Oliver's Mom

Butter - you are amazing. Honest, helpful and oh so kind. That post nearly brought me to tears. I thought to myself - I don't know him personally but I 'love' that man! LOL, no worries, I'm a very happily married lady.
I think that your response was dead on perfect.

My go to chocolate foods are Oh Yeah Protein bars (just like Snickers!), Starbucks skinny mocha frappacinos (130 calories), Fiber One chocolate chip Cookies (microwave for 20 seconds - yum), EAS carb advantage Protein shakes with added banana, ice and NF dried milk (23 grams protein), or if I need just a bit of chocolate that isn't meal sized, a Hershey Kiss. Sweets did not make me fat, so I can eat just one or two.
I cannot get myself any leeway on salty carbs, though. That's my downfall.

chocolate can still be benefitial as a post op if you manage the consumption of it.
If you can eat chocolate in moderation, you might consider have a small portion of dark chocolate that is 80% cocao or higher once or twice a week. It will satisfy your cravings and also provide you with some additional benefits that come from eating dark pure chocolate.
If you are not so much of a moderation type (me), then you might think about satisfying your chocolate cravings with chocolate flavored Protein powder or perhaps hot chocolate with additional Protein. Find something with a good chocolate flavor that is not going to punish you in term of calories or spike your insulin levels to trigger even more cravings.
I never have really been into chocolate before VSG, but as a post op it is a flavor I have come to enjoy. Every night I make a double chocolate casein Protein shake and it satisfies me as a desert. The casein protein also is such it helps my metabolism keep burning until morning when able to eat again. I really do enjoy the richness of the double chocolate flavor.
I know cravings can be hard. I think the key with dealing with them is to first determine if you are a moderation person or an all or nothing person and then go from there, perhaps implementing one of the suggestions above into your post op plan.
Hope this helps.

I also found that my 4 week pre-op classes (once a week for 4 weeks) was really helpful. I attended support group meetings for 3 months (once a month) to hear those who have had the surgery talk, be able to ask questions, got a lot of info there. I read this site and I also read the World According to Eggface and other blogs. Even tho Eggface has gastric bypass, it was helpful to me to read the recipes, tips etc. Good luck!!

You know this already, but muscle weighs more than fat. So your weight loss may slow, but your overall appearance (and, more importantly, how you feel) will improve as you build muscle.
Muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat, so as you start to improve your muscle mass you'll burn more calories during regular activity as well.
I was in the best shape of my life when I regularly worked on muscle building as well as cardio.
Good luck!

What helped me mentally prepare was to read VST and similar as much as possible. I read as many people's experiences as I could to help me gain perspective on what this journey is all about. It helped me also in that nothing that has happened to me so far has really been a surprise. Yes no two peoples experiences are exactly the same, but when you have been exposed to all the different possibilities beforehand, it gives you a chance to consider things before you're right in the middle of it. In some ways that has helped me shape my experience too. So my advice is to read read read as many blogs and msg board entries as you can!

I was told by my nutritionist to start with 'soft' lettuces - I too kept asking about having salads!! So I did, no crunchy lettuce for a while - but now at 9 months out I can easily eat the crunchier type lettuces like iceberg. In fact lettuce is my new best friend. I eat lots of things in it, as I don't eat bread of any kind - my choice.
But I do notice that my stomach might gurgle a bit when I do eat lettuce. But no cramps. I think the advice that most everyone has given to wait a bit then try it again is best. Good luck!

Seems likely lettuce was the cause. My surgeon said that often times lettuce is one of the last things people can reintroduce...I didn't try until I was 3 mos. but was fine when I did. Would wait a few weeks and try again

I did the same thing today, I walked into the big men's section in jcpennys and I realized I needed to go to the regular sizes.

Eating a low carb diet does help reduce belly fat as does cutting down on general inflammation in the body. High levels of inflammation is linked to high levels of cortisol. Cortisol tends to cause storage of fat around around the organs known as visceral fat. Visceral fat around the belly was one of my major issues pre surgery. No longer though.
There are a few simple dietary changes you can try.
First, make sure you are eating healthy dietary fat every day. You know, the omegas from fish or perhaps from olives, avocados and nuts. These sources of good fat will help you feel full faster by triggering the satiety hormone. Omega 3 is also easy to source from supplementation. The molecularly distilled variety is the best. Look for high sources of the active ingredients. Around 1000 mg is a good target to start out with. I take about 1 tbsp daily now to combat inflammation from exercise. Eating foods high in Omega 3 also makes you smarter as a majority of the membrane connective tissue in the brain is Omega. Omegas are an essential nutrient for a healthy body, yet the body cannot manufacture it. You must source it from food or supplementation.
Next, look into good complex carbs that are low on the glycemic index. Foods high on the glycemic index tend to trigger a spike in the insulin response. When the glucose levels fall again, the body releases cortisol which leads to storage of fat around the organs. Such good complex carbs that are low on the glycemic index are steel cut oats. Apples are ok, but tend to be mid point on the index at around 55. Bananas are high on the index so be careful about those as with other sugary fruit. And always stay away from the obvious carbs like bread, ice cream, etc.
Third, consider green tea because it is a super antioxidant for fighting the inflammatory response. Both hot green tea and cold green tea you can buy in the bottle will help.green tea is also an excellent source of theanine, a nootropic which helps you to relax and is said to improve focus and memory (there is a whole field on nootropics, for another discussion). Relaxation is key to keeping the cortisol levels lower. Theanine can also be purchased in supplementation form from most health food stores like Vitamin shoppe, GNC or even regular grocery stores.
You can do core fitness work, but there is no way to target fat with exercise. Once you do eliminate the visceral fat around the belly, then core work is essential for strengthening and toning that region. There are so many interesting body exercises you can do to strengthen the core. Do not feel you need to do crunches.

