Sai

I made mine homemade. The first week or two, I used extract or flavoring since our stomachs are still healing. Fruit the first couple of weeks may be too harsh. I was "allowed" to have 1/2 banana in my shakes, but from what I've seen on the forum, fruits do not do typically do so well. Let's see what others think about this.

Common question and concern so you're not alone. My weight didn't budge for 10 days after my revision to sleeve. Water weight for sure, body adjusting to major surgery. Everybody is different, some drop a lot the first 2 weeks, then stall on wk 3. I was kind of glad my stall (lack of a better term) was right away.

I had extra cottage cheese and really thought about making some spinach paneer but got lazy lol.

So far today: B: coffee with 1T cream S: 6 boiled shrimp L: 2 oz baked steak with onions (onions tossed in spices & olive oil before baking) S: D: Vitamins and Water on track.

How long was the whole process from your first visit to your surgery date? Do you have Aetna? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App April to September, about five months, beginning to end. I have Bcbs. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Congratz and you are doing great. You are so right that you never realize how heavy you are until you take it off... Even 20 lbs makes a huge difference on the stress on my body. Great job!

I never stopped. My program said to cut it down to 1 or 2 cups a day.

I eat 1 to 2 servings a fruit a day but always along with Protein (like cheese). For example, today I had for a snack, half a grapefruit and a piece of string cheese. I know many successful people who are on a strict low carb. I'm a moderate carb diet, a more balanced diet. It's what seems to work with my body chemistry. Note: I try to only eat my carbs later in the day, in the evening. A few studies showed that people who ate carbs at night vs the control group who ate carbs spaced out throughout the day, had an increase in their metabolism and lost more weight and body fat, also improving their hormonal profile. Here is one of the studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21475137

Baked fish (seafood in general), cheese, hummus, greek yogurt, chia seeds. I often have a steamed artichoke for a snack/meal, and for a vegetable is has a nice size amount of protein (~5g).

Joy@boman Please don't get discouraged, let me share what happened to me. For the first 10 days, I lost nothing too. I had followed all the rules, drank all my 64 oz and got all my Protein in, I exercised and my average daily calories was super low (like most of us the first few weeks). It does get disheartening when the scale doesn't move. After those 10 days, the weight started coming off, all that excess Water. Your body may just take a little longer to get rid of the that excess water. Drink, drink, drink to combat the water gain. Your type of case is very common. You'll be able to up your calories and help your metabolism later as you progress through the stages. It's just healing time. Hang in there.

At week 5, I was approved for all foods as long as I tolerated them.

Since you like avocados, I really loved baking them with parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top with paprika and garlic salt with a splash of lime. Another favorite of mine was various crock pot mushies like I'd put black Beans, enchilada sauce, cheese, onion, and jalapeno with cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic salt... Etc, let it cook in the crock pot for a few hours, then take my stick blender and puree it. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I never had a sweet tooth but now anything sweet turns my stomach. I really think it's because of pre op and all those Meal Replacement shakes. I really really hated that stage lol. My biggest taste bud change is I don't crave breaded fried foods anymore. I stayed away from breaded fried foods after the band in 2009 but I still craved them. Now after the revision, I prefer grilled fish and roasted onions vs breaded fish and onion rings. I'm wondering if it's because I'm just not "starving" anymore and therefore it's easier to make better choices. I'm really not sure. Either way, I'm so glad that switch is turned off. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

You body may still be holding onto Water. Are you meeting your water and Protein goals? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Definitely oatmeal over grits since it's a superfood in that it has high fiber, lowers cholesterol and boosts metabolism. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Great job . Sounds like you're doing everything spot on, especially checking in with your NUT. I'm only going on 10 weeks post-op revision to sleeve, and I'm so grateful that I had WLS. Keep us posted! ^^

1. What are/were your biggest challenges during the weight loss process? (insurance, medication, surgery, maintenance etc): Insurance, especially when they stopped covering lap band adjustments That was one of the main reasons I went ahead with the band to sleeve revision. I just couldn't afford $300 per 0.2cc adjustment, sometimes 2 in one week. It was just too expensive for me. 2. What would you like to have different to solve the problems that you need to face? And why? (new weight loss medication, new surgery approaches, more support groups, new insurance plan etc.): Better insurance plans for WLS patients. Although I know they are aware of how detrimental being overweight is, and I am grateful they cover WLS more now... I still feel that they don't cover enough of the additional things (i.e. fills/adjustments, removing extra skin, therapy, post-op shakes for just the liquid phase of healing) that one needs to further maintain their health. It's like helping an addict for one hospital stay and then putting them out on the street with no further help. Some may make it, and others will slide again. If the insurance companies can keep the WLS patients healthy, they would further save on all the future medical problems of those patients. 3. How much money do you spend for weight loss every year? (food, exercise, support groups, medications etc): Over $2K per year but now that I got the revision to sleeve, it'll be less money spent since I don't have to do lapband adjustments but just routine check ups (doctor check ups, Vitamins and other supplements, meds like PPI, Protein powders). 4. How did you learn about the surgery/medications that you had/used/are using? My bariatric center gave me lots of handouts and a book on everything that I need for the revision surgery (band to sleeve). We also had a nutrition class. I also read a lot on the forums (mainly experiences that others feel that are not usually in a book), and read many scientific and clinical studies.

I have not, but it is definitely something I am aware of since it's common for WLS patients due to the very low calorie diet (VLCD). Hope you feel better soon. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/weight-control/dieting_gallstones/Pages/dieting-and-gallstones.aspx

Sashimi (3 oz = 24g protein), Greek yogurt, cheese (all kinds), kefir, baked wild caught Salmon (3 oz = 23g protein), can of sardines, hard boiled egg, Jerky and tofu are my regulars. I don't mind healthy fats in my diet, nothing is low fat.

Clothes, with shoes off.

I used to in the beginning but more often than not, I was so happy that I can eat a piece of string cheese and be satisfied for quite awhile instead of feeling like a bottomless pit. The only time that I feel like I miss it (very rarely now), is when I go to a restaurant but I've learned to just ask for a box at the time I order, and I can still enjoy the food for the next 3 meals at home. I'm only 9 weeks out, and I already can eat more at one sitting. I'm not looking forward to when my sleeve relaxes more as I've gotten used to eating 2-3 oz and being happy.

Though out the whole process I've had this problem (I figure it'll go forever since I'm sleeved.) so I bought the Cleanstream (shower enema system), and once a week I just use a little bit of warm Water, and I'm good. I'm aware not to go overboard with it because even though it's water if you do it too much, you can knock your electrolytes out of balance... etc. I much prefer this than taking any meds for constipation, I've always been skittish about taking any medication unless it's absolutely necessary, but that's just me. Oh yeah, forgot to say, it has a switch that you can go to the shower head when it time to take a shower.

Ice tea unsweetened with a gang load of lemon or lime. I have never liked alcohol so it's same ol' same ol' to me when I go to happy hour with a client and/or co-worker.

I used them for 2 months, am thinking of going back to the Patches but I have a graveyard of multivitams (Centrum, Flintstones... Etc. so I figure I might as well finish those for now.) I got mine here at the store they have on Bariatric Pal, and they have an autoship program which saves you money. I haven't called my doctor asking their opinion of the patches vs pills but I know they sell the pills so they may be bias lol. Many here have sworn by the patches, which is why I tried them.

I once had a potassium deficiency, and I had hand and leg cramps so you may be experiencing cramps due to some Vitamin or mineral imbalance. It's a serious thing, I would suggest seeing a doctor ASAP.