Sai

String cheese, salmon or beef Jerky when I'm on the go, or I eat them on my coffee breaks. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Only if there are no complications, but mine was a minor complication from being too tight and on second appeal they accepted it. I had no comorbidities so it surprised me they approved it to be honest. Mine was a band removal to sleeve though, one surgery. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

A week. I originally took off two weeks, but I was lucky to have an easy recovery. My work isn't physical though, it's a lab and meetings type of job. I walk a lot in the lab but no carrying heavy things... Etc. If there was a lot of physical activity, it'd be another story. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Liquids, puddings... Etc. will go right through your sleeve. At this point, all you have to do is make sure you get your protein and water goals in. When you get to solids, you'll definitely feel it.

Mine was week 5, allowed anything if tolerated. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Yup, several studies have shown that artificial sweeteners trick your body's metabolism and makes the body begin to store more fat instead of burn fat, it even causes insulin spikes. One oif the most recent studies (2015) showed that people who drank diet soda had almost triple the abdominal fat compared to those who did not drink diet soda. food for thought (pun intended hehe).

I've been using fitday.com every day since 2009 to log every bite or drink I have. I still love to go back and look at what I was eating when I was 293+ in early 2009 hehe. I also love to look at my weight graph through the years. Their android app though sucks big time (fitnesspal much better app if you use your phone), so unfortunately one has to go to their laptop to use it. Lots of graphs, stats... Etc. The two I use on my phone (not for logging food but support): Awesome app for any eating disorder, it's called RR Eating Disorder management. Oh man, it's such an awesome app. I also use My Diet Coach Pro.

Nope, I don't regret it at all (not my lap band nor my revision to sleeve this year) but having said that, I had an extremely easy recovery. I think if I had issues like some, I'd be feeling similar to the way you feel. I hope you feel better soon.

I remember the waiting game for my band to sleeve revision. My bariatric center sent the paperwork in April, I was denied quickly because I had no medical issues, was lower bmi (due to band)... Etc. At that point, I was content to let my band rest since my band had been good to me (they unfilled my band for being too tight), and come back 3 months later to get it filled again. A month later or so, I get a call they approved me on second appeal... Then it got very real lol. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Yes, my surgeon suggested Miralax if I had problems during those weeks.

@@kitcatsheart I didn't but I absolutely love his videos on youtube. Sorry I couldn't be of any help otherwise. ^^

Great article, Alex. I especially like "Make the Most of Each Appointment". Being a naturally quiet person, I will have to make a point to do this each appointment. I often start off with questions and communication because I want answers but then after I tend to withdraw. With many things in life, communication is the key... Especially when it comes to the medical personnel who are supporting me in my weight loss, and also the the great support here in the forums. Thank you for the excellent reminder.

At 10 days post op, I was using an unflavored protein powder mixed in beverages and/or broth.

Yay , *happy dance*

Sent you FB invite. Look forward to watching your progress.

Program calls for 800-1200 cal/day (from wk 5 when I was approved to eat solids and anything I can tolerate). I'm averaging 946 cal for the last two months.

My program's goal for me is 60g. I'm averaging 70g. I'm at week 9 post-op.

I don't eat artificial sweeteners either so I mainly did what the others suggested. I used unflavored protein powder, however, after researching all protein powders out there, I did find one that didn't have sucralose, and I tried a sample of it. It's pretty good, it's called Orgain Organic plant based protein powder in Creamy chocolate fudge, and if you don't mind Stevia (plant based sweetener), you can try that one. It was a little on the sweet side so I watered it down some but I don't have a sweet tooth.

My only stall so far is the first 10 days or so after my revision to sleeve. I chalk it up to water weight due to IVs, body adjusting... blahblahblah hehe. After that the weight is steadily coming off. Just meet those protein and water goals, and you'll be fine.

A good kitchen food scale. I also recommend a pocket scale, Amazon has some really good ones that are not expensive. The latter really comes in handy when I travel. I carry that around with me everywhere since I go out to eat a lot due to work meetings... Etc.

LOLOLOL oh my gosh @@Moogle in a raid yet hahahahaha....

Your weight loss is great but your unrealistic expectations will set you up for failure in whatever avenue you take in life. 20 lbs in 19 days is awesome, and many here wish they had that type of weight loss despite doing everything right. Take it day by day, focus on Protein and Water intake, journal what you eat and exercise a little every day, and the weight will come off. Congratz on your weight loss rate.

@@proudgrammy @@CLK You just don't know how much both of your posts calm me. I keep it positive 90% of the time but sometimes I worry that one day, I'll wake up and there will be zero restriction. I actually had a recent nightmare about it lol. I didn't know I worried about it till I had the nightmare so it's back there in the recesses of my mind. Thank you both so much. Both such an inspiration. @@ma08 Great question. Thanks! ^^

At 5 weeks, my program said I no longer had any restrictions. I could eat whatever I want as long as it's tolerated. They go into trying one new food at a time so if my stomach gets upset then I'll know what type of food gives me problems... Etc. My nutritional guidelines they gave me are as follows: Calorie goals: 800-1200 cal, 60g Protein Multi-Vitamin that contains 200% of daily value of most nutrients and 100% Iron, 1200-1800 mcg Calcium citrate daily B-12 500 mcg daily or 2500 mcg weekly Optional for me since I wasn't low in any of these Vitamins (but I take them anyway): 2000-5000 IU Vit D daily 2-4 grams fish oil daily

I was sleeved around the same time. That doesn't sound normal at all. I hope your doctor figures out the problem. The only time I felt something similar is the first week I went to solid foods, and took one bite too many. I never did that again. It was that bad.