Catracks

The range between sizes 18 and above can be many inches and many pounds. As you get into the single digits or even size 12 and below, the difference between sizes can be as little as 10 pounds or less.

They do taste a bit strange, but they are gold. I liked the orange and the grape best and that's funny because I hate fake grape anything. I wouldn't have gotten the protein in without it and I believe it helped me heal faster.

The reason I drank a diluted glass a few times in the clear liquid phase is that it's supposed to be one of the natural remedies for constipation. I don't take medications so I look for natural ways. I DO NOT do prune juice. YUCK!

I never met a cheese I didn't like. It is hard to stop at an ounce, but doable. I mix full fat cheese in with mini light baby bell, laughing cow wedges (they come in all kinds of flavors) and light string cheese. I think us, the formerly obese, do have to practice due diligence with food portioning. Like I said in my last post, I will be weighing myself and measuring out portions for the rest of my life. I will also be eating high Protein and pretty much eating how I am in the losing phase with a few added in healthy carbs. I love my diet the way it is now. I used to eat all kinds of crap - even if I wasn't really crazy about it just because it was there. I mean, who really, truly likes Hot Cheetos? I'd rather have a steak or some shrimp cocktail! You are definitely a role model. You saw yourself slipping and nipped it in the bud. We're proud of you!

Apple juice is surprisingly acidic as well. Orange juice is not good for anyone full strength. It packs a TON of sugar. When you drink juice, especially at this stage, dilute it with water by half. Apple juice went down very nicely for me as a treat the first week. It's not something to drink all the time.

This is the eating stage plan I was on as well. Not only does this give your sleeve time to heal, you can also lose a heck of a lot of weight. You just have to make sure to get the Protein, fluids and supplements in.

I plan to forever weigh. measure and portion my food. It's so used to it now and it's kind of fun - like a puzzle. I think the full-fat cheese in moderation is fine. What I will always stay away from is rice, Pasta, white flour, etc. Once in a great while or when I hike for more than 5 miles I will let myself have bread, potato or pasta, but they have to have a decent Protein level. I will get whole wheat rustic bread, whole wheat or Dreamfield pasta or a potato with a Greek yogurt topping mixed with garlic and herbs. Most days I have a few crackers, but then again I am picky about which. They have to be relatively low carb and high protein like Trader Joe's Raisin Rosemary Crisps. I heard the "everything in moderation" spiel, but it doesn't work for me. There are certain things I just never will go back to. They are usually the things with no nutritional value like white rice, snack chips, cakes, pies and pastries. I can make lower carb, no sugar added Desserts that are killer. I thought that just once I could have a piece of boysenberry pie. I looked at the calories for one small slice and it was 590!!!! I only eat 750 a DAY. With some things I have to say that I won't go there. Nuts. Yeah. I can easily eat too many. In fact I almost binged on pistachios last night. They are good for you, but pack in a huge amount of calories. I put them back a made a bit of popcorn. Thank God for popcorn.

I just found my weight loss history on Fitday. I think I'm pretty average and the weight loss is a lot slower now and the stalls longer. It's still on the downward trend though. 09/26/2012 156 lbs 09/24/2012 157 lbs 08/27/2012 162 lbs 08/24/2012 163 lbs 08/03/2012 166 lbs 07/17/2012 169 lbs 07/07/2012 170 lbs 07/06/2012 171 lbs 06/08/2012 175 lbs 06/05/2012 177 lbs 06/01/2012 179 lbs 05/14/2012 182 lbs 04/29/2012 185 lbs 03/14/2012 198 lbs 02/17/2012 207 lbs 02/14/2012 208 lbs 02/06/2012 211 lbs 01/25/2012 215 lbs 01/10/2012 232 lbs 12/30/2011 235 lbs 12/29/2011 246 lbs

Don't mess around with this. If you have a CPAP/BIPAP machine, USE IT! If you suspect sleep apnea, get a sleep study.

Thank you so very much everyone for the support and well-wishes. Chris was a special guy and a ray of sunshine to everyone he met. I was whiny baby about the BIPAP. I didn't take it seriously enough obviously. Glad this was a heads-up for you all.

My cholestrol is high due to heredity factors. My mom had been on them for years, but the cholesterol never goes down near enough. The side effects of statins are just horrible. Now this! I flat out refused to take them.

