swizzly

Those fiber numbers are mental -- no one needs that much fiber. That said, I'm inclined to low fiber eating for several reasons, and it works for me. The easiest way to up your calories without gaining weight is to cut carbs and increase fats. If you up carbs (non-veg carbs I mean! I never count carbs from veg, but I do for fruit) AND fat, you will gain, but if you cut carbs and increase fats, you will not. Fat is where it's at.

I'm totally interested, but still on hols and having a lot of wine and naughty food. Not the right time to start this, but soon will be!!!

Fye, thanks for link to vets forum! Coops, that link you posted is also awesome. I've been reading abt that only ever so little so far. But it fits with my beliefs and experience so I've sort of been doing that anyhow. For me it works very well. My body really doesn't do well at all on too few kcals per day!

I will say this: Living outside the US makes it soooo much easier. There is nothing remotely that yummy looking where I am LOL. Plus, I stopped eating wheat a few months ago, which precludes nearly everything yummy in the dessert realm for me. So I guess I'm saying, those of you living with that kind of temptation on a regular basis -- hat's off to you!!!

I tried tracking for a while, but it is too close to the obsessive calorie-counting and restriction I did in my younger years. I tend way more toward the anorexic side of things and was never a binge eater, but eating a spoon of Peanut Butter as a meal and then 'counting' it as 200 calories cos maybe some extra cals were in there that I didn't know about SO I BETTER ROUND UP TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED LOL...was right up my street. So yeah, NOT being obsessive is part of my approach cos I just can't go there without losing my mind. That said, I don't eat wheat, grains or Beans, nor much fruit, so apart from wine and chocolate (LOL) my carbs are low. I eat full-fat everything and try to eat good solid healthy food. I am probably in the 1500-2000 kcal range per day. I don't track my exercise either, nor would I per se 'eat back' my exercise cals either. Just too much room for obsessive behavior, for me. That said, I do weigh myself nearly every day. That's been good for me cos I vary by like 2-3 kg sometime, which is quite a lot -- but it's just how my body rolls I guess. So it's good not to obsess over a few hundred grams' 'gain'...

Oh I missed this one -- how very cool!! You are still kicking ass three years on. THAT is the NSV that i find totally inspirational about you. I want your stick-to-it-ive-ness!!!!

Not stupid at all, I totally get it. So there are a number of things i pay attention to in this area. First, you're a petite lady, aren't you? Like 5'4 or less? I can't recall for sure. Anyhow, one of the key factors for fit of tops, trousers and dresses is not just the shape, but also where the waist hits you. If it hits too high or too low, it can look awkward and less-flattering. So find the sweet spot of where things look best and make sure to buy clothes that accentuate that sweet spot, or alter them to do so. Also -- shorter shirts and tops if you are shorter, will make you look taller and leaner. No wearing long tops to cover your bum. Jeans and trousers -- if they are showing even the smallest hint of camel toe -- just say NO. They're either too small or the wrong rise. So that's my first order of business regarding fit. Then I like them to not accentuate the muffin top. And then the legs and bum mustn't be too big. So I buy things I like and then take them to the tailor -- then they end up fitting just right. Worth a try! If you're straight through the midsection without a tiny waist, find shapes that create an hourglass effect, and avoid thin belts or things that tie round the waist. A quick awesome tip I love for this one -- if you have a coat with a sash belt, tie it in back to pull the coat in at the waist, but without having it cut you in half visually in front. It works a friggin treat I tell ya. Okay, I'm in too much of a rush to proof this -- but those are some thoughts off the top of my head. Mostly I think you should try things on in several sizes and FEEL how they feel on you. Are they snug but not too tight? That's a good sign... Are they draping over your bumpy bits and accentuating your good curves? Then say YES. It's all about trying things out till you feel good... Can't wait to see new pics of you, woman!!!! :wub:

I have an RnY friend who swears by maternity jeans (from Target I think? They are not with the stretchy panel, they are some other kind) -- she says they look soooo much better cos they fit properly in the legs and bum after accounting for the tummy region. They're small maternity jeans, but the proportions are right. Might be worth a try anyhow.

