catsrule =^..^=

So, like others have said, every dietician/surgeon has a different plan for eating post op. I want to share what has worked for me.
My ONLY restrictions are no more than 30 grams net carbs and at LEAST 90 grams of Protein. I have absolutely no fat or calorie restrictions. Let me tell you why.... Our bodies use two things for energy...carbs and fat. Carbs are the easiest to use and our bodies are lazy. Using fat for energy is a much harder harder process. So, if we don't give our bodies the carbs for energy, it has to use the fat. Now that fat comes from the food we eat and the stored fat in our bodies. If we don't give our bodies the easy fuel ( carbs ) it has no choice but to use the fat as fuel. That's why low carb works so well.
Most people, including myself, look at the above info and say, ok so if I reduce the amount of fat I eat then my body will have to use the stored fat, but for some reason, that doesn't work.
As far as net carbs, and please forgive me if you already knew this, that is the amount of carbs minus the Fiber. So if you ate something that has 10 carbs and 3 grams of Fiber, you subtract the fiber from the carbs and get 7 net carbs. It makes it a lot easier for you to find a nice balance between trying to swear off all carbs and being able to add more foods in for variety.
If you are interested in the very lengthy, but very informative study behind the low carb approach, my surgeon emailed it to me and I would be happy to email it to you.
So my advice, try only limiting your carbs. Don't worry about the fat and calories. I promise your scale will start making you happy!
I was literally told, DO NOT EAT LOW FAT! Low fat translates to "more carbs". Because they have to replace the fat they have taken out with something that will make it taste better. And that is always sugar. Take a look at the low fat labels next time you are at the grocery store next time, if it says low fat, compare it to the full fat version and see which has more sugar. salad dressing is an easy example. People have been brain washed to believe that fat is bad, it's only bad when combined with high carb.
Sorry this was so long, it just kills me to see people feeling restricted after this beautiful gift we have been given. Please feel free to message me on here or add me on my fitness pal. My user name there is sleeve2012.

Awesome!!!!

Mangomic, I was sleeved 2/28 and am very tired too. I assume its due to the small amt of calories. I am dilligent about getting protein, fluids, Vitamins and Iron.< /p>

Yesterday I found out that I can run....well a little way at least. I still have another 9 days until my 4 month surgiversary so, hopefully I will be posting some better weight stats by then. At my last weigh in I was down 68 lbs. I know some people consider that slow, but it is fine with me. It averages to over 4.5 lbs. a week. I have a lot more weight to get rid of, but it amazes me every day how things are changing.
Today I needed more fire wood for the wood stove. (I live in an apartment on a farm in NY & it's a little cold with more snow coming tonight). I didn't want to bother my land lord for it so, I decided to get it myself. I have NEVER done this! I ended up having to go all the way to the horse barn to get a wheel barrow. Then to the wood shed. I actually had to climb into the wood shed & throw logs out the door into the wheel barrow. Then wheeled the wood all the way to the apartment, unloaded & stacked the wood & then got the wheel barrow back to the barn. Phew! My dog was running circles around me the whole time & barking like crazy. I'm pretty sure she thought that I had lost my mind! LOL
Later in the morning my mom came to visit. I don't see her very often because she lives about 2 hours away. We went out for a few hours & when we got back to my place I realized that I had forgotten to give her a gift that I had been holding on to. She had to leave in 2 minutes to get home in time for when her foster child gets off the bus. So, I RAN! It is definitely a bit of a hike from where you can park & where our apartment is on the property. I ran all the way down to the house, grabbed the gift & ran all the way back up the hill to my mom's car.
Now, it's not like I did a 5K or anything, but I didn't know that I could run again at all! Almost 4 months ago I would be freezing right now instead of building a fire. There is no way I could have done all that walking, carrying, climbing, etc. at over 400 lbs. I'm not even tired right now after what was a pretty long day & far from over. There is still cooking and cleaning and home work to do. (Yes, I am a 34 year old college student :ph34r:)
I think we sometimes get so obsessed with numbers on the scale that we miss the little or more important things. Keeping track of them & sharing them has been helpful to me. I can't wait for my BF to get home so that I can tell him that I ran today. He'll probably make me go outside & show him...LOL. So, keep the faith my fellow sleevers! Our new tool that we are using to live a healthier life IS working. So, who else is running? If you haven't tried yet, I DARE you! You might be surprised.

