Halfpint1218

HW - 243
SW - 228 (12/3/13)
CW - 203

There is no food you can never have again. So there is really no reason to mourn any food. By all means have our food funerals. But you will realize soon enough that it was a tempest in a teapot.

Check out my before and after..... 420 to 222 now.

Have been overweight my entire life. I hit 200 pounds freshman year. I went from children's clothes straight into a size 14 at age 11. I haven't been able to shop in regular stores since 8th grade. I have had a double chin since 11th grade.
I'm 31 and single and starting a brand new life.
But I've been lucky that even at 320 pounds I was still a pretty cute fat girl. Lol. I don't mean to be superficial but is anyone else nervous that they won't think the new smaller person they are trying to become is pretty?

To get back to the original topic, there are two things to consider when thinking about what the sleeve (or the pouch, in RNY) will and won't do for you. Capacity and composition.
Capacity refers to how much volume your sleeve/pouch will hold. This is the kind of thing you measure with a measuring cup, not a scale. Right after surgery, your capacity will be very small. By 6 months post-op, most of is have a capacity of 2/3 of a cup to a cup, or 6 to 8 ounces by volume. Be careful not to confuse this with food WEIGHT, which is what we talk about when we say 2 ounces of chicken or cheese. For capacity, imagine shoving all your food into a measuring cup. Start out with using 1/4 cup ruff after surgery. You won't finish it. When you can finish it easily, move up to 1/3 cup, then 1/2 cup, etc. The goal is to be satisfied, not stuffed to the gills. Don't be alarmed when your capacity does increase (to a point) over time. It seems to stabilize at about two years out for the sleeve. People with the bypass have to be quite careful because their capacity can increase too much if they constantly push their limits. Basically none of us should be pushing our limits.
Composition refers to the ratio of Protein, fat, and carbs. This is also where calories come in. Basically, a gram of Protein or carb is 4 calories and a gram of fat is 9 calories. So to increase or decrease calories of a given meal, manipulate the protein, far, or calories. These are also known as macronutrients or macros. Simplistically, each macro has some characteristics.
Protein makes you feel full, helps your body heal and maintain your tissues, and is difficult to store as fat. It doesn't affect your blood glucose much. If carbs are not available, protein can be turned into glucose for energy by means of a chemical process in your body caked ketosis.
Fat makes you feel satisfied, gives you energy, and also (counter-intuitively) is difficult to store as fat. It is the most energy-dense macro, so it is the easiest way to increase calories if that's what you need.
Carbs feed your brain, increase your blood sugar, trigger hunger based on blood sugar fluctuation, and is really easy to store as fat. They are also more available for your body to use as quick energy.
So go back to your measuring cup. When you are eating less than half a cup by volume, in order to meet your protein requirements, you will need to fill up most of the container with protein and you will need to eat that first in your meal. That's why we have those rules.
Later on when you can eat more, you will still need roughly the same amount of protein. But you will have more extra space for other food. That's when you get to make the choice about how much space you give to extra protein, fat, or carbs. Within the carb section, you will choose how much is available for vegetables, how much for fruit, how much for starchy foods, and hie much for sweets.
All those choices you make will affect the calories of the meal you are fitting into the limited volume of your sleeve or pouch.

