KathyGS

Paleo is a bit different from low-carb. On Paleo, you focus on meat and veggies, with fruit and nuts as condiments. For weight loss, I am trying to get my Protein to 75g, carbs under 30, calories about 850 per day. I don't worry about anything else. With Paleo, you don't necessarily have to go through the carb flu, unless you've really been chowing on candy bars. If you find you are getting those symptoms, then increase your good carbs a bit and gradually lower them. There are now enough Paleo substitutes for fun carbs that you can usually find a recipe for the taste you're missing. And then once you've been serious Paleo for a time, you honestly don't miss the carbs. It's a bit different after you've had the sleeve (in my vast 5 weeks experience!) because you are so focused on getting enough protein that you do sink into ketosis and hit those symptoms. What you try to avoid, according to my paleo nutritionist (Beverly Meyer in San Antonio - look up her podcasts; book coming soon): - no wheat/gluten - no sugar (I use Kal Pure Stevia Extract powder -- 3.5 oz; so much better than that bitter stuff you find at grocery and use the tiny little spoon inside!!! - that's all you need for a cup of coffee) - soy - legume/beans (yes, sadly peanut butter) - dairy (I do have heavy whipping cream in coffee in the mornings and will use butter; switching to ghee soon; and will have raw milk cheeses or goat/sheep cheese) - white potatoes - Fruits: stick with lower glycemic like blueberries, strawberries, the occasional banana and apple. - Rice/Quinoa: debated. Likely better for maintenance as a treat every now and again. I know I'm forgetting stuff. The best resources are: - Mark Sisson of Mark's Daily Apple. His 90-day journal has all the basic information and helps you restrict various problem foods and then add them back in to see what they do to your body. Helps you to know how best to feed yourself. Diary can work for some, not others. Same for nuts. For me, wheat = +5 pounds and painful knees! - Chris Kessler - for the science - Robb Wolf - very motivational - www.nomnompaleo.com (great website, free iPad app, and cookbook coming out next month). i trust her recipes. I'm from San Antonio and her cooking meshes with our tastes (picky husband) - leaning toward more flavorful and a bit spicy at times. - www.thecothesmakethegirl.com blog: author of Well Fed and Well Fed 2 cookbooks - paleo recipes from around the world. Lots more out there but these will get your started. As you reach your goal weight, then add back in more good carbs and see where your breaking point is of gain/maintain weight. Hope this helps, Kathy

I'm 5 weeks out and following a paleo diet for the most part. I occasionally have greek yogurt and add Frontier Labs whey Peptein Protein (see Amazon) as it is low carb and I can add it to just about anything if my protein totals are low for the day. Glad to know there are other Paleos out there! Kathy

There is a good website for learning about what works and what doesn't - Paula Begoun, "the Beauty Cop," is a good resource. Here is a link to her article discussing skin firming creams: http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/anti-aging/_/the-truth-about-firming-creams My daughter-in-law got me to try a new product called Nerium that was developed accidentally by MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. They developed a cream for their skin cancer patients, who came back after treatment asking for more because it made them look so young. then they realized they had a product to sell. Right now they have day and night cream, but evidently a skin contouring cream is coming out in the next month or so. I should get my shipment this week or next and will let ya'll know how it works out. Link to their website is below. http://www.neriumproducts.com/ Kathy

So, did anyone see any results from anything?

Thanks! Great Advice.

Excellent! Thanks - I start Friday!

I've been cruising around the Internets and found the following: Ideas: Cottage cheese Egg salad Laughing cow cheese Mashed cauliflower Corned beef hash No-Noodle Lasagna This recipe is suitable for the pureed food stage. Ingredients: Low fat ricotta cheese Spaghetti sauce (look for sugar free sauce) Grated parmesan cheese Directions: Put two tablespoons of ricotta cheese in a bowl. Top with one tablespoon of spaghetti sauce and one tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese. Microwave for three minutes. Variation: One you progress to the soft stage, you can add cooked ground beef to the lasagna if you like. Pureed Foods I had a request from a newer post-op to do a blog post of the pureed foods I ate. So per request here you go. Disclaimer: Remember post-op nutritional plans vary. My sister had the same surgery with a different doctor and we had very different plans. Foods that worked for me may be on your no list. ALWAYS check with your medical posse first. There's not much you can do but survive this part of the journey. The liquids through pureed/soft food phase are miserable and until you start eating "real food" again you will feel like a patient. It gets better I promise. Four kitchen gadgets helped me during this phase: Black & Decker Mini Chopper Food Processor - I used this during the pureed stage several times a day and still use it several times a week. It is fabulous and just the right size for us. I've owned mine for 6 years though I've gotten way more use out of it as a post-op. Hand Blender (Stick Blender) - This is an absolute must for whizzing homemade and store bought Soups. Oster Beehive Classic Blender - some people have Magic Bullets but I just use my regular blender. A must for

I am paleo in orientation as this has been the best way to me to lose weight pre-surgery and seems pretty congruent with post-op eating as well. In paleo, fat is an important part of the diet, but all the post-op eating guidelines talk about low fat or fat free this or that. I am a week-and-a-half post-op and still on full liquids; pureed food starts in 5 days. No complications whatsoever with surgery. I've been consuming a lot of greek yogurt with added whey protein (low carb), with various sweet and savory flavorings. Lost 31 pounds pre-surgery; 9 pounds post-surgery. Weight loss plateauing x 4 days. Any advice?