macman

I have had an occasional drink since surgery 7 months ago. I did wait until 4 months out for the first one. I am not interested in beer, carbonation is a problem. White wine is ok, red wine is not. Probably because of the tannins which can be very acidic. Since I have a basement full of expensive wine, this is potentially a problem. My drink of choice is vodka with crystal light or bourbon. I have never had more than 1 or at most 2, so getting drunk has not been an issue. I was concerned about business dinners and meetings since I go to too many. But I have found that there are always non drinkers in this group and it has not been an issue. More and more I find reasons not to drink.

My insurance company required a six month managed plan during which I lost 42 pounds. They used my entry weight into the program as the starting point for evaluation. They actually told me they were happy I lost weight in a supervised program as it showed my commitment to making changes. Losing the weight prior to surgery will be helpful to achieving your total goal for weight loss.

Six day a week I drink a Protein Shake, some combination of Unjury Protein and milk. On the seventh day it is usually scrambled eggs or an omelet. Sometimes I have eggs for dinner, no problem getting them down

Hello All I had my sleeve surgery at UMass in Worcester on 12/23/13. Terrific Decision!

HW 362 SW 320 CW 227 TPL 135 TGP 132 2 pounds lost this week!

I am at 1100-1200 calories a day. Most days I need to get about 120 grams of Protein. There is no way I could eat that much food and get the required protein levels without drinking a shake

If you go to the MFP website you can reset the percentages

So I am going to give you a different view than Kindle. If you look at our results both methods worked. I am not critical of not tracking. It depends on what you are comfortable with. I track everything. I use My Fitness Pal and have a Fitbit to track activity. I felt like I had a lot to learn through this process, so I weighed and measured everything. Even though I hit my initial goal, I still track. It fits with my personality and quite frankly, I have been able to manage weight loss and not get stuck by upping calories, as needed. It works well for me. From months 1-5 I kept carbs pretty low, under 50 a day. This seemed to be a sweet spot. I made sure I had at least 60 grams of Protein minimum. Fat wasn't a big concern at this time. During this period I averaged 40% protein, 40% Fat and 20% carbs. Since I was exercising regularly, I upped calories every time weight loss slowed. As a general rule I do not eat potatoes, rice, bread or Pasta. At month 5 I decided to up the carbs to 60-80 a day, by adding some whole grains. I needed to do this to have more energy for exercise. This actually reduced the fat percentage in my diet. Right now, at 7 months out, I am at 1100-1200 a day. I am still at 40% Protein, 30% Carbs and 30% Fat. I would anticipate that as the exercise level continues to increase and I get to maintenance the Protein level will have to increase as I will need to exercise with greater intensity and frequency to maintain my weight

Currently I am eating 1100-1200 calories a day. I am 7 months post op. At 3 months, I was eating 800-900 calories a day. One of the revelations to me was that I had to increase calories as I exercised more. This gave me the energy I needed to exercise frequently and it aways pumped up the weight loss every time I increased calories. I kept my carbs pretty low for the first fiv months, keeping them under 50 a day. this is optimum for weight loss. Since that time I found that I needed to increase carbs gradually to about 70-80 a day. Weight loss has been consistent. As the exercise intensity increased. I needed additional carbs to provide the energy for workouts. I would evaluate your caloric intake. My guess is that you will up the weight loss

I have used the FitBit Flex with My Fitness Pal for about nine months. Absolutely love it!

You will like Dr Czerniach. He is one impressive guy!

HW 362 SW 320 CW 229 TPL 133 TGP 132 Lost 1 pound this week

Hi Jen My first appointment was 4 months before surgery. She had me start on a 1800 calorie diet and begin tracking food intake. We talked a lot about eating habits and what foods to eat. She even had a plate with right size portions on it. She also gave me a target weight to shoot for on my next appointment a month later. Motivating!

The blood clot began as a cramp in my lower leg that would not go away. I went to bed thinking it would be better in the morning. When I got up in the morning to use the bathroom, I almost passed out. My wife helped me back to bed and called 911. The Chief of Cardiology told me that the clot passed through my heart when I got real light headed. The biggest problem with clots is that people wait to long before getting to a hospital. Once at the hospital there are many ways to treat them and fatalities are rare.

Thank you , thank you, thank you. Hearing you say this is incredibly powerful for me. I too, enjoy the things you do but WAS really scared that my social 'eating' wold have to stop so it's great to have your response. I am gearing up to be mentally there- I'm currently trying to loose weight myself AGAIN and although I feel I'm in the right mental place to do so I'm struggling- having that construction, I feel, will give me the extra help I need. Can I ask you one more thing though. Have you had many additional health issues surrounding your sleeve??? This also scares me as I read about Iron infusions, constipation etc etc As it is my health is OK - it's just that as I'm getting older my body isn't quite as resilient as it used to be and I'm struggling to do things I would really like to . Thanks again Macman Hello MarieI was 57 years old when I started this process a year ago. I had serious doubts about doing something like this later in life. But the driver for me was my family. I wanted to be around for the first grandchild and have a better quality of life as I got older.I did have a major complication as a result of surgery. I developed a blood clot that ended up as a pulmonary embolism. I had no risk factors so doctors wee quite surprised that it developed. Luckily I got to a hospital quickly and they were able to treat it effectively, although I did spend a week in Cardiac ICU. The recovery plan fit with a need to exercise after the sleeve operation. I did a lot of cardio work which benefitted me greatly.Today my health is excellent. I keep asking myself, "who is that guy in the mirror?" I feel better, I am more active than ever and exercise regularly. I still have a couple ruptured discs in my lower back, but the 130 pounds lost have helped immensely. I no longer take blood pressure medication or have sleep apnea.I've had no issues with the sleeve since surgery. I had the normal constipation issues immediately after surgery, but they passed quickly. The only thing I have had a problem with is red wine. It doesn't agree with my stomach at all. Jokingly, the surgeon suggested I try a pinot noir instead of a Cabernet.Seriously though, the first 8-12 weeks are something everyone has to work through. The body has been through major surgery and needs to recover. And we need to adapt to a new lifestyle. I think that the progression from liquid to pureed or soft foods to full menu is something the sleeve needs after surgery, but so does our psyche.It can be difficult for people to get through the initial few weeks but I always looked at it as the price I had to pay to ge where I wanted to be.

