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Thought i would put out my update for everyone who has considered themselves a slow loser like me! Today is my two months surgery anniversary and I have officially lost 56 pounds. 31 since surgery. Not to bad considering I have a larger than normal sleeve because of scar tissue left behind from my lapband and I feel like I have been a slow loser compared to other Sleevers. I eat around 1000 calories a day which is more than most Sleevers because I don't ever reach satiety eating less because of my larger sleeve and I take brisk walks at least 3 times a week! I have noticed a pattern developing with my weight loss, I tend to stall for two weeks at a time going up and down the same 1 or 2 pounds and then I will wake up and surprisingly weigh 5 pounds less!!! This must be how my body is going to lose this weight I guess!! Just lost 5 pounds in the last two days so I bet I will stay steady for another two weeks and wait for the next swoosh!! Good luck to us all on this journey!!

I can't answer what will sit well after surgery, but as for general shakes I've found that baby spinach, frozen cauliflower, zucchini, and avocado tend to disappear into most drinks I put them in. Not always the most appealing colorwise but they all work well taste wise. Especially with berries! Yesterday I saw someone on a WLS Instagram use frozen riced cauliflower in a smoothie with low calorie orange juice and a coconut cream protein powder for a tropical Orange Julius and now I'm intrigued to try it...

Healthy snack ideas for your hungry stomach. For many of us, snack time is when we lose control of our diets, either by overeating, or by indulging in high-fat, high-calorie foods. This often happens because we allow ourselves to get too hungry and then are unable to stop ourselves from overeating, says Dee Sandquist, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and manager of the Nutrition and Diabetes Center at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington. To avoid getting too hungry, Sandquist says she recommends always carrying a healthy, portable snack with you when you know you'll be out on the run without easy access to healthy food choices. Try getting at least two food groups in each of those Snacks so that you're getting a combination of carbohydrates and fat/protein, which will help keep you satiated longer, she adds. Here, some super snack food ideas: Plain Yogurt with Blueberries - Pair plain yogurt with blueberries for a sweet treat that has a similar texture to ice cream. Yogurt is a great source of Calcium and Protein, and blueberries are packed with valuable antioxidants that help fight off heart disease. If fresh blueberries aren't in season, try frozen instead they work great in cool, creamy yogurt. Or if you get bored with blueberries, substitute any other frozen fruit like cranberries or cherries. Recommended Serving Size: Plain, low-fat yogurt, 1/2 cup, 56 calories Blueberries, 2/3 cup, 30 calories banana with Almond Butter - This combination will keep you satiated for a longer time than either on their own because of the combination of Fiber in the banana and protein and fat in the almond butter. Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, which helps prevent muscle cramps and is essential for normal brain function. Of course, Peanut Butter would be a great substitute for almond butter. Recommended Serving Size: Medium banana, 95 calories Almond butter, 1 tablespoon, 101 calories Hummus with Pita Bread - Made from chickpeas, hummus provides protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Spread hummus on pita bread for some added carbohydrates. Also try putting some veggies on your bread to make a great sandwich. Recommended Serving Size: Hummus, 2 tablespoons, 83 calories Pita bread, 1 round, 195 calories Apple with Brie cheese - Stick to a small amount of cheese with this snack because of brie's high saturated fat content. However, brie does offer a good protein source. Apples have a low glycemic index, which means they keep hunger at bay longer than other fruits. Recommended Serving Size: Apple, 47 calories Brie cheese, 2 ounces, 160 calories Salsa w/ Baked Tortilla chips - Ingredients in salsa vary greatly, but most tomato-based vegetable salsas are an excellent source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease and some cancers. Avoid high-calorie fried chips by purchasing the baked varieties instead, and be sure to look for varieties that list zero trans fats on their nutrition labels. Recommended Serving Size: Salsa, 2 ounces, 20 calories Baked tortilla chips, 1 ounce, 120 Light Microwave Popcorn - Although this is a single-food snack, Sandquist says she recommends it because of its high fiber and B vitamin content. Plus, who can resist the smell of popcorn? Recommended Serving Size: 1 cup, 30 calories

Mouse, I know that you and some others have posted in the past about stalls and too low calories. I read some similar info about very-low-calorie diets. I was wondering how far out were you when you could increase your calories? I am only 5 days out and very concerned as I believe I am consuming around 400 calories right now. No matter how much I heard it. I couldn't imagine this pre-surgery. I can't imagine it is healthy. I would rather lose slower and eat healthy, so how far out were you when you could consume 1000 calories?

