Tiffykins

We did this over on obesityehlp the other day, and this is my top secrets to my success in losing and maintenance.
1) Adhered to the post-op dietary guideline prescribed by my surgeon to a "T" no justifying those 2 miniature snickers just because it's "only 80 calories", or I would have eaten 2 king size snicker's bars pre-op. Like Brandilynn says "Justification is just like masturbation, you're just screwing yourself." Edit to add: my guidelines for losing 60+ gr of Protein, no more than 30gr of carbs, 600-800 calories and no fat guidelines. . . I did not eat carbs except from dairy and green veggies during my losing stage. No net carb, carb carb counting, every carb counted, bottom line, a carb was a carb while I was losing. I really didn't have room for carbs either since Protein was my focus.
2) Measured portions by VOLUME religiously
3) Never ate until I felt full/stuffed (that's what got me Fat)
4) Fluids, Fluids, Fluids and more Fluids
5) Never once doubted my ability to be successful
6) Counted every carb that crossed my lip including the 2carbs that were in my multi-Vitamin, yep those carbs count too
7) I ate 4 meals per day with each meal consisting of 15 gr of protein, this gave me my protein goal and complete satiety
8) No Snacks. I wasn't hungry. Pretty logical not to just throw food in there because I could, umm that's what got me fat too. It was a habit that had to be broken. I'm not saying it's easy, but if I chose to have 85% of my stomach removed to put the fork down, I need to be accountable for those behaviors that led me to pick up the fork in the first place, right? No justifying it, just stop the behavior, and accept that snacking/grazing is what contributed to me being obese.
9) Celebrated every little success that came my way. I.E. I cried when I finally saw all the bones in my formerly chubby feet, seems pretty trivial huh? Did you know that many bones were in the feet and could actually be seen? I had no clue, and that was pretty awesome.
10) I fought through every struggle/obstacle knowing that making it to the other side would have a bigger reward.
11) Slowly added in foods that allowed me to eat more calories/carbs/protein to get my losing to stop
12) Identified my slider foods, and ate them moderation
13) Once in maintenance; Refused to deprive myself of certain foods 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes did NOT make me Fat, 2 cups of potatoes on top of that 12oz ribeye with 2 cups of mac-n-cheese, and 60oz of sweet tea in one meal made me fat.
14) I wanted normalcy, but I wanted reality as well. I could not go back to bad habits that would give me an end result of regain.
15) It's a balancing act. It's a choice every day, every meal, every bite
16) Recognized that I could and do cheat the sleeve on occasion. HEY I'm a fatty, and a foodie, I love food NO less than before VSG. I recognize the behavior, and I have found a balance that works for me. This will not be everyone's experience, but it is mine, and I'm perfectly content with how I choose to live every day, every meal, every bite.
17) I was/am okay with a 5lb bounce around on the scale. I do not know a single one of my naturally thin girlfriends that stay the same weight day in, day out, every week, every month. Shit happens, Water weight happens if I eat chicken wings with ranch, I'm not going to beat myself up for a 5lbs bounce around on the scale.
18) Just because I can stretch my meal further, and eat more, just because I can chew my food to mush so I can fit more in, just because I can eat sliders and get in more calories and yumminess, DOES NOT mean I SHOULD DO IT. On occasion, do I do these things, damn right, and I have zero guilt because it's what works for me ! ! !
I should add that I had zero compulsive tendencies, was/am not an emotional eater, am not carb sensitive, I do not get the eat a carb, crave a carb thing, and I learned real quick that my journey was just that, MINE. I did it, do it according to what I know works best not only phsyically, but mentally.

juice, and well, I'm not being as "strict" with my intake as I was a few months ago. They wanted me to gain about 10lbs this first trimester, and it's not going to happen. I'm still keeping things in check, but I'm not totally freaking over the gain either. It's more the physical changes that are a little difficult to manage mentally, but it's getting better.

My belly finally popped this last week, and it took a lot for me to agree to being photographed. This was taken yesterday for an early Easter celebration with some of our friends and their families. I knew I wouldn't be able to wear this dress again in the near future so I decided to go ahead and overdress for the occasion just so I could wear it at least once. I still have quite a bit of bloating, but my stomach is finally starting to get that "hard baby bump" feel instead of just flabbiness and some excess skin. Oh, and my boobs have gone up an entire cup size WOOT WOOT. WE've moved from calf length socks with pebbles in them to ankle socks with half lemons ! ! !

People, especially strangers, feel as if they have a right to touch me. I've already ordered the 'do not touch the BUMP' shirt for me to wear because I have issues with strangers touching me.

I have my 12 week check up with the high risk ob on Friday, and then another appt with my regular ob on the 25th, so I'll give more a "medical" update after those appointments. I'll have double appointments until I'm released from the high risk ob so I'll try to consolidate the updates. Thus far, I've had zero issues with food, or calorie intake, I have had 2 cases of severe reflux even though I'm still on Nexium. Those episodes were enough for me to know that I'm perfectly content staying on my Nexium post-op. I was miserable for hours.

Cheers everyone ! ! !

