Apple203

5 hours ago, Hungryman said:

After being on this forum I have come to a conclusion that every doctor does it differently, and I think everyone heals at a different rate. I am 5 weeks out and lost 50lbs total including 2 week pre-op diet. Haven't had any problems eating (but taking it slowly). It seems to get better every day!!!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Holy crap, it has taken me 6 months to reach a little more than that -- you are doing great!

I begged my way out after one overnight. Surgeon was surprised that I would ask for this, but I felt fine. Sleever here -- I suspect this makes a difference in recovery?

Hi Marchers,

I was sleeved 3/14 and I'm down 50+ pounds, but weight loss is very slow for me at this point. I actually haven't even weighed myself in a week or so. Zero surgery regrets here -- I am much healthier than I used to be. I am eating between 1000-1200 calories a day in four meals, and I'm comfortable with this being my new way of eating (not a "diet"). I work out at the gym and I'm getting muscles (at 54!!). Strength has increased 50%, measuring total weight lifted in a typical session. I am still planning on losing another 20-30 pounds even if it takes the rest of my life!!

Hair loss is happening, but not the heavy clumps I've seen others report -- more like a strand or two (or three :-)) when I run my hands through my hair. I started using Olaplex in order to keep what I have healthy and strong. I've been fanatical about taking my Vitamins.

Stay strong, Marchers!!

On 7/21/2018 at 2:52 AM, zaid said:

Thank you for responding! I'm still in Water and Gatorade diet...at one week I can add Protein Shakes. I will have to ask my doctor about PPI. They gave me pain medication but nothing for stomach acid and that's been one if my concern.

Thank you

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

There are no words for how hard this phase is. And I could have unsweetened apple juice with my Water, too. I simply craved something not sweet that week.

5 hours ago, stewart7 said:

I ate exactly what my doctor told me to eat, I did not stray away.

And what was that?

Murphy snoozing on my lap as it pours outside. Going to a concert tonight: Little Feat (LOL, we are old...)

I've experienced the blackout thing post-surgery, too, after 3 glasses of wine, so be careful. I think its because the alcohol enters you colon more quickly that before? Drinking contributed to my original weight gain, and I suspect it is slowing my weight loss, but I find complete abstinence difficult. That night where I had 3 glasses of wine was 3x6x20=360 calories!!!!!!

Not sure what to say about the sagging as I am experiencing this already, too. I started taking a collagen supplement a couple of days ago to see if that would help. About a month ago, I got serious about using cereve body lotion mixed with argan oil every day and I have to say my saggy body parts look nourished!

Good for you for working on building muscles -- I started weight lifting myself almost 2 months ago and I am so happy with my added strength and muscles!

Your starting stats are similar to mine -- I hope/pray I can hit 144, sags be damned! Can I ask how much you ate during the weight loss phase?

24 minutes ago, Tealael said:

A lot of us can't rely on meat for Protein either , I can easily easily easily eat my way to Protein with other sources besides meat and dairy. I'm on no ones side here, I also came for info.

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

Can you share how you do it? I'd love to learn some new ways to bring in protein!! I'm not crazy about Beans, generally, but I freakin' LOVE lentil soup! Unfortunately a cup of my favorite curried lentil Soup only has 8 grams of protein, so I usually throw a few shrimp in to bump up the protein.

ETA: I aim for a minimum of 15 grams of protein a meal, 4 meals a day -- its what my RD recommended and it seems to provide me the best satiety.

My diet is pretty similar to Fluffy's, and I simply don't understand @CreekImp13's continuing insistence that a healthy diet can't be lowish carbs. Heck, with our tiny stomachs, our diets are lowish everything! I aim for <50g carbs a day in veges, fruit, cottage cheese, greek yogurt. There's room there for occasional Beans, rice, lentils and hearty bread, but I do keep those portions small of necessity in order to meet Protein and vege/fruit goals (only so much room in the new tummy!). I find that I don't have the volume to rely on beans and legumes as a major source of protein, unless I supplement with Protein Shakes, which I feel isn't a good long-term solution for me. My plates are full of delicious, healthy stuff and my food plan feels very sustainable.