This is an interesting question. On many levels. It really made me think.
Do we restrict calories forever ...
So, relative to how I ate pre-sleeve, yes, I am going to be restricted in my calorie consumption. I will probably never be able to eat 3,500 calories at each meal. But then I have to ask, "Why would I want to?" These would be my old demons wanting me to be able to abuse food the way I used to. I don't want to be that person ever again.
So, relative to other fit, 185 pound men ... no, I am not restricted in my calorie consumption. When I am very active, I can consume healthy meals and feed my body properly. I can easily get over 2,000 calories a day. When I live a more sedentary life, I dial that back to around the 1,800 calorie mark. I am able to maintain my weight, no problem. If I should creep up 5 pounds, I use the stricter guidelines of sleeve life when I was in loss mode to drop those 5.
So, I think the spirit of your question, though, questioning if you are going to be able to only eat 1,000 calories MAX each day. The answer is no. When you get some time under your belt, you will be able to increase your calories. Good or bad, you find foods that "slide" through you. Whether you go back to abusing foods is up to the work you did early out (first year) addressing the reasons why you were morbidly obese and whether you implement the changes required for long term success.
So, if I had lunch with a friend from pre-sleeve days on my left, and also had a running friend sitting on my right, one would say I eat a restricted diet now while the other would say I eat a nice, healthy, balanced meal.
It's all about perspective and your ability to mentally make that leap.
*** EDIT ***
So, I just wanted to add, that no, I do not eat a restricted calorie diet. A restricted anything diet, for that matter. Not restricted carbs, sugars, fat ... When I focus on eating nutritionally balanced meals, my sleeve just naturally takes care of everything else. When I do this, I am rewarded with a cookie or some ice cream. But I finish with my rewards, not start with them ... which I used to do.

Hi Sarah and welcome!
Calories are determined by what you eat, and what i mean by that is if you ate a serving of fat free/sugar free pudding it would be around 60 calories, eat the same amount of haggen daaz and it would be about 350 (estimating). The amount you can eat is and will always be restricted. Over time you'll be able to eat a little more than in the beginning but it should not be substantially more - if we constantly push the limits of our new stomachs it can stretch a bit over time, but how much I would imagine is specific to each person. I measure/portion out my food still, less waste and I don't overfill my sleeve. Eat too much once and you never want to do it again.
The maximum I can get in, at 13 months out, is about 7- 8oz. and that is really pushing it and depends on what I'm eating. The more dense items you eat, the less you'll be able to consume. I can get in about 7oz of Soup no problem, but typically 3-4oz of chicken or beef is all I can take.
We count calories so we do watch what we eat, Protein first, then veggies, then starch. It is a balance, and everyone finds their "sweet spot" for what works for them.
The built in restriction will limit how much you can eat at one time, it's up to you to work out the best meals to stay on program to maximize your loss at first, then maintain.
Slider foods, foods low in nutritional value, but easier to eat (chips, ice cream, pretzels, etc.) go down pretty easy and don't really fill you. Consuming Protein first, will fill you longer and provide the nutrients you need for energy.
I don't know if there are a lot of stats for 10 years out but there are a bunch of vets on the forum that are 3+ years out and of great help.
I know the golden rule is to follow the mentality of calories in versus calories out and you'll lose. I can tell you, I always burn more calories than I take in and I have weeks where I don't' lose. Our bodies adapt. For me, carbs have and I guess always will make me crave more. Getting used to head hunger vs. real hunger (which I still dont' ever feel) was a struggle for me initially, keeping the carbs at bay helps.
Best of luck to you for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Grilled red snapper and stir-fried bok choi with garlic and ginger

I had my 6 week check up today, although it is really 5 weeks out for me. They were very happy with my progress and my progression in diet. I am pretty much eating regular foods believe it or not....much smaller portions obviously! I am feeling really good. All restrictions were removed, so I can get my butt in the gym! I am super excited!!!

Checking in. I'm seven weeks and two days post-op today (sleeved 12/03/12), and I'm 50.5 pounds down. 33.7 pounds down since surgery day.
Surgery consult weight: 267.2
Surgery weight: 250.4
Current weight: 216.7

I was sleeved on Monday, surgery went well. Arrived at hospital at 8am was on surgery by 11:30, was in room by 2:30pm.woke up with a NG tube down my nose (my MD does as a protocol to prevent vomiting) also had a drain.Was NPO until 24 hours. On Tuesday morning was given leak test with horrible tasting blue dye. (abt 5 oz) it took my 2 hours to drink, but no leaks. Then they gave me a 20oz water bottle with crystal lite. That took me 6 hours to drink. MD d/c me around 6pm and I was able to sleep in own bed last night. So far no nausea or vomiting...incisions & tummy muscles very sore. (Hard to get in/out of bed). But all in all things are going well. My new schedule includes walking and sipping.

