chelsea

Also, keep in mind that as our bodies adjust to weighing less, our caloric needs have changed. I know this isn't the perfect example, but think of the point system for weight watchers diets. As you lose weight, your allowable points decrease. I think that's also true for sleevers. We are told to decrease calories to 600-800 to lose (or whatever your surgeon has instructed for you) but then when we maintain to up it to 1200-1500ish? Your body will probably wonder what the hell is going on and need to adjust itself again. Of course, this is all just my postulation since I'm not in maintenance mode yet, but it makes sense in my head Most importantly: At almost a year out, I eat whatever I want. I just downed two Ghirardelli squares and could easily eat another few. Diets are a lot more lax at this point for me BUT I'm still losing because I've started exercising so much more than I had been. So if someone is saying it's taking them a lot longer to lose weight from overeating, they're probably not scrutinizing their diet as well as they did a year ago. There are probably a lot more 'hidden' calories in there than you'd think.

Thanks for the inspiration! I'll have to step up my workouts so I can run that long. Where do you find the motivation? I mean, I should realize that I don't want to be saggy and flabby but still...it's tough to want to go run! Chelsea

I am having mini-stalls, it seems. Every 2 weeks I'll maintain weight and then the next I'll lose 3-4 lbs, then the same thing. I haven't changed anything...It's just frustrating!

Jordien - I tried powdered mixes and just got tired of the taste but mostly the texture. On the gritty side. Ick. I drink prepared shakes - premier nutrition, chocolate. 30g Protein in 11oz. Takes me a little over an hour to drink it. 160calories in the shake. 5g carbs. I can't remember the fat grams and am much too busy watching Glee to get off my tush But! I haven't tired of these drinks. I started drinking one a day at one month out and now I'm over 4 mos out. If you used these as Breakfast and lunch, there ya go - 60g PROTEIN for the day and under 400 cals. Still enough calories left to have dinner and actually chew something. As for the hair loss...what I found helped me most is Folic Acid vitamins/supplements. I take Multivitamins and add a folic acid pill (we're TTC) and that's seemed to work. There were 2 weeks where I sucked it up on the folic acid and THAT'S when my hair came out in clumps. So, moral of the story? It was at 4 mos out, which is typical due to anesthesia, but adding folic acid pretty much halted the excessive hair loss. Win-win.

If you're only 2 weeks out, those foods are probably too heavy for your stoma to have more than 3-4 bites. Maybe stop at 3. You'll get more down. Also, when you're about a month out, start taking Vitamins. You're NOT going to get malnourished in those few weeks. I know my body has enough extra weight to survive for a month! Just kidding. But seriously, you'll be fine. The first few weeks just try to get in Protein. That's the number one thing to be health conscious about. liquid Protein will be your best option. And good luck!

I had my gallbladder out in 2002, when I was 21. This was because I lost 120 lbs in a short amount of time but mostly due to a sustained low-caloric intake over the course of a year. It's possible you will still get them. After this surgery, you're probably never 'in the clear' because of how few calories you take in. Once you've gotten to your goal weight and you're consuming more calories, your risk is likely to decrease.

That's funny you like the Mango Peach! I took one sip and thought, EW! and spit it out. Then I passed it around at work and made everyone taste how horrible it was. Just my tastebuds being weird. One co-worker remarked that it tasted like grapefruit to him and I'm DEF. not a fan of grapefruit so that could be why. I picked up some of the chocolate Premier Nutrition Protein drinks from costco last week. LOVE them. I had vanilla whey protein but really thought it was too gritty, plus I really like the convenience of pre-mixed drinks. It makes my mornings easier (with fewer dishes!) and I can pack one for work. After trying three different kinds, I'll def. be purchasing the Premier Nutrition Protein Drinks again!

I've found that the only one I can stand is Grape Frost - simply because it tastes the most like gatorade. Also, the aftertaste is very similar to a yogurt aftertaste. I've taken to putting it in a 32 oz refill cup and filling the cup first with ice and pouring the drink in. The colder, the better.

