tiffers

Thanks! I don't eat seafood and as much as I love chicken and turkey, sometimes it gets boring. I tried bacon once, and it was so painful afterwards. Sometimes I wanna try it again, though. Lol.

I eat ice cream! Of course, I am a Texan and Blue Bell runs through our veins.

I'm really confused by your response. Why would you say you hadn't lost any weight?

Don't let the comments, or lack there of, from others get ya down! You are doing a fabulous job! Have people asked you questions about other aspects of your appearance? People that didn't know I had surgery would usually ask me if I had cut my hair, or changed it in some way. They knew something was different, but couldn't figure out what. Also, your clothes may be too big, so it may not be as noticeable. Last night I went to buy some new jeans. I tried on a pair one size smaller than what I've been wearing. The sales girl laughed and gave me pair 3 sizes smaller, and they fit! I'm still in shock! Lol. I'm over a year post op, and my has pretty much leveled off, so I was not expecting that drastic of a change. But enough about me, just give it some time.

Thanks! I've never liked steak, but sometimes I'd really like a few bites of a burger (sans bun, of course.) I'm a year and a half post-op and a little more variety would be great! Thanks again!

I was told by my surgeon not to eat any red meat post op (ever) because it doesn't pass well through the sleeve. However, after being a part of this group for a few months, I see that several people eat it. Has anyone had any issues with red meat post op? I didn't really eat a whole lot of red meat pre-op, but sometimes my body just craves it. I'm a little nervous to try it now. Any advice, tips, horror stories?

Woo Hoo!!! Keep up the fantastic work!!

I usually don't. Some of them are a bit dense, so I just eat what I can, and then snack on what's left later. However, I'm 17 months post-op, not 8 weeks. I really don't remember my eating habits when I was 8 weeks out. I was dealing with some non-WLS related neurological issues, and honestly my diet became a secondary thing. I tried to eat what I should, and avoid what I shouldn't, but I didn't obsess over it like I would have had I not been dealing with other things. When I'm at work ( pre-k teacher) I do not have the time to sit down and slowly eat a meal for 30 minutes. Heck, i dont have time to quickly eat something in 10 mins. Lol I'm moving from the time I walk in the door until the children go home, then I have to prep for the next day. So, usually what I do is take 2 Protein bars and 2 cheese sticks to work. Whenever I get a chance, I take a bite of food. I know that's not what's recommended, but it's the only way I get any food in. :-/

After surgery I had to drink water at room temp. I couldn't stand to drink it cold. It tasted horrible. But eventually it tasted good cold again. Chin up!

I really like the Atkins bars. They have meal bars that are high in protein and low in sugar and carbs. I also snack on a lot of nuts and string cheese.

I made some of the "cupcakes" found on emilybites.com. They are really good. I made the taco ones and the lasagna ones. I also made the baked ricotta. This was the most action my oven has seen in years. Lol. But it was just a few hours of my day and I have plenty of food for a while. I teach, too, so when I go back to work I think I can manage this type of cooking. I am so depressed summer is ending soon, tho.

I did't get taller, but I look taller!! I had very long, skinny legs hiding under the layers of fat. It's still strange to look in the mirror. Lol

Oh, the questions! To this question I just started saying, " Just because I can eat something, doesn't mean I should, " in a really innocent voice and then just smile. Or, sometimes, if people are annoying me with their questions/ pressuring me I'll say, "Well, if you really want me to take a bite, I will. But don't get mad when I projectile vomit on you in about 15 mins. If it doesn't agree with me." That usually shuts them up and makes them feel awkward. Lol. What annoys me more are the, "when are you going to stop losing?" and "you're too skinny" and "it's good to see you eating something!" comments I get. Really? They never said anything when I was obese, but now that I'm actually getting healthy you're going to make me feel bad about doing it!? To these people I've started saying, " it makes me feel so good that you love me enough to express your concern. I promise I'm doing everything to be healthy, and my doctor is taking good care of me." And, "I know you're just teasing about me being too skinny, but it really bothers me. I've gone through a lot of physical changes lately, and I'd really just like to be "normal." not fat, not too skinny, just normal." So now I mostly just get encouragement. I think most people mean well, so I try to be polite.

I've had maybe 10 shakes since my surgery in March '11. However, I eat at least one protein bar a day, usually more. Other than being extremely active at my job, I don't exercise, and if you add up all of the time I've been in a hospital and/or on bed rest for non-WLS related issues, it probably totals 3 months of the past 16. I've lost 138 lbs, the majority of which I'd lost by last Christmas. I don't have anything against the shakes, the bars just work better for my life and my schedule, and I think I lost a decent amount of weight eating them.

