TheCurvyJones

-2.6 lbs down this week yay! I probably won't make my goal of 215 but let's see how close I get.

LW: 226.4 CW: 224.4 (-2) Challenge goal: 215

I've been a low carber for forever so counting carbs is second nature to me. Your first count should be your Protein, always. Within the first month or so post op, you should be building your daily protein intake to your surgeon's recommended level for you-- typically between 60 and 80 grams per day. We are always instructed to get our Proteins in first and then add carbs... and by carbs, I assume most doctors mean fibrous carbs-- leafy green vegetables and the like. A lot of people can't handle bread or rice post surgery... it just doesn't seem likely that my doctor wants me to have baked chicken breast and then back fill with buttetry Pasta. The most I indulged in was refried Beans which are starchy but have a lot of protein. As you get further along, you may want to keep your eye on your calories, carbs and fat as they relate to your protein. While I enjoy beef and pork more than chicken, those tend to be higher in calories, which puts me above a calorie level that is optimal for losing for ME. Tracking what you eat is essential for control as well as for seeing what works with your body. You might see a great result from eating 800 to 1000 calories as opposed to 600 to 800 calories. You also might not see any detrimental effect from eating breads, pastas and rice. It's all about finding the sweet spot... and that's going to be different for every person. For right now, through about week 4ish, concentrate on proteins, getting in all your liquids and moving through the post op phases as your surgeon recommends. I didn't worry much about that stuff until i was fully eating solid foods, around 5 or 6 weeks out.

Two months out. I eat normally. Just...... pace yourself. You will fill up before you know it and then be overfull and THAT is miserable.

NO unders. No catheter either. My surgeon didn't go below the belly button. I didn't shave or anything either... I wasn't trying to date him.

Sounds YUMMY!

LW: 228.8 CW: 226.4 Challenge goal: 215 Lbs to go 11.4

The Die Hard sequel was kind of weak. If you like crazy driving and things blowing up though, it's entertaining. I saw it Opening Night and did NOT have popcorn at the theater. Tempted, but I had just had dinner (a little too much dinner) so I decided not to press my luck. The only thing about popcorn that concerns me is the salt. it was one of my fave Snacks and I am not forbidden any foods at this point. Last weekend I bought and popped a small bag. Took me a couple of days to finish it. Zero issues. And I haven't had another. I satisfied the craving.

My Nine week/ two month upadate! HW: 273 SW: 250 Month 1: 232 LW: 228 CW: 226 Total Loss: 46lbs Loss since surgery: 24lbs Loss this week: 2lbs (i deleted all the .4 and .8 and I might stop tracking them… I really don’t care about partial numbers that much)

Was really 4-6 weeks that I felt I had a lot of energy and was 'myself'. It gets better and better. I didn't have any post op pain and have had no food intolerances or anything so it was really just an issue of having energy and stamina. That really does take a while to come back.

This makes me feel better! I'm like.....why am I losing so slowly! Ah well!!!

Today is my 2 month surgiversary! :confetti: 12/21- 250lbs 1/21- 232.8 (-17.2) 2/21- 226.4 (-6.4) 23.6 lbs total loss.I’d be pissed if I wasn't looking so small right now. Definitely more inches than lbs lost. I did measure myself a month or so ago, and I only really care about my Hips, Waist and chest so here are those: C: 38- 35 (-3) W: 36.8-34.8 (-2) H: 50.9-49.0 (-1.9) I set my next goal at I think 215 by St Patrick’s Day. Not sure if I’ll make that but Ima try.

I've never used mine. I just box up half or 3/4ths of what I am eating or don't order it.

As you get further out, you'll be able to eat more food because the swelling will have reduced in your sleeve. You're discovering your true capacity and now you get the chance to set your daily caloric intake. Measure your food, eat if you're hungry, get something in every few hours. My sleeve throws a fit if I don't toss some food down there once in awhile. We're not made to go hours and hours without eating. Also make sure you're on a PPI (acid inhibitor). Many times new sleevers feel 'hunger' when it's really acid over production. The feeling is about the same.. Rumbling and grumbling and generally making a lot of noise. Your calorie level is fine, especially if it's WORKING.

Used it twice. It was annoying to me.

That's tonight! Check it out if you can! http://www.facebook.com/ObesityChat

So when we landed in San Antonio and Rosie arrived with the patients that had just been sleeved and were staying there for the night before flying back, my Sleeve Buddy and I were watching everyone as they checked in and went to their rooms. Everyone was all animated and smiling and chatting. Couldn't tell which were the patients and which were the companions. I looked at her and raised my eyebrows and thought..........okay this isn't gonna be so bad. Then one of the patients came back down to reassure us that everything was going to be great, she wasn't in ANY pain, and she felt great. That meant the WORLD... so nice of her! The countdown will go pretty quickly. Get ready!!!! If you have any questions about Dr A, Eagle Pass, Piedgras Negras or anything, let me know, I'd be happy to answer them!

I think I had a brief moment of WHAT DID I DO TO MYSELF!? But I was so excited and so busy post op that it passed quickly. Now I'm completely happy I did it.

Bren, they basically turn to mush in the stomach so you can fit in more. It's not that you won't get full, it's that you'll be able to eat MORE of them because they 'slide' right through the sleeve. Foods like ice cream, etc are essentially liquid anyway, which empties quickly. MOre dense foods like meat and fibrous veggies "stick around" and need time to digest, which keeps you full longer.

My surgeon's response to this question: Sleeve stretching is known with time. The sleeve will never ever stretch out to the original size though. But the larger the original sleeve (larger bougie used in surgery) and if funds of the stomach is left behind you will have a tendency to stretch out your sleeve. Nowadays most surgeons use bougies between 32-36 which reduces this risk. The surgical technique is important to make sure the sleeve is done correctly and removing the part of the stomach called funds (which also reduces the Ghrelin hormone). Now, patients with sleeves will notice that the restriction is amazing at the first few weeks at that is mainly due to the swollen tissue of the stomach because of the recent surgery. It is not your real capacity. As the swollen tissues comes down your stomach will have more "space" to hold food but still a fraction of what you used to eat prior to surgery. The etiology of the bypass patient who regains weight is or stretches the pouch is quite different since RNY patients have an anastomosis that will distend with time along with the small intestine that will enlarge in diameter giving more capacity to the patient. Since the sleeve lacks all these issues you just need to focus on healthy food and make the most of the weight loss specially the first 12 to 18 months. And here is the vid he shot on this subject back in January: So, yes like the previous poster, you will be able to eat a 'normal' sized meal eventually. However, your sleeve should never stretch the point it was before. Nor will it stretch like an RNY pouch, requiring revision like stomaphyx or other techniques. For the record, Dr Alvarez typically uses a loose 32 French Bougie. With this size I have incredible restriction at 8 weeks but my sleeve is not so small as to be intolerant or particularly picky. Recovery has been really easy for me.

99.9% of surgeons recommend waiting a year to get pregnant. I don't get clearance at 5 weeks. Not at all.

I am in! CW: 228 GW: 215 lbs to lose 13-- lofty goal, we will see if I make it.

Am in for the next challenge!

oops I meant to post in this challenge thread. There are two Valentine's Day challenges. I'm all confused. Anywayz. I hit my VDay goal on Saturday... trying to see if I can beat it by the official end of the challenge.

Yep, his pain management philosophy is that you should not be in any pain. Ask him about it when you get to his office. He numbs from the inside, and you'll get paid meds on discharge. Not a big deal whatsoever.