StephanieRR

Great Article!! I struggle with this myself since I have such an "all or nothing" personality. I am finding that I can occasionally enjoy a trigger food if I can get them in limited quantites. I never buy them to bring into my home now. However, if I am at my parents, I may have a tablespoon of peanutbutter. If I am out dining with my family or friends, I will eat Protein, order a dessert and offer to share it with someone at the table. Many times I can only handle 2 bites of it! It's a wonderful new feeling of control over my food that I have never had before. Moderation seems to be the key for me.

I am a little past 3 months out and I have not noticed a big change in taste yet. However, I notice I can not handle too much garlic or onions. Two of my faves! LOL I get really bad heartburn with them. I do notice that I LOVE and tend to naturally gravitate toward foods with higher Protein now, but I'm not for sure if it's the actual surgery or the mental effect from my nutritionist drilling me to get protein, protein, protein! HA! Either way I'm extremely happy and I feel great! Congrats on your success!!

I am in the middle of the road. I definately have changed my view on health and weight matters. I think it took a lot of courage to explain to your friend how you feel. I'm very proud of you or that. I have lost 91 pounds since last June and 50 of that was since my surgery. Like you, all my health issues have disappeared! High Blood Pressure-Gone! Asthma-Gone! Lower back pain-Gone! Neck pain-Gone! I have people tell me all the time how fast I'm walking around now!! I never knew how bad I really felt!! I would have agreed 100% with that article too at one time. I have a very dear friend who I have appoached a couple times out of concern and she flat out refuses to even think of surgery or making changes at this time. I would never, ever want to hurt her feelings or make her feel different from others. Especially since I have been there. So thumbs up to you and I hope you can continue to encourage your friend. Congrats on your great success!! : )

It's a tough call. I worried about that at first as well. I made protein a priority and premade all me meals the day before. (I still do that!) . I explained to my nutritionist when I was 1 month out, that it was too hard to eat every 3 hours and I am always full. I asked if I could eat only when I'm hungry as long as I stick to the suggested foods for my stages. She said "absolutely". Your body will tell you. She did however, stress the importance of breakfast. I think you are doing fine! Keep listening to your body and monitoring your protein and you will continue to be successful!

Totally normal! My first month I was a little taken back since I only had a 13 pound loss. My nutritionist said it was due to the large amount of weight I dropped during my pre-op. My body was hitting a plateau and holding on to everything for dear life. The second month, it was 25 pounds for a total 38!! Not bad for 2 months. Just stick with it and it'll happen!

Hooray for you!! You should be excited!! It is one big whirlwind of emotions, but you will get through it one day at a time. I wish you great success on your new journey!

Thanks for the tip! I burnt my "blender" up during my pureed phase!! I'm thinking about replacing it with a Magic Bullet now. Congrats on your progress!! Keep up the great work recoginizing your triggers. That is key!

They did my sleeve as an outpatient so I can not tell you what to bring. They had everything I needed when I came out of recovery. However, I just wanted to let you know I am praying a successful procedure over you and a wonderful new journey ahead!! It's one of the best things I've ever for myself!

I had to get creative. Luckily My nutritionist had some ideas for me. I'd mix canned or diced chicken with a can of cream of chicken and portion it out into 4oz containers as meals. Same with Meatballs & Spaghetti Sauce sprinkled with a little parmesan cheese, and if I wanted something sweet, I would puree 16oz of cottage cheese with a dry box of cherry gelatin and it would taste like a cherry fluff! It was Yummy. I don't know if these helped or not, but they got me through.

So excited for you!! I had a 6 month wait to get my finances together my sleeve and i used that time to read and study up on the surgery, and start making changes in my eating habits. I think it was an awesome learning experience and that is why I am having so much success. My nutritionist worked with me as well and she didn't sugar coat anything. You will have such an advantage over others who just jump right in there with very little preparation. I love your posative mental attitude toward it!! You will be quite sucessful no doubt! Best wishes and congrats on your new journey!!

I loved this article! It gave me a chuckle and a sense that I am not alone. Do you know how many times I have asked myself "Why did I just do that?", knowing exactly what all I know??!! Every single diet I ever tried had one of those moments... I am only 3 months out so I am still on the more strict side. However it pleases me to see others out there are leading a life of somewhat "normal" eating behavior and getting right back on track. This is extra encouragement for me. Thank you!

Wow!!! Fantastic!! I am 3 months out as well. I am way bigger than you but equally as happy!!! Keep it up!! You'll be there in no time!

You can do this!! It is a hard life long journey that we are on, but look what all you have already been through. Try to get back to the basics and think about those first couple months!! How exciting!! Think how much healthier you are. You are not totally at a loss here. You have the tools to help you. Embrace where you are at now and get back at it!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! And if it is mental stress is causing a slight relapse, recognize it and move forward. No emotional stress eating is ever good. You still weigh a whole lot less than me, and I am brimming with confidence. Come on and lets continue this road of health and happiness we are on!! We are here to support you!!

