MrsSugarbabe

@@ggvan What has your NUT told you at this point? Follow his/her recommendations. Once I was told I could transition to regular foods "as tolerated," I began experimenting with different raw and cooked veggies. Fortunately, my new tummy has been very tolerate of everything I've eaten. My favorite salads are, and always have been, the kinds of things @@LipstickLady suggested, and my favorite dressing is Wishbone's Red Wine Vinaigrette. It's only been in the past couple of weeks that I've ventured further into eating salads again as my main meal, and these salads are very small. Whatever type of Protein I put on my salad is eaten first, then I eat the veggies until my tummy tells me to stop (which isn't long). Always remember - PROTEIN FIRST. As you venture forward.....do so mindfully, and CHEW CHEW CHEW

AWESOME!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! INSPIRING!!!

Wow! This has been been quite the thread. I don't think I've been in Rants and Raves before. What about all those sentences ending in a preposition?? @@LipstickLady - you are right on!! I suppose I'll quit changing the font of what I type since so many of you won't want to read the comment. Since I have to use basic, standard fonts all day long, I like to change to something more "fun" (for me) when writing non-work related communications. Wish I could stay, but it's time to get back to work.........

40 lbs. is Great!!!! You're headed in the right direction! Congratulations!! Check in with a Nutritionist with your surgeon's office, assuming it's local to you. If not, check with your PCP for a referral to a nutritionist with whom you can partner to help you with your food questions, general WLS guidance, etc. A lot of us can give you suggestions, etc., but everyone's journey is different. It is possible to be eating TOO FEW calories for weight loss. My surgeon and nutritionist's guidelines are: min. 100 grams Protein daily and around 100 grams of carbs. Calories are 1000-1300. If you can, for exercise - WALK! A lot. It will be better than not doing any physical activity. Good luck on your journey!!!

@@uni2424 - Excellent report!!! Sounds like you're doing great!!! I agree - I should have done this sooner. Don't let any stalls weight you down psychologically (no pun intended ), they will pass as long as you keep doing what you know you're supposed to be doing. hair loss for me started several weeks out with increased shedding, then about week 13 I started losing it in clumps when shampooing . I know it's only temporary and I have seen evidence of new growth. I didn't buy any new (or consignment) clothes until about 50# down so a lot of folks could tell I was losing weight other than in my face . Now that I've bought some things that are more fitted to my body shape, and a more appropriate size for my current weight, lots of folks I work with are noticing the weight loss. Most of my closest co-workers knew I was having WLS; several of them have been down that road themselves. When I CHOOSE to tell someone that I've had WLS, I emphasize the fact that it was done for medical/health reasons, fatty liver, diabetes, HBP. Fortunately, no one has been negative towards me for having made this choice (I realize I'm fortunate to have had so much positive support around me). Keep on keeping on!!! For every pound we lose, we're that much healthier!

@@ilikecake2much - Welcome!! Your doctor must have had a reason to recommend you for bariatric surgery.......besides just being overweight. My PCP made the same suggestion because I was diagnosed in 2013 with non-alcoholic FATTY LIVER, which a lot, if not most, obese people probably have. I also had diabetes, albeit controlled with food, exercise, and Metformin, and high BP which had been diagnose a couple years before the liver issue. He felt WLS was the best opportunity for me to lose the 100 lbs. he said it would take in order to halt the progression of the fatty liver disease and all the bad stuff that can come with that, i.e. cirrhosis. I took about a year to read, research, and talk to everyone I'd known who had been through WLS. I, too, felt like it was such a drastic route to take to lose weight, but as my PCP said, "I know what you're already doing, and what you've already done, to try and lose weight and it's not been working well for you." Once I started thinking of WLS as a tool to lose the weight for MY HEALTH, and not as a shortcut to lose weight just for the sake of losing weight and looking better, then I was ready to make the commitment to scheduling the surgery. I wish you well on YOUR journey! Know that the new lifestyle you create for yourself by having WLS is for LIFE! Literally and figuratively. For every pound we lose, we're that much healthier!! March 31, 2015 - Tuesday Reality Check It's important to not undermine your commitment to weight loss by telling yourself, “Maybe I don’t really need/want to lose weight,” or “Maybe I don’t actually have to do these things.” If you do, you will have a much, much harder time getting yourself to just do what you need to do. From Beck Daily Diet Solutions - http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/

@@heynowkc -- Pre-surgery I had been walking for 25-30 mins. on my lunch break at work, which I continued post-surgery when I returned to work. Then my surgeon told me I needed to ramp up my exercise in order to continue losing my weight. On a side note, several days after my sleeve surgery, I encountered some complications that put me back into the hospital for 19 days, during which I lost about 30 lbs. and a lot of muscle and strength. Just stepping up a curb I required assistance. After discharge, and once I finished my outpatient physical therapy, I joined PlanetFitness so I could continue working on rebuilding my strength, balance, and muscle via their circuit training area. Once I started feeling stronger and getting some of my energy back, I then added time on the elliptical to my routine. All that said, here is my current weekly routine: Monday-Friday (more days than not) -- walking 25 mins. on average 2-4 times per week -- 15-22 mins. on the elliptical 2-3 times per week -- several strength training exercises on machines/or circuit training (a day inbetween each session which is recommended Until I started working out at the gym, my weight loss had stalled. Even when the scale wasn't moving, i was still seeing changes in how my clothes fit confirming that I was at least losing inches if not pounds. At times like this, you have to be patient and keep following the rules. I hope this helps and encourage you in whatever form of physical activity you choose. Remember: This is for LIFE (literally). For every pound we lose, we are that much healthier.

