Strangefruit

I went to Chipotle and got a naked burrito bowl - chicken, cheese and mild salsa... I got 4 meals out of it.
I am looking forward to being able to add onions, peppers and other stuff, but for now its a very satisfying change from fish. I am trying to go high Protein and low carbs, so no Beans... Anyway, it was delicious!

I went to Chipotle and got a naked burrito bowl - chicken, cheese and mild salsa... I got 4 meals out of it.
I am looking forward to being able to add onions, peppers and other stuff, but for now its a very satisfying change from fish. I am trying to go high Protein and low carbs, so no Beans... Anyway, it was delicious!

We all lose at different rates, and I was an athlete all the way through college. I really let things get out of control the last 4 years, but the high Protein and gym were like riding a bike I snapped right back into it. As for your diet/cals eat in the 600s too. I do shakes only after hard weight lifting days. My diet it mainly chicken, fish, turkey, cheese, and eggs. For starches or carbs I never eat enriched bleached flour (it would be the first ingredient) and I try to burn 600-700 cals 6 days a week in cardio plus I do 5 days of weights.

Thanks!
Oh the things I would do for some whiskey these days! And ya, I have become addicted to the gym lately. It makes me feel good (in a super shallow way) that I used to be the biggest guy in there and would meander around a bit and try to stay out of peoples way and now I walk in there confident run a mile to warm up, hit the weights, and then hop back on the elliptical. Now when I workout people start convos with me and I have made new friends in there. Sorry to babble, I'm just so darn happy!

I always tell everyone no to worry about the scale but after 2.5 weeks if no weight loss I was starting to second guess my own advice! The last two days I started eating whole wheat crackers and oats and upped my calories a bit and peace out stall! I lost 7 lbs in the last 2 days! I still made it to the gym everyday and I am loving life so much more these days! Every time I walk past a mirror I smile! Haven't said that in years haha

I'm 7 weeks out and I've been eating cucumbers without issue for about a week and a 1/2! I eat them with just salt and pepper or marinated in low fat Italian dressing and chew like hell.
It's been a really good snack for me.

"I would listen to what your doctor says instead of asking relative stangers on the Internet for advice on your medical care"
I hear what you are saying, but I like to ask others because my doctor (the only one covered by my insurance) is not at ALL approachable and answers very few questions, and those he does with attitude. He prides himself in being "tough" and has a, "because I said so..." approach. I am not four, and am much more compliant when I understand the reasons behind the directions.... I have found this board invaluable for getting insight to how OTHER doctors relate to their patients. My doctor has the bedside manner of Dr. Gregory House. He may be a good surgeon, but he is not a kind man.

I discovered some of these in my freezer earlier in the week, reminding myself these make a great Breakfast. Before VSG I used the recipe below and was then putting them in the larger six cup muffin tin (I've often used that instead of doing it in a pie plate when having people over for brunch). Since that size is too big for my breakfast now, I'm going to try the 24 mini muffin tin and have 2 for breakfast.
Crustless Spinach Quiche
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Servings: 12 | Difficulty: Easy
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
1 cup Chopped Onion (about 1 Medium Onion)
1 package (10 Oz) Frozen Chopped Spinach, Thawed And Drained
5 whole Large eggs, Beaten
2-½ cups Shredded Muenster cheese (or Whatever You Have On Hand - I Find That The Sharper The Cheese, The Better!)
¼ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese (plus 2 Tbsp. For Garnish - Optional)
¼ teaspoons Salt
¼ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 pinch Crushed Red Pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan (or appropriate muffin tin).
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheeses, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Add in spinach mixture and stir to blend. Pour into prepared pie pan.
Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set and the top is slightly browned, about 25-30 minutes. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. If you’d like, top with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
*I also love using this recipe to make individual-sized little quiches. You can either use regular-sized muffin tins (15-20 minutes cook time), or the cute mini ones (about 10-15 minutes). Just be sure to prepare the tins well with cooking spray (or use muffin liners), and watch to be sure that they don’t get overcooked!
Source: Protein

I've been making mini lasagnas like that for ages. They're so delicious, filling...and kids love them!

Im 5 months post-op, and am able to eat about 2 oz of "dense" Protein (think chicken, turkey, salmon, etc). I'm able to eat 1/4 cup of tuna salad, along with 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, or 1 string cheese. I have 8 oz of muscle milk light every morning before I hit the gym, and another 8 oz after the gym. (that's roughly 7am and 10am). I eat lunch between 12 and 1pm (the tuna salad/cottage cheese combo is typical), have a small "snack" around 3pm (usually a low-fat, 1oz cheese stick), have dinner between 5:30 and 6pm (usually 2 oz of chicken, cooked a variety of ways), and finish the day with a snack around 8pm (almost always a Quest chocolate brownie protein bar). I average between 650 and 700 calories/day, with roughly 90 grams of protein, and fewer than 30 grams of carbs.

