BlessedBeyondMeasure2012

I use MFP and fitbit. I really like them together. We have an aria scale by fitbit too that syncs to MFP, together they keep me on track. I have used Lose it in the past and really like it too but MFP is what I have been using since surgery

VERY well said!

I'm not yelling I just don't want you to do something and then end up with major problems and think to myself that I should have said something. I was worried about the same things that you are as far as my hair falling out. People know me by my hair. I've always had really pretty hair, it has always been one of my favorite and best attributes. I've been extrememly worried about losing it. I wasn't allowed any major protein, not even Protein shakes, until 2 weeks out. If I got a little in some greek yogurt or the Soup I could eat it was okay but otherwise none (and that was only after a full week of clears). Like I said before I am only 8 weeks out but as of yet I haven't noticed any thinning of my hair or any extra hair in my brushes/shower drain. Since I got to start on soft foods at two weeks out I haven't had one day that I didn't get at least 60 grams of protein and most days I get 80-100+ grams in. If your doc wants you to be getting protein in, get it. If he doesn't yet, then don't. You won't go wrong following his guidelines. Trust me, I know it is hard. My doc has a MUCH slower advancement than most do out there but I just keep chugging along. I know how much of a pain waiting can be and how long it makes the weeks seem when you are so looking forward to putting something actually tasty in your mouth. You've got this though!

I fluxuate like that when I hit a stall. My stalls seem to last about 2 1/2 weeks. They usually break without me changing anything that I am doing, of course they usually happen without me changing anything either. Sorry I'm not more help, but know that you aren't alone.

When I went in for my two week post op visit I was actually instructed NOT to sip anymore. I was told to drink in large quantities at a time. I can get down a 16-20 oz bottle of Water in less than 20 min easy. I usually have 32 oz in the mornings while I'm getting ready for work over about two hours and that is really taking my time with it (sometimes even forgetting to drink for 30-45 min at a time). Yes you will be able to eat fruit and veggies before getting in 60 gm of Protein in first. I haven't been released to eat red meat yet so I'll let someone with more experience than me answer that one. And I was told to stay away from alcohol for at least the first year. I do know that my NUT does not want me eating and drinking at the same time again, ever. So I'm guessing that would be a no to the wine with dinner but you could have one before dinner after you are far enough out

The worst thing that could happen is NOT you throwing up! You could end up with a leak and land yourself back in the hospital. Not to mention the things that could go wrong if you do get a leak!! You could seriously hurt yourself by advancing too quickly. You may feel like you know your body better than anyone else, but that was BEFORE your surgeon took out most of your stomach. Your brain hasn't caught up that it isn't all there. You could be having some head hunger. You should really check with your surgeon before adding anything to your diet that he has not approved.

Let me start by saying that I am 8 weeks out today. I am also extremely lucky in that I have a husband who has been 100% supportive of me from the get go. (My parents were not, but that's another story) You ARE going to change. That is the point, isn't it? You WILL BE high mainenance, at least for a little while. BUT all of it is doable. I liked to eat before surgery, I STILL like to eat even after surgery. I am not one of the lucky ones who doesn't think about food, who forgets to eat, and who all of a sudden doesn't love food anymore. I still do, but I can't eat the way that I did before or as much. I am developing good eating habits. I can't eat nearly what I used to. I am finally getting to the stage that I can eat more things and I have more options. Eating out is easier now, I just have to make smart decisions. For example: We ate at Outback Friday night and I had the Seafood Mixed grill with mixed steamed veggies and a sweet potato (okay like two bites of the sweet potato as I saved it for last and that was all I had room for). Now, most of that is in my fridge waiting for at least the next meal if not two meals for me to finish. Saturday night we ate at Longhorn steakhouse, I had the Under 550 cal salmon with steamed veggies and green beans. I finished most of what I brought home for lunch today. It was SUPER YUMMY! Now that I am at a point that I can eat with my family and eat more of what they are eating it is easier. For a while I was cooking supper for myself, something different for my hubby and something else for our son. That was tough but I got through it. I have to concentrate daily on getting my fluids in (its getting easier as the time passes) and getting in my protein. I log everything that I eat in MyFitnessPal. All of that takes a little time and therefore it takes a little time away from my family but they understand. I actually have my husband logging his food too and he has lost almost 20 pounds since I had surgery (He has always been thin but wanted to take off a few pounds that he had added since we got married). We have made this change a family change. Talk to your husband. Let him know what to expect. Keep him informed and hopefully he will come around. This is the best decision I have ever made for myself. I did it for my family too, I want to be around to see my kiddos grow up. I do not think for a second that you will regret this. You may have some times that you wonder what the heck you've done to yourself but those times will pass and you will be so glad you got sleeved. Good luck!

I say go for it! I think you'll be okay. When I saw my Dr for the first time, everything went really quick. (Long story but it was almost a year when I finally got sleeved) I was glad it did. I was ready. When I made the decision to go ahead with surgery, there was no waiting to make sure I was ready. I had done my homework and knew it was what was best for me. If you are in the same boat I was, get it done in May. Know this though, you will be on liquids for usually two weeks after surgery so you will not be enjoying anything good while at your parents. If y'all are a family of getting together to eat, you may want to wait until July. We went to Hawaii last summer and I made sure that my surgery was scheduled AFTER we went that way I didn't have to do any special diets while we were there.