I know everyone hates when I say this, so I'll just say it once and then shut my gluten-free pie-hole... I think you can't sustain weight loss or good health on 750 cals per day. Anything under 1000 is just too little. Kthx for listening. The end.

Jane (hi!!) - I'm totally with you on that one. The wine calories are killing me. I'm going on the wagon for a while after my hols. Good luck to us both! I've only gained abt a kg so far, but gotta nip this crap in the bud. Also been off gym for a month cos of back problems, but physio cleared me to go back. Reset starts after hols!! :-)

I stopped reading after the first page for a couple of reasons. First, I think that stopping losing isn't actually a goal here, or at least not a serious one (yet?) for you, theRealMel. I also think nutritionists who recommend s**tty processed foods like low-fat crap and egg beaters are mental and not worth talking to. EAT REAL food, is my number one rule. Real milk, real butter, real cheese, none of this processed low-fat BS. That crap is no good for you. Eating real food IS good for you -- as real and as whole as you can get it. Not crap meat from horrible feed lots, but organic/pastured meats that are full of nutrients your body needs. Organic fruits and veg. Real eggs from chickens who know how to walk around and feel the sunlight. Etc. The nut who told me to eat a low fat string cheese? That would be the nut I'd never go to again. Focusing on 100 grams of Protein for its own sake, regardless of the source or quality of the protein, is IMO crazy. That is NO way to be healthy, 'normal', or live a good life. But again, I'm not sure eating heathfully is theRealMel's goal -- rather, the focus is on fear. Fear of regain. Fear of eating well. Fear of letting go of the heady sense of control that the sleeve has provided. That there is eating disorder territory, so just be really careful and mindful. Wish you the best in your journey!!

I have always disagreed with the super-low-cal approach, I think it makes your metabolism fall through the floor. I also think overexercising can have a negative impact, particularly too much cardio of a certain kind/intensity. Have you read any of the newer research out there about eating more calories (of a healthy kind of course lol) to keep your metabolism up, doing strength training to support your metabolism, and doing only periodic hard cardio in limited amounts? It's all very interesting. It's what I've done, even though I didn't plan it that way, and it's worked out well for me (so far at least, 27 months out...). I do think, for whatever it's worth, that hating on yourself and being SO hard and negative toward yourself, is never going to help. Hating your body and seeing it as the enemy to be conquered...I just can't see that being productive in any way -- perhaps even in a real physical way. Without seeing a therapist (I understand the stigma potential in your situation), maybe try reframing your thoughts and beliefs about yourself in a more positive way. Pretend you are a person you totally love and treat yourself accordingly, especially emotionally and mentally. I'm not talking positive thinking of the affirmation kind, I'm talking retraining your brain to go in different directions than it has done. Anyhow -- my very best to you, GT. I hope you find your center again soon. <3