We did this over on obesityehlp the other day, and this is my top secrets to my success in losing and maintenance.
1) Adhered to the post-op dietary guideline prescribed by my surgeon to a "T" no justifying those 2 miniature snickers just because it's "only 80 calories", or I would have eaten 2 king size snicker's bars pre-op. Like Brandilynn says "Justification is just like masturbation, you're just screwing yourself." Edit to add: my guidelines for losing 60+ gr of Protein, no more than 30gr of carbs, 600-800 calories and no fat guidelines. . . I did not eat carbs except from dairy and green veggies during my losing stage. No net carb, carb carb counting, every carb counted, bottom line, a carb was a carb while I was losing. I really didn't have room for carbs either since Protein was my focus.
2) Measured portions by VOLUME religiously
3) Never ate until I felt full/stuffed (that's what got me Fat)
4) Fluids, Fluids, Fluids and more Fluids
5) Never once doubted my ability to be successful
6) Counted every carb that crossed my lip including the 2carbs that were in my multi-Vitamin, yep those carbs count too
7) I ate 4 meals per day with each meal consisting of 15 gr of protein, this gave me my protein goal and complete satiety
8) No Snacks. I wasn't hungry. Pretty logical not to just throw food in there because I could, umm that's what got me fat too. It was a habit that had to be broken. I'm not saying it's easy, but if I chose to have 85% of my stomach removed to put the fork down, I need to be accountable for those behaviors that led me to pick up the fork in the first place, right? No justifying it, just stop the behavior, and accept that snacking/grazing is what contributed to me being obese.
9) Celebrated every little success that came my way. I.E. I cried when I finally saw all the bones in my formerly chubby feet, seems pretty trivial huh? Did you know that many bones were in the feet and could actually be seen? I had no clue, and that was pretty awesome.
10) I fought through every struggle/obstacle knowing that making it to the other side would have a bigger reward.
11) Slowly added in foods that allowed me to eat more calories/carbs/protein to get my losing to stop
12) Identified my slider foods, and ate them moderation
13) Once in maintenance; Refused to deprive myself of certain foods 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes did NOT make me Fat, 2 cups of potatoes on top of that 12oz ribeye with 2 cups of mac-n-cheese, and 60oz of sweet tea in one meal made me fat.
14) I wanted normalcy, but I wanted reality as well. I could not go back to bad habits that would give me an end result of regain.
15) It's a balancing act. It's a choice every day, every meal, every bite
16) Recognized that I could and do cheat the sleeve on occasion. HEY I'm a fatty, and a foodie, I love food NO less than before VSG. I recognize the behavior, and I have found a balance that works for me. This will not be everyone's experience, but it is mine, and I'm perfectly content with how I choose to live every day, every meal, every bite.
17) I was/am okay with a 5lb bounce around on the scale. I do not know a single one of my naturally thin girlfriends that stay the same weight day in, day out, every week, every month. Shit happens, Water weight happens if I eat chicken wings with ranch, I'm not going to beat myself up for a 5lbs bounce around on the scale.
18) Just because I can stretch my meal further, and eat more, just because I can chew my food to mush so I can fit more in, just because I can eat sliders and get in more calories and yumminess, DOES NOT mean I SHOULD DO IT. On occasion, do I do these things, damn right, and I have zero guilt because it's what works for me ! ! !
I should add that I had zero compulsive tendencies, was/am not an emotional eater, am not carb sensitive, I do not get the eat a carb, crave a carb thing, and I learned real quick that my journey was just that, MINE. I did it, do it according to what I know works best not only phsyically, but mentally.

I seriously LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dr. Michel and Dr. Riley ! ! ! At my last appointment, Dr. M said he was moving away from doing the band, and it put a huge smile on my face because when I went for my revision consult, he initially only wanted to do a port revision. Of course, I refused, and got VSG.
Stay in touch, and let me know if you need anything, I'm literally here for ya ! ! !

Hey Courtney welcome to the forum.
You can expect a different healing period than the band. Usually a more strict post-op diet than what you had with the band, but it depends on your surgeon. My husband was deployed during my revision as well. I dropped 80lbs in 4 months, but losing is individualized, and try not to compare yourself to others. In addition to not comparing, losing will depend on how much you have to lose, and what type of post-op guideline you follow. I low carbed it, high Protein, never snacked, and lost steadily and hit goal within 6.5 months post-op.
Read as much as you can about people's different experiences, and realize that your recovery might be more difficult especially since you are a revision patient, or it might be easier.
The band failed me miserably. I worked the shit out of that band, and did everything right. At some point, you have to believe that the sleeve will work. I don't think you failed the band if you've had complications. If you've sat around eating bon bons and hos hos the entire time, then yeah, the sleeve won't work either. Follow the post-op guidelines, measuring your portions, and following your program can ensure success. None of the WLS are bulletproof, but you can be successful if you choose that path ! ! !
Best wishes with your revision.

