I'm so happy! The sleeve works! I know, I know, why did I have the surgery in the first place if I doubted it? Well, I never did doubt it, just thought I was a slow loser. Then, I read a little on here about counting calories. Now, at first, I didn't think it was important because that wasn't emphasized at my surgeon's office - just the Protein part. Then I realized that I was eating way too much! So, I contacted the nutritionist and she said I needed about 1000 calories a day for the first year. After that, about 1200 calories a day to maintain. Anything less (or more) and I wouldn't lose weight. Uh, duh, I had already proven that theory! After a week of looking at my caloric intake AND my protein intake, I'm down 5 pounds!

Now, does this mean I won't plateau? Nope, it sure doesn't. I'm certain I'll do that again. But seeing that scale go down has made me so happy and so motivated!

For those of you who think you're slow losers, calm down. Look at what you're eating and your caloric intake. if you're not eating enough, your body is going to hold on to every single piece of fat you have and store it away. If you're eating too much, then you need to cut back. Make sure you're getting your protein and taking your Vitamins as well.

I'm certainly not an expert, but wanted to share my experience and my glee with everyone!

I thought I was too:) it's amazing to keep loosing. Thanks for sharing about calories!

Thank you for this post! It is very encouraging. I'm one month out and frustrated. Would you mind posting a typical days menu for yourself? Thanks so much & congrats!!

Thank you for posting, I need to reevaluate my caloric intake as I'm still on soft mushy foods and I don't really know my typical calories for the day.

Thank you for this post! It is very encouraging. I'm one month out and frustrated. Would you mind posting a typical days menu for yourself? Thanks so much & congrats!!

You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a Protein bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green Beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to.

If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of protein. YUM! I get a side of green beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats.

READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

Thank you for posting, I need to reevaluate my caloric intake as I'm still on soft mushy foods and I don't really know my typical calories for the day.

Millergirl314, at this time, just get your Protein in. You're still really early in the process. I'm about 4.5 months out. Wait until you're on solids and can tolerate them.

Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a protein bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to. If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of protein. YUM! I get a side of green beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats. READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

What do you get all on the subs? How far out are you? I was told not to eat lettuce??

Oh I see 4.5 months out. I am almost 5 months out

You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a Protein bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green Beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to. If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of protein. YUM! I get a side of green beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats. READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

What do you get all on the subs? How far out are you? I was told not to eat lettuce??

My surgeon told me that I could eat raw veggies as long as I could tolerate them. I have an unwich which is a lettuce wrap. Then I get shredded lettuce in it and tomato. I can't tolerate the skin on the cucumbers so I stay away from those for now. Same for pickles. Then I have them put on salt and pepper. NO MAYO! They're really tasty!

Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of Protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

My NUT said per studies with the AMBS (American society of Bariatric Surgeons) successful bariatric patients consume about 1000 calories at approximately 1 year post-op. After 1 year post-op average calorie intake is around 1200 calories to maintain weight loss. Calories needs may vary some based on the age, sex and amount of activity for each individual. If your calories are too low, your m etabolism will slow and your body will go into starvation mode holding onto fat stores. A calorie intake of 500-600/day is simply too low for successful weight loss.

WOW!

I eat raw carrots. I will be trying lettuce! Do you use ranch?

No ranch. No no no no no. No ranch. LOL!!! Dressing is just awful for you. If you want some flavor, add a little hummus (I love black bean hummus, but not too much) or salt & pepper. A good trick for salads is to dip your fork in the dressing vs. pouring it on. Or, add salsa instead of dressing. I haven't tried that but heard it's a good solution. Dressing (like Mayo and other condiments) has so many calories in such a small amount. And who only uses a little ranch? It's like alcohol - just not worth the calories. I'll indugle every now and then but it's very rare.

This was really helpful. I am a slow loser as well. However, I am only 2wks post op. I was concerned because other sleevers seem to have lost between 15-20lbs by now. I have only lost 8 since my surgery. I know I am having a hard time getting my Protein in so I will be working on that. I'm still on softees/purees so I will have to amp up my shake intake.

Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

Let us know how it works!

Oh my! I have been eating ranch with carrots! Salsa and hummus sound like great ideas! Any other tips?? What else do you eat? Has anyone are popcorn?