MegaBob

I waited 5 months post surgery to have a drink. I used to drink beer on occasion but have not tried that post sleeve due to the carbonation. I also like a vodka tonic but have avoided that because of the carbonation. I was addicted to diet coke and don't want to go back to that so I am being hyper vigilant about carbonation.

I started out with a glass of white wine, drank it slowly and nibbled a bit. That went fine. Next time I drank I had two drinks with no food. I got buzzed, not drunk. I tried to eat afterward and was too full.

This weekend I had a couple vodka and 15 calorie raspberry lemonade and got a little more buzzed. I stretched them out and nibbled in-between and was fine.

M advise: drink slowly, and nibble and you can get a little buzzed but still get your Protein in.

Congratulations! Keep pushing to hit your goal, then the hard part starts, eating right for the rest of your life. Take it day by day. I was on track to hit a 100# at four months but have been in a two week stall. I can still hit the mark if my body decides it is time to burn some fat!

I previously lost 170# and started at 386. My flabby skin was not too bad because like you I worked out like a demon. I did marathons, 1/2 ironman, century rides on bike, MT bike races etc. then I put the weight back on over the next 2.5 years. I am 3 months post surgery and down 80# but I think my skin is way worse now than before and I still have 90# to go! I read some of the posts about the various surgeries and they all sound way worse than getting the sleeve. I may get the skin removed but my thought was to wait until I hit goal weight and kept it there for a minimum of two years. Are you going to wait or just dive right in?

Cleveland clinic just released a study that said bariatric surgery can cure type two and the effects are long lasting. The band was not mentioned in the study. 150 diabetics were followed for three years. some of the group tried diet and exercise others had bariatric surgery. 37.5% of bypass patients and 25 % of the sleeve patients were medication free. This is compared to only 5% of the diet and exercise people. You should read the full article online, it was pretty persuasive. Follow your surgeon's advice on which procedure the by-pass or sleeve. Forget about the band, too many problems. My dr. does not do the band anymore and switches many bands to sleeves because the banders don't lose the weight they want and have many side effects.

I love my cpap machine! I was so tired all the time each hour of the day was a chore, but sleep did not refresh me. The mask is no big deal once you get over being self conscious. It was not a magic cure all for weight loss or high blood pressure that they want you to think it will be, but the value of waking up refreshed is worth all the inconveniences. Make sure you get one with that adds moisture to the air.

There are two mistakes I make every now and then. The biggest problem is that I eat too quickly and end up feeling bad for about 30 minutes. I constantly have to remind myself to slow down. The second problem is drinking before during or right after eating. I get full too quickly then find myself "hungry" or wanting to eat before I am scheduled for the next meal or snack. It only takes a few times of over-filling your stomach with Water after food to remember to wait to drink.

I also prefer to take a big mouthful of Water, it just feels better for some reason. I then realize that it is too much to swallow at one time and either spit it out or have to let it trickle down my throat. I have to remind myself to sip sip sip.

so. long story short is drinking while eating is not as fun as you think. LOL

It depends on the day for me. Some days I can eat little and don't care what it is. I fill up quickly. Other days I do feel some hunger. I started to pay attention on these days and have found that if I have not had any solid food I am more likely to be hungry. For instance, on day where I have cottage cheese for Breakfast and a greek yogurt for mid-morning snack, I will feel some hunger. If, on the other hand, I have a Protein bar for Breakfast and deli meat or string cheese for a snack I won't be hungry and fill up quickly. It also depends on my activity level. If I do cardio and lift a little I will have some hunger because the metabolism is kicking in. Another thing I noticed is if I eat more than normal, ie have some snack at night, the next day I will be more likely to be hungry. I think it is my body going out of starvation mode because of the additional calories.

It is all going to be fine! I am saving a ton of money on food because you just can't eat much. Greek yogurt for Breakfast sometimes two eggs, Protein shake snack mid morning, chili or chicken salad for lunch, Protein snack like cottage cheese in the afternoon, and meat and a few veggies for dinner. A big chicken breast is about three meals for me. Be careful about losing the insurance after surgery because you will have follow up apt with blood work and blood work is expensive. The last tests I had done were $600. I shopped around to get that rate.

