Chimera

I started pre-surgery eating this way - and after surgery I need to get back to it (still have the icky shakes to deal with to get the Protein in) - it is amazing how much better you feel when you start to follow the blueprint. when I eat white flour/bread it is like I have been darted by a big game hunter haha.

Congrats!

No failure! We are all on the losers bench - some folks lose rapidly and others are moderate. We have to stay positive, it is okay if it takes some of us longer - I knew that it would most likely take 2 years to get to a healthy goal weight for me - in the great scheme of things, that is nothing really. We just have to stick with it and try our best to stay positive

Nice - I did 6 months of supervised WL and in the 7th month - my insurance lifted that requirement completely lol. Good to get 44 lbs. off before surgery anyway. I suppose it depends on your surgeon, but as long as you have all of your pre-op tests complete it can happen very fast - my husbands took only about three weeks.

May 21st - down 32 lbs. post surgery.

I did Atkins induction prior to surgery as per my surgeons instructions (2 weeks - with Clear Liquids the day before surgery) lost 14 lbs and surgeon said my liver was teeeny-tiny, which made me very happy. I was terrified that there would be issues with my big, fat liver lol - but the very low carb is very fast at reducing it. Atkins 72 is usually the most extreme, but most effective way to go. This is from a low-carb msg board with info from the original Atkins diet - Atkins 1972 NOTE* This is from the book, Bantam edition / September 1972 paperback... Not sixty grams of carbohydrate on this diet but zero grams Here’s how this diet is significantly different. During the first week on this diet, you cut your intake of carbohydrates down to what is biologically zero. This creates a unique chemical situation in the body, the one favorable to the fastest possible burning of your body’s stored fat. Ketones are excreted, and hunger disappears. You see, the first fuel your body burns for energy comes from the carbohydrates you eat and drink. If any carbohydrate is available, your body burns this rather than stored fat-and maintains its old metabolic pathways. But carbohydrates, as such, are not stored in the body beyond forty-eight hours. So when no carbohydrate is taken in, your body must draw upon the major reserve source of fuel-the stored fat. It is forced to take a different metabolic pathway. In this process your body converts from being a carbohydrate-burning engine. This is The Diet Revolution: the new chemical situation in which ketones are being thrown off-and so are those unwanted pounds, all without hunger. A gradual addition of carbohydrate to keep your body burning it’s fat as fuel. We must maintain this chemical situation if you’re to continue to lose without hunger. And if we add carbohydrate very gradually in tiny amounts-we can do just this… keep your body converted into a fat-burning engine. So that is just what we do. The second week you might add a few grams of carbohydrate to your diet. Every week thereafter a little more carbohydrate (around five grams) may be returned to the diet. The Rules of Original Atkins The Diet Revolution Rules (Level One) 1. Don’t count calories (so why are so many counting them?) 2. Eat as much of the allowed foods as you need to avoid hunger.(see, no limit) 3. Don’t eat when you are not hungry. 4. Don’t feel you must finish everything on your plate just because it is there. 5. Drink as much Water or calorie free beverages as thirst requires. Don’t restrict fluids… but it is not necessary to force them either.(It doesn't say anything about 1/2 your body weight in water) 6. Frequent small meals are preferable. 7. If weakness results from rapid weight loss, you may need salt. 8. Everyday take a high-strength Multivitamin pill. 9. Read the labels on “low-calorie” drinks, syrups, Desserts,. Only those with no carbohydrate content are allowed. The First Life-Changing Week, eat nothing that is not on the list. Meat: Steaks, Corned beef, Lamb chops, tongue, Hamburgers, Bacon, Any kind of meat in any quantity—except meat with fillers such as sausage, hot dogs, meatballs, most packaged “cold cuts” Fowl: Duckling, Turkey, chicken, Anything with wings, No stuffing Desserts: Gelatin with artificial sweeteners (e.g., D-Zerta ) Condiments: Salt, pepper, mustard, horseradish, vinegar, vanilla, and other extracts; artificial sweeteners; any dry powdered spice that contains no sugar Drinks: Water, Mineral water, Vichy, Club soda; Beef or Chicken broth, bouillon; sugar free diet soda; coffee*, tea, decaffeinated