FishingNurse

Wow that is crazy. I would have been so weak and sick. I never counted carbs or cals really...in the losing phase only Protein. (I would guess during losing phase after I was healed I was getting 1100-1200 cals a day.) Worked for me! I would get 75 grams of Protein a day or more. I think you are allowed to modifiy your surgeons guidlines... what ever works for you!

I'm a nurse so I am kind of a people pleaser by profession. I need to work on it in my personal life, though.

I like what everyone is posting, what a great thread!
I also weigh everyday.... I have to or things could get out of control quickly.
I work out 3-4 days per week (lifting weights and some cardio)
I chose Protein first whenever possible, but I do eat 1600-2200 cals a day!)
Most importantly: I keep focused on what I want long term (not what I want at the time-- I usually want an entire box of cheezits and a chocolate bar) But I will never go back. Mindset is my biggest key in maintaining!

My top ten success strategies are:
1. Weighing daily
2. Correcting my diet to stay in my bounce range.
3. Not bringing food home that I find hard to resist.
4. Stocking the house with healthy, easy to eat foods and low or no calorie drink options.
5. Weighing and measuring foods most of the time.
6. Using smaller plates and bowls.
7. Keeping my supplements and Vitamins in a pill holder by my toothbrush so I remember to take them.
8. Coming here to offer support and get support.
9. Exercise (more for my health and happiness than weight control).
10. Changing my self talk. My two favs are reminding myself that self soothing is not self sabotage and I can't hate myself thin. With that in mind, I try to choose non-food treats such as lotion and perfume, calling a friend, or taking a walk when I am stressed or upset and I try focus on my success and planning on how to increase that instead of focusing on what I don't like about myself and what I have done wrong in the past.
Lynda

I would like to start a thread that encourages long term vets to share their success patterns. It is an open discussion of strategies, NSVs and day to day habits that define your success in being able to maintain or even improve in terms of weight, health, activity or anything else connected to this journey. Life as a vet is where the real work happens so let's share in a way that motivates both new post ops for the future and current vets for the here and now. We have a whole new chapter in our lives to engage in positively as movers and shakers. Let this thread be a beacon of encouragement for all. We have a chance to make real positive differences in the lives of others we interact with.

No way! I wanted the lap bad initially and my surgeon talked me out of it..... So glad he did!

Try this experiment.
Take your salad and put it into a blender. Add 4 oz of Water and blend. Pour this into a measuring cup. Whatever is over the 4 oz mark is what your salad has been reduced to.
Salad has always been one of those things I can eat a good portion of because it does reduce well, whereas the dense Protein is pretty much already reduced to whatever it is going to be.

I personally think a big salad is good. So is a big bowl of veggie soup! veggies, raw and cooked are so good for us. I started eating more veggies just as soon as I could find the room for them. I don't stuff them in, but I slow down and enjoy them in some quantity and variety. If I put some kind of Protein on the salad (I am a vegetarian) I eat that first...

I think as long as you are not having any issues, don't stress. I had a lot of swelling post-op, some people don't. Don't worry too much!!

Welcome jen!!!!! In my opinion, (I am 2.5 years out) and was heavy my whole life...... the sleeve is the best thing that ever happened to me. Could I have lost more weight? yes. The sleeve seems to work varrying degrees for people. Some people lose all their excess weight, some 30lbs. It depends on what you put in, and what you want. Post-op life is so much better (weight gain is not like before when dieting) but there is a risk of going back. I see the scale go up a few pounds then I blow an imaginary horn in my head. I can eat entire small box of cheezits in a few hours. I also can only eat 3 oz of steak and a few bites of veggies. It all depends of choices. What I am getting at is the sleeve is amazing but it is not guarantee to be thin for the rest of your life... (although I wish it was)

All my inspirations in one thread!!!!! I love to see everyone. I seriously read what Coops, CLK, Diva, feedyoureye, PDXman and several others read for hours a day while prepping for surgery. I am so glad everyone is checking in.
Diva, so sorry to hear about your struggles, thanks for coming back to inspire us again.
I am getting back on track too, working out with personal trainers, and plan to get to my NEW GOAL of 155lbs. I had put on 8lbs, down 4.5 now and plan to lose the rest by mid summer.

No way! I wanted the lap bad initially and my surgeon talked me out of it..... So glad he did!

