Butterthebean

You are clearly feeling more like your old self.

What I meant was, I think each person should follow THEIR doctor's plan, not YOUR doctor's plan.

And yes, my dogs are always hoping I cook a little too much.

Having an active life is great. It will help you burn more calories. It will not do much for increasing lean muscle or increasing cardio fitness. But it's much better than sitting behind a desk. The only problem with it is, it's always the same. The intensity doesn't increase over time like exercise does. So your body adapts and you get no gains from it. But if you stop, all those calories you were burning will now accumulate on your body. I have a very physical and active job as well, plus I'm always chainsawing, digging, setting fence posts....or something similar at home. But I would advise that you do not allow it to become a substitute for exercise, because of the fact that your body will (or already has) adapted to this activity and it's not increasing, like exercise will.

I'm sure somebody has done it. But the odds are not in your favor. The HUGE majority of successful sleevers have learned to embrace a more active life. It does not have to be monotonous exercise. shake things up. If you have a place, start kayaking. Cycling is always great fun and hardly feels like exercise. Take up tennis or raquetball. I started jogging with the C25K program about 2 months ago. I absolutely hated it at first. Now, thanks to the progress I've made, I love it and I'm addicted to it. I have some friends who take a crossfit class and they love it. Not only is it never boring or monotonous, it's always changing and it will get you in phenomenal shape.

I answer to both.

I don't know what "stage 2" is because my doc didn't call it that, but scrambled eggs was the first thing I had when I graduated past full liquids. And it was the BEST food I had ever eaten. I still have scrambled egg beaters most every day 5 months later.

It sounds like you are all doing very well, and there is nothing wrong. I was right where you all are at. The fact that you're not repulsed by food means you're healing well. You're having head hunger right now. It feels just like the real thing. Your capacity for liquids will probably be on the bigger side. Thats good. The head hunger will not be permanent. As soon as I started eating real foods it went away. The Protein shakes really didn't hold me for long. Soft foods really didn't make me feel full. But when I started eating solid foods I was full after 3 bites. Now, at 5 months out I'm rarely very hungry....certainly not ravenous. A little bit of solid food, especially protein, keeps me satisfied for about 3 hours (which is about how often I eat). You are all gonna do well, just don't give in to that head hunger now. Keep drinking to keep you satisfied.

Move to Austin and you won't have to shave them anymore.

How many calories are you eating? I've been eating about 1250 a day since 6 weeks post op.

As good as regular Peanut Butter IMO. Just got to find the right mixture of Water to powder. I add a smidge more than the instructions call for.

From 44 down to 38 pants. From 5x to 2x shirts. From 15 to 14 shoes.....weird.

Yep, there can certainly be exceptions. Just in general, what ORT said is what I've found as well. Reading the entire label is always a good way to go. But some people just see "low fat" or "fat free" and think it's good. Peanut Butter is one of the items I've noticed most. "Reduced fat" peanut butter has almost just as many calories, but instead of fat (which occurs naturally in peanuts) it contains way more processed high glycemic carbs.

Started elliptical on week 3, cycling on week 4 and weight lifting after week 6.

I finished week 5 of C25K last night. We had to start with a 9 minute run....my longest so far (hell.....ever).

My wife went on the 10 day preop diet with me...liquids only. And we've been hiking, cycling and jogging together since I was cleared for exercise. She said she was only going to eat what I was allowed to eat. But one day I was taking out the trash and I saw an empty Doritos bag stuffed down in the trash bag. God love her for eating it when I wasn't around....I never mentioned it to her. She's the best.

You say you are weighing your food, but are you logging your calories, Protein and Water intake? These are important numbers to monitor. Also, don't waste your time on the protein shots. They aren't doing you any good at all. I have no idea how many calories you're eating, but 1 Protein shake and 2 small meals doesn't sound like much. You may not be eating enough. This is where logging your food is invaluable. You need to be getting in enough calories, protein and water or you will have a hard time losing weight.

Walk walk and walk some more. It's the best thing for passing that gas and it will promote healing and make your recovery much smoother.

I was so busy closing on a new house I forgot to have my food funeral. Then the day we moved was the day I started my preop diet. I sure could have used a pizza that night, but I had a protein shake instead. But after surgery, it really didn't matter.