This is reason we are told to practice not drinking leading up to our surgery. I only take a tiny sip when something is truly stuck which is rare. It is all mental and is rarely physical. I wait on average 45 mins before drinking after a meal, and never less than 35. It take practice and discipline, but if you stick with it becomes easier and a habit. Remember you had to replace a bad habit with a better gain. The gain is faster weight loss and a fuller feeling in the stomach. The sooner you drink after a meal, the quicker you empty the stomach and feel hungry or eat more than necessary. Think about that and give it a couple of days to a new habit.

It looks like everyone is doing awesome their first month. Can you believe we did it? All those fears and sleepless nights worrying gone. I just want to say how proud I am to all the sleevers. You made the decision to change your life and you followed through. Be proud of yourselves!!!!
I did have a major scale victory today. My first life stage goal. Today I am my pre-pregnancy weight of my second son. 10lbs until my next LS goal which is my pre-pregnancy of my 1st.

You are noticeably smaller all over but especially in your middle. Enjoy!

I'm 5 months out and have not had a cocktail yet. I'll wait, I'm in no rush alcohol will be there when I'm ready.

I'm very interested in the diet, please share it.

Goya, I think its normal. My surgery is the day after yours and I'm just trying to focus on why I'm willing to do this, I am so tired of being overweight. Good luck to you.

well that just sucks. But wait... you've lost 31 lbs since Nov. 27. That is 10 lbs a month, 2.5 lbs a week. Dang! You're actually doing very well! I personally think that crystal light (or other aspartame containing foods) messes with your blood sugar, so you could try changing that to just plain Water with a squirt of lemon. Are there any vegetables that you do like? You could try adding some just to change things up a little. Even the Atkins diet adds green low-glycemic index veggies back in after the induction phase (which lasts just 2 weeks).
Hang in there, don't get frustrated, relax, and enjoy not being able to eat huge amounts of food. You WILL lose weight! And good Lord, don't start drinking!

I use my grandaughters baby spoons too, makes me more aware that I have to swallow less at a time. Guess I should use her sippy cup too as I still forget to take sips when drinking out of my normal glass lol

Amazon you are so correct....this is a life style change and the first 6 months are crucial. It is important to choose healthy foods and to change our eating habits because if we choose to eat those damn Cheetos, candies, etc, we will gain our weight back. The majority of us have an addiction to food and when we start, it's really hard to start.......Congrats on your success! Keep it up....

Here I am 6 months less a day and this morning I have reached my goal weight. My story is I had a revision on September 10, 2012 with Dr Fernando Garcia in Tijuana Mexico. Fabulous surgeon and the absolute best decision I could have made. I lost 60 pounds the first 4 months and now to date have lost 77.8 pounds.
I would like to provide some information to help those who would like to read on. I followed my eatinfg plan to a "T" as I was serious about being a success and reaching my goal.
1. To those who say, "it is not a diet". It may well not be but here is the but: you need to change your eating habits; I have read so many posts from those who still continue to chose poorly as in high calorie, non-nutrient dense foods. Most recently the post from the Gal 4 weeks out eating garlic bread with cheese and dipping sauce. Put yourself first and make sure you put some thought into your food choices first.
2. Make the most of your first 6 months. I really can only eat a couple ounces more at this stage but it maybe that going forward this will change. You have come into this for weight loss so again make the most of this time.
3. As for what you eat go low carb high Protein. You can incorporate more fruit possibly healthy grains as time goes on. Initially you are learning new eating habits so in 6 months you will be able to chose healthy nutrient dense carbs that make sense. I have not consumed bread, rice or Pasta and am not sure if or when I will. I make sure that what I eat is really beneficial for me as I can only consume so little. Protein, little veggie is my diet including yogurt.
4. Mix up your caloric intake every few days; I found that this really helped to keep my weight loss moving and my success.
So statically I am 5' 10", weight 180 pounds, wear a size 8-10 and a medium size top.
Size normal here I am and loving it!!!!! :rolleyes:

