rubyspring

One of the main reasons for low carb during the early stages of weight lose is to put the body into ketosis. After a couple of days of very low carbs (under 30-40 grams per day) "the brain starts burning ketones in order to more directly use the energy from the fat stores that are being depended upon, and to reserve the glucose only for its absolute needs, thus avoiding the depletion of the body's protein store in the muscles". So as long as we have plenty of fat to burn, we are not in danger of harming our muscles. When you get close to goal and need to slow down/stop losing weight, that is the time to start adding more and more high fiber (healthy) carbs. Doing "low carb" pre-op also helps suppress your appetite. Same post-op if you are still having trouble with appetite, though I, fortunately, don't.

I was on the Oxytrol patch for many years to deal with this. Stopped using it 4 weeks after surgery and have had no problems. No leaking when i laugh, cough or sneeze and I'm not always planning for the next bathroom stop. Freedom:)

Just another suggestion is to make sure your cabs low, 30 - 40 grams per day, and your proteins are 70 grams or more. This will put you in ketosis which makes for faster weight lose.

Our nutritionist discussed this at one of our support group meetings. Her advice is not to ignore the fiber and sugar alcohols because each of us absorbs them differently. And even if the calories are not extracted in the stomach, they can still be absorbed by the body on the way out. I think the ADA recommendation is a good rule of thumb. So your drink was 3 full carbs and 15 half carbs or 10.5 all together.

The weight gain from the IV fluids is normal, anywhere from 3 to 7 lbs. The good news is it comes off very quickly as long as you keep your fluids up. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you step on the scale one week out. Hang in there:)

Really tough when those you love question you. I haven't told very many people but , when I get similar questions, always emphasis that I've had life long experience and success with dieting and losing weight. Some just don't seem to understand my REAL problem, keeping it off. If dieting worked for me, why am I fat again? And, yo-yoing is really, really bad for you. So I chose the sleeve as the way to HELP keep it off. I still have to eat less and exercise, same as any one else who embarks on weight lose, but the sleeve quickly reminds me when I try to eat too much. Even the sleeve is not a magic bullet. I still have to learn a new way of eating. It will let me eat a quart of ice cream in a sitting just like before the surgery, but it makes the goal of losing and keeping weight off more in the front of my brain. Mindfulness! Be patient and keep trying to educate you sisters, they'll begin to understand when they see how happy you become with the results.

Congrats!

I'm a big fan of Jay Robb with a variety of DaVinci syrups.

and turning 60 on Thursday. Never would have thought I would be here when I walked into my PCP's office 4 months ago and he said that I either lose weight or start on insulin for my diabetes. Boy did that light a fire under me. Sleeved on Aug. 1 and couldn't be more satisfied with my decision. Have stopped 3 prescriptions and the cholesterol meds will go in 2 - 5 months. I've lost inches in most places. I started measuring early in the process but became depressed when my thigh measurement was what my waist size was when I was 13, and I was overweight even back then. SO I just measure progress by changes in clothes sizes. A little sad my "girls" are down 2 cup sizes and a bit frustrated that the fat seems to be hanging on in my waist. I tell myself I just need to be patient. Just started on raw veggies a few days ago, I sure missed them. Miss my fruits, but doc says those are off limits until I reach goal, oh well:( Wishing all of you the best as you proceed on your journey. thanks for being here.

I cut everything into tiny pieces and make sure I chew at least 30 times by counting in my head. As I've moved on to denser foods it takes more than 30 to get it all mushed up. I'll also glance at the clock occasionally and if I'm getting through my meal too fast will just put the fork down for a couple of minutes. 7 weeks out and I start counting without even thinking about it.

I didn;t have to do it either. No problems. The gas is in you abdomen, so they can work more easily in there, not in your stomach; so a cleanse would have no effect on that gas. Good luck on your journey..

Sorry to hear your having a rough spot. Hang in there, you're not the exception As everyone said, this is a lot for you body and brain to adjust to. I know I am losing more slowly than some. I do know that a lot of my clothes no longer fit. Even during a week I don't lose pounds I may be losing inches. You may want to track your inches also. I've lost about 3 lbs per week but it's more some weeks and none during another. My doctor and nut keep emphasizing the follow formula: plenty of protein (70+ grams for me), enough carbs (30 grams which I'm having a hard time getting that much), fluids (48 - 64 oz) and exercise. This will keep my body from thinking that I'm trying to starve it (so they say). All I can do is be persistent and wait for my body to get used to the new regime. Like most othesr post, I am counting on this time being the last time I have to lose these pounds. This is a great place to vent when we get frustrated. Good luck.

