this forum Other things that I do: Bought a Bento Box from Amazon and pack my lunch the night before. Eggface's blog has some great ideas of what to put in Bento Boxes. I also keep some items in my desk in case I get in a rush or have meetings during the day, etc. Protein Bars and RTD Shakes; Starkist Pre-made Tunafish salad kits; A bag of almonds; Cans of Soups, etc.

I'm almost (one week shy) three months out. I tolerate salad just fine, but I don't eat much of it because I'm having a hard time getting in enough calories. I know lots of people on this forum have issues with lettuce for a while and some times forever, I'm just not one of them. I've had no issues whatsoever with any foods, yet. For a nice easy snack, I've made Baked Kale Chips. They taste wonderful and are not very filling at all. Love them! If someone wants to know how to make those, just do an internet search for the recipe. There are tons of them out there.

Do you have a Nutritionist? If so, I would go by what they say. I'm almost three months out and I try and stay between 40-50. All of my carbs are good carbs though from fruits, dairy products, and occasionally a protein bar. I don't eat potatoes, rice, or starches so I'm feel okay about my carb intake.

I'm perimenopausal as well - only get the visitor about twice a year. I'm not losing as fast as some on here, but I'm doing okay with 2 or 3 pounds a week. I'm also exercising three times a week - cardio and strength training and while I'm still onl losing 2 or 3 pounds a week, my clothes are getting looser, faster, so that's good for me. The strength/resistence training definitely boosts your metabolism!

My NUT told me any fruit in moderation - remembering to eat protein first. When you do that, you're not going to eat that much fruit anyway - no matter what type. I also eat my fruit mostly in the morning mixed in with greek yogurt, or on top of a small amount of oatmeal on weekends. Or sometimes in my shakes. I eat all fruits. AND, I must say since adding in more fruits and non-starchy vegetables, my constipation issue has finally gone away - YAY! Today I had my morning shake made with Vanilla Protein powder, Torani Sugar Free Raspberry syrup, 1/4 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup Almond Milk and 1/2 cup water. Blended in my Magic Bullet - wonderful! For my morning snack I had a small Apricots as they are in season. I'm not having problems with peels on my fruit. I haven't really eaten any acidic fruits like oranges or grapefruit but I stay away from those. I have eaten watermelon but just a couple of pieces.