Adri

When I ordered the free sample vitamins from Celebrate, they sent me the card. But I threw it away, seems much ado about nothing to me.

I know, isn't that so bizarre! Starting about a week ago I ate a salad every day at lunch for OVER a week! (that wasn't me before surgery, my go to lunch was always a sandwich or burger) I guess it's because when someone tells you you can't have something...you want it more! Don't worry ladies, your salad days will return before you know it!

From start to finish, did it take about an hour or more? I have found that if I'm not careful, I can eat a little, let it digest, then eat a little more, then let it digest and so on. I think this is what some call "cheating the sleeve