I'm down 13.8.

Last Thurs & Fri were rough on the head hunger.

I'm looking forward to eating something other than a Protein shake. Having French onion Soup and cream of mushroom at various holiday gatherings this week.

Still having a hard time getting in all my liquids.

I go back to the NUT on Jan. 3 for the next phase.

How are you doing?

I went to a different support group today, and wow, very different. The doctor who ran it had interesting things to say, but so much was different from my doctor's plan, and I'm actually very glad I am with my doctor's plan. He said to wait 15 minutes before drinking after eating, and I have been told 60 minutes. He said you don't need the vitamins after a year, and the vitamins he had in his slide show were much less than what I'm being asked to take. Less calcium, no B1 or B12 sublingual, just a B complex, and much less D, if I am remembering correctly. Also, he said pasta, rice and popcorn were OK after you were several months out, which is also very different. It is all interesting information, and I enjoy going to the support groups, and chatting with all of you.

Did you go to Kaiser South San francisco? I almost went there but decided on Richmond and Dr. Baggs instead. I am amazed that the two programs are different with in Kaiser. I go to a support group in Sonoma County which is for any one from any program and the main Dr. there has more of a Mediterranean diet. The one you went to sounds different still. I know my body can't handle those kinds of carbs in general so I don't think they would work for me while trying to lose weight with a tiny stomach.

Did you go to Kaiser South San francisco? I almost went there but decided on Richmond and Dr. Baggs instead. I am amazed that the two programs are different with in Kaiser. I go to a support group in Sonoma County which is for any one from any program and the main Dr. there has more of a Mediterranean diet. The one you went to sounds different still. I know my body can't handle those kinds of carbs in general so I don't think they would work for me while trying to lose weight with a tiny stomach.

I did go to Kaiser S. SF, and I really liked the whole program. I'm honestly relieved that rice and pasta are not allowed, and bread isn't really very much either. It is helpful for me personally. Did you like Richmond? What are their guidelines like? Until yesterday, I have gone to a few support groups in S. SF when I was there for other appointments, and I've been going to the one in Santa Rosa at the Wells Fargo building. Is that the one you go to? My friend Bess goes to that one. Yesterday, I had to be somewhere at noon, so I tried the Novato one out, which is also closer to where I live. I'm curious what your program was like.

My doctor is one of the best where this surgery is concerned. He was the only American surgeon invited to the International Sleeve Conference in NYC on December 6, 2012. I also find it surprising, and confusing when I read how everyone's diet is so different. I was on clear liquids in the hospital and through post op day 3. Then full liquids for two weeks. Then I was able to have ( to me ) real food. It must be well chewed and most-seafood, chickent/turkey, well steamed veggies, and raw fruit. I am moving into week 4 as of this Monday, and last week I was ok'd for real coffee, raw veggies, and vitamins that I can swallow. Plus, I may begin exercising "in earnest". Hubs and I are going to train for a 5K that is scheduled in late spring.

My doctor is one of the best where this surgery is concerned. He was the only American surgeon invited to the International Sleeve Conference in NYC on December 6, 2012. I also find it surprising, and confusing when I read how everyone's diet is so different. I was on clear liquids in the hospital and through post op day 3. Then full liquids for two weeks. Then I was able to have ( to me ) real food. It must be well chewed and most-seafood, chickent/turkey, well steamed veggies, and raw fruit. I am moving into week 4 as of this Monday, and last week I was ok'd for real coffee, raw veggies, and vitamins that I can swallow. Plus, I may begin exercising "in earnest". Hubs and I are going to train for a 5K that is scheduled in late spring.

I think some of the diets are very different, and in some cases it is also just terminology. I was on liquids in the hospital, then phase two was yogurt, protein drinks, cottage cheese and soup for two weeks. Phase three was much like yours, but they encouraged pureeing the food, and cheese was also added. At one month, I can go to raw vegetables, and everything we will be eating for the rest of our lives. Well chewed, of course.

I know it isn't much, but my BMI has gone from extremely obese, to obese...small milestone.

I was very surprised by the switch to regular diet at week 3. I was initially supposed to do the standard prescribed liquids for 2 weeks, puree for 2 weeks, soft for 2 weeks, then regular diet with a few exceptions. The different clinics seem to have different variations of that diet but they are pretty similar. But then they individualize it based on how the patient is doing and what their individual needs are. I tell ya though, just because I have been cleared for reg. does not mean I am on a complete regular diet. I really cant eat much but what I can eat really does help with the hunger. I went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant with friends yesterday and one gave me her wonton soup and I could only eat 2 small bites of wonton but the broth went down ok. The other friend gave me a few noodles with chicken and I could only eat 2 bites of chicken and one noodle. So after the outing I had my premier protein shake and that seemed like comfort food:-)

