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I eat cauliflower, broccoli and carrots several times a week.....dip them in various cheese spreads or ranch dressing. Beef jerky, turkey jerky, and elk jerky are my staple go-to snacks along with mixed nuts. And yes to spaghetti squash. None of this in the beginning, but eating in maintenance is a lot different than my first 6-9 months.

Dr. Ariel Ortiz is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well as a full member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Both he and Dr. Arturo Martinez are designated as SRC Bariatric Surgeons of Excellence and their facility, Obesity Control Center, is an International Center of Excellence. And yes, this played a big part in choosing them as my surgical team, along with their combined 40 years surgical experience, 12,000+ bariatric surgeries, low complication rate and a staff that includes a cardiologist, advanced life support doctors, 2 anesthesiologists, a designated followup doctor and several RN's with bariatric experience.

Like you mentioned, it's a lot easier for me to be "good" most of the time when I let myself be "bad" sometimes.

I found a bunch of eggnog Protein recipes.... (Personally, I kept it simple and made an eggnog shake using vanilla Protein powder, skim milk, nutmeg, and dark rum. Mmmmmm.) 1 cup vanilla-flavored soymilk 2 tbls vanilla protein powder 1 teaspoon rum extract 1/2 teaspoon allspice 4 -6 large ice cubes __________________________________ 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese or Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup Almond Milk 1 tbls stevia 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract ________________________________________ Premier Protein® Eggnog 1/2 cup egg substitute 2 Tbsp sugar substitute like Stevia, more or less to taste 2 tsp rum extract 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp + pinch nutmeg, ground 2 pinches cinnamon, ground Directions: In a medium saucepan heat on medium to medium high the Premier Protein®Shake, egg substitute and sweetener. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens slightly, usually a few minutes. Note, do not bring to a boil. Stir in the vanilla, rum, ½ tsp nutmeg & pinch of cinnamon. Remove from heat and pour into a heat resistant container, cover and refrigerate until the eggnog has cooled (at least 3 hours). Just prior to serving, ladle your yummy high protein eggnog into glasses, and garnish each with an extra little sprinkle of ground nutmeg & ground cinnamon.

I'm 11 months out and I simply eat healthy, balanced meals.....Protein, veggies, fruit, fiber and grains. I do avoid white carbs like bread, pasta, rice, and alcohol, but have any and all of them on occasion...probably 3-4 times/month (a lot more when on vacation). I don't measure my portions or count calories, carbs or fat. I have a 30-40g protein smoothie everyday so I don't have to worry about hitting my protein goals and I keep a running tally in my head so I know I'm hitting my fluid requirements. Been maintaining 10-12 pounds under goal for over 3 months, so gotta say this is the easiest "diet" I've ever been on.

Hey, I totally fell off the wagon back in October while on vacation and then at a conference. 10 days worth of muffins, deserts, chocolate, potatoes, milk shakes, lots of cocktails and I gained 4 pounds. I just got back on plan once I got home and lost the 4 pounds in 10 days. I'm visiting family over Christmas and have no doubt I'll be eating crap (very yummy crap) for the whole 5 days. And I'm going to enjoy it!

I don't know, it sounds like some surgeons just give the blanket order of "PPI for life". Obviously, some people may need to be on an antacid or PPI, but with no previous GERD symptoms and no postop evaluation of whether or not the patient actually has acid reflux issues, it seems quite irresponsible for a surgeon to order potentially unnecessary medications "for life". Like any drug, PPI's are not without their own potential side effects.

Exactly! The hardest times of my life all involved being in a relationship. Everything from a couple dates to a 7 year live in boyfriend, whom I would have married if he'd asked. But in the end, the companionship is not worth the sacrifices (IMO). My parents have been happily married for 52 years, and my brother 25 years, so I certainly see the other side. Really, I think I just like ME more than anyone else (besides my horse and dogs and cats). Besides, being single is easy and you all know how we like to take the "easy way" ????

For me They used absorbable sutures internally to close the muscle layer and then glue to close the skin. Tape to close the drain hole. I don't think there's a "normal", just surgeon's preference. Staples are faster to put in than stitches.

Distraction was key for me, too. My house is cleaner than it's ever been. My office is organized. My barn has a new coat of paint. My horse and I put on well over 200 mile this summer. The landscaping in my front yard is all changed. My Christmas cards are done. As I was dropping sizes I spent a lot of time at thrift stores. Once it warms up again in the spring my garage will get the same treatment as my office. But I can already tell that winter will be harder because I had so many outdoor distractions. I'm trying really hard not to cross over to an online shopping addiction! One other thing I do when I want to eat and it's just head hunger.... I fill a 32oz bottle with Water and don't eat until it's gone. It usually takes so long I'm over the craving by the time I'm done. And if not, it's time to eat by then anyways and i got lots of Fluid.

Not sure what to tell you. My nail tech set me up with a guy several months ago. We went out for dinner once and that was enough for me. Nice enough guy, but WAY to intense. He would text me ALL the time. I might respond once to every 10 of his texts, which of course, would lead to 20 more from him. He was seriously begging for a "sympathy date" (his words) when my team (Packers) whipped his team (Eagles). I finally quit responding at all, and I actually haven't heard from him in over a week. I told my nail tech she owes me 6 months worth of nails sets for doing that to me. Oh, and the date I had prior to that turned out to be a guy that was prosecuted for assault for beating up his previous girlfriend. I too, haven't dated in like 10 years (by choice). And these two experiences helped remind me how happy I am to be single and I really have no desire to date again for another 10 years.

