Dar61

Not that anyone cares lol, but i've been driving myself crazy trying to find a Cookies and cream Protein Shake that actually taste like a chick fil a oreo milkshake. (Because that was my fat kid all time favorite guilty pleasure lol)
I've tasted just about every disgusting cookies and cream shake and i've been disappointed until now. Surprising it wasn't anything fancy or expensive.
The GNC pro 100% whey Protein Powder mixed with fair life fat free milk gives me life. Like i'm literally in fat kid heaven.
It works out to about 37g Protein per serving.

I 16/8 fast, so I eat all my Protein in an 8 hour window.
I eat 4 to 6 times a day, it just depends on what I eat.
The best defense is a good offense. Eating multiple times a day prevents you from over eating and helps you resist temptation because you know the next meal is around the corner.
Also if I only ate 3 meals a day I would NEVER meet my protein goals. I can eat 20-30 grams of protein at a time. 3 meals a day would not get me to protein goals. Even though now I can eat larger portions it is uncomfortable, 4 ounces is the most comfortable and that is always around 20 grams. So I have to eat more than 3 times a day to his 120 grams of protein.

Nice to have you back @KindaFamiliar. 12 grams of carbs is insane! You must feel pretty damned lethargic without something in the tank to burn. Carbs are nothing to be afraid of when they are eaten properly. Oats, bran, shredded wheat, sweet potato, fresh fruits; all of these are OK'ed by my surgeon. The key is to only eat the daily recommended amount. Which incidentally is usually about the same as your Protein intake.
My intake over the last week has been 100 - 200 grams per day. My Protein intake is about the same as well. Of course I am also very active in the weight room and I need those carbs to give me enough energy to finish the workout. If you are trying to lose weight still, low carb is fine. Dangerously low carb is impossible to keep up long term though.
Are you working out at all? Reason I ask is because I have to really try hard to gain weight at this point. Let me rephrase that, I am finding it difficult to find HEALTHY nutrient & caloric rich foods to help me gain muscle mass. If you are hitting it hard at the gym and keeping your intake the same, those last few pounds/kilos will start coming off again.

I am over a year out and in maintenance. I do about 100g of Protein a day. While I was losing I kept my carbs under 50g now I keep them under 100g, anywhere from 50 to 80 usually . I've added healthy carbs in only, fruit , veggies , and Peanut Butter.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just a couple of points you've raised @@skinnyjeansatlast
Firstly, there are carbs in cauliflower
A quick Google search tells me that there's 5g of carbs per 100g in there..
There's also 7g/100g in broccoli and 9g/100g in brussel sprouts..
Yep, they're all less than mashed potato but they're by no means carb-free options.
Secondly, you say "what do we need carbs for, really"...
In short, the answer is 'fuel'..
Yes, there's much more to it than that, but again, a quick Google search of "do we need carbs' will answer that question much more effectively than I can..
Next, I don't believe carbs are "a slippery slope back to" anything.
Poor choices and lack of will-power are much more 'slippery'...
Remember, there are good carbs too...
And they're nothing to be afraid of...
Lastly, you're right, there are many "truly yummy things" that can be eaten...
But carbs is what I'm asking about at this point..
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I genuinely appreciate the effort.
And congrats on being only 10-15 pounds from goal after just 5 months...
You must be well pleased..
Thanx again...
Jason

Ok, a little about me and my situation -
Nearly 2 years post-op
Lost around 120kg (264 pounds) so far
Well pleased with the result
No complaints at all
HOWEVER...
I still have another 30kg (66 pounds) or so until I'm "happy"
I've had stalls and fluctuations just like everyone else.
I keep my Protein up MOST of the time
I'm just getting back into exercise/gym after a break over Christmas (ok, ok - November and December)
What I want to know is this -
Simply put, what is YOUR carb intake like?
How many grams per day?
What about your protein/fat/carb percentages?
You see, I've been trying to keep my carb count as LOW as possible
This has meant that, on occasion, I've been consuming as little as 12 grams of carbs per day
It's only recently that I discovered how low that actually is
Obviously, I'm hoping to get info from some folk who are at a similar stage as myself, but I'll take whatever info I can get and will just discard what I don't need.
I know this is not an exact science...
That's why I'm hoping to hear ideas from a few different angles
And don't forget - play nice...
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; no matter how wrong they may be
Thanx for your anticipated assistance...
Jason

The surgery prevents massive weight gain only if we eat lean, dense Protein and veggies that challenge the sleeve. Otherwise, it's possible to gain 100+ pounds with a sleeve.
I know someone who regained 150+ pounds in a little over a year by going off the rails. Her starting weight was 395 pounds. She lost 140 pounds in her first year with the sleeve before sliding back into old habits by grazing on sliders (read: chips, crackers, popcorn, Cookies, ice cream) during the second year. Her unsupportive husband also griped about the healthier meals she cooked, so she reverted back to preparing unhealthy food.
To keep a long story short, this lady now weighs 400 pounds and wants to get "back on track." Regaining 150 pounds with a sleeve must be a horribly dispiriting experience.
Massive weight gain with a sleeve can happen if a person grazes on sliders all day. Someone can eat 25 cookies (2500 calories) in one sitting and feel no fullness or satiety whatsoever, whereas it is impossible for the sleeve to accept 25 chicken thighs.

