ChooseToChange

I was self pay. Went to Michigan in 2011. 11k out the door and worth every penny!

I crush them and put them in my morning Protein shake. No problems since day 1 when I found out i couldn't chew them. I am almost a year out and my levels are perfect. It also keeps me on the Protein Shake regimen!

FYI - This happens a lot and if your dr has never seen it before I would be worried. The secretary in my surgeons office answered my question off the top of her head; IE common question.

Good Luck!

At 1 week out it would take me an hour to drink a campbells Tomato Soup (individual sip cup)

At 3 weeks I was on smooshies and could get about 5 bites in. (No beverage with meals)

2-3 hours I was ready for more...(I drank a bottle of Water in between, but not within a half hour of a meal.

I am currently 11 months out at I eat between 10-20 bites depending on the food. I can still only eat 1.5 ribs of a rack. But I can eat a 5 oz filet of salmon no problem.

I made the stupid decision to eat some Pasta last week and was able to eat a medium size plate 25 or so bites. It went down just fine, but I was so sick and bloated about 30 minutes later. Yup Pasta Alfredo used to be my favorite. I'm so glad it makes me sick now; I have no desire to feel that sick for pasta gratification.

Vitamin Water zero is the only flavored water my nut and trainer all because my mew stomach is sensitive to splenda; which is what most waters are flavored with. VWZ uses Stevia.

Fage Greek Yogurt 0% has a decent Protein to carb ratio. The others are crap when it comes to Protein.< /p>

Remember protein first!!!! Limit your use of yogurt once you are off smushies; same with oatmeal.

If you want to flavor your greek yogurt get the sugar free Torani syrups (this is the only product i use that still uses splenda) I bake with it too.

My surgeon said "I operate on your stomach...not your head" You have to fix your relationship with food. If you don't make better choices you will fail!

Find some support somewhere in your life, If you can find someone to help you be accountable at the beginning you will form new habits to stay accountable with or without that person. This means food, exercise and emotional. If you don't have this person I will gladly assist you; PM me.

Start cooking at home. Limit your meals out and under no circumstances do you eat at a place with a drive threw!!!!

Get myfitnesspal for your phone or online. Make a commitment to get 20% more Protein than carbs. This means 80 grams of carbs for every 100 grams of Protein. After surgery you are going to be 40% to 50% less so get a jump start. My ratio for the first 7 months was 75 grams of protein to 30 grams of carbs. Protein first, vegetables second and after 10 bites you will not have room for the carb. Make your carbs good ones; nothing white, nothing fried, and good lord do not beg for mashed potatoes when you get to mushies!!!

Research! Research! Research.... find new foods, visit clean eating magazine and the world according to eggface for recipes and portion sizes and dig into something new!

Can't wait for you to join us on the losers bench!

I have these once or twice a week to replace a meal. Get the gladiator and make sure you only get fruits that are real (not syrup). Their options are usually blackberry, strawberry, banana, raspberry, blueberry and a few others. I am a strawberry blackberry girl myself or strawberry banana after a workout only gets my potassium up.

Delish!

newgrandmother.... I coach people here in Tampa Bay and when you do the right things you can stay full and lose it safely. SugarFree is not the way to go. sugar free just puts other crap in the food to make it taste good.

- After reading the above there are lots of tips and tricks that you will use post surgery so might as well start them now.

• MYFITNESSPAL.com - absolutely the most important tool for staying accountable to yourself.
  
• choosetochange.org is my website and blog. Follow the blog I have lots of recipes that will work to help you eat cleaner.
  
• When I put people on a detox it is a way to clean their system and remove the cravings that we all have. Figure out your vice and start there first. COLD TURKEY... Get through the first week and you will be golden.
  
• DETOX - Eliminate Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sugar, Alcohol and all Vinegar and Oil based products. (Exceptions are Cold Pressed Olive oil, Coconut Oil and Sunflower Oil) Find a Pea Protein (It is natural as long as it is certified Organic; message me for suggestions) Change your milk to unsweetened almond milk (perfect for gluten free oatmeal, baking and protein shakes)
  
• All of the categories above are natural allergens and your digestive system stores the excess until you clean yourself out. The average American holds 20-40lbs in their digestive track of undigested bi-products. Get yourself a colon cleans product for week 2. Make sure you are drinking 4-6 20oz bottles of Water a day.... Vitamin Water Zero is the only flavored water that doesn't contain artificial sweetners. It is detox approved.
  
• This DETOX takes some getting used to, but you will lose 10 lbs in your first week if you don't cheat on yourself.
  

I would be happy to help you out and coach you through the month and beyond if you want. I have a Facebook, skype and blog dedicated to helping non-ops and ops lose weight and eat cleaner!

Hi there Tonileebre! As you can see below I am rocking my sleeve and going on 11 months. My High was 410 and today I am at 260. I am even thinking for my height and stature I may not have far to go. I just consulted a plastic surgeon and they said I have about 30 lbs of skin and "stuff" they will have to remove surgically. So that being said I'm really closer to 230 and my goal is 200. I will be posting new befores and nows after my photoshoot this weekend!

Do it for you! Your worth it!

I have an organic hormone replacement cream that some of my group use to replace their oral meds.

https://arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=777&menuId=267&withLinks=1

If you want some specifics about it I can send you some articles and instructions via email. PM me!