The doctor wants to do another fill today. I am debating because since the 3cc I am loosing weight. I do get hungry but it is usually my fault. I have lost appx 5lbs since my last visit. I just can't see getting a fill, I would like to give it two more weeks. What would you do? I have been going to the gym faithfully five days a week. I take Saturday and Sunday off. I do weights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I think that is enough, I do want to go Saturdays and Sundays too but I think at some point the gym becomes another unhealthy obsession so I am reminding myself that it is okay to rest my body. Yesterday my daughter had friends over and we had all kinds of snacks out. I didn't eat one thing, I was soooo proud of myself. I am working hard at loosing this weight. No snacks right now for me. I feel good and think I will be moving down to a size 18 soon. That means I am not too far off from a size 16 and that thrills me to no end. I haven't been a sixteen in probably 8-9 years. I am working hard at this, this isn't, "band in, miracle cure" sort of thing, I am literally working my butt off. At the gym I work off between 270-450 in calories depending on how long I stay and going about two miles a day at the gym. I hope to keep myself in this mind set. I know sometimes it can be hard, there are days that the personality kicks in and I think, "One day off is okay." However, it is that exact thought that leads to the next day off and the next day off. I did one of my out loud moments that I am known for and I growled at the weights. The guy next to me laughed and I looked at him and was like, "was that out loud?" He nodded and I kind of shrugged. He looked at me and said, "I think that some days too." I looked at him and he was fit, tone and muscular and I said, "Does it get easier once you are fit?" He shook his head, "No, it's the same thing. You have to remind yourself that in order to maintain this, you have to keep at it." I growled again and he laughed.

Just last week I am 2 years post-op and much like Kikiphiasmom I've lost a significant amount of weight but not at goal. It is interesting that you ask about feeling normal. That is one thing that I feel all the time and I love it. I went from a tight 3X on top and a tight 22 on bottom to a size L on top and a size 12 (sometimes 10 but 12's always fit) on bottom. So basically I'm the size of the "average" American woman and it's wonderful. I was never meant to be a skinny-minnie and the last time I weighed 120lbs I was probably 11 years old. It's so nice to walk into a closet full of clothing that fits me and I feel great in. No more stuffed sausage feeling that I used to have wearing my tight old clothes. But having the sleeve has given me the ability to lose a big chunk of weight and keep it off. I also struggle within a +10/-10lb range and right now I'm about 7-10 lbs higher than my lowest weight I hit this spring, so I'm working on being more consistent with my eating to get that back off. I feel 100% normal about my eating as it is very routine for me now. I still weigh and measure my food sometimes just to track it or keep in check. I eat betwen 1,000-1,500 calories a day and exercise 3-5 days a week. And I definitely could go lower (weight-wise) but it would require me to consume >800 calories a day or workout at LOT more and much more intensely than I do now. So basically I've been coasting along in maintenance mode for about the last year. I tell all newbies to take full-advantage of the honeymoon period because it disappears rapidly and then it's a lot harder to work your sleeve for weight loss. Would I do it all again? 100% YES! I love my sleeve!

That's part of the reason I do it. I know if I don't, I have the tendancy to just kind of give up. I'm def in the catergory of yo-yo dieter. I have done the extreme juice diets, weight watchers- 3 times!- I've counted calories, counted Protein, I exercise, I stay active for the most part, but It's not something that I can do on my own. One of my biggest problems is that I am constantly hungry. I can eat, and 20 mins later my body will be telling me to feed it. It doesn't help that I went to culinary school, and I love to experiment with new recipes. And food is always on my mind. It's tough. And I am very thankful that there are people that understand what I'm going through. Don't get me wrong, besides my mom, she is my biggest supporter. And I am very thankful that she's by my side to make sure when I want to give up, she's always there to push me.

I've eaten 750 calories today and had 48 grams of protein. I'm not hungry and it's almost 9. Do I make myself drink a protein shake to get to my 70+ on the day or can I just be done for the day? And do better on protein tomorrow? I do typically get it all in.

