ProjectMe

Today I wanted to strain a hot cocoa with Protein Powder and instead of the big strainer what works perfect for the single servings we make is one of those kitchen sink mesh drain covers. You can get them for like a dollar and they fit perfect over the top of a coffee cup or any cup. Just pour through that into your cup and those little chunks are gone. Nice and easy. Train Soup, broth, Protein Shakes, whatever. thought i would share. Have a great day.

I've only posted a couple of times...haven't felt comfortable. I began this journey in June with the PreOp requirements my local military base requires to be eligible for the sleeve surgery. Through nutrition classes and support group meetings, I have lost 40 pounds. My surgery is just around the corner on Dec. 16th. I mention all this because I want to continue my success with Wls tool and I believe the only way I will be successful is by following the lead of successful people like yourselves. So thank you for sharing your lifestyles! I will definitely be copying and editing to create my customized lifestyle!

Hello . I can totally relate to your post. I began the journey back in June. Through attending nutrition classes and support meetings, eating less than 1200 calories a day, and exercising on a regular basis, I've lost 40 pounds. My sleeve surgery will happen on Dec. 16th. The same thoughts of being able to do this w/o surgery have paused me a moment or two. Here's why getting the surgery is a must for me:
There is no such thing as a healthy obese person...as high instances of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and other diseases may not present right now but chances are will present themselves in the future
I survived thyroid cancer, and truly feel God has given me the opportunity to live the next 50 years as a healthy active person. I will not throw His opportunity away.
According to my nutritionist, 99% of those who lost a significant amount of weight on their own, gain it back and then some. On the other hand, 50% of those who had WLS keep the weight off for the rest of their lives. I personally like those odds!
Plus I have had 14 surgeries in my lifetime...what's one more? LOL
Anyhoo, I hope this helps. Btw, I'm hoping that with the tool of Wls combined with the habits I have developed, will result in reaching my goal weight of 50 more lbs lost.

I followed my doc/nuts guidelines and didnt wavier from it. (with one exception -the amount of Water & Protein - i didnt awlays get it all in the begining)
But i didnt eat anything before i was supposed to... and i don't drink adult drinks - maybe once a month & didnt try any till i was about 6 months. and NO soda, my last soda was almost a year ago Nov 30th.
I do not eat any Pasta, rice, or breads & def NO white flour - I think this has been a HUGE help... After 6 weeks of fluids, shakes & soft foods... i kind of was "weened" off of it... so i just stayed away from it... i am a Pasta /bread girl .... or i was.... I am not saying that it isnt hard to stay away cause there are times, but i know if i have just a little, that will be my gateway down the wrong path...
Good Luck!!!

Exercise, hydration and get the Protein down is the best advice I can give! Also, don't be afraid to EAT! Particularly if you commit to an exercise program your body needs calories (in a balance of protein, fat and carbs). I set my MFP so I get 70+g of protein per day. That's 25% protein, 45% carbs and 30% fat, though I try to exceed in favor of protein whenever possible. While losing I hung between 1000-1200 calories per day. I did not lost "fast" but that was intentional. I wanted to land my maintenance calories in the most manageable (read highest) place possible for long term success.

I weighed and measured everything I ate and kept it high Protein and low carb. I tracked everything I ate on MyFitnessPal and stuck to the rules and macros issued by my bariatric team. Three small meals, no Snacks other than Protein Shakes. For the first six months I ate NO grains, NO refined sugar, and NO starchy vegetables. I only exercised in moderation -- I believe strongly that exercise is excellent for your health but has basically no bearing on weight loss.

Okay, here's my formula: I'm all-in with my doc's guidelines to minimize carbs and focus on lean Protein and fluids – AND take all my Vitamins and supplements. I have one 30g Premier Protein shake every morning to kick things off, a 24oz tumbler of Fluid (Crystal Light Decaf iced tea) throughout the morning, lean Protein and maybe a few veggies for lunch, another 24oz tumbler of Fluid throughout the afternoon, a healthy (low-carb, no starch) dinner, one last 24oz tumbler of fluid throughout the evening, and maybe a couple of Snacks, like low-cal Greek yogurt, as needed. I haven't had a bite of processed sugar since surgery, and don't miss it. I don't really worry about calories because they take care of themselves, and my secret weapon "comfort" snack (or meal replacement) is beef Jerky (low-fat and tons of protein). I try to walk 40 minutes per day, and try to go to the gym on Saturdays. Lather, rinse, repeat. I go to tons of social eating events and quite a few restaurants, but always plan ahead in order to control what goes in my mouth. If necessary, I bring my own food and drink. And I Celebrate each and every scale and non-scale victory while focusing on enjoying the ride. So far, so good! You may notice that this involves a somewhat selfish, or self-centered approach. I kind of think that's necessary in order to always keep your program as one of your top priorities. Stuff happens along the way, but we can't let it derail our journey. Don't leave the possibility of failure as an option. That's "old thinking". A positive, I'm gonna do this, no matter what! attitude really helps. Good luck!

@@nprcowboy
It happens, ignore the crap take the positive
Did your doc give you omeprazole? Pepcid, nexium? Anything like that? You need some.