Post op day one! I feel great and have only had some nausea and vomiting. Going to try to nap. Hope everyone here is doing well!

Well, I've joined the stall/gain club. So glad I've seen others successfully work trough the deed and disappointment. Staying focused and this week = more movement, more Water, more protein!!
HW - 276.3
SW - 274
CW - 250.1 ( gained 1.8 lbs)
Have a good week friends!!

Well, I've joined the stall/gain club. So glad I've seen others successfully work trough the deed and disappointment. Staying focused and this week = more movement, more Water, more protein!!
HW - 276.3
SW - 274
CW - 250.1 ( gained 1.8 lbs)
Have a good week friends!!

Thanks for your honesty! I had that hunger feeling too! I still take an acid reducer to help with that feeling. Do you take something like Prevacid? It may help. I'll look to more of the vets to give you food plan advice. I do know I used this forum during those first weeks to stay on track. It's a wonderful support. Wishing you continued success.

Well, I've joined the stall/gain club. So glad I've seen others successfully work trough the deed and disappointment. Staying focused and this week = more movement, more Water, more protein!!
HW - 276.3
SW - 274
CW - 250.1 ( gained 1.8 lbs)
Have a good week friends!!

Well, I've joined the stall/gain club. So glad I've seen others successfully work trough the deed and disappointment. Staying focused and this week = more movement, more Water, more protein!!
HW - 276.3
SW - 274
CW - 250.1 ( gained 1.8 lbs)
Have a good week friends!!

Hello AA Family! I haven't been posting lately.. But wanted to wish weight loss success in 2014. Newbies are you ready to change your life... This surgery is just what you need to renew yourself! Congrats to those have meet there goal. As for me I have another 85 lbs to go!!!
Pre-op-350
Surgery date- 7/10/13- 339
Today - 265... I'm on my way...

The end of overeating by David Kessler
I'm reading it right now and it fantastic!

I was busted down with my sleevie "Felipe" on 12/17/2013......I have real love for her but we have our moments...dealing with new tummy is like dealing with a cross between a preteen and over excited puppy...
She wants things her way, every day, all the time...until i have to swat her with the newspaper and tell her to "knock-it-off." (Eyeroll)
The good: Down a whopping 29 lbs in 32 days....
The bad: not hitting liquid goals yet
The tolerable: bring extremely careful with food...no cheating...on pureed....eating only pureed chicken
The awesome: working out Everyday!!!
The ugly: not meeting Protein or calorie goals...averaging 130 to 200 calories a day....
Just a work in progress....trying to see if Felipe will tolerate my chewable Multivitamin.....(sigh)
Shelby

I can't wait for that moment! I can't even remember the last time I could cross my legs comfortably. It's gotta be more than 10 years.
Congrats on that awesome NSV!!

Hi to all fellow Dec Sleevers!
I just confirmed my weights with my doc last week, so this may be a correction from my last post.
HW 276.3 - 12/3
SW 274 - 12/18
CW 248.3 - today!????
Total down 28lbs and feeling hopeful. I even 'kinda' crossed my legs last night. Couldn't keep them there comfortably, but I didn't have to haul my leg across the other. Small but feel good victory!

Hi to all fellow Dec Sleevers!
I just confirmed my weights with my doc last week, so this may be a correction from my last post.
HW 276.3 - 12/3
SW 274 - 12/18
CW 248.3 - today!????
Total down 28lbs and feeling hopeful. I even 'kinda' crossed my legs last night. Couldn't keep them there comfortably, but I didn't have to haul my leg across the other. Small but feel good victory!

Hi to all fellow Dec Sleevers!
I just confirmed my weights with my doc last week, so this may be a correction from my last post.
HW 276.3 - 12/3
SW 274 - 12/18
CW 248.3 - today!????
Total down 28lbs and feeling hopeful. I even 'kinda' crossed my legs last night. Couldn't keep them there comfortably, but I didn't have to haul my leg across the other. Small but feel good victory!

Congrats! Hard earned loss! Keep it up. I'm 3 weeks out and just starting to feel myself again.