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Thanks everyone!! I am VERY happy with my weight loss thus far but I just want to keep going!! hehe Protein I'm good to go, my average is 80g a day! This week I am going to work on my water intake because I know I'm no where near 64oz a day! I also plan to start mixing up my workouts to doing a 5K MWF and something else on TTH! I just hope I can work out the rest of this week as we are supposed to have another winter storm BOO! LOL

Leigh, I guess the answers to your question about eating "normal" (by which I guess you mean high fat) food is complex. What one can and cannot eat does vary from person to person. When you are banded, some foods just don't go down the way they did before. They get stuck in the narrow part of the stomach created by the band and cause pain - a great deal of pain sometimes - as well as profuse salivation and then they usually come back up. This is called a PB or productive burp. Some people can't eat salad. Some have problems with meat. But almost everyone, I think, has problems with bread, fries, etc. I can't eat any of that stuff - not because it is unhealthy and will slow down my weight loss, but because it will get stuck and make me miserable. So at the moment, I am eating a hamburger without a bun, no fries. This is a treat for me. On the other hand, some high fat foods go down super easy. Ice cream, chocolate (well, sometimes it causes me a problem), chips, popcorn, etc. I can tell you that when I first got banded, I paid no attention to the bandster rules (eat Protein first, then veggies, then whatever you have room for). I lost weight anyway. I ate chocolate, etc. But after losing about 50 pounds, the weight loss totally stopped. Despite being banded, there was no way that I was ever going to be thin, get healthy, or look good eating that kind of a diet. I've found that I have to "eat only healthy food now" in order to meet my goals. And I have to exercise if I want to continue to lose. That's just the way it is and I don't mind because I feel better, get compliments almost every day, have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower blood glucose. I have insulin resistance and take glucophage,but my doctor did not require me to be on a protein-only diet, so that was no problem. I would advise you to think carefully about whether this is what you want. It does mean a total lifestyle change and there's just no getting around it. The band will make it easier for you to eat smaller portions and will make it impossible for you to eat some foods, but that's all it will do. If you are like most (all?) of us, you will probably still need to exert control over what you eat. Good luck. Nancy

Most likely your body is still healing. My bariatric team doesn't consider the sleeve healed until week 12. Also, if you are getting in your Protein and Water, it is likely the fatigue may come from certain Vitamin deficiencies. I was checked at 12 weeks and was OK because I have been on Calcium, Vitamin D, a B-12 supplement, and 2 Multivitamins a day. Give that a shot, and get rest when you can. You deserve it!

1. The sleeve can stretch, however, it could not stretch enough to be as big as your original stomach was. The stretchier part of the stomach is what is removed, however, there is still a little room for stretching. In theory, you start out being able to eat very tiny amounts and in about 18 months to a year you are eating a more 'normal' amount (normal for non overweight people, not your pre-normal). 2. You could eat whatever you want for the reason you said, however, the main thing you want to concentrate is getting enough protein and proper nutrition because you can eat so little. Anytime there is rapid weight loss there is danger of losing muscle mass, the emphasis on protein is so that you are able to keep as much of it as possible. I do not believe you have to deprive yourself of anything, just be aware of what foods you find you can eat too easily (I discovered I could eat an awful large amount of lifesavers, for example), someone had given me a bag of them and there I was munching away like my old self. I will avoid them now. Same would go for something like potato chips, you don't want to get into this mindset that, well, I was able to eat that little bag of chips, but I still need my protein and I am not full from them so I will have some protein now, no harm done. However, this could get out of control and you might find yourself having more 'slider' foods than are good for you. I think it is important to write down everything you eat (at least initially) and really look at your numbers as far as fat, calories, carbs, sugars, iron, vitamins, etc. Look for patterns and see if you are doing too much fat, not enough protein, etc. If you ate nothing but junk food or food that was not nutritionally dense but kept your intake to (for example) 600 calories, yes, you will lose weight, however, you might not be feeling or looking your best and you might be losing some muscle mass. In other words, eventually, you will not be doing so well, even if you are skinny. So emphasize nutrition, but do have your occasional indulgence (a taste or a bite) of something you really want. 3. I am actually looking at different 'diets' and trying to decide which diet is the best for me. Yes, with the sleeve, it is soooo much easier to 'diet'. You don't feel that massive hunger, and the times I have said "hmm, I'll get a small kid's hamburger or a bean burrito", I have found that after three bites, I really am done and you know how when you first want something, the first bite tastes really good, and they get progressively not as good as you get fuller? This happens only about 20 times faster than it would have in the presleeve days. I think for my particular health issues (metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol) I am going to try to stick to the DASH diet. 4. You can sip a little bit of a drink, or at least, I have been able to. I know there are some who are very sensitive to that and cannot eat/drink at all. The main reason you don't want to drink with your meal is that it will either push the food down or maybe overfill and make you feel like vomiting. I really don't think a sip of two will make much difference, it doesn't to me, but your mileage may vary.

