Katie713

Your post brought several things to mind...interesting that when we look at the surgical piece of the puzzle, it can seem very scary, and in the past, I have felt that feeling, 24 years ago I had gallbladder surgery and even though I had 3 previous c-sections I had anxiety about being opened up, it somehow seemed almost barbaric to me. Of course I went forward with the surgery and I really needed it because I had gallstones that were causing me intense episodes of pain. When I read your words about why you would "do this to yourself", I take it you mean have the surgeon remove most of your stomach tissue.....isn't it interesting that we don't see where we are before weight loss as a grave condition that needs attention. I have asked myself silently many times, before I started this weight loss journey, how I could have "done this to myself"? The difference is that this surgery is to HELP us return to good health. I told my primary that I wanted the surgery, but thought it was a radical procedure, that I had some fear going forward with Kaiser Weight Loss program, she turned to me and said, "Don't let the surgery scare you, because frankly, if you don't do something to change, you will probably be in this hospital having surgery for another reason." That drove it home. Morbidly obese is just that, and when I would read the laundry list of conditions that increased the likelihood of heart attack, stroke or diabetes for women, I had already checked off most of the things on that list. I was headed in the wrong direction for DECADES. This was my chance to do something PROACTIVE and irreversable for MY HEALTH. I have never regretted this decision for one moment, and I hope you will come to see your own upcoming surgery the same way, embracing your ability to turn your life around. Good Luck in whatever decision you make. You can do this!!

Fried fish doesn't taste the same to me anymore!! I like it fresh best and easier to eat !! Ceviche & Shrimp cocktail = YES!!

You are gorgeous girl !! Way to go!!

I use the Pure Protein powder in Frosty chocolate. It's only 140 calories, 3 carbs, 25 grams of protein. It's not too sweet and it is very reasonable, I buy it at Walmart for under $20 for a big tub. I don't put it in the blender it gets too frothy - I mix it with water and put the shaker bottle in the freezer until it's really cold almost crystalized. The ready to drink Premier Protein from Costco and Sams Club is also very good - and about $25 for 18 cartons, 150 calories, 5 carbs and 30 grams of protein.

I was sleeved 2 days after you (4/6/12) and I started throwing up too a few weeks ago, almost every other evening after dinner. I think it was the combination of foods my tummy just did not want, or a few bites too many that would not go down. I switched to really easy things I could tolerate for the evenings until things settled down, and the vomiting stopped and has not returned. I kind of went back toward creamy Soups for dinner and mashed potatoes with canned chicken and chicken gravy, just 1/2 cup at a meal. This was more like my full liquids/mushy stage foods. Now I eat my main meal at lunch, very Protein dense, and go easy at night, but I am eating firm protein again, just going slow and easy and not eating one bite too much. I would not be surprised if occasionally our tummy's are overwhelmed !!

I've been a slow loser so I know how frustrating it can be, but overall, in less than a year I've lost quite a bit of weight and NONE of my old clothes fit and I can slide into any booth. It happens, but we are all different and lose at a different pace. I track my intake on myfitnesspal.com so I can look back and see what my body responds better to. I was not allowed to move to regular food until six weeks, at your stage I was definately on mushy/soft foods. As I moved forward (I'm almost 4 months out now) I can eat pretty much everything, but I trend toward a low carb diet as it helps me lose more consistently. At 3 weeks I was eating about 800 calories/less than 40 grams of carbs/70-80 grams of Protein and walking everyday for 30 or more minutes. Good Luck....and not to worry the weight will come off....just stay on track and let it happen.

