LBD

I started my pre-op diet on Oct 2nd and had surgery Oct 15th. I lost 15 lbs during that time, (also the last two days before surgery were just clear liquids- broth, juice, etc. For me, it was like a carbohydrate detox, which wasn't fun at all but doable for a limited time. Definitely worth it!

Same here- about three months from my first inquiry to surgery date. About 6 weeks to get all of my appointments scheduled and done, several weeks for final insurance approval, then surgery was scheduled & two weeks for my pre-op diet. Good luck to you!

Wow!!! Amazing. I hope to see a change like that!

Noor1969, we have a couple of things in common! I'm also 44, had turned to food for comfort for various reasons over the years... Lots of bullying as a child & the weight came on consistently. The last forty or so came on as I dealt with the pain of caring for my mom as she fought pancreatic cancer and lost. I think that sometimes the things that involve major change in our lives can sometimes be the scariest.... and the decisions we make as a result of these difficult situations can also be the best things for us. Stress, pain, and emotional eating got me to 287 pounds and decided that enough was enough. I was scared to go under the knife after having had a surgery go really wrong before, but just over 10 weeks after getting sleeved, I am SO happy that I chose to go through with it! I've lost 50 pounds, and I'm feeling good. I can eat most of the things that I used to enjoy, just much less of them. I no longer have trouble with stairs and because I'm no longer a carb addict, I don't have issues with blood sugar like I used to. I still enjoy food, just much less of it... I'm making better decisions around food in general and holding myself accountable versus binging. I still need to lose 90 pounds or so but now I know it's REALLY possible this time and I won't spend the rest of my life in a vicious losing and gaining cycle... 2014 is the year! Best decision ever!!! In 2014, I am hoping to leave behind... Self consciousness and doubt, physical and emotional pain, inactivity and complacency. Definitely want to shed this weight that I've been carrying around for decades. In favor of... Self confidence, and a more healthy body and spirit. I hope that with my improved health I will more actively engage in life again!!! Best wishes for a happier and healthier 2014!!!!

Just put a chocolate chip cookie dough Quest bar in the microwave for the first time.... almost as good as a still hot chocolate chip cookie! Yummmmmm

Happy New Year! Down 50 pounds since I started my pre- op diet on Oct. 2nd, had surgery on Oct. 15th. Feeling really optimistic for a happy & healthy 2014!!!!

I had asked my dr if it were normal to be eating the amount that I can eat only two months out... For example, I can eat a whole Greek light & fit yogurt or most if not all of a weight control oatmeal before feeling full. My dr said that it has more to do with consistency & how quickly food is allowed to exit the sleeve & every person is different. Lean or dense protein tends to stay there longer, so I'd be able to eat far fewer oz of steak than yogurt. I don't tend to lose unless I am in the 1000-1200 calorie range each day, so it would be really tough to get it all in in 2 oz increments & still get the water in! Hope I'm doing everything right...

Lol^^^ this but maybe simply start with this- look at her square in the eye & say, "I notice that you are very concerned with my diet plan- why?" I would think that might force her to see how her own behavior effects you. Sometimes people don't understand how annoying their own behaviors are to others... & sometimes well-intentioned pains in the ass need to be reminded to look in the mirror!

I'm two months out tomorrow & I have found that I can tolerate just about anything... Haven't attempted desserts so much except a small slice of pumpkin pie on thanksgiving which was fine. The only things that I've had issues with were overly greasy fried food- (which I tried once). I used to like those wasabi peas for a snack but those came back & not in a good way... Woke up coughing from inhaling unpleasantness, lol. I'm really happy that everything else seems to be fine, including sushi and also pizza, which I'll treat myself with but it needs to be thin crust & the good coal fired kind...just one slice though. If you're going to have it, make it worthwhile!

I live in Connecticut & they sell it in Stop & Shop in the peanut butter section

Anyone have this problem before? I was fine until I sneezed this morning & I'm 5-6 weeks out from surgery. Not a sharp pain, just a dull ache. Hoping I didn't damage my sleeve!!! So much to do today & a little worried.

Thank you... I did speak to one on the doctors in the practice. He said that I probably irritated the muscles/area around the upper abdomen, but if I could still drink, and I wasn't throwing up or getting worse, it'll get better soon. Took an Aleve and that seemed to help a bit. Freaked me out a bit because I have had such an easy time of it so far.... Giving thanks for that!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I'm sure you can get it online, but shipping would be pricey unless you get it on Amazon with Amazon prime. Yes, isopure is a fruity drink that comes in a variety of flavors- clear glass bottles. I used to mix it with 50% water so I could get my water & protein in at once. Maybe someone else knows of another retail place that sells it? You may want to call your local GNC- they might be able to order it for you.