I changed my eating habits long before my VSG. I wanted to prove to myself that I could loss some weight by myself before I relied on the surgery for help getting the rest off and more importantly keeping it off. So over the course of 5 months, I lost 40 lbs. before my procedure. That was the good deed.
So now week 4 & 5 post op, I stalled. Week 6, I lost 2 lbs., and week 7 back to a stall. How frustrating! Is anyone else having early stalls?
I know after losing 64 lbs. it isn't crazy to stall, but this soon after surgery it's frustrating. I don't want to waste one minute of the "honeymoon period". Wish the scale would cooperate. I know it's not the only measurement of success, but we want what we want, right.
Hope all others are doing well.

I had my surgery in Mexico on December 27, 2012. Other than the surgery cost, which was $4,500 and airfare from NC, I did not go out and spend money on drinks like Isopure, or any other of the expensive Protein supplements and drinks, gels, etc. from GNC or any other health food places or buy a ton of supplements. I did, however, go buy a tub of whey Protien powder from Wal-Mart, chocolate Peanut Butter flavor. When I wanted a Protein shake, I made it out of ice and that. If you don't make it too hot, you can make an awesome hot chocolate drink. I made beef and chicken broth from bullion cubes, bought regular Swanson's canned broth, made it from fresh chicken, etc, and my family ate the chicken in Chicken and dumplings, etc.
The only supplements I bought were gummy vitamins, liquid B-12, chewable Calcium tablets, and that was it. I did not waste money at the time on Biotin supplements for Hair loss, because I researched on this forum and gastric sleeve.com that they only help to help regrow hair faster once it is lost, so I know I could wait 3-4 months on those.
I am only saying that if your money situation is not great, you DO NOT HAVE TO GO NUTS! I had the money to do so, but used my head and bought only the necessities! I knew that further out from surgery my eating needs would change and I wanted to have REAL food available, not a bunch of supplements and drinks. Don't get me wrong, supplements are a necessity, especially when you can not eat real food for several weeks. But just use your head and don't spend hundreds of dollars on drinks and shakes that you can't tolerate. You know that you love the real thing, so use the broths, liquids, and purees to your advantage. They are the most satisfying. Even onion Soup was so delicious. Chic-Fil-A has a great chicken soup, just eat the broth until you can have the rest. Get creative and you will enjoy the process while dropping the pounds quicker than ever.
I am now in W-one-derland as of today 199.2 from 286.8! I haven't weighed this in over 15 years!!
I am 6.5 months out. I have lost a total of 43.5 inches overall and I have gotten all the benefits as well as the heartaches (hair loss). Now I am watching to see how much more loose skin I will get with the last 55 pounds, lol.
Best of luck to all and happy eating!

Hello
I am having the sleeve surgery on a major military base...husband Is retired military. The reasons my surgeon and I chose the sleeve were: a) the military no longer performs lapband due to complications & is reverting bands to sleeve or bypass, the bypass is a malabsorption procedure & can result in hypocalcemia amongst those of us without a thyroid, c) I have less than 100 lbs to lose.
As others have mentioned...the best surgery for you is unique to your health, your goals and your comfort level.
{{{Peace & blessings}}}

I was sleeved on 8/6 so I'll be at two weeks tomorrow. I'm not getting very much in either, this really isn't easy and is taking some work to get through. I also had hiatal hernia repair at the time of my VSG, and have had sharp chest pains ongoing, which I'm told is typical with the hernia repair. I'm happy for people who don't have any issues following surgery, but know you aren't alone with not being in that lucky group.
Hopefully long term all of us, though we are having different circumstances, reach that goal of being healthier and glad with our decision.

Well, I think that if you want to vary from your prescribed pre-op diet, you need to get permission from your surgeon's team, not from random strangers on the internet. Explain your situation, and maybe they can help you come up with alternatives. For example, you can make your own vanilla iced coffee at home for about 15 calories and 1 carb. Or if they really won't budge, perhaps they can do a better job of explaining to you why it's important to avoid coffee/caffeine pre-op so that you will be more motivated to follow their rules.
Speaking of which, and I mean this in a good, friendly, loving way - time to get over the "I can't, I won't, I don't want to" stumbling block that is running in your head regarding food. Yes you can do it, and you need to get in a space where you are committed to following your surgeon's plan, not just the parts of it you like and find convenient. Picking and choosing what we want to do with respect to our diet is what led us all to need weight loss surgery. Plus, your surgeon and his or her team are the experts and understand what their patients need - not you, and again, not random internet strangers.
Good luck!

Just wanted to add: my last support group meeting had the theme of what can go wrong. There were 5 or 6 men who had the sleeve or Rny and they discussed the complications they went through...ranging from life saving to long stays in the hospital...including the problem you mentioned with nothing staying down. Each and every one of these men said they would do the whole thing again...without a doubt. One man was on 42 meds prior to surgery and is now down to 1! These men made me feel like: A) I'll be okay I will live longer w/the surgery then without and C) I must remain positive no matter where this journey takes me.
Hope this helps, and my prayers are with you