DanaInNewOrleans

Girl Girl Girl! I am so sorry about what you've been through! Wow... Thank God you're on the road to recovery. Do they know what happened to cause your leak? I hope you are not staying alone -- you need moral support! You do have a great attitude though.... Keep us posted as much as you feel up to it! Take Care!! Dana

You know what I am beginning to realize? Everyone is going to have to find their own way on this journey. If eating Subway works for you, the eat Subway! If eating a biscuit with tablespoon of chicken salad (with real mayo) works me for than I'm going to do it. If I still have to get in a protein shake to get my required protein because I just cannot stomach eating another piece of chicken that I've got to chew, chew, chew and it still feels like a brick in my stomach, well so be it! And if that means I lose a little slower well, ok, so I lose slowly. I do believe that we've got to keep our protein up so I will do whatever it takes to make sure of that, but as long as I keep calories say around 800 (and my protein around 70grams) I am going to eat whatever works for me. I remember way back when I joined this site in August I kept reading about people of just couldn't get in enough calories and they felt weak and their weight loss had slowed down. So I posted a response saying, well, how about trying to get more calories in by say, adding real mayo to chicken salad. Or eat a couple of tablespoons of ice cream. Anything to keep your calories up. Well, I was attacked! People posting that I needed to reevaluate whether I should do the surgery, questioning my commitment to this way of life, etc. I was shocked. But everyone must find the way that works for them... Yay for Subway (for you) and yay for REAL mayo (for me)! I somehow feel like a subversive saying that! LOL

I haven't seen you here in a while! What happened with your leak? What is sudden? I'm so glad you're ok!

I'm apologize about explaining about ketosis. It was that it's been my experience that many people are confused and think you mean ketoacidosis, which they know is dangerous. I'm a believer in Atkins because 13 years ago, for the first time in my life, I was able to lose 160lbs following the Atkins philosophy. ( I was still overweight but a size 16 and I was pretty happy). It was the right fit for me because I am definitely a meat eater. I managed to keep the weight off for a long time because I continued following a low carb lifestyle. About 5 or 6 years ago I started slowly gaining -- about 10 pounds a year -- and I just could not lose it. (I've still managed to keep the other 100 lbs off). I thought maybe my body had adjusted to low carb and maybe I should try Weight Watchers, which I did, and GAINED weight on 1200 calories a day. I really believe that I fall into the category of people that carbs must be kept as low as possible in order to lose and maintain. I realize it's not for everyone -- some people can do fine with carbs. Unfortunately I am not one of them. I totally agree with you about the inconsistencies with post-sleeve diets. It's crazy. The only thing they do seem to have in common is that it is a high protein/low carb diet. My plan does not state specific calories, which I find completely annoying. My issue over the last few weeks (since I began solid food) is that carbs are so much easier to eat with the sleeve. One or two bites of dense protein and I am miserable. Right now I'm sitting here eating lunch - 1.7 oz of sliced roasted chicken breast -- and I feel like I ate a 2 lb ribeye. It is no longer l pleasant to eat meat and I don't look forward to it. Last night I had Special K and low carb milk for dinner because I just could not bring myself to eat something dense. Sometimes I just eat soft scrambled eggs because it's easier. The other day I ate a biscuit (which was heaven ) and it went down so easily. Apparently I do not have the same issues with bread as some sleevers (which is not a good thing as far as I'm concerned). I also still rely on my protein shakes to get my protein count up. It's very easy for me to drink, it's low calorie (175 calories) and high protein (29 grams). I guess this is all a learning process.

I think I remember you posted about this before right? WOW.... I am still shocked that your doc has you on 300 calories a day...I think I would lose my mind. How long are you on that extreme calorie restriction?

Here is a WebMD piece about low carb and ketosis..... http://www.webmd.com/diet/high-protein-low-carbohydrate-diets

Ketosis is when your body is actually burning fat. That is a good thing, at least in my opinion (I totally believe in the Atkins way of life). You're probably thinking of ketoacidosis--- which is extremely dangerous for diabetics. There are some that believe long term ketosis may not be healthy but there are plenty of studies that show that is is perfectly healthy. Just depends on what side you end up on in the debate.

