tigerbelle

several people have advised this to me as well (I am currently averaging about 800 calories per day)...I saw my surgeon yesterday for a 2-month follow up visit, and he thought my 800 calories was on the high end of the range he would expect at my stage...he didn't advise me to reduce the 800 level but he certainly didn't suggest I increase that level...I just don't know ::confused::

I continue to be amazed at the different nutritional programs post-WLS...my NUT's program does not allow any starches (including pasta) until at least maintenance stage; i.e., 6 to 8 months out...this is not medical advice, but I would not eat spaghetti now (and I am at 2 months post-op)

today was my 2 month follow up with my surgeon...it was supposed to be two weeks ago, but his office had to reschedule...therefore, I guess it's my 2 month + 2 week follow up here are a few things that surprised and/or intrigued me --I was concerned that I had only lost 34 pounds, but he seemed pleased with that...he had never given me any kind of goal weight or expected weight loss, so I asked him about that--he told me that he doesn't set goals for his patients and that he just goes with a goal of obtaining a weight you feel comfortable and healthy at...that wasn't the answer I expected --I expressed concern that I wasn't getting enough fluids in; i.e., the 64 oz minimum my NUT suggested...he said that he thought that was too high of a goal and that I would be fine getting in 48 oz...that will still be difficult for me --as for Protein, I told him some days I had problems getting in the minimum 60 g my NUT recommended...again, he said that was too high of a goal and that I would be fine getting in 50 g...as for daily calorie intake, I told him I was averaging 800, and he thought that sounded on the high end for me at two months out--he was suggesting more like 500 to 600 --I haven't started losing any hair yet, but he said most of his patients think that their hair loss is caused by Vitamin deficiency, and he thinks it is caused more by a lack of fat intake when dieting--not the "bad" fat but the "good" type of fat...he briefly explained the role these good fats played and how a lack of them could lead to hair loss...the whole reason he even brought this up is that I had told him that sometimes my snack is a couple of tablespoons of Peanut Butter, which has about 190 calories--he thought that peanut butter was a beneficial snack because it contained the necessary "good" type of fat --he asked me what my hunger level was like and I told him I still sometimes experienced true hunger...I had already told him that I have been able to successfully exclude all starches (bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, crackers, Cereal, sweets, etc) from my diet...and he was genuinely puzzled at how I could be experiencing hunger and despite that still not eat the carbs and have been able to lose what he thinks is an impressive weight loss so far...he said I must be truly motivated, so that made me feel good --finally, when I was telling him that the main thing I missed (maybe more than I missed carbs) was my Diet Coke, he actually said he saw no problem with my drinking carbonated beverages as long as they didn't cause me discomfort (they make some people burp)...I asked him about the carbonation damaging or expanding the sleeve, and he said there is no plausible evidence whatsoever that this is possible...he is one of the most well-respected and experienced bariatric surgeons in my area, so I feel like he knows what he's talking about...and that just surprised me based on everything I seem to read and hear thanks for listening to my little report and some of my surprising findings

pixigrl, the only thing I would add--for the benefit of others who might be following this topic--is that the complication rate you quote (which I believe is accurate) is for surgeons overall...my surgeon, for example, has done thousands of bariatric surgeries over several years, and he has not had a single patient die, has never had a patient with a leak, and has only had two patients with strictures...I talked with nurses at a hospital where he does his surgeries, and they sing his praises as far as his skill set and technique--in fact, they say they would choose him to do their own surgeries...I say all of this as a comfort possibly to some--even though even my surgeon could one day have a patient who experienced a leak, there are ways to reduce your chances even below that one in 100 if you choose your surgeon wisely

I am from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ahealthyme mijourney, I am also surprised with the differing advice...here is the deal with my surgeon--he does surgery at three different hospitals...at the hospital I chose (Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge), which is itself a bariatric center for excellence, any patient who has WLS there--regardless of the surgeon--follows the guidelines of the hospital's bariatric nutritionist...while I am sure my surgeon and his staff are aware of the dietary plan Woman's promotes and overall approve of it, they don't get into specifics as for me and the Diet Coke, right now I have no intention of getting back into my "habit"...it's one of those things that I am not sure I could have in moderation; i.e., once I start drinking them, I think I would drink way too much to be healthy overall...I am trying to adopt a more healthy lifestyle in general, and I don't feel like drinking several Diet Cokes a day is really health-friendly

