BLERDgirl

I see you've decided to go forward with the sleeve surgery. Good for you. I am nearly twice your age and really wish I had done this years ago. If it matters any, not everyone has complications or difficulties with the surgery. I had none. Not even gas. So congratulations on making a smart decision.

Sounds like you're doing well.

You can do all liquids/protein shakes for 2 weeks and lose those pounds, my question is are you really ready for surgery? This is not about crash dieting. This is about a lifestyle change. You admittedly over indulged over the holidays knowing your insurance requirements. 10 lbs isn't from the occasional cookie. So say you drop the weight and have surgery. Are you going to be able to handle the post op diet or will you be one of those who eat the wrong thing and get sick?

I rested and walked, but by the end of week 1 I was bored silly. At my 2 week follow up I was cleared to drive and that helped. Week 3 my incisions had scabbed and I returned to the pool. If you have an uneventful recuperation there will be some boredom. Just focus on getting your fluids and protein in. The time will pass soon enough.

Straws are bad because you take in too much air. This was covered in my nutrition class. I was cleared to use straws at my 6 week check up but I would not recommend it for a newly sleeved person. As for you first question a lot of this is covered in the thread about everyone protocol is different. Do a search, you'll find tons of information there.

Not enough water. Once you get enough water in it should lighten up.

I don't. This is a life altering surgery. You are physically changing your body. There are so many people simply not ready and a few people who have ED's or are on the verge of ED's. I think it's a sensible safeguard. Honestly I wish it was a requirement for self pay patients as well.

Do a search for protein. There are a zillion shakes/ RTD/liquid proteins you could try.

Your rule does sound complicated. I was instructed to have a 30 min window on each side of eating. Simply put you don't want to eat and drink together. Like @@Elode I start with a glass of Water when I wake up. However my recommendation was 64 ounces of Fluid. Most days I drink a 20 ounce Protein smoothie for Breakfast with anywhere from 30 -38 gms of protein in it. I then drink between 40 - 48 ounces of water through out the day. All total I get 60 -68 ounces of fluid in. Perhaps review your diet with your nutritionist. You obviously need an adjustment in things if your are dairy intolerant.

If you add something like greek yogurt (I refer FAGE) to your morning smoothie, you will have a Protein shake that is well over 30gms of protein. That makes it easier to get the rest of your protein. However it is important that you do not let your kids become your excuse for not taking care of you. For many moms that how they became overweight in the first place. Plan your meals. If you are creative you can come up with things that the kids can have as well. Not getting enough protein is more than just weight loss. Eventually it starts to show in your skin, hair and nails as well.

I'm not sure if you understand this thread. I'm fairly certain everyone here was told not to eat and drink together. No one is advocating that the OP do so.

My doctor won't see you until you attend the seminar either.

I asked if you were self pay. I suspected as much because no psychologist would sign off you on getting surgery. You aren't thinking clearly. Calories aren't the enemy. Unhealthy foods are. Trying to get your body surgically altered so you're in a constant state of malsbsorption is slow suicide. Trying to find out the minimum calories you can survive on is disordered thinking. We are not all friends and family. My friends on this board are those who are actively trying to live a healthier lifestyle. I would strongly encourage you to speak to someone who specializes in eating disorders BEFORE you have surgery of any sort.

As a vegetarian your carbs are going to be higher. As long as they are coming from complex carbs like beans and veg., don't worry about it. It's the simple, processed, white carbs like Pasta, rice, flour etc... that you need to watch. It's one of the reasons why I'm not doing breads or crackers until I hit goal. If you want to follow me I'm on Myfitnesspal as Milaxx.

Since mine was part of the bariatric team my insurance covered it. I saw her during one of my 3 follow up appointments. The only thing my insurance didn't cover was the nutrition class. That was $200

I use Myfitnesspal. I have it set to show carbs, fat, sodium and sugar in addition to calories and protein.

WELCOME!

I think I was 400 - 600 but really incorporating 1 small snack in the AM won't add many more calories to what you are eating.

@@collinus - You're welcome. There are loads of nice folks on these boards. I'm just trying to pay it forward.

The 3 meals doesn't work for everyone. Early on I had to do 3 meals/2 snacks. Now I'm mostly 3 meals but I always allow for an afternoon snack if I'm hungry. It really depends on how active I've been that day. I just make sure I have nutritious snacks on hand.

I love grits but I haven't tried them yet. When I was allowed to have them I didn't because it wasn't enough Protein. I'm vegetarian so I have to make my meals count.

Congrats!

Rule number 1 - the scale is not your friend. Stay away! Early in the weight loss journey the body will hold on to every calorie. Do not let that discourage you. Look for non scale victories. Can you move easier? Have you taken your measurements? Are they smaller? How are your eating habits? Have you cut back? Are you eating too much processed food? You can;t exercise away a bad diet. You make this journey like the rest of us, one day at a time, one meal at a time. Welcome to the boards.

Honey you've been around these parts enough to know the deal. You got this! Buckle down and do it. Those 4 weeks are gonna fly by!

If I had read this 15 mins ago I could have taken a picture of my dinner. It's half eaten now. I actually use this board to help me eat slow. I take a bite, then type a post.