The cream is the fastest way to get the active ingredients into your blood stream. 5 minutes from application to active. It also comes with instructions on rotating skin applications.

I have to crush my chewables and put them in my Protein Shake.< /p>

I get hiccups first then within 10 minutes I get the runny nose. I love the fact my body gives me clues. I never had those before and my friends love it too....they know all my clues!

Dr. Pleatman in Detroit had an all inclusive price of 11K.

My PCP here in FL did all my lab and preop work and sent them to my surgeon in MI. All I had for this was a copay.

I just rode my first coaster in 12 years! I am 9 months out, but it took me that long to be able to fit in the seat! No problems with anything on this end unless you count the major rush that made me ride Manta at Seaworld 5 times!

Have Fun!

A lot of the products GNC are filled with crap ingredients like aspartame, whey isolate and sugar fillers to make it taste good. Nevermind that they don't have any nutrients for your body. (Don't hate me for my opinion and clean eating lifestyle )

So as an alternative!

If you want samples of the Proteins I will never give up let me know. smoothie King Vanilla, Arbonne Essentials Vanilla and chocolate. $8 covers the cost of the Protein, shipping, tracking and paypal fees. PM me if you would like me to send samples.

If you have a smoothie king near you stop in they have sell their Protein in the store. If you like it I will give you tips to get it cheaper by talking to management!

Maybe try a Pea Protein rather than the whey (soy)

Soy is a known allergen and can be acquired by those that are lactose intolerant. I use both Soy and Pea Protein.< /p>

If you want samples of the Proteins I will never give up let me know. smoothie King vanilla, Arbonne Essentials vanilla and chocolate. $8 covers the cost of the protein, shipping, tracking and paypal fees. PM me if you would like me to send samples.

Because my Protein is so high Water tastes a bit metallic for me. Splenda gives me headaches so I use Crystal Light PURE (truvia) and Vitamin Water Zero.

Also you may be trying to drink too fast.... I have to think about it especially at the gym when I want to gulp.

Minkle.....

Your family is concerned, but they are so going to extreems on you. My friends and family love coming over to my house to eat because I cook delicious food that is good for them. They eat here so much that they lose weight.

I am 30 years old and I still go to the bar, I eat out more than I should and I date. I am now eating 10-15 bites per meal 3-5 times per day.

When I go to a restaurant I order what I want (no starch/double veg) I also ask for a box with my meal so I can put the majority of it away. I have to clean my plate (my head problem), so a box is the way for me to do that and be good.

Don't let them discourage you... this is your life and in 6 months they will be asking you about your eating because it will effect them too.

Good luck!

I just have to say the liquid vicadin that my dr gave me rocked.... I slept in the recliner all night every night. No loss of sleep here!

I'm right there with you. The things you will learn on this jorney will benefit everyone in your life.

My aunt has been following my meal plans and tricks and has lost 40 lbs on her own since I had surgery!

Quest Bars - All the way!!!!!

5 net carbs and for most post ops you will only eat half the bar at the time. They also have 12 different flavors that satisfy the sweet tooth!

Ok so you have a few weeks before you get to start thinking about cooking, but here is my list of must haves for the after surgery or (trying to lose weight) kitchen.

- Torani sugar free Syrups.... as many flavors as you can get your hands on. My favs, caramel, vanilla, pumpkin, strawberry and mango (oh the options)

- Locking lid tupperware 1-5 cup for all your left overs that you can freeze for future meals. I'm single so a normal family meal makes 10-20 meals for me. I freeze them 5 cups at a time so weeks I don't have time to cook when I get home from work I can pull out a freezer meal!

- Freezer space! I purchased a small chest freezer... it not only saves on leftovers, but now I can buy bulk.

- ice cream maker... Protein ice cream rocks especially when your craving something sweet. Eggface has some awesome resipes.

- Mini muffin pans - See Eggface's recipes!

- Cocomotion from Mr. coffee.... now I can replace my starbucks with my very own Protein hot beverage.

- Oh so many things to make life easier for you and your options!

I bought a mr coffee hot chocolate maker... It heats my almond milk and Protein add in and my Vitamins so I can have my hot protein beverage in the morning... Curves my starbucks craving!

mrsdraculara.... I know you have seen this answer already, but it is so worth repeating. Your dr didn't operate on your head only you can make that change! CARBS are BAD (at least at this stage)....

PLEASE go check out http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ she was my foodie savior...

If you want to talk about menu planning and tips and tricks contact me...

Brook

Listen to your hunger and the way your body reacts. Once I was on solids I averaged 5 normal bites per meal. DO NOT graze that makes life suck when it comes to the weekly weigh in! I am now 8 months out and manage 10-15 bites til full.

Please remember that we are all different and if you are like me you need a tool to help you guage choices. Myfitnesspal.com and the smartphone app are awesome for making sure you are where you need to be.

Let me know if I can be of assistance. Sykpe, Facebook, vst or phone. Let me know.

Brook

Welcome to VST.... it's a great journey you have started. The changes we make to our habits, our brain and the way we live makes more of a difference than you can anticipate. The best thing you can do it start working on everything now while in the pre-approval process.

I was self pay so I learned on the fly.... now I help others that want to lose weight. I'm hoping on a new career in the near future. Let me know if I can be of assistance. Sykpe, Facebook, vst or phone. Let me know.

Brook