maggie409

270. I won't make my original goal of 254. But I'm down 35 pounds since surgery!

First, I would say don't beat yourself up. You really do have it in you to do this.... We all do!
Second, stop drinking alcohol on the weekends. Especially 4-5 drinks. That is a lot of empty calories and heavy guilt.
I completely understand the stressful job. I started carrying a cooler with me that has P3 Protein Snacks, Greek yogurt, Water and Protein shakes. If I get stuck or have forgotten to eat I have something healthy to fall back on.
No matter the job, everyone is allowed breaks and meals. Is there a gym nearby you can join? Can you walk some steps or walk around the parking lot?
Definitely log your food. I am absolutely overwhelmed with learning to eat a balanced diet, but like I said above, we can do this! We have it in us.
The only other suggestion I can make is start over with a week of Clear liquids. Life is all about do-overs. I read somewhere once that we can't let failure define us, let getting back up and starting again and again and again and not giving up define us.

You can do this. Shift your mindset. You will be hungry, you will have headaches, you will be weak.... All of this is withdrawal from all of the bad things we have consumed for decades. Your body is giving up sugar and an overdose of carbs, and caffeine, poisons from processed foods. This step is tough but you can do it! It is actually a good thing. Don't cancel the surgery. Prove to yourself that you are stronger than you think you are.

Today I sneezed and didn't wet my pants. Lol us fifties get this...

So excited for you! I was sleeved June 15 and it has been the best decision ever. And enjoy the dating and whatever may come along with it

You can do this. Shift your mindset. You will be hungry, you will have headaches, you will be weak.... All of this is withdrawal from all of the bad things we have consumed for decades. Your body is giving up sugar and an overdose of carbs, and caffeine, poisons from processed foods. This step is tough but you can do it! It is actually a good thing. Don't cancel the surgery. Prove to yourself that you are stronger than you think you are.

In looking at my food log more closely, I also figured out I was getting way too many carbs and calories with my supplement. I was using liquid multi and Calcium and Iron and B12 from a health food store. I added it up and I was getting 65 calories and 13 carbs daily with my supplements. They were sweetened with natural fruit juices. I went back to the store and found a chewable Iron and a Calcium gelcap and now my intake from supplements is 35 calories and 7 carbs. I may eventually replace my liquid multi-Vitamin but it packs such a nutritional punch that I hate to give it up.
Also thanks for the tips on the fruit and Popsicles. I have modified my intake to just include berries and not quite so many. Also keeping my Popsicles to just 1 a day and the same for my yogurt to just 1 a day. I will look for the lower carb brands also of yogurt. In addition I have learned a lot about cheese. I have cut cheese out but the next time I go to the store I will see if I can find something with a lower fat content. As for my Peanut Butter (which I love!) I have started having that as more of a treat. I will now have 1/2 a slice of toast with a teaspoon of PB with some Decaf coffee. I love coffee and PB.
Definitely learning that healthy natural foods don't necessarily mean I can have all I want. There are still smart choices to be made with these foods as well. I am now focusing on my Proteins and fresh veggies first.
Thanks for everyone's amazing advise!

I managed to get my Protein in by drinking Isopure protein Water. Every 10 ounces has 20 gr of protein. I drink it over ice and to me it tastes like SF koolaide. I also had GNC total lean pre-made shakes. They come in lots of flavors and have 25 gr of protein in a 14 ounce bottle. I also had broth.... Usually homemade or strained the noodles out of chicken noodle Soup. Water of course.... As much as you can get. SF Popsicles were a lifesaver as well. That is pretty much it for me. You will be fine. Just remember you are healing right now. Good luck!

Love the pictures! You look great!

