lml32937

Recently switched to a vegetarian lifestyle (still eating cheese and fish as a protein source though) and would appreciate any advice, recipes or any other tid bits to help me stay on track... Thanks.

I'm 42 and have saggy skin in my arms- VERY BAD, legs (inner and outer thips) and my tummy (NOT so bad yet)- I lost about 90lbs on my lap band, gained some back and have since lost over 60lbs with my sleeve- I knew it was going to get worse- In my case becasue I already had saggy skin it will require surgery- no working out will ever be enough to tone it all- Many people however if they are agressive in their work outs can get away with minimal to no surgery for skin issues. But in my personal opinion- any weight loss over 50lbs after a certain age will result in some saggy skin- it's the law of gravity as well.. lol

I feel the "jiggly" too.. I think it is normal- Your body will be deplete of water and some toxins that are stored the more weight you loose. Plus the more weight you loose the more you will want to look at your body and see it's changes...

Hummus is amazing and a good source of protein- Unless you can eat it alone (as opposed to crackers or chips) that may be hard to do- I cannot eat it unless it is with a veggie to dip or a cracker.

I had a terrible time progressing my stages. I was on liquids/mushies for almost 3 months- at 3 mos I was living off of yogurt, string cheese and protein drinks. It does get better- stll not able to eat alot of meat but I am content right now rather than frustraded back then. Every body takes it's own time to heal and adjust- some of us just take longer...

I can say that weight loss after thyroid removal is harder than regular weight loss alone- you have to try 2 x harder to get anything off- you never realize what function your thyroid has until after it's gone- I had mine removed in 2007 due to cancer and also had 5 parathyroid glands removed- It can be done it is just harder and slower. Also your dose of thyroid medication will flucuate- mine still is even 5 years later- i have my labs every 6 weeks - my dosage changes every 6 weeks... hang in there- it can be done!!

I can say that in the beginning re-training my brain from thinking things would get stuck was quite dificult. Once I was able to get over that fear eating was much better- It is COMPLETELY different- There is a) no getting stuck you KNOW when you are full and you WONT want 1 more bite c) you are not hungry until at least 3-4 hours later- the fullness lasts- It is ruff in the beginning especially if you have had your band for a while- I personally had the band removed and the sleeve at the same time- in retrospect due to delayed healing I probably would have done it seperately if I had the chance to go back- But that was me and everyone is different. Regardless it is/was totally worth it- and of course like everyone else I wish I would have done it MUCH sooner.. good luck!

I am 3.5 months out and I didnt drink it agian until a little while ago because I was having other issues. I drink it now about 3-4 x a week (as opposed to pre op every day) and it doesnt make me hungry at all in fact it fills me up too much to the point I have no desire to eat- which is why i don't drink it every day-

I drank a lemon-ginger tea as well as gingerale- You can get the little cans and open 1 up- about an hour or 2 later when it's flat drink it- the carbonation will be minimal if at all.

I am 3.5 mos out and I have not been to any fast food places for anything other than Coffee or Tea.. when I had my surgery I vowed that I would never drive thru anywhere for food again

My husband loves Texas de Brazil- an amazing brazillian churasscaria in Orlando- We have been many times since my surgery and they ALWAYS give me a discount- they charge the senior price- of course I don't even eat as much as a child's portion but since they are not sitting there monitering you i'ts understandable. Even when I had my lapband they discounted my meal. Almost every place we have been to provides a discount- just ask to speak to the manager- Servers tend to be a bit on the gruff side so I skip them and go right to the one making the decision- I have personally only been asked to see my "card" on a few occasions but I don't find it embarrasing or weird at all. BUT also now that Ive been sleeved I ususally just order an appetizer as my meal and I don't use the card-

I have been without a thyroid due to cancer for years- Although many medications have a potential side effect of weight gain it is not 100% guaranteed. The benefits sometimes outweigh the risks of NOT taking anything. What works for some may not work for all- If it will make you feel better physically go for it- you have the tool to work with the weight loss (your sleeve) and you ve already proven to be successful with that- Now get the rest of you healthier and who knows maybe when every bodily system is in sync more weight will come off...

Even if your doctor didnt give you a post op diet as you say; you should have had a pre op with dietician- I would contact that person and get in ASAP- Not only is that not heathy it is not allowing your body to heal post surgically. It is so much more than a "diet". It is re-working your brain...

