snow25

Just keep telling yourself it is only for 2 weeks. Also weigh daily because every morning the scale went down. I lost 20 pounds doing the 2 week optifast liquid diet. I did not cheat once. Loosing that weight really helps to jump start the weight lost, especially since you will gain several pounds in the hospital from IV fluids, etc.

I am not a vegetarian but have found a couple of high protein veggie- meats that taste good and help with protein limits. Morning Star sausage patties are 10g of protein. Boca burgers all American grillers are 15g of protein. Add a slice of Swiss to either and it adds another 5g of protein. I eat a lot of beans, too.

I have noticed that I drink more water when it is room temperature. Cold water doesn't bother me, but I like room temperature water better.

Sounds like you are leading a pretty exciting life. I feel pretty great, too. I have more energy than I have had in quite some time. Looking forward to getting back into shape. I lead a pretty active life, even with the weight, but I'm ready to shed it all. I've started running 3 times a week, only 15 minutes right now, but I'm doing it. I play basketball in a women's league one night a week, and every Sunday my son and I hike. Last weekend we did 6 miles on the mountain to sea trail. We are training to start the AT in June. My son s 5 and a nature lover. We are going to section hike the AT. I am hoping to finish it by the time he graduates high school. The surgery has given me motivation to get active and fit. Headed to the mtns to go snowboarding in a couple weeks. Loving it all. I've been in New Bern for a year and a half. I moved her for my teaching job, but I'm not sold on it. It's great to be close to the beach, but I'm a mountain gal. I'm planning back to Asheville in June. Praying that job, house, etc. fall into place, but I really miss the mountains and community of friends and family there.

Speedy, I don't think you will have to worry about dehydration. 6 to 10 liters a day is awesome. My doc said no drinking liquids 30 mins before and after eating so that your pouch gets full of just food. Drinking right afterwards can cause some of the food to flush out of the pouch, according to my doc. He said staying away from liquids while eating will help you feel full longer. Just passing on tidbits from the the doc. Sometimes after I eat it is awhile before I can drink anything because I am just too full to fit it in.

I have the cheese Protein from u jury. So far I've have it on Beans. I don't love it, but its okay and adds lots of protein.

Hey Speedy! I'm in New Bern, too. I went with ECU Physicians. They were very thorough and I feel like surgery went well, but they are not personal at all. I feel like now that its done I'm on my own. How long have you been in Afganistan? Be safe and congrats on your weight loss so far!

I am addicted to my water bottle now. One night about 2 weeks post op I had a tablespoon of peanut butter for dinner... Good gravy waiting 30 minutes for water was rough!

2 nights

HW: 258 Surgery date: 12/20/12 Today's weight: 215

43 lbs, but that includes the pre op diet. How are you feeling?

Yes. I started walking around my neighborhood at 3 days out. Now I'm 5 weeks post op and I run three times a week, play basketball on Thursday nights for 2 hours, and distance hike on Sundays. I walk on the other 2 days. I feel great. I think any exercise you can get in helps the healing process and keeps the scale moving. Good luck on your journey!

Played basketball for 2 hours... We probably took about 30 minutes of breaks, so really played for an hour and a half. My legs are already sore!

Grilled chicken thigh marinated in soy sauce. Good night for grilling.

Take an Iron supplement. It helps. I was wrapped up in blankets for the first week post op. adding iron helped a lot.

I hit a stall at 3 weeks out. I upped my exercise and scale is moving again. Everybody here is right, though. Our bodies have experienced a lot of trauma and it takes awhile to adjust. The scale will move, I promise! Follow your diet and add in exercise when you can. Good luck!

Baked chicken with rosemary and lemon, a few green beans

Turkey meatballs with homemade tomato sauce

I hiked for 6 miles on the mountain to sea trail today! Whoo hoo, it was awesome and beautiful and I'm freaking tired tonight!

Are you pre or post op?

Pot roast cooked in croak pot all day. meat was so tender and easy to chew. Perfect after a 6 mile hike today. Whoo hoo!

Wow, old hippie gal. My doc said nothing but Protein for the first 3 months! I cheat every now and then and have some vegetables, but no starches yet. I'm 5 weeks out.