I eat the Atkins bars. The "meal" ones have higher protein. But they are all low carb and low sugar. Not sure about the calories. I'm more than a year post op so I can eat whole one in a 30 min span if I pace myself.

I love the Atkins foods. The protein bars are really good, too!

Honestly, I never set a number goal. I just said I'd know when I got there. At the end of April 2012 I was at around 138, and I was happy with that. My PCP switched a med. I'm on and I started losing more weight. Now I'm bouncing around 120-125. Now for the part I kind of hate to say on this board... Right after my WLS surgery I found out I had a benign tumor in my spinal cord that caused a lot of nerve damage and a congenital brain disorder. I've had 4 surgeries after my WLS. Honestly, my diet/exercise became a secondary issue ( thats the part I hate to say here.) I've spent a lot of time in hospitals hooked up to IVs and no food. That helped with the weight loss. Lol. When I'm on top of my nutrition game, I don't really drink a bunch of shakes. I do eat a lot of Protein Bars. I'm single with no children so I don't have to cook for anyone. Plus, the bars are really easy at work. I also use those Special K protein powders in my Water to boost my protein. I try really hard to eat right and move as much as possible on good days, but honestly some days I don't move much and eat like crap. I try not have many of those days, tho. And when I do, I don't feel bad about it. Had I not had the WLS, I would prob. be paralyzed right now b/c my weight would have been a factor in my other surgeries. I will say that I've lost 3/4s of my hair. 5 surgeries and not always getting in my protein will take its toll! But, I had A LOT of hair. I had brain/cranial surgery last month and the back, bottom portion of what hair I have left had to be shaved. I call it my reverse mullet. Lol. But, I'm alive, I can walk and I'm thin, so I'll take it! So, yeah, I think the combo of being sick and surgery sped up my process of losing. But, at this point, with all I have going on, maintaining is not that hard. I really want to build some muscle/strenth up b/c I'm so weak, but I'm constantly stuck in a post-op restriction phase it seems. :-/. Good grief I ramble. Sorry!

For me, surgery was kind of like restarting my computer ( or body.). I wanted to be active and do things like hike and kayak with my friends, etc. I was the queen of losing 50 to 75 lbs, stalling, and then gaining it back. Usually more. I just couldnt do it anymore. After surgery, once you've adjusted to " breaking up with food," seeing the results is a great motivator to even better. I often think of that quote, "what could you accomplish if you knew you could not fail?". Failing is hard to do for most people after WLS. My outlook on food has def. changed. I eat b/c I need to, not b/c I want to. I don't exercise like I should. I know this is wrong, but I had some major neurological issues surface after my sleeve. Non-related to the sleeve. I've had 4 surgeries since my sleeve in March 11. That's a lot of hospital time and a lot of post op recovery time. But on days when I can/feel good, I move as much as possible! I've still lost a lot of weight tho. I feel like I'm rambling now. Sorry! Lol

It's hard for everyone to adjust. A few weeks after I had surgery I had to go out to a birthday celebration dinner with my parents, my grandparents, and a couple they were friends with. My parents and grandparents knew I had surgery, but I don't think my grandparents really got it. They are super nice and keep offering people things until they accept. So I managed to make it through dinner with a bowl of Soup and not much attention. But then it was time for dessert. Good grief. Between my grandparents and their friends practically throwing their dessert in my face, I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to run to the bathroom b/c I started crying. But it passes. I promise. It's like a break up. It sucks in the beginning, but it gets better. And in the end you can show your punk ex (food) how hot you are and how much better you are with out him.

Your parents fears are not unfounded. I had my surgery in the States, but I know 2 people that went to Mexico and lived to tell about it. I also know several people that go on a mission trip to a border town 2x a year. They always come back. . May I suggest you research the area you want to go, get some crime stats, and hopefully this will put their mind at ease. At least maybe a little??

That's fantastic!!! It's so fun to watch the sizes get smaller and smaller as time goes on.

Are you still crushing pills? I don't crush mine anymore. I'm not really sure if that's the right thing to do or not, but I haven't had any problems from swallowing them without crushing them.

*edit. -don't know how far post op you are. Lol

I mixed some crushed up vitamins up with sugar free pudding. Don't know how you are out, post-op, though.

I was 258 and now I'm 120. 5 ft 7. Sleeved March '11.