Thank you so very much Val. . . We are together this year, and all the goodies are cooking quietly in the kitchen while the guys play video games. I hope you have a great holiday as well.
Best news is that with the sleeve, you can eat a good size piece of fluffy cake if you want to. I just did 2 weeks ago at a baby shower. I paid for it dearly because of all the carbs, I just wanted to sleep the day away, but it tasted divine ! ! ! It wasn't a huge pre-sleeve slice, but it was at least 3 inches wide at the base, and double layered with buttercream icing and raspberry filling, oh and a fondant cake at that with buttercream holding on the fondant! ! ! I love being able to still have the extra yummies, and fitting into a restaurant booth with plenty of room between me and the table is best feeling in the world! ! !
Thanks again, and have a blessed holiday!

My first thought is that it sounds like your just eating to eat. Nothing can help with that except discipline and determination. It's a mind twist, and I recommend having a menu set, and designated time to eat. Start tracking your food intake and stick with the plan. I know it's easier said than done, but if you want it bad enough, you'll make it happen.
Protein bars are typically full of carbs and sugar alcohol which can cause more cravings for carby stuff. If you're hungry within 30-45 minutes of eating, are you still on a PPI? If not, acid overproduction could be the culprit. While acid overproduction is sometimes resolved by 6 months post-op, you might be one of us that need to be on a PPI. But, if it's head hunger, or just mindless eating, then you'll have to battle the mental aspect of eating.
You've done amazingly well thus far, don't toss out the last 6 months now by being careless and going off plan. I live by the mantra of "just because I can, doesn't mean I should". I can eat every hour on the hour if I wanted to, but I make the conscious effort to eat scheduled meals, measured portions, and still eat Protein first 85% of the time.
I agree with the above poster regarding the 5 day pouch test. I know several people that have used it to get back on track. Or, you can back to strict low carb, high protein, and have some accountability on what's going in your mouth.

Just FYI, last night my husband and I went to Cracker Barrel. I had about 3oz of a hamburger steak (it was simply a flattened out hamburger patty covered in A1 steak sauce) 2oz of pinto Beans, and about 1/3cup of hashbrown casserole. It took me over an hour to eat it, and I had a cup of Decaf coffee before my meal and few sips in between, OH yeah and I ate 2 of my husband's steak fries.
A few days, ago I went to Chili's, had 2 1/2 of the hamburger sliders with lettuce from my side salad, 1 nacho from my girlfriend's plate, and the inside of 2 southwest eggrolls.
I eat the bagel thins, and I usually make an open face (just 1 slice of the bagel thin) with turkey bacon (2-3 slices) and 2 slices of cheese (1 pepperjack 1 american). Sometimes for sh*ts and giggles, I throw a poached or fried egg on there too.
I'm telling you this because you might not be able to eat the entire meal again, but rest assured, you will be able to eat all of those foods, and while it won't be the entire amount you consumed last night, it'll be a good size, satisfying portion.

We order the Protein we use from Bodybuilding.com - The Future Of Bodybuilding! Huge Bodybuilding Site. because they have low shipping through FedEx for $5.99

I just plugged in some nectar samples (10 count) at $1.99 each, and the FedEx option for shipping is just $5.99

Here's the "fake" shopping cart I set up.

Bodybuilding.com :: Your Shopping Cart

Here's the link for nectar Samples on this specific site:
Bodybuilding.com - Syntrax Nectar - Best Tasting Protein! On sale now!

The samples are about halfway down the page across from the nutrition facts.

Vitalady.com is another resource for samples, but her minimum shipping and handling is $7.95.

Even for the 16 variety flavor sample pack of the Protein we (well the husband uses it now, I don't use it anymore) use (Optimum Whey) the shipping is only $5.99

Bodybuilding.com :: Your Shopping Cart

Hope that helps some. If you find a flavor you like, Buy Discount Vitamins, supplements, Low Carb and More at www.Vitacost.com carries Synthrax and the Optimum whey at great rates with $4.99 flat rate shipping regardless of weight/size of package.

