Katie713

Some people do fairly well for a period of time on 800 calories but most have to increase for health and maintenance. You can still lose weight at 1000-1200 calories. In this case her body is clearly needing more nourishment for normal functions which may be worth consideration if she is fainting from low blood pressure which her doctor has stated may be from too few calories. I suggested she try to add calories to see if it helps, not just salt as some have suggested which isn't working for her anyway. OP I wish you the best, and I am only trying to give you my take on the situation.

I spent almost my entire adult life fat, but I have always been confident and had good self esteem, a great job, strong relationships...but deep inside I was ashamed of my body and the fact that I could diet and lose weight but only so much before the plateaus shut me down and the gaining began again. In the summer of 2011 I was nearly 280 lbs at only 5 ft tall. A few pivotal experiences gave me the courage to seek weight loss surgery and when I finally took that step, it unfolded in the most positive way. I went thru a 12 week pre-op program then qualified for surgery which was a breeze for me, no complications, and I got some wind beneath my sails and began walking and exercising, and working the plan. I used to wear a 3X or 4X and now I look much more like my petite self from days gone by...and I squeezed into a 12 this week. Slow and steady with stalls along the way but I am committed to get and stay healthy. I am 10 months out and 100 lbs down and lovin my sleeve!!

Sounds like WAY too little calories, your body is in starvation mode at 1200 calories. Your body is consuming lean muscle tissue at that low of calories for a sustained period. Your heart is a muscle, think about that. Increase your calories and see if that helps your blood pressure. My daughter-in-law had low blood after a siezure and meds in the ER, down to 70/50 and the ER doctor said that is fatal for some people and she was not allowed home until they brought it up and it took 4 days. You had the surgery for better health, but you still have to get enough calories and nutrients to survive.

If I were you I would take in more calories until you can stabilize your blood pressure, not so much as to gain weight but to maintain where you are, and add a healthy smoothie like a green smoothie with fruits and veggies to get more nutrition. You might have 25 lbs to lose but you need at least 1200-1400 calories for proper energy...sometimes we don't realize even if we are overweight we can starve ourselves and not have proper bodily function. You can do this! Take control, your life is worth it!!!

My two cents, after posting here for over a year what I have noticed is that most people who try to cover up the truth about the surgery end up getting found out and then there are hard feelings that need to be smoothed over. Of course its a personal decision, I told who I wanted to know and conveniently kept quiet to those I didnt, but if they are good friends surely they will understand!

Laura-ven....it is such a tasty combination...black olives and sundried tomato basil string cheese! Glad you like it!! But those bacon wrapped scallops look amazing! I'm about to chomp on my screen!

Sannah...you can call me on that banana-fone any old time!! Good for you for speaking your mind...you've been through ALOT. Well once you get through this I am sure you will have a new appreciation for your precious life and be stronger for the journey. You are strong and sensible and you have a voice in your care, so do what you gotta do girlfriend!! Wishing you nothing but the best!

I had sugery 10 months ago in April 2012. Best thing I ever did for myself. More info...when you eat solids to fullness stop there. If you add a beverage at this point it opens the valve at your esophagus and your stomach needs pressure for digestion, so it not only thwarts digestion, it sort of bubbles up in your throat, hence the slimes...you try and try to swallow it down (mucus) but it keeps working its way up. If you just stop at the first feeling of fullness you will be fine and after 30 minutes you can tolerate a beverage. I almost have it down to an art now, but once in awhile I break the rules and it never fails, sometimes it makes me have to vomit because the pressure is uncomfortable.

Working you way to satiety is different with the sleeve. Not sure how to exactly explain it but when our full stomach is intact and we eat to fullness, those feel good sensations come upon us and provide a kind of "food high". With the sleeve, you get full so fast that you don't get that elongated period to reach that content feeling. You begin to eat for the nutrition and less for "that feeling" but physically you will get full. It takes time to wrap your head around this and then slow down your eating enough to regulate how you will feel. liquids quickly move through the pyloric valve at the base of the stomach. Solids make the pyloric valve shut so that digestive juices can do their job as stomach contents need to be liquified to move down into the intestines. That is why you don't feel restriction, the liquid or sludge just keeps on moving, but solids shut the valve and pressure begins to build as solids fill the sleeve. I saw a great video on this digestive process that was so educational.

sleeve sister....You will get there my dear. Have faith. Most of us who have gone through this experience know this. If you have one protein shake with at least 25 grams of protein in the morning, and later in the afternoon or evening have say a Pure Protein bar with 25 grams there is your 50. Whatever protein you have at lunch or dinner adds to your total as well as any milk or dairy products you might consume. As far as your hydration is concerned, start your day with a large cup of decaf coffee or tea if you like it, then later the shake, then later on the water, crystal light, etc. and everyday should be a little easier.

You won't feel total restriction until you move to firm solids. When you move to soft foods, you will feel better (a greater sense of fullness) but firm protein sends the signal loud and clear, and you will know, my friend, what restriction feels like. As soon as you sense fullness at this stage, stop eating. If you continue you will quickly move to a VERY uncomfortable feeling. I get a hiccup or two when I am reaching fullness. Eat slowly or this sensation will happen so fast you won't know what hit ya!!

Unfortunately your vitamins are no substitution for protein which is necessary for healing and to provide enough amino acids so that while you are losing weight, you are not losing too much lean muscle tissue when you want to be losing primarily fat. Some protein bars have a fair amount of whey isolate protein (15-25 grams) so one of those plus a protein shake should get you to at least 50 grams, and then any other protein you eat will add to that. Hitting 90 will be hard...but if you can at least get over 60 grams you should be ok until you can tolerate more solid protein down the line.

