BrittneyMarie

I find that artificial sweeteners make me "head hungry" if I eat/drink anything with them in the ingredients. I avoid artificial sweeteners alltogether and use only natural sugars (cane sugar, agave, coconut sugar, etc). I'm 6 months post op and I find that I don't crave sweets. I used to have an outrageously large sweet tooth and now, anything sweet is almost too sweet. You'll do wonderful! Good luck!!

Definitely walk, walk, walk! Walking will help with any gas pains you have. I'm almost 6 months post op and I still like to walk after a meal. It always makes me feel better. You'll do wonderful!

My dad was concerned about the idea of me having wls, but now that I'm almost 6months post-op and he sees how it has changed my life, he is unbelievably supportive and so happy I made this decision. We just need to stay focused on our goals and let negativity just roll off

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has been hearing this. I'd never let this stop me from reaching my goal, but it's just getting a little irritating.

I'm 5 1/2 months post-op and I've lost 90.5lbs since my gastric sleeve surgery. I'm currently sitting at 192.0lbs and stand 5'7. Recently, I've been received the comment "so, when are you going to stop losing weight?" Or "oh my, you really need to stop losing weight. You are getting too thin". My BMI still is considered obese and my goal is to be "normal". Has anyone else received comments like these from friends/family/coworkers??

I'm 5 months post-op and I was hooked on Diet Coke prior to surgery. I probably had about 5 or 6 cans a day. Since my surgery, I've not had a drop of anything with caffeine and I don't miss it one bit. You'll do great!

What I was told was the 2 week liquid diet my surgeon had us do was so that our bodies we go into ketosis, which would shrink the liver. If our liver was too big, it would be too difficult to do the surgery safely and the surgeon would just close back up. Good luck! You'll do great!

You can do it! Just stay positive, keeping your goals in mind, and you will do amazing. I look back now and can't believe I was as nervous as I was. I'm only 4 months post-op, but the difference is already just astonishing. Good luck with everything!

Not too much of a guide plan. Just whole, plant based foods. Fruits, veggies, legumes, etc. The options are truly endless and SUPER delicious. I personally don't eat animal Protein or dairy, minimal meat replacements, and minimal processed foods. My husband, who ate red meat at every meal before my surgery, has become a vegetarian. We both love how we feel and are astonished that the strong craving for sweets has completely diminished. Not sure how helpful this has been. I'm just going by my personal experiences

In between 30 and 50 grams. Honestly though, I don't count. Maybe that's a mistake, but I'm eating a vegan diet with some vegetarian meals; everything is predominately whole-foods. I feel amazing! I can't wait to go to my 6mo post op appointment and check in with him. Dr. Garth has truly changed by life.

Thank you so much for sharing! Can't wait to get in that kitchen with all these new recipes!

If I need something quick and on the go, I've been grabbing the Louisville Vegan Jerky. It is SO good and it only takes about two or three bites to be full.

I enjoy seaweed and kale chips if I need something to crunch on. They have been an excellent alternative. A lot of starchy things I can't handle, especially rice. Rice feels as if it gets stuck in my chest. I felt that feeling once and am in no hurry to repeat it. I've really been trying to incorporate more raw vegan meals and I've had a lot of luck so far.

I wasn't given a lot of recipes. Just enough to show what a normal day should look like. A lot of my recipes are just from searching and experimenting in the kitchen. I really enjoy looking at Pinterest, my ForksOverKnives app, and Oh She Glows website. If you enjoy Pasta, I like to cut carbs and calories with Tofu noodles. They are wonderful and I can't tell the difference. I find mine at Whole Foods and order from Amazon.

Found it! Thanks for sharing this with me, Jennifer. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dr. Garth Davis in Houston, Texas.

Congratulations on your progress! You seem to be doing a wonderful job! The Protein options are limitless with a plant based diet. I'll list you some of my favorites: Chickpeas Lentils Tempeh Tofu Nuts Beans Broccoli Spinach Kale meat Replacements - I love Nate's Meatballs and Beyond Meat burgers! Also, probably one of my favorite things to have is cauliflower! I am hooked on cauliflower steaks at the moment. They are simply to die for!

Thank you for responding! My surgeon is a vegan and has been very supportive in my decision to switch. I'm 4 months out and have had no issues with any of the things you listed. Lentil lettuce cup tacos are actual a fav of mine! Excited to know I'm not the only one out there! Good luck with everything ❤️

I was just wondering if there is anyone that is thinking of weight loss surgery or has had weight loss surgery that eats a plant based diet? On April 11, 2016 I had the gastric sleeve done. Once I started my liquid diet and no longer was eating meat, I just switched to a plant based diet and never looked back. I still will occasionally have traces of dairy in something I eat, but I'm working on switching to a vegan diet. Would love to hear your post-surgery plant based meals if this is something you are also going through. Brittney

So proud of everyone! Glad to hear y'all are doing so great! I haven't made it to Onederland yet, but I am 63lbs down! Keep up the good work everyone!

In my paperwork it said I had to do my nutrition visits with my pcp. It was an issue when my pcp didn't have documentation of me questioning weight loss methods and nutrition.

I would just hate for the insurance company to deny you because you were able to show you could lose the 10% on your own.

After my surgeons office did some examining and reexamining, they realized I did not have to lose the 10% of my body weight to have the surgery. The requirement is failure to lose 10%. I was approved for surgery quickly after I submitted my paperwork (after being denied for not doing my nutrition classes through my primary Doctor and then appealing). Just make sure you have proof of all other requirements. Good luck!! Also, find out what your hospital will charge. If it's the same situation as me, BCBS-TN only covers half of that amount. I was covered with the highest insurance plan they offer.

My thoughts exactly ????