Yay!!! Hooray for you!!! You have done wonderful!!! how encourageing!! Thank you for sharing! Keep it up!

You are doing awesome!!! I wish I had advice for your diet right now. You're just in that hard stage. We all make it through it some how, but it is totally worth it. I used to mix a box of sugar free cherry Jello powder in with my cottage cheese and it was devine!! And if you puree it, it becomes a "cherry fluff"!!! It was what I lived on for a week! LOL As for your Water, I found it almost impossible for me to meet the guidelines. Just sip sip sip all day long! You will be fine. Very proud of you! Keep up the good work!

I am very social by nature so I enjoy being out with family or friends. However, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't different now. It is very different. I read the menu and try to make the healthiest, high Protein choice I can. I don't even mind paying extra for healthier dishes since I get anywhere from 3-4 meals average out of one restaurant dinner. I give my rolls to whoever wants them. I find that true family & friends respect and support you and will try to help you make wise decisions. I've only been to a buffet once since my surgery. Perhaps that was the toughest! I put a small portion of roast, baked chicken, baked fish, steak & collard greens on my plate. I ate one bite of each item, chewed it slowly and spent the rest of dinner, talking and shoving my food around on my plate. LOL I survived and we all shared some laughs. I think enjoying and dwelling on your company is the key for me!

I agree! I only lost 13 pounds my first month after surgery and was freaked out since I was reading the huge amounts everyone else was dropping. I also had a stall my 3rd & 4th week post op. My nutritionist said it was because I lost 35 Pre-op and my body was fighting to hold on to everything I had. Trust us... Stick to the program and it will start dropping again.My second month I dropped an additional 25!! I will be 3 months post-op this coming Wednesday and I noticed last week that I can eat a 6 oz yogurt now. I was a little freaked since I was making it a point to eat no more than 4oz at a time. They say no more than 8oz at a time but it still startled me. I think it is natural for us to worry a little about our "firsts" since this is a whole new way of life. You are doing great!

I took one week off for my sleeve and was fine!! I was driving within 5 days post op! You don't have to tell anyone anything. I was like you too. Fear of judgement. Then one day I just came out with it! The better you start to feel and the more in control of your eating you become, the more self confidnece will grow and you will not worry about the judegement of others. And those who are not supportive are ignorant of the the facts. You will still have to work hard , it's not a magic operation. Some people don't get that..... As for 6 months out, I am 3 months out and very social!! I just make wise choices and eat small amounts. I think you will be just fine. It's hard sometimes, but I feel GREAT! Like I said, once the weight starts falling off, all those worries will disappear!! Best wishes of great success. You are doing this for a healthier you!! No one else!

Prayers your way!!! It's so exciting! Congrats on the start of your new journey!!

I'm find that when I hit a stall, nothing is sure fire. It's discouraging I know... Just stay true to your portion sizes, Protein first, Lo carb, and sipping Water in between meals... Our basics is all I have to offer. I try not to get upset over stalls and have just come to accept them for what they are, but sticking it out and not giving in is the vital key! Hoping your transition goes smoothly!!

Try the stool softner gel caps. I take the Kroger or Great Value Brand twice a day and they definitely help me. Don't take one on an empty stomach though. I usually wait a half hour after eating Breakfast and dinner.

My sweet treat once a week is the Breyers CarbSmart Vanilla Bean! Love it!!

It's natural to do that. My nutritionist made me stop weighing myself and I am only to get weighed at my appointments because I was obsessing. She said I wasn't enjoying the full benefits of my weight loss since I was only focusing on a number!! She was right! I gave up the scale, I felt better and was more aware of my loss since it forced me to focus more on my body. I lost 25 pounds that month!! I go back to her on the 28th and I can't wait!!....I am a huge decaf tea drinker. I love all the flavored teas that are out. Two of my favorites right now are the Counrty Peach Passion and the Manderin Orange Spice from Celestrial Seasonings. They aren't even expensive teas!! LOL

You had a great start!! I had my sleeve January 23rd. I had lost 35 pre-op, lost 13 first month out, 25 more for a total of 38 pounds post-op the second month out. I don't go back till April 28th for my third month check up. I can't wait!! I am excited about my progress. Not to mention how much better I feel!! It's not just about the pounds for me. It's how I feel and my health.

I had this but it only lasted 3 days. My concern for you is that it is going on for a week now. Do you have problems with anethesia that you know of? I would at least call your doctor if it is not better by tomorrow since that will make 1 complete week. I promise once you shake the nausea, it is soooooooo much better. Praying for you a speedy recovery and great success!!