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amazing, such a great feeling to be able to fit in clothes that we haven't worn in years, then to out shrink them!! Hooray for you!

The first few weeks are the absolute hardest so hang in there. Is pepcid a PPI (proton-pump inhibitor)? If not, you may have to ask your doctor for a prescription for one. It stops the stomach from producing acid and it is very common for sleeve patients to have to go on one.

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I understand not being happy where you are at. I think the biggest thing is to just be patient. Our bodies love to hold onto those last few pounds and they are the hardest to lose.

Yes, Torani has their own site and you can order direct. I live in Canada and get them at my local coffee house. I think you can even get them on Amazon.com.

I would get your iron checked as well. Anemia can be common in the early post-op stages.

I was not trying to insult you. You posted 250 calories and 9 grams of protein and did not specify what it was for. If that is for a bought bar, I am sorry, but to me, those stats aren't great. Maybe a treat.

I debated even responding to you, but the point is that, it is a banana, so why did you feel the need to come on here, tell her how fattening bananas are when she was just sharing a recipe that she enjoys, and post incorrect nutritional information. This particular forum is for recipe sharing, not telling me if you think my recipe is bad or not. Like I said before, what you eat is up to you. Its not on your plan, and that is fine. Just don't go around preaching to other people what they should eat. I am pretty sure that she knew the information about bananas before you told her.

You look amazing, congratulations!

First of all, I know this is so cliche, but try not to stress about it. More stress=weight loss stall. I am 20 months post op and didn't reach goal until 18 months post op. I actually thought I was done losing with like you, less than 5 lbs left. I didn't lose for a couple of months, and all of a sudden I find myself losing again. I have actually dropped below goal by a few pounds and I have not changed anything I was doing. I know you will roll your eyes at me, but just relax a little and I am sure it will happen!

Sadly, most protein bars are basically candy bars in disguise. Also, make sure to look at the Fiber count. I don't use protein bars, but I know the Quest ones are high in protein, but extremely high in fibre which changes the net carbs of the bar. Sorry NenaLinda, but that bar is not a good choice, too many calories and low in protein. Like Fluffy said, greek yogurt with fruit is actually a better option, more protein and complex carbs in the fruit...although not as portable as a bar.

I know it is hard not to compare, but everyone is different. The more weight you have to lose, the faster you usually lose it, men lose faster, there are so many variables. I lost around 20-22 lbs I think in the first 4-5 weeks, and I think that is pretty average, so think as yourself above average. I was a slow loser, taking me 18 months to reach goal, but I made it, so don't be discouraged!

I would take a piece of ham, slice some onion. Then, down the middle of the ham, place onion, mozza, and some bottled pizza sauce. Roll up and sear in a non-stick frying pan (or microwave tell the cheese is melted. Tasted like pizza without all the fat. Good quick snack if you are craving the flavor.

You can make Chia seed pudding. I have only made vanilla, but you can make chocolate too! If you google it, you can find recipes. Mine is 1 cup almond milk (you can use any milk though), 2 TBSP chia seeds, vanilla extract and sweetener to taste (torani syrups, splenda, whatever you fancy), let set in the fridge (I usually leave mine overnight). The Chia seeds absorb the liquid and it becomes kind of like tapioca (the seeds still have a little texture though). Very filling snack! PB2 is delicious! You can get plain or chocolate. You can add it to shakes (chocolate PB shake, mmm). You can also add to almost anything you want a Peanut Butter taste (greek yogurt, Protein pancakes, protein ice cream, pudding).

I am 20 months post op, below goal, and have eaten stuff that is not good for me. Beating yourself is the worse thing to do. It gets you into that cycle of shame and guilt, eating more because you are upset, and then feeling even more guilty. Tomorrow is a new day and a chance to start fresh! If we never had temptations, if we never made mistakes, we would not be human. It does not mean that is ok to eat whatever you want, but it does mean it is ok to forgive yourself and do better next time. I

You are doing amazing and it sounds like you are doing everything right! Think about the past, did you ever lose almost 30 lbs in 5 weeks before!

In the beginning, calories are very low, around the 500 a day mark. Most of the time it is very difficult to get calories in. As you get a little further out, it is usually between 600-800 calories in weight loss phase. As for carbs, in my honest opinion, I think it is a personal choice. For some people, eating low carbs (30 or less) works well for them. I did not count carbs. I did make changes that cut out simple carbs, so I rarely eat bread, rice, cereals, pasta, and stuff like that. I will eat fruit, veggies, and complex carbs like oats. Find a balance that works for you. The sleeve is only a tool, so you do have to make changes to be successful, but you also have to do what works the best for you and your body. Did your surgeon give you any kind of post op guide or information??

