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An insulated lunch box with a cold pack in it.. put yogurt and cottage cheese and protein shakes in it. Thermos for hot soup...

The best time is when you will do it. As noted, with all of the conflicting research of varying quality, it's hard to tell what time is better, if any at all, or if that view will change over time. Further, what research there is on exercise is rarely focused on us - the obese and recovering obese, so there is another variable that throws everything into question. Exercising at a sub-optimal time is better than not exercising at the optimal time. This is somewhat similar to my advice on protein drinks - while whey isolate is generally considered to be the most available and absorbable form, the one that you will drink is better than the best thing out there that you won't drink (with the possible exception of Genepro, which only seems to be good for making expensive urine.)

Tuna to go pouches. Keep spoons and water, crystal light packets in the car.

The guidelines I was given say during the mushy stage I should eat max 1/4 cup of food 4 times a day. That's like 4ish dry ounces of food a day. That seems really really low. Like impossible to hit any type of nutritional goals type of low. Any thoughts? I know I should ask my NUT but she is not very helpful. Basically just says stick to the sheet (and buy the products on it obviously), and doesn't really seem to know too much of the details of how bariatric surgery actually works.

I did NOT like the way Kate was portrayed the first season. It felt like her storyline was to be fat and maybe a little grief, but nothing more. I'm liking her much more this season. Hate her boyfriend though, hate the story of their courtship, and don't think they have any chemistry at all. Aside from that, though, I love the show! Randall and his wife are the best TV couple ever. Adorable, totally believable chemistry, they play off one another seamlessly.

you can log the protein if you are wanting to track how much you are getting in. Also it will get you in the habit of logging your food for the stages of food after surgery.

1. When you are dehydrated.. your urine smells BAD! I almost gagged the first time I went to the restroom and couldn't believe what I was smelling.. (yeah so I make sure to get those liquids in!) 2. You don't use the restroom as much.. I only go maybe twice a day. 3. Acid Reflux! I've noticed when I swallow something too quickly or if I eat that soup too fast! I get hiccups or I burp a lot. (Never had this issue before). 4. I am always cold! This drives me crazy! (I'm a little dramatic) BUT!.. I literally have to sleep with my pajamas, snuggie with the covers over my head to keep warm. (And yes I take all my vitamins). I am freezing as I am typing this now 5. Waiters/Waitresses will assume you think their is something wrong with the food when you ask for a TO-GO box. I went to BJ's the other night and ordered a soup and had just a few bites and I became full. I asked our waitress for a TO-GO box and she went into apologetic mode and asked if she could offer me another dish and so on and so on.. very nice of her.. but long story short and lesson learned.. stay away from restaurants as much as possible.. it can be quite annoying dealing with the pressure of not eating your meal. 6. Do not purchase a new wardrobe after you lose those first few pounds. You are losing weight every single day and if you buy jeans today, I promise.. they will be too baggy just a couple weeks later. 7. My advice is to not tell people you are getting/ or had the gastric sleeve surgery. I made the mistake by telling my friends and I get asked a lot of questions such as; "So are you happy now?" "Well.. when are you going to stop losing weight?", "Are you going to act different when you lose all the weight?" It's pretty annoying and people act weird for some reason when you lose weight. I swear people weren't sweatin' me at 330 pounds. 8. I still have cravings! I thought my cravings would go away.. but nope! Still there! The sleeve is really a tool to help you lose weight and it doesn't solve all your problems. I almost had a nervous breakdown because I was craving Taco Bell and I couldn't do nothing about it. But the Good News is.. once you put something in your tummy.. you are full after a few bites and the cravings goes away. But it's a struggle everyday. 9. It takes people awhile to get used to the new you! So in my case.. a lot of friends were still inviting me out to Wine Festivals, Clubs, Brunch and Pop Up Bars. Just recently, my friend invited me to go with her to a Star Wars themed restaurant and I couldn't go because I can't have alcoholic drinks and all they offered were fried comfort foods. My new phrase is "no, sorry I can't go.. I can't eat that stuff remember?" Then it's "ohhh yeahh.. I forgot.. so when will you be able to eat/drink again?". Listen. I have come too far to let ANYBODY sabotage my weight loss journey so I am quick to distance myself from ANYBODY who will sabotage my journey and my advice is to anyone reading this is to stay CONSISTENT. People will catch on and know you mean business. 10. Regret. I did experience some regret after having the sleeve because I would use food to cope with issues I dealt with. And when that was taken away, I had to deal with my issues head on. That was difficult and I wanted to reverse the surgery (which you can't) but now that I'm over that hurtle, I have no regrets at all. I have my good days and bad days. My food addiction was real. And I take it one day at a time like I am in a12 Step Program. I used to socially drink every weekend, I was a heavy marijuana smoker, I DJ on the weekends- so I would get free drinks while I'm at the club. And I stopped everything cold turkey. It's tough, but I can't deny the way I feel. I have more energy w/o caffeine, I get 8 hours of sleep, before I was only getting 4 hours, I am in a much better mood, my skin is glowing, my depression is gone, before I was taking anxiety medication and I have completely stopped that. I look and feel like a new person.. and I never want to back to my old habits. Good luck to everyone that is on this journey. You will go through physical and mental challenges but stick to it! You will never have to start over again, if you never give up. Keep at it!

Welcome! It's a whirlwind, and surgery day will be here before you know it...

VGS today. Much easier than I anticipated. Able to drink well and jello and broth staying done. Wahoo

Hello everyone I am from the sleeve forum and since they combined everything I figured a topic I started over there would also help out here. I am making a list of companies that will send out free samples to anyone that requests them. Here is the link: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261167-list-of-bariatric-nutritional-companies-offering-free-samples/ The list is growing as I fine and others fine new companies willing to give out free samples. This is great for new people and anyone wanting to try some new things without spending the money to do so. Hope it helps a few people.