lollyfidy1965

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Week 3 weigh-in update...down to 251.2!
A couple of NSV's.....my size 20 jeans (that I bought 3 weeks ago) are now LOOSE!!
I had to pack two more blouses in the Goodwill bag...too big to wear out of the house!
I've lost a combined 23.5 inches from my neck, chest, waist and hips!!
Woot!

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Like you, I have been exceptionally lucky in my recovery. I had a couple minor hiccups, but nothing to complain about.
What bothers me about your post is that every surgeon (or so it seems) has their own approach and philosophy regarding self-care and "diet" after surgery. (I put diet in quotation marks because I no longer consider myself to be "on a diet"....I am simply eating for the rest of my life.). In my opinion, and you're welcome to take it or leave it, we should each be following the advice of our own surgeons/nutritionists....that is, after all, what we pay them for, right? I knew going in that my surgeon's philosophy was relatively conservative. He strongly recommends no smoking, no drinking, and low carb after surgery. Not because he wants me to feel deprived (which I don't), but because those things aren't healthy for me. My food choices, prior to surgery, are the reason I ended up needing surgery....why would I continue to put the same crap....even in "small portions"....into my body after surgery? It's like they say....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting a different outcome!
So, rather than saying "You can eat anything you want, and drink anything you want!", I would suggest "Ask your surgeon/nutritionist if you can have x, y, or z, but listen to what your surgeon/nutritionist tells you in response.". If you don't (listen to your own surgeon), you're taking your success into your own hands.
Personally, I'm sick of insanity, and am trying something completely different. The results are in my tickers.
I wish you great success!

Thanks all of you... I guess I just need to focus more... Less in and more exercise... But it's still frustrating to go from one end of the spectrum to the other for a week and see no change... But moving on now. I think I can just be really hard on myself... Again thank you for responding...
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Oh...and dry roasted soy nuts are another good option. Crunchy, and lower in fat than peanuts.

Ya'll are a mess...."poop thread" indeed! LOL
I can't see hairs that are multi-colored (as in the process of changing)....its like the grey is just fading. Its the weirdest thing! I haven't lost much hair (yet), so I don't think that's what's happening...besides, I didn't have enough brown hair left. LOL

My personal weight goal is 180...which will "technically" still be "overweight"...even at 5' 11"!! However...I know that I will look and feel magnificent at that weight! My surgeon felt my number was a bit of a stretch (my weight at our first visit was 330), but I am determined. I'm now 11 weeks post-op, and am at 254...I KNOW I can lose the remaining 74 pounds!!

I was incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful friend, who had lost a bunch of weight prior to beginning my own crazy journey. A couple weeks ago she offered all her 1X/20/22-size clothes to me, so I was able to completely overhaul my closet with clothes that fit properly! I was able to take everything but her pants....she's about 5'3" tall, and I'm just under 6'!! LOL (Talk about high-water pants!!)

Well....I had a planned trip to Israel in April. I had purchased a number of new blouses, specifically for this trip, prior to my deciding to look seriously into WLS. The week after I returned from Israel I had my first visit with the surgeon. 6 weeks later I was in surgery. 3 months after that and I have a completely new wardrobe hanging in my closet! LOL Those new blouses were packed up 2 months ago! I never thought my weight loss (and change in sizes) would be so fast!!! Now I'm wearing baggy 20s (pants)...holding out until I can fit into 16's before I buy new again!

Yes...they do count. PDXMan is right, though...you can never get too much liquids!!

Everything that you consume that is "liquid" counts towards your liquid volume for the day...not just Water. So make sure most of your liquids contain Protein. Add unjury unflavored Protein Powder to every broth, Soup, or flavored liquid; use the chicken broth flavored Unjury powder in Water, or in canned chicken broth; add Syntrax nectar powder to plain water; drink Protein shakes (chocolate Muscle Milk Lite is my favorite). Get double the bang for every swallow as much as possible, and you'll be more likely to meet both goals.
Best of luck!
Laura

Week 3 weigh-in update...down to 251.2!
A couple of NSV's.....my size 20 jeans (that I bought 3 weeks ago) are now LOOSE!!
I had to pack two more blouses in the Goodwill bag...too big to wear out of the house!
I've lost a combined 23.5 inches from my neck, chest, waist and hips!!
Woot!