hi hi! I was also scared of reflux. I never had it until after surgery. and the first time - I thought I was going to DIE! Here is my advice - I do not eat any solid food after 6 pm (maybe 6:30). Since I made this my normal practice, I have not had any reflux. It does not really matter what food I am eating or if my bites were too big.... its all about time for me. I have my daily Protein shake after my final meal in the day and it seems to be better. Yes - I am 2 1/2 months post op and still need a Protein Shake to meet my daily requirements. Hope this helps.

I was sleeved yesterday and came home today. The clear liquid diet has been brutal. I have Isopure protein drinks but have only been able to get about a quarter of one serving down today. I can eat Jello and take small sips of water, but I don't see how I'm going to get all the protein or hydration I need early on. Is this normal? I am supposed to transition to full liquids tomorrow.

Go on a protein diet and make yourself have the discipline you would have needed if you could have had the surgery.

Thanks, everyone. What's funny is that at the beginning of week 3, I was instructed to have mashed foods and could eat fine, smooth chicken salad. I ate it with no problem last week but can't tolerate it this week. I can handle protein bars and shakes just fine. I really think my body just isn't ready for solids. If the nausea worsens or doesn't get better in a few days, I'll call my doc. I'm scheduled to see him next week... I'll try to up my calories. I started working our today. Hoping that gives me more energy and helps move the scale!

Is that the same as foamies? I had the foamies once......thick white foam on my tongue......I was early out and mixed some Protein powder with yogurt......and it was way too think for my healing sleeve........

My suggestion is to find a way to spruce up your Protein options. Be it buying samples and having a small tasting party (super fun way to find out what you like and actually get excited about protein..I know AMAZING!) Vitalady does samples of like 40 different protein powders for $2.99 each with $5 shipping. Other ways to spruce them up is to add PB2 which you can get at any health food store and a lot of grocery stores, they have chocolate Peanut Butter and peanut butter flavors. Get sugar free syrups either from walmart of from torani's webiste or something similar. If your surgeon ok's bananas or other fruits, grind them up in the blender until they are total mush and add them in shakes. I also have a trick for protein and Fluid intake when you are struggling..I have a timer that buzzes at me every 30 minutes and I have a thermos of a Protein shake I made and a thermos of Water, tea, crystal light, etc. and every time I buzz I take a sip of one then the next buzz the other. One sip for me is roughly an ounce and if you stick to it you'll get your requirements in without even thinking about it. That was way easier for me than looking at a huge protein shake and trying to make myself drink it all..daunting! You'll find ways that work for you, those are just some of my tricks. Good luck!

Has anyone else had problems with constipation after surgery? I am 15 days post op and have only had 2 bms that needed help with enema's etc. I am still on a full liquid diet for another 6 days. I have stopped drinking milk, yogurt, and am trying to avoid anything with carrot juice or cooked carrots in it because they are constipating. Do you think it is the Protein supplement? I am going to try some prune juice this afternoon, but do you know of anything else I could do? I hope when I can eat some food this may resolve itsself because I can eat veggies then. Does anyone have any suggestions?:help:

I am still in a full liquids stage, I am going to try some prune juice today and hopefully that will help. I never took any narcotics for pain, and I am getting enough water so thats why it is so puzzling to me that I could be so constipated. I still wonder if Protein supplements make some people constipated. On Saturday next week I can start with some food, and I am going to start with some greens! :biggrin1: Thanks for your help

Firstly congratulations on 13lbs weightloss...it really is a great start. Now then, it is hard work until you get to your sweet spot but it can be done...just watch what you eat and exercise more and the weight will move...protein first, then veggies then carbs (if there is room) and never drink with or for 2 hours after meals. Make sure you get in 2lts fluids a day and diet....you can't pack in the high calorie foods...the band will only help reduce the quantities you can eat. Good luck and keep your chin up

chicken Sausage (19g Protein + 10g fat) 170 calories 1 egg 80 calories 1 oz cheese 120 calories -------- 370 calories That's a lot of calories for a meal at this stage. Your daily target now is probably around 800 calories and that is probably supposed to be spread over 4 or 5 meals, which equals around 200 calories per meal. Also at that point my guidelines were that I could puree lean meats. The sausage gets half of its calories from fat. I encourage you to check with your NUT to see if they feel this is what you should be eating.