I track on fitday.com and it's for free. I paid attention to my lean protein sources and getting at least 60g of protein daily plus a supplemental shake. I like the isopure the best but if I mix fruit in with the mixes they aren't so bad. Anyway, I focused on lean protein sources then veggies, then fruits, then carbs (whole wheat toasted english muffin or whole wheat pasta etc.) My calories varied between 1000-1400 and I also went to the gym a lot once I got the ok otherwise I was walking. I had great restriction when I first started on a regular diet and as I healed, the swelling went down and I was left with nothing. I just had my second adjustment and until I know if this one gives me restriction, it's totally all my own will power. But as you loose weight it gets easier and more motivating to keep going. And seeing the changes in the mirror is the best motivator. My husband even commented on my 'guns'. Lol.

I also felt like I could eat way too much after my 1st fill (2cc) in a 10cc band. I am 10 weeks post op and have lost 33 lbs. I must say I feel like a lot of that has been by me controlling what I am eating. If I allowed myself I could eat a lot more. I try to choose low carb, low calorie, high Protein foods. A typical Breakfast for me is a 2.5 oz Protein Bar, 2 cups of coffee, lunch tuna or chicken salad, 3 or 4 crackers, dinner chicken, or beef, maybe up to 6 oz, sometimes with a vegetable. If I snack it is either low carb yogurt, or cheese, sometimes pretzels if I need crunchy, salty stuff. After my second fill of 2 more cc's, I am more satisfied with less food, and need to chew really well. Chicken and beef can be hard to get down. I still could eat way too much though, so am looking forward to next fill in 2 weeks and hopefully more restriction. Drinking Water definately helps and I don't drink for an hour after a meal. Just try to be smart about your choices until the fills kick in. :clap2:

Jen, I was sleeved 4/4 and have lost 8lbs. I was really frustrated-as my cal intake has been around 400per day as well. My nut said that my body is in starvation mode and I actually need more protein and calories. Hopefully week 2 or 3 I will get my BIG #. We should just relax a little and learn how to use our new tools! Are you getting in your 64 oz water every day? That has been difficult for me due to nausea.

Are you sure your surgeon isn't confusing you with RNY? 600-800 calories IMHO is too restrictive and could adversely affect your metabolism. By going to such a low caloric rate, you essentially slow your metabolism by telling your body you don't have enough to eat and it goes into starvation mode. When it does that, it will hold on to all nutrients you put into it kind of like econo-mode. My dietician always told me to get at least 1200 calories, probably not over 1500(if I could help it) and to make sure I exercise for 30 minutes a day. The added activity is what really makes the difference, not necessarily the limited caloric intake (although that is significantly less than what I was taking in before being banded, I'm sure). Yes, after banded your appetite is lessened. But to limit to 600 or 800 calories. You'll feel really deprived. That breaks down to 300 calories a meal (which isn't much). All I can say is that if you try to stick to the 600-800 calorie recommendation...........well, good luck. I couldn't unless I was sick.

I'm eating about 750 calories per day and I am plenty full. I have a slight restriction and I'm not hungry. I'm also a month out, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. I think it depends on how you choose to get your calories. Everything I eat has Protein in it. My 1c of food has about 200c. I honestly think that I can eat like this most days with no problem. Just my two cents. But again, I'm a newbie, so I could very well be wrong. N.

@magpie26 A VLCD is a (very low calorie diet). Typically docs refer to any diet that is <1200cals a VLCD. But I kinda think it's anything below 800cals. I had anywhere from 360-440calories per day on my pre-op liquid diet. It was a VLCD diet. It was also low carb which can also be shortened to a VLCD -- so it can be confusing.

Well guys I am not to hungry. I know everyone want's to throw paper balls at me LOL. But I was at one point I was freaking starving but now more than 90 days out I am alrite. I am still losing I have lost 48-52 pounds so far (it fluxuates from day to day LOL stupid scale) I am losing hella inches though I have lost about a good 30 inches from my waist and 25 inches of other areas of my body so a total of 55 inches of my flabby a$$ in 90 days I am fine with but anyway back to the issue at hand I am not this perfect person that has been following band rules to a T but I do plan my meals during the week only cause I am at work all day and I am answering phones and filling prescriptions all day not alot of time to fantasize about food. But all hell here comes the weekend and I pig out. Damn sure not as bad as I ever did before I was banded but it's looks like alot to me now. Like last night I back a cake I ate 2 med size pieces. And I was like oh my god what have I done LOL. Then I said apples wait a min ... before you would eaten half of that cake one night and the other half the next night easy ... then on day 3 you would've been like dang where'd that cake go. But anyway it is all in the mind. I was like "head hunger" before I was banded and when I was first banded. Like these people are crazy LOL and now I see that it does exist. Some days I just crave my a$$ off others I think out how much of a pig I really was and all the food I just ate and ate and it makes me sick to my stomach to remember those moments and that shoos my a$$ away from the fridge immediately. Or when I cant help to contain the inner food addict in my I pop a 100 calorie snack or something that won't ruin my whole entire day. But I hope this helps. And protein, protein, and more protein. This is the only thing helping me so far cause I dont have a 100 percent restriction and I am on fill #3 ... 4th fill coming May 19th! SO I am praying, hoping, and wishing! Cause if I had the right restriction man I would so be on the ball! But lots of love sorry if I rambled a bit but I thought I told ya Apples is backkkkkkkk!

