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Way to go on weaning off the margaritas! Easier said than done. And great news on the weight loss!!

So sorry to hear about this experience. I think that your perspective about having a new lease on life is inspiring. Sending you lots of positive thoughts for your full recovery and a wonderful weight-loss journey.

sounds wonderful Pottergirl--thanks for posting! I made some veg chili earlier this week and used your idea of the black soybeans. It was really good and the soybeans are an awesome protein source. I missed the creamy bean texture a bit, so I added some kidney beans too. Used Morningstar meal starter crumbles as well--plus tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and chili powder. Very tasty and inspired by YOU! So thanks again.

I drink about 2 cups of home-brewed coffee every day--one with Miralax and sometimes one with protein powder (my surgeon doesn't limit caffeine). Pre-op, I usually only had hot tea in the morning and coffee on the weekends, but the coffee (and the Miralax) are helping to keep my digestive system going while not eating much fiber. I feel fine on it and it doesn't irritate my stomach in any way. I drink extra water to make up for the coffee. I am three weeks post-op.

Inspirational--congratulations!!!

My surgeon says 90 days, though I know others say to wait a year. We were told that the alcohol may affect you more quickly (and remember, you will probably have not only a smaller stomach, but an empty one)--and that it also may wear off more quickly.

I know that Cleveland Clinic is doing a trial right now looking at gastric plication. The stomach is sort of folded in and stitched instead of removing it. It is also a restrictive procedure like the sleeve. Good luck with your surgery!

When I was pre-op, my fav low-cal snack was 6 ounces of 0% Fage or Chobani with dill dip mix stirred in. Soo good. I've been eating some of this on my pureed vegetarian chili and it's really good. I make up a container and leave in the fridge and use 1/8 to 1/4 cup at a time. Can't wait till I can eat veggies again! Dean, great point about grazing vs planned mini-meals. I think there's a BIG difference. Thank you for your advice! It seems to be working well for you.

I don't have any comorbidities with my weight (amazingly no HBP, dyslipidemia or diabetes--probably bc I've been a vegetarian for so long), so I don't think it's that. Plus it's blanket advice he gives to everyone. I'm meeting with my RD on Thurs and am going to talk to her about it. She had already said before that I might still need some Protein powder or drinks as a vegetarian. PA doesn't agree but I trust the RD over the PA when it comes to nutritional advice. Everyone should stick to his/her specialty area IMO when it comes to a multidisciplinary medical practice.

Love 101cookbooks.com--my husband gave me Heidi's Supernatural Everyday Cooking (or a title something like that) cookbook for Christmas and I love it!

3 weeks--still on purees. Moving to soft foods next week. Maybe that will help with getting in more foods at mealtime?

Before surgery I had heard a lot of people say that they became overstimulated by sweet tastes--maybe from too many sweet Protein shakes during full liquids. I was the same way--my first bite of savory food was sooo good. I've noticed the last couple of days that fresh ground pepper now tastes too bitter to me. The more mellow stuff out of a shaker is fine. Interesting. Have your tastes changed in any other ways? Other than a taste for healthier foods and less of them--which is the best change of all!

LOL Fiddleman!

I am meeting with her Thursday--she is awesome!

I want to have what you're having! I'm very happy this has worked well for you!!

I can eat about 1/3 of a cup of dense protein (like vegetarian chili or veggie meatballs with cheese and sauce), which is only about 150 calories/meal. If I could get in more per meal, I think maybe the no Snacks restriction wouldn't be bad. And as a vegetarian, there aren't many protein sources that I eat that don't at least have a few carbs. So protein shakes as a snack are a good way to keep the protein up and carbs down. I also like Fage yogurt thinned out with some Protein powder and PB2 stirred in right before bed--I feel like it helps me lose weight if I eat before bed for some reason (protein boost during the time that I am going longest without food). I am meeting with the RD on Thursday so I will definitely ask her about this. Sometimes she and the PA have different advice--and I love my RD bc she is a vegetarian too!

I'm 3 weeks out and it still hurts to bend to pick something up and I have that same sort of tight/pulled muscle feeling. Even with laparoscopic VSG, the surgeon cuts your muscle so it's still healing at this point. My PA said I'll feel MUCH better at 6 weeks--I'll look back and wonder how I thought I felt "normal" at 2 or 3 weeks, she said. I notice I feel the achiness also if I sleep too long in one spot or if I overdo it with walking or lifting. I think it's totally normal! But I would just mention at your next post-op appt or call before that if it is bothering you.

That's how much I lost in 2 weeks also, following the diet very strictly. I saw a post by someone today (can't remember which thread) saying that is probably more like an "average" loss. The bad thing is that it's difficult not to compare ourselves to the super-fast losers. Keep up the great work...and enjoy soft foods!

So sorry you went thru this! I know my surgeon says no MRIs for 3 months after surgery--but you are 6 months out. I have a bone tumor that has to be followed every 3 months and my next one is going to be late bc of the surgery. I have been dreading going and feel worried hearing you had this experience at 6 months out. What does your surgeon's office say? I hope that you feel better very soon...take care.

Sassygirl, that's very impressive! Congratulations! What is your favorite type of exercise?

But when you are pre-op, you are eating more than 150 calories/meal....

I think this seems reasonable and something I have sort of been doing--but we can't have liquid calories, including Protein Shakes, once we start purees. Part of my dilemma!

Does anyone else's surgeon say 3 meals, no snacking? I have been paying attention to people who are successful in the long-term who post here, and most seem to have 4 to 5 mini-meals per day. I'm sure my surgeon doesn't want us to get in the habit of grazing, but at the same time, most of my "meals" are only about 150 calories, and I feel that I need to eat more than 450 calories a day or I feel a bit light-headed and can't concentrate on work (my stomach isn't growling but my body seems to need a bit more fuel). I feel best at 600-700 calories, 60-70 grams/protein, at least 64 oz of Fluid (more when possible), and a 30-minute walk per day (which I will increase when I am farther out post-op). I am 3 weeks post-op and on purees. If I were only eating 450 calories a day, I'm not convinced that I would be losing faster, but maybe. I lost 16 lbs in a 6-MONTH 1200-calorie/day pre-op diet (I am hypothyroid and have always been a slow loser with low caloric needs). Since surgery, I gained and lost 18 lbs in fluid and now have lost another 12 pounds. That may be slower than some, but I tell myself if I lose a few more pounds by 4 weeks out, I will have lost as much as I lost in 6 months pre-op! A six-time faster weight loss following a food plan that makes me feel good isn't too shabby! :-) The PA also told me that they do not want us to use Protein shakes anymore, for Snacks or for meals. I really feel that I need at least one per day, especially bc I am a vegetarian so some of my protein sources contain carbs, and I want to keep my carbs to about 50 g when possible. I'm so torn bc I'm so rules-oriented and want to follow my surgeon's recommendations, but at the same time this needs to be livable and I need to be able to concentrate on work and I want to get in all of my protein--etc. Any advice? Thanks!

yum, thanks Pottergirl!

I think it's a great bday present to yourself! I'm almost 3 weeks post-op and today is my wedding anniversary. My birthday is in a couple of weeks, and Valentine's day was about a week after my surgery. Normally we would have celebrated all of those days with dinners out, but I have sort of enjoyed focusing more on the occasions this year and not worrying about the food that goes with them (I don't really like birthday cake that much anyway!). I am thinking for my bday we will go out for Mexican food and I will eat some refried Beans and maybe a little guac. That will be my first meal out. May try it as carry out first, just to avoid any possible issues. I hope you have a great surgery and a very happy birthday!!!!