In looking at my food log more closely, I also figured out I was getting way too many carbs and calories with my supplement. I was using liquid multi and Calcium and Iron and B12 from a health food store. I added it up and I was getting 65 calories and 13 carbs daily with my supplements. They were sweetened with natural fruit juices. I went back to the store and found a chewable Iron and a Calcium gelcap and now my intake from supplements is 35 calories and 7 carbs. I may eventually replace my liquid multi-Vitamin but it packs such a nutritional punch that I hate to give it up.
Also thanks for the tips on the fruit and Popsicles. I have modified my intake to just include berries and not quite so many. Also keeping my Popsicles to just 1 a day and the same for my yogurt to just 1 a day. I will look for the lower carb brands also of yogurt. In addition I have learned a lot about cheese. I have cut cheese out but the next time I go to the store I will see if I can find something with a lower fat content. As for my Peanut Butter (which I love!) I have started having that as more of a treat. I will now have 1/2 a slice of toast with a teaspoon of PB with some Decaf coffee. I love coffee and PB.
Definitely learning that healthy natural foods don't necessarily mean I can have all I want. There are still smart choices to be made with these foods as well. I am now focusing on my Proteins and fresh veggies first.
Thanks for everyone's amazing advise!

I was close to 330 pounds and knew I had to make a change. I did not want to go anywhere because I was ashamed of who I allowed myself to become. I had done almost every diet out there. I just was tired of fighting hunger and craving. I heard about lap band and started to do some research. I quickly identified I did not want that procedure. That lead me my gastric sleeve and bypass. I did not feel comfortable with the bypass and decided in gastric sleeve. Now to find a surgeon. I found a surgeon and started to research him. The surgeon had good reviews, so I set up the conference. Went to the conference and another surgeon was there. I was not impressed.
I was going through BarriatricPal forum and went to the Mexico section. I was just curious and really did not think it was an option. I read some reviews and was impressed. I started looking at different surgeons and found Dr. Altamirano. I watched his utube videos and it made a lot of sense. I kept doing more research, education myself on the whole process the best I could. I made an inquiry to get more information and set up a Skype. Within a short period of time Dr. A got back to me and set up the appointment.
Did the Skype session, but really did not ask a lot of questions. I done a lot of research, and made the decision to go forward. Dr. A sent some forms to fill out. Filled out the forms and paid deposit. I also joined the best support group ever (Dr. Altamirano on Facebook).
Fly into Mexico August 11, 2015. I was picked up within 5 minutes by Roberto with Baririatric Pal. He took my wife and another client to the Hospitla. We were treated very well and the proceeds of getting cleared began. The Hospitla is Oasis of Hope and is very clean. I found the staff there very nice. Dr.A and his staff come by and spoke with me and said I was the first up. I will not lie, I got scared. Went the operating room and they were getting me ready. Dr. A kept talking to me and telling it was going to be alright. Right before I went under he stood next me and reassured me it was going to be ok. The next think I remember is I was back in my room, feeling very groggy. I was very hot, but they got me a fan right away and that helped a lot. Dr. A and his team kept in contact with my wife, which she appreciated.
Each hour that passed I felt better and better. Started walking about 5 hours after surgery.
Discharged the next day and went to the recovery house. It was very nice. Met Juan and he too care of my wife and I. He urged to walk and walk. While walking he told me a lot about the history of TJ. Very grateful for Juan pushing me to walk.
Summary: I have lost 17 pounds so far and feeling great!!!!! Dr. A and BarriatricPal have been great. Thanks to Anna, Henry, Sherman, Roberto and Juan. I will be forever grateful to all of you.
I highly recommend Dr. Altamirano and BarriatricPal 1000000 percent.