I just had my first fill this past Wednesday. I was told no food four hours prior to my appointment, and no liquids two hours prior. So I started drinking a protein shake just after the food cut-off, and finished it right before the drink cut-off time. That helped me stay full until after my appointment.

Many experience problems drinking protein shakes. I hated them. But in the beginning I drank them, three 16-ounce protein shakes a day, in order to meet my protein requirements. You do not have to like protein shakes only tolerate them. There are many varieties of protein shakes available today. Experiment until you can find one you can tolerate. There are many different types of formulations on protein shakes. I would recommend that you keep experimenting until you find one that you can tolerate. You don't have to like it, just tolerate it. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme) powder blended with water and a half a banana. That worked for me. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might try premixed Isopure. If you tried all the various varieties and still are unsuccessfully, then there is the fallback of fortified milk. 32 ounces of 1% milk fortified by adding 1 cup of dried milk provides 56 grams of protein. It also takes a dent out of meeting the fluid requirements. Mix up a pitcher and drink a little throughout the day. Without sufficient protein, your body will scavenge protein from other areas of your body, such as your muscles. Protein is extremely important after surgery as its job in the body is to build and maintain tissues including your body's major organs and skeletal muscles. Protein deficiency, when continued over a long period of time can cause a disease known as protein caloric malnutrition. Common symptoms are poor healing, fatigue, hair loss and muscle wasting. Immediate post op, protein promotes healing of the staple line and incisions. Since you are 3 months post-op, there is another option that has opened up for you. You can begin using protein bars in place of protein shakes. I used Quest protein bars. These bars were good in that they had high protein, minimal sugar and also contained fiber. They also came in a lot of different flavors. Protein bars are good when you are on the go and can't drag along a blender in order to mix a protein shake. A Quest protein bar contains 220 calories and provides 21 grams of protein. A Muscle Milk Light protein [2 scoops of powder in a 16 ounce glass] contains 210 calories and provides 25 grams of protein. So they are comparable.

Lucky you! I've had to wait 5 weeks in between fills. I called two weeks after asking for another but was told that the doctor wouldn't do another so soon. I was banded on 12/17 and first fill received 1/8. UGH! I go next week 2/12 for my second fill. Like you, I'm ready to get this show on the road. I'm eating between 1 & 1 1/2 cup of food at each meal but could easily eat more. I'm ready to be at place where 5 or 6 bites of lean protein and veggies fill me up. Good luck! Keep us posted.

Dearest All Who's Reading, I hope you are all doing great with your weight losses and support!! I am still hitting the job trail, still with no luck, but I'm praying and hope you guys out there are praying for me too. This is a very small town that I live in and there aren't many options besides fast food, which I am trying to avoid at all costs, but if it's all there is I will work there. I just don't think I'm strong enough yet to withstand that temptation. Anyhoo, I'm getting sick :boink: , all the throat soreness, hoarse, coughing, stuffy nose at times thing. That's all it is luckily. I took my 2 year old to get his swine flu shot the other day. We had to wait in line for like 2 hours to get it, but he did. I haven't yet and still haven't decided if I want to. I'm in the age range to where I'm succeptable to contracting the virus, but it seems like everytime I get a flu shot I get the flu, and if I dont' get it, I dont' get the flu. But there's still time for me to get one if I change my mind and I am thinking about it guys, don't worry. :wink: I have a really awesome support buddy on here and I am so happy I met her. Her name is Sheila and we had the same surgeon, Dr. Swain of Murray, KY. We have been e-mailing each other almost every day or every other day seems like, and she is just the sweetest person. She supports me and answers alot of my questions and everything. I am very thankful for her online friendship, and soon to be in person friendship. We realized that our next appointment is scheduled for the exact same day, her's at one pm and mine at two fifteen. How cool is that? So she's gonna wait around a minute and I'm going to come early so we can meet each other. I'm completely psyched about it. Well, overall I'm doing good. The weight loss has slowed down a bit. Mostly I think because I've been drinking alot of orange juice lately. I can't get enough of the stuff for some reason!! But it's chock full of sugar and I need to stop I know. I am trying, I promise!! :smile2: I'm gonna go, gotta get up in the morning and go job hunting again, go figure. Hope everyone is well and I'm praying for you!! Sending Love.... Nicole Marie

I was gun-hoe on getting the sleeve until me doctor told me that bypass is the better option for women. Women and men metabolize differently. It was a long discussion, but I'm having bypass tomorrow!