Hair falls out after anesthesia no matter what surgery you have- and then after this particular surgery it continues if you do not supplement your diet/vitamins correctly. It doesnt fall out in clumps or chunks- sometimes it doesnt even happen. Personally I have had progressive hair loss for years mostly due to a thyroid condition; after thyroid cancer, having it removed, lap band- having it removed and then having the sleeve done- I am thankful I started with a full head of thick hair- I still have a full head of hair and it isnt as thick as it used to be but NO one can notice unless I say something. I also started taking Biotin years ago and take 1000mg a day- which a lot of people swear by-. I would not let a few strands of hair loss interfere with your life/whole body changing experience at all.. It is a very trivial side effect if you ask me.

I bought and hated each one I tried- They don't have a lot of protein- I did better blending my own home made food and the fruits had too much sugar and were too sweet for me.

I cannot beleive that you are forbidden protien shakes- I have done extensive research on all the weight loss surgeries both here and abroad before I had my band and sleeve done and NONE of the physicians ever said that as a matter of fact the ONLY Thing that all physicians I have found agree on is the fact that protein drinks are your new BFF afer any weight loss surgery- I also think that each program can be curtailed personally by a legitimate nutritionist for everyone- I have a friend with the same doctor as me who is a vegetarian.. she doesnt eat fish- so the only way she can get protein is through drinks.... But regardless- I hope you get over the hurdle and one day will appreciate what you have done instead of despise it... good luck

I just posted something similar- I am DREADING going out to eat anymore because of the lack of tact 90% of service personall have.. tip or no tip- it is not necessary they ALL Need sensativity training- from the seating in the booth to the asking for a box to aksing if "that is all you want" OH and another- If I ask for something extra and your menue states there is a charge for substitues you don't need to belittle my intelligence by telling me there is a fee for that- If I couldnt afford it a) i wouldnt ask and i wouldnt be dining out....

When I was home after surgery- I took a sip everytime a commercial came on- I would go crazy with a timer. SO not necessary- If you are concerned about amount in a sip- get yourself a shot glass- it totally helps.

The other night hubby and I went to dinner- I was obviously as ususal not very hungry- So I ordered an appetizer sampler- It came with jalapeno's steamed with cheese (5) bonelss chicken wings (5) and potatoe skins (4). The potatoe skins were very burnt so I only ate the cheese and bacon out of them and 1 jalapeno then I was full- therefore leaving a lot of food on my plate... Watress when walking by-" do you wnat a box" Me- No thank you Waitress- "are you sure you don't want a box" Me- No thanks- i'm good when hubby was done with his yummy looking steak waitress brings check- Waitress" are you sure you don't want a box? they make good left overs" Me- No I don't want a box but thank you. Waitress- "really??" Me- Really- can I have my change please?? SO while we were waiting I vented to hubby that I thought she was so rude for asking so many times- Dammit If I dont want a box I dont want a damn box (we were going to not be home and the food would have gotten thrown away which is the only reason I didnt get a box) He told me I was overreacting- a) I think that all restaurants should make their employees do sensativity training- for the following reasons- 1) don't sit me in a booth if I look like I will be uncomfortable or PLEASE ask before you take me through a full restaurant and wait for me to try to squeeze in before you and I realize I NEED a table 2) If I only want an appetizer don't look at me as if i'm purple and that you KNOW I could eat more but don't.. IT's rude!! 3) If you ask me for a box and I decline DAMMIT leave it alone!!!!! Ok I feel better now- but does anyone agree with me?? I cannot wait unti I am further out and my figure matches my appetite so this no longer happens to me...

That is my favorite "go to" meal when I cannot keep antyhing much down.. a can of re-fried beans now lasts me about a week!!

@mememee... what tests did they do just out of curoiosity... i'm getting labs done in 3 weeks and perhaps should suggest something.... just as a rule out kind of thing.. ,my only issue is nausea and a bit of vomiting if I don't take my Reglan on time or something is too solidy...

My BMI pre op was over 60 6 weeks later it's in the 50's..

I get nausea with EVERYTHING i eat beyond a mushy consistancy (yogurt, cottage cheese etc) My doctor put me on Reglan and Zofran- it helps a LOT- Mentally it bothers me that I have to take a medicine in order to EAT (solids) but it's better than the alternative of vomiting and feeling like crap. ps. i'm about 6 weeks out. THe meds are not forever- he said about another 3-5 weeks and I should be "normal". He explained that we have that fibrous tissue that takes longer to heal and gives you a restriction on its own. once that swelling goes down it shouldnt be a problem (the nausea that is).

responding to the main topic.. I never really worried about leaking- a) they check in the hospital they check 1 week later when drain came out- The revision I had was all at once and very difficult and very different from the band- would I do it all over again- Heck yea but about 10 years ago!! lol

I had soups, sf tapioca, yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, protein drinks, sf carnation instant breakfast, gogurts but mostly soups....