Synthrax - vitacost

We did this over on obesityehlp the other day, and this is my top secrets to my success in losing and maintenance.
1) Adhered to the post-op dietary guideline prescribed by my surgeon to a "T" no justifying those 2 miniature snickers just because it's "only 80 calories", or I would have eaten 2 king size snicker's bars pre-op. Like Brandilynn says "Justification is just like masturbation, you're just screwing yourself." Edit to add: my guidelines for losing 60+ gr of Protein, no more than 30gr of carbs, 600-800 calories and no fat guidelines. . . I did not eat carbs except from dairy and green veggies during my losing stage. No net carb, carb carb counting, every carb counted, bottom line, a carb was a carb while I was losing. I really didn't have room for carbs either since Protein was my focus.
2) Measured portions by VOLUME religiously
3) Never ate until I felt full/stuffed (that's what got me Fat)
4) Fluids, Fluids, Fluids and more Fluids
5) Never once doubted my ability to be successful
6) Counted every carb that crossed my lip including the 2carbs that were in my multi-Vitamin, yep those carbs count too
7) I ate 4 meals per day with each meal consisting of 15 gr of protein, this gave me my protein goal and complete satiety
8) No Snacks. I wasn't hungry. Pretty logical not to just throw food in there because I could, umm that's what got me fat too. It was a habit that had to be broken. I'm not saying it's easy, but if I chose to have 85% of my stomach removed to put the fork down, I need to be accountable for those behaviors that led me to pick up the fork in the first place, right? No justifying it, just stop the behavior, and accept that snacking/grazing is what contributed to me being obese.
9) Celebrated every little success that came my way. I.E. I cried when I finally saw all the bones in my formerly chubby feet, seems pretty trivial huh? Did you know that many bones were in the feet and could actually be seen? I had no clue, and that was pretty awesome.
10) I fought through every struggle/obstacle knowing that making it to the other side would have a bigger reward.
11) Slowly added in foods that allowed me to eat more calories/carbs/protein to get my losing to stop
12) Identified my slider foods, and ate them moderation
13) Once in maintenance; Refused to deprive myself of certain foods 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes did NOT make me Fat, 2 cups of potatoes on top of that 12oz ribeye with 2 cups of mac-n-cheese, and 60oz of sweet tea in one meal made me fat.
14) I wanted normalcy, but I wanted reality as well. I could not go back to bad habits that would give me an end result of regain.
15) It's a balancing act. It's a choice every day, every meal, every bite
16) Recognized that I could and do cheat the sleeve on occasion. HEY I'm a fatty, and a foodie, I love food NO less than before VSG. I recognize the behavior, and I have found a balance that works for me. This will not be everyone's experience, but it is mine, and I'm perfectly content with how I choose to live every day, every meal, every bite.
17) I was/am okay with a 5lb bounce around on the scale. I do not know a single one of my naturally thin girlfriends that stay the same weight day in, day out, every week, every month. Shit happens, Water weight happens if I eat chicken wings with ranch, I'm not going to beat myself up for a 5lbs bounce around on the scale.
18) Just because I can stretch my meal further, and eat more, just because I can chew my food to mush so I can fit more in, just because I can eat sliders and get in more calories and yumminess, DOES NOT mean I SHOULD DO IT. On occasion, do I do these things, damn right, and I have zero guilt because it's what works for me ! ! !
I should add that I had zero compulsive tendencies, was/am not an emotional eater, am not carb sensitive, I do not get the eat a carb, crave a carb thing, and I learned real quick that my journey was just that, MINE. I did it, do it according to what I know works best not only phsyically, but mentally.

You look AMAZING ! ! !

I'll keep ya in my thoughts chickee ! ! ! Hormones definitely have metabolic effects on weight loss.

I thought I would share this with those of you that need Protein drinks and different options :crying:

I had this emailed to me a long time ago, and while cleaning out my inbox of the 2000 emails I stumbled across it again. I do not know the original author/creator/inventor or I would give proper credit.

pumpkin Protein shake
This is a wonderfully decadent way to get in your protein! Spicy, creamy and icy-thick.?milkshakes never had it so good!
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup skim milk or soymilk
1 scoop vanilla Protein powder (such as Matrix Simply Vanilla)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/8 t. cloves, 1/8 t. ginger)
2 tablespoons Splenda Granular
1/4 cup Cool Whip or NSA vanilla yogurt
1 cup ice cubes
Place pumpkin, milk, Protein Powder, spices, Splenda, cool whip or yogurt, and ice cubes in blender container; process until slushy. Makes one Meal Replacement serving.
Per Serving: 230 Cal; 28 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 13 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 115 mg Sodium


banana Protein NOG
1 scoop Matrix Simply Vanilla protein powder
1 cup skim milk
A one inch chunk of banana
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.

Banana/Peanut Butter shake (12 grams protein)
8 ounces fat-free milk
1 tablespoon creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 - 1/2 banana
Blend until smooth in blender.

Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein)
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein)
1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder
8 ounces skim milk
Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake.

Sunrise Smoothy
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup orange juice (or orange tang)
? banana (peeled)
1 carton Low Carb Vanilla Yogurt
1 tablespoon Splenda
4-5 frozen strawberries
Mix in blender until smooth

Cherry Vanilla
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
4-5 maraschino cherries
2 scoops low carb vanilla ice cream
1 cup cherry sugar free kool-aid
Mix in blender until smooth

Peach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup Crystal Lite peach tea
4-6 frozen peach slices
4 ice cubes
Mix in blender until smooth

Strawberry-Lemonade
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup sugar free lemonade kool-aid
4-5 frozen strawberries
4-5 ice cubes
Mix in blender until smooth

Cherry Vanilla Coke Float
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 scoops low carb SF ice cream
1 cup diet coke
4-5 cherries
Mix in blender until smooth

Apple Pie Frosty
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 vanilla protein powder
1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
(or 1/2 C no-sugar-added applesauce)
2 packets Splenda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
3/4 C Water
8-10 ice cubes Blend thoroughly and drink up

Butterscotch Pecan liquid Pie
2 scoops ProScore 100 vanilla
8 oz cold Water
2 T sugar free butterscotch pudding mix
4-5 ice cubes
1/4 C pecans
Blend protein powder, water and pudding mix.
(The pudding mix thickens the liquid considerably).
Add ice cubes and blend till ice slivers.
Add pecans and blend again for a few seconds.
Pour into nice huge parfait glass and enjoy.
(about 300 calories).

Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake
1 scoop vanilla powder
1/2 cup SF cherry yogurt
4 ice cubes
splash water
vanilla extract (to taste)
cherry extract (to taste)
Put all of it in a blender and hit liquify! Enjoy

Choco Mint Shake
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder
1 packet sugar free hot chocolate mix
1 teaspoon mint flavoring
1/2 cup of soy milk
1/2 cup of water
6 large ice cubes
Put all ingredients into blender
And mix to desired consistency. Serve cold.

Chocolate Almond Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
1 cup of soy milk
2 T Sweet N Low chocolate Syrup
1 t almond flavoring
1/4 cup of almonds
6-8 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients,
Except almonds and ice cubes,
Then add nuts and cubes and blend again

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter De-Lite
3/4 c. cold water
1/4 c. Toasted Marshmallow s/f syrup
2 scoops PS IOO Chocolate Protein Powder 4 packets. equal
1/2 small banana
1T. low sugar Peanut Butter
1T. s/f White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix
Put everything in blender
And whirl till smooth.
Scrape down sides if necessary
And whirl some more.

Chocolate Banana smoothie
1/2 cup banana Fat-Free NutraSweet Sweetened Yogurt
1/2 cup Non-fat Milk
1/2 cup ripe banana peeled and sliced
Dash of Vanilla
1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder of Choice
Put all ingredients except ice in blender,
Blend until smooth.
Add ice and blend
To give it a frozen smoothie consistency.

Chocolate Coconut Shake
2 oz Coconut Milk
6 oz Cold Water
2 scoops Chocolate protein powder
1 tsp Chocolate or Banana sugar-free pudding
Hand Shake well.

Chocolate Covered Banana
1 scoop Chocolate Isopure
1/2 c 1% milk
splash of sugar-free chocolate syrup
1/2 banana
4 maraschino cherries
2 handfuls ice
Blend

Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder
1 cup soy milk
2T Sweet N Low chocolate syrup
10-12 cherries - (no pits please)
8-10 ice cubes
Put all ingredients into blender
And mix to desired consistency

Chocolate Frosty Shake
1 rounded scoop Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex Chocolate Protein Powder
1 rounded tsp. fat free sugar free French Vanilla International coffee
1 rounded tsp. fat free Creamora (non-dairy coffee creamer powder)
10 ice cubes
Use a blender to get a shake-like consistency

Chocolate Fudge Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
2 T chocolate fudge sugar free pudding mix
8 oz water
5 large ice cubes,
tiny silver spoon (optional)
Blend ProScore, pudding and water, add ice cubes,
Blend till crushed with ice slivers still un-melted,
Pour into insulated cup (makes about 16 oz)
And eat it with a tiny silver spoon.

Chocolate OrangeSicle
1 1/2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
1/2 Scoop OrangeSicle protein powder
8 oz water
Shake very well

Chocolate Peanut Butter Death
2 scoops PS100 Chocolate Protein Powder
8 oz Cold Water
2 tsp Chocolate SF Pudding Mix
1 packets Splenda
1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Peanut Butter Syrup
1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Cookie Dough Syrup
1 Heaping Tablespoon (Daloop) of Fat Free Cool Whip Light
1 Heaping Teaspoon of Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter
approx. 6 oz of crushed ice
Mix until entirely smooth - pour - sit back and enjoy pure indulgence

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tbs. peanut butter
1 cup skim milk
2 handfuls ice
Blend thoroughly

Chocolate Raspberry Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
8 oz water (or skim, lactaid or soy milk) sugar free raspberry syrup
Blend and enjoy

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
splash Vitamite
splash water
ice
Blend thoroughly

Chocolate-Banana Shake
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 banana
1 cup skim milk
2 handfuls ice
Blend thoroughly.
Hint: if you can't use a banana,
Try banana extract...tastes good!

Coco Loco
1 1/2 scoops 100%Whey Vanilla Protein powder
4 oz Vitamite
6 packets Splenda
splash Luzianne Peach Mango Ice Tea flavoring
2 drops Coconut extract
2 drops pineapple extract
1 drop Rum extract (optional)
5 ice cubes
Blend and chop ice thoroughly

Cookies & Cream
Splash of Cookies & Cream coffee Splash of Vitamite
Splash of water
1 tsp. Sugar Free DaVinci Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Syrup (optional)
1/3 scoop ProBlend 55

Mocha/cappuccino
1/3 scoop Pro V60 Chocolate Thunder
1/3 scoop Pro V60 Vanilla Cr?me ice Blend

Creamy Peach Melba
6-8 frozen peach slices
4-6 oz water
1 tbsp peach mango Luzianne Tea Flavor
1 tsp DaVinci Raspberry flavor
2 packets splenda
1 tbsp heavy cream
2 scoops Keto Peaches & Cream Protein Powder
Blend peaches,
Water, flavorings, & splenda until liquid.
Add protein powder.
Drizzle in cream last. Blend well.

