Lisa :)

Gastrectomy has been performed for many, many years on cancer patients. I chose the sleeve because of my desire to compete in triathlons. I was worried that if I had gastric bypass I would not be able to fuel my body correctly and/or take in the additional carbs needed when exercising for long periods of time. I am soooooo happy with my choice!! Sure, there are times when I wish I could eat more, or eat something that I know won't agree with my sleeve....but, I wouldn't change a thing and I'd do it again in a heart beat!!!! I love the new life I'm living and ill be doing my first triathlon in 4 weeks!!

Sorry, I didn't see your last sentence I'm doing Tom Holland's sprint training plan from the book "The 12 Week Triathlete".

I am doing a sprint. I'm actually signed up for three sprints this year! I'm hoping to set my sights on Olympic next year! I eat about 5-6 small meals each day and I'm taking in about 1400 cal per day on average. From everything I've read, the need for a lot of fuel during a sprint isn't really necessary. It's when you get into races that are over 3 hours where you need to re-fuel consistently. In terms of food and fluids. I can eat between 3 - 8 oz of food at a time...it just depends on the type of food. I can gulp Fluid with no problems at all. I currently take in about 1 gallon of fluids a day.

I was sleeved on November 9th and started walking and jogging 3 weeks after surgery. I started a formal training plan for my first triathlon about 8 weeks ago...my first tri is on June 24th!!! The MAIN reason I chose the sleeve was so that I would be able to properly fuel my body. I knew that if I had bypass, that might be a challenge. I have absolutely no problems drinking large amounts of fluids when needed and I consume more carbs than my surgeon recommends because I need them for fuel...and I'm still losing weight just fine!!! I know there are a few other people here that have done triathlons...hopefully they'll chime in too. Good for you for setting an athletic goal!!! And yay for choosing a tri!!! I love my traing workouts and can't wait to finish my first one!!

Unfortunately, they are a slider food for me....along with ALL chips. So, I must stay away from them all, otherwise I could eat them all day!!

I just made the Taco Cupckes from the Emilybites site (I'm assuming the lasagna cupcakes are from her site as well)....OMG, they were so good!!! One is a perfect portion for me at 6 months out. I can't wait to make the lasagna ones now!!! If you go to emilybites.com you can get recipes for all her cupcake meals!!!

Hang in there!!....I think we've all had "buyer's remorse" at some point early post op! If you think you're dehydrated then you need to call your dr or get to urgent care or the ER....dehydration is the #1 reason patients end up back in the hospital. I agree with the Popsicles.....they helped me so much!! I also drank a lot of chicken broth at my dr's suggestion because the salt helps you to retain fluids. Just do whatever you can and know that you will get through this!! I still have days where I feel frustrated that I can't eat certain foods and days when my sleeve is not very tolerant. But I wouldn't change a thing!...the benefits far out-weigh my frustrations

So, I'm almost 6 months out. I've been breezing along all this time with NO issues whatsoever. I was taking a PPI for the first 3 months post op per my surgeon's direction and then I moved to using it "as needed". Well, a few days ago, I started experiencing some acid reflux....so, I took my PPI. I'm now on day 4 and everyday it's just gotten worse and worse. Today it has been just excruciating!!! It hurts when I drink water!!! I called my Dr's office and they are ordering an upper GI which I'll probably have done next week. I'm going worst case scenario in my head now (which I know I shouldn't do), worrying that I might have a stricture. I'm trying not to freak out but it's hard when everything that goes down hurts....and then about every 15 minutes I get these waves of pain where it feels like someone is ringing out my esophagus like wash cloth. Has anyone else experienced REALLY, REALLY bad acid reflux that is not alleviated with a PPI?...and what was the outcome?

I'm almost six months out and still don't eat salads. I'm able to eat lettuce, but it's not worth it to me because I can only eat 3 or 4 bites and then I'm uncomfortably full. I miss salad....more than anything else I used to eat!!! I'll gladly give them up though for everything else I've gained with my sleeve!!!

I had started walking about 1 and 1/2 months before surgery and then started back up at about 3 weeks post op. I hike up hill, so that first week back at it really took everything outta me!! I would suggest that whatever it is you do, take it slow and work your way up gradually. Most injuries occur because people take on too much, too soon. You're also more likely to burn out that way too. Most important thing....find an exercise that you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, you won't likely stick with it. Good Luck!!!!

Power Crunch bars are similar to the Oh Yeah....but, in my opinion, wayyyy better!!! I buy 2 boxes directly from The Vitamin Shoppe online every other week. I like them because they are a wafer and not and chewy, sticky bar. They have 15 grams per bar.