Peppermint tea was a godsend when I had the flu bug. It REALLY helped!!!

Olives are easily tolerated!! And good for you!! Healthy fats and few carbs! They are a staple in my diet, a great snack with string cheese!

Sannah...I wish you nothing but the best. It sounds like you are going through such a tough time and yet you have your head up and you are showing your strength!! You go girl ! If you need to seek out another bariatric specialist, you are following your own instincts, and there is nothing wrong with that. Your current surgeon sounds very insensitive!! Good luck with everything!!!

Determined...if the vomiting does not abate, do not hesitate to insist your surgeons office do a leak test. If you cannot keep fluids down, you may need to go to urgent care or ER for IV fluids so you don't suffer dehydration. Especially in the beginning, if you are having complications, you may need medical attention. I am sorry you are feeling so badly. You simply have to be your own best advocate for your care.

Typical day for me: Breakfast coffee (2 large cups) 1/2 c. low-fat cottage cheese with 1/2 c. canned fruit (pears/pineapple or peaches) or 1 c. Kellogs Special K Protein cereal flakes with 3/4 c 1% milk On the weekends I might have scrambled eggs with diced ham/mushrooms/onions and some shredded cheddar and 1 slice of whole wheat toast Morning snack - Protein shake lunch 1 c. of soup - usually I buy Progresso light Soups 1 piece of fruit or salad with grilled chicken Snack Protein Bar or a piece of fruit with a slice of cheese or a handful of nuts or black olives and string cheese dinner 3-4 oz of protein Salad or steamed veggies Stir frys (assorted) Soups (Hearty) Evening snack Blue Bunny Frozen Dessert Bars (70 cal) or Weight Watchers Frozen Dessert Bars (80 cal) A typical day totals up to about 1300 calories, 70 grams of protein, and under 50 grams of carbs.

Today we went to TGI Fridays and I had grilled lobster with a side tomato/motzarella salad, gave my potato side to my son. It was really good. Seafood is usually a good choice for me. Chicken is a bit too firm for me and it makes me uncomfortable.

You poor thing!!! Hang in there!!

How awesome!! I am about 5 lbs away from a size 12 and can't wait. You have inspired me to push thru !!

Sorry you are going thru this. You have no choice but to be as strong as you can as you recover. Take help where you can and go to the ER if you're going downhill, you have to be your own strongest advocate, no wonder you were in so much pain!!!

init4me...I love weight watchers. That was my go-to for years, and what I started on before I did Options so I was already working earnestly on my weight loss. For Breakfast I usually have cottage cheese with canned fruit like pears or pineapples or peaches, or I might have a Protein bar (Atkins daybreak - cranberry almond). Once in awhile I have Special K protein cold Cereal and on the weekend I might have a one-egg omelette with a slice of wheat toast, maybe one link of sausage. coffee YES, I love me a cuppa coffee!! Lunches, alot of the time I bring leftovers from dinner, or I have Soup or a salad, sometimes lunchmeat rollups and string cheese or tuna salad on some reduced fat wheat thins or triscuits. Once in awhile I have a Lean Cuisine, but I try to get low carb ones and there aren't many (sadly). I have been looking for the new Atkins frozen meals to see if they are any good. Dinners...lots of BBQ'd lean protein, like shrimp skewers or teriyaki chicken. I make stir frys too with chicken and bean sprouts/carrots/onion/garlic/cabbage (one skillet) I have a turkey burger with cheese and sliced cucumbers, salads, or sometimes fajitas. I rarely eat white bread, sweets, rice, potatoes or heavily fried foods. I keep it simple and don't try too many weird things. When I do go out to eat I allow myself one cocktail, and I usually order an appetizer or a small salad or soup, sometime seafood. I do buy weight watchers frozen Desserts if I have to have a snack at night, or I have some popcorn or a sugar free mousse by Jello (60 calories)... Snacks might be black olives, string cheese, handful of nuts or an apple. For beverages I drink alot of MIO sweet tea and Water, coffee. No fruit juices, no soda, sometimes wine or a cocktail like a bloody mary or a martini. I have to do a cleaned up version of eating since it is much more challenging to lose now. My body likes where it is at but I am not done yet !! Tell me what your eating is like...a normal day...

Hi Sandy! I'm a shorty too, good luck you are going to feel awesome and you'll be a skinny mini !! When I was young I always considered myself petite, but lost that feeling when I was up around 280 pounds. I was as wide as I am tall, and I felt like a wide load because I was. I can honestly say that these days if someone were to describe me they would say petite again. I still have about 40 pounds to lose in my book. I have revised my earlier goal of 150 down to maybe 135 if I can get there. At one time I wore a 3X-4X and now wearing a 14...all my old clothes are out the door! That feels so good!!

Start looking up some crock pot recipes. They are perfect for the soft food stages of eating. You can really get your proteins tender and by adding soups and veggies, tomato sauce, spices...you'll end up with the taste profile you like. Google crockpot recipes and a ton of websites come up including Weight Watcher friendly recipes, skinnytaste.com, campbells kitchen recipes...skies the limit!!

I do have a personal facebook account but I prefer not to blend my weight loss life onto that forum. I will be more than glad to dialogue with you here or on private message. I am a shorty...just 4'11" so our body types are different....but we do have our similarities coming from the same area and having the same surgeon!! You are doing fantastic!!