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!