I've absolutely, literally, zero regrets. I'm well within my goal and just a bit over two years out and have had no problems whatsoever. I had a couple of vaguely uncomfortable days immediately post-op, but then moved on to food and never looked back. I have to caveat this with a few things, though... First, I live in a country with top-notch medical care and everything was coordinated and well-managed throughout the process (and still ongoing of course). The doctors and nutritionists and psychiatrists and surgeons in the clinic are all using the same program (customised as needed of course) with everyone, so I don't get conflicting answers or advice. They communicate seamlessly with my GP as well, which helps immensely. They have had me on a set program from the start, of pre-appointments, tests, post-op follow-up care, etc. So far, all my tests have come back stellar throughout. Second, I didn't have an eating disorder pre-op (well, I did -- but it was anorexia and it was many years ago), so I don't have a food addiction or bad head hunger to contend with -- I always really feel for people who are battling food...the thing that keeps us alive. It's heart-breaking. I had a good sense of 'real' hunger pre-op and it never went away, so I've always had hunger throughout. For *me* this has not been a problem cos I am fine being hungry -- means it's time to eat. And when I'm full (also got my full signal back pretty quickly!), I stop. Apart from the odd overeating scenario where I feel overstuffed, I've never been sick or slimed or anything. Third, I don't use shakes (they are not part of my program), so I was on 'real food' from the start. This I think helped with feeling satisfied and not getting any panicky feelings about 'starving.' I never had a problem eating or drinking. Fourth, I got my calories up 1000+ as soon as I could. Being sub-1000 is a trigger for me (anorexia), so I was determined to eat healthy and well throughout the losing period. This made me a slower loser, but I didn't care about that. No hurry to 'get there' cos once you're there, what next? So I figured I'd enjoy the ride. And I have! Finally, let's face it -- some of it is just dumb luck. I lucked out. In so many ways, I just got lucky. I am very grateful for that! And I'm always happy to support people who haven't been as lucky or who are feeling challenged or down or regretful. I don't expect anyone to feel like I do, and I understand all the kinds of reactions people can have to this surgery and how it changes your life. I'm 100% on your side -- all of you!! :wub:

I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm over two years post op, no regrets at all, best thing ever!! Easy way out and I deserved that!!

I was sleeved a couple years ago, it has been awesome throughout. Love it!!

Have you not gotten support on VST?

No worries, I got to my original 'goal' at about nine months, mostly been maintaining since then. Shape and composition still changing over time, but weight only changed another 5kg down after that.

Yeah, seriously. I'm personally not gaining past 3-5 kg (my 'bounce' range) without some intervention. If I got to to 50lb suddenly? Somethign will have TRULY gone wrong. Not. happening.

I have NEVER lost my hunger, though. I was only un-hungry for like two days LOL. So I didn't have some period of eating like a bird and feeling no hunger. I was HUNGRY and I ATE all along. I also had no liquid or puree phases, straight to normal food here, so I think I just felt sort of 'normal' all along and just couldn't eat very much. Also, if I'm completely honest, even before the sleeve I only ever ate mostly when I was actually hungry and stopped when I was full, so I wasn't a binge eater or anything. I do the same now, it's just less food at one go. I do choose healthy food and very low carb, though -- just so that no one's thinking I'm scoffing down pizza and maintaining like that. I also (usually, when not having back problems grrr) go to the gym three times a week and walk a lot as well. But really? I live a very normal life, for which I am EXTREMELY grateful. Edit: my NUTs and Drs here are all very keen that you shouldn't stress your system or metabolism too much by going all starvation-y post WLS, so they also wanted to keep as normal an intake and metabolic rate as possible (also to keep the whole stomach/digestive system 'active' by eating real food, etc.). So it's not like I did something special, I was just following my local rules.

Why is it that I seem to eat so much more than anyone else?? I always have I guess? I eat up to 2000 cals per day, haven't regained anything yet. Fingers crossed. If I start gaining, I will have to adjust I guess. I'm like 93% EWL at two years post op.

EP -- that is a great blog, thanks for sharing!!

South Beach is a very healthy one, for sure. I used to use a ton of recipes from one of the bloggers who is a South Beach expert. However, post-sleeve -- for me -- it's too low fat. Plus it uses a ton of legumes, which I don't eat. (I also follow a low-fibre diet, so I focus on lower-fibre veg.)

Hiya. It's kinda paleo-ish, but with dairy (which, YES, I eat TONS of, daily) -- my favorite source for this (reco'ed by two doctors actually) is Mark's Daily Apple: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ Yeah, no starches or grains, though I eat potatoes sometimes, the ones in Europe (where I live) are lower in starch than the US ones. I do MISS oatmeal, so I will have it every now and then. But ruling out grains (esp wheat) makes it so easy to just pass up on things that would otherwise derail me. But I love cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, etc. -- I eat a LOT of it every day.