Extreme fatigue and sleepiness can also be a sign of sleep apnea, but definitely one of diabetes. Mine resolved, but it doesn't always work out that way. Even if it doesn't, the way we sleevers eat (if we do high protein) will help control it.

What pdxman said. I also get sick and that over-full feeling if I eat too fast.

Diabetes type II is insulin resistance. When our body does not produce enough insulin, our bodies cannot absorb the glucose into the cells and thus so your blood sugar stays high. High blood sugar damages the vessels and the internal organs. You body converts starches like bread, Pasta and cereals into sugar for use by the cell. If there is little or no insulin the cells can't get it. It doesn't have to be sweet food necessarily, just carbohydrates.

When you get to solids, eat meat, cheese, beans, nuts, fruit and eggs. Right after surgery I did 2 weeks clear liquid, 2 weeks full liquid and 2 weeks mushy/pureed. I don't know what diet you nutritionist recommended, but for full liquids there were protein shakes and yogurt mostly. You may as well try out different yogurts. Your tastes will have to undergo a bit of a change.

You are so right about the room in your pack. You wouldn't think big people clothes could take up so much room, but they do! We have to do freeze dried food as we will be in the canyon for a week or so.

I do believe that there is a limit to how much the sleeve can stretch vs. a gastric pouch. Also, whatever gas isn't there for long. I swear I burp after each sip. Gross, but there it is.

I've always wanted to do the Bright Angel Trail down and the South Kaibab back up or vice-versa. Do me a favor. Read the book "Death in the Grand Canyon" before you go. I know it sounds morbid, but 99% of deaths in the canyon are from people doing silly things or not thinking things through either do to bravado, severe cold, thirst or severe heat. It's a fascinating read and you'll enjoy it. Some great history too. Next May we are going down into the canyon via the Havasupai nation. The only way into the canyon is hiking, horse or helicopter. Water is the heaviest thing you will have to carry and you will need gallons for just even one person. Overpacking is better and always, on any hike, pack as though you will have to spend the night (or a few nights) in the wilderness. Even in summer, pack a jacket and pants, a knife, matches/lighter, FLASHLIGHT, extra socks, plenty of food (up your carbs) .... You probably know this stuff already, but I had to say it - especially if you haven't done a lot of mountain/canyon hiking. and a whistle. Helps people find you. Awwww, you say you won't get lost or fall? Willing to bet your life? Also let people know your itinerary. Never hike alone.

I was just going to post this. This goes for any packaged, processed food with an ingredient label with a list of 50 things you can barely pronounce. You may think microwave popcorn is quick, but I can pop corn just as fast and it tastes dreamy. I can control the salt too. Making your own nut butters are slightly more time consuming, but still easy. The more we stay away from packaged food and fast food (no matter how "healthy" it's supposed to be) the better off we will be. she says as she drinks a diet soda. I'm going to go back to my own fresh squeezed fruit juice and club soda. http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/popcorn-lung-lawsuit-nets-7-2m-award-125914508--abc-news-topstories.html

Ok, maybe I am ... a little. I just want to show what's possible for a person who used to complain about having to walk down the street.

Am not!

And your words are going to keep me from going insane. Thanks!

Best advice here! Is is a stress response,. Your body is going to put resources where they are needed most and hair is one of the last on the list. Take your multi and Calcium as we all should, but don't waste time or money on the supplements and cures. It's going to grow back.

$80 for jeans? That's what I told my daughter when I picked up a pair of Lucky Brand Jeans at Goodwill for $7. I'd swear they were brand new. Actually those jeans run at $100. You are in control of where you want to stop. When you want to stop, experiment with adding more HEALTHY carbs in. Get to where the weight holds steady. In maintenance I plan to continue to weigh, measure and track food. It's second nature now. About the clothes: I plan to continue shopping at Goodwill and on Ebay even when i get to goal. I like American Eagle, Old Navy and a few other stores, but I like getting my clothes at steal prices. I just makes more sense. Just wash the stuff well. I have a huge pile of size 14s and 12s to give back to Goodwill. Soon my 10s will be in a pile. YAY!

No way could I eat that much bread. I might do an open face on a hiking day. I'd also scramble the egg. It's weird. I love eggs, but only scrambled and fried hard with the yolk squished. Poached or hard boiled eggs give off a smell I cannot tolerate. I still eat about 750 calories a day with my carbs below 40. I am 5'1" though. I'm 8 months out BTW.