I bought Premium whey Protein at sams club. I preferred vanilla and would add raspberry or caramel sugar free Syrup. I also used crystal light, any flavor. It tastes much better ice cold. MY NUT also allowed cream based Soups with skim milk. Using milk brought the Protein up to 12 or 13. I would strain out the mushrooms from the cream of mushroom, and the chicken from the cream of chicken. I added Italian seasoning to Tomato. Theses were great from lunch and supper and a nice break from all the sweet stuff.

Another thing the NUT let us do was eat greek yogurt, again straining out the fruit chunks. The guidelines I received were 15g protein, 5 g fat, and less than 10 sugar.

The combination was enough to keep from getting bored.

My dietician said we can eat the special k Protein. I have a bowl with skim milk now and then. Sounds like you were going overboard. I find myself snacking but small amounts and avoiding sugar. get back to basics. Protein and Water.

I chew the fusion bariatric ones. The are all in one vs. trying to get the right mix and doing a dissolvable B-12. My NUT just told us that you do have to wait in-between because there is some effect between B-12 and Calcium (I think) that effects absorption.

My doctor showed studies that showed that VSG patients on the average are 2-3% lower than RNY patients over 1 yr and 3 yrs. The numbers get closer after that. I was approx. 53 BMI and dr rec. VSG because of the lower complications, very similar short term and medium term results, and he believes due to lower Grehlin the VSG may be more effective long term. The bottom line is that either procedure is just a tool and you will do fine with either tool as long as you follow the program. I love the sleeve because I have no nausea, no dumping and feel great.

I am not perfect. I did do exactly what the dr said before surgery and for 5 weeks after surgery. Now I would say I am 80-90% perfect. I get my Protein, take my Vitamins, Prilosec, and something to prevent gall stones and usually all my Water. When having a meal I eat my Protein first then have some fruit or veg. Where I am not perfect is that I am 10 weeks post op and should still avoid carbs and sugar. I have a few chocolate chips now and then, and less than a serving of potato chips for a snack now and then. I also have been slacking on exercise. I am more active than I was and exercise a couple of times a week, but have not been diligent at the gym.

My weight loss has been satisfactory for me. Since 12-9-13 I am down 72#. This is 6# a week on average, but in the last month it has been 4-5# a week. I started out at 365#, 5'10", 45 yrs old. I know from reading the posts that I could eat more sooner than most people. I never got full after 2 or 3 bites of anything, rather I can eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup of yogurt or cottage cheese or 3 maybe 4 oz of meat.

I am eating more normal but am not at the 6 month or year post surgery mark. I actually love the fact that I fill up quickly but not too quick. I have not had a bad reaction to sugar but eat it in small doses and sparingly. I am working on moderation as my long term key to success because when I lost before I was either dialed in and doing well or off the rails eating like crazy.

Nervous is good in my opinion. If you are nervous you are more likely to follow your Dr. orders about your pre surgery liquid fast and follow the eating progression after surgery. I did what they said and had no pain, no nausea, and recovered very well. Once you get past the liquid stage it really is easy make the sleeve work with your lifestyle. I put off surgery for 6 years, lost 170# and gained back 150#. It feels great to have a TOOL to help me get off the rollercoaster of weight loss and diet. I have more weight to lose, quite a bit actually, but being down 70# so far feels so good. You will have more energy, confidence and will feel good about yourself. Good luck!

That is a good question, one that has me baffled. after my last big loss I ran marathons did triathlons, did several century rides on my tri bike, did mountain bike races, and bought my dream watch. Now I have a feeling of been there done that in exercise but I want to do something special. I used to turn to food related rewards but that is a habit I am working hard to break. I think travel is in my future.

I noticed at about your point metabolism finally kicked back in and had some hunger. Now I realize I am hungry when I don't get all my Protein in and when I am short on Water. Now a feel hungry a couple of times a week and am OK with it because it usually is followed by a good weight loss.

Drink it most mornings for breakfast and take it with me in the car for Snacks. Love the taste of it. I did the Sam's club premiere Protein Powder during the liquid phase but much prefer muscle milk.

Walk walk walk. sip sip sip. rest rest rest. Water Water water. Protein Protein protein.

