Strangefruit

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

"I completely sympathize with folks who start threads looking for help because they're craving something. That's not what this is about. What I'm having difficulty understanding is this; why do people seek approval from what are basically complete strangers to violate their doctor's directives, when they know it's not in their best interest? It just doesn't make sense to me."
Most of us are here because we have had - or are having vertical sleeves... but if you read the posts, you will know that doctors directives about these sleeves are as varied as the sands in the ocean.
Some will say they have strict two week pre op all liquid diets... some are allowed Protein based foods during the liquid phase...some don't have ANY kind of pre op diet!
Some are on liquids after surgery...some are on "mushies" (I wasn't)...some are allowed to eat any soft food as early as two weeks after surgery... some - like me - are not allowed ANY carbs - mashed potatoes, rice, Beans - even after 11 weeks after surgery...
Yet, most of the people *are* losing weight... I think we (at least *I*) come here to compare ideas - to see what plan others are following...and whether or not it works... Yes, it's hard to know that I can't have ANY carbs... but then, when I fell and had a Wendy's Chili - I knew it wasn't the end of the world because I also knew that so many other folks had successfully - with their doctors blessing - had a few black Beans and it didn't "kill" them or disrupt their weight loss...
Doctors are different and have different plans...Some have shared their caloric intake, which I found helpful, because my doctor will not give me caloric guidelines (and the OCD in me NEEDS guidelines)...all he will say is have x amount of Protein and no more than y amount of carbs - ... so it's not that we (I) and taking the advice of total strangers over my doctor, but it is nice to have someone with whom I can ask questions and get advice and take an average... my doc does NOT answer questions... I have posted earlier that he is very much like Dr. Gregory House - a brilliant surgeon, but a bit of a d**k. Some have docs who are overseas and not accessible...
So, it is nice that - yes - total strangers - will share what worked for THEM to give help into making all the pieces fit.
If I meet someone who had surgery on the same date as me, and they have lost 20lbs more than I have, I appreciate reading what worked for them...it may not work for me, but it *might*...

Wow! Thanks so much for all the responses! Everyone is very kind

I'll try to answer some of the questions...
What do I eat on a usual day?
I have a very hard time eating any bread, rice, Pasta - I basically don't eat that (which I'm sure helps with the weight loss0 Sometimes I miss it, but then i put on a smaller pair of jeans and all is great in the world again
For Breakfast I usually have an egg with a piece of cheese and some kind of meat OR oatmeal and fruit
For Snacks, I go for string cheese, hummus and veggies, yogurt, fruit, anything up that alley
For lunch, I try to get my Protein in through having some kind of chicken dish - whether it be some kind of chicken stir fry or I'll get those lean cuisines or healthy choices and just not eat the rice, noodles, whatever and just eat the chicken and veggies
For dinner, I pretty much have whatever - I make normal, healthy meals - just way, way smaller amounts
Honestly, I don't feel like I'm on a diet. I track some days but not all. Basically i just try to put good, nutritious food in my body. If I eat like crap, I feel like crap. if I'm really craving something, I'll serve myself a small portion. I plate all my food and sit down to eat. Oh and when I feel hungry, I always check to make sure it's not just thirst! I can't tell you how many times my body thinks it's hungry but really I just need to drink some Water. DRINKING Water IS SOOOOOO IMPORTANT!!!! As for the Protein shakes, I had them a lot in the beginning but not so much now. I probably have like 3-4 a week. I do make sure I get in a lot of Protein through other foods though.
Do I exercise?
Oooo yeah! This is something I highly recommend. I don't have lose skin and I feel that my weight loss looks very natural. I started exercising a couple weeks before surgery and was walking on a treadmill right afterI had the surgery. I've grown to like running quite a bit (started that about 3 weeks post op) and I always do strength and core training. Nothing super fancy - I basically just get my butt to the gym and enjoy my time there. It's awful the first two weeks - I could barely run a half mile at 3.5 miles an hour and now I can pretty easily do two miles at a higher pace.
What has helped me the most?
Being honest with myself. Why did I get to the point I did? What are my triggers? You know to do some self discovery before having this. This is not something you just do to get skinny. If you don't just the fundamental problem, I feel the weight will just come back. I'm a much happier person. I went from a very anxious person to a person who just enjoys life. I feel NORMAL and it's a beautiful thing Also, surround yourself with people who SUPPORT you. I have been lucky to have wonderful parents, sisters, friends, boyfriend, etc to help me through this process.
What has my experience been?
I've honestly had the best experience. I'm 22 and did not have cormobidities - but I did have a BMI over 40. I loved my surgeon and the facility I had it at (Dr. Zeni at St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, MI). The pre-op diet was so hard for me, but I stuck to it - didn't cheat once and felt so proud of myself. Anyone who is pre-op, that's my advice. DON"T CHEAT ON PRE-OP!! I did not have any complications. I followed my doctor's orders. My quote that I've posted several times on here is "Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret." It sums my feelings through this process. Every choice you make matters. Don't overwhelm yourself with huge goals. Just start by saying "Hey, I'm going to make a healthy choice for Breakfast today" or "I'm going to the gym today." Slowly these choices become habits.
Thanks so much for the responses. Feel free to message or ask any other questions. This forum has helped me a lot. Good luck everyone!

