mattr2

Hi Hagen, How are you getting your calories? shakes or food? How many calories are the guys getting in after their sleeve. I am estimating I am only able to get in about 1900 calories if I eat clean. Any suggestions?

I was sleeved 3.5 years ago. I have always been active but work and haits got the best of me. Whenever I worked out pre-sleeve, I just added bulk and got heavier. In Feb of 2016, I started really working out hard at a local Orange Theory. I also started a very tight and controlled nutritional program. OT offers a 60-minute very high intensity workouts, 1/2 weights, 1/2 cardio. Got down another 10 lbs since my post-sleeve bump to 180 lbs after two months of perfect eating and intense exercise. I wasnt able to get enough clean food with my sleeve and I totally hit a wall. It was impossible for me to get enough nutrition to support the workouts. My strength gains stopped, and its become almost impossible for me to put on muscle. I feel like I hit my ceiling. I'm now trying to get more calories though shakes, using milk in stead of Water. Adding in creatine. I hope this helps. I definitely leaned up, but I am fatiguing far too quickly, not able to add any size, and not gaining in strength. Any guys out there that reached a fairly lean weight, but then are now trying to bulk up on muscle?

Hey all! I just scheduled my sleeve with Dr. Rod in Warez for Aug 13. I am super excited, but a little nervous at the same time. I am sure thats normal right? Warez, that city scares the begizits out of me too. I am a low BMI-er at 33. I see threads here and there from low BMI sleevers, but it would be really nice to have a dedicated sub-forum for our kind. Who can make that happen? Here's my story: I'm 40 years old, 5'9", 215 lbs, and growing (aren't we all.) For the last 10 years I've always told myslef that 210 is my limit. Every time I hit the limit it's HcG time. after 7 rounds of HcG over the past 5 years (before that it was off label drug use, blah!), I am finally commiting to a long term solution. Sleeve here I come. I have always been active, mostly playing soccer (indoor & outdoor), it helped keep the edge off and slow down the gain, but the gain was inevitable. Three knee surgeries later and a fourth needed, I decided to hang up the boots and execrise more traditionally. I found that once I hit 205, my knees can no longer support my weight with contact sports (soccer, basketball, flag football.) I tried ISAGENIX for about 6 months. It got me down to 196 lbs by consuming two shakes a day and following their program. I felt fantastic, but at $300/mo it was unsustainable and got very old not being able to eat normal foods. I was still unable to drop below 190. I do think that if I did that program forever I could POSSIBLY maintain at 190 lbs, but quality of life would be hanging on a thread and possible jeopardise my retirement! My family, they are ALL large people, not vertically, but width wise. Father is 280 Lbs @ 6'. Mother, not super bad but I would guess inthe obese range. Twin brother looks exactly like me, a tad shorter but similiar build. Sister is 5'2" and has always been fighting the fight, my guess is a BMI of about 42. Type II diabeties in two siblings, I am pre diabeties and high-blood pressure. I was always fit and slender through about 27. Activity didnot change over the years, just my body did, and boy did it. I have a very close friend who was a BMI of 36 who I thought was not going to make it to his 30th birthday, extreme personality and enormously intelligent. He had gastric bypass at 27. At 40 he swears by it. As an extrmely successful business person (tech indistry) and has personally funded surgeries for over 10 others without asking to be repaid. Nice boss huh! Getting surgery was something I have considered for about 3 years. This last injury and weight gain, despite what I think as being fairly active and aware of what I was eating, I gained to 215 and started looking for options. So glad to find this forum! So, that's my story and my reasoning for taking such a serious step in improving my health. I do really wish we had a BM < 35 forum where I could see other stories of those in my situation. Who can help with that? Thoughts? I am a little concerned about active sports post sleeve. I wonder how much energy I will have to compete for 90 minutes at a high level, I would be happy for just 60 frankly. Then I imagine how much less my heart will have to work to sustain a 160 lb or less frame. Anyone out there have any experience with this? Do you just graze on carbo gels while playing? What about Water intake, do you dehydrate while competing? I made a goal to run a marathon eventually (something absolutely impossible for my future without the procedure), any post sleeve marathoners out there? I hope to be around for a while. Thanks to all the board participate!

What are you doing to add muscle, how many calories are you taking in, do you eat mostly protein?

I am now 8 months out. I can easily go until 1:00 pm and not feel hungry. I eat because I know in my head that I need nutrition and fuel. At 175 lbs, I don't want to lose any more weight. I even throw in a little ice cream if I feel I am too far under my daily calorie goal or if I burned a lot that day. Hunger, if it ever comes is from boredom or just in my head. Best part, a few bites of anything and I can be satisfied. Trust me, this is the real deal.

