Sullie06

You're welcome. Eating out in this new body can be very intimidating for sure and unfortunately eating is a huge part of most social functions. But it gets easier over time! This weekend we were at Ground Round for my mother's birthday and they have a few new menu options that were pretty good choices. I ordered their Angus Sliders off the appetizer menu. It was perfect size for me, two sliders minus the buns with grilled onion and pepper jack cheese on them (I eat full fat dairy so that was no issue for me). It came with onion rings (3- since it's an appetizer) but I let my son eat them and ate a few pieces of my husbands Broccoli. Just wanted to share.

I drink out of a straw everyday, I also can drink more water/tea if I'm using a straw. My doctor told me that if it doesn't bother me then go right ahead. I have no issue burping if I need to burp so I don't see any issue with it personally. If it doesn't bother you and it's helping you meet your fluid goals, I say you do you!

I was told I could sleep on my stomach as soon as it was comfortable for me to do so. I started sleeping on my side in the hospital because I cannot sleep on my back.

I'm currently 14 months post op and we eat out about once a week with our kids and a couple times a month with our friends in a social situation. When I'm with the hubby and kids, I don't really care to much about my small portions but when I'm with friends I'm more conscious about what I'm eating and have tricks to take attention away from my small portion size. To answer your questions: When were you able to start eating out? I went to a work event at 3 weeks post op that was a sit down dinner, That was my first time out after surgery. I was still on pureed so I drank a protein shake prior to going and just ate the mashed potatoes. I was 3 months out when I went to a restaurant for the first time, as we were traveling. What kinds of restaurants did you find it easiest to be successful in? I've eaten pretty much every where since surgery. Fast food is hard because you really have to dig for a good option, Wendy's is usually my go to or Subway for a salad. Many national chains have lighter fare menus now but it's pretty generic food but good in a pinch (Core Life, Red Robin, Ground Round and Ruby Tuesdays are usually good options I've found) . We mostly like to patronize local establishments. The food is better quality and I've found the portion sizes are more manageable. It's not just a huge plate of food. We have a big Farm to Table movement going on here so I'm totally loving all the fresh options, even dairy and meat seem to be of better quality. Did you have a "strategy" in approaching eating out? I order a lot of appetizers as entree's if they have good choices. Order burgers without buns, chose a vegetable side instead of fries or onion rings. I usually don't get soup or salad if it comes with a meal if possible because I can't eat both. Avoid bread. I move my food around my plate a lot so it looks like I'm eating more than I am. I've only had 2 waitress' question if my meal was okay since I've started going out again. While I understand the diet requirements going forward when were you able to eat a normal meal at home? Meaning a meal that would have a Protein, vegetable and maybe a starch at one sitting. Smaller servings certainly. Yes, I can and do. Starting at 9 months post op my NUT wanted me adding more veggies and starch to my diet as they are important. My NUT wants me eating a small version of a normally portioned meal now. Prior to that it was all about protein. I guess maybe the real question is when could I expect to eat some of the same things for dinner my wife could or would eat? Post 12 weeks you can start eating a normal diet again, or at least in my program you could. Now I eat everything my hubby can eat but in moderation. Of course there are things I avoid but I could eat if I chose. Also I still treat myself on occasion (like yesterday was by birthday so I had 3 boneless wings from BWW and it was delish) but not regularly and know your triggers and limits.

I would like to have a tummy tuck in the very least. I have a weird B shaped belly so it's never going to get better and I would love to be able to wear a bikini or even tuck my shirts in without my belly eating them. I doubt I will ever be able to afford a tummy tuck though so I just dream.

60% is for sure a good guide but there are other factors as well. Activity level, age, gender, strictness with the program, genetics all weigh in according to my NUT. I'm currently 14 months post op and I've lost about 71% of my excess weight and I'm about 7 pounds from goal which will put me in the high end of normal BMI. Don't get to hung up on the numbers, just work your program.

Don't worry about the weight. Your body is just getting used to it's new normal. Stalls and plateaus are a normal part of the process, you will start losing again. As for the Protein Shakes try the GNC Lean 25 shakes. I could not tolerate most shakes after surgery but these ones were tolerable and they come in so many flavors. They are also thinner consistence than the Premier which is what I drank pre surgery.

My surgeon said it's normal to bounce up and down in about a 5 pound range. That being said he also said to take control and pay attention if the weight is trending up (more than 5 pounds from your lowest with no downward trend) then to go back to basics and get back on track. I'm 14 months post op and the past month I've been completely off track. Between having my Gallbladder out, being away from the gym for 3 weeks due to recovery, my birthday as well as 4 other family birthdays that all resulted in celebrations I've been eating so bad. You are not alone. Just get back on track. The fact that you can acknowledge it means you are aware and can take control back. Also I don't know if you have them available but if you have a support group you can attend do! I've found that when I am feeling off track if I go to support group (offered twice a month at my clinic) and it helps.

I'm 14 months out and I can drink carbonated water. The most it does is make me burp more. My doctor said as long as I can tolerate seltzer I can drink it, it won't stretch the pouch as that is a myth. That being said I was around 9 months post op before I even tried it.