I think you said you are 2 months post op?? You are early out and it takes such a long time to adjust and know what you can eat and how much. I still occasionally have over-eaten and the results are not pretty! And seasonings go a long way (the fight against the dried out chicken breast). Some things take a long time to be able to handle. I love pork chops but it took a long time to be able to eat them, they are really hard to digest (we always trim the fat off and bake or BBQ them). You will get there! I am still amazed some days how much restriction I still have...and...how much people really eat...yikes!! But, for the most part, you will get so used to it that it is just second nature and normal for you (PS. I never let my hubby dish out my food...I say "please, I will do it myself"...if there is too much on my plate, it is sometimes tempting to eat it) Good luck on your journey. I have been a part of this board for a while, but only started posting more now that I feel like I might know a little something. There is lots of great information on here, as well as lots of uninformed information, so be careful what you read. You have to do what works best for you. I was lucky, I was self pay and went through a company that facilitates surgeries. They have regular support groups and I have met a lot of local people that have had the surgery as well. I hope that you have or can find something like that as well, it is a great resource. Because, let's face it, as supportive as our spouses can be, they do not understand what we have been through as an overweight person, and they do not understand what is like to have 80% of your stomach removed.

That is great! I think it is all about finding balance. I have taken to approach of everything in moderation. I see so many people on here go to extremes with diet, and it is something you are not going to be able to maintain for the rest of your life. Like I mentioned on another post, I have NEVER tracked anything, no calories, no carbs, not even Protein. I am still losing a little 20 months post op. If I feel like a banana, I eat a banana...it isn't going to make me fat! I eat cherries, I eat apples with some Peanut Butter, and yes, I even eat things like potatoes...gasp! You have to change the way you look at food, and yes, you do have to change your diet, but you have to make it manageable. Hooray for banana lovers everywhere!!

It's everyone's personal choice what they eat. For you, it is not worth it, for her, it is a great treat!

Greek yogurt is really high in Protein and an unprocessed source as opposed to a protein bar. I am guessing that is why she suggested it. I eat a lot of greek yogurt sweetened with sugar free syrups and it is rich and creamy (not for everyone though). I have tried a few protein bars. The only ones I didn't mind were the Quest ones, and I warmed it up in the microwave. Just make sure your read them because a lot of them are just candy bars in disguise.

I did not try it on, there were a whole bunch of other parents standing around and I was a little caught off guard! And you are right, we really do need to give ourselves credit. I kept saying that I really didn't do anything and that I do not know why I have been successful, and my husband kept saying that I need to really stop that because I have made lots of changes. I have never counted calories, carbs or Protein, but I changed the way I eat and what I eat significantly. I feel like I eat a pretty normal diet now, but didn't recognize the change. When I was big, I always made it a point to not say anything about myself in front of my children. My mom always made fun of herself and put herself down, but turned around and told me I was beautiful. It doesn't really work that way, and I learned from my Mom how to run myself down. I vowed I would not do that to my children!

Thank you very much.

I don't normally post NSV for myself, but I thought I would post this one today. Especially since I really struggle with recognizing myself and my weight loss and not seeing a fat person staring back at me in the mirror. Today helped me put in perspective that I really do see myself differently than the rest of the world. I take my daughter to swimming lessons and have to be in the pool with her because she is not yet 3 years old and all the classes are parented. Today was life jacket day and I decided to put one one for my daughter as a good example. The first one I grabbed, the instructor said "Oh, I think that will be too big for you", so I grabbed another one and started to put it on, and she said to me in front of everyone else that I could probably even wear the size 2 life jackets (these are youth size life jackets!). I still wore the bigger one, but was shocked that someone thought I could wear something so small! The instructor is a young woman and I think she has a fabulous figure, and for her to look at me and suggest I need something smaller...I was blown away.

OK, yummy. I am going to have to try a couple of these!

Greek yogurt plain is gross, so I am not sure if that is why you are saying that you do not like it. I always sweeten it with sugar free syrups (torani) and splenda. Then it is thick and creamy and yummy! You can also use it to make shakes, just add a little milk, strawberries or whatever fruit you like, and splenda to sweeten.