frumpynomore

Fage Greek yogurt is my fav but all the Greek yogurt's taste like sour cream to me. I only eat it as a sour cream. I know a lot of people add fresh fruit and sugar substitutes to make it sweet like a normal yogurt but I still don't like the sour undertone.

I am 4 months out and often experience stalls. That is all it is! You will continue to lose weight...just give it time. Chart your food intake on myfitnesspal.com and you can visually see what you are eating and drinking and then you can adjust accordingly. It is still so soon since your surgery that you shouldn't worry about the pounds yet. Good luck on your journey....YOU WILL LOSE WITH TIME!

My interpretation: Change and growth CAN'T take place unless you step outside of your box, take risks, get out of your comfort zone and put yourself FIRST!

My surgeon said that you can develop a leak up to 6 months out. He said it is VERY unlikely after 3 months but it can happen up to 6 months.

IGNORE the negative....if you can help even one person get through their struggles then all in all you have made a difference in someone's life!!! Keep on keeping on!!!!

My doc said that I could have caffeine as soon as I wanted to but not more than 2 cups a day. Every surgeon has different rules so I would say call your doc to make sure. Unfortunately, since my surgery I can't stand coffee anymore which is probably a good thing. Good luck!

I went to work 7 days after surgery and did just fine. My job is sitting at a desk in front of a computer so there was no labor to worry about. It is a good idea to make sure with your surgeon that he agrees that you can go back to work. Wine....well, my doc said that I could have it a the 3 month mark. I had a little about a month out and did just fine. I found that after my surgery everything tasted extremely sweet so I really didn't care for it too much but now that I'm 4 months out I enjoy it again. Good luck !

OH, I AGREE! I found the best one that I absolutely love and have no problem with is Syntrax Nectar. They have about 15 or so different flavors and I had ordered every one of them prior to surgery! I found out real soon that the best ones are the Chocolate Truffle, Vanilla Bean Torte and the Strawberry Mousse and there is no smell. You can use water or milk but I am lactose intolerant now so I use water which tastes just fine. I add about 1 2/3 scoop of the powder with 1 cup water and 1 cup of ice in a blender and it tastes sort of like a shake. Good luck!

I found out that I didn't need anything at the hospital other than a change of loose clothes to go home in. At home is the critical list. ABSOLUTELY get Unjury UNFLAVORED protein to add to your liquids. Everything does taste different after surgery so the Unflavored is great to have on hand. You must also have protein powders so try some and get it in your cupboards. Syntrax Nectars are real good with no after taste. Also, since you will be on liquids get different flavored broths, jello (which I couldn't stand the sweetness of), SF pudding, and different types of drinks that have no cals, no carbs and some protein. These are just starters and you will add other things as you find what you can and cannot tolerate after surgery. Good luck on your journey!

Yes, thinoneday is absolutely correct! I'm 4 months out and experience "head hunger" all the time BUT...it is getting better. Head hunger is something that you will gain more and more control over as time goes by. Just give it time...

The same thing happened to me! I called my doctor after about 1 week of being on antibiotics and told him that I had a surgery coming up and that I still had the cold. He put me on a stronger antibiotic. I then called my surgeon and told him what was going on and he said that I would be fine for surgery that was scheduled 4 days from then. He told me to continue taking the new antibiotic and he would still do surgery considering I wasn't extremely ill. It all worked out so I would advise you to call your primary doc and see if he can give you something stronger and then call your surgeon and explain the situation. Good luck!!!

Just like everyone above has said....it is the 3 week stall and most of us experienced it. I'm 4 months out and about every 2-3 weeks I have a stall but then it kicks back in again. YES, it is very discouraging but you will see that the weight will continue to come off. You might even experience some depression as I am working my way through right now. It's not only a physical change but a HUGE emotional change as well. So, hang in there!!! YOU WILL SUCCEED!

WOW! JEALOUSY is alive and well! Every time they make a comment to you...just smile inside because you know that they are eaten up with jealousy!!! Great job on your successful weight loss!!!

I have a protein shake every morning since the liquid stage and I am 4 months out now. I use Syntrax Nectar (chocolate, strawberry mousse, vanilla bean torte) and mix 1 2/3 scoop with 1 cup of ice and 1 cup water and blend in a mixer. Yes, you normally use it as a meal replacement and my Nut says that it counts toward your liquid intake. Only certain protein powders are mixed with food. Unjury has an excellent Unflavored protein powder that you can add to any food and it's completely undetectable. Good luck!

An occassional mouthful and then spitting is not going to hurt you. Of course, as with anything, keep it in moderation. I went through a period during the puree stage where all I wanted was to feel texture and some great tasting food. I chewed and spit every now and then to get the desire out of my system. It is not cheating....it's just the emotional desire that you have been use to up until now. You will be fine and this stage will be over soon. Just hang in there and all will be fine.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are conquering YOURSELF....the biggest mountain to conquer!!!!

