Redcobra

I buy my protein bars and Muscle Milk Lite from GNC on the web using my gold card the first week of each month. I use the Atkins Day Break Cranberry Almond bars which have 10g Protein, 1 g sugar, 5g Fiber, and 150 calories. And the Oh Yeah Cookie Caramel Crunch bars that have 15g protein, 5g sugar, 1g fiber and 180 calories (these are wonderful, but I also need the fiber from the Atkins bars). I don't use them as snacks, but as Meal Replacements.

I tend to eat out of boredom now. My mind can wander to food (ie. I used to gourmet cook French, so I may wnader into thinking about complicated sauce recipes). Ads and smells also trigger an emotional response. If I am by myself without an external stimulus I forget to eat. When I stand up too fast and get dizzy I remeber to snarf a Protein bar.

Now or then? After surgery I followed all the rules in the "Green" book I was given by my doctor. The only change I made was to accelerate moving from one stage to another. ie. from clears to liquids to mushies to softs to solids. I arrived at solids about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Now, I eat lots of protein (60-80g/day), drink lots of liquids, but then eat anything I want. If I want a snack (rarely as I am not hungry) I have whole grain crackers. Like I said, Protein Bar and drink (and coffee) for breakfast, protein bar for lunch, and whatever I want for dinner. The other thing I have found is that although I have no physical hunger, I have psychological hunger such as when there is a pizza commercial on the tube. When that happens I force myself to ignore it, but then may have Pizza for dinner that night.

I was sleeved on 2/8/11. I went through the clear/liquid/mushies/soft food faster than recommended, but my body seemed OK with it. At 3 and 1/2 months I now eat anything I want and feel great. I have lost over 60 lbs and am losing about 2 lbs a week. I am off bariatric Vitamins, my doctor said see you in 4 months, and told me to keep exercising. I eat anything and everything, but not very much of it. It took me a while to learn when I had enough. The trick is to stop one bite sooner than you think you should. I feel great, my knees and feet don't hurt, my BP is down, I haven't had a gout attack in 3 months, and I sleep great. Yesterday I had Muscle Milk Lite and a Protein bar for Breakfast, an "Oh Yeah" Protein Cookie Bar for lunch, and filet mignon, caesar salad for dinner. Today, I had the same breakfast and lunch and Pasta with sausage for dinner. I don't get hungry and have to remember to eat. Oh, and I had some Hagen Daaz coffee icecream as a snack tonight. This is the best thing I ever did for myself!!! Your mileage may vary, but go for it.

At the stage where you are I was drinking Muscle Milk Lite chocolate. I still drink it every day for breakfast. To me it tastes like Chocolate Milk. 20g protein/14oz.

congrats

go for it

Update. I have now had two gout flares in 2 weeks. The second one really bad. I was sleeved 4 weeks ago. I am beginning to think hydration is the isse. However, at 4 weeks I am now starting my Omega-3 and Tart Cherry extract again which prior to surgery really helped the gout. I am continuing the Uloric (40mg) and use Colchicine when I get a flare. My arthritis pain has increased also, and I am going to ask if I can start up the Arthrotec again even though it is an NSAID. Interestingly, even though my Uric Acid is in acceptable range I still get the attacks. That is why my doctor won't increase the Uloric from 40mg to 80 mg. So it appears not to be a high Uric acid level.

I was sleeved 1 month ago and lost a good bit the first 3 weeks. Now I am stalled and have not lost a single pound in a week (week 3-4). Also, mentally, I can't seem to judge the amount of food I can hold and often overeat by just 2 bites and that causes great gastric distress. I then have to sit still and vertical for 30 minutes as things settle while feeling like I am going to throw up the whole time. Anyone else stalled? How much food can you eat in terms of volume? I am posting this in the man room as things seem to be quite different for the women.

Crushed for one week. Ugh. Taste awful. I was told no NSAIDS for 4 weeks. Ibuprofen is an NSAID, Tylenol is not. I have terrible arthritis and gout and can't wait to take my Arthrotec again in one week.

My instructions were 1 week liquids (after release), 1 week mushies, 1 week soft food, then slowly introduce reg food. However, I am one that often doesn't follow instructions, so I did 5 days of each and am doing fine. I think it depends on the individual. I am one of those with an Iron stomach. I have never thrown up in my adult life. Had meatballs and Pasta with red sauce last night. Total about 1 1/4 cups. If I eat too much it sticks in my throat and sits there like a uncomfortable lump. So I eat slow and see how far down each bite goes. Your body will tell you what you can and cannot do. Listen to it.

4 weeks out and no physical hunger. I get head hunger such as when watching TV and seeing a Domino's commercial but I am learning to ignore that.

OTOH..I just had two scrambled eggs with a slice of american cheese melted over the top and it was fine. Definitely didn't want any more but it measured to about 7/8 cup total and was alright. Best food I have had since surgery. delicious.

I'm sure they are still doing the surgery, but don't know about the study. I am in Towson, and did a lot of research before making a decision about where to have surgery. After a lot of thought I chose the GBMC Comprehensive Obsisity Management Program (COMP) over Hopkins Bayview. I am now two eeks out of surgery and couldn't be happier.