chelsea

Also, keep in mind that as our bodies adjust to weighing less, our caloric needs have changed. I know this isn't the perfect example, but think of the point system for weight watchers diets. As you lose weight, your allowable points decrease. I think that's also true for sleevers. We are told to decrease calories to 600-800 to lose (or whatever your surgeon has instructed for you) but then when we maintain to up it to 1200-1500ish? Your body will probably wonder what the hell is going on and need to adjust itself again. Of course, this is all just my postulation since I'm not in maintenance mode yet, but it makes sense in my head Most importantly: At almost a year out, I eat whatever I want. I just downed two Ghirardelli squares and could easily eat another few. Diets are a lot more lax at this point for me BUT I'm still losing because I've started exercising so much more than I had been. So if someone is saying it's taking them a lot longer to lose weight from overeating, they're probably not scrutinizing their diet as well as they did a year ago. There are probably a lot more 'hidden' calories in there than you'd think.

Thanks for the inspiration! I'll have to step up my workouts so I can run that long. Where do you find the motivation? I mean, I should realize that I don't want to be saggy and flabby but still...it's tough to want to go run! Chelsea

I am having mini-stalls, it seems. Every 2 weeks I'll maintain weight and then the next I'll lose 3-4 lbs, then the same thing. I haven't changed anything...It's just frustrating!

Jordien - I tried powdered mixes and just got tired of the taste but mostly the texture. On the gritty side. Ick. I drink prepared shakes - premier nutrition, chocolate. 30g Protein in 11oz. Takes me a little over an hour to drink it. 160calories in the shake. 5g carbs. I can't remember the fat grams and am much too busy watching Glee to get off my tush But! I haven't tired of these drinks. I started drinking one a day at one month out and now I'm over 4 mos out. If you used these as Breakfast and lunch, there ya go - 60g PROTEIN for the day and under 400 cals. Still enough calories left to have dinner and actually chew something. As for the hair loss...what I found helped me most is Folic Acid vitamins/supplements. I take Multivitamins and add a folic acid pill (we're TTC) and that's seemed to work. There were 2 weeks where I sucked it up on the folic acid and THAT'S when my hair came out in clumps. So, moral of the story? It was at 4 mos out, which is typical due to anesthesia, but adding folic acid pretty much halted the excessive hair loss. Win-win.

If you're only 2 weeks out, those foods are probably too heavy for your stoma to have more than 3-4 bites. Maybe stop at 3. You'll get more down. Also, when you're about a month out, start taking Vitamins. You're NOT going to get malnourished in those few weeks. I know my body has enough extra weight to survive for a month! Just kidding. But seriously, you'll be fine. The first few weeks just try to get in Protein. That's the number one thing to be health conscious about. liquid Protein will be your best option. And good luck!

I had my gallbladder out in 2002, when I was 21. This was because I lost 120 lbs in a short amount of time but mostly due to a sustained low-caloric intake over the course of a year. It's possible you will still get them. After this surgery, you're probably never 'in the clear' because of how few calories you take in. Once you've gotten to your goal weight and you're consuming more calories, your risk is likely to decrease.

You're very welcome! I know for me it makes all the difference in my day. It takes me about an hour to drink one but I want all that protein and then I feel crazy full...and even then I wonder if it's more than I should be able to drink (did my stomach stretch?) but I don't worry too terribly much about it. I'm so glad I was helpful.

I agree with Tiffykins. If you think about it, have you ever lost 30 lbs in 14 days before? That's a lot to handle. And that's quite successful for this surgery, if you ask me. And it's a major trauma to your body, as Tiffy said. YOUR STOMACH IS BEING CUT DOWN TO SIZE. Think about that again. It's a lot to let sink in. I haven't exercised at all or even really walked (and I can't bring myself to exercise in this heat) and I've lost 44lbs. In 2 mos. Worth EVERY cent. Every. And I have another 95 to lose. It's not a miracle, it's a tool. Sorry to lay it out, but it's just the fact of the matter.