Donna's Delicious Protein Smoothie
6 to 8 oz sunrise orange crystal light (premade)
3 ice cubes
3 frozen raspberries
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
Optional: tablespoon of light cool whip
Mix crystal light with the ice cubes and frozen raspberries,
Add the scoop of vanilla protein powder
And mix only for a few seconds
(mixing the protein too much causes it to foam)

Double Chocolate Fudge
? cup skim milk
1 packet, no sugar added hot cocoa mix
1 scoop Chocolate protein powder
4 ice cubes (or ? - 1 cup crushed ice) Mix in blender.

Egg Nog
1 scoop of Vanilla HDT 5+1 vanilla 1 cup of soy milk
1 teaspoon of rum extract
1/2 teaspoon of all spice
4-6 large ice cubes
Put all ingr

Yep, liquids in, liquids out and your swelling might has subsides quicker than others. You'll feel restriction once you hit purees/mushies. Calm down on the hunger thing. That nasty hormone is still floating around your body and not everyone experiences lack of hunger overnight. Head hunger, well that's a different beast and if someone told you the VSG would fix that, they lied and I'm sorry they misled you. They operate on our stomach, not our brains so we have to work on the mental part.
Add unflavored Protein powder to your Soups, drink more Water. You aren't going to always feel this way, but it's going to take time, and you're only 6 days out. Rome wasn't built in a day or even in a week, right? Changing a lifetime of habits, food choices, behaviors is NOT going to change in a week either. Breathe, focus on getting in your fluids, and walk.

Each person has their own "negatives". I personally had an extensive, exhausting and mentally/physically draining recovery because I was a revision patient with major complications.
The negatives for me were:
1) Trying to sip enough early out seemed impossible
2) Taste buds changing
3) Developing a whey Protein intolerance and mild lactose intolerance post-op
4) Lack of energy early out, but it was temporary
Of course, the positives far outweigh the negatives especially since everything I experienced was over within a few weeks to couple of months, and I have a very normal, active, fun social life. There are plenty of us out here that "get WLS" there's others that don't. Unfortunately, the sleeve only does so much. I still have to be mindful of what I put in my mouth. I can still suck down a 3000 calorie milkshake if I wanted to so the point is making a permanent, and lifelong commitment to better food choices, and to honestly change your relationship with food. The sleeve makes this process much easier.
Every WLS has failures even the heavily touted Platinum standard Duodenal Switch. I've read several stories of regain, or DS'ers not getting to goal, and their surgery is far more drastic than even RNY.
I take 4 Vitamins a day. That's it, nothing major, 2 multis, 2 calcium citrate. Make it a habit, it's really not that big of a deal.
To address some of your concerns:
1. Death - huge I know. Ask your surgeon their mortality stats. If it's more than 1% get a new surgeon, and find out the details.
2. A Leak - also very risky. Same as above
3. My head hunger issues will be brought out huge. Start working on it now, get a new coping mechanism in place before surgery, therapy is a great tool especially if you can find someone that works with bariatric patients, along with support group meetings and using online support groups, find a buddy that has surgery around the same time to share ups and downs, get a mentor that you trust, and can talk you off the ledge when you're wanting to take a dive in the pool of caramely goodness of Girl Scout Samoa Cookies.< /strong>
4. My "food to cope" tool will be gone! Same as above
5. possible acid reflux... what's worse being fat or popping a Prilosec or Nexium to prevent reflux?
6. Gaining the weight back Establishing better habits, measuring portions, staying within your caloric intake guidelines is the best options to avoid gain. It's easy to gain weight, I won't lie, but for me, it's still super easy to lose it by following the rules.
7. not really losing anything that's pretty rare, I've read plenty of slow losers, but you have control of how you lose weight. Some do it differently than I did and that's okay, some do not want to give up carbs, I did because I knew I'd lose fast and hard. That's the path I chose, and I couldn't be happier with how I did it. Some have metabolic issues that slow weight loss down, and that has to be taken into consideration as well as activity level, and each individuals needs. One thing you have to remember is that the VSG is not some miracle that is going to cure it all. They operate on our stomachs, not our brains. So, getting ahead of the curve by establishing some good habits NOW will go a long way post-op. Eating slower, chewing your food more, sit your utensil down in between bites, do not drink with your meal, eat protein first, stretch your meal out to at least 20 minutes. Don't sit in front of the TV to eat, focus on what you are putting in your mouth/body and see how your body responds.

Best wishes! ! !

Our bodies will burn sugar before burning our fat. That's at least how it was explained to me. Also, sugary stuff can irritate the stomach, and while it's only temporary usually sugar intake can cause more gas, diarrhea and discomfort to an already pissed-off digestive system.
I was allowed to have juice, diluted and no more than 4oz a day on the clear and full liquid stages. When I was having issues getting in calories, and fluids, and felt dehydration was becoming an issue, I did drink regular gatorade and pedialyte which has a lot of sugar, but I never drank anymore than 6-8oz per day. I needed hydration, and cleared it with my surgeon. It's what I "had" to do, and some guidelines have be tailored to accommodate your specific needs.