coffee ---------*Special note on caffeine and Diet Cola. Because most heavy people have some hypoglycemia, coffee, which contains caffeine, should be limited to six servings a day (cups). If you know you have low blood sugar, better limit it to three. Fish: All fish, including canned salmon, tuna; any kind of seafood, including oil-packed and smoked, except oysters, clams, muscles, scallops, and pickled fish Eggs: Boiled, fried, scrambled, poached, omelet – any style and without limitations(another NO LIMIT) Salads: Two small green salads a day (each less than one cupful, loosely packed) made only of leafy greens, celery, or cucumbers and radishes. Dressings with vinegar, oil, salt, dry spices, herbs, grated cheese, or anchovies. Or else a sour pickle in place of a salad. Plus… green olives. Butter & Mayonnaise Fats: Butter, margarine (head New Diet Revolution & eat no margarine with trans fatty acids), oils, shortening (not such a great idea), lard & mayonnaise (fats have no carbohydrates). Juice: juice of one lemon or lime Cheese: Four ounces a day of any hard aged cheese. No cream cheese or cheese spreads. Heavy Cream: Four teaspoons a day. (Cream has less carbohydrate than milk – so don’t use milk) Diet Revolution Salad Material: Celery, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Chives, Cucumber, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, lettuce, Olives (Green or Black), Onions, Pickles (Sour or Dill), Parsley, Peppers, Radishes, Scallions, watercress. What Happens After The First Week’s Diet. Most diets are fixed formulas and are therefore short-termed and self-limiting. This diet is fixed only for a week. After that – because it must be a lifetime diet, it is, as variable as are individual tastes. I’ve labeled the additions of carbohydrate that follow’ second level’, ‘third level’, ‘fourth level’, ‘fifth level’, but in fact the additions are interchangeable and flexible. You can make any of these additions any week that you choose. I am so committed to making this a livable lifetime diet that I am letting you select your own variations, within the rules set up by your biological rulebook. Put back what you’ve missed the most: The idea is simply to gradually return to your diet first what you missed most. Custom-tailor the diet to suit your carbohydrate additions to suit your lifestyle. All that matters is that you add back to your diet a little carbohydrate at a time, and that you stop adding carbohydrate when you reach your CCL. How to know when to put back a little carbohydrate: Ask yourself: Are the keto-stix still turning purple? Am I still un-hungry? Have I stopped eating at night? Do I have more energy? Am I still losing weight or inches nicely? Remember, your tape measure is a lot better friend than your scale, not only more accurate, but better able to report on the actual fat (not just temporary water) losses this diet achieves. The Second Level: Cheesecake for dessert? At each level, remember you add approximately five to eight grams of carbohydrate daily for a week and analyze the results. Most people agree the best way to handle the second level is to add cottage cheese… The Diet Revolution Vegetables (not for level one): All of the above plus; Asparagus, Avocado, Bamboo Shoots, Bean Sprouts, Beet Greens, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, eggplant, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Pumpkins, Rhubarb, Sauerkraut, Snow Pea Pods, Spinach, String Beans, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, Water Chestnuts, Wax Beans, Zucchini Squash Sample menu, level one: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spicy ham, Diet revolution roll and butter, Bouillon, coffee, or tea Lunch: Cold cuts sandwich on Diet revolution Roll w/ mayo or mustard, 1 cup of salad (loosely packed), oil & vinegar, or a dressing from the recipe list, Raspberry gelatin, Diet soda, coffee, or tea Dinner: Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls, Your favorite cut of steak, Caesar salad with Caesar Salad dressing, Gelatin, diet soda, coffee or tea Snack: baken-ets, stuffed celery, diet soda. Sample menu, level two: Breakfast: Lox and stuffed onion omelet, caraway Diet revolution Roll with cream cheese, Bouillon, coffee, or tea Lunch: Avocado stuffed with crabmeat, Tossed green salad with dressing from recipe list, diet soda, coffee, or tea Dinner: Mixed grill with garlic Butter Sauce or Béarnaise Sauce, Tossed salad with French Dressing, Gelatin Parfait with whipped cream, diet soda, coffee, or tea Snack: Assorted smoked fish, Hard cheese, Diet soda Ok, there it is 'By The Book'

