JoiaRox

I don't see old man NOR too thin. I'm jealous of your success, and hope to be there myself someday!

My doc was fine with eCigs (I'm "vaping" the highest nicotine mg) - heck, I vaped in my recovery room. He thinks nicotine will eventually be proven to be as safe as caffeine...it's the 4,000+ toxins and tar in cigarettes that are damaging (especially post-op). I'd ask your doctor, to be sure, but mine was absolutely fine with the switch. He now recommends it to other sleeve patients after seeing my success!

Join our group (link above) if you're on Facebook. Our first live meet-up is this Sunday (August 24) in Montgomery County, MD!

Anyone in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, please join us for our first LIVE support group: Sunday, August 24th @ 3:00pm Seasons 52 11414 Rockville Pike North Bethesda, MD 20852 If you plan to come, please let me know in a private message. We want to be sure our reservation covers those who wish to come!

Hey, if you want to risk your post-op recovery, go for it. I'm glad you feel fine...and I hope you don't have the "one time" you don't.

My doctor recommends cutting carbs to no more than 50g/day when/if you reach a long stall. Other than that, no restrictions on carbs! I find that when I focus on protein, which is what I'm supposed to be doing anyway, there really isn't room for hundreds of grams of carbs per day anyway!

I've lost 29 pounds since surgery on 6.7.13 - quit whining . In all seriousness, you're doing great! Even though I've lost less, my weekly average is a little over 3 pounds a week - I'll take it!

Bumping to the end

While I'm jealous of your loss (I'm 9 weeks po today), I'm sure your doctor wants your loss to be safe. I've lost roughly 28 pounds since surgery, and my doctor is happy with the rate of loss I have, even if it feels somewhat slow to me (I'm still happy!). I'm always amazed at those who eat as little as you. I'm averaging 1,000 calories per day and, actually, find that my body is happier when I can get closer to 1,200 calories per day. Regardless, we're all different - whatever's advised by your doctor, I'd follow it! ABSOLUTELY, though, do NOT allow anyone to let you feel defeated. You are ROCKIN' the sleeve and will continue to do so, even if your loss slows up a bit

In my doctor's opinion? Straws are fine and hurt nothing.

We've decided to create a "secret" Facebook group (only those in the group can see who's in the group, the posts, etc.) to help facilitate our local support group - join us if you would like to find out about these events! https://www.facebook.com/groups/522087934530500/

Better that it ends up in the trash/garbage disposal than on my thighs! As I see it, my brain is still adjusting to the amount of food it thinks I can eat (eyes are still bigger than the stomach) - I'm wasting food/money, but I'm okay with that versus the alternative.

I'm very open about my surgery - even on Facebook (you know, where my "friends" are not necessarily all people I'm close to). I was lucky to be born with the gene that doesn't care what people think about me or my choices. Negative nellies can bite me, because this was MY choice. I did the research, I thoroughly thought this out, I got all of my questions answered, etc. - and I'm now 2 months out and doing well! Essentially, those negative people can either find the exit door and excuse themselves from your life, or they can hold on to their own anxiety until they see you're doing fine. Either way, the biggest piece of advice I have is NOT to let them get to you! Who cares what other people think?!

On the other hand, I'm 2 months out and haven't had a protein shake in weeks. To maximize fullness, my doctor recommends that I work to get all of my protein from real food - so I do. As other posters have said, the protein shake just allows you to get your protein in - when my stomach was still swollen post-op, the shake really did make me feel full...but, of course, my stomach's capacity was that of a coffee stirrer. Now, any liquid won't do the "keep me full" trick for any amount of real time. Water helps to satiate me throughout the day, but, yes, it passes through rather quickly.

Fluids are most important at this stage in your recovery, but what did you doctor recommend? My NUT recommends 70g of protein, minimum, each day. Luckily, I was able to get that down pretty quickly out of the surgery gate. Work on your fluids, add protein where you can, and work to hit those minimums!

I'm only 2 months out, but I find that I can't handle sweet things anymore. Diet Coke is too sweet (yes, I'm allowed carbonation), ice cream doesn't appeal to me, etc. Heck, even a frappuccino is too much for me now! I also eat a TON more hummus now. I don't think I hated it pre-op, but I sure use it as my go-to snack now!

I eat according to how my body feels - sometimes it's minor hunger, sometimes it's just because I feel weak and know I need some food, sometimes it's the time of day. Hunger still exists post-op, but it's nowhere near the same sensation it was pre-op. Furthermore, only a tiny bit of food (comparatively) is needed to satiate me even when I do feel hungry...sometimes, just drinking some more water does the trick!

Had to share it on Facebook!

Welcome! I live in Germantown, MD - not far from you! I'm 2 months post-op (yesterday) and had my sleeve done in Reston, VA. Welcome to the boards - your surgery is tentatively scheduled for the day after my birthday! P.S. Recovery from this was a piece of cake for me

I definitely agree with someone above who said you should up your calories. While I strive to get roughly 1,000 calories per day, I find that the scale moves more if I eat closer to 1,200. Granted, I'm 274 pounds, so the size may be the reason I need to eat more.

Definitely, and it's normal! You've been surviving on liquids and purees, most likely, as your stomach has been healing. At this point, your stomach's swelling has reduced nicely and it's ready for more solid food. At 4 weeks out, I was on "soft foods," and found that it wasn't until I began to incorporate more solid protein choices (i.e. chicken breast) that I got my "full" feeling with smaller amounts of food. Continue to follow your doctor's instructions for diet and recovery, but you'll find that the more solid the food you can tolerate, the less hungry you'll be!

Diligence is key in the land of insurance. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Throw a "before" picture up there to show off that comparison! Great job!

What's changed in your life recently? Any new stressors? Are you still getting your required water and protein in each day? I'm only 2 months post-op, but I'd recommend going back to basics to make sure you're doing what's required - you may find that an increase in water/protein may help with the hunger!