Same here. I've been in the same 3-4 pound range for 3 months and nothing else has changed. But my size 7 jeans have gotten looser and looser (which is fine since I wear long underwear to work everyday). But I finally just bought a pair of 5/6 pants to wear for "occasions" so people will quit telling me my pants are too baggy.

Actually, he didn't say they all had synthetic sources. He stressed to read the labels to determine if there is a synthetic component to your whole food vitamins. Mine does not have any of those synthetic sources he mentioned in parentheses after the Vitamin C and B vits. ( I see that yours does). In fact, the Vitamin Code ingredient list includes 22 different fruits and vegetables as well as red algae, alfalfa, tocopherols, carotenoids, and yeast. Thats where the vitamins and minerals are coming from. Various enzymes, Probiotics, and Proteins are also listed since they are involved in the cultivation and activation of the nutrients.

My six month labs showed high calcium and high iron, so I cut out both of those extra supplements. I'm down to 2 multivits daily, vitamin D 3x weeks and B12 sublingual every other day. My 12 month bloodwork is due towards the end of this month so we'll see how I stand. If you eat a lot of dairy, your calcium may very well be OK.

I'm a big fan of whole food based Vitamins instead of synthesized vitamins. Always have been...even before surgery. My mom has a number of GI sensitivities and that's all she can take....the non-natural ones wreak havoc on her tummy. I currently take Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women. The dose is 4 capsules/day but I only take 2. I feel great and my bloodwork is good. Prior to surgery I was taking Source of Life Gold chewables. They were HUGE but tasted really good so I liked taking them. But after surgery, everything tasted way too sweet to me, so I switched to a capsule. I also take Garden of Life Raw Fiber to help with constipation(lots of insoluble fiber) and they also makes some good Protein supplements that use sprouted seed protein. No, I'm not a rep, just a fan ????

I was on 40mg for two months and then 20mg for a couple weeks. My surgeon said if I had no acid reflux problems to go ahead and stop it. Which I did. I have, however taken a 10 day course after a vacation where I ate a lot more sweets and alcohol than normal. My tummy hurt a bit, and the Prilosec helped. I also took it (per my surgeon's instruction) when I had to be on steroids for a compressed nerve in my neck. Talk to your surgeon, But no sense taking it if you don't have reflux.

The "hat" restaurant is just down the street to the left when you come out of the hotel. One of the ladys who had surgery same day as me went there with her husband. And yes, there are a couple restaurants at the Walmart Plaza (turn right when you exit the hotel) which I walked to at least 6 times in the 3 days I was there (my sister had to get her Starbucks fix). And the Walmart is a Super Walmart with a full grocery store. Check out all the drinkable yogurts they have....your daughters can have them starting day 3. Not that I'd recommend it for us, but my sister loved the bakery selection, too.

You are doing great. In fact, doing even better than me since you have 1/2 as much to lose as I did. Took me 7 weeks to lose 17 pounds. Then I gained 3 pounds and stalled for a month. All of which is totally normal and didn't stop me from reaching, even passing, my goal. Relax, enjoy your NSV's and count your blessings....Slower weight loss is much healthier. Remember you didn't gain it all in a couple months, you won't lose it that fast, either.

You've done a great job and you look fantastic. Congrats on taking control of your life.

I looked like I was pregnant for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Couldn't zip up any of my pants and had to wear sweats. Even after the swelling went down, I felt bloated for about a month. It wasn't the surgical gas they pump in your abdomen because they sucked all that out and I never had any pain. It was just swelling from surgery. Walking at least helped with the bloated feeling.

I've eaten avacodo a couple times a week starting 3 weeks postop. Homemade guacamole was one of the first pureed foods I had. Now I Put it in salads, on sandwiches, blended into guacamole, mix it in egg salad, or just eat it plain. Usually 1/2 avacodo at a time.

Congrats. You look like a different person...and you are smiling!

Thanks everyone and @@Julie norton , my ass did go away, but the skin that covered it is still there in a big glob at the bottom of my former ass. My thigh skin is pooled at my knees and if it werent for my saggy boob skin that I have to pick up and stuff in my little B cup, I would probably be in a training bra????. Believe me, naked Kindle is not a pretty Kindle. I just wanted to add a bit of advice for the newbies. There are certain things that can be a normal parts of this process.... No appetite, struggling to get in fluids and Protein, getting sick from certain foods, hunger, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, pain, nausea, stalls, weight gains, hair loss, emotions, etc. Expect them all. If they don't happen you will be pleasantly surprised. If they do, roll with it, figure out a way to overcome it and know that it's normal. And remember there are dozens of ways to make the sleeve work for you. Take all of the advice you get from your bariatric team as well as on here and figure out what works for YOU. Take responsibility for forming a plan you can live with. Always remember the ultimate goal should be a healthier you, the weight loss is a bonus. OWN your journey...it's yours and yours alone.

I've posted on this thread before, but here is my FINAL before and after. Been maintaining at this weight for 3 months so I assume I'm done. And I couldn't be happier! Before... December 4, 2013 the day I started my preop diet After...December 4, 2014 100 pounds down