I used Dr. Merriman. He's good at what he does and he knows it. My husband doesn't care for him too much but I like him. I think it is just a personality issue, I haven't had any complications at all. I went for my 8 week follow up this past Thursday and I've lost 50 pounds since I saw them before starting my preop diet and I think 30 since surgery. His NUT Lisa is good too, I didn't like her as much at first but I really do like her now. As long as you follow their plan you will do great. His plan is a little more difficult and slow going than most people have. Most people are released to eat a "normal" diet at 6 weeks out. I still have instructions for up to 12 weeks and when to add things. I have followed his plan really closely and that may be why I haven't had any trouble. I am so happy with my decision and my progress! I hope y'all also have as good of luck as I have!

I thought I was the only one that felt this way about those stupid little stalls! There is actually a chair in our office that I avoid sitting in because the arms of it dig into my legs and hurt. I sat in it yesterday and not only did it NOT hurt, I FIT!! lol! Yay for NSV's!

You are looking great!!! Keep up the good work! Its amazing to me to look at a picture of me now and see how I have changed, I can't wait to see more coming along!

I know, I know, they are going to happen. I'm 7 weeks out and in my second one. I get it but this week (total for the week) I actually gained 1.4 lbs. I know lots of it was sodium that I didn't realize I had eaten until after the fact but still. I'm just irritated with myself. As of tomorrow this stall will be two weeks, I'm ready for it to break.

Same to you contrygurl! We are gonna break these stalls! (I just hope sooner than later, lol)

I was 297 on surgery day and was 269 this morning. I've been in a stall for the past two weeks. Still, 28 pounds in 7 and a half weeks ain't bad!! I'll take it You are going to do great!

Stuck in a stall this week and ate scallops from Outback Sunday night (they have like 2000 mg sodium in them) so I knew I'd be heavier yesterday morning. Next week will look better!! I'm determined to get 30 pounds off by July 4!

You look amazing!!! Keep up the great work, I can't wait to have a success story like yours. And I'm determined that I will! Thanks for being an inspiration and bringing smiles to so many faces!

Miracle suit is an AMAZING swim suit. I'm not sure how small the sizes go down but I'm sure you could look it up. They are a little pricy but are great and last for years. Good luck!

I did this very thing last night. That was the first time since surgery that I even came close to getting sick. (I'm 7 weeks out) I had this really uncomfortable, almost painful feeling along with EXTREME nausea for about 10 minutes. I even went in the bathroom just to be on the safe side. After a few minutes in there I had about 5 really intense hiccups and then they stopped and the feeling slowly started to ease. I'm gonna do my best to never do that again. I don't like throwing up and I like being nauseated even less. I'll have to apologize to the starving children across the globe for throwing away a few bites with most meals. I have tried to watch how "skinny" people eat, and almost all of them don't clean their plates. I'm having to break this in myself. We have already started teaching our son to make a "happy plate" and I feel guilty about giving him bad habits already. I'm going to have to stop it now and not wait until he is over weight. Thank the Lord he has gotten his physique from his daddy, thin!

I am 6 weeks out as of this past Monday and I have been in my SECOND stall since surgery. The first one started at day 10 and lasted 2 1/2 weeks. Then all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, I started losing again. This time the scale hasn't moved much (bounced up and down but all around the same number) since last Wednesday. Frustrating, yes! I am going to measure myself tonight and see how the inches are coming along. During my first stall I dropped a pant size, I can't wait to see if I drop another one during this one It will break eventually. Keep measurements and that will be encouraging for you!

GIRL! Get rid of those things! You won't need them again, EVER! Do keep something from your largest sizes to be able to see where you have come from when you reach your goal. I have started a stack of clothes to take to a local resale store. She will give me store credit for what I bring in and I can get some "new" things there until I reach my goal. (I could also get cash but she will give me more in store credit and I have found some really cute stuff there before) I don't want to have to spend the money to buy new things that I may only wear for a month or two so I'm going this route. We take things to Goodwill all the time and once I'm at goal I will again, but for now I am going to let my old clothes benefit me in getting some new smaller ones.

Good luck! Don't forget to breathe!

Happy birthday! I hope it is the best one ever!

Barefoot and Yellowtail both make really nice, non-fizzy moscatos. Yummy!

My husband really likes the lemon one, Lemon Supreme I think. I am not far enough out yet to eat them but he has been trying them out for me as a replacement for his lunch. I have heard great reviews about the chocolate chip cookie dough bar, I can't wait to try it

I track EVERYTHING I eat, EVERY bite of everything I eat. That's why it makes so little sense to me. I drink at least 64 oz of fluid each day (it is a very rare occasion that I don't get in that much and even then I get in at least 48 oz of fluid) but most days I get between 80-100 oz in. The tuna that I was eating had light mayo and mustard in it so it was plenty moist. I bake or pan sear fish every night but I do it so they are not dry. Last night I ate about 6 oz of Tilapia, but some night's I'm doing good to eat 3 oz of it, cooked the same way. Who knows. I know everyone is different. I guess lots of factors play into it as well. I didn't realize that it would take 12+ weeks to heal so that makes sense some too. I'm just going to have to get really good at figuring out that one bite too full and take two less bites that that! LOL!