When the time is right, you can adapt some of the flavors you crave into healthier weight loss friendly recipes. For pizza flavor and a crispy crunch I've heard pepperoni slices nuked in the microwave or baked in the oven gives a crisp treat, if you top it with a little marinara and cheese, voila! pizza flavor...if you crave lasagna...try the ricotta bake which I make with meat sauce in the bottom of a ramekin, topped with ricotta cheese (mixed with an egg and parm) then more sauce and finally motzarella cheese and parmesan, and bake it in the oven at 375 until bubbly and browned on top (like 15-20 min)... For the taste of a brownie, I enjoy Protein bars but I limit the calories to 150 per serving and at least 10 grams of protein, I love the Atkins bars (low carb) or the Power Crunch bars. As for chips, once in awhile I do have some tortilla chips with some salsa or ceviche. It's a whole grain. I only allow myself a few on occasion. Mostly I focus on high protein items, but once in awhile I allow myself a treat. Then I get on with it, I no longer feel deprived! I know some people can't stop once they get started but thankfully I am not overindulging, I get full so fast I don't want to over eat...I hate that discomfort...and I do track my calories/carbs/protein/fluids, etc.

Follow your gut instincts. You may also want to add something to your diet like a fruit smoothie that has lots of nutrients, starting with some crushed ice, a banana, a frozen berry blend or frozen pineapple/mango and then a healthy green like spinach or kale with or without a plain protein boost. Both my sons are athletes and they swear by this concoction for energy. Follow up your work outs with a protein shake for your recovery mode. Perhaps you will soon be able to gauge whether this helps. You look great !

Congrats Thin Soon! Hope your recovery continues to go so well !!

Good Luck Slim Lady!! You're in good hands and the hospital is top notch!

From what I've read from the veteran sleevers here who've made it to goal, its a low carb diet that is most effective. I'm close to 4 months out too...and taking in about 800-1000 calories, under 50 grams of carbs most days, 70 grams of protein. I often have either cottage cheese with fruit for breakfast or an Atkins protein bar, salad with chicken for lunch and fish with steamed veggies for dinner. I have one protein shake a day and one protein bar to meet my protein goals, take my vitamins, and for snacks, nuts or cheese, sometimes a weight watchers ice cream bar at night or a SF fudgesicle. I still crave my chocolate!

Yep ! I'm adding them to my tuna, or as a snack item with some black olives on the side!

Good 4 you girl !! Work it!!

Check out the Flat Out bread website. I just found out about this product and the flat breads are high in Protein, low in calories, and they have whole grain products. They have some cool pizza recipes: http://www.flatoutbread.com/category/recipes/flatbread-wraps/grillin-pizza/

Happy Friday everybody !!!

You were gorgeous before your weight loss....but you are a shining star now...you've done great with your sleeve!!! Cute outfits too!!!

You should be ok just take it slow and chew well. I am loving my salads this summer. I'm about 14 weeks out and have been enjoying salads since week 6.

Tekara....such great news that it seems they got the tumor out and hopefully, all else turns up negative. For whatever reason, you were meant to take your health into your hands, and this decision, which led to the discovery of your polyps is so life changing. Enjoy every moment with your guy and your little girl !! I hope you get your sleeve surgery very soon so you can look your best and feel your best!! God Bless you and yours!!!!

peacequeen....glad to hear you are doing ok. If you did have some narrowing that might have caused the difficulty swallowing and food going down, I hope that this dilation improves that for you. At least you are done with this procedure and can move on. Hope you feel better soon!!

I would also love the recipe! Love crab cakes but dread the filler if it would be filled with carbs.

I took a month off work after surgery in early April so I was very in tune with how my body was healing and reacting to my my new dietary restrictions, digestion, etc. I would have to nap after most of my meals, especially the mid-day and evening meal. I would suddenly feel so tired and I knew I was home to recover, and allowed myself to follow the rythms and not fight them. I came to look forward to my little naps. At 3 months out, I don't need to nap after my meals anymore. But I do listen to my body much more as I move forward with my weight loss journey.

I would drink about 1 1/2 bottles per day for 60 grams total Protein of Isopure during the clear liquid stage. I would pour 2/3 of a bottle into a large plastic cup with lots of ice and just sip, sip, sip. The grape and orange flavors were tolerable. As the ice melts, it dilutes the taste of the Isopure enough to get it down easily enough. After those first days I never wanted to see the stuff again though! I would drink orange all morning and grape in the afternoon. For lunch and dinner I would have either chicken or beef broth.

Yes, for pureed/soft food stage, adding cheese is fine, as long as it is melted in. Right now it's all about texture so that you don't hurt your newly sleeved tummy as it's healing.