I didn't have a "huge" sweet tooth but I stopped at the vending machine most evenings to get Reese's peanut butter cups to snack on the way home. About 7 weeks out and I just walk by that machine without a second glance. I even find that I have a hard time with things like Crystal Light being too sweet and now it's one packet of sweetener in my mug of decaf coffee. Many of the posters on this forum report that they have a hard time consuming anything sweet, Good luck with your decision-making and on your journey.

Have another follow-up appt. Monday but looks like I'm down 50 lbs, 24 lbs were pre-op. Waiting to update my ticker until I can use the 1 instead of a 2. Maybe it will be this week.

Think about all the positive outcomes of your decision; you'll be able to be much more active in your son's life. There are risks in life no matter what. Gastric sleeve is much safer than by-pass. Statistics presented at the 131st meeting of the American Surgical society showed a mortality rate of 2 in 1,000. I wonder how many of those folks would have died from stroke, heart attack, diabetes complications, or other of their co-morbidities if they didn't lose weight. I think most of us are jittery and questioning during the few weeks before surgery. Almost like we're looking for excuses to not go through with it since we know it will take diligence & hard work plus the sleeve to change our lives. I was both excited and worried. Now, I'm very happy with my sleeve and although I am losing slowly (I think a lot has to do with being close to senior citizen age), I AM losing:) And I feel that this time, with the help of the sleeve, I will be able to keep it off. Hang in there and good luck on your journey.

I gave up caffeine right after my initial consultation. It hasn't been a big problem but I only had coffee on the weekends before. I missed the taste so switched to decaf and actually drink it more often now. My doc says it's a no-no for life but others have posted that they are only restricted for the 1st year or less. I know it's a diuretic and the first months after being sleeved many of us struggle to avoid dehydration. Good luck on your journey.

Participated in our local Walk From Obesity and completed the 2 miles in the middle of the pack. This time last year I would have been out of breath within a quarter mile. So happy I have my sleeve.

I was at my support group last night and this same topic came up. Here are 2 suggestions: you could be lactose intolerant, try lactaid, soy or almond milk, or you could be allergic to whey protein, try switching to soy. Good luck.

Took my grandsons to see the Smurfs; better than I expected:)

I don't think the FDA approves surgical procedures that do not involve implanting medical devices or some other material in your body. This is what I found: The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulationand supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications),vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), veterinary products, and cosmetics. The lap band had to be FDA approved and if your doctor uses mesh to reinforce the staple line it would also need to be approved. If your doctor uses a laser for surgery, the laser needs to be approved. I'll be interested in knowing if someone else has different information.

I'm sorry you misunderstood what I was trying to say. You were concerned about the long term effects of having part of your stomach removed. I was trying to reassure you that there shouldn't be any surprises down the road because people, for what ever reason, have lived without complications after having part or all of their stomach removed.

I'm not trying to make light of your concerns but there are many people who have lost their whole stomach to stomach cancer and go on to live ful, longl and healthy lives. We have only giving up a part of ours so we should also be able to live full and healthy lives. At least that was my hope when I decided to have this surgery. Remember, this is not experimental surgery. Thousands have had this done, have gone on to lose much of their excess weight, and have no regrets. Good luck:)

Would just like to add to chew your food real well; small bites and chew 30 times before swallowing. Also beware of the slider foods that tend to move right through the sleeve; anything with gravy or other sauces, mashed potatoes, etc. There are a lot of other good posts that talk about the sliders. Good luck.

If you think it's milk intolerance you might try Lactaid milk. Does your doctor have you on a PPI like Prilosec, that could also help. If you are finding the premade or flavored proteins too sweet, you could try the unflavored (Unjury is just one available) with syrups like sugar free Torani or DaVinci; then you can control how much you put in. I know it's really hard when those shakes just don't cut it any more. Good luck.

I would show him where everything is kept in the kitchen and tell him to "have at it"! You can only do so much.