It's my birthday and when I was sleeved at end of April, I never thought I would be here with my life so dramatically different - I am healthy, happy and looking and feeling great!
I may have to adopt a second birthday from next year on my sleeve date because it really has given me a rebirth which, at this age, is an unexpected and fantastic opportunity.So I intend to make the most of it.... watch out world!!!! x

My two year surgiversery came and went and I didn't even realize it! food no longer controls my life! I don't constantly think, dream or live for food! I have reached my goal, and I love it! I will be completing my journey next month by having two plastics surgeries. First I will be having a Tummy Tuck to remove my apron that started by having my beautiful children, and was made worse by becoming morbidly obese. The second will be a breast lift with implants to get the girls back.
My only regret still remains that I did not get the sleeve sooner. This is a gift...the best one I could have ever done for myself and my family. I am healthier, happier....and stronger because of my sleeve! I will be posting more befores and afters once my surgeries are complete.
Good luck to all that are planning, or contemplating this surgery.
I have lost more then 140 pounds...and I will NEVER go back to that girl again....thanks to my sleeve!

Last week when I was on the treadmill, I just had an overwhelming urge to try running for a bit. I had this entire head conversation with myself - you should try it, but I've never run, I'll look stupid, but you should try it.......so I tried it and ran for a bit then walked then ran for a bit again.
Now every time I'm on the treadmill I do the same thing. Walk, run, walk, run, walk.....
Just signed up to take a class C25K, it's offered thru the Wellness Program at the hospital I had my surgery at. Begins March 7th and lasts 10 weeks. I will be 60 in October and have never run - but damn it I'm going to try my hardest to do this! My daughter said she would train with me, her husband is a runner and she wants to be able to run with him.
Wish me luck!!

Don't be fooled .... my sleeve limits me on Proteins and veggies, but sweets simply slide right on past my restriction. I can easily gain weight if I hit the pastries or candy bars. And they don't bother my sleeve whatsoever.
There's nothing wrong with a little taste of birthday cake....but using food to dull depression or even "bad days" is a bad habit that got alot of us here. Really try to be strict with yourself during those first 6 months or so to develop new habits and coping techniques and maximize your weight loss.

I think on the recipe board, there is a recipe for 'cloud' bread. Which I made a couple of times to eat my tuna on. Haven't lately, I have this odd craving for things on lettuce lately. So I use the leuttuce lea as a roll-up for my chicken, tuna, crabmeat, even when I have the occasional burger.
I also have used thin sliced English (seedless) cucumber as my 'cracker' for hummus, and tuna salad.
Good luck!!

Thanks everyone! The best part is that I am off all of my diabetes meds, my HBP meds and my cholesterol meds!! Hahahha Kathy - I'm not good at taking 'selfies' I guess.
Having the sleeve was the best decision I've ever made. No regrets at all.
thanks again

Ok, let's hope this ole gal (me! turning 60 in 2 months) can get these pics attached.
The one in the black top is me at my highest weight 225lbs, and the one in the Red Sox shirt is today - only 8 lbs from goal.
Weight coming off very s l o w l y now, but no worries, I'm just following the plan (high Protein, low carbs, lots & lots of Water and exercise) and it will come off when it comes off.

I think on the recipe board, there is a recipe for 'cloud' bread. Which I made a couple of times to eat my tuna on. Haven't lately, I have this odd craving for things on lettuce lately. So I use the leuttuce lea as a roll-up for my chicken, tuna, crabmeat, even when I have the occasional burger.
I also have used thin sliced English (seedless) cucumber as my 'cracker' for hummus, and tuna salad.
Good luck!!

Thanks everyone! The best part is that I am off all of my diabetes meds, my HBP meds and my cholesterol meds!! Hahahha Kathy - I'm not good at taking 'selfies' I guess.
Having the sleeve was the best decision I've ever made. No regrets at all.
thanks again

Great job... You look awesome and I bet you feel soooo much better!

I just have to say "Your looking super hot!" What a wonderful transformation.....

You're looking great!!

Oliver's Mom great success
66 lbs gone
those last 8 lbs can be stubborn, but yes, they will come and go before you know it
you look great in both pics - but the red sox one is terrific
sorry you "lost your head"
(i have heard this can be one of the more serious side effects from the sleeve )

keep up the good job
kathy
congrats