jess9395

Paleo-ish with low to moderate carbs. Very little refined food of any kind, especially carbs. BUT since I do Protein powder I can't say I do true clean eating or paleo. I also allow myself a treat about once a week that's usually processed carbs like chocolate or a cookie, so I'm in the moderation camp. Sweets aren't a trigger for me so I can do those. No bread though or Pasta potatoes rice crackers etc. except maybe 5-6 French fries once a month!

Probably have to wait yeah till you are on full solid

You've gotten lots of great suggestions. I also do cold cut roll ups (I do mine w cheese but you can do without) roll em up w mustard and some cilantro or green onions. Shrimp w cocktail sauce and celery (I keep the shrimp in the freezer in single serve baggies, throw em into my lunchbox and they are thawed by lunchtime). Cucumber slices w Peanut Butter or hummus Toasted chickpeas (bake w a small amount of olive oil and salt at 425 till crisp) A few precooked frozen meatballs. My new summertime treat is frozen fruit. I eat it straight or throw some in my ninja blender w a bit of Water for a sorbet or some flavorless or vanilla Protein powder and milk (you could use almond milk) or water for a smoothie Zucchini chips (slice and bake in oven at low temp for about two hours)

There's no way with my restriction that I could get in enough food with three meals, I just can't eat enough. So I plan 5-7 small meals. Can you get in all your protein/calories in three meals? Just curious!

My garden has been soooo prolific with only two zucchini plants this summer I've been searching for recipes. I've done and loved zucchini tots and chips and noodles... But this is my latest obsession I thought I'd share! Zucchini tortillas! I use them for quesadillas, wraps, soft tacos, etc. one warning, in my oven they take about half the time listed. LOVE THEM! http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/zucchini-soft-taco-shells/

Yes I've done just fine

I'm not sure carb loading the day before would help. I run half marathons and now a marathon and the most recent studies show carb loading is not the most efficient way to fuel. 100 calories of carbs every 30-45 minutes after the first half hour is a much better way to fuel.

Stop panicking and weight in once a week. Too many reasons for minor fluctuations--Water retention, time of the month, too much salt, hot temperature, workouts--you will make yourself crazy. Also know that weight loss slows and there is an infamous three week stall that may or may not hit you anywhere from two to six weeks out.

Hominy is similar to corn, isn't it? Corn irritates my sleeve horribly. I still get stomach aches 1.5 + out. Only other thing that does that is rice (and carbonation). So be careful!

Wore one to the beach last night for my kids back to school family beach night and one to the watersides earlier this summer! I didn't take any pictures sadly but will try and take one soon! Hoping to go to Cabo in a few weeks for our anniversary so maybe then!

Lol they let me skip the pregnancy test as I have had my tubes tied and went into early menopause about a year and a half before surgery

I have Anthem blue cross PPO and jt varies depending on what the employer/group has purchased. I had to do much less than most it seems. No six month supervised diet (history of attempts was plenty). I was under 45 when I had surgery too so I had to do fewer tests. sleep study (only because I admitted I snored! No sleep apnea though) Mammogram General physical and blood work Ekg Psych evaluation One nutrition appointment I had it all done within 30 days.

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Gastric Sleeve 1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Since December 2014 2. What's your current height and weight? 5'6" 135 3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I'm lucky I guess, I eat 1600-1800 to maintain 4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? I aim for 90-100g a day. I can't get it all with food because my restriction is great, so I still do Protein shakes and bars. 5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? I pretty much don't do simple/white/refined carbs on a daily basis--bread, potatoes, rice, pasta--I haven't had but a bite of rice since surgery, no Pasta and maybe 4 slices of bread. If I am gonna splurge on simple carbs it will be sweets--a cookie or a singleReese's Peanut Butter cup, or a third of a scone. I do that about once a week. However, I don't limit my fruit or vegetables and I do oatmeal once or twice a week. And when I run I fuel with carbs when I have a race or go more than 5 miles in training--dried fruit/nut/date balls are a favorite but I also use processed ones like honey stinger wafers and even occasionally Gu's and sugared electrolyte drinks. 6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? Tricks? Hmmmm I don't eat typical "meals" because my restriction is high. I do 5-7 small mini meals, meat and cheese roll ups, peanut butter with apple or banana, Greek Yogert and fruit, protein shake with frozen fruit Protein powder and sometimes fair life milk or Greek Yogert inside, shrimp w cocktail sauce and celery, cucumber w soft cheese, etc. 7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Like I said above the biggies are pasta, bread, crackers, rice and potatoes. I allow myself most everything else (including sweets and occasionally French fries) in very limited amounts. 8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I run 20+ miles a week (just did a marathon where I was 40+ miles a week, but now am only half marathon training), so 3-4 yoga classes a week, daily yoga at home on days I am not in class and do either a 10-15 mile bike ride or a 500+ meter swim weekly so I can keep up for my triathlons (I have been doing a short one every other month or so). 9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? I did two years of weekly therapy before weight loss surgery and I think it was invaluable! I have done it on and off since for "tune ups" 10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Maintenance is the "now what?" Usually in the past there has been no maintenance for me it's been up and down and then up again. Maintenance isn't sexy--you don't get the kudos and great feedback, the attention drops off or becomes the new normal. So you need to find something else to motivate you. For me it's been racing--marathons, half marathons, triathlons, relay races, etc. the other part is subconsciously a lot of us think our lives will be magically perfect once we are skinny/heathy/whatever. It doesn't happen. And there's nothing left to blame the things that don't go well on. He's not less attentive because I'm fat. I didn't not get that job because I'm fat. (Just for example). I need to figure out the real whys in my life now. Again a good reason therapy is helpful!