Baby spoons are such a great idea. I have some mini spoons from an event I planned that have ended up being PERFECT! The right size for what I should be eating. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/PETITES-CLEAR-PLASTIC-TASTING-WNA/dp/B000Y1EWT0]Amazon.com: PETITES 4.2" CLEAR PLASTIC TASTING SPOON (MINI) WNA 500 CS 5/100: Kitchen & Dining[/ame] Yes, they're super tiny, and a baby spoon would be cheaper, but it's pretty fabulous having a disposable teeny spoon I can bring along to work and toss.

Hey Riley! congratulations! I got the sample packet of chike and really love the chocolate ones. As far as Isopure, I couldn't really stomach any of them except Grape Frost - and I figured out it's only because it's the one that tastes closest to a gatorade. hang in there, it gets easier. I'm just over 2 weeks post op and have lost 30 lbs. It's worth the pain and frustration of the first week or so post-op. Just take it as easy as you can. You can do it. I am on full liquids and purees and I really tend to stick to more liquids than anything else - but I sure as hell crave everything else!

I definitely does. The pudding I made was delicious and the stuff I bought pre-made just isn't a winner. I told my husband he's welcome to it (he's a big fan of the yogurt whips and I don't like the texture at all - I should have known!). the mashed potatoes were delicious - the 2 bites I could eat! I have these awesome things called potato pearls, which are basically dehydrated mashed potatoes but they're already seasoned and have amazing flavor. They're SO good. Much better than regular instant mashed potatoes, in my book...although, I did have reg. instant mashed potatoes the other day and tried to add flavor without using butter...so I used a dash of coarse sea salt and a pinch of CUMIN! The cumin was awesome. Perfect amt of flavor. Def. no more Jello Mousse for me.

I know what you mean! I just had one of those new Jello PUDDING mousse cups. Didn't like the texture afterall and it seems to have upset my stomach...then again, it's the first thing I've eaten all day. Before that I was just drinking Isopure all day today and Water and I wasn't hungry but knew I should put something in there before heading to bed. Now it's upset. I'm going to have a spoonful of mashed potatoes and see if that calms it a little.

I know what you mean! And yes, the surgery is worth every penny. I just texted that exact phrase to someone today when I stepped on the scale and was down 23 lbs. Pretty darn incredible. I was on metformin for insulin resistance. I don't have a diagnosis of diabetes but my husband and I have been trying to conceive for 3 years now. Surgery was/is the solution for everything. It should help us start a family and if I continue losing weight at the speed I am, my body will *hopefully* straighten itself out and I can get prego in the next 12-24 mos (we're not going to start trying until I'm a year post-op or I've lost the majority of my excess weight). There was a girl in my group who had an insulin pump (she's type 2) and switched from Lap-Band to sleeve the morning of the surgery (4 of 5 of us did) because she was told that a lot of VSG patients who ARE type 2 can typically get rid of their pumps after 2-3 months. I hope all goes well with you! It gets easier, I promise. The first couple days after you're going to think, 'why in the world did I do this to myself' but then when you hit a week post-op you'll start to feel SO much better. I went to work 5 days post-op and didn't have any problems.

You're just recovering now! I hope everything went well, Steve. I, too, have a tough time with getting in all the protein. I am on full liquids and only have {maybe} 2 non-clear liquids a day. I made sugar/fat free pudding and added two scoops of Protein powder in, which made the whole batch about 78g of protein. Of course, the kicker is that I can only eat about 1/4 c. at a time so I'm only getting about 7g protein in each serving. I'm trying to drink 40g Isopure but they're 20oz and I'm not loving the flavors. Fudgsicles have a decent amt for what they are and a good quick snack. I'm going to order high protein meals and HOPEFULLY start getting more in. I am REALLY trying to prevent hairloss!

I know what you mean about the Metformin! It took my digestive system 2 weeks to get used to it and not camp near a toilet! I stopped taking meds about 2 days before surgery and haven't taken any since. I'm probably going to start taking metformin again as soon as I'm on the soft foods stage of my post op. good luck with your pre-op! I'd like to say post-op is easier, but it's ALMOST just as bad. My eyes want everything in sight but I have 4 spoonfuls of soup/pudding/whatever and I'm FULL. Which is a great feeling. I only lost 5 lbs on the pre-op diet but I've lost 18 more since surgery. It's worth EVERY penny. Good luck! Think skinny thoughts!