I am just aghast at what you experienced...I don't think I've ever heard of such a grave error being made during any kind of WLS...I am very sorry for what you went through...I don't even know how to give advice here with your question...I have to be honest that after your experience it would take a lot to give me the confidence to have another weight loss surgery...of course, I don't know what other health issues and complications you have...I had some previous abdominal surgery where I had complications and ended up staying three months total in the hospital and in-patient rehab...because of that, it took me 4 years to gain confidence to have the VSG, and I did a lot of research and soul searching...ultimately though what made me make the go-ahead decision was some serious complications I was experiencing from uncontrolled type 2 diabetes...I was facing a high risk of a toe or foot amputation...that led me to proceed with the VSG on May 6 of this year, and I don't regret the decision I made...good luck and prayers for you

looks like it is to me

lol...congrats...I just want to be obese (and not morbidly obese)

congrats...keep up the good work!

congrats...you look amazing!

thanks, lean...that was some very encouraging words I needed to hear, as I am sure did others

agreed, sharon...but I just take the leftovers home and make another 1 and most times 2 meals out of it...I was never one to want to take leftovers home from a restaurant, even when I couldn't eat it all...but I have learned now that it is worth it

maybe you won't, goirish, but I am not gonna lie to you...of all the things I miss, my beloved Diet Coke ranks way near the top...I know it wasn't healthy for me anyway, but sometimes there was nothing that would make me feel better than an ice-cold Diet Coke, preferably from the fountain and not out of a can or bottle (love my ice with it).

I think it is fortunate you have no appetite...and that is more the norm post-op I think...I, unfortunately, never much lost my appetite and still experience head hunger and true hunger..the sleeve is a tool that helps me deal with it much better than pre-surgery though...best to you...keep hanging around here--it's great for emotional support and a wealth of info and shared experiences

there have been many posts about this during the months I've been a member here, so I can fairly confidently give you the general response and summary...most people have no complications and have said they could actually go back to work within a week's time if they had an office job for sure...because of low energy levels, I would have had a hard time doing a full day of my desk job after just one week...I had planned to take 2 weeks off, and I think that was a good plan...because I had the opportunity to do so and had the leave time accrued, I went ahead and took a third week off and worked some from home...it wasn't a recovery issue but just some adjustment time I decided to give myself before returning to work

LIke you two, I had problems as well and actually still do...when it comes to liquids, my stomach gets bloated very quickly if I drink too much...at first especially, you have to "sip sip sip"...that is the mantra...most of the advice you get will be to keep water near you all during the day and every 10 or 15 minutes take a few small sips...I found that very hard to do, even though I do think it's good advice...as for the proteins, the first month you definitely will need to get the majority via the protein shakes/drinks...I hated those, too, but made myself drink them...you will get lots of recommendations on those here, because people's tastes differ so greatly...my favorite powder is the Unjury brand Chocolate Splendor flavor...and I put some PB2 (peanut butter powder) in for extra flavor and a little extra protein...hang in there because things do get better as the weeks progress

LOL...I used to go through the drive thru and order a quarter pounder with cheese large value sized meal with a Diet Coke...it sounded so ridiculous coming out of my mouth

wow, Tammy...great

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

thanks everybody for the support and encouragement...it helps to know I am not alone or unique in my feelings...I am a little better today emotionally...one thing is that I know I shouldn't be weighing every day--even my NUT told me not to...the "problem" is that I truly suffer from OCD and if I don't weigh myself every day, I will obsess about it...after reading all of your posts and doing some soul-searching, I think more of what I am feeling is fear rather than frustration or self-pity...the fear is that I will fail--or that I am failing at this...the very real fear that I will stop losing weight now and this 30 pounds will be it...in many situations in life, I tell myself that I can't let fear hold me back and prevent me from fully enjoying and experiencing life...yet it seems to always come back to that on some level; i.e., fear seems to be the root of a lot of my challenges emotionally...I once read a book my therapist recommended that was titled something like Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway...I am going to try to make that my mantra for now until I get over this current emotional state...thanks again for "listening"

just one night for me...that is the norm with my surgeon

me, too...and just like my craving with the carbs, I ain't gettin' any

smsgrl, can you share a little bit more about what your plan is (eating, exercise, etc.)? I had surgery 3 days after you did, and I am only down 30 lbs....this evening has been a pity party for myself I am ashamed to say...you are probably taller than me, but it looks like we started around the same weight at surgery...your goal is 145 and mine is 150...tonight I am just feeling like I am not ever going to get there

for some reason after reading laura's post and then alex's response, I wanted to say "ask and ye shall receive"

like the others, I have had cravings, as well as both head hunger and real hunger...the sleeve is a tool to help us deal with those cravings while learning healthier eating behavior...I don't expect my cravings to ever totally go away...for me, though, eliminating starches like potatoes, bread, rice and pasta has helped me keep the cravings under control, since those have been my trigger foods in the past