mamamc32

Current Weight: 258 (11/9) Goal Weight: 235

Tonight I am having Korean sloppy joe's . . . I skip the bun and just eat the meat. We do a lot of crockpot meals, so we've been eating things like ranch chicken tacos, dijon pork chops, salsa chicken, etc. I also LOVE soup, so I make some kind of soup about once a week. The crockpot is a lifesaver for me because I still can't do the drier meats, and it's so awesome to come home to a cooked meal! I am on Pinterest about every day looking for recipes because I like a variety.

Try adjusting your macros a little. If you have been very low carb, eat a few more carbs. Try higher/lower fat. Consider adjusting your exercise routine a little. When I hit a stall, I got past it by eating a few more carbs, but everyone is different.

It sounds like your weight loss is going well to me, but you have to share what you are eating for people to be able to comment on whether you are eating enough. If you are reaching your NUT's goals for protein/fluids, you are probably doing just fine. If not, make sure you are doing that on a daily basis. I can tell that you that I, personally, have to eat to lose. My weight loss actually slows down if I'm not keeping up with my protein and fluids. Good luck to you!

I'm 7 weeks out, and I can take normal size drinks. Don't worry about it - it's not a reflection of how much food you can eat. When you are on solids, you'll feel the restriction! I can only eat about 3 oz of protein!

I was sleeved on 9/21, too. I can tolerate every food I have tried. I typically can eat around 3 oz. of a meal with dense protein. I can easily eat a 5 oz. yogurt, though, or a small bowl of soup. You are supposed to be able to eat more as time goes on, so don't worry about that! You can't survive on 3 oz meals forever. Try not to compare yourself to anyone else - you have lost 39 lbs and are doing great! I definitely understand your fear, though, because there are days I worry that I am losing too slowly or eating too much, too.

The liquid diet after surgery was rough for me. I actually felt pretty hungry, and I did need to cook for my family. Truthfully, I got through it with willpower and the very real fear that I could hurt myself by eating the wrong thing. Once I started being able to eat some soft food, it was much, much better. They still ate different things that me, but I didn't feel as deprived/hangry. I am 7 weeks now, and we pretty much eat the same thing. I just eat tiny little portions, and I skip the carby part of most meals. It works really well, and I don't feel like I am missing out at all. If I really want something, I eat a small serving of it.

I am 7 weeks out, and I can tolerate anything I eat. I don't really have room after protein for bread, rice, or pasta, though, so I don't really eat it much at all. I ate a small serving of pasta one night because my son wanted it for dinner, and it was fine.

I eat what I should about 90% of the time . . . the other 10% leaves room for an occasional sweet or carby food. My macros look good overall. Perfection was never my goal.

You should go talk to her and listen to her concerns. Ultimately, it's your decision, but she knows you well and may have some valid reasons she thinks it's not for you or that you shouldn't go to Mexico to have it done. I am not trying to discourage you at all - it's a wonderful tool, but this way of life can be mentally challenging some days.

I am almost 6 weeks post op, and I still feel hungry. Then when I eat, I can eat a tiny little amount before I start to feel slightly nauseous. Eating is not a lot of fun right now, but I figure it will get better over time as I get used to my sleeve. So I definitely understand when you say you still feel hungry! If you aren't already, take a look at your protein, carbs, fat, etc. I had a small stall, but then I increased my carbs a bit and I have dropped 7 lbs in the past week. Weight loss is weird . . . sometimes a tiny little change can get it going again. Good luck to you!!

I lost 20 lbs on my own, and then another 14 on the two week liquid diet.

That's a tough question to answer. Most people lose 20 - 30 lbs in the first month, but it varies depending on your starting weight, your body comp, etc. Also, everyone's body adjusts differently to the surgery. After the first month, I believe people tend to lose around 10 pounds a month for the next 5 months and then it slowly tapers off. It's all dependent on your body and how you work the program, though. That's why you see so much variation!

I'm 5 weeks out. I nearly vomited a couple of times in the few days after surgery, but anti-nausea took care of it. I have vomited twice since then from eating a tiny bit too much. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I'm still trying to figure out how much to eat and what full feels like!