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

Hi
"Sweet Grace" is about the journey by a Christian WLS patient and I have read a couple of times - very helpful insight.
Author is Teresa Shields Parker
Books by Rita Hancock
Christine

I will be your buddy! I just had my sleeve done feb 18 and aI am in need of a Christian buddy too! I am married, with two grown children and 2 grand boys. I don't know how folks can go through surgeries like this and not have the confidence of Jesus as their Savior! My saying for this process is "I know Jesus lives within me, but I'm giving Him a nicer, more snuggier place to live! God bless you!

I am so glad you acknowledge God to be your source of help through this. Your relationship to Him is your strength. He has been mine through cancer, surgery, and many a conflict.
I will tell you something now that I seldom talk about. I am so not proud of this. I left my wife for a 5 year period many years ago. It wasn't over her weight, the young woman I had during this period was heavier than her. I left her because I wanted to be bad, I was mad at God because I thought He was not backing me up in the battles that I was having pastoring churches. I blamed God for letting unruly church people rip me up and wanted to get back at Him.
My dear wife was devastated but kept her faith. All during this time my heart ached. I could never find complete happiness, never get drunk enough, wild enough, never eat my way out of feeling bad for my wife and daughter. I drew up divorce papers with a lawyer and gave them to her. She signed them but I never turned them in. I loved my girlfriend but not enough to overpower my conscience. When my daughter became pregnant it was my wake up call. I left my girlfriend and asked God to forgive me. He was right there with open arms. I am in tears right now thinking about it.
My wife took me back very soon after she realized that I was sincere. We rebuilt our lives and our marriage became stronger than it was before. My daughter had a beautiful girl who has been a great joy to me and everyone she meets, a special girl who loves God and has a heavy calling on her life. My wife and I went through WLS together and are enjoying our new slimness in Florida, serving God with my daughter and her daughters.
Kentucky Girl, I've shared this with you to encourage you to not lose hope. I put my wife through hell. Her heart broke a hundred times while I tried to harden mine. God never let loose of the vision He had for our marriage. She never lost her faith and down deep I never lost mine as hard as I tried to.
Please don't let your circumstance keep you from eating and taking care of yourself. Take care of the body God has given you and nourish the new body He has in store for you. Take care of yourself as a service to Him, let Him bless you. Remember, He loves you more than your husband ever did or ever could.
My wife and I will take you to prayer every day. Stay in the Word, my dear sister. You'll get through this dark time.
Gary Batchelder

God Bless you and keep you during this difficult time. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Your sister in Christ.

I have yet to go through surgery, but I have been through my husband leaving. I know this must be devastating to you, as well as struggling to maintain your diet and care for yourself. Engage your family, friends to help you anyway they can. Talk to them, let them know how you feel. If they want to shop for you, sit with you, however, take them up on it. You must take care of yourself, one hour at a time, then one day at a time. That will add up to months, etc. The key is to TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. You have made the most important step in securing your future health, the VSG. Just keep your faith. I'm a KY girl too, we are strong women.

Oh wow, sending a virtual hug your way I'm truly sorry for you having to experience this. I will definitely pray for you and your marriage. Marriage is something that the enemy absolutely hates and will stop at nothing to break one apart if he can. Believing in faith that the Lord will bless and comfort you during this time. I will pray that God will change his heart. Try to stay on track with your health, and be prepared this is definitely a spiritual battle, but God is most high and whatever the outcome may be you will come out on top of this tumult with flying colors. Read Romans 8:28 and hold on and be encouraged.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. But most importantly you need to continue to take care of your self. You have to stay healthy no matter what happens. The lord never give us more than we can handle even though it doesn't seem that way. I will pray for you.

I will be praying for you. Get a copy of Dr. Dobsons "Love must be Tough". It will help you get your balance back. Bless you.

Praying for everyone on this journey. I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to experience this journey. I pray that we all have safe and easy surgeries that will lead to the happy and fulfilling lives we deserve!
Amen!

He is Good, indeed!!!

God is good, he is awsome!! thanks for sharing that was interesting.

Now, I'm not big on the "faith/prophecy/praying" type stuff...
I'm not against it...
It's just not my thing...
However, here's my take on your post...
You were 'told' you were gonna lose weight...
You've been researching WLS...
You've made an appointment...
You say you've received no "answer"...
Riddle me this...
You say that you've not received an "answer"...
Is it at all possible that you're overlooking the answer?
What if the fact that you're still researching and making appointments IS the answer...
Perhaps, if you weren't supposed to be taking this direction, you'd have been sent a "sign"..
From what I know of such "answers" or "signs", they're not always a case of black and white...
So maybe rather than looking for an obvious "sign", put a little faith in YOURSELF and go with your heart..
Is that possible?
Of course, I know nuthin' about nuthin'...
I'm just some guy who was brought up to believe...
Whether or not I still believe is irrelevant...
I may be a little out of touch with faith related stuff...
But I reckon I might have a point...
All the best to you @@ecoreen94

Don't get discouraged! I asked God very early in my journey to show me whether WLS was for me, and He did. But it wasn't overnight. I asked for roadblocks if it was not His will, and the process kept going smoothly. I admire you for asking for guidance in this because I think that is the most important thing.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@MOMMY2MGM I got my approval!!! I'm scheduled for VSG on 9/23/2015. I start my pre-op diet on 9/9/2015. Have you heard anything yet?

@@MOMMY2MGM I am in almost same boat as you. 1st request was denied. Paperwork resubmitted on 8/18/2015 and trying to patiently wait to hear from insurance company. I'm also trying to have peace and rest in God that it will all work together for my good. I'm praying for you, please do the same for me.

Amen!!!... Everything happens for a reason!!