I've been doing the plant based diet for the past month after hitting goal three months ago. It felt strange to not be eating all that Protein throughout the day, but I'm now getting use to it. My Protein intake is still 50-65 grams a day on the plant based diet, but that's still not near the 100 grams I was taking in daily during the first 6 month pre op.
I've been eating all the fruits and vegetable I want throughout the day. However, I will admit that I have been eating too many pears lately because we have an overabundance of them from our pear trees right now. I need to kick that mentality that I must eat them up now because they will all go bad in a few weeks. The thought of all that food going to waste still bothers me, but it shouldn't give me a reason to overeat.
As far as salad dressing, I'm a huge fan of the Walden no calorie (no carbs or fat, as well) dressings. You can get them at most supermarkets and Wal-Mart. The bacon ranch is my favorite and it seems to be quite popular because it usually sells out quickly. I usually go through about 2-3 bottles a week, so the price is starting to add up. I'm searching for low or zero calorie dressing recipes. I will post one if I find a good one that I like.

I like Dr Weiner. He has some very good videos. I don't agree on the plant based diet, but he still offers a lot of good advice and information about the science behind weight loss surgery.

There are some surgeons who lean toward the plant based diets as opposed to the protien based. There's a surgeon I absolutely love on YouTube (AWESOME videos) named Dr Anthony Weiner who believes that although protien is very important the first few months after surgery, he feels veggies are more important in the long run for long term weight loss and maintenence. He touts the veggies first philosophy.
Obviously his views are contraversial in the WLS community. I feel I would STARVE without having that precious protien to satiate me! But I also am finding now that I'm pretty much at goal, I'm trying to eat equal parts of both, simply because veggies have fewer calories, and of course are good for me

Strange. I was told to have Protein at every meal and no more than 20-25 grams at a time. Since my goal is 100 grams a day so that works out to at least 4 to five meals/snacks. Only after I eat Protein I have vegetables and fruit.

The Ken's Steak House dressings are very low carb, at least the Creamy Caesar and Ranch. They do contain fat, but fat is not your enemy (unless you just can't stomach it) - it's filling and lasts much longer than carbs to keep you from being hungry again soon.
And use real eggs without additives!
I am still pre-op so time will tell for me but I plan to keep my carbs very low, under 25 gm/day, focus on protein first obviously and then low carb veggies with a bit of fat, no processed foods once I am off the shakes.

I just had my sleeve done on Wednesday. I am so happy. Lots of pain Wednesday and Thursday. Hardly any now.

I will be a self-pay and have no intention of wasting $15,000 on a drink of alcohol. My brother the alcoholic however would have cut himself open for a drink of alcohol. Most alcoholics justify their consumption in every way possible. Also from what I've read and been told, the affects of that bad choice might not be seen for weeks. So I hope no one experiences a leak and is hospitalized

I was sleeved 8/4. Unfortunately I had complications that sent me right back into another 2 1/2 hours of surgery. Surgeon didn't find a leak or anything else as he searched inside me, cleaning clots as he went. I will never know why my blood pressure dropped to 70/30 and my drains were gushing necessitating 2 units of blood.

Bottom line is that I am on stage 1 modified for three weeks!! Just Water, milk, Protein drinks and Jello. I can't abide Jello anymore and yes, I am having a "pity party!"

I don't dare cheat for fear I'll end up back in the operating room.

I followed the pre-op rules, seemed low risk and yet here I am. I have really reduced my expectations of when I will be allowed mushies. Maybe late Sept.

Yes, I am lucky to be alive but yet the day really drags as I force myself to observe Step 1. Thank you for listening (as only my boyfriend knows about my sleeve and he's still getting over the scare he had when I went back into surgery.)

I think it's funny that everyone assumes easy way is a negative. We are so programmed to think that if we don't suffer to lose weight then the weight loss isn't valid. If you ignore weight loss and look at this another way, you quickly see how stupid it is to think easy = bad.
Imagine a desired outcome called outcome A. There are two ways to achieve outcome A: one way is slow, painful, and inefficient. The other is faster and easier and more efficient. Now what dummy would proudly choose to achieve outcome A via the first method?
After surgery you still have to watch what you eat, think about all your choices, address emotional issues and exercise. But the restriction makes it easier and lessens that feeling of sacrifice that comes with dieting when your hunger is out of control. Yes it makes it easier. And easier is smart. I'm glad I made the smart choice.