Btw... You are probably feeling weak because you have had absolutely no protein! I'm sure you'll feel much better after drinking isopure- (flavored drinks that are clear and full of protein.) you can get them at GNC. That's all I was given in the hospital & my surgeon (here in Connecticut) prescribed those for the first week, then those + regular protein shakes or syntrax nectar shakes for week two, then gradually add things like Greek yogurt, then onto puréed soups, etc., soft foods, then finally onto full foods- one week of each. Bottom line is you need protein! I didn't need to take vitamins until week 3, then chewables were ok.

I use Bariatric Fusion Vitamins. If you go with these, they're the only vitamins you need to take. They're chewable & you take them three times a day- a little pricey, but I get them through my doctor which is cheaper & then no shipping costs... I take those, biotin & my antacid prescription. Good luck to you.

Just to be safe, if you don't feel better really soon go and get it checked out. Do you have a fever also? Not associated with the surgery, but once I had a tender swollen red area on my leg. Felt pretty crappy & feverish and it turned out that I had a serious infection which required hospitalization. Not trying to scare you, just be sure to get help if you need it. Feel better soon!

Feeling great, losing much more slowly but feeling great. I have been home with my kids for the past 9 years & I just got an art teaching job! So excited to get back to work & finally now feeling that I'll be able to handle it physically... Yay! Much to be thankful for this year.

It seems that the chex mix would be a better choice than the whoopie pie cookies or the pb cup cookies that my boys always ask for- at least less sugar. I make cookies/candy every year for the family and everyone really enjoys what I make- they have much more restraint then I did around the butter crunch! I know personally, these things are my personal kryptonite... for me sweets lie on a slippery slope, but I still love to make them. I made giant chocolate chip cookies for a fundraiser the other day and I found myself smelling them but not eating them, lol. I have found that I am able to eat certain things that I thought I'd really miss, and I will allow myself to have these things in moderation on occasion. Sushi, with rice... Had a roll at our favorite restaurant the other day & had no problems with it. Also had pizza, very thin crust, small slice & felt happy & satisfied. As long as I can have these two things every once in a while, I'll be a happy girl & will have much more success long term.

Would love some MFP friends- LBDowling2013

Would love some MFP friends! Mine is LBDowling2013

Syntrax makes unflavored powdered protein (medical). Won't help with the calories, but will help you get the protein in & you can find it on Amazon. I would also contact your nutritionist. Best of luck to you!

Went to see my surgeon today for my one month post op appointment. Cleared to eat all (appropriate) foods now... So nice to be able to eat those dry roasted edamame/almonds etc.- missed my crunch! I've been reaching my protein goal each day, maybe not drinking as much water as I should though- probably 40-50 oz per day. Once I hit my puréed stage, weight loss has been really slow. They suggested that I up my calories from 650-750 to closer to 1000 calories per day. First time a doctor told me to eat more calories! Kind of surreal, lol. We'll see if that works.

On my 5th week now and I feel like I'm able to eat more than most people at one sitting. I can eat a whole one of those weight control oatmeal packs for breakfast without a problem. I can also eat one of those light & fit Greek yogurts easily as well. I can eat about 4 grilled shrimp and 3 asparagus for dinner and be comfortably full. Maybe the oatmeal and yogurt just pass through easily, but when I hear people say, I had three bites and I'm stuffed" it makes me question things a bit. I'm eating 700-800 calories a day & doing the elliptical trainer 30 minutes each day... Losing very slowly lately- maybe adding 100 calories will help? Anyone eating protein bars at 5-6 weeks out?

I just started stage 5 today- so happy! At what point did you all start eating protein bars?

Hmmm.... I'm 3 & 1/2 weeks out now & on soft foods. I always start with a protein shake, then maybe 2-3 oz of tuna or an egg with a couple of tablespoons of applesauce of cottage cheese for lunch, or a Greek yogurt. I find that I can now eat up to about 3 oz of chicken with about 1-2 oz of a cooked veg at dinner. Maybe a light string cheese for a snack. I've actually eaten almost a whole weight control oatmeal (prepackaged) if I'm hungry for a carb fix... Averaging between 550-750 calories per day. I definitely feel full when I'm done, but I can also eat a whole 6 oz Greek Light & Fit yogurt slowly, but at one sitting. Never had any pain or nausea with anything I've tried, everything seems to be going down easy- but really should I be feeling more full sooner at this point?