ETA: I also think we should all as a rule at least aim to be in the "normal" weight range as there is amply evidence that "overweight" carries significant health risks.

6 hours ago, Jolexis said:

I have no medical problems (yet) other than obesity, but I justified the cost by thinking about all the future medical costs I will have if I don’t get this weight off. Medications, ER visits, hospital stays, home health etc.. etc...

Oh yes, weight doesn't "wear well" on the body.

I love all of these pictures :-)

If you work, commit to pack lunches instead of eating out, and calculate that savings. Lunches are slim post-surgery -- for instance, yesterday I got a $5 costco rotisserie chicken and I pre-packaged make 5 lunches with it. Throw in some steamed veges and you are eating a meal for less than $2. I usually have an egg or 2 for Breakfast -- also pretty cheap.

I was wondering if anyone is taking collagen supplements, and, if so, has it helped with your skin, hair or joints? I just picked some up at costco.

On 7/12/2018 at 11:08 AM, apositivelife4me said:

Well your orders were wrong. cheese is an excellent source of Protein. Cheez its have 5 grams of Protein per 1.5 oz package by the way.

That is kinda harsh! cheese isn't banned, but I was directed to chose lean sources of protein. When you look at the data, it is clear that there are better choices than cheese:

3 oz chicken = 120 calories, 22 g protein

3 oz cheddar cheese = 340 calories, 20 g protein

When my son was growing up and not eating meat at all, we relied on products like cheese and nuts as a big source of protein, but what works calorie-wise for a tall, active teenage boy doesn't work so well for a post-menopausal, 53 year woman!

16 hours ago, Happy2lose13 said:

On 7/12/2018 at 6:04 AM, Apple203 said:

Can you share recipe for buffalo Brussel sprouts? Thanks

Yes! I just halve and roast brussel sprouts, 400 degrees for about half an hour, then toss them with Franks Hot Sauce, micro-zested lemon and lemon juice, and some crumbled blue cheese. Use convection if your oven has it, toss your brussel sprouts with a little EVOO, S&P, place them cut side down on your sheet pan, and put the pan on a low rack in your oven. I think they are delicious.

And chips of all kinds -- I just stay away from them. And cheese, too, for that matter (except for blue cheese on my brussel sprouts -- I am addicted to buffulo brussel sprouts). My orders were to not count cheese as a Protein source.

I've gotten through the thread to-date, so happy to read that other Enlightened doctors, nurses, etc have stepped in to our lives and advocated surgery -- great recommendation!! And a pox on all thatsay "lose weight" with no instructive solutions!!

6 hours ago, Bryn910 said:

PT assistants treat patients. No more schooling after that.

PT techs set up, can oversee exercises and clean up

Exactly :-)

6 hours ago, NobodyYouKnow said:

Chiming in a little bit late, so you've already got a lot of replies, but here's how it went for me:

The first time I saw my current primary care provider -- an awesome nurse practitioner who made it clear from day one that she was on my side and just wanted the best for me -- she never said, "you need to lose weight." What she said instead was, "have you ever considered bariatric surgery? I would be so happy to make a referral if you'd like to go check it out and learn more."

And while I was very reluctant about the prospect of surgery, I took her recommendation seriously. The thing that I think made a difference was that she just didn't drop the command to lose weight into my lap, she started by offering me a potential solution. It probably made a difference that I was ready to be receptive to that kind of suggestion, and that at my weight then (464 lbs that day) there was really no question about the need to lose weight. But she didn't say it in a way that might come across as accusatory, or in a way that just stated the fact and then left me to work it out for myself. She was offering me a practical, simple step that I could take to start moving forward.

This times 1000 -- this is what my PCP did and I am so grateful! Don't tell me to lose weight, tell me HOW to do it!