I hardly even felt it....and I was terrified it was going to hurt!!

If you haven't already taken your measurements, do so NOW!!!! There is only one tip.....keep to your plan and wait!!! I know, probably not what you wanna hear, but it's not likely related to anything you're doing. Your body just needs to adjust to the fact that you've lost 25 POUNDS IN THREE WEEKS!!!! Celebrate that!!!!!....and hang in there

I'd say avoiding the Cheetos (and all other slider foods) should be at the top of the list!!!! LOL!!! I'd also like to add: Don't compare your results to anyone else....you'll drive yourself nuts!!!

Scoop for scoop they are about the same though!!!

I had the same feeling and it turned out that my uvula was a little traumatized during surgery. In order for it to heal, it had to shed a layer of mucous that seemed to take forever!!! I think it was finally gone after about 10 days.

Marisa rose....it will get easier for you too....I promise!!! I can remember, at about two weeks out, mourning food so badly!! I just wanted to chew and the thought of not being able to eat the way I wanted to just pissed me off. Fast forward almost 5 months and I am so happy with my decision. My relationship with food has changed dramatically....it's just not an important part of my life anymore and I find myself eating to live rather than living to eat. I still have moments where I find myself snacking mindlessly....but that's something I'm working really hard to change, or at least, minimize!! And as far as regrets go....it's the same regret as the others....wish I could have done it sooner!!!

So, I'm 5 months out as of tomorrow and I absolutely LOVE my sleeve....it's the best thing I've ever done for ME!!! That said, as of this past Friday I hadn't lost even a 1/2 pound since I hit the 4 month mark. I've been exercising EVERYDAY as I'm training for my first triathlon at the end of June. I'm really happy with my progress and I try really hard not to allow the scale to be my only measure of success. That being said, I've still been frustrated for the past couple of weeks because this stall has been longer than the others and I have not had a change in my measurements. So, on Friday, I decided to break out LilMissDiva's Boot Camp. I started it on Saturday morning and have followed it to the letter....even drinking the one gallon of Water which is hard for me as I typically drink Powerade Zero. So, low and behold, I got on the scale this afternoon and I'm down 4 lbs!! The great thing about this is that it's not torturous!!! Anyway, just wanted to put it out there for anyone trying to figure out how to break a stall....give it a try, it works!!! I'm only at the end of day two and I've already broken my craving for carbs and salt (I had been cheating a bit on salty carbs, like chips). Thanks LilMissDiva!!!! Lisa

I understand your frustration....I have been at a stall for 4 weeks now. I just posted this evening, however, that I started LilMissDiva's Boot Camp and I seem to have broken the stall (and I'm only on day 2). Here is the link if you're interested in giving it try. I recommend it....it's not really all that difficult....not torturous like going back to liquids would be. The hardest part for me is the amount of Water. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/page__hl__bootcamp__fromsearch__1

Sorry, I meant to post the link at the end. It used to be pinned but isn't anymore.... http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/page__hl__bootcamp__fromsearch__1

I wouldn't say that it doesn't "count". The reason your nut would prefer that you have a Protein drink containing whey isolate is because it is better absorbed that protein concentrate (which is what the Premier Protein drinks are made with). I read an article a few months ago that had a breakdown on absorption rates for the different kinds of Proteins. I can't find it now, but it goes something like this: Protein concentrate: about 50% is absorbed Whey isolate: about 80% is absorbed Hydrolyzed whey: about 95% is absorbed You also can only absorb so much protein at once, so the better the quality of protein, the more you will absorb. I myself have not had any issues with my protein levels (which my surgeon checks every time I see her) so I try not to worry too much about this. I use a whey isolate (nectar Cappuccino) for my 2 drinks and I eat 2 Power Crunch bars (which are hydrolyzed whey) each day. I say, if the Premier works for you right now....stick with it!!!

It used to bother me....but anyone that knows me, knows that I haven't taken the "easy" way out. My sleeve is simply a wonderful tool that has helped me in ways that diet alone has never done. I manage a group of about 20 people at work and some of my staff have asked their supervisor (who knows about my surgery) how I've lost my weight. I guess she says to them "She's eating right, is training for a triathlon and works her butt off for it everyday!" I loved hearing that!!!

Here it is: http://www.verticals...__fromsearch__1 I'm starting it today myself. I'm about to hit the 5 month mark and I've lost not one pound this past month and I exercise like crazy......frustrated!!!

WOW!!! What a transformation!! You look, at least, 10-15 years younger!!!

It's normal. My surgeon told me it could last a couple of weeks....and it did. Things will get back to normal in time!'