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I found it easier to follow my post-op diet while I was in school. It's been harder to stay on track this summer! Before school each day I had a bowl of sugar-free oatmeal. I carried 16 oz. of chicken broth to work and tried to finish that by 9:00. Then I had a Quest Protein bar for a morning snack. During the school day I would drink a 20 oz. bottle of LifeWater. lunch was usually 4 oz. of chicken and some edamame crackers. Sugar-free Jell-o with sugar-free Cool Whip was my afternoon snack. I also brought along cottage cheese in case I was hungry for something. I also kept some sugar-free popsicles in the teachers' lounge freezer. The rest of the day I would eat and drink enough to meet my goals. Good luck!

I just got back from Disney a few weeks ago. I was 5 months post-op. I was worried about how I would eat there as well! I had nothing to worry about, though. Here are my tips: * You can pre-order any special food you'll need from Garden Grocer to keep in a refrigerator in your hotel room. They deliver to all Disney hotels. I ordered cottage cheese, string cheese, diet Jell-o and the flavored water I like. * I found that all Disney restaurants will grill chicken for you. You just have to ask. I had grilled chicken every day and was able to get my protein in that way. * I found that all ice cream vendor carts in the Disney parks sell Edy's no-sugar-added strawberry fruit bars. They only have 50 calories. * I brought my own protein bars with me. * I brought along sugar-free oatmeal packets and had that for breakfast every day. I stayed at one of the hotels with a "food court" in the lobby (Art of Animation resort). I got the hot water for the oatmeal at the beverage station. * Most restaurants (and the hotel food courts) had fresh fruit/vegetables available. * I brought along Starkist tuna in pouches. I got the one called "Tuna Salad - Sandwich Ready". It has 90 calories and 10 grams of protein and was easy to carry into the parks. I also brought crackers to eat with it. I was in Disney for a week and actually lost 7 pounds! And this was my first trip where I was able to actually fit through the turnstiles! Have a magical vacation!

I'm 5 months out and I went from a size 9 to an 8....

I'm 5 months post-op and my NUT wants me to stay under 800 calories per day. I'm wondering if this is typical. It's hard to meet my protein goal and stay under 800 calories.

I crave chocolate as well. I found 50 calorie Dairy Queen fudge bars. They're awesome!

My protein goal was set at 89 grams a day. The two best sources of protein for me are: Quest protein bars (20 grams) Kirkland (Costco) turkey patties (35 grams)

I just got back from Disney. I went with my family to a "character" buffet. I did not order anything because they only had the $37 buffet...nothing ala carte. When the bill came, we found that they HAD charged me the full $37 because, as they said, I had been entertained by the characters. After complaining, the manager took the charge off our bill.

I find that writing down what exercise I have done on a calendar helps me stay motivated. Mostly because if I see a bunch of blank squares because I've gotten lazy it gets me moving again!

You are on the right track! Changing the focus from food to something else is key. If your friends don't accept your invitations to non-food activities, find a new friend who will. Easier said than done, I know. But try and meet new people at the gym, book clubs, volunteer activities, etc. Your focus has to be on yourself and a healthier lifestyle. Good luck!

So funny! I can cross my legs, too! Still working on getting a lap though... How about this: Fitting in a small car without the steering wheel jabbing me in my gut!

I'm so happy for you! The same thing happened for me. My A1C went from 8.1 to 5.8 three months out. My doctor declared me CURED of diabetes! I was so overjoyed I just sat in my car after my appointment and cried! This is the miracle of the sleeve surgery!

It's alarming to now realize just how much I celebrated with food before this whole sleeve surgery! So thinking up fun things to do besides eat is a challenge. I love the massage idea but I worry that I'll scare off the staff with my saggy skin!

I have experienced some vision loss since my December 2012 sleeve surgery. My eye doctor said it's due to my weight loss. Rapid weight loss causes the shape of the eye to change, resulting in a change of vision.

I haven't tried the chocolate energy squares. So I'll pretend I have a ten pound bag of my beloved caramel calcium chews - or better yet....my even-more-beloved Quest Chocolate Brownie protein bars. Now that's a party!

I attend a bariatric support group. The psychologist there said it could take some time before you see yourself as you are now. Your mind, she said, still sees the old you and needs to be re-trained. Sounds weird but then again I don't see much difference in myself when I look in the mirror and I've lost over a hundred pounds...

I wonder if this happens to anyone else or am I just crazy? Sometimes a thought will cross my mind and for a second I forget I'm on this whole sleeve "adventure". For instance, today I am leaving work early to go to a doctor's appointment. Last night when I was thinking about that, the first thought that crossed my mind was that I would grab lunch at McDonalds on my way to the appointment. Then reality quickly rushes back in. Of course I can't do that. Then I feel sorry for myself for a moment. Another example: My class had an Italian food tasting this week. One of the kids brought in a giant container of Nutella and my first thought was I couldn't wait to try that. Nope, not gonna happen! *** sigh *** I know I should be thankful that I've had no complications and I'm doing fine. BUT sometimes I mourn my beloved food!

Jello and popsicles also count as water.

I "allow" myself time to relax in my recliner with a good book.

The weight control center I go to goes by the weight the day of surgery.

Congratulations!

Try this: cut out salt. It worked for me!

This happened to me as well. My eye doctor said rapid weight loss can change the shape of the eye, resulting in a vision change. After a period of time it stabilizes.

You know weight loss surgery has changed you when the following begins to happen: I get excited when it's time to take my beloved caramel Calcium chews. I get excited when I approach the scale at the doctor's office. I get excited when trying on sunglasses at the store and they all FIT. I get excited when it's morning snack time and my chocolate Protein bar awaits. I get excited when it's time to go to the gym. ...ok, I made that last one up, but the rest are true! What post-surgery is exciting for you?

I'm 4 months post-op. So far I have lost 103 pounds. I have also lost a lot of muscle. I have been using an exercise bike for about 6 weeks. I started doing strength training at a gym 3 weeks ago. I bike 20 minutes a day. With the strength training, I use ten different machines - five that work on the arms and five for the legs. So far, I do two sets of ten at each machine. ​I should mention that I have neuropathy in my feet and walking/running is difficult. My question is this: My heart rate isn't increased at either activity. Is this a problem? Do I need to sweat to experience a benefit from this exercise?

Try chicken broth...it counts as water but is warm and tastes good!