biginjapan

I definitely do! I travel a lot, in fact, I went to Germany when I was a month post-op. Although I never thought of myself as a big foodie when I travelled (I've always had a sensitive stomach so have had to be careful), it's so much different now as I am now painfully aware of what I can't eat. There's a whole lot more can't than can. :-( Even though I never went totally off plan, I did have a couple of small breakfast sausages, a bit of bread here or there, and lots of cheese (the only source of protein that was available wherever I went). I ended losing about a pound a day on that trip, so maybe my body liked the change up in foods. It was also the first trip I've been on where I hadn't had any alcohol. I'm very much still in the "zone", that is, I don't crave food, I rarely feel any real hunger (and if I do it may just be gas/acid), and I have no problem passing over what I used to eat and drink all the time. But I do feel like you sometimes, I mourn food, I miss being able to eat what I want, to go with friends and not worry if there will be something on the menu that I can mostly eat, etc. But I never want to go back to where I was, so eventually I hope the mourning period will pass.

What powders are you using, and how are mixing them up? All my "thick" shakes go in the blender - I've never had a problem with clumping. Similarly, the nectar powders go into a blender bottle. I never drink the (nectar) shake immediately after mixing - there will always be a few lumps. But if you let it sit for 10-30 minutes and shake it a few times then the clumps disappear and the foaming is almost non-existent by then too.

If you are not eating or drinking and are feeling light-headed, you should talk to your doctor. The last thing you want is to be hospitalised for dehydration or any other issues. Dehydration is serious. Is the problem that you don't WANT to eat/drink or that you CAN'T eat/drink? If it's the former, you really need to set a schedule and eat and drink - your body NEEDS it - you are setting yourself up for problems if you don't deal with this now. I often don't feel like eating or drinking either, but I do it because I have to. However, if the problem is that you CAN'T, that's another story and you really should go see your doctor/nut and talk to them about it. The only time I ever felt light-headed and about to pass out was when I was coming back from Germany to Japan. I hadn't eaten much on the flight because my low-carb meals ended up being nothing but carbs, but I thought I had had enough fluids. I guess not - I was ok at the airport, but on the train back home I started feeling really weak. When I got up to get off the train, I thought I was going to pass out right then and there (I was also incredibly shaky and disorientated). Luckily I was able to stumble to a nearby bench and I had a couple of bites of an energy bar I had packed for emergencies. That gave me enough energy to go get a drink (some veggie/fruit yogurt drink), and within 30 minutes I felt better. Researching it later I realised I had become hypoglycemic - I basically had every symptom on the list. I have to admit I didn't think that was possible - I had assumed that my fat stores could provide whatever extra energy I needed, but I was wrong. That really scared me, and now I make sure I am always prepared for my next meal or drink, wherever I am. Anyway, I hope you can figure things out and start getting the liquids and nutrients that your body needs.

Congrats! I don't have any active NSVs yet, but I am happy to be able to fit almost all of my shoes now, clothes I haven't seen in over 5-10 years, and chairs that have arms on them.

Are you drinking ready made shakes, or are you making your own from powder? I've never liked the ready made ones, although I could tolerate them pre-op. Post-op, no way. However, I make my own shakes with protein powder, and they are so much better! FWIW, I'm using Syntrax powders, both vanilla bean/chocolate torte for regular shakes made with unsweetened almond milk and either unsweetened greek yogurt or half a block of tofu to thicken them up and add some extra protein. I also often add PB2 powder to the chocolate shakes because yum. I use a variety of their "juice" type nectar powders that mix really well with water. I'm 2.5 months post-op, but I've had no problem with my handmade shakes either pre- or post-op.

Good to know! It seems I'm losing at a rate of about 12-13 pounds a month if I don't include the pre-op weight loss. We started back at school this week and I just found out that there's a tweet going around about how "slim" I've become. Although the funny thing is, is that students in real life who want to congratulate me on my weight loss still stumble over calling me slim as it's clear that I'm not (I try to offer them the word "slimmer" but they just don't use it). I have to admit that their excitement over my weight loss feels pretty good - even though (or because) they're young (19-20 years old) they're much more vocal, excited and supportive than my colleagues around me.

Miso soup would be a good choice - you can add whatever you want to the broth, like tofu or chicken if you want to up the protein levels.

Everyone is different - just because others had no energy, doesn't mean you will too (and vice versa). You have no idea how you feel until you are post-op. I had a ton of energy - I ended up walking over 15,000 steps after they dropped me off at my hotel on day 3 (I didn't fly home right away). The next day I did over 20,000. At the same time, the other solo woman in my group who got dropped off at the airport on the same day was in terrible shape - and she had been the entire time post-op. We all had to help her at the hospital, in the van, and even at the airport (where she finally got a wheelchair). Maybe it's something you (or a friend/family member) can arrange quickly if you don't feel you can get around by yourself. Also, take a look at airport maps and see if you can find out how long it is to the gate/transfers, etc. As I recall, Seattle is a pretty big airport, but maybe your connections will be close together. That said, walk, walk, walk. If you have the energy, don't sit down until you get on the plane (that's what I did). The aisle seat is good, it makes it easier to get up every 30 minutes or so to move around. Make sure you wear your compression stockings. I flew out of LAX instead of San Diego, as it was a much cheaper flight to Japan. I had 14 hours of travel time. In that time I had two protein drinks - I brought 3 single serving packets of protein powder and a blender bottle and just filled it up at the airport (or got the flight attendants to do it on the plane). The rest of the time I drank water (you need that too). It worked out well and I felt good (but jet-lagged) when I returned to Japan. Anyway, long story short, all of your plans seem spot-on to me.