Congratulations! Your story is a good reminder for those of us just a few months post surgery that any one week or one month may not be spectacular but the cumulative effect of all those weeks and months is spectacular! It teaches us that we can get through a stall and expect good loss after. I steady consistent effort will pay off. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I found out at the first informational seminar with the surgeon. Also from reading online.

I never cheated on the pre surgery liquid and had no pain. I tried not to think about food and didn't do a countdown to surgery and the two weeks went quickly. My NUT said I could have cream based Soup mixed with skim milk. The net was about 13g Protein and was a good break from all the sweet shakes. I strained the chicken out of the cream of chicken and the mushrooms out of cream of mushroom. I love hot sauce so I added Franks Red Hot or Tapito to the Soup. Sometimes I added Italian seasoning to the Tomato. The warm soup was satisfying. Post-op I again followed the Dr orders and sipped Protein liquid every 15 minutes for the first three days. I had no bad effects.

I am 9 week post now and still losing quickly but the urge to snack is back, and a do feel hungry every now and then. I keep protein at work like greek yogurt and string cheese to have a mid-morning and mid afternoon snack. It really helps make good choices at home for dinner.

The mistakes I make are eating too fast and taking big drinks of Water. The discomfort goes away quickly and helps remind me the sleeve is there and working.

I was an exercise nut when I lost 170# (which I gained back which explains why I had a sleeve) and now I know they tell us to exercise but I have not felt the urge to go back yet. I am losing 5# a week and figure I will go back when I hit a stall. I do try to keep active, otherwise if I am home I start to snack.

I decided to do a spin class after three weeks. Walking was fine, elliptical was fine, spinning was too much. The next day my incision area was sore like it was the day after surgery. It took three weeks to get back to where it did not hurt. Moral of the story, take it really easy until you are completely healed. Walking is good, more than that and you start the healing process all over again.

I am at the same point. Prior to surgery I exercised frequently and enjoyed it. Since surgery my incision area has been sore and exercise aggravated it. In the last week I have felt like I could exercise again but when I do anything strenuous around the house like shoveling, hauling wood, moving boxes I get light headed and feel weak. I think this is partially because I have not done anything for a while but also that my limited calories contributes to the feeling as well.

I wonder if I have a good plan or just an excuse not to exercise, but here is my plan. I have been losing 5# a week since surgery, which I think is great and am happy with. I thought I would get back to the gym when I hit a stall or lost less then 2 pounds in a week. The logic being the exercise would shock my system out of the stall and I would start losing again.

I started to question my plan after meeting with my NUT yesterday where she stressed exercise was necessary to make the most of the 6 month honeymoon period. I did the math and figured if I worked out 5 days a week and burned 700 calories per session I would lose an extra pound a week, which is good, but maybe not good enough to make me get up at 4:45 in the morning and drive 25 miles round trip to the gym. so, I am analyzing if I have a logical explanation for not exercising or if I am just being lazy! lol

I will state the obvious, you will struggle on the sleeve if you can't control your cravings. Two problem arise, first you will feel tortured by not being able to eat what your brain wants. Second, your chances of keeping the weight off, or even losing a significant amount, will drastically go down unless you re-program your thinking. If you are struggling that bad, find an overeaters anonymous and start going. When I am feeling weak and want to eat something a should not I ask myself is it worth it, in terms of calories and the feelings of guilt I will feel after. The more good choices I make the stronger I get. Nothing tastes as good as skinny and healthy feels.

Tips on how to transition: 1) don't change everything at once. work on Water, not smoking, Protein or whatever it is for a few days, then tackle something else. 2) count your calories. I use myfitness pal. It helps me stop when I am out of calories, and gives me permission to eat more if I have calories left. 3) reduce calories in stages. depending on how much time you have, start at 2,750 day, and each week reduce it by 250, until you get to 10 x your goal weight or no less than 1,500. 4) get some exercise. anything to get your heart rate up helps.

My doctor said if if his patients don't lose on the pre surgery diet he won't do the surgery because the key to the sleeve is following the rules.

Good luck to you! I made the mental turn when I admitted I was a food addict, I was going to die if I did not change, and getting healthy was more important than how something tastes.

I really have to say it is so worth it! I love seeing the scale go down every week. I love not feeling hungry all the time. I love pulling out clothes I have not worn for a couple of years. I love stopping eating when I am full. Good luck on an easy recovery.