youthguy80

I'm 16 months out and my life has completely changed. However recently I've experienced some old habits returning. I've been doing some research and this page gives some good info that seems consistent with much of the research I've seen. http://obesitycoverage.com/weight-loss-surgeries/gastric-sleeve/gastric-sleeve-will-my-stomach-stretch This one also refers to the test you were asking about: http://www.5daypouchtest.com

I hear you regarding falling into old habits! I'm almost ten months out and they are creeping in. However, there are quite a few that AREN'T! What has helped me is to look at what was working early on: for me that was being religious in tracking, planned and prepped ALL my food and drinks for each day, and if I wanted something off track, I just said no. I also made sure I was drinking constantly. I'm now trying to start doing those things again. Ongoing support groups and nutrition and psych counseling have also made all the difference for me. When I get discouraged I also pause to look at where I have come from. I still have work, but I Celebrate daily the things that I DON'T struggle with any longer. Keep going!

Pre surgery I ONLY could stomach powders I could add milk to. The fruit ones with water were awful. Immediately after surgery the milk ones made me so nauseous. I only use the ones with water. I tried quite a few and Syntrax Nectar are my favs (pre and post surgery). I will use one scoop in my blender bottle with about half water and shake it to get the protein mixed. Then I fill the rest of the way with a crystal lite-like flavored water. It helps to mask the taste of the protein for me. And, the more you drink it the easier it gets. Hope this helps!

Thank you both. I remember at my one or two month follow up telling my surgeon I'd not tested any boundaries and that I couldn't imagine doing so. It's interesting how that's changed a bit. Going back to shakes and limiting carbs both are things that I think would help for sure. And I think in learning my "boundaries" with certain foods. Meaning, I'm the type of person that cannot just have ONE chip and be okay. I think I need to go back to the "not even one bite" rule with some of these trigger foods. Again, thank you both for encouragement!

I've let myself indulge in some unhealthy Snacks. I've not gone back to eating fast food, which I struggled badly with before VSG. I'm 6 months out. Down 144 lbs since March 22, 2013. Any tips on how to get back on track? I've scheduled to see a psych to talk thru some of the addictive issues I've been working on for the last two years. Thank you!

Lap

From my understanding that is probably normal. Frustrating? Yes. Just keep on.

"Used to you looked like two people walking down the hall, now just one."

First pic is me at around 450 in April 2013. Second is me tonight, at 336. Yay!

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm almost four months out. Started in the last month.

Finally broke down and bought new jeans. This week is my three month mark since surgery. Even my surgeon said it was time for new pants. Lol. I had my "old man fat jeans" that I wore until a few weeks after surgery. Then pulled out two pairs that were the next size down. That's all I had. I received my new size 48 mens last night. They are on top, oldest ones are on bottom. I NEVER got excited about clothes before.

They are not very thick. My NUT adds milk to the fuzzy naval kind but I've never tried that.

12/16 will be my three months. Since surgery I've lost about 61 lbs. I was at about 409 at surg.

The 16th is my three month since surgery mark. This week it seems I've started to feel more restriction when I eat. I've been trying to eat much slower and continue smaller bites. I also seem to fill up faster. I'm assuming this is normal as te pouch continues to heal. Just wondering if others have experienced this?

My nutritionist also told me that most people can't absorb more than 30g of protein in one sitting. If someone is working out for hours daily, perhaps 40g. Just throwing that out there.

Wow! What a feeling to feel GOOD in clothing AND to want to take a pic! You post all day long!!!

Syntrax has a Cappuccino flavored protein powder. The first ingredient in it is decaf coffee. Perhaps this might be a good solution?

Right after surg is the hardest! It's so true, protein I loved prior I couldn't handle after. At almost three months out, Syntrax Nectar is still the one I use the most. Roadside Lemonade, Fuzzy Naval and Twisted Cherry are my favorites. And you can dilute with water and Crystal Lite type powders. After surgery, creamy or milk added protein drinks were nauseating to me.

I think this is different for all. I was very addicted to diet coke. I was drinking two or three 44oz a day....if not more. I gave it up in August, which turned out to be a month before surgery. Since surgery I've had a few cups of Diet Root Beer, but I let it go flat. I will not let myself have diet coke because I don't think I could have a few sips on occasion without craving it constantly. As with all foods, there are some I don't ever want to try again post sleeve (fast food, greasy, etc).

Per my dermatologist, vinegar is also good for fungal infections. Just once or twice a week.

That does sound great!

Thanks for sharing this inspiring post!!

Normally I use a scoop with 22 oz of water (fill a shaker bottle to capacity) and a single packet of Crystal Lite (usually a store brand). It dilutes the protein taste.

Thank you for the water tip AND recipe!

I experimented today and it turned out quite good! In my Nutribullet I combined: 1 scoop Nectar Fuzzy Navel Whey Protein Isolate (23g protein) two small handfuls (just under 2 cups?) of raw spinach, about 1.5 cups of frozen diced peaches, splash of vanilla extract and some stevia. It's a puke green color but it's really tastes very, very good. It's SUPER thick. Next time I will probably do half of everything.