Inner Surfer Girl

I agree completely. Stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Talk to your NUT about a good food plan for you. Start tracking your food if you are not already doing so. Pre-op I was already using the Weight Watchers app and counting points so my NUT suggested I keep doing that. Post-op I switched to MyFitnessPal so I could better track my Protein and because it is free. Focus on high protein, low carb. Avoid starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrups), and fried foods. Eat clean. Focus on fresh unprocessed foods whenever possible. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat a lot of vegetables! (Example, Pre-op, my NUT suggested adding extra vegetables like broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables to my Lean Cuisines to add bulk and keep me satisfied longer). Drink a lot of Water (at least 64 oz of fluid). Wean yourself off of carbonation and caffeine. Start sampling Protein shakes by substituting an occasional meal with a Protein shake. Take a daily Multivitamin and any other Vitamins your doctor suggests. I took a multivitamin, D3, and Iron pre-op. Start practicing eating mindfully. Eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. Exercise as you are able. Pre-op, I didn't really restrict my food too much. I recorded everything, though. If I indulged in something I tried to choose something that was worth it. Quality over quantity. I didn't want to waste it on crappy junk food. Best of luck. This is a great time to experiment and practice some new food attitudes and behaviors that will help you to be successful post-op. I think the thing that helped me the most for my surgery was weaning myself off of carbonation and caffeine gradually so that I didn't have to deal with withdrawal as I was recovering from surgery.

That's what I don't get. You completely wreck your metabolism with that kind of restriction. I pushed hard to get over 800 early on and then 1100 once I started exercising and was probably at 1400-1500 by the end of my weight loss phase. Now, in maintenance, I can eat 1900 on non-cardio days and 2400-2600 on cardio days. Had I been keeping under 800 through all of the weight loss, I'd probably be stuck around 1200-1400 in maintenance. I don't see the advantage of that at all. I agree completely.

You might have better luck finding a local product that is similar than something imported from France. Maybe show the recipe to someone who makes cheese and ask them if there is a similar product. You might have better luck finding a local product that is similar than something imported from France. Maybe show the recipe to someone who makes cheese and ask them if there is a similar product.

Congratulations! Yes, almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise when cleared. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Congratulations! Yes, almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids, take your vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise when cleared. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

My "last meal" was Mexican. It really isn't your last meal but I can understand the feeling. The last few months before surgery I didn't really have food funerals, but I did choose my food more carefully. I tried to eat more good food and avoid cheap, crappy fast food.

What exactly are you doing? Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? What is your Protein target? Are you getting at least that amount a day? Are you eating protein first? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods? Are you eating enough good fats and carbs? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as instructed? Are you exercising? Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns? What does he or she advise? Are you attending support group meetings? Are you practicing mindful eating? Eating slowly? Taking small bites? Chewing thoroughly? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

How are you doing now? Any updates?

I am not really a French speaker but I studied French in high school and college and am a bit of a Francophile, especially when it comes to movies. I did a quick Google search and found a couple of things that MAY help. Look for the brand Jockey cottage cheese in the yogurt section of a supermarket. Also, "le cottage" may be on a label (http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/12/le-cottage-cheese/). I also seem to recall from something I read years ago that there is a completely different name for what we call cottage cheese and that it is more rustic/country in France. I will see if I can find out more.

My primary goal is getting in fluids (64 oz) and protein (100 grams for me). Calories are secondary.

Welcome! 1. I spent one night in the hospital. My surgery was technically outpatient. I was told that the clock started once I was in recovery and that at 24 hours after that I would be either discharged or admitted. I was doing well enough that I was sent home. I was/am on disability but so didn't have to go right back to work. One week seems soon. Most people seem to take longer. Some do go back early but it really depends on your job, how well you are healing, and how well you are doing in getting in all of your fluids and Protein. 2. I was sleeved a little over a year ago. Instill sip my fluids although it is getting easier. You will not be able to chug water for quite a while. I can drink right up until the time I eat, but I do need to wait a little while after eating to have room for fluids. 3. At my one week follow-up I could tell a difference. Initially, I only weighed at my doctor's appointments. I started at an extremely high weight so I saw fairly rapid loss. Keep in mind that it isn't instant. Most people gain weight in the hospital due to IV fluids and swelling. It does take some time to heal. Plus, none of us lose at a constant or steady rate. Stalls are common and just about everyone stalls three weeks after surgery. I am a little over a year post-op with the sleeve and have lost over 200 pounds from my highest weight and am over half way to my goal. So I am happy. Best of luck and keep researching and asking questions.

Welcome! This is a great site for information and encouragement.

It is crazy how much the people who we love can wound us and uplift us with their words. Enjoy the warm thoughts and keep laughing when he says hurtful things.

My advice: Follow your program. Track your food. Make sure you get at least 64 oz of Fluid a day. Make sure you reach your Protein target each day. Eat protein first. Avoid added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am not a veteran or near maintenance, but I just wanted to say congratulations! It must be so exciting to be in the last leg before maintenance. I was going to suggest that you find a NUT to talk about a good maintenance food plan. I am sure there are some folks here who can give you some help. I am not a veteran or near maintenance, but I just wanted to say congratulations! It must be so exciting to be in the last leg before maintenance. I was going to suggest that you find a NUT to talk about a good maintenance food plan. I am sure there are some folks here who can give you some help.

I drink infused water all the time.

My surgeon really wanted us to get our protein right away. They gave us the undiluted ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates in the hospital as soon as we were cleared for liquids (right after the leak test).

You definitely need to get your calories up. That is why Protein shakes are useful so that we can get enough nutrition until we can eat enough food. What is your protein target? Are you able to get in all of your protein with food? Are you able to get in at least 64 oz of Fluid? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I didn't advance my diet. Anecdotally, of the people in my one week post-op follow-up nutrition class, the people who were following the food program were doing great. The people who had started trying food off of the program early were miserable. I don't know if they were miserable before they decided to eat off plan or not, but it made an impression on me.

I am over a year post-op from getting the sleeve. The worst parts off the experience for me? Probably waiting so long to decide to get the surgery, the pre-op uncertainty/anxiety, the little bit of gas pain in my shoulder post-op and some post-op constipation, and not being able to get in the pool for four weeks post-op. In other words, not much.

I have a small kitchenette (no oven or stove) so I use a lot of gadgets. Mostly: microwave, toaster oven, crock pot, and of course my food scale. I have an egg cooker, panini press/grill, electric skillet, and rice cooker that I use less often, mostly because of lack of counter space. The rice cooker is great for steaming vegetables, fish, etc.

Hopefully, they are spending more time appreciating your lovely face than they are your lovely arse. At least at work anyway! As to stripping...there are all kinds! Congratulations, on your weight loss. Edited because your lovely face is also lovely.

It does help to be honest with ourselves. Good for you in writing about what you are feeling. It really does help. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I think some people use Medifast for their pre-op/supervised diet. As to using it long-term, post-surgery I don't know that you would want to. One concern is that with the bypass you have malabsorption so you wouldn't be getting all of the nutrition from the Medifast which is already minimal. Plus, it isn't cheap. Definitely talk to your surgeon before doing this.

I don't know of any specific issues because I am older. I would like think that being older/wiser/more experienced in life has helped me in my recovery and progress.