I agree - my nutritionist told me that the pre-op was to shrink the liver and get used to eating the right foods, and not to worry about weight loss. I did lose 23 pounds in 3 weeks though!

@Kinipela24: What does your doctor say? My stats were similar to yours: I'm a little shorter than you (5'3") and my BMI was 49 right before I started the pre-op diet. I went with the sleeve because it seemed like the least complicated surgery, and because I did not suffer from GERD. I've lost over 30 pounds in 2 months since sleeve surgery and I'm very happy with it. I know it's easy to start second-guessing your choices, but if your doctor thinks the sleeve is best for you, then it probably is.

I'm only 2 months out, but this is what I do too. I travel a bit for work and pleasure, even this early post-op, so sometimes it might be 2 weeks before I step on the scale. As long as the number is not going up, I'm satisfied (my weight loss is slow, sporadic, but always going down).

I went to Mexico from Japan by myself and have done the entire process alone - it's been fine. No complications, no help needed. I didn't fly back home until a week post-op though, because at the time I booked everything I was afraid of complications flying on a long-haul flight across the Pacific so soon after surgery, even though the doctor said I would be fine (and I was). I also had a plan in place in case I did need the extra help - like informing hotels in advance, having extra money for taxis, booking a business class seat, etc. In the end, the extra time and effort was unnecessary, but I'm glad I did it - if I had to do it all again I wouldn't change anything. Plus, it gave me a chance to explore San Diego, which I loved. However, I've been single for a long time, and am very used to dealing with things by myself (including being sick in a foreign country, multiple times). I guess for most people the emotional support is important, but even if you are by yourself, you'll very likely have support by those around you. When I had my surgery done, every person on the recovery floor (including the nurses) helped others as they needed it - some were in real pain, some needed someone to talk to, some needed encouragement to walk around - we all helped each other, regardless of whether or not the patients had companions or not.

@j15big: I was similar to you post-op. I lost about 13 pounds in my first 2 weeks post-op, then stalled for 3 weeks. Over those three weeks my weight would go up and down, usually between 1-2 pounds, almost daily (but never going below the "low" weight). Finally, my stall broke and I lost another 5 pounds. Then stalled. I just recently broke my 3rd stall. Now, I'm exactly 2 months out from surgery and have lost 30 pounds (54 in total including pre-op). Like you, I have almost no restriction. I can eat 2 eggs or 4 ounces of any meat (usually chicken or salmon) at one sitting, and still have room for some veggies. I recently flew to Germany and was given a very nice lean steak for my "diabetic" meal (I thought it would be the most bariatric diet friendly). I was able to eat most of it, I'm guessing around 4 ounces (that was one month post-op). Unlike other people's programs, my nutritionist recommended never going below 800 calories a day (not that counting calories is important) to avoid going into starvation mode. That said, regardless of how much I think I'm eating, the end result is that I usually stay between 8-900 calories a day, with over 100g of protein (I let fat fall where it may). I have no problems eating protein bars, but try to avoid them - just use them for emergency situations. I agree with the others though - your "food" in your daily sample seems to be a lot of artificial food - like the diet drinks and protein bars. Even though I drink one (sometimes 2) homemade protein shakes a day, my meals are always with real food - eggs for breakfast, chicken for lunch, salmon for dinner (and veggies on the side for each). All other liquids are water or herbal tea (I like mint tea because it's good hot or cold). Although I'm getting better at recognising when I feel full, it's not like how others mention here, feeling sick or nauseous or in pain. I try to be conscious that just because I don't feel these symptoms, that it's not necessarily good to keep on eating. Also, I try to finish eating within 20-25 minutes. If I can't, it probably means I have too much food and should save the rest for later. I don't really get hungry (only when I eat things I shouldn't, like protein bars), so I find that I can get by with eating less rather than mindlessly cleaning my plate while watching YouTube videos, which is how I got here in the first place. Anyway...just my take from the peanut gallery.

Have you tried GasX? A lot of patients (including myself) found it to be quite helpful when dealing with gas after surgery.

I agree that clumps of protein powder is gross (I've only had that with cold Quest protein powders), but there is a way around it. I haven't used this mix as it's impossible to get or ship to Japan, but I have mixed unflavoured protein powder into soups. There's no need to drink them cold! First, thoroughly mix the protein powder in some cool water or soup (just enough to mix it up). Then add it to the rest of your soup (or water, in this case) and slowly heat it up back to a temperature that's agreeable to you (but probably not boiling). There should be no clumps involved at all!

