JKC2016

Focus on healthy lifetime habits. Whole foods you make yourself are best. Exercise daily. Lots of Water. As soon as you can, get off the Protein powders and bars and eat real food. I had surgery at BMI 30. I am 6 months out and over those months lost an average of 10 pounds per month. I am in the exact center of the healthy weight BMI now, have tons of energy, look great and am super pleased with my progress. Don't worry about speed of loss, focus on how you will live for the rest of your life.

I was sleeved in Tijuana at BMI 30. Six months later I'm super happy with my decision. The whole process has gone well. I needed help with Portion Control. The most important thing is to eat healthy before, during after. Don't do it if you think it will cure you. You will likely still struggle sometimes with food issues, you may need counseling (I did). Daily exercise, healthy lean Protein, vegetables, fruit, some whole grains. Very limited indulgences, and only on days I feel very positive and grounded in my goals. Lower BMI isn't a reason to shy away. Just know it is still work, and loss may be slower. In six months I've averaged 10 pounds lost per month, with larger losses in early months and tapering off now I'm nearly to goal and working on getting maintenance level calories.

Focus on healthy lifetime habits. Whole foods you make yourself are best. Exercise daily. Lots of Water. As soon as you can, get off the Protein powders and bars and eat real food. I had surgery at BMI 30. I am 6 months out and over those months lost an average of 10 pounds per month. I am in the exact center of the healthy weight BMI now, have tons of energy, look great and am super pleased with my progress. Don't worry about speed of loss, focus on how you will live for the rest of your life.

I was worried I wouldn't enjoy food post surgery. Not a problem. The difference now is I enjoy the food and stop at a healthy portion. I'm ok knowing I can enjoy more or different at my next meal or tomorrow. That is like a precious gift. I used to binge eat. I love that is not an option now. I do notice those struggling most with food are still eating refined carbohydrates and sweeteners. I encourage you to experiment with whole grains only, no sweeteners, focus on lean Protein, vegetables and fruit in moderation. After a few days, the cravings for less healthy foods are gone.

Sleeve has way outstripped bypass. Seems like a better choice for nutrition and long term health.

I'm 5 months out and eating 1200-1300 calories per day. It is important to get up to a healthy level of food and nutrition. Otherwise the body clings to every bit of fat for your survival, and lowers your metabolism too. You so don't want that. More food (especially Protein and vegetables), more Water (try for 100 oz), more exercise.

I'm 5 months out and eating 1200-1300 calories per day. It is important to get up to a healthy level of food and nutrition. Otherwise the body clings to every bit of fat for your survival, and lowers your metabolism too. You so don't want that. More food (especially Protein and vegetables), more Water (try for 100 oz), more exercise.

This has been really smooth sailing. I didn't like the clear liquid stage post surgery and I didn't like Protein powders. As soon as I could switch to animal protein it has been easy and I love the results.

Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics for a single incision sleeve. Excellent experience and results.

The Emotional First Aid Kit: a practical guide to life after Bariatric surgery and the Success Habits of weight loss surgery patients. Both are available on Kindle. I read both before, and then recently read both 5 months post. Really good practical stuff. Definite overlap, but I liked both books.

For weight loss and health, consider moving away from prepared foods (including Protein Shakes and bars) and to lean Protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Follow the stages of eating during healing of course. Then focus on healthy and delicious foods. My observation is the people who struggle most with cravings are consuming sweet protein shakes and bars and searching for lower carb substitutes for past high fat/carb foods. Taking advantage of the early days to change eating patterns will have incredible payoffs over our whole lifespan.

I did a single incision VSG with Dr Garcia and Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. They pick you up in San Diego and return you to the airport six days later. One night hotel Marriott, 2 night hospital, 2 nights Marriott. The care is more thorough and attentive than in the US. Healing has been really fast. I am 3 weeks post now and back to normal activities. Learning to eat and drink differently takes time and commitment. Lots of research first.


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I was worried I wouldn't enjoy food post surgery. Not a problem. The difference now is I enjoy the food and stop at a healthy portion. I'm ok knowing I can enjoy more or different at my next meal or tomorrow. That is like a precious gift. I used to binge eat. I love that is not an option now. I do notice those struggling most with food are still eating refined carbohydrates and sweeteners. I encourage you to experiment with whole grains only, no sweeteners, focus on lean Protein, vegetables and fruit in moderation. After a few days, the cravings for less healthy foods are gone.

