BLERDgirl

You have to build up to it. Also my nutritionist says 64 ounces of fluids so my protein shakes count towards the total. I typically do 1 20 ounce shake and 2 meals a day. In between I drink 40 - 48 ounces of water. I've always liked drinking water so it's not hard for me. I don't do artificial sweeteners or food dyes because I am allergic to them. In the summer I sometime use an infuser pitcher for my water.

Like @@jenn1 I quickly realized I had to plan new coping skills. So now if I am upset I go for a walk. Once you realize your triggers you have to give yourself new options or you fall back on old behaviors

I do carbs because I am vegetarian. A lot of my protein comes from complex carbs like beans. However I avoid simple, white carbs. I also do natural sugars such as raw honey, raw organic sugar, coconut sugar and occasionally maple syrup (mostly honey these days). I am allergic to most artificial sugars and good dyes so I avoid any product with that in it.

It's been my experience that the airlines are much better at dealing with peopled of size. pay for pre boarding, it's worth it for piece of mind. Also let the stewardess know you will need an extender. They will discreetly get one to you. Definitely check out that facebook group. They had some of the best advice I'eve ever encountered.

First up, Get your protein in. You body feeds off protein and when it doesn't get enough it start siphoning off other areas, namely hair & nails. Don't like the shakes? Try protein waters. Look for higher protein foods like greek yogurt. I too take biotin. I buy 5,000 mgs biotin and take it twice a day. I buy mine from Target. I also use Jamaican Black castor oil and cold pressed virgin coconut oil on my hair, and drink plenty of water. I'm a little under 4 months but so far, so good.

My cook books are all vegetarian except for my ancient copy of The Joy of Cooking. I did just find a Vegan blog run by someone who had bypass that made me really excited. I know I need to stay vegetarian at least until I hit maintenance, but I would like to go vegan one day. The cook book I like is called Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryan Terry

Nothing fancy, I do water aerobics 5 days a week. My gym has classes 6 days/2 evenings a week and 7 different instructors. Each instructor has her own style, so you get a different workout depending on which day you go. On my days off I either go for a walk for at least 30 minutes a day or do a video at home. I've been toying with beginner aerobics or zumba, but I haven't committed to either just yet. I tried pilates and think I need to put that on hold until I lose a few more pounds. I tried it 3 times in a row and each time I needed an entire day to recover from the class.

Tell him to suck it! Or if you want to be more polite, just ignore him.

I didn't have a pre-op diet either and was back in the gym at 3 weeks, but walking from the day of surgery. I cut back on calories and focus on eating high Protein, low fat leading up to surgery, but that was it. The first week I got tired easily but not weak or ready to pass out. I just felt like normal and would go about trying to do everything and suddenly need a nap. By the 2nd week that passed and I was ready to get back to the gym.

I haven't had any yet even though my nutritionist says I can. I have a long way to go and a lot of weight to lose. I'm not missing it yet so I'd rather wait until I'm closer to maintenance.

I'm almost ashamed to say this because once I knew my insurance covered it I never gave it a second thought. My doctor's office submitted all the paper work, I have no idea when. I just know I received my authorization letter around July or August. I was maybe half to a third of the way through my testing. I had surgery in September. It would have been the first week in September, but I canceled my first sleep study appointment and it took 2 weeks to reschedule.

@@jnfisher - Sounds like progress. Try ice chips if you are still thirsty.

Are you taking calcium supplements? When is the last time you have your levels checked?

@ - I understand the socializing over food, but I don't get the policing other people's food choices. All I need is good food and good friends to have a good time.

@@Dreamingofhealth - Milaxx

1) I may not be describing this well since I haven't experienced it but the slimes are when you eat too fast and the saliva in your stomach sort of backs up on you. 2) That's the recommended caloric intake for the avg adult male. I think for women it's lower. Somewhere around 1200-2000. However with the sleeve that is drastically changed. It's part of the reason why we take Vitamins & supplements. Once you get closer to maintenance your calories may increase to the lower end of that scale, but the surgery basically starts you low and then you build up based on activity level and body build.

You could get an infuser pitcher and flavor your water naturally. In the summer I do a mixture of cucumber/ginger/crushed mint leaves.

Why would someone worry about what you are eating? Even when I was the sole vegetarian in a group of carnivores it's never been an issue.

If you are working out regularly, especially cardio you need to up your Protein. Protein feeds your workout.

There's a facebook group call Flying while Fat that can help you. It varies depending on the airline. They have good tips on figuring it all out.

I try to make Soups from scratch but that doesn't always happen so I have some cans as backup. When I buy cans I always look for low sodium. You can even semi make your own by mixing broth of choice with chicken/turkey/beef cooked and ground up. pureed is just a fancy word for mash. Honestly I was just throwing what I liked in the nutra bullet and thinning it out with a bit of veggie broth.

I am not very athletic, but I am determined. When I started working out I went specifically looking for someplace that offered Water aerobics. I had a newly diagnosed arthritic knee and I was determined that I would never have knee surgery. I also knew I did better with structured classes. Once I found a place I decided to start slow. I promised myself I would do 2 days a week to start come hell or high water. I bought 2 suits and 2 towels so I would never have an excuse not to be prepared. I packed my bag at night and set it by the door. I came home, hung up the wet things, replaced them with the dry set and put it back by the door. I could go any 2 days a week, but I had to go 2 days. As I got used to 2 days a week, I added another. At 4 days a week, I would occasionally go in and walk the treadmill or go on the walking path in the local park. I even tried my hand at pilates a few times. I now do 5 days a week water aerobics but I also do short videos (10 -15 mins) at home on my non gym days. My current goal is a minimum of 30 minutes exercise each day. I guess not wanting knee surgery was my motivation at first, but by the time I was attending 3 - 4 days a week, the way my body felt was my motivation.

Congrats and welcome! You're on your way!

As a single person I always have leftovers. But as a vegetarian with food allergies I've always checked online before choosing a restaurant. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. I'm even considering doing restaurant in my city next month.

Iron and Calcium Citrate. cancel each other out and need to be taken 2 hours apart.