When you're on mushies you'll need to start watching what you eat. Count calories. Count Protein. Count carbohydrates. Personally, I hated the mushy food stage. I went back and forth between Protein shakes and soft foods because I didn't like how the soft foods felt in my stomach and I wasn't getting enough protein. Also, if you don't want protein shakes, try a Protein Drink like Isopure. My fave flavor is grape - tastes the most like gatorade. If you've had them, I'm sure you know they have a weird aftertaste, almost like when you have yogurt. Speaking of yogurt, trade your old stuff for greek yogurt. Get the ones with the highest protein content. Once you get past this stage it will become a lot easier. I usually have a protein shake for breakfast/lunch and then whatever I want for an afternoon snack and then I'll make a meat-based dinner. Fish will be your best bet. Also, water is most important! I don't think I get enough of it. If you can't stand water, get crystal light. Don't get gatorade or anything like that - empty calories. Stay out of soda (carbonation expands the pouch - big no-no while it's healing) for as long as you can. It's best to give it up altogether. Keep going. It sucks, for sure, but when your stall finally breaks (or when you start losing) you'll be SO happy and it's such a good boost.

Just hang in there and stick it out. I lost 30 in the first 14 days then didn't lose anything for 5 weeks after that. I bought (and love) Protein drinks from costco. They're 11oz, 30g protein, 5 carbs, 1 g sugar. Taste good when super cold and keep me full for a LONG time. After my stall broke (so, 2 weeks ago) I've lost 14 lbs. Seriously, hang in there! The best thing I did during that stall was only weigh once a week and hope to maintain rather than lose. Change your expectations and you'll be SO much happier.

THANK YOU! Pretty exciting! I'm down a total of 44 now. That means after my 5 week stall I've lost 14 lbs. I still find that my biggest issue is too much salt. Instead of sweet things I'm craving salty. It's amazing how big portions are. I'm so aware of how much I eat that I see a footlong sandwich at Subway (which I used to eat with no problem) and wonder how ANYONE can fit that in their body! Baffling. Yet, our bodies are so amazing and so complicated. I'm glad God knows what they're all about

Mine broke this week! I'm down 5.5 lbs - finally! I decided to focus on Protein shakes. I would have one Protein shake a day for Breakfast, one for lunch (sometimes) and then a regular dinner. Also, I got out of the house more this week and got in some exercise. The only downside to being on my feet more is the swelling. I have cankles! AUGH! So, today I'm staying off my feet as long as possible and watching my salt intake and countering it with more Water. Anyone else have their stalls break yet?

Even though I haven't lost any more weight in the last SEVERAL weeks, I still think this surgery is worth EVERY penny. My husband keeps telling me my legs look thinner and my face looks thinner and my pants are so loose. Also, I sit at a desk job for 11 hours a day. i have NOT been getting in the exercise recommended (I really wanted to wait until my incisions were completely healed because they've been REALLY tender and this is the first week I feel they're fully healed) so that will start this week, too. So, after I change my diet back to fewer calories, the next step will be protein. Get this surgery but go in knowing it's not a quick-fix and it's going to take TIME and WORK on your part.

Mine hasn't broken. I have decided I MUST be eating too much/the wrong thing so I'm putting myself back into a liquid diet and hope that breaks my stall. I was sticking pretty close to 500-600 calories and definitely getting in 60+grams of Protein..anyways. Miserable. That's what I have to say. It's pretty discouraging. :crying:

That's funny you like the Mango Peach! I took one sip and thought, EW! and spit it out. Then I passed it around at work and made everyone taste how horrible it was. Just my tastebuds being weird. One co-worker remarked that it tasted like grapefruit to him and I'm DEF. not a fan of grapefruit so that could be why. I picked up some of the chocolate Premier Nutrition Protein drinks from costco last week. LOVE them. I had vanilla whey protein but really thought it was too gritty, plus I really like the convenience of pre-mixed drinks. It makes my mornings easier (with fewer dishes!) and I can pack one for work. After trying three different kinds, I'll def. be purchasing the Premier Nutrition Protein Drinks again!

