WL WARRIOR

I'm over a year post op and feel that my capacity has increased quite a bit. If I was one of those that are full after a few tablespoons, then I would understand your point. However, I'm not. If I've met my Protein requirement for the day (65 grams or more), then I rely on green vegetables to keep me full. There are certain veggies, like cucumbers and lettuce, that have high Water content to keep me hydrated and full. This aspect makes it almost impossible to overeat. Although nuts, cheese, and Jerky are all great choices for Snacks, they are not my go to if I've already had enough protein in my meals. Why? A serving of these types of foods is quite miniscule. As I mentioned above, this may not be an issue for someone with a small capacity or less than 8 months post op. I truly believe my green vegetable consumption is the key to maintaining goal (150+ pound loss), which I have successfully done for over five months now. My recent blood work is excellent and I feel great. I can still get in the necessary protein while remaining on a plant based diet.

Ever since switching to more of a plant based diet, I've noticed some positive changes. For one, its been easier to stay hydrated. I eat quite a few vegetables daily that have the highest Water content of any food. Below is an interesting article that lists such foods. Cucumbers just happen to be number 1 since they are about 98% water. I actually find that I crave cucumbers and apple cider vinegar during the day. Apple cider vinegar is wonderful for vitality and overall health. I've already written a long post about it a few months back, but I do recommend it for decreasing hunger and increasing energy. Ever since hitting goal, I've grown respect for fresh fruits and vegetables. The surgery has perhaps made them more appealing? Anyone else notice this? http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/list-fruits-vegetable-high-water-content-8958.html

How are Prilosec and Zantac different? I have a script for generic Prilosec, but I forget to take it often because it interferes with my other meds (levothyroxine). Does anyone take their PPI before going to bed? I've done this a few times to help with that acidic feeling in my stomach I get sometimes in the morning. I've heard others find relief with Diet Ginger Ale. I know, we aren't suppose to have carbonated drinks. However, now that I am 10 months post op, I find that my stomach is not nearly as "touchy" as it use to be. I've noticed that I can eat larger quantities if I really wanted to as well. However, I have yet to eat any breads, grains, rice, potatoes, Pasta, junk food, or basically anything with starch. I have no idea how my stomach would react and I hope I'll never find out one way or the other. The longer I stay away from it the less I crave it. The closer I get to that one year mark, the more I realize that all that talk about the "honeymoon phase" is actually true. It's not as easy as it use to be and I have to rely more on making smart food choices and sticking to the plan no matter what. When your restriction isn't what it use to be, then all you can do is eat like a skinny person to help maintain your goal weight. Although I've never done the sleeve reset, I do believe it works. I had a severe sinus infection that caused stomach upset because of all the draining of mucus. My intake for a week was mostly liquids. Once I felt better, I noticed much better restriction.

I've always had problems with middle of the night eating. It actually runs in my family and extended family. It got to the point a few years ago, when I would wake up in the morning and not recall getting up at night. Yet, there would be evidence that I did eat something at night on the table or counter. So, I started locking the cabinets and only keeping really healthy food in the fridge. Since weight loss surgery, I only keep vlasic dill pickles out (0 cal, 0 carbs, 0 fat, 0 sugar). Yes, they have no Protein, but I only eat them at the end of the day after already intaking 80-100 protein grams. So, this has been my way to still have late night and middle of the night Snacks with no guilt and still lose weight. This may not be a solution for some, since not everyone likes pickles. If I'm craving something sweet, I just shake splenda on the pickles. I'm really not crazy. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so they say.

I've always had this problem. I get hungry every day of my period. When I was dieting, I would allow myself to eat what I wanted and skip exercise during my period days. Since surgery, I no longer do that. In fact, I'm extra careful on those days to not go over my calorie limit and go on long hikes.

I am a teacher as well. Bariatric surgery is popular among teachers. The teachers at my school are a gossiping bunch, so I told nobody about the surgery. Don't you have a Spring break or an Easter Break? I've seen others use FMLA during their post op recovery time to keep their teaching position in tact. You don't get pay when you do that, however. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

I am guilty of using my body as a trash can. My problem with obesity started with the birth of my son 9 years ago. He has always been a very picky eater, which is quite the opposite of myself because I love almost all types of food. The rule in our home is that he has to take at least one bite when presented with new and different types of food. Only 20% of the time will he keep eating past that first bite. There would be times that I put the rest of it in the fridge for leftovers, however, sometimes it gave me an excuse to have a 2nd helping and overeat. I was raised to think that dumping perfectly good food in the trash was some kind of character flaw. Even though I grew up and realized it wasn't true, I still had a hard time doing it. Just this week, I gave my son a Cereal bar to eat and he didn't like it after taking one bite. I had my sleeve Oct. 6 and have stayed on track throughout my pre op and post op liquid diet. I've even lost 30 pounds already. When he handed back the uneaten cereal bar, I almost had a knee jerk reaction to start munching on it. I realized that I needed to throw it away immediately. I tossed it on top of the pile in the trash can and realized that I might as well push it further down the pile into the coffee grounds so that there would be no way of recovering it. It was then when my hands were deep down in the trash that I had a moment of deja vu. I actually did the same thing 13 years ago with prescription Vicodin that I had become addicted to after 14 months of use. It made me realize that I am now overcoming an addiction just like I did 13 years ago. I did it then and I an do it again. I just have to make my next addiction a healthy one.

Most medications for major depression or bi-polar depression cause you to gain even more weight. It would be nice for my depression to disappear as I lose weight, but I am not getting my hopes up. I was skinny and depressed before I gained lots of weight and became obese and depressed. Overcoming depression is more complicated than simply losing weight.