No way! I wanted the lap bad initially and my surgeon talked me out of it..... So glad he did!

You look amazing !!!! Wow you like 5-10 years younger. Keep up the good work girl :-)

Yep it does totally suck, but I promise it is worth it!! you can do this!!

This should keep everybody busy that are interested in the 5:2, keep in mind this is for people who are at least a year out, have hit the wall, or started regaining... have not reached goal after a loooong stall... the rest of you, ring the life out of your Dr and Nuts plan before going here.... Not all people lose weight on this plan, it is not a quick weight loss plan, it is a lifestyle protocol that is a plan to improve longevity, and some people lose weight on it too. It is not a quick fix. That being said, some people here who could just not get the last few pounds off, or were starting to gain, have found success with this protocol.....
2 1/2 after WLS I had gained 22 pounds, and had never gotten to goal... I felt like I had tried everything, and this plan got the regain off, and I am now at goal, maintaining my bounce range through the holidays so far! I am not alone in that.

this is called orthostatic hypotension....google it! When you go from a lying or sitting position to standing quickly your blood pressure can drop dramatically, and usually your heart rate will go up. it is common after significant weight loss. I'm an RN in a inpatient eating disorders unit, (patients with anorexia and BN suffer from this frequently as well) I have picked up patients off of the shower floor more than you'd guess.
Let your MD know this is happening, and take your time going from a lying postion to a standing position. that will help.

I'm 2.5 years out. My hunger never left completely. But it's definately improved from pre-surgery and easier to manage :-) ! I'm with-in 3 pounds of my low weight from surgery... With some effort. My desire to not go back is the biggest factor in my weight maintainence... Not my actual sleeve restriction at this point because I can totally eat around my sleeve if I want. ( and I do once in a while )

this is called orthostatic hypotension....google it! When you go from a lying or sitting position to standing quickly your blood pressure can drop dramatically, and usually your heart rate will go up. it is common after significant weight loss. I'm an RN in a inpatient eating disorders unit, (patients with anorexia and BN suffer from this frequently as well) I have picked up patients off of the shower floor more than you'd guess.
Let your MD know this is happening, and take your time going from a lying postion to a standing position. that will help.

this is called orthostatic hypotension....google it! When you go from a lying or sitting position to standing quickly your blood pressure can drop dramatically, and usually your heart rate will go up. it is common after significant weight loss. I'm an RN in a inpatient eating disorders unit, (patients with anorexia and BN suffer from this frequently as well) I have picked up patients off of the shower floor more than you'd guess.
Let your MD know this is happening, and take your time going from a lying postion to a standing position. that will help.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion BUT....If you take a look at the vets forum...there are dozens and dozens of sleevers like myself 2-3+ years post-op following this plan and it works. It is intermittent fasting. Not fasting. Big difference!! You do get all the nutrients your body needs, you just allow your body to use stored energy more efficently.

I'm also an RN - and Sleeve of Steel is spot on. To go a step further, even though it is common, it's not normal. Definitely have that checked, and in addition to slow position changes, make sure you are getting in adequate fluids, since a little dehydration can aggravate that. A little extra salt might also help raise your blood pressure. If you are on any sort of diuretic, your doc will probably want to get you off of them.

this is called orthostatic hypotension....google it! When you go from a lying or sitting position to standing quickly your blood pressure can drop dramatically, and usually your heart rate will go up. it is common after significant weight loss. I'm an RN in a inpatient eating disorders unit, (patients with anorexia and BN suffer from this frequently as well) I have picked up patients off of the shower floor more than you'd guess.
Let your MD know this is happening, and take your time going from a lying postion to a standing position. that will help.

Awesome!! So glad to hear you are having some success with this too. This is totally the ticket for me. I am at my lowest weight post op ever!!! ( I am 2.5 years post op) :-) Keep me posted!

Excellent suggestion. I started doing 16 hour fast this week, and lost 2 pounds. I've been struggling to get any weight off since November, and the loss has just slowed down. I try to eat the same amount of calories I was eating, about 800-1000/day. It's the only way weight comes off. I do think the limited time helps curb the extra few calories I was putting in my mouth closer to bed, which also helps. But I could see once I hit maintenance, I could do this 5 days a week, and loosen up a little on weekends. Guess I'll see when I get there. Thanks for a great suggestion, and glad to see your success with it!