This has been really smooth sailing. I didn't like the clear liquid stage post surgery and I didn't like Protein powders. As soon as I could switch to animal protein it has been easy and I love the results.

My understanding is we only get one period, right after our surgery, when we can calorie restrict significantly, lose lots, and reset the body set point for weight. After that, while we have restricted capacity per meal, the process of weight loss is pretty much the same as for everyone. Honestly, I'm having a similar weight loss pace and process as in previous times I've lost a lot of weight. It is just easier, since I'm full on a smaller amount of food so I don't feel deprived. Key is lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits.

I was worried I wouldn't enjoy food post surgery. Not a problem. The difference now is I enjoy the food and stop at a healthy portion. I'm ok knowing I can enjoy more or different at my next meal or tomorrow. That is like a precious gift. I used to binge eat. I love that is not an option now. I do notice those struggling most with food are still eating refined carbohydrates and sweeteners. I encourage you to experiment with whole grains only, no sweeteners, focus on lean Protein, vegetables and fruit in moderation. After a few days, the cravings for less healthy foods are gone.

My understanding is we only get one period, right after our surgery, when we can calorie restrict significantly, lose lots, and reset the body set point for weight. After that, while we have restricted capacity per meal, the process of weight loss is pretty much the same as for everyone. Honestly, I'm having a similar weight loss pace and process as in previous times I've lost a lot of weight. It is just easier, since I'm full on a smaller amount of food so I don't feel deprived. Key is lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits.

Are you tracking your body fat? Sometimes weight is stable when we trade lean mass for fat. Are you measuring too? If you are losing inches and body fat but not weight you are winning! I have a scale (Aria, auto uploads to my FitBit) that tracks body fat percentage and I focus on fat pounds lost, not weight lost.

The surgery does not solve anything. So important to get counseling for our underlying patterns and to develop new methods of coping. I find the sleeve incredibly helpful for supporting me in choosing healthy portion sizes. In every other way, I am the driver and need to keep my food and beverage choices healthy and stay active. This is no quick fix. The most common complaint is that weight loss isn't as fast as people expected. It is a wonderful support to a healthy lifestyle for me. I got the surgery to help me maintain a healthy weight. I've lost many times in my life. Never been at a stable weight. Nearly five months in, 50 pounds lighter, I'm getting close to goal and excited to learn what maintenance feels like.

My BMI was just a hair under 30 at surgery. Just over four months later I was in normal range. I'm about 10-15 pounds from goal at almost five months post. I think this should be an option for low BMI who have struggled with yo-yo weight or other conditions. I'll know better two years in. For now, I'm delighted.

Stick to the basics--lean Protein first, 60-100g per day. Then vegetables, then Fiber rich fruit. Then if there is room, a little whole grains. Measure and track everything, and get some exercise every day. Restricting down to vegetables will cause your body to stockpile fat whenever it gets a chance. Best of wishes for good health.

Be patient. Add some vegetables, don't be afraid to keep increasing calories. Most of us need more like 80-100 grams of Protein a day, 80-100 oz of Water is better too. But work up to that slowly in those early days. The goal is to get to a normal healthy amount and variety of food. Stick to 100% whole grains when you do eat grain-based food. And don't hesitate to change your mind. Of course you can eat just meat, and it's ok if you choose to eat bread. Track everything, vary the choices, and you will find a rhythm that works for you. Patience is key.

This is absolutely not normal. Being sleeved doesn't restrict our ability and need to eat a wide range of healthy food. St Et slowly and eat softer, moister Protein like fish, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ground turkey. Mix in cooked veggies with good moisture. Protein substitutes are not our friends. That was for those first food stages when we couldn't eat real food. Now the focus is on lean meat, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Our goal should be 1200 or more calories and a moderately active lifestyle if we are women and still losing. Get support from NUT, counselor, friends and family. Best of wishes on your journey to health.

The surgery does not solve anything. So important to get counseling for our underlying patterns and to develop new methods of coping. I find the sleeve incredibly helpful for supporting me in choosing healthy portion sizes. In every other way, I am the driver and need to keep my food and beverage choices healthy and stay active. This is no quick fix. The most common complaint is that weight loss isn't as fast as people expected. It is a wonderful support to a healthy lifestyle for me. I got the surgery to help me maintain a healthy weight. I've lost many times in my life. Never been at a stable weight. Nearly five months in, 50 pounds lighter, I'm getting close to goal and excited to learn what maintenance feels like.

48 pounds. Loss is very individualized. We will always be curious and compare. Most important--are we healthier? Yes!