Terravue, do you mean 300 calories a day? Or per meal?

I never gave my age (49) a second thought when I was making the decision to do this. Hey, just like the 20 year olds have their whole life in front of them, so do we!! I mean, I still have the whole REST OF MY LIFE in front of me. That is actually how I made the decision -- I felt like if I wanted to make the most of the rest of my life I HAD to do it. I wish the sleeve would have been around 20 or 30 years ago.....

I need a spreadsheet to keep track of what can be taken with this but not with that..... My thyroid was removed as well (thyroid cancer).

I didn't think that I would not be hungry after the surgery. My expectation was just that when I do get hungry it will take only a few bites of dense protein to fill me up.

x

YEP! This is true....their little floating torture chambers are a killer when it floods... It is amazing that one of those tiny little red things can inflict so much pain on a human! Just one can make you insane!

Many people eventually realize that what they think is "hunger" is actually acid, myself included. Taking PPIs will help.

They've been running the reruns all day to gear up for the mid season premier..... YEAH!!!

I think I may have an ulcer as well. What were your symptoms? What did the doc prescribe for you?

Sweet Baby Rays is my favorite --- love the Sweet Vidalia Onion.... hell, every flavor is awesome! But.... since I'm trying to keep as low carb as possible I just ordered Guy's sugar free bbq sauce yesterday on Netrition. KC Masterpiece had a REALLY great low carb bbq sauce but they discontinued it a couple of years ago.... I was so disappointed..... The reviews on the Guy's Sugar Free bbq sauce are great..... I love Netrition by the way....wonderful website for low carb stuff as well as supplements, Protein, etc.... very cheap flat shipping rate of like $5 I've been ordering off the site for about 10 years... http://www6.netrition.com/guys_bbq_sauce.html

I take Prevacid 2x daily - morning and bedtime and also a Zantac in the evening. It does seem to help.

Please note: The OP stopped immediately once he understood the possible risks. The issue I have is not with telling the OP that he should not deviate from his physician's orders (that is pretty much a given). The issue I have is with the judgmental and over the top alarmist posts which scared the poor guy half to death. He was pounced on like fresh meat in a zoo. He was probably waiting at any minute to drop dead from his chicken nugget. And to give him some perspective (and peace of mind) some posts (mine included) informed him that many doctors allow their patients "real" food very soon after surgery. Some of those patients actually chimed in to say yes, they were allowed to eat (yes, believe or not, they were still alive to do so). Do you believe their doctors are quacks? And when people post in absolutes about what is harmful and what is not please realize that is YOUR experience and based on YOUR doctor's orders. I understand that everybody is just showing concern but there is a way to do that without being an alarmist (and arrogant). Of course, this is just my opinion.... ~Dana

Ok, last Wednesday I was boo-hooing about gaining 3 lbs after daring to eat a little more on Super Bowl Sunday. I knew that was physiologically impossible but still.....just not good for the psyche. I was already getting discouraged because of the slow weight loss and not seeing the scale move in a week and well, those 3 lbs just set me off. The VST gang set me straight.... Well, today I've lost those 3 evil freak pounds plus 1! Yeah!! Love the VST Gang!! Everything is right with the world .... ~Dana

You are doing great! You've already lost 47 lbs!! I'm only at 22 lbs! I'm sending positive vibes your way........

There are a ton of people here who have lost 140 lbs and much much more!! I decided on the VST because I just never felt comfortable with the idea of bypass. Had the sleeve been around years ago I would have done it then. My surgeon also agreed that the sleeve was my best option -- I have MS and Lupus and I just did not want to take a chance with malabsorption issues. The sleeve just seemed so simple and straightforward. Even if I could possibly lose more with bypass I was just more comfortable with the sleeve. And I was ok if I did not lose ALL of my weight.... as long as I lost most of it! ~Dana

Gawd, here we go again. The sky is falling the sky is falling the sky is falling. Scaring someone to death with absolute abandon. Please remember, many docs allow their patients to start on regular food not long after surgery --- those docs must be wanton heretics.... Please stop with the over the top scare tactics...

I had no idea that even existed....?

I'm so jealous....It's been 75 degrees here... I feel cheated every "winter"! Let me live vicariously through you - take some pictures and post them!!