Why do people still believe in waist trainers? They do not help in any way, there are numerous articles and hard research about this. All it is is a corset to give you a slimmer waist WHILE wearing it. Once it's off, your shape goes back to normal and you will have a weakened core, not strengthened one. Also, your shape depends a lot of your genetics (and age) - outside of diet/exercise and/or plastic surgery, there's really little you can do about it. (don't mean to be a downer, just keeping it real).

I'm also part of the big calf group. I'm definitely pear-shaped, with most of my weight below the waist, so I think big calves are just part of the package. That said, I haven't lost much in inches down below, since it appears the fat is slowly disappearing from my body from the top down. I definitely have lost a shoe size though! I'll be doing my measurements tomorrow so I'll know how many inches I've lost from where then.

I agree - don't freak out (I know that's easier said than done). You've hit the dreaded 3-week stall! Just keep to your plan, whatever it is. I was sleeved on Feb. 9 and have 3 stalls since then (I had a 3 week stall beginning at the end of the 2nd week post-op). Then I dropped 5 pounds overnight and the weight kept coming off. Then I had another stall before heading to Germany (one month post-op). I didn't weigh myself during that 10 day trip, but when I came back home I was down 12 pounds. Now I've been stalled for almost 2 weeks, but I know the weight will drop again. My stats are similar to @SalZ - I've lost almost 30 pounds in 2 months post-op, and 50 pounds since I started the pre-op diet. It's working, and it'll work for you.

Great! Tomorrow will be my two-month surgiversary (wow, that's the first time I've written that). I've lost 50 pounds so far from my highest weight, almost 29 pounds since surgery (first time I've written that too). It doesn't seem like much compared to others, but I don't really compare myself to others, just myself. I haven't been this low a weight since 2012! I've gone through a few stalls already (currently in one) but I don't let them bother me. That said, I haven't been tracking like I should so I will be getting back to that to see if it helps. One problem I have, which isn't really a problem, is that I have no restriction. I never have, not even from day 1 post-op. To be fair, it does take me a while to eat or drink, but even after a month out 1/2 cup to a full cup of food is no problem for me (of course, getting close to a cup can be very filling). I have no aversions to any food, which is why I am very strict about not even sampling a little bit a trigger food for me (like chocolate or fried food). Luckily though, I don't have any cravings, and I don't long for any particular food or drink. I've recently been going through my closet and my 12 (!) storage containers of clothes - I've gone from a 3x/24 in pants to a definite 1x/20, and some brands I can get into an 18 or X. Tops I'm already down to an 18/16 or L size, and I'm down a band/cup size for my bra. Shoes are the biggest win - I've been a size 8 most of my life, but the last 2-4 years I've had to wear wide size 9's because of swelling in my feet and fat. But I can now toss those big shoes because I can fit into all of my old shoes. That makes me happier than anything else! Tomorrow I'll do all my official measurements to see how far I've come that way. Anyway, back on track, all the women in my life (friends and co-workers) have definitely noticed the change (I haven't seen most of them in 2 months since we were on vacation) and they have made really positive comments to me (I've still told no one about the surgery, just focusing on the high protein, low carb diet, which is also true - lost 23 pounds in 3 weeks pre-surgery that way). None of the men I know have said anything to me, which makes me wonder if they've noticed, or if they are just reluctant to comment about a woman's weight to her face (even something positive).

Fantastic! You look great and I love your new haircut!

Wow - you look fantastic! I really need to start working out more (more than walking) and your success is a real motivator!

I'm currently on vacation in Germany (so good for the diet!?) and I'm very happy with myself for not giving in to any of the free chocolate, candies, or alcohol that has been offered to me while I was here. Yesterday I had to sit in three different chairs with arms, and could fit into all of them! I haven't been able to weigh myself, but things like that make me happy as I know things are progressing as they should.

I must be an outlier. For the first three weeks I went 3-4 times a day, but now it's only 1-2 a day. ?

What about regular vitamins? I got a bunch of chewable and gummy vitamins before surgery because I was worried I would have problems swallowing pills afterwards, but I haven't. I'm still going through them, but as I finish them I'm returning back to the regular pills (except calcium - man those are big! (but I found a smaller tablet I can swallow for that).

So I've been a little down (but not too much) since I've been mostly stalled for the past 2 weeks (the weight might go down a pound or two, but then I regain it back). I know things are changing though, because I've definitely lost weight all over - I measure everything (head, neck, upper chest, breast, lower chest, waist, hips, and both right and left of the following: arms, breasts, thighs, calves, and feet (around the arch).) I've lost in every category. However, I don't know why, but I haven't been trying on smaller clothes, although I haven't been this weight in over 3 years! Well, I was packing for a trip tonight, and decided to try on some old or never worn clothes, and yay! I can fit so many clothes now - old favourites, and some I've never worn. I was giggling like a schoolgirl - I wanted to take photos of every outfit! So that's this week's NSV - mostly stalled, but wearing clothes that have been buried at the back of my closet for ages! Oh - and almost all of my shoes now fit (in fact, my regular shoes are too big!). That's 2 for the price of 1! What was your NSV (non-scale victory) this week?