I was sleeve nearly 10 weeks ago and it is the best decision I ever made. I am a slower loser than most but as long as I am losing, I am happy. The main thing no matter what you have done, is you have to be prepared for a complete lifestyle change than what all of us have been living to get here. Just be prepared mentally and you will do great. The better the surgeon the higher chance of success and less complications

I somewhat disagree. This is by no means easy! But at the same time, I realized yesterday while getting full enough after two ounces of salmon and 1 cup of salad that I could not have stopped before I was sleeved. Thank goodness for my sleeve! Thank goodness for the restriction! Thank goodness for this opportunity to change my eating habits! Thank goodness for the easy way that I can push away from the table and stop eating! Thank goodness for the disappearance of cravings that haunted me prior to the sleeve. Thank goodness for the physical dumping and need to stay home from work the next day because I ate something I shouldn't and the fear of that haunted me the next time I considered it. For these reasons it is easier. And for so many other reasons like the learning curve and The pain of getting my body going after 30 years of laziness!
I love my sleeve for all the easy and hard reasons.

Such a learning curve... Now the hard part begins
Who knew that eating a healthy balanced diet was soooo complicated?? Well not me. No wonder I've been overweight for 30 years. No wonder my children have no clue about nutrition. For some people, the surgery and recover may be the hardest part. Maybe even the low calorie count is the hardest part. As for me, the hard part begins now that I am eating a regular diet. I want to learn about balanced diets. I want to eat healthy. It's about so much more for me than just eating little portions. Trying to figure out how to get in the right amount of Protein, vegetables, fruits, starches, dairy, and fats. On top of that keeping an eye on calories, fat, carbs, Protein, and Water count.
Today I had nothing that I consider to be a high carb food, yet my carb count for the day was 110. I went back through each food to figure out where the carbs came in. I had a couple of salads today, fruits, healthy Proteins and fat free Greek yogurt, yet my fat count for the day was 43 gr. Way too high. I have been trying to get between 900-1000 calories and I was right at 920 so I decided to have a Greek yogurt after supper. Then I realize I forgot to log something snd my calories shot up to 1130 for the day.
Please don't take this as complaining. I'm so glad to be going through this. I am so glad to have made this choice. And I LOVE to learn new things. It's just amazing to me what goes into this. Being healthy is tough!! Lol I learned a lot ever day. but the most shocking thing I learned today was that a margarita chicken flatbread from Chili's that they tout as being healthy, has 1,450 calories!!! Wow, I used to eat that for an appetizer.
This was my meal for the day:
BREAKFAST: 1/2 cup strawberries; 1/2 banana; 1/8 cup cashes; danon light&fit vanilla Greek yogurt
LUNCH: 4 ounces mango grilled chicken breast; 1 cup fresco salad
SUPPER: 2 oz pouch salmon with picata sauce; 1 cup salad with 1 Tbl of ranch
Greek yogurt and 2 SF Popsicles through the day. I did take my supplements and got 64 ounces of Water.

I somewhat disagree. This is by no means easy! But at the same time, I realized yesterday while getting full enough after two ounces of salmon and 1 cup of salad that I could not have stopped before I was sleeved. Thank goodness for my sleeve! Thank goodness for the restriction! Thank goodness for this opportunity to change my eating habits! Thank goodness for the easy way that I can push away from the table and stop eating! Thank goodness for the disappearance of cravings that haunted me prior to the sleeve. Thank goodness for the physical dumping and need to stay home from work the next day because I ate something I shouldn't and the fear of that haunted me the next time I considered it. For these reasons it is easier. And for so many other reasons like the learning curve and The pain of getting my body going after 30 years of laziness!
I love my sleeve for all the easy and hard reasons.

Like they said, what an inspiration! Thanks for sharing. The sharing in itself can be as healing and healthy as the weight loss. We begin to realize we aren't alone in this big old world. Keep up the amazing work!