LeeBee17

I'm about 6 weeks pregnant, and almost 2 years post-op.
I know this is supposed to be a joyful time and weight gain is natural, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. I'm worried and feeling extremely down about ending up where I once started, and that was a dark place!
I don't even know how many calories to consume right now (I read only 50 extra calories during 1st trimester?). I am just focusing on eating healthy things and logging my food, but I'm too tired to exercise. For the past 8 or 9 months, prior to pregnancy, I fell off the "good habits" wagon.
Here are my questions:
If you're pregnant, what are your main bariatric healthy staple foods? How many calories do you consume daily? If you're post-partum, how much weight did you end up gaining? Any advice to minimize weight gain during pregnancy? (Types of exercise?) Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!

I can't answer all your questions, but can offer just some info my doctor shared with me and my personal experience so far.
I'm 36, 10 weeks pregnant, first pregnancy.
I was not considered high-risk due to having VSG. Doctor said the opposite actually, that VSG/weight loss contributes to a healthier pregnancy. (I am now considered high risk because I'm having twins, nothing to do with VSG). Women over 35 are at a higher risk of having twins even if you have no history of twins in your family! I'm still in shock from the news!
Have not heard anything from doctor indicating that VSG patients are at higher risk for premature babies. She said nothing to do with bariatric surgery impedes a healthy pregnancy.
I didn't have much morning sickness. Just feel a little queasy when my stomach is empty (so usually in the morning) but also throughout the day, so i have to keep Snacks on hand.
One thing that I think did happen due to VSG, is that I threw up if I overate. That hadn't happened to me since the early days after the surgery. But OB/Gyn said that was to be expected due to less space in stomach (I can't quite remember her exact explanation).
Anyways congrats on your decision and good luck!

Hey everyone! I'll have to stop my efforts for losing weight on Aug 3rd, because that's the day my wedding dress will be measured for alterations...and I can't risk it being too big on my wedding day (Sept 26th).
So I'm going to give it all I got til Aug 3rd. I hope I can lose 14 more lbs. Then I guess I'll be at my ultimate goal of 150. I never did have the frame or bone structure to be petite. Below 150 is unachievable for me I think.
Kinda bummed about "halting" my weight loss regimen, I don't know how to maintain, I have to go back and read the literature about the maintenance phase. It seems unfair to have lost all this weight, knowing I will gain some of it back during pregnancy. OH WELL. That's the way the cookie crumbles for me.
I hope everyone is rockin and rolling.

162.2 for 6/15
Thanks!!

Starting weight 164
new goal weight 159
thanks!

And what rules do you NEVER break?
To be brutally honest, I break the "no caffeine" rule (I drink a coffee every morning) and I break the "don't drink liquids with your meal" rule. On occasion I'm even known to consume an alcoholic beverage. These are my sins!
That being said, I adhere firmly to: daily Vitamins, supplements, Protein intake, exercise (cardio and strength), calorie limit, no carbonated drinks.< /p>
Is it fair to say we find what works for each of us? Compliance 100% of the time to 100% of the rules seems unattainable. But I like to think I comply to the vast majority of them most of the time.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to encourage rule breaking, and please don't admonish me or anyone else for being honest!
I wish everyone success on their journey, whether they are rule-breakers like me, or not.

And what rules do you NEVER break?
To be brutally honest, I break the "no caffeine" rule (I drink a coffee every morning) and I break the "don't drink liquids with your meal" rule. On occasion I'm even known to consume an alcoholic beverage. These are my sins!
That being said, I adhere firmly to: daily Vitamins, supplements, Protein intake, exercise (cardio and strength), calorie limit, no carbonated drinks.< /p>
Is it fair to say we find what works for each of us? Compliance 100% of the time to 100% of the rules seems unattainable. But I like to think I comply to the vast majority of them most of the time.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to encourage rule breaking, and please don't admonish me or anyone else for being honest!
I wish everyone success on their journey, whether they are rule-breakers like me, or not.

Rules I "break".....
I drink alcohol.
I eat pancakes, muffins, Cookies, cake, candy, Pasta, bread and rice
I do regular sugar stuff...not low cal/sugar free (yuck)
I drink with meals
I don't count calories, track or measure my food (except Protein and water-see below)
I usually drink Decaf, but won't hesitate to drink caffeinated if that's all that's available
I graze and snack
I have no formal exercise program or plan (my regular life is active enough)
Rules I follow...
The first two rule breaks above are done in moderation (I guess this is MY rule)
No carbonation (tried it....ouch)
Take my Vitamins every single day
Drink at least 64oz water/day
Get 60-80g protein/ day
Get bloodwork done regularly and adjust Vitamins accordingly
My personal #1 rule.....
Eat a healthy, balanced diet of Protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains every day.