I saw my dr and nut at 3 weeks. I told the nut I was hungry all the time and she said I could start a regular diet. She thought the puree was not satisfying my hunger. She said I am healed and can have whatever I want' date=' including breads, pasta, and rice. I told my dr I was having light headedness and felt sleepy, esp when driving on the freeway. She told me to try going back on coffee with caffeine. So, both suggestions, to resolve hunger and the head symptoms, have made a huge difference. Granted, it takes me an hour to drink a cup of coffee and 2 bites of chicken and I am stuffed but, I still drink pro. shakes and feel the reg. food is more of a supplement because I eat so little. I was wondering if anyone else is on a regular diet yet and how it is going.[/quote']

I'm also on a regular diet accept for beef. Which ive never been a big fan of anyway. I love me sleeve so far. Been a really cheap date. Just share food from my friends plate and I'm done. They freak out. I've also been really good about no alcohol. It's been hard, but it's been awesome seeing the way I look now. Good luck everyone. Still have a long road ahead of us. I've lost a total of 36 lbs.

Does anyone else feel hungry constantly. I am only able to get about 300 calories in a day. I am scared of upping them and gaining weight, any suggestions?

I did go to Kaiser S. SF, and I really liked the whole program. I'm honestly relieved that rice and pasta are not allowed, and bread isn't really very much either. It is helpful for me personally. Did you like Richmond? What are their guidelines like? Until yesterday, I have gone to a few support groups in S. SF when I was there for other appointments, and I've been going to the one in Santa Rosa at the Wells Fargo building. Is that the one you go to? My friend Bess goes to that one. Yesterday, I had to be somewhere at noon, so I tried the Novato one out, which is also closer to where I live. I'm curious what your program was like.

Yes, I have been going to the Wells Fargo center one! I went yesterday. Be nice to meet you if you go next month. Did you go to the Nov and Dec. one? I was there. I described some of my program in my first post above, one big difference is at Richmond we are not allowed protein shakes. richmond has a good program overall though more strict than others I hear about which I wasn't sure about at first but now I kind of appreciate it. I have noticed some folks on other sites with programs that are pretty loose and some are struggling more.

I know it isn't much, but my BMI has gone from extremely obese, to obese...small milestone.

big milestone!!! congrats!

I'm also on a regular diet accept for beef. Which ive never been a big fan of anyway. I love me sleeve so far. Been a really cheap date. Just share food from my friends plate and I'm done. They freak out. I've also been really good about no alcohol. It's been hard' date=' but it's been awesome seeing the way I look now. Good luck everyone. Still have a long road ahead of us. I've lost a total of 36 lbs.[/quote']

Oh good. When was your surg? I have had a bit of wine but only about an inch in the glass and it takes half an hour to drink it. I am not a soda drinker but was curious about drinking carbonated beverages so tried a couple swallows of diet 7up. I may as well have drank water because it was not a problem.

I was very surprised by the switch to regular diet at week 3. I was initially supposed to do the standard prescribed liquids for 2 weeks, puree for 2 weeks, soft for 2 weeks, then regular diet with a few exceptions. The different clinics seem to have different variations of that diet but they are pretty similar. But then they individualize it based on how the patient is doing and what their individual needs are. I tell ya though, just because I have been cleared for reg. does not mean I am on a complete regular diet. I really cant eat much but what I can eat really does help with the hunger. I went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant with friends yesterday and one gave me her wonton soup and I could only eat 2 small bites of wonton but the broth went down ok. The other friend gave me a few noodles with chicken and I could only eat 2 bites of chicken and one noodle. So after the outing I had my premier protein shake and that seemed like comfort food:-)

Darn lost my post I just wrote, I'll try again. I think it is good your program is working with you individually and tha tyou are listening to your body. do they emphasize eating protein foods first? Mine has me eating 1/4 cup of protein food, chewing well and eating slowly and even if that is all I am able to get in, it stays in the tummy longer and helps keep hunger away longer. they won't allow us to have any liquids, soups, broth or anything that will make the meal slide through too fast leaving us hungry.

I'm also on a regular diet accept for beef. Which ive never been a big fan of anyway. I love me sleeve so far. Been a really cheap date. Just share food from my friends plate and I'm done. They freak out. I've also been really good about no alcohol. It's been hard, but it's been awesome seeing the way I look now. Good luck everyone. Still have a long road ahead of us. I've lost a total of 36 lbs.

36 lbs!!! that is great.

I think some of the diets are very different, and in some cases it is also just terminology. I was on liquids in the hospital, then phase two was yogurt, protein drinks, cottage cheese and soup for two weeks. Phase three was much like yours, but they encouraged pureeing the food, and cheese was also added. At one month, I can go to raw vegetables, and everything we will be eating for the rest of our lives. Well chewed, of course.

Meegan, this is another thing different between our Kaiser programs, at one month I go from pureed to soft foods and stay there for another month and a half before going on to a modified regular diet.

Does anyone else feel hungry constantly. I am only able to get about 300 calories in a day. I am scared of upping them and gaining weight, any suggestions?

What stage are you in? Are you eating mainly protein first? no liquids with the meal and it sticks in the stomach longer.