16 hours ago, MIZ60 said:

I have had the same primary care doc for about 14 years and he has never said anything about my weight, even when it rose pretty rapidly over the last several years. He was always willing to order labs when I requested them but never offered anything at all in regards to weight loss. When I asked him for a referral to the bariatric clinic he seemed a little surprised but just said that I met all the criteria and he would make the referral. I assume this is because I am a nurse practitioner myself and obviously aware that I was becoming increasingly obese.

As my asthma and back pain got worse even though I was seeing specialists it was never suggested to me that I lose weight. I KNEW that the weight was a big part of the problem but I guess I was in denial. But no doctor ever told me.

Now I will say that discussing a child's overweight issues with them and their parents is very difficult but I do it when necessary. I try to be really gentle but parents for the most part get very defensive but the truth is until a child is earning their own money and providing their own food the parent IS responsible for what foods are available to them. Kids can be very manipulative and just because they want 2 liters of soda and a huge bag of chips every day does not mean the parent needs to provide them.

All nurses are educated about nutrition and certainly qualified to discuss concerns about a patients' weight in the context of their other health problems and to provide them with information and referrals about weight loss options in their community. Nurses educate parents about nutrition in prenatal and WIC classes.

I dunno --- one of my kids refused to eat meat, and I didn't have much recourse other than to learn how to provide Protein to him. Teenagers are an extremely stubborn breed... Add a hormonal weight factor into the equation, and sometimes it might not be a fight worth fighting. I raised a boy with Type 1 diabetes and I never allowed food to be a weapon he used against me, which is quite common with kids with diabetes, and no doubt overweight kids, too.

On 7/8/2018 at 3:48 PM, Sleeved36 said:

I know this is a loaded subject, but here goes: I am a nurse and the physicians I work with often recommend weight loss to thier patients. Some approach this conversation better than others.

As a nurse I understand that losing weight makes patients healthier and the obesity epidemic can not be ignored . . . . BUT as a patient I hated being told to lose weight, in fact I kinda wanted to lash out at the skinny wench. Duh, if it was so easy I wouldn't be fat bc it is SUPER fun not being able to: find clothes that fit, reach my toes, breath while I put on shoes, or fit in a small chair.

So here are my questions for you all:

How should a doctor tell you to lose weight? Or should they just not say anything? Who can you help by ignoring it?

Would it be better if nutrition classes or a healthy lifestyle program was offered at the same time?

Should the conversation only happen with another big person? Would you feel less judged that way?

Or does it seem silly for a fat person to tell another fat person to lose weight? Empathy or irony?

Would it be better or worse if bariatric surgery was mentioned? Would it help if I flashed my scars?

Tell me about times when a medical professional told you to lose weight. How did it feel? What would have made it better?

I can change how this is done where I work, but need input. You can PM me if you want, too.

Second guessing this post, might belong in the rant and rave section.

I haven't read the rest of the replies yet, but I, too, hated getting that speech from thin, young doctors. But then, my relatively new (and thin and young and fabulous) doctor said, hey, have you thought about WLS? No, I hadn't -- that was for really big people. Turns out I was wrong. Best.discussion.ever. Almost 50#s down.

Thought I'd check in. I had surgery on 3/14 and I am still losing in bumps and starts. :-) It feels like a strict diet with inability to bing on stuff like 2 slices of pizza (never gonna happen with a sleeve, TG). So the secret formula for ME is to avoid grazing at all costs -- 4 meals a day with Protein, veges and fruit, and bread rarely. Good luck to all with scheduled surgeries!!

I don't think so. I'm 3 months in and feeling a little panicky when I spot random strands around me -- normal shedding or the beginning of the Hair loss phase? I never miss my Vitamins and rarely miss my Protein goal.

I think we should stipulate that 0-1 pound a week is slow, 1-2 pounds a week is normal, and greater than 2 pounds a week is fast!