Ha, ha. Sounds like a dream but some of us "experienced" sleevers whispered during our SoCal support group get together about how to stop losing weight. Seriously.
I lost too much weight and needed to put back on weight. I looked sickly for my height/weight. I am still 10 lbs below surgeons goal weight for me. Sure, I looked good in clothes but I missed some of my curves. Yes, I said it.
So, yes you know a million ways to gain back weight...but consider this...do you know how to maintain and not yo-yo diet for the rest of your life? Gain 5 lbs, lose 5 lbs and so on. Sound familiar?
My body was extra stubborn too. I think some Weight loss clinics have wings named in my honor due to my repeat visits. Same with TV ads. Buildings built in my name for the money I invested.
During maintenance you learn how to balance calories. It is a mind game. Will I gain back all my weight? Changing the mind to not count every calorie/carb that enters your body. Will fear overcome your need for control? When is your weight loss enough? When your surgeon says it is? When your body says it is? When you say it is? What is the right weight? Sounds like a dream but it can be scary so prepare yourself as you approach goal weight. I have seen a few VST members go overboard and go way below a normal BMI weight. IMO this is not physical but mental issue. We need support throughout the entire process, even after goal.
Hugs to all of you. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Losing too much weight
Having too much money
My car being too fast
All problems I think I could live with.

Don't sweat the food mourning. It's only temporary. Get past the puréed and mushys and then on to soft. I was sleeved on 6-14-12 and am down 80lbs. I eat anything I want and nothing bothers me. I can eat an entire can of tuna in one sitting. Or a small sirloin steak fillet and a small serving of green Beans. Thanksgiving I ate 2 small slices of turkey, mabye half cup of green bean casserole, a tiny pile of mashed potatoes, I slice of cranberry jelly and I was stuffed. So you won't miss what you can't eat anyway. As far as Water, I can drink almost half a bottle (16.9oz) in one big drink and not feel uncomfortable. It's a slider food for me. It slides on through and pretty soon, I'm thirsty again. It gets much better in the next few months, I promise. Stay the course.

I also think the Protein is making my breath stink! I brush my teeth and tongue after each shake, but maybe its the protein in an otherwise empty stomach!
Any one else having this problem?

Hi everyone! I am 5'9, I started out at 480 lbs, I wore a 44 in jeans and 6x tops. Some tops I had were 30/32 and fit me like a tight piece of rubber...and right before surgery on 9/27/2012 all of my 44 and 42 jeans were getting to the point where I couldn't zip them. Now I am 8 weeks and I honestly don't know what size I wear. I can say that all of my clothes are almost falling off of me and the 44 and 42 jeans I can't wear anymore because I can pull them on and off with them zipped and buttoned my 30/32 tops are getting looser as well, I am currently 414 my goal is to be 150, but for now I'm just aiming for under 200 lbs because I want a son, and did NOT want to endure another pregnancy in the 400's.
I forgot I did try on a 4x skirt in my closet and it FIT, so now I think I wear a 4x, I can't wait to go shopping, but I'm going to give it a little while longer, maybe when I get into the 300s

I am currently 3 months out and now weigh 175 and wearing a jr. med or jr. large in shirts and I don't kno about pants yet becuz I haven't bought any as of yet. I've been wearing leggings so they will adjust as I lose more weight. My goal is 140

The turtle is definitely coming out of his shell more these days.

I am 5'6". Started at 255, size 22/24 and 3x tops. Currently at 160, size 10 and large tops (a few mediums). Still losing steadily. I've work out quite a bit, which has really helped me. Surgery was six months ago.

So, I am five weeks post op and not cleared for poultry... I can pretty much have fish and eggs... I brought a lobster cake to my family dinner and planned to splurge with one tablespoon mac and cheese...
I ended up eating a smackeral of mac and cheese, less than a teaspoon of pineapple casserole and two cucumber slices! For some reason I had been craving cucumbers... I ate half of the lobster cake later on when everyone else was having dessert and I felt hungry again..
Bottom line... I felt completely satisfied and happy with my small splurges... I ate slowly and chewed well and had absolutely no problems or discomfort. Yay!

So, I am five weeks post op and not cleared for poultry... I can pretty much have fish and eggs... I brought a lobster cake to my family dinner and planned to splurge with one tablespoon mac and cheese...
I ended up eating a smackeral of mac and cheese, less than a teaspoon of pineapple casserole and two cucumber slices! For some reason I had been craving cucumbers... I ate half of the lobster cake later on when everyone else was having dessert and I felt hungry again..
Bottom line... I felt completely satisfied and happy with my small splurges... I ate slowly and chewed well and had absolutely no problems or discomfort. Yay!

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

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

My wife made chicken Pasta for the family and I was very envious. Of course right now she could have cooked chef boyardi and I would have probably had the same response.

I got on scales today, I have lost 44 pounds and I am down to 196, I am post op 6 weeks.