I'm going on 11 months out in another wk or so..I started using a straw I avoided it till a few months ago. I know it sounds crazy but I easily blow thru it first a little then inhale to me (maybe I am just rationalizing to myself or what have ya) but it works. I get more fluids in using it. and yes I do drink my caffeine coffee in the morning ...2 cups. I am not human till I get it..lol..I drink Decaf the rest. and due to enlarged goiter behind thyroid (knot in my throat) and sjograns dryness in mouth and slower muscle movement in my esophagus I sip some during meals. I drink all day long but yes I drink a little before during and after its just not much I have to to get it down. no carbonation! I never will. that's my confessions!!

I sometimes take tiny sips with meals because my mouth gets dry very easily (even when I'm past my Fluid goal!), and I drink with a straw because it's easier to take in less air for me. I'm following everything else (calories, Protein, etc). Eating for twenty minutes and then sitting an hour after a meal with no liquid at all makes my throat too dry and gives me a hacking cough that turns into heaving, so it was a choice I had to make.
I decided I had to do what I needed to do in order to prevent myself from getting to that down point. I'm losing weight, not as fast as I'd like (also hitting that three week stall), but I'm doing good, I think. Meeting goals, dropping weight, and losing inches with ease.

I use straws, sometimes drink diet soda, do use caffeine about as much as I always did (not a ton, but I don't go out of my way to avoid it) and while I keep my intake pretty low, I'm not starch or sugar free.
OTOH, I NEVER drink while eating (more than wetting my tongue if my food is too dry) because it makes me ridiculously sick and I feel like I'm having a heart attack. I also track everything that goes in my face religiously and watch calories and Protein in particular.
I do think that we have to be aware of the rules and commit to changing our habits, but that for me it's been important to make sure I can live with the plan forever. I'll never go back to scarfing down 2 value meals in the car, but a teaspoon of sugar in my morning tea isn't the end of the world.

Hey everyone! I'll have to stop my efforts for losing weight on Aug 3rd, because that's the day my wedding dress will be measured for alterations...and I can't risk it being too big on my wedding day (Sept 26th).
So I'm going to give it all I got til Aug 3rd. I hope I can lose 14 more lbs. Then I guess I'll be at my ultimate goal of 150. I never did have the frame or bone structure to be petite. Below 150 is unachievable for me I think.
Kinda bummed about "halting" my weight loss regimen, I don't know how to maintain, I have to go back and read the literature about the maintenance phase. It seems unfair to have lost all this weight, knowing I will gain some of it back during pregnancy. OH WELL. That's the way the cookie crumbles for me.
I hope everyone is rockin and rolling.

I went to Turkey about 8 weeks after my surgery, I was in the mushy foods phase, starting solid foods.
I packed Protein powder in my carry on (the Protein drinks were too heavy), and one of those portable shakers http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Pro-Performance-Blender-Bottle/product.jsp?productId=3206646#green
And I was able to make my Protein shakes with milk/ice once I got there. I also packed all my Multivitamins in little ziploc bags.
And I agree with everything Bufflehead said! Eat your Proteins first.

I'm in. Current weight 165. Goal weight 160. Thanks Steph!

I'm posting early too cause I'm excited! I made it to 165 a few days ago, which is my goal First time I meet my goal in one of these challenges. Hurray!
Thank you for organizing it Steph.

166.3, I'm close! Hope I can lose 1.3 lbs by next week lol

Hi all! We lost a total of 137.0 last week! Great job everyone! We have a new highest % of weight lost person: @Idnoerds, with 11.11%! Keep up the great work!
@armygalawife, sorry I had the wrong goal! It should be fixed now!
If I wrote down anybody else's weights/goals wrong, please let me know and I'll fix it!
I've decided the next challenge will be a 4th of July challenge! It will start June 1 and end July 8. Watch out for the next link in the next few weeks. I hope everyone has a great week!

Just realized the posts I made from my mobile phone didn't actually get saved in this thread.

5/4 - 169.5
5/11 - 168.3
Sorry and thank you.

170.5 today for me. Happy Monday everyone.

So after gaining 3 lbs and losing them again, I'm at 172.2
Not off to a good start!!

So after gaining 3 lbs and losing them again, I'm at 172.2
Not off to a good start!!

Starting weight: 172.5
Goal weight for challenge: 165
Thanks!

I went in January, so about 5 months after surgery. I've lost 12 lbs since then. I bought a dress in size 12, which in street clothes is a size 10. I am currently wearing size 10 street clothes, so I hope it will fit! I think it will, except around the bust area, might have to get it taken OUT!
The pesky thing about wedding dresses, is they run small...the always tell you to select a size up from what you wear in normal clothes.
Here is a picture of the one I selected (I'm not sure how to attach images? hope I did it right):

I went in January, so about 5 months after surgery. I've lost 12 lbs since then. I bought a dress in size 12, which in street clothes is a size 10. I am currently wearing size 10 street clothes, so I hope it will fit! I think it will, except around the bust area, might have to get it taken OUT!
The pesky thing about wedding dresses, is they run small...the always tell you to select a size up from what you wear in normal clothes.
Here is a picture of the one I selected (I'm not sure how to attach images? hope I did it right):

I'm in! Thanks