For me, and me alone, I think starting to realize there are NO BAD FOODS will help with this mindset. Learning that there are "best, better, not so great" choices with all foods and drinks really helped me live the life of moderation I truly wanted. food is either nutrient dense, or nutrient lacking.
For me, deprivation leads to binging. Therefore, I have to make the conscious choice on what I put in my mouth. If I want a donut, I'm going to have a donut. It's done and over with, I can't take it back, I can't not have it process in my body, and I refuse to think that a donut on occasion is going to make me gain back 140lbs.
It does take time for the brain to catch up with the body, but it does happen. At least it has for me.
Remember, you are human, and only you can decide what is best for you. Learning to stop beating yourself up for having a donut will be the first step.

I bought a pair of Levi's as "goal pants" and was looking forward to wearing them. . . Sadly, I happen to skip that size and dropped right down to the next size. This happened a couple of times especially once I got out of the plus size clothing. I would skip a size completely, or only stay in a size for a couple of weeks. Luckily, I had bought them at a consignment shop so I didn't pay much for those jeans.
I think it's fabulous to have "goal size" clothing, but don't over-shop because you might not ever get the chance to wear them. It's a great thing, but huge waste of money if you skip sizes and tailoring isn't cheap.

I'll preface this statement with this : I am not a trained, educated medical professional. BUT, I would not go without a PPI especially if you are having acid reflux symptoms. If you choose to take Prilosec, take it on an empty stomach, wait 1 hour before eating, and it can take 4-14 days for it to fully kick in.
My surgeon doesn't put his patients on a PPI either as a standard protocol. But, when I started having issues, I demanded it.
Barrett's esophagus is NOT worth not taking the PPI, nor is the gnawing hunger pangs that came right after eating.
Funny how she chalked up it to going to the next food stage too soon, but that's their program, right? I know that sounds snarky, but I really do hate when office staff does not fully take into account what their patients are experiencing. Just because it's not their standard procedure, it doesn't mean that it might help you by taking something.
I can tell you most surgeons don't like online forums. They really want you to be "their" patient, and not seek advice from anyone other than them. I do understand to an extent, honestly, I do. However, I am an individual, and my patient aftercare should be individualized based on my needs/goals. Plus, they don't like being questioned about their "protocol". My theory is "Yes, they are trained, educated, experienced surgeons, but they are not GODS, and it's my body and my future health therefore I need to take the reigns when it comes to my aftercare."

I never really doubted surgery, but the doubts I had were tied to my previous diet attempts and failures. With VSG, I didn't feel like I was dieting at all. It was easy to follow my dietary guideline. The fact that I've lost all my physical hunger is a huge contributor to my success. At 21 months out, I still never experience true physical hunger.
Losing was easy, maintenance was tricky. I had to establish a new relationship with food. I have to still make the very best choice on what I put in my mouth. BUT, making that best choice is much easier with VSG. I lost 138lbs with VSG in 10.5 months. The first 115lbs were lost in 6.5 months post-vsg so losing was easy for me. I was diligent with my carb intake, and Protein intake. It's a lifelong change, and honestly, establishing better habits, and seeing food as fuel helped me be successful.
I honestly believe that with any of the surgery choices that our amount of success is completely dependent upon on US. No surgery fixes our head hunger or bad habits. Success is a choice, and I chose to make the best choice about 85% of the time. I have been in maintenance for almost a year, and honestly, it's still pretty easy to stay the course. I have indulgences, I eat junk food, but moderation is what keeps me in check. I wanted to be as "normal" as possible, and I firmly believe normal, naturally thin women eat Cookies. Big difference now is I can eat 2-3 Cookies instead of the entire package, and I am truly content.

The risk for a leak with RNY is actually higher because it's a more difficult staple line. If your surgeon has done more RNY bypass staple lines, he may not be comfortable doing sleeves if he doesn't have the experience. Technique gets better with experience, and if he doesn't have a lot of sleeves under his belt then his sleeve patients may not do as well as his bypass patients. RNY immediate complications are practically double vs. VSG. It's been well documented. I've lost just as much if not more that some RNY patients that started out with similar pre-op stats. If I were to consider a malabsorptive procedure, I would not waste my time, money on RNY. I'd go full Duodenal Switch. Grant it, neither of the malabsorptive procedures were an option for me. I didn't entertain either of them, but the DS is by far superior over RNY with long term results.

There are some 5 year results out for VSG that show that VSG results are extremely close to what the weight loss that is seen with RNY.

You do have a choice, and I firmly believe that no one, even a doctor, should not try to convince someone of a different surgery. I had it happen to me. The first time it was my band surgeon trying to convince me to get RNY, and during my revision, the assisting surgeon tried to tell me to do bypass instead of the sleeve.

The one place you can look for more information on RNY is on obesityhelp.com
If you're looking at both, check out the Revision forum, the RNY forum, the Failed Weight loss surgery, and the hunger and food issue forum over there. You'll see that out of all the surgeries, RNY patients are seeking the most revisions along with band patients, and that RNY patients have long term complications with food, hunger, weight regain.

Here are some of the reasons I chose VSG over RNY for my revision from the band.