After trying every diet and exercise program under the sun over the past 20+ years - then attending the WL seminar with my family after my sister-in-law had gastric bypass, lost all of her weight with no complications - where my surgeon began by laying out the statistics that lasting weight loss when you are super morbidly obese through diet and exercise is something like less than one percent. That if my bmi was over 40 (it was 56) I had a greater chance of dying much sooner than if I layed on the operating table for bariatric surgery.... I had a year of research and prep. Yes is is scary and hard, but it is a permanent solution to a problem my family could not beat on our own. It was worth every bit of fear, pain, and doubt and every day gets better

That is fantastic! You look great

There are vsg folks in my support group who have lost 150+ lbs, look like they have never weighed an ounce more than they should, and could not choke down their recommended Vitamins and Protein until 4-6 months out. When I feel like a failure for not getting in enough protein, vitamins, exercise, H2O, what have you - I remember their journies and spectacular success. My nutritionist says 80 g for us - I dont think I have ever hit that - so I try to get anywhere from 40-60. which I can do with eating real food like chicken, turkey, eggs, and greek yogurt etc.. I cannot hit 80 unless I have protein shakes, and like you I can't stand the sweet taste - I gave away 6 tubs of nectar recently because I just can't stomach it post-surgery. I have also become super sensitive to that manufactured protein smell - unjury chicken Soup and the unflavored whey Protein powder smells sickening to me these days so I am trying to get my nutrients from whole foods rather than through chemically altered, manufactured methods that come in a carton, jug, or bar I think not eating whole foods is one of the reasons I got so heavy in the first place (fast foods etc.) I am just trying to take things one day at a time and be cognizant of my success thus far. Personally I would like to see the folks who recommend 100+ grams, have surgery and try it themselves lol - it certainly is a challenge. Maybe some day I will hit 80 grams - perhaps when I can eat more than 3-4 oz. at a time, but until then I will try for my 40-60. My advice is to just do the best you can - you will be able to get more in as the months go by.

6 weeks out today and have lost 30 lbs. since surgery day. Deb, hang in there, we got the sleeve and it is a permanent tool to help us - we have it forever, so we have time to find just the right diet and movement mix. Each week for me seems totally different from the week before - I will have my Premier shakes one week and then the next I can hardly get them down, so I go to eggs and turkey bacon - then those are not good and I am craving summer fruit, so I will have a small nectarine for a snack (and give myself a break than it isnt protein - but is a good choice and not chips or cookies etc.) Slower is good - less skin issues I figure

Only during the first week for my husband and I with any issues with swallowing - and I am certain that those were from swelling.

This sounds wonderful! I will definetely try it out.

yay! Sending healing vibes your way Patrick, may your gas pain go away quickly and hope you are home with your family soon!

I am 47 and I was well prepared after a year of prep for this - May 21st was my surgery day and it was like I was hit by a Mack truck lol. Lots of complications and it is taking ages for energy to return - then two weeks ago I injure my knee so severely I cannot bear weight on it and am back at the hospital for more medical shenanigans. I am close to 6 weeks out and sloooowly mending. My husband who is younger than I had his sleeve done two weeks prior to mine and is now like superman lol - everyone is different I guess. I can absolutely relate to slow recovery and adjustment. My energy is returning and still trying to reconcile to food + mouth + stomach size issues that come once you are on solids (learning to teach my mouth that no, you cannot eat that much food lol) and getting used to feeling every ache and pain now that we cant use NSAIDS.

A very popular shake is the Premier Protein shake you can get at Costco. For the chocolate flavor it is 160 cals, 30 g protein, 5 g. carb, and 3 fat I believe, the vanilla has 3 g. carbs. They are RTD in paper boxes and one of the more palatable protein shakes of the baskillion brands I have tried, they also give the biggest protein bang for the buck and believe me, you need it post op. If I have a hard time with them I mix it with a lactose free milk (I am not a person who likes sweets at all, so getting protein shakes in is a chore for me) The goals my team has for their sleeve patients is 600-800 cals per day, 80-100 g of protein, and 48-64 oz or water per day. They dont mention carbs and fat too much, because the rule is always protein first, and if you follow that rule, there is no room for much in the way of carbs., I don't worry about fat. I am lucky if I can hit 60 g of protein post op - it really can be tough to do early on - I am 6 weeks out from surgery on Monday. Best of luck on the pre-op liquid phase, it can be rough - do not be surprised if your tastebuds change dramatically after surgery, mine did and all of my tasting research was not as helpful as I had hoped because basically everything tasted bad lol. Unjury protein chicken soup became my best friend post surgery

