Bob2013

I am feeling wonderful. Energy, motivation, self esteem are all on the rise constantly. My current goal is to break into the 100's, It was coming on very fast and then I decided it was time to hit the weights. So now I have been stuck in the slightly above 200 for 2 weeks now. But it should turn around shortly.

My theory above is most definitely about the weight loss phase as that is what I am currently on. It most likely will not work when I get to maintenance. I can already see maintenance is going to be a bit more tricky to stay on coarse and balance out my eating habits. I am actually getting a bit concerned on how to raise my calorie intake without increasing my portion sizes. But I guess I will be a bit more concerned as I get closer.

My daughter recently stitched together a picture of a recent photo with one at my largest. Before approximately 305# Current 202#

Proudgrammy said it. ask your surgeon. But generally with Laparoscopic surgery 4-6 weeks of no lifting over 20 lbs is standard. If you had a full incision it will be much longer.

This is my theory. If you are getting your Protein goal and keeping to your calorie limit, you really do not have to worry that much about the carbs. It balances itself out.

Everyone always puts the "We are all different" quote into these posts. While that may be true in many aspects, it is more of a scapegoat to move away from the program. The facts of WLS is most of the weight is lost during the initial 6-12 months. After that it slows, even if you stick with the program. The basis of the diets we are prescribed are a consensus among hundreds or more WLS specialists around the world who deal with thousands upon thousands of patients. Moving away from the recommendations we are given can be a recipe for failure for the majority. Not that it cant or wont work for some people, but more for the fact of it starting a trend that can eventually start a downward spiral and put us back to where we started. This is pretty much a one shot deal. If you mess it up it can be the end of the last chance. Now with that said, if you are really kicking it with the workouts, and I mean kicking it hard, then you have room to increase your calorie intake. But please dont think that a mile or two walk a day gives you the room to add 500+ calories to the 800 that was recommended by your surgeon. That 800 calorie diet includes a moderate workout. Sorry for being harsh but alot of people here seem to put the kid gloves on when responding to posts. This is a serious journey we have all started on and many people see the "We are all different" and think "well yes I must be one of those different people" and move away from what is recommended only to fail. dont take a chance on failing. Keep with the prescribed program as much as possible. Once you move away from it it can be very hard to get back.

Quite a surprising topic. Especially with most of the responses coming from women. Maybe its the fact that when we are overweight we usually dont get that much attention and now it is just a shock to be getting some. I personally welcome the attention I get from my new found form. It boosts up my motivation to keep up with the program. Every time someone makes a comment on how I look I stand up a little straighter and walk with a little more pride.

at 11 days you should be fine. If you want to take precautions, keep very well hydrated, walk around the plane at least once an hour and you can even wear compression stockings. But at 11 days post op DVT isnt much of an issue

The night of my surgery there was a cup of coffee on my hospital dinner tray. May have been decaf? Not sure. But I was drinking regular coffee after a few days post op, and I drink about 20oz every morning. Of coarse I am using a sugar substitute and fat free half and half. It has not had any effect on my weight loss.

I just recently discovered the Morning Star Quinoa burgers as well as the black bean burgers. Great stuff. Will have to try making them home made.

Doubt it could do any damage, but WHY would you do that? Sorry about being harsh but I really dont get it. You put yourself through a traumatic surgery and then you eat one of the biggest no no's.

Our furry kid

@@PdxMan Because carbs are like crack, the more you eat, the more you crave. Your body gets addicted to them and wants more. Also on your post you said the body needs carbs for energy. Your body needs 0 carbs. You can live a healthy life without ever putting another carb in your body. As long as you supply enough Protein so your body does scavenge muscle tissue, the protein will be turned into glucose and used for energy/fuel.

Maybe try unflavored protein powder and some sort of sugar free flavoring.

One reason you are not hungry is you are limiting the carbs. The more carbs you eat the more you crave. Years back when I was on the adkins diet it worked the same. and now with the sleeve, between the decreased grehlin production, Protein diet and restricted capacity its a triple whammy on the hunger. The only time I crave something to eat now is when I get bored, and then any protein source cures it.

I concur. I think many of the post op problems people have in the first week or two are because of being sedentary. Within the first few hours of surgery I was doing laps around the hospital floor. And when I got home the next day I was up and walking around the house every hour or 2. In the hospital I got a few other people motivated who had their surgery the same time. They remembered seeing me in the pre surgical suite and when they saw me up and walking around the hospital that evening, they got up and walked with me. At 5 days I was walking around the block a few times a day and not once did I have any gas problems.

It happens to just about everyone at some point in their journey. Be patient, if you follow the proper diet the weight will drop. If you are not following the proper diet it will not.

My wife is from Albuquerque and Posole is something she usually makes around xmas/new years. Since my surgery was 2 days before xmas, it wasnt an option last year, but I will be looking forward to it this coming holiday season. Although I will probably take it easy with the hominy and stick mostly with the pork and broth.

The side effects from anesthesia can last quite awhile and vary from person to person. Plus you add the shock to your system from limited nutritional intake. I was in a fog for about a week after surgery and it got better with every walk I took.

I think this is just something that varies from person to person. Some guys can finish in minutes, some have a hard time finishing at all with a partner. I have had the issue my whole life. Most times it is takes a lot of work to finish when I am with my wife. Before my WLS, it was even more difficult because I would run out of steam alot quicker.

I'm not sure I believe this myth. There is an abundance of vegetable protein sources out there. meat may have concentrated amounts of protein but it certainly doesn't corner the market on adequate protein sources. Where do you think the animal gets its protein from? The plants it eats. I am not saying there are not plant based Proteins. But being able to consume enough of the plant based protein would be difficult. Except for Beans, you would have to eat quite a bit more to get the required 60+ grams per day. An example would be soybeans, which contain pretty much the highest plant based protein. 1 cup of soybeans = 28 grams protein Since most VSG patients can only eat 1/2 cup per meal. You would have to eat 1/2 cup of soybeans 4 times a day to reach the 60 grams of protein. Its not impossible. But most people would get sick of soybeans pretty darn quick. And anything else plant based is has significantly less protein. So without overeating it would be tough.

I think the problem you would have would be getting enough Protein. Most people on that sort of diet have to eat ALOT. Since we are limited in the amount we can eat it would be difficult to consume the amount needed.

Do not keep eating until you are full. Weigh out your portions for every meal. 4 ozs should be plenty. I invested in a nice digital kitchen scale. If you eye everything out you will most definitely be over eating. Remember our eyes being bigger than our stomach is what got most of us to where we were. That is something that has not changed for me. When ever I eye something out its always too much.

I use Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 from Walmart. Its a liquid. Sort of has a orange creamsicle flavor. Its not bad. It says you can add it to a Water or fruit juice, but I just take it straight. I originally was taking a gummy calcium supplement which were great, but then I noticed they were like 30 calories each. I would rather spend my calories on Protein.

Im about 5 months out and 4 ozs still fills me. You really shouldnt be eating without measuring your portions. I know when I try to eye something out it is always more than enough to fill me.