Yup, he did mine last August. You are in good hands. Zero problems, zero complaints!

It's way easier to control my swing now. When everything weighs less, I am finding I am able to make my misses less dramatic so I stay in play a lot more often. I lost a little distance, but that's simply because I have lost a lot of muscle too. I am certain the muscle will come back over time as the diet slowly increase back to a higher caloric level. I also had a bit of an over swing, now I can stop a parallel when I make a conscious effort. That may also explain the better control. I am still trying to find a downside to the sleeve but have to keep looking.

Carolina, first key me say you are smokin' hot. thanks for sharing. What you described is exactly how I feel as well. NtvTXN, that's for sharing. I am about 5 months in and and finding the same thing. I love that I can have a few bites of anything and not have it kill me for a week. The portion control is fantastic and empowers me to make decisions and actually manage my lifestyle. No regrets whatsoever from this low bmi-er!

I was a low bmi-er at 33 and reach goal in three months. I can't seem to gain no matter what I eat. For me it's just a matter of getting enough protein.

At 4 months out, I had actually forgot about it. I think it quit being noticeable at about 2 months if I remember correctly.

Daaaayyyum.

I hear ya ILMD, I felt the same way. I was a BMI of 33 and love the step I took to get healthy. I am sure people will think I am crazy for turning to surgery but I know I just made a major change for the better. My family is all overweight. I was well down the path of diabetes and knee replacement surgery. After 3.5 months I am 10 lbs from goal and feel like a champ. Only two people know I had the surgery, my wife and my twin brother. He's a doctor and wants to do the same as I did, but his wife wont let him. I went to Dr Rod in Mexico. His team was awesome. Best wishes!

How do you keep the muscle bulk? I am 3.5 months out and am having a hard time saving muscle. I get easily 80 grams of Protein, but it must be simply too few calories. I am down to a 33 in waist, only about 10 lbs from goal. Does it get easier to put muscle back on later down the road when you can eat more. Looking great btw!

Wow, what a change! Congrats! Now that you are a year out, how does your food volume for one meal compare to where you were at say, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months.....

I went to Dr Rod in Warez. It was a great experience. You are actually taken care of by three very good doctors. They care was outstanding and the hospital staff was as good if not better than what I see in the states. Be lightweight was a great help as well.

So, I'm 40 but I look 10 years younger now than I did 4 months ago, does that count? Started at a low Bmi of 33. Height is 5'9.5" (every bit counts right ladies:) ) and started around 220. 9 week later, right at 180 and feeling excellent. I'm back out on the soccer field evrey week after my knees had given up. I sleep waaaaay better, and simply love the progress and the new lifestyle the sleeve provides. I was headed down a scary path that many of my family members lead the way on. Ever since I was injured about ten years ago, it's been a yo-yo struggle ending up on the verge of diabetes and a 4th knee surgery. Best decision I have ever made!

Incredible! Love how the before has a full stove of food and the after its all cleared. Averaging 25 lbs a moth for six months? That's crazy talk.

Here's an article worth reading: http://voices.yahoo.com/strictures-after-gastric-bypass-4115627.html

I was sleeved on 8-13, here is my typical day: Wakeup Water Breakfast Egg and piece of toast -or- Protein shake -or- Greek yogurt Snack String cheese lunch Protein (4 oz chicken) with a sauce, veggie if room Soup Taco Snack String cheese dinner Whatever is on the table, just smaller portions Water

What do you mean by sick? I am 9 weeks out and just had meat sauce with Pasta with a small piece of bread and felt great!

Probably better to remove your phone number from the public forum. I would suggest sending a private message instead. Just sayin'.....

I agree with everyone here. Go see a Dr. ASAP. At just over 8 weeks I am definitely getting more and more comfortable with food and liquids. You should be able to tolerate a good variety at this point. Which Dr in Mexico isn't responding to you?

Yeah, the portions are small! I am just over 2 months out and wish I could eat more. Ian really hoping the amount of food I can tolerate increases as I am eating as much as I can and still losing weight quickly. Some meals I am full with just a few bites. Socially it is awkward. I am very happy though with not ever being hungry. I wonder how much more my sleeve will loosen over time.

Yea or Nea? Can limit eating the tortilla (these still give me trouble). The honey mustard isn't bad, total cost-- $1.61

This is a really great thread. Thanks to all participating. I am curious to hear what some of you veterans can share on how much you can eat now versus where you were at three months. I can pretty much tolerate anything as long as I chew well and don't over eat. The real question is how much volume may I be able to increase over time? If it does increase, at what point does the sleeve stop growing?