I haven't lost any weight since my second week. I lost 30 lbs in 15 days and I'm on my 6th week post-op (as of today - surgery May 27th) and I haven't lost anything else. I'm keeping my calories under 800 per day (usually around 500-600 but some days I'm not as careful as others) and I'm getting in 60-80g Protein. So...I've been in a stall for 3-4 weeks now. Bugger. I guess it's time to start exercising! I hate humidity too much but I've GOT to get over it if I want to lose another 30 in the next month.

I've found that the only one I can stand is Grape Frost - simply because it tastes the most like gatorade. Also, the aftertaste is very similar to a yogurt aftertaste. I've taken to putting it in a 32 oz refill cup and filling the cup first with ice and pouring the drink in. The colder, the better.

Baby spoons are such a great idea. I have some mini spoons from an event I planned that have ended up being PERFECT! The right size for what I should be eating. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/PETITES-CLEAR-PLASTIC-TASTING-WNA/dp/B000Y1EWT0]Amazon.com: PETITES 4.2" CLEAR PLASTIC TASTING SPOON (MINI) WNA 500 CS 5/100: Kitchen & Dining[/ame] Yes, they're super tiny, and a baby spoon would be cheaper, but it's pretty fabulous having a disposable teeny spoon I can bring along to work and toss.

Hey Riley! congratulations! I got the sample packet of chike and really love the chocolate ones. As far as Isopure, I couldn't really stomach any of them except Grape Frost - and I figured out it's only because it's the one that tastes closest to a gatorade. hang in there, it gets easier. I'm just over 2 weeks post op and have lost 30 lbs. It's worth the pain and frustration of the first week or so post-op. Just take it as easy as you can. You can do it. I am on full liquids and purees and I really tend to stick to more liquids than anything else - but I sure as hell crave everything else!

I definitely does. The pudding I made was delicious and the stuff I bought pre-made just isn't a winner. I told my husband he's welcome to it (he's a big fan of the yogurt whips and I don't like the texture at all - I should have known!). the mashed potatoes were delicious - the 2 bites I could eat! I have these awesome things called potato pearls, which are basically dehydrated mashed potatoes but they're already seasoned and have amazing flavor. They're SO good. Much better than regular instant mashed potatoes, in my book...although, I did have reg. instant mashed potatoes the other day and tried to add flavor without using butter...so I used a dash of coarse sea salt and a pinch of CUMIN! The cumin was awesome. Perfect amt of flavor. Def. no more Jello Mousse for me.

I know what you mean! I just had one of those new Jello PUDDING mousse cups. Didn't like the texture afterall and it seems to have upset my stomach...then again, it's the first thing I've eaten all day. Before that I was just drinking Isopure all day today and Water and I wasn't hungry but knew I should put something in there before heading to bed. Now it's upset. I'm going to have a spoonful of mashed potatoes and see if that calms it a little.

I know what you mean! And yes, the surgery is worth every penny. I just texted that exact phrase to someone today when I stepped on the scale and was down 23 lbs. Pretty darn incredible. I was on metformin for insulin resistance. I don't have a diagnosis of diabetes but my husband and I have been trying to conceive for 3 years now. Surgery was/is the solution for everything. It should help us start a family and if I continue losing weight at the speed I am, my body will *hopefully* straighten itself out and I can get prego in the next 12-24 mos (we're not going to start trying until I'm a year post-op or I've lost the majority of my excess weight). There was a girl in my group who had an insulin pump (she's type 2) and switched from Lap-Band to sleeve the morning of the surgery (4 of 5 of us did) because she was told that a lot of VSG patients who ARE type 2 can typically get rid of their pumps after 2-3 months. I hope all goes well with you! It gets easier, I promise. The first couple days after you're going to think, 'why in the world did I do this to myself' but then when you hit a week post-op you'll start to feel SO much better. I went to work 5 days post-op and didn't have any problems.