mistysj

My favorite is the Musashi High Protein (not the Low Carb -- it is confusing). I get the vanilla and add some instant coffee or some milo and make it up with Water. I still have some on hand even 15 months out from surgery. It's a quick snack now that I can drink quickly. The Optifast is a bit of a waste in my opinion. Low on protein and full of sugar. Yes it has some Vitamins but as soon as you are cleared you should be on a Multivitamin tablet.

It's not like on a diet when you are still hungry but stop anyway. You will be full, even almost stuffed. You want want to keep eating so it won't feel like a burden to stop. I'm 15 months out and this has been my experience the whole time.

I still have great restriction as long as I choose wisely. I ordered 'lamb dumplings' at a Turkish restaurant for dinner. It ended up being more along the lines of Pasta than dumplings, and I could not eat much before I was FULL. I even got the slimes, at 15 months out. But I can eat a lot of chips or crackers and the calories can add up if there is not enough Protein in the meal. So far I haven't had trouble maintaining but wouldn't mind losing another 5 kg. I've been around the same weight for about 5 months.

My stomach is still noisy but I just don't notice it as much as the burps. I have been taking the non-prescription omeprazole since I picked up a bunch when I was in the US (it's not available in Australia and it's cheaper than nexium) but I'm out and restarting nexium 20mg tomorrow. I'll be interested to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes I get a bit of heartburn with the cheap stuff so I suspect it's not enough for me. I have a mild hiatus hernia and have since around the 6 month mark (hernia repair during the sleeve but I guess I'm just prone -- it was noted when I had my gall bladder removed) so I may just always have a mild problem with acid.

Thank you for sharing your struggle with us. I appreciate it. You are helping us all and I hope you are finding the support you need. One thing I carry with me from 12 step programs (I know it's not quite the same) is "we are only as sick as our secrets" and I am a believer in sharing as part of healing.

Cold roast chicken bits (no more than 30 grams aside from bones), 4 water crackers with pate, one baby bel, one small tomato

Yes sorry, I always eat on a salad plate now.

Thanks! I am back at my lowest weight and slowly inching down. Size 8 jeans in Australia sizes so size 4 US. Size 10C bra! Who would have thought? I started at a 20DD and should have probably been an E! About 3 kg from ultimate dream goal.

Yes I did. It was about 45 grams. I stay around 45 to 60 grams for meat. It was probably 1/3 cup of cauliflower.

Dinner: ham hock, cauliflower mashed "potatoes" and gravy

Lunch: fish sticks, cherry tomatoes and half a bocconcini ball.

Got a new haircut.

Breakfast

As an update, I completed C25K in November and I'm still running between 5 and 7 km three times a week. I feel like the running helps smooth out any small eating transgressions I commit and earns me a couple glasses of wine a week. I've had no trouble maintaining and even still slowly losing. About 5 kg from my dream goal at this point and wearing a size 6.

Please post with your go-to foods, shakes, recipes, etc for the pre-op diet. Remember that all surgeons are different so don't get sidetracked when someone else had a different plan from you. This thread is part of a series: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/292196-staple-foods-for-pre-op/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/292197-staple-foods-for-the-liquid-phase-phase-1/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/292198-staple-foods-for-puree-phase-2/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/292199-staple-foods-for-the-soft-food-stage-phase-3/

Sorry about that Bec. You are a few months late compared to me with the gall bladder surgery. The good news is it is a trivial surgery. I hope you feel better soon.

That's awesome. I didn't have to do it either and I was so relieved! I can't believe one person had to do it for 8 weeks!

I eat a lotta frittata!

I get hungry and have since about 2 months. I get hungry about 2 hours after eating. It is a pretty weak hunger compared to what I used to have and a few bites still fills me up.

Surgery was almost 13 months ago.

I had very well controlled type 2 diabetes. I was on metformin and typical readings were around 6. Left the hospital off metformin and with normal blood glucose levels. Since surgery my a1c is around 4.3 and there is no sign I ever had diabetes. It could come back but my GP did a big round of tests and actually took diabetes off my official record. I don't even have access to NDS anymore.

My belly hangs down but it's just skin and you can't tell under my clothes. It's like a deflated balloon. Doesn't take up any space.

Loose skin is only an issue naked. I looked like crap naked before and even with loose skin and saggy boobs I look heaps better. Id rather be healthy with loose skin around my belly than fat and unhealthy. I am not gung-ho about plastic surgery but it is on the table if I decide I want to pursue it. My loose skin has not held me back at all. I'm wearing size 6-8 or small. Started at a 22. Running 20 km per week.

It will depend on the guidelines from your dietitian.

Lissa we have so much in common right now. But I'm so happy about your promotion and your trip. You are doing so well! And I struggle with everything you struggle with and I think we are actually normal! Who would have thought? Let me know when you will be in Brissie and we will do a coffee or lunch. XX