My suggestion would be to talk to a therapist and get your emotional eating issues under control before you have the surgery. I am about 5 weeks out from surgery, and I think this would be a struggle for someone who hasn't done the work before hand to get the emotions under control. Even eating a few bites too much can make you sick and miserable, and you can actually hurt yourself by overeating. I don't want to discourage you because I think this is a wonderful tool, but definitely use this time to get your head straight. While I don't think you necessarily have to stop enjoying food, you do have to be able to accept the limitations of your pouch after surgery.

I actually asked my NUT because my booklet says "low-fat" everything, and I don't like low-fat dressing or cheeses, either. She said those guidelines were largely written in the 90's when everyone thought fat was bad. She said they are fine in moderation - she worries more about sugar and carbs.

I haven't been in your exact situation, but I am on a blood thinning drug (Warfarin) for an artificial valve. They can't take me off of it, but they will have me use Lovenox injections before and right after the surgery for a few days rather than take the Warfarin. I'm not familiar with Plavix, but maybe you could also do something like that to reduce the risk of bleeding? If I was in your situation, I would definitely explain my concerns to the cardiologist and ask them if that's an alternative. Ultimately, however, I would do what the cardiologist tells me to do. They understand your risk of bleeding/clotting better than your bariatric surgeon. As you know, throwing a clot to your brain could be devastating. If your cardiologist thinks that a risk, it's not worth it, IMO.

You look great! Congratulations on your success!! I love your mindset, and I hope that I can get to a point where I can eat intuitively after my surgery.

You're very pretty - I don't think your face looks sunken at all! You look healthy and happy!!

Wow! You look amazing! I am having surgery later this year, but I have a similar starting weight, I'm 5'9", and my goal is 165. Seeing your results makes me think I really can get to my goal!

I am in the middle of the 6 month process right now, and I worry that I will have all these tests and go to all these appointments and I won't get approved. I have to stay positive. That being said, I view it as a time to make some small changes in my diet so that the changes after surgery won't be so drastic. I am working towards cutting out soda and eliminating caffeine (I can't do cold turkey), and I am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and go out to eat less often. I've lost a few pounds, but I am more interested in making healthy changes than in actually losing weight right now. Maybe you could set some mini goals for eating/exercise during your 6 months, so you don't feel like you are just "waiting" right now?

This is a question for anyone who has cardiomyopathy who has undergone sleeve surgery. I am wondering (1) how it affected your heart function and (2) how they handled your medications after surgery. My hope is that it will improve my heart function quite a bit. My doctors said it should, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has been there, done that. I know I will need to continue on my medications for the rest of my life, which is not an issue for me. I just wondered if they will affect me differently after surgery and if I will need any special follow-up to make sure I am taking the right dosages. I am currently on a low dose of a diuretic, too, and I wondered if that would be continued after surgery or if that would just dehydrate me. I'll ask my doctor these questions, too, of course. I would just like patient experiences. Thank you!

I am about midway through the 6 month process for insurance approval, and I have tried to talk myself out of it. In fact, I started the process with a slightly negative outlook on the whole thing. I was like, "Well, I'll do this if I HAVE TO in order to lose weight, but I'd rather diet and exercise." The more research I have done and the more thinking I do, though, the more excited and ready I am to have the surgery. I think it's normal to consider all of your options and look at both the pros and cons. It's a major surgery and commitment, and we need to be mentally ready, too!

I am a few months out from submitting my app to insurance, but I am looking forward to SO many things! I can't wait to be able to walk around the mall or an amusement park with my kiddos all day and not feel winded. I haven't shopped in a normal size clothing store since the early 2000's . . . that will be amazing! Basically, I just can't wait for my body to catch up with my brain. I have all these active, fun things I want to do, but I'm not in good enough shape to do them. All that's going to change soon!!

I have anxiety and take medication for it. It wasn't an issue at all with my psych eval. I think they are more focused on making sure (1) you understand the decision you are making and (2) you are prepared to make the lifestyle changes necessary after surgery. Hope that helps!