I understand some people can, but I'm over a year and a half out and still do one a day.

I've done it all--toppings off regular pizza, cauliflower crust, flat out bread pizza, even a small slice of thin crust regular pizza and last night most of a small piece of regular crust pizza. I am over a year and a half out and on maintenance (and since I run a lot I actually am at the point I need to be conscious to avoid losing). Haven't tried the chicken crust though! That sounds really good im gonna try that!!! Anyhow, you will be able to to pizza again, in small amounts and as long as you make sure to include it in your plan. Bread for the most part doesn't sit well with me unless it's crisp/toasted so I can't do really doughy crust but anything else I can do in moderation.

I found the c section way worse than the sleeve but tummy tuck was worse than the c section.

I don't have to guess, I know. Down 135lbs and strangers make eye contact, shopkeepers approach and ask if I need help, I get friendly smiles and such soooooo much more! How much is the weight loss and how much is me carrying myself differently in the world--with confidence--I don't know, but DEFINITELY treated with more respect and approached much more often.

That's what I had (along with a lift)! I LOVE my new boobs! They look amazingly natural and not "done" at all. Neither my husband or I can feel the implants even when we are "looking" for them which is a bonus.

I can do small amounts of everything at this point (1.75 years out). The pork still doesn't sit very well. Steak was the other that took a long time (ground beef was okay earlier so I can't really say beef). chicken, fish and turkey agree with me the best!

I do a full scoop with about 8 oz water or milk.

I have mixed feelings on PB2. It's lower calorie because they "defat" it partially so it's kind of powdered, which is great, but they then add sugar. It's not a lot of sugar, but why did they have to do that? Anyhow I use both. I add the PB2 to yogert or Protein shakes as someone said above. Also have used it in mini low carb cheesecakes I make with low fat cream cheese, eggs and Splenda. Sprinkle it on my oatmeal which I have maybe twice a month.

Ok from my paramedic sister-- You can do an NG tube just not a BLIND NG tube, it needs to be guided by ultrasound imaging because the stomach isn't as expected. BUT she also says there is no reason she can think of that emergency personnel would have to do an NG tube in the field. It's for feeding, feeding is rarely needed in order to stabilize a patent in an emergency situation. Also, yeah no NSAIDS long term bc it can irritate the stomach/cause ulcers/whatever, but again it's not poison or life threatening if it's given. And again, if they are giving pain relievers in the field it ain't NSAIDS, it's something a tad stronger. Sugar? Again not life threatening, in fact I have sugar by choice on occasion, yes even real refined sugar. May threaten my weight but not my life. Medic alert bracelets are to help EMERGENCY personnel in life threatening situations. In my surgeons opinion, my paramedic sisters opinion and my opinion bariatric patients don't need one. But hey, I don't think it can hurt, but it may take a few minutes of the paramedics attention away from me when I need it most to read that they can't put in a feeding tube or give me Advil. I don't wear one.

Maybe, maybe not. If it's acid you need medication from the doctor, a PPI like Omeprazole are you on one? If it's "head hunger" then you need to do the mental work--are you hungry bc you see food commercials? Because you are sad/mad/lonely/tired/frustrated? What hole does food fill for you?

Me too!!! How weird is that? Pre op the closest I got was a Reese's PB cup! Now I use Laura Scudders brand, nothing but nuts and a bit of salt.

My kids were 11 and 16 and I told them. I emphasized the health benefits and that I would live longer and be able to participate in life activities.