BLERDgirl

I started at a 46 DD, I'm now about a 40/42 C. First I was able to wear some older bras that no longer fit. Now I just buy 2 reg. bras, 1 sport bra and handwash them. Bras coast too much to buy more than that when you are losing.

That was me. By the end of week 1, I was bored. By the end of week 2, I was going stir crazy. Since I did aquafit, I had to wait for that last big incision to scab over. Week 3 couldn't come fast enough!

I was allowed decaf coffee and herbal tea from day 1. 6 weeks in I could have regular coffee. I'm not a daily coffee drinker and it doesn't make me dehydrated or hungry. However doctor's vary greatly on whether they allow it or not. Check with your program.

You can bake pretty much any vegetable sliced thin and use as a vehicle for dip Just be careful the dip isn't too fatty. A bean or cheese dip will give you a small amount of Protein, but the others might just be more fat than you should have. As for salsa, I often use it top salad instead of dressing. It's a nearly fat free alternative.

I'm always willing to help others, but I'm not sure what a mentor does. What would I need to do?

Cause fat wants to stick around. You'll do this, I'm sure!

Are you on a PPI? It may at least partially be acid which can feel like hunger. Also are you saying you're on liquids for 8 weeks?

Do you have regular BM's yet. How fast are you eating/drinking?

Are you taking a PPI? I would check that, also make sure to meet those fluid and protein goals. Are you on soft foods? What are you eating? Do you eat/drink differently when you are at work?

You can download the eat slower app. Some people use infant utensil. My NUT had me practice eating slow pre-op. Another thing your can try is being really conscious of how you are eating. No eating while watching tv or being online. If you use a regular spoon/fork, only put food on the very tip. The shew slooowwwly, allowing the food to dissolve n your mouth before swallowing. Then put the utensils down and count to 20. REPEAT.

My feet. I came home from the hospital and for the first time in a very long while they were swollen.

I knew quite a lot. I've been vegetarian for nearly 20 years. Serious about it for the past 7 (as in not just eating a bunch of pasta and veg.) I had changed my eating about 3 years prior to considering WLS. My allergies had gotten to the point where I was always sick and I tend to be the small percentage that reacts negatively to too many meds. I was practicing clean eating, had stopped drinking soda and was food logging before I thought about surgery. In fact it was one of the things that helped me decide. I felt that if I was eating properly and exercising, the extra help from surgery might make my weight loss successful.

Not meeting protein and fluid goals can hinder your weight loss. The first year is the honeymoon period where weight loss is the easiest. You want to take advantage of that. I am not a fast loser, but I have steadily lost weight by working at it every day.

I also purchased a usb coffee mug warmer. In those early days when it would take an hour to eat an egg, it was nice to be able to keep my food warm.

Are you hitting your protein goal? At 2 ounces of protein a day I can't imagine you are getting in at least 60 gms. If you stats are correct you started out at close to the same weight as I was. Have you done anything to make it easier to drink water? Many people use flavorings to make it easier. Some drink herbal tea with no sugar added. Getting your fluids in is important. Are you exercising at all or walking regularly. I found for me exercise was important to help rev up my metabolism. I have a medical condition and take medicine that slows the metabolism so exercise is an important component of my post-op life. Does you NUT not allow Snacks at all. I found an afternoon snack was a big help. Especially in terms of getting in all my protein. Perhaps try a day like this: Wake up: 4 ounces of water Breakfast : Premier Protein shake Lunch: 2 oz of protein of choice. 1 or 2 bites of dark green veg like spinach. Early on you probably won't be able to eat more than a tbsp. Snack: 4ounces of yogurt or 1 serving of string cheese. Dinner: similar to lunch. In between drink water. You can even try the Isopure no carb drinks. Each bottle is 40 gms of protein. If you split that into 3 or 4 servings and add to your water, it may flavor your water and help you meet your protein goals at the same time. In between meals make a concerted effort to get in at least 40 ounce of water. Combined with the Premier Protein you will meet the 64 ounces Fluid goal easily. Walk 30 minute a day. Or do some sort of gym activity 3 -4 times a week.

Not quite as old as some but like @@Miss Mac longevity runs in my family. My maternal grandpa passed at 102. I was 50 when sleeved, if I live as long as gramps, that's 50 good years!

I would also try going for the leafy greens like spinach and kale instead of broccoli and mix veg. I love those but they can be a bit carb-y. Also think of nutritious Snacks. One of my standby's when I am feeling really munchie is peeled and slice cucumber with with a splash of lime & sriracha. It hits that crunch and spice craving I sometimes get. For my chocolate cravings I make a sort of mock hot coco with vanilla Protein powder, cacao powder and a splash of milk or cream of choice & Water. The key is to literally just have a splash of dairy, no more than a tbsp.

Standard ice cube trays measure out to approximately 1 ounce per cube. If you make soup or something from scratch in big batches, freeze and then just pop out 1 or 2 for meals. I also do this with spinach or kale purees. I then add 1 cube to my Protein drink. I bought small lock and lock storage containers. A variety of shaker bottles and Water bottles. I purchased a spoon that measures ½ and ¼ cups. Individual size ramekins for baked dishes. I also hauled out my old bento boxes for day trips this summer.

I was the proverbial "active fat". I had a busy social life and had been exercising regularly for a few years prior to surgery. However it took more and more planning and to do the things I liked to do. We'd go to NYC and I'd have to cab it instead of walking. Take the elevator rather than the stairs. Ask for the chair with no arms at restaurants. I have chronic health conditions and when they flared up I was done. I had no extra energy to fight them because I was already using working hard for day to day things.

I didn't have any issues pre-op and post op I am completely fine. Neither constipation or dumping.

I have osteoarthritis in both knees. I started aquafit class which helped tremendously. However my right knee was still causing pain so I got injections that last for 4 years. I forget what it's called but it was a series of injections over the course of 3 months. Each month I would get and injection. Coupled with the steady weight lose and increased range of motion from regular workouts, I am pain free and med free. If you are not at a place where you can at least pool walk, then talk with your surgeon about other treatments. NSAIDs can be hard on the tummy and with the decreased tummy size you will have post op, you will need to be monitored closely so as to not get ulcers.

@@Indieflickers - I've done this. I bought pumpkin puree, not pie filling because that has a ton of additives and sugar. I used real maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg & ground glove spices, orange zest andFAGE0% greek yogurt and rolled oats. YUM!

I never had a clear liquid phase but here's my take on juicing: Do it very sparingly. It's a quick way to get way to much sugar and because you are juicing you get almost no Fiber as a counterbalance. I rarely use my juicer these days and when I do I portion it out into ice cubes and add one or two cubes to a smoothie. I use my nutra bullet much more often. Yes things are still pulverized, but you still get the whole fruit or veg and retain some of that fiber. I agree with the others, discuss this with your nutritionist. Particularly amounts and portion sizes.

Overnight oats are a great way to food prep! You can do them 1 - 2 night in advance. If you use yogurt instead of milk, you can do 3 - 4 days in advance.

As long as they don't turn into a sinus infection, no