1) RNY only gives you 2 years of calorie malabsorption of calories, but a lifetime of Vitamin malabsorption which can lead to later complications and deficiencies.
2) I had a pouch with my band, it is not natural, and the RNY gives the same pouch. My body hated the band pouch, and the RNY was not going to be any different.
3) I did not want a blind stomach that could not be easily scoped, but could still develop ulcers and cancer.
4) I wanted no medication or food restrictions.
5) Only 30% of RNY patients dump on sugar, it's not really a guarantee. If I want to eat a cookie, I don't want to suffer negative, self-induced consequences if I happen to be in that 30%.
6) I know several people in real life that have had major regain with RNY. Also, the complications that come 3-8 years later are just scary in my opinion.
7) I like the fact that my stomach is a normal stomach with function, just smaller in size.

I hope this helps.

I struggled with this very thing for several months after I went below goal, and to an extent, I still look at myself even in a size 2 and hate what I see.
I really don't think I will ever be 100% content with my body. I do plan on plastic surgery, but that will not fix my head. I know that having full, round breasts again will make me feel feminine, but it's not going to completely fix the way I view myself.
I've been below goal for a year now. My body is still changing on a monthly basis even though my weight is the same. I'm not sure if I'll ever like what I see when I'm naked. I do know I look amazing in clothes, but that doesn't help much when I get out of the shower and am reminded that my body is a weird shape now, my breasts are just skin bags, and my inner thighs are super wrinkly and flabby.
I still wouldn't go back to weighing 270lbs for anything, and I'm working on accepting that the body I have is a grim reminder of all the punishment I put it through for so many years of being morbidly obese.

The risk for a leak with RNY is actually higher because it's a more difficult staple line. If your surgeon has done more RNY bypass staple lines, he may not be comfortable doing sleeves if he doesn't have the experience. Technique gets better with experience, and if he doesn't have a lot of sleeves under his belt then his sleeve patients may not do as well as his bypass patients. RNY immediate complications are practically double vs. VSG. It's been well documented. I've lost just as much if not more that some RNY patients that started out with similar pre-op stats. If I were to consider a malabsorptive procedure, I would not waste my time, money on RNY. I'd go full Duodenal Switch. Grant it, neither of the malabsorptive procedures were an option for me. I didn't entertain either of them, but the DS is by far superior over RNY with long term results.

There are some 5 year results out for VSG that show that VSG results are extremely close to what the weight loss that is seen with RNY.

You do have a choice, and I firmly believe that no one, even a doctor, should not try to convince someone of a different surgery. I had it happen to me. The first time it was my band surgeon trying to convince me to get RNY, and during my revision, the assisting surgeon tried to tell me to do bypass instead of the sleeve.

The one place you can look for more information on RNY is on obesityhelp.com
If you're looking at both, check out the Revision forum, the RNY forum, the Failed Weight loss surgery, and the hunger and food issue forum over there. You'll see that out of all the surgeries, RNY patients are seeking the most revisions along with band patients, and that RNY patients have long term complications with food, hunger, weight regain.

Here are some of the reasons I chose VSG over RNY for my revision from the band.

1) RNY only gives you 2 years of calorie malabsorption of calories, but a lifetime of Vitamin malabsorption which can lead to later complications and deficiencies.
2) I had a pouch with my band, it is not natural, and the RNY gives the same pouch. My body hated the band pouch, and the RNY was not going to be any different.
3) I did not want a blind stomach that could not be easily scoped, but could still develop ulcers and cancer.
4) I wanted no medication or food restrictions.
5) Only 30% of RNY patients dump on sugar, it's not really a guarantee. If I want to eat a cookie, I don't want to suffer negative, self-induced consequences if I happen to be in that 30%.
6) I know several people in real life that have had major regain with RNY. Also, the complications that come 3-8 years later are just scary in my opinion.
7) I like the fact that my stomach is a normal stomach with function, just smaller in size.

I hope this helps.

No more guilt or feelings of taking the easy way than when I get in my car to drive to Walmart. No more guilt when I use a hand truck to move a heavy piece of furniture, or when I pay/tip the baggers at the commissary for bagging and hauling my groceries to my vehicle.
I never considered this easy. I fought for every pound I lost. I had my own set of struggles, and while I lost fast, hard, and fairly "easily". Losing isn't the difficult part, keeping it off, changing our habits, and really thinking about what we put in our mouths every day is the hard part.
I tried the "old fashioned" way too many times to count, and I failed miserably each time. I realized that I needed assistance, a permanent tool to help me.
I do think that maintenance is pretty effortless as well because I have addressed my own set of food issues, and I know my triggers.
Self-awareness was and always will be my key to long-term success. I could easily gain weight at this point. I promise it's not difficult to gain a few pounds here and there. Becoming complacent is a dangerous and slippery slope. I know that I could suck down a 2000 calorie milkshake every day of my life without consequence except I'd get fat again. The big change for me is the "want" has pretty much diminished for junk options. I indulge, I drink, I have soda, I don't beat myself up over half a Snickers, but I also know that behavioral patterns, and continual "not so great" choices can undo all my hard work.

Before:



Progress (during)



After (now)