My personal weight goal is 180...which will "technically" still be "overweight"...even at 5' 11"!! However...I know that I will look and feel magnificent at that weight! My surgeon felt my number was a bit of a stretch (my weight at our first visit was 330), but I am determined. I'm now 11 weeks post-op, and am at 254...I KNOW I can lose the remaining 74 pounds!!

Heading to the gym to day to get started on my personal goal. I can do this and I will do this.

I have had many people ask me, directly, about how I've lost so much weight so quickly. (Do you think they wouldn't wonder how I've dropped 100+ pounds in a couple months???)
I have been very honest in responding...partly because I want to help dispel the stigmas associated with having WLS. I am very clear about HOW I've lost the weight though....I've worked hard at the gym, each and every day, and I've been eating between 550 and 650 calories/day since my surgery. The surgery itself didn't make me lose weight. My behaviors (both before and after surgery) have caused me to lose weight. People seem to understand that the surgery wasn't a "quick fix" when I go into the detail behind my behavior changes. And, at the end of the day, people are amazed that I've lost so much...and thrilled for me to be getting healthier. That's all that really matters.
Best of luck!
Laura

My sleeve was swollen completely shut immediately following surgery. Today, 12 weeks post-op, my capacity is still relatively limited (I'm only able to eat about 2 oz of dense Protein at a time), but my surgeon isn't concerned about this...it will just take time for the inflammation to resolve completely.
I'm sorry to hear you're still having issues...I hope things sort themselves out for you quickly!!
Laura

Just wondering...are there other programs in your area that you could consider? Perhaps another would be more attentive.
I wish you the best

I have had many people ask me, directly, about how I've lost so much weight so quickly. (Do you think they wouldn't wonder how I've dropped 100+ pounds in a couple months???)
I have been very honest in responding...partly because I want to help dispel the stigmas associated with having WLS. I am very clear about HOW I've lost the weight though....I've worked hard at the gym, each and every day, and I've been eating between 550 and 650 calories/day since my surgery. The surgery itself didn't make me lose weight. My behaviors (both before and after surgery) have caused me to lose weight. People seem to understand that the surgery wasn't a "quick fix" when I go into the detail behind my behavior changes. And, at the end of the day, people are amazed that I've lost so much...and thrilled for me to be getting healthier. That's all that really matters.
Best of luck!
Laura

To be honest, I don't remember....but I could look it up (I started tracking everything I ate about 2 months before I had surgery). It was probably 3-4 ounces of lean meat (most likely chicken breast), and three non-starchy veggies (1/2 cup of each). I had dramatically changed my eating habits prior to surgery (again, about 2 months before), in order to get things under control beforehand. So much of our food issues are psychological...I wanted to make sure I had those addressed (at least as much as possible) long before a knife touched me....to ensure maximum success afterwards. My post-op experience has been much less painful, I think, as a result.
If your "last meal" is going to push you back into bad habits (too much, high fat, high carb, etc), my suggestion would be to skip it. Once you start making better decisions, relative to food, you should reinforce those choices....every time you sit down to eat. (I strongly recommend the book "The End of Overeating"....it'll help you understand why we make the bad choices we make (or, as the case may be, MADE), and how we ended up needing surgery.)
Best of luck to you
Laura

Yep....eating slowly is critical to comfort. My nutritionist and surgeon recommend taking at least 30 minutes to eat a meal (2-4 oz of food). Even at 12 weeks post-op, most of the time I end up taking closer to 45, in order to avoid the discomfort associated with eating too much too fast.

Puréed mars bars are a definite no-no.