macman

HW 362

SW 320

CW 218

TPL 144

TGP 132

I do not think any Constipation is due to eating Protein first. That is merely to ensure that your small pouch will get the necessary nutrients to survive.

Initially your constipation is from the surgery, and the drugs and painkillers in your system. It takes time for the body to adapt. From surgery and through the food stages constipation increased for me. It was not until I began a full diet and ate a few vegetables that things began to change. Dr recommended that I take Miralax whenever I drank a Protein shake and that worked for me. This topic is talked about a lot in the forum and there are many solutions that have worked for people. Most of them are OTC at your pharmacy.

For me, the first three weeks after surgery were a full liquid diet only. I was required to get 64 ounces of Water and 60 grams of Protein every day.

My NUT had a suggestion that worked great! On every even hour of the day I drank 4 ounces of any approved Fluid (water, Powerade, Vitamin Water, etc). This allowed me to get 32 ounces of Fluid through the day. On every odd hour off the day I drank 4 ounces of Protein shake. My program recommended Carnation Instant Breakfast in a bottle or Atkins Protein shakes.

These are 15 grams of Protein in a 8oz bottle. Over the course of the day I drank 60 ounces of Protein and an additional 32 ounces of fluid, giving me 64 ounces for the day. Protein Shake counts as fluid.

I actually did this for 5 weeks because I had a surgical complication, but had no problem getting in fluid and protein. I did start using Premier Protein Ready to Drink shakes in the latter couple weeks. These have 30 grams of Protein.

Once leaving the liquid phase you can blend unflavored Protein Powder into most anything to get extra protein. Also there is Protein Hot chocolate by Proti Diet and chicken Soup flavored protein by U-N-J-U-R-Y that is also very good.

The first couple weeks are difficult but it is very important to get both fluid and protein

HW 362

SW 320

CW 218

TPL 144

TGP 132

Lost 2 of the Holiday pounds this week. I did well by returning to eating pretty clean for the week and restarting the exercise regimen. It is amazing how quickly weight gain can start when the regulars routines for eating and exercise change.

Try sipping 4 ounces of Water on even hours and 4 ounces of Protein Shake on the odd hours. It was an easy way to get in both water and Protein during the liquid phase. I used Premier Protein ready made shakes as well as carnation which was recommended by my Dr.

HW 362

SW 320

CW 220, +3 lbs

TPL 142

TGP 132

Gained a couple pounds this week, 3 to be exact! It shows what no exercise and constant grazing will do in a short timeframe. Time to get back on the program. Looking forward to exercise and a routine of more healthy eating

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Born in Rhode Island, now live in Central Massachusetts

HW 362

SW 320

CW 217

TPL 145

TGP 132

No change this week!

Merry Xmas and a Happy Sleeve Anniversary to all!

HW 362

SW 320

CW 217

TPL 145

TGP 132

No change this week!

I grind my own at whole foods. It's easy and tastes great. Plus it allows me to do a variety of nut butters. It is probably more expensive but you don't have to worry about what is in it!

HW 362

SW 320

CW 217

TPL 145

TGP 132

Sorry, a little late posting this week. No change!

Water helps to flush everything out of your system. also every organ in your body needs Fluid to function properly. Try sipping small amounts each hour, like 4 ounces. Alternate with Protein Shakes and you will get in both your Protein and water for the day.

Hey Bob

Congratulations on your decision to have surgery and good luck to you!

As a long time consumer of restaurant fare I can tell you that it matters not what you look like. If you have a great product and treat your customers right, you'll be successful. I have never not visited a restaurant due to the weight of the manager or owner.

The tough part is being around food all day. Having discipline will be key. I am in my 12th month from surgery. I eat out 2-3 times a week. I can always find food that is sleeve and diet friendly. If not, restaurants will always prepare food the way I want it. They have been very accommodating. Alcohol can also be tough, especially in social situations, It is all about choices. Owning a restaurant, you can prepare food the way you want it!

I don't think that your profession matters to your success but I do think it will present challenges to you. I am a big proponent of personal choice. No one makes you choose the foods you eat. I did not make great choices with food, that is why I had surgery.

Sometimes I think we do not place enough emphasis on the mental side of this equation. It is probably the most important. A year out, I still track everything I eat. I weigh and measure a lot of the time and I am careful around my food triggers. Try to find time to eat mindfully, get away from the hustle and bustle when it is time to eat and make good choices. You will do great!

I am a big fan of U-N-J-U-R-Y. First it is medical quality Protein and they guarantee that ingredients are China free. This is a big deal considering that it is a primary Protein source.