Hi there and welcome! You did the right thing by joining this forum. I couldn't have done it without my new friends I have made who truly understand the emotional and physical ups and downs related to this journey. The seminar and consultation is mostly all informative and you learn so much. Have a list of questions ready and make sure to ask how many he has done. I love love love my surgeon and the staff. They are amazing. My whole pre op process including tests diet etc lasted about 3 months. I was sleeved on 2/4/13 and am THRILLED to pieces. I have already lost 27 lbs in less then three weeks. It will take care of so many of my medial problems and my primary doctor just took me off Lipitor today!! After being on it for 15 years that is a huge milestone for me. You will do great!! Your kids need mommy to be healthy and happy. We are all here for you and I think you will be happy. Just remember it is a lifelong commitment but we are so lucky to have this opportunity for a new life. Your hubby sounds like a keeper. I feel the ones who think this is not a good idea are people who are not educated enough in this procedure to begin with nor do they live in our bodies. stick with the positive people who will keep you motivated. Remember to study up on everything there is about the sleeve, the good, the bad, and the ugly!! Ask lots and lots of questions. Trust me the good far far outweighs the bad! It is the best thing I ever did for myself AND my family. Good luck to you.

Hey, Celtika, and welcome to VST! Don't be nervous about your consultation, there will be plenty of opportunities for nail-biting moments later, so you can just save it for that. Right off the bat we know those people making assumptions are wrong because they don't even make Twinkies anymore since Hostess went out of business. Seriously, though, being stereotyped is one of the worst of the evils of dealing with being overweight in this world. I found I got the same kind of reaction when I discussed surgery with people as something I was thinking about. When you present it as a possiblity, I guess people think that means you've asked for their input on it. Once I decided I was doing the surgery, the surgery was scheduled, and it was about a week away, I told a very small group of people. I was firm and presented it confidently, and not one person said anything negative about it. They were all very supportive. I think it's a combination of being wise about with whom you share this decision, and sharing it confidently once the decision is made. Few people would poo poo the idea or criticize you for taking insulin for diabetes, or wearing foot supports for fallen arches, or wearing a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, and you most likely wouldn't consult them on the decision to do so. This is the same deal. You're doing this for your health and to aleve these problems/almost problems before they get out of hand.
I'm glad you're here! I'm one week out from surgery and this forum has been my biggest tool along the way.

You're right. Kale has TONS of Protein. I did a 30 day juice fast once and everyone was like "omg, where are you going to get protein" I averaged about 50 grams of protein per day on my fast which is adequate intake for a woman... I went through a TON of kale though... and toilet paper... and sometimes several changes of clothes.. ok, I digress.

flmama - that is a horrible experience, but I LOVE that you found something positive to take away! If he thought you were 22 before the surgery, you are going to look like 12 after the surgery! I'm so glad they straightened it out!

Right???
I asked him if he could just sign off on my cardiac clearance too, since we know my heart is strong enough. If that didn't give me a heart attack, nothing will!

So I got to my appt today to review my psych eval, which was compromised of a chatty visit and then a visit where I took two multiple choice tests (MCMI 3 and then something specific to bariatric surgery). The doc says the bariatric specific test was fine, showed I was a good candidate, compliant, blah blah blah. But he was very concerned about the other test results...at this point, I am puzzled, because I had revealed to him ahead of time that I have anxiety and OCD tendencies...what could be worse?
He tells me that the test indicates I am bipolar and have schizoaffective disorder! I start to really freak out. He is asking me lots of questions and none of it makes sense to me at all, I start crying. Then the secretary knocks on the door and runs over and whispers to him and hands him something... She had put the WRONG TEST in my file!
He was very professional and apologized profusely. And went through my actual results, which only showed my anxiety and obsessive compulsive tendencies, and said I was a great candidate. I had such a crazy adrenaline surge and it was such a roller coaster, I have a pounding headache now and feel like crap! So relieved that I am a good candidate, but DANG!
The only good part was that the test coversheet (on the wrong test) said I was 22, and somehow he believed that was possible (I am actually 32)! Ha!

Yay!!

One of the perks of being over weight is having a fat personality.
A fat personality is someone who is sensitive, loving, funny and caring. Just like a teddy bear!
I'm not trying to discriminate, this is only my way of seeing things and I don't take myself seriously, so should you!!
Ok so, I think most fat people always have better personalities than most skinny people!
People who have always been overweight may care more about having a good personality and a sense of humour, they also tend to be more affectionate and forgiving. Maybe it's a psychological compensation mechanism?
I hope I never lose my fat self..
Dear god, please make my body thin and my personality fat.. Amen.

I never thought of shaved ice before! My kids have a snoopy snow cone maker...I'm gonna dig that puppy out today!!

As long as I've been on this site I could not wait until I could be the one posting my pic/post for getting under 200 lbs!!!!