@@Casey235 - Wendy's chili has always been a favorite of mine. My husband and I regularly do what we call Wendy's Wednesdays where I'll buy a couple of chilis, he'll have his over a baked potato with some cheese and I add just a little cheese to mine. When I measured out a 1/2 cup serving, it was about half of the small chili container - knowing that makes measuring on the go easier for me. I've not tried the Chick-fila chicken soup, but will keep it in mind next time we find ourselves there. Typically, now that I'm post-op, when we go out to eat, we will split a meal, not 50/50 obviously, but enough so that I get enough Protein and we can enjoy a meal out together. This plan has been working well for us. It also has cut down on our eating out budget Good luck on your journey!!! Just remember, always do what your surgeon and NUT suggest - that's what we're paying them for. There's a lot of great information on BP and a lot of encouragement, but everybody's journey is different.

Fast food isn't a regular for me, but I can eat a 1/2 cup of Wendy's chili and be satisfied. Also, 5 chicken nuggets will do and I'm done. Even though I have a desk job, the "convenience" foods I keep on hand are Simms beef jerky (Aldi's), Fit and Active chocolate Peanut Butter Protein bars (Aldi's), cheese sticks, peanut butter, Babybel minis, boiled eggs, 4 oz. servings frozen of whatever I make, and 4 oz. 2% cottage cheese, and unjury chicken flavor Protein powder. I focus on getting my protein in first and then think about adding veggies and/or fruit, which is what I was instructed to do by my surgeon and NUT. @@LipstickLady and @BLERDgirl have made some great suggestions. Never leave home unprepared for the day; it makes it too easy to fall into some old, not good habits. Happy Trails, @@KCLatina ! @@Casey235

Thanks, Alex! I used code X52DUHZMYSRHR for The BIG Book on Gastric Sleeve. I truly appreciate you making these books available to us! Thank you!

March 27, 2015 - Friday Weekend Warm-up It can be helpful to read your Advantages List (a list of all the reasons why you want to lose weight) several times a day throughout the weekend. This will help remind you that while staying on track can be more difficult on the weekend, it’s so worth it! Continually remind yourself why you’re doing this and your motivation will stay high. From Beck Daily Diet Solutions - http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/

As sleevers we should always be taking small sips. If I take one that's too big, it causes me discomfort. Having to always take small sips has been a frustration to me because sometimes I just want a really big DRINK of ice cold water/SF beverage. I had a hard time with getting enough liquids in the beginning; doing better now, but not sure I'm still getting enough even though I don't believe I'm dehydrated. Always, always do what your surgeon and NUT suggest; that is your best course of action.

I see a huge difference in your before and after pics!! Especially in your stomach. Yes, your basic shape is still the same, but the size of your basic shape has definitely shrunk! I'm a bit over 4 months out and down 59 lbs. I started seeing/feeling the biggest difference in how my bra was fitting me before other clothes started getting looser. And I didn't go out and buy new clothes until my co-workers started telling me it was time because my clothes were too baggy. I agree with what the others have said. You may not see the difference yourself, but the inches are changing. Do a before and after picture of just your face and see if you don't see a difference. Keep up the great work!!! Remember - for every pound we lose, we're a little bit healthier! Weight loss isn't the only goal.

AWESOME!!! Looking great, @mnmist!!!

It's probably still just gas moving around. It will likely stop in the days to come. Try chewing a couple of Tums if you aren't already on an acid reducer. Don't be surprised if you continue to have episodes of belching, hiccuping, gurgling in belly, etc. This is fairly normal and to be expected, and will probably continue for months to come. Good luck on your journey!

If you sign up for automatic delivery, you can save $$$. You determine how often you receive a shipment, and what is shipped to you based on your use. I love unjury and the autoship option!! http://www.unjury.com

My beast is alive and well----unfortunately. Thanks for your insight and encouragement. I will be calling a spade a spade going forward.

Just wanted to share the following with my VSG buddies...... From Beck Diet Solutions website for March 24, 2015 - Tuesday Reality Check Don't be overly influenced by the number on the scale. If you see a higher number, you may get demoralized and overeat. If you see a lower number, you may think that it’s okay to loosen up and eat more. Remember – the number on the scale is just one point of information and shouldn’t impact how you eat on any given day. http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/

@@Laydee_G -- The medical doctor within the group that I went to for my VSG told me about the book and the website. It has been a source of encouragement for me when I find I have to work on the psychological aspect of my journey. Maybe the blurb below will help provide a bit of encouragement to you. From Beck Diet Solutions website for March 24, 2015 - Tuesday Reality Check Don't be overly influenced by the number on the scale. If you see a higher number, you may get demoralized and overeat. If you see a lower number, you may think that it’s okay to loosen up and eat more. Remember – the number on the scale is just one point of information and shouldn’t impact how you eat on any given day. http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/

@@segatz80 - My surgery was 11/10/14 so I'm still learning my limitations and not sure how much help I can be. But I do know, and would like to suggest -- get back to doing what you know you should be doing to get all your Protein in and your physical activity. I know some days it is hard to stay the course, but we have to do it for the rest of our lives, and for the BEST of our lives. You may even want to talk to someone about any psychological food issues you may be having - maybe the person you had your psych eval with, or a health coach through your insurance company, or an EAP counselor if your employer has an EAP program. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! From Beck Diet Solutions website for March 24, 2015 - Tuesday Reality Check Don't be overly influenced by the number on the scale. If you see a higher number, you may get demoralized and overeat. If you see a lower number, you may think that it’s okay to loosen up and eat more. Remember – the number on the scale is just one point of information and shouldn’t impact how you eat on any given day. http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/

Sad, but true, long gone are the days of proper etiquette and common courtesy. I hate that your orientation class was not as positive experience as it should have been for you, @likelike. Now that it's behind you, you can focus on all the upcoming appointments you'll have.