This winter has been super cold here so I'm sure that's not helping but I'm literally never warm. It sucks but it's better than being 300 pounds

I'm a 34 year old female and 5'9". Highest weight was 301, lost 30 pounds on pre-op and went into surgery at 271. I'm now 184-186 so I've lost 85-87 pounds since surgery 12/30/16. My goal is 175 lbs.

Thankfully I have found the opposite to be true in my marriage. I think me losing weight and in a way getting my self confidence back has made our marriage stronger because I've in a way became myself again, the person I was when we first started dating way back in high school. I think it's important to realize that your spouse is going through this too and things like increase attention from the opposite sex and financial strain due to medical costs (if applicable) and increase shopping needs could put stress on a relationship. I just make sure I'm communicating well both what I need and asking what he needs in our relationship.

13 months out and I cannot get warm. I wear layers on layer when going out and as soon as I get home I'm in fuzzy socks, slippers, sweats and a hoodie and sit under a blanket.

Thank you and best of luck to you! It's certainly a journey but the best thing I have done for myself.

I'm having my Gallbladder removed 2/16 (14 months post op VSG), no stones but Hida scan came back abnormal. I plan to take 5 days off work as my doc said 5-7 should be fine with my job (desk job, no pushing/pulling/lifting) but my hubby just reminded me that my son has a reward dinner the next evening 2/17 that we completely forgot about. I really don't' want to miss it but I don't' want to reschedule surgery since I've been putting it off since June. Those who had a lap choli, do you think I will be okay to attend the dinner. It will be a couple hours max and I will just have to walk in and sit, nothing strenuous. I know everyone is different but I'm just looking for some experiences. I had a Appendectomy back in 2008 but I don't remember how long it took me to bounce back.

I'm a little over 13 months post op, down 117 pounds and within 10 of my goal. I eat pretty normally just much smaller portions. I can eat whatever I want but I do avoid foods high in simple carbs. I still will have a treat when I want one, though usually just a bite or two. The only thing I can no longer stomach is eggs.

Monday through Friday I eat a greek yogurt every morning for breakfast and then have a protein shake about 1 1/2 hours later. Weekends I am usually a little looser with my breakfast. I will have Cream of Wheat, turkey bacon and eggs, protein cereal, oatmeal

For salty I usually go to almonds with sea salt or some flavor of beef jerky. For sweet I usually just eat a solid piece of dark chocolate.

It gets easier. I tried to avoid going out early out with anyone but my husband and family because they knew about my surgery. As I got farther out from surgery and could eat more normally it was very easy to go out. Now at 13 month out I eat very similar portions to my girlfriends since most of them are very time and eat like birds or they are on a diet of some form themselves. I usually get a normal sized meal because appetizers and kids meals tend to be more junky food. I will eat what I want and when I'm done if everyone else is still eating I just move my food around my plate a bit and nobody has ever noticed I had stopped eating. Also I always get a box and then can eat it as left overs for lunch or my hubby will eat it.

What your feeling is completely normal. That being said it will pass. I'm 13 months out, 9 pounds from my goal and have zero regrets. Sure there are times that I wish I could eat more of something because it tastes so good or I wish I could have dinner and dessert or that I could justify a cocktail with dinner but those moments pass because I remind myself how much happier I am now than I ever was before.

Like the others have said I'm guessing it's because of how freshly post op you are. I was not allowed to have raw vegetables in any form until 12 weeks post op.

I'm 13 months post op and average between 1100-1400 calories a day depending on if I hit the gym and honestly my time of the month I need my calories a bit higher or I feel completely exhausted. My NUT said she wanted us getting 1200 by 6 months post op and maintain that until a year out then gradually increase calories once we want to stop losing. I'm 9 pounds from goal and losing about 1-3 pounds a month.

My weight loss has slowed way down, I'm 13 month post op as well, and I will gain up to 5 pounds of water weight during my cycle as well. I've been bouncing between 186-190 since October and haven't had an actual weight loss until last week when I lost a pound and am finally 185. I agree that tracking your food is a great start. I sometimes don't realize how many extra calories I'm getting by taking a bite of this or a sip of that through out the day. Also having to few calories can impact your weight loss and cause your body to store fat so if you are not getting enough (my NUT said between 1200-1300 at 12 months post op for me but I'm 5'9") calories. Finally watch the sodium because it can make you retain water and likely your weight can is more fluid related than weight because it's hard to gain 10 pounds in a month. You would have to be packing in some serious calories. If non of this works contact your doctor because there might be something else going on. Also have you started any new meds?

Just wanted to share my most recent before/current HW was 301lbs in July 2016, though it could have been a little more since I didn't weigh regularly. SW: 271 (12/30/16) CW: 185 GW: 175, then reassess. The left picture was October 2016 at about 275 lbs while working my pre-op diet. The right was Monday at 185 lbs.

Just looking for an update. It sounds like your issues might be compounded by your Gallbladder. The inability to get thing down makes me think stricture as well but then knowing how bad Gallbladder pain can make you feel (having mine out 2/16/18) many of your symptoms could be attributed to that. Also I found Protonix to work best for me. I took it for about 6 months and am now free from any PPI without any issues.