My husband and I are very happy with the gang at Swedish - they are a great group of folks. If you ever go to the saturday support group meetings (2nd saturday of the month) maybe I will see you there

What a wonderful story Hello fellow Washington sleevers! I have a pal who is going to the puget sound center next week to get started and I had my VSG on May 21st with Ross McMahon and am doing well - my husband had one as well 2 weeks before me and he is doing just phenomenally. thanks for sharing your great story of improved health and vitality!

I am so sorry about this news for you and your family - be strong and know that if you were not doing this - they would not have found it. Keeping you in my prayers.

Mine said at least 6. The scabs over the incisions have to have fallen off naturally and the scars completely healed. I am dying to get in my tub all the way lol.

You could call my surgeon's office - they are awesome! I know the folks who do the bloodwork and labs is Labcorp. I hope they can help http://www.swedish.org/Services/Weight-Loss-Services#axzz1ym0klnMb

Thank you so much guys I was really nervous about pain, especially since we cannot take any NSAIDS. The orthopedists have been prescribing more oxycodone and I was wondering what I should consider for pain meds when this flares up. Funny thing is how much more painful this is than the surgery and aftermath was - no contest.

Feeling pretty good after surgery, had been enjoying a tiny bit more energy and taking walks and suddenly last Monday my left knee stiffened up pretty significantly. By Tuesday morning I was completely immobile - to the extent that we were back in the ER (sigh). After x-rays, which can't really see much, they said it looks like my kneecap is very thin, lots of bone chips and spurs in there, and just about bone on bone. They also suggested I may have both a meniscus tear and an ACL tear - After another appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on Thursday, he diagnosed severe degenerative osteoarthritis (sigh) - I have an appointment on Wednesday morning for an MRI take a look at the soft tissues and ligaments. There was no event/accident that triggered the injury. I hope that things may be resolved with physical therapy rather than surgery - I have had ligament reconstruction done on the opposite ankle and the recovery time for me was significant and that was 25 years ago at a 100 lbs. less than I am now. I am thinking that a lifetime of being heavy, bearing the weight of injuries on the right side, and a job that had me on my feet 11 hours a day for 22 years has finally taken its toll. The WL has slowed down a little bit because I can hardly move right now - but I am not worried a bout that at all. I am wondering if anyone here has also experienced musculo-skeletal issues post vsg and how you handled them.

Yay

Whoa - I am lucky if I can get through 1/3 of one egg without feeling I have had a full Thanksgiving dinner. I would call your Dr.

Got this in my email this morning from Unjury - a good reminder to myself to keep on working on getting my protein and calorie numbers up after surgery. SYMPTOMS OF INSUFFICIENT PROTEIN Everything in your body is made with protein. There’s nothing in your body you can make with just carbohydrate and fat. Your hair, skin, muscles, brain, heart, organs, blood, bones...every cell is made with protein. What happens when you don’t get enough? A doctor we know works with patients who haven’t gotten enough protein in their diet for years. She said that after surgery on those patients and she is putting in the stitches, “It’s like trying to sew wet tissue paper”. What are the symptoms of insufficient protein ? 1. Fatigue and/or weakness. Not just the feeling that we didn’t get enough sleep last night, but deep fatigue...or weakness where it’s hard to get through the day. 2. Weight loss plateau. When we don’t get enough protein, medical research indicates that the body tries to store calories rather than burning them. 3. Hair loss. We believe it is often preventable with enough protein. 4. Surgical complications. Is there surgery in your future? For many, the answer is yes. The best single numerical predictor of how well a surgery will go is your protein status. And, your body will heal slowly, sometimes very slowly, if your protein status is low. These symptoms can also be caused by other things, so it is always good to ask your doctor. You can get back on track. Here’s what one UNJURY customer wrote: “My protein levels were really low my first trip back to the doctor... It was at 6 or 8 when I went in August...At that time, I hadn't started using UNJURY. I was told to increase my protein to try and bring it up.... At the end of October and my (protein level) was normal and up to 18.9 ! look what (UNJURY’s) done for me.”