WombatVSG

I've attached a picture of my Crate & Barrel dish, spoon and fork (hope the attachment works). I added the bracelet partly to indicate size, but also-- the egg shaped charm was my goal bite size when I was starting out. I can take bigger bites now (though I probably shouldn't). That charm helped me stay on track.

Yay, you-- take it slow, lots of sips, and be kind to yourself.

I'm glad it's spring, because I was getting tired of wanting warm food that got cold before it was finished! I did figure out five days worth of easy, mostly cold, fairly compliant dinners I can make. We're into week three of that, and doing okay. And when I say easy: Lunch meat and bell peppers Chicken and broccoli slaw Canned tuna and canned artichokes with lemon and mayo Crab cakes (frozen) and smashed cauliflower Salad from the farmer's market I got crackers so my husband could have something carby, but lucky for me, he's pretty laid back about meals.

So-- yay you for going to the gym in the first place. Focus on the positive, you've got some lovely spring weather, and now's the time to take a walk around the block! I've been having trouble getting all my protein and liquids in, so I feel for you. It really is a challenge.

Regarding the all inclusive-- I went on a cruise last month. I didn't take anything with me except some instant breakfast (which I didn't drink). I gained a pound that week, but it got lost again pretty quickly. I think I would have been fine if I'd stuck to protein and veggies, but you know-- cruises-- you can have multiple desserts! I didn't HAVE multiple desserts, but it turns out one each day is enough to sink you. Relax and have fun!

Cab, I'm late coming in, but here's what I think... Most of what I've heard/read about weight loss indicates that daily weigh-ins probably do more harm than good as far as making you stressed about "today's weight." Weekly or even monthly is probably better. If you like tracking food, more power to you! I try, but was having trouble finding an app I like. I use DIETMINDER Personal Food & Fitness Journal (from Amazon), but I don't always remember to fill in stuff in the evenings. Again, studies indicate that tracking food helps stay on track, so that sounds fine. Really, though, it's a matter of your own comfort zone as far as "am I thinking about food too much," or "is half a banana okay." I'm enjoying the fact that I don't seem to be obsessing about food as much now as I did pre-surgery. But if I was practicing good self-care, I'd probably be thinking about it more and making sure I was eating the right stuff. So let's talk about that banana half... your doctor is probably right, for optimum weight loss, a banana is not your best choice, and I think that's where s/he's coming from. But you have to live with this stomach and this plan, and you get to decide what works for you. My doctor doesn't like me to have any fruit because of the carbs. But if I said "should I have half an apple or a bag of chips, he'd pick the apple. I feel like it's their job to give me the best information so I can make informed choices, but it's my choice. That said, if I go chip or apple happy and gain or stall, at least I know why and what choices to make to change that. Hope that helps. It's hard work. Be kind to yourself.

Glad the doc is on the case, Foster! Ummm... I like butter and salt on green beans? And Deez, hope they can get things working properly for you! Hugs to all!

Definitely sounds like blood pressure. I was on BP medication, started to have slight dizzy spells, then they had me monitor my BP and go off of the meds. Soaking in the warm Water would make slight dizziness worse, so you're on the right track talking to your doctor about it!

I have a plastic surgery savings account. I don't know if I'll use it, but it's nice to have. My body looks pretty wonky, but I'm okay with that. I told my family I'll be headed to Mexico for some half price plastic surgery before this whole thing is over. I was sleeved on 12/2.

I'm glad they're taking it seriously!

I'm so sorry your sleeve has been treating you badly. Were you having the same problems on the liquid diet? When I had the band, I had a fair amount of puking-- mostly when I took too big a bite. I've been a bit compulsive about small bites now, and it seems to be paying off. Though I still occasionally take too big a drink of water and that hurts. Ah, well.

Don't forget, you get carbs in your vegetables, too.

I haven't experienced pain like that. I agree with Z28 that you should try a different soup, but a follow up call to your doctor isn't a bad idea. They'll ask you questions and bring you in if they think there's a problem.

There are things you "shouldn't" eat for optimal weight loss, and there are things you "can't" eat because they'll mess you up (sticking, puking and such). I can eat bread and pasta if I take super small bites, but I really try not to eat them. Pasta and sauce in particular really make me gurglely and uncomfortable. Cauliflower crust pizza is pretty good (you can google it and find different recipes for the crust, then do what you'd like with the topping). Using zucchini or spaghetti squash in place of pasta works (though they're not absorbent the way pasta is). You didn't mention potatoes, but I love smashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes. And honestly, I've done stuff like make tuna pasta salad without the pasta (tuna, mayo, chopped veggies), and it's pretty good stuff.