I have no regrets and would do it again in a heart beat!! I am seven months post surgery, down 130 pounds and have reached my initial goal but I am continuing to adhere to the program as there is more to loose. My medical issues are gone and I feel and look better than I have in decades. That being said, the concerns expressed in this thread were my concerns as well in the beginning. I really enjoyed food and the social engagement around food and alcohol. Specifically my biggest issues were volume of food eaten and proper choices. As a result of the sleeve operation I am better equipped, physically and mentally, to deal with food issues now than at other times in my life. The initial post op journey is my commitment to a better me. I want to do it so I can continue to enjoy the things that are important to me and my loved ones. I regularly go to dinner with my wife, attend business dinners and functions and participate in all family outings. The sleeve has changed my life for the better! At seven months post op I can eat anything I want but choose to be on the program. I can still eat a great Tuna steak, or cheeseburger, just not all of it. I can still socialize, but need to manage the temptations. For me, it's about choice. The sleeve has helped me physically, limiting the amount food I can eat. The strong will to be successful and stay with the program has helped me manage choices. I think sometime we rely on the physical changes, i.e. sleeve or band, etc, and less on the mental readiness for what is to come. It could very well be the toughest part of the entire change in our bodies.

I am seven months post surgery. I just hit my goal weight, 132 pounds lost. Right now I am eating 1100-1200 calories a day. Breakfast-Protein shake (some combination using unjury chocolate Splendor or strawberry Sorbet, Chike Iced coffee, PB2, Syntrax Fuzzy Navel. Once a week I will have scrambled eggs with a whole weat english muffin. AM Snack- String cheese, Babybel cheese or Fage Greek Yogurt, Jerky Lunch- 3-4 ounces Canned chicken or Shrimp, mixed with Light mayo and celery, wrapped in lettuce leaves. Deli Ham rollups, leftover dinner from the night before PM Snack- Quest Protein Bar, Almonds, Peanut Butter with celery or a few ritz crackers, apple or berries Dinner- 4 ounces of protein (lot of fish: salmon, swordfish, tilapia, crab cake, shrimp, scallops) but also steak, chicken, turkey, pork and hamburger. and 1-2 ounces of vegetables. I really have no desire to eat dessert. On occasion I will have an Unjury Protein Peanut Butter Cup. I have had a couple drinks, usually bourbon. Red Wine does not sit well with my sleeve at all and I usually avoid it. Fluids: Water, flavored water, propel, Vitamin water, crystal light

Since surgery I have not had many cravings. Usually when I do, I find something to drink. I have done a good job following the program and I think controlling the cravings has been easier by making sure I eat dense Proteins that fill me up for 3-4 hours at a time. One food craving that I have experienced is Peanut Butter. Don't ask me why, I did not each much of it before surgery! Luckily peanut butter is on the program. It is easy to give in to the craving by eating it in moderation or using PB2, peanut butter Protein powder.

Most of what I heard on this forum ,my program included, require 60 grams of protein and 64 ounces of water each day. Early on, while on liquids, the focus should not be on carbs and fats but rather getting nutrition and protein to help you heal from surgery. My NUT had me on a schedule of drinking 4 ounces of protein shake on every even hour, 4 ounces of water on the odd hours throughout the day. Doing this I was able to get in protein and fluids without having to stare at a large glass full of liquid. Small paper cups did the job.

Ditto on the tailbone issue and with freezing all the time!

I am a big fan of Protein shakes. I usually start most mornings with a Protein shake that I make myself. It is a great beginning for me. I use a quality Whey Protein Isolate that adds about 30 grams of protein early in the day, which is something I like. I am usually satisfied for 3-31/2 hours afterwards. I do not usually drink Protein Shakes during the day other than if I need it after a particularly tough workout. It is a way to get additional amounts of protein into my diet. I much prefer making my own shakes and rarely use pre made shakes I do exercise regularly, and based on my current 1200 calories a day, I don't think I could eat enough dense protein to meet the 120+ grams of protein without using a shake each day.

I use Torani SF syrups with Unjury Protein Powder all the time. The SF Salted Carmel is terrific with Chocolate Splendor and a piece of banana!

I too am seven months from surgery. I have steadily increased calories as needed over time as my body needed more due to activity and exercise. Currently I am at 1200 calories in a day and weight loss is still steady. The exercise comment is valid. I do not work out as often as you but absolutely need to eat more on workout days, less on recovery days. I finds that carbohydrates before a workout helps with the workout, and a protein shake after helps me recover faster. As my exercise intensity increased I had to add healthy carbs ( and calories) to have the energy I needed

I am also seven months out. Meal time for me is usually four ounces of protein and usually an ounce or two of vegetables

Glad to hear you are doing well! I lost 42 pounds before surgery on 12/23/13. I am now down a total of 132 pounds and have hit my initial goal weight. I am continuing the program as I feel there is more to loose. It has been an amazing seven months since surgery. Good Luck!