I mix chocolate splendor with skim milk and ice in my Ninja. I like to add bananas, Chke coffee Protein powder, Quest Peanut Butter powder or a variety of Torani sugar free syrups for a very flavorful shake. strawberry Sorbet is good mixed with crystal light lemonade or milk and bananas.

I also use the chewable opurity Vitamins

I have been eating 3 meals and two Snacks a day for the last year. It works very well for me. In my opinion, one of the keys to losing weight consistently is maintaining satiety for as long as possible. My goal is to last 3-4 hours by eating dense Protein at meal time. At almost a year post surgery I usually eat 4-5 ounces of Protein and a small amount of vegetable or fruit at meals. In between meals I usually snack to get to the next meal. It is usually additional protein, or fats and carbs that might be missing from my diet. When I exercise, I usually have carbs beforehand to give me the necessary energy, and follow with protein to repair and grow muscle.

I would follow what the program details are, they are there for a reason. But.. after a while you have to do what is right for you and your body. I currently eat about 1400 calories a day, over 100 grams of protein, I have to supplement meals with Snacks or Protein shakes to get the necessary nutrients that I need.

HW 362

SW 320

CW 217

TPL 145

TGP 132

No change! Not bad considering what I ate this week

I live about a half hour north of Providence, across the Mass line. VSG was one of the best things I did for myself. Good luck to both of you!

I am not sure about the bruising but 20 ounces is not enough Water. Everyone talks about 64 ounces a day minimum for fluids. Fluids can be any liquid including Protein shakes. The primary reason for this is to avoid dehydration.

At ten months post surgery my average daily intake is about 80 ounces a day.

Early on my NUT gave me a good tip. When I was on liquids only she suggested 4 ounces of Water an hour on the even hours of the day until you meet your goal. Sometimes drinking in small quantities is better than staring at a large container that you have to drink.

HW 362

SW 320

CW 217

TPL 145

TGP 132

I lost a pound this week after being at the same weight for a few weeks! Good for the psyche!

I had surgery on 12/23/13. Two weeks later I was back in the hospital with a Pulmonary Embolism. I spent a week in Cardiac Intensive Care and then a week in the Pulmonary unit, followed by six months of Coumadin therapy.

i was a low risk candidate for DVT. I had no indicators and no risk factors to make anyone think it would be an issue. I did have Lovanox in the hospital and wore compression stockings. I did move around quite a bit and actually started walking on day three post surgery. If I had been identified as a possible risk there is a pre surgical therapy that could have been used.

Everyone agreed it was just a luck of the draw, albeit a scary one. It sounds like you are taking the necessary precautions. I do not know how long the potential risk period is, but at this point keep moving as much as you can.

I have 3-4 Protein Shakes that I really enjoy:

chocolate Peanut Butter- U-N-J-U-R-Y Chocolate Splendor Protein powder, PB2 protein powder, ice and skim milk. You can also add 3 inches of frozen banana

Mocha- Chocolate Splendor, Chike Iced coffee Protein Powder, ice and skim milk

Coffee Hazelnut- U-N-J-U-R-Y Vanilla Protein, Chike Iced Coffee Protein, ice, skim milk and Torani sugar free Hazelnut Syrup

Almond Roca- Chocolate Splendor, ice, almond milk, Torani sugar free Almond Roca syrup

For me they key is satiety. I need to feel full for as long as possible. I find I can do that by making sure I eat three meals a day of dense, quality Protein. 4 ounces of meat, pork, chicken or fish keeps me full for 3-4 hours at a time. I usually start each day with a homemade Protein shake which contains 35 grams of Protein and keeps me satisfied for 3-4 hours in the morning

I do 2 regular Snacks a day which tide me over until my next meal. They are usually, yogurt, cheese or almonds. Sometimes I use the Snacks to round out my dietary needs with fats and carbs. An apple with Peanut Butter is a very satisfying snack

Be careful you are not eating too little. That can stall your progress significantly.

The Water is important, Not only does it provide fluids for necessary body functions, it helps prevent dehydration and can stall hunger between meals. 64 ounces is a minimum, especially if you exercise.

U-N-J-U-R-Y products are great. I love the chocolate Splendor Protein and mix it with ice, skim milk and various add ins: PB2, banana, Torani syrups, even Chike Iced coffee Protein powder which makes a terrific mocha shake.< /p>

I do add a 3 inch section of banana to a Protein shake on occasion. I slice them and put them into the freezer in a baggie. They are available when I need to use them in a shake. They make a nice icy consistency.

Like any other choice bananas need to fit into your food plan.