VERY GOOD QUESTION! I was sleeved almost 4 months ago and never realized what everyone meant by it's a "tool". Well, I certainly know now what it means. The sleeve does not allow you to eat very much thereby lowering your weight. What it also does NOT do is correct your mental and emotional attachment to food. An it also does NOT change your feelings about exercise and getting off the couch. I've had quite a struggle with this but am slowly adjusting. It is up to you whether you put the sleeve to work or not. If you don't change your eating and exercise habits then you will not lose all the excess weight and you can gain whatever you lose back. The sleeve is for people that are willing to change their lifestyle and want a "tool" to help. I didn't realize that I would still have to do all the work that I should have done prior to the surgery. Now that I understand what I must do, I am conquering my demons and will WIN! Good luck to you!

Thank you Bobustermax and Donniej for your encouragement as well! I KNOW I will get to my goal weight...it's just going to be with some struggles...BUT I WILL DO IT!

Thank you Amanda 3.0 for your encouraging words! I think it's just a mental slump I'm going through and I'm sure I will pull out of it soon. I guess just the realization that I have to exercise and diet after going through such a major surgery just kind of threw me for a loop! Yes, exercise is easier with less weight but it's the mental part that I struggle with. Prior to my surgery I had asked if my lower BMI would give slower results or less hair loss and I was told that it didn't matter. I'm not giving up, just hit a bump in the road. I appreciate your concern and wish you all the best on your journey!

I needed to hear your what you said to keep my spirits up as I am at a stall. You inspired me!!! Congrats!

The Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Mousse, and Vanilla Torte are by far the best. They are good made with 1 cup milk or water. The rest of the flavors are to be used with water only (the Cappuccino might good used with milk too) and are very acidic tasting to me. Some people have recommended mixing the water flavors with Crystal light to better the flavor. Mybariatricpantry.com also has a "Double Stuffed Cookie (oreo)" Syntrax protein that I'm going to try next!!!

I had the same issues when I was first sleeved. PDXman responded to my concerns and had explained to me that the 2-5 tablespoons is only AFTER you get on solids. When I was on the liquids and mushies phases I too could eat a LOT of food and drink a lot. Now that I'm on full foods I do feel restricted after eating 2-4 ounces depending on what it is I'm eating. If it's something soft like chicken salad then I can eat about 4-5 ounces. If it's something drier and harder like a baked chicken breast then I feel restriction at about 2-3 ounces. Do not worry as I did. You will feel restriction soon enough. As long as you are losing there is nothing to worry about. To make yourself feel better you might ask your doc what size Bougie he used on you. Not that it's going to make much of a difference in your weight loss as there is only millimeters difference between the sizes. My doc used a size 38 which is a good medium size. Do not worry....your journey has only just begun!!! Good Luck!

I was sleeved Dec. 13th so I'm just pass 3 months. I'm down 49 lbs today and my weight is coming off SOOOOO SLOWLY! It's been slow for about 1 1/2 months and I'm so concerned that my honeymoon is over and the rest is up to me. If I could have done it by myself to begin with then I wouldn't have had the surgery! All the people on this website keep talking about joining a gym and their extreme workouts and I just don't get it! I hated exercise before the VSG and obviously had a problem with controlling the amount and types of foods I was eating so how are people completely changing their habits with just having the operation??? I'm not giving up...I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer but I hate exercise like I've always hated it. I still find myself cheating with bad foods more often than I should. I am having extreme anxiety's over this and can't believe I went to the extreme of having VSG only to have to fight the same demons I had prior to surgery. I think I expected the surgery to help me out so much more than it is and I'm having major regrets and depression is hanging heavy. The hair is starting to fall out and the saggy skin is hanging and I knew what to expect prior to surgery and I kept telling myself that I would rather be skinny with thin hair and have saggy skin than be fat B-U-T that was contingent upon being able to be thin! Since my weight lose has extremely slowed down and it seems every 1/4 pound I have to fight for, the surgery seems a mistake. It's been a bad 1 1/2 months and my reality is upsetting. I'm venting and don't mean to bring anybody down. VSG obviously works for a whole lot of people in helping them make lifestyle changes...I pray someday it helps me.

I had VSG - Dec. 13th, 2011: 3 1/2 months ago I've lost - 48 lbs Starting weight: 237 lbs Height: 5'7" Goal weight: 140

I was sleeved the day after you were, Dec. 13, 2011. Our stats are VERY similar: 5'7", beginning weight: 237, goal weight: 140, BIRTHDAY: NOV. 23, (1963)..I'm a bit older than you though . My current weight: 190. I cheat too...we are only human BUT I try to keep it to a minimum. For instance, if I have a cookie today then I won't cheat again until a couple more days go by. I just try to keep it in check and that's all we can really ask of ourselves. The surgery didn't change our habits, cravings, and emotional issues. It will take some time to change our inner feelings so forgive yourself for your MINOR indiscretions as long as you keep working toward your goal! Good luck to you!