I am in the process of ordering my Vitamins so I have them all here when I get home from surgery. There are so many options!! For those of you who have already had bypass, did you have trouble with any of the chewables? I think that would be easiest for me, but there are so many different ones I have to take that I just wonder if it will be hard to manage. Some of my options come in a powder to be dissolved, but I don't know if it is worth the trouble. I would love to hear your stories and also know what brands you prefer for each type. My dr wants me to take two multis, 1 Calcium citrate with D, 18 mg Iron, and sublingual B12. Thanks!

I have been getting atleast 40 ounces of fluid and 70-80 grams of protein

So excited that all of a sudden this week I am tolerating more food. Still not getting in necessary calories, but I can now tolerate yogurt and cottage cheese. Protein drinks are good too and I can finally eat 1/4-1/3 cup of food per meal for at least 2 meals a day. Adding a third tomorrow. I'm even getting more and more fluids in everyday. But here's the best part: My daughter gave me a hug yesterday and backed up and said, " What's that?" I looked at her funny and she lifted my shirt and pressed on my rib. Then she said "I've never felt that before. I'm so proud of you mommy."

Oh, I'm sure if anyone looks into it their surgeon will have more than one option. My point though was how our well-meaning discussions can be offensive or appreciated... depending on the person/circumstances. But who knows which will be which? My points tend to get lost in my war stories. LOL

So, I am nearly 15 years (yes years) postop. I started at 315 and plummeted to 142 within 10 months of surgery. I was super happy but I was also sick. I didn't have energy, I looked sick...but I was SKINNY! For the first time in my adult life, I wore a SMALL! I loved and hated it at the same time. Then I was told to gain weight because due to all the excess skin, I was really underweight and it was NOT healthy for me. Well, long story short...I can eat pretty much anything and not dump. Then my portions started growing and my snacking came back. I gained, I lost, I gained, I lost...you all know how that goes. I got back up to 230 and was miserable again. I started doing VERY well earlier this year and lost nearly 25 pounds of regain, then COVID-19 struck and has me working from home. This led right back to horrible habits and not as much movement (I didn't even have to walk to my car!). The company I work for has wonderful programs to help get motion and nutrition back on track. Well, that is if you are able bodied (I have bad knees and am just trying to keep replacements at bay as long as I can) and can eat like a normal person. The PT and nutritionist had me doing things that just didn't work for me...not once but TWICE. I told them over and over I couldn't exercise on my knees nor could I eat the portions they were assigning to me. Frustrated, I started researching revisions. I found one I was seriously contemplating, regardless of insurance coverage (I was THAT desperate). I was on the verge of calling my GP for a referral when I thought, "What about going back to basics"? So, about two weeks ago, I found some sites (this is one of them!) with bariatric specific meal plans, food, vitamins, gadgets, etc. I took the plunge and ordered protein powders, protein snacks, meal replacements and changed my vitamin routine to the 1 A Day on here. I bought shaker bottles for my shakes, 15 minute increment water bottles to make me drink my water (if you knew me, you would know I HATE water), and I also cleared two shelves in my pantry for JUST ME. It's now been just over a week and I am down 4 pounds. I have so much more energy that my husband was like "who are you and where is my wife"! I have already noticed a difference in some of my clothes - no more dancing routine putting on my yoga pants! It's not easy, but I have to remember where I was and where I want to be once again! Sorry this was so long but I started typing and couldn't stop!

Country Pork Stew Serves 4 generous portions Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil 1-1/2 lbs pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1” cubes 1 cup chopped onion 4 cloves of garlic, pressed or equivalent from a jar 1 tsp. Dried sage Black Pepper, to taste ½ cup dry white wine (or ½ cup white grape juice combined with 1 T. cider vinegar) 1-3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth 2 T. tomato paste ¼ tsp. Ground allspice Note: While these directions are given for an electric skillet, you can use a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. An electric skillet gives very even heat, and has a useful simmer setting, but not everyone has one. Heat the olive oil in the electric skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork cubes and onion, sautéing until brown, about 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients in the order given, stirring a moment before adding the next. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and walk away for one hour. It’s done when the pork is fork tender. Nutrition: 284 calories 7 g fat 42g protein 7g carb 1g dietary fiber 111 mg cholesterol 380 mg sodium Exchanges: 0 starch, 5.5 lean meat, 1 veg Weight Watcher points: 6 Low Carb serving suggestion: Serve over either Cauli-Rice or any version of Faux-tay-Toes. This recipe was adapted from a recipe provided by www.SavingDinner.com. Highly Recommended!!