Hehehe, doctor shopping to get a higher calorie diet?

Sorry to hear about your situation. Alcohol has a ton of calories which could be a factor for not losing weight. Also if you are not getting what you want from your doctor then yes I would find another one. I have been blessed with my doctor and so I know there are good ones out there. Good luck!

Agree, Agree, Agree. 1. quit drinking if it contains calories 2. keep swimming... exercise has made all the difference for me. 3. Track absolutely everything you put in your mouth. If you use oil to cook, track it. I use MyFitnessPal but there are many web sites out there for this. It is eye opening and really, really keeps you accountable to yourself. 4. Eat the right foods. Protien first. It can be very hard but you can do it!!!!

I do a non fat chai tea latte every once in a while but it eats up a lot of my calories for the day. So it is a present to myself, a luxury!

Hi well my doctor told be to try cpunting calories and try to consume as less as i can so well tried it and in two weeks i have los 6lbs amd am eating less than 1000 calories i dont feel hungry or anything Sent from my LGMS428 using the BariatricPal App

Maybe a few years down the road, she'll be talking about your huge success to other patients. People repeat what they "know" (or, rather, what they think they know). Often, they are wrong. With your banding success, you will teach her the error of her ways :thumbup: My PCP had no role in my banding--I didn't need his approval, and he wasn't part of the process. But he was mildly....not disapproving, but not particularly supportive. But when I saw him next 40 pounds down, he really was impressed. Turns out he has another banded patient who gained weight. After talking with me about what I eat, he talked with the other guy, and learned that, because he had difficulty with dense Proteins, he was taking in about 3000 calories of Ensure each day. We talked a lot about my doctor's aftercare, and diet recommendations, and I learned that the PCP's initial lack of enthusiasm was based on this other patient's experience. He now not only views it very differently, but is able to guide the other patient more effectively (including, if he wants, to MY surgeon's postop support group). So, people can and do sometimes change their opinions--after all, there are many paths to the same destination.

My nutritionalist suggested a 1400 calorie diet for me. However, I found out that anything over 1,000 calories a day caused me to maintain or even gain weight. I discovered this through months of keeping a daily j o u r n a l.

They have on a diet with around 1700 calories.... Havent tried the shake one Sent from my LGMS428 using the BariatricPal App

So I could use some help. Had surgery Dec 20, 2019, but really started working out (lifting and running) in Oct. Since I increased my activity level, I have been just hungry. My eating habits are all over—trying to get protein, but hungry (so I’m grabbing handfuls of whatever). I haven’t been tracking food accurately due to being snacky. And unfortunately gaining weight (roughly +7 pounds—from 143 to 150). I can’t tell if it’s muscle or flab. Clothes still fit, but my body dysmorphia is in full bloom and I feel like I look like I’m back at pre-WLS shape. The working out has been amazing though, and I’m enjoying the weightlifting in particular. I know at 2 years it’s common to gain some weight. And for the body to begin to absorb calories more efficiently. I guess I’m at a loss as to how to “right this ship”. I need to get back to below 145 for my mental health, which sounds slightly ridiculous, I know. Tracking calories accurately and not snacking I guess? Thoughts or “been there / done that” experience ?

Haven't been on in awhile. Since my last visit I found out my insurance requires a 6 month doctor supervised diet and my PCP refused to do it. Dr. Veninga did say he would do it and put me on an 1800 calorie/30 min day exercise program and has been meeting with me every month. My last weigh-in is April 26th - 2 days from now, after that my 5 year history of obesity and my 6 month doctor supervised diet information will be sent to BCBS, then it's just waiting for their approval. All should go well since those are the only 2 requirements they have. We'll see.