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Bought an elliptical today. hopefully get some exercising in now, haven't done much yet. About ten pounds lost pre op.
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Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Update: hormel purées are gross, lol. Better to do it your self.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Apologies for the descriptive title.
After a long day of being jostled at an obscenely crowded outlet maxi-mall my relatives and I settled down for a nice meal at P.F. Chang's. I made the unwise decision to see if my aversion to szechuan was still operational after 11 months out.
"It's still here", was the reply from "The Bouncer" as he directed me to the bathroom to unload the contents of my experiment.
Try again next year? Probably. I love szechuan. :ph34r:

I had my surgery on August 22nd, so I am a little over 4 months post op. This summer at 5'3 my consultation weight in July was 231 lbs and I am now 155 lbs - putting me down 76 pounds! YAY!
I try to post monthly and this time when I was coming up with a picture to post I was just looking at pictures of my boyfriend and I from the summer. I think about how I felt this summer in pictures (insecure and uncomfortable) and how I feel now (confident and energetic) and I'm just very grateful. I've really appreciated his support throughout this process and looking at the pictures just made me feel grateful that I've had such a great support system, not just in him but in my entire family and my friends. I feel like it has helped me immensely. This surgery has just showed me that I really am lucky to have such great people in my life!
I hope everyone had a great holiday! I always enjoy seeing people's pictures, so I will post some below!
Picture 1: Sister's graduation party in July
Picture 2: Friend's wedding in July
Picture 3: Christmas Eve Party
Picture 4: Christmas Morning! (No way would I have ever let him pick me up like that over the summer lol!)
Picture 5: Christmas Day

You're doing it wrong!!!

Yeah, just hung up w my docs office... Ground turkey is a no... Just scrambled egg and soft cheese. I can also have tuna, crab (no shrimp yet) tofu (blech!) and fish... No veggies yet... Nothing on my family's Thanksgiving menu is ok! Guess I will be having fish... Still better than Protein Shakes though!

We need carbs for energy, so yes, incorporate them! It's also been stated that men do well on Atkins type diets but that women benefit from a more balanced approach to food. I eat about 40% Protein, 30% carbs and 30% fats and feel perfectly satisfied. I also maintained my weight very easily before I got pregnant - I think, in part, because I never felt deprived or the urge to snack because I was limiting myself. And I definitely noticed an improvement in my mood once I added in more carbs. I get pretty grumpy and cranky when I deny myself carbohydrates.
Before I jump into a "the sleeve is not a diet" lecture, I'll simply say that it's important to learn to eat like a normal person, in moderation, BEFORE achieving goal. Build the habit of healthy eating and you'll carry it with you for a lifetime. Deny yourself critical elements of your diet and you'll only be unhappy and risk binges.
That said, avoiding empty calories and artificial junk is always something we should do. If you're going to eat, try to make it a high quality food that will benefit your body instead of making you crave more junk.
Quinoa is one of my FAVORITE foods to incorporate post op. It's a complete Protein, an easily digestible seed and can be used so many different ways that I never tire of it.
bread is an iffy thing. Not for health reasons but because your sleeve is going to decide for you if you're going to be able to eat much of it. I'm more than two years out and it's only now that I'm pregnant that I can eat more than one very thin slice of bread. A nice, fluffy whole wheat roll with dinner would still be out of the question. I'm a baker and this really hasn't been much of an issue. If I really want/crave some bread I indulge in a reasonable portion. Usually that means half a piece of toast with breakfast! That's all I can fit in most of the time.
I love lentils and several different rice and lentil dishes. Again, I can't eat too much because the rice swells a bit like bread does but this is an option, too.
Experiment and find what you like. The goal is to avoid things that cause you an issue - either by slowing your loss, causing discomfort or by causing cravings - while still eating a balanced diet and feeling satisfied.
Good luck,
~Cheri

Don't eat until you're full. Eat until you're not hungry!! That will help because you're goal shouldn't be to feel full or stuffed after each meal. If you feel full, you've already eaten to much.

Back up...you are on the treadmill daily? Wow. I want to kick your doctor in the teeth. Seriously. You are doing amazing. Don't listen to him, just keep on keepin' on!

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to read. I feel better already! )

You guys are so helpful...thank you... My doc has the bedside manner of Dr. Gregory House... I dont like him at all, but he is the guy my insurance covers... I weigh every Monday and saw a loss today and feel better... This is HARD... Anyone who thinks this is an easy solution has no idea of how hard the behavior modification is... I throw up if I eat one bite too much...and right now, dont always recognize the full cue.

You guys are so helpful...thank you... My doc has the bedside manner of Dr. Gregory House... I dont like him at all, but he is the guy my insurance covers... I weigh every Monday and saw a loss today and feel better... This is HARD... Anyone who thinks this is an easy solution has no idea of how hard the behavior modification is... I throw up if I eat one bite too much...and right now, dont always recognize the full cue.

You guys are so helpful...thank you... My doc has the bedside manner of Dr. Gregory House... I dont like him at all, but he is the guy my insurance covers... I weigh every Monday and saw a loss today and feel better... This is HARD... Anyone who thinks this is an easy solution has no idea of how hard the behavior modification is... I throw up if I eat one bite too much...and right now, dont always recognize the full cue.

You guys are so helpful...thank you... My doc has the bedside manner of Dr. Gregory House... I dont like him at all, but he is the guy my insurance covers... I weigh every Monday and saw a loss today and feel better... This is HARD... Anyone who thinks this is an easy solution has no idea of how hard the behavior modification is... I throw up if I eat one bite too much...and right now, dont always recognize the full cue.