Gastricsleeve4me

Thanks all! I feel great. Hardest part is definitely the emotional side of what to replace food with when I'm sad/bored/lonely. Never prone to loneliness, but it's reared it's head since apparently food was my constant companion!

Tracking everything in myfitnesspal. 600-700 calories a day, never less than 80g of Protein, no more than 30g carbs (usually under 20), and less than 20-30g of fat (I worry about this the least). All Vitamins without exception. Light exercise about 3x a week. Walking, swimming, or yoga. 5'7, started 250.4 surgery day (size 20-22). Not the fastest, not the slowest

Posted another thread about a fave new food item I found called Flatout Bread (pizza last night and YUM. Recipe and nutritional stats on my blog at http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/07/taco-pizza.html

I use wonton wrappers, and most recently, flatout bread. My blog is FULL of recipes using both (and links to other blogs that do too). Last night was Taco pizza http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/p/solid-food-stage.html

Thanks, iggychic...love the post. And a great reminder/reiteration for everyone out there that a tough past that led to weight loss doesn't necessarily translate into "I'm unhappy". I like to think I lead a happy and fulfilling life, and consider myself incredibly well-adjusted...but that doesn't mean that things in my past don't affect the way I view life, and the fact that I use food as a coping skill when I experience "normal" stress days, bored days, sad days, lonely days, etc. It wasn't until I was able to identify why was using food in a different way than others that I figured out that, for me, my weight loss journey was going to be less about counting calories (though that's an integral part) and more about finding other outlets for dealing with the normal ups and downs of life. While I definitely consider myself happy, that has brought up some measure of sadness and grief over stuff in my past - but that doesn't mean I spend my days "sad" or "grief-stricken". Not sure why I felt the need to post that...perhaps a discussion with my therapist lol <she says tongue-in-cheek>

Not sure if it's helpful, but I did a blog post recently about a trip to the grocery store. I bought 5 items and, mixed with some staples I have in my fridge/pantry, I can make a bunch of meals. http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/07/eating-9-weeks.html There's a video, and a link to my "solid food" stage page too - which has pretty much everything I eat, and is only like 13 items from the store...it's pretty much my go-to list. In simple terms it's cheese, meat (be it lunchmeat, ground turkey, frozen shrimp, rotisserie chicken, etc.), greek yogurt, refried Beans, and wonton wrappers. Another crazy-simple and cheap way to go is to make "bites". You'll need eggs, whatever you want in your bites, and a mini muffin tin. 1-2 "bites" should be plenty. There's a BUNCH of recipes on the world according to eggface: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-time-confetti-bites.html. Make a pan and freeze. Good luck.

agreed - was the only thing that worked for me (tried colace and others). Just don't take the full dose straightaway or you'll risk diarrhea, which can make you dehydrated. Start with a TBSP, wait 4-6 hrs, try again, etc. Believe similar instructions are on the bottle.

No way...don't feel bad! I totally don't know your situation (so you can tell me to stuff it but many (not all!) folks who are overweight have an underlying cause. Physical for some (illness, etc)...but for a lot of us there is something driving our "excessive" use of food and blocking our ability to consume what would be considered more "normal" quantities of food. Always always exceptions, but if you've been sleeved (or are considering it) it's worth a think about whether or not you have reasons of your own. Either way, feel glad you've come to the boards for info and support...and that's certainly healthy!

I'm at nine weeks and having same prob. Miralax and colace were doing nothing. But milk of magnesia last night and now everything's moving. Think I took too much (full dose) since I've got the runs every couple hours for last 7 hrs...but frankly just happy to be cleaned out! Took at 10:30pm and was going by 3am.

32.2 lbs. starting weight of 250.4...5'7"

Never had one and don't know much about them. Anyone never have them pre-op, but develop them post? If so, when? And advice for how to avoid? Just curious if it's something I should be conscious of. Thanks!

I'm really enjoying reading each of your stories...amazing the role food has played in each of our lives. The times, they are a'changing

Aceves in Mexicali 5/21. Weighed 250.4. I'm nine weeks out tomorrow and down to 208.9...41.5 lbs. blog is in my signature and has more info, including vlog on YouTube

Used a cup of freshly grated cheese to make 10 crackers. Each was about 3-4 inches in diameter and was: 43 calories 3g fat .5 carbs 4g Protein

Made the parmesan cheese crackers - yummy! http://gastricsleeve...e-crackers.html

Made the Protein doughnuts recently. Pics and a short blog about it on my blog at http://gastricsleeve...-doughnuts.html

I'd be interested to know what protein bars people are using. Not looking for it to be a staple, but would like to have it as an option at times when I'm on the go. Looking for a decent amt of protein without a gazillion carbs. Prefer no more than 200 calories.

209.3 today!! Down from 213.8 last Saturday. I'm two days shy of 9 weeks with a surgery weight of 250.4. Upped my calories this past week and wow what a difference! I can't wait to get to onederland...it seemed so far away and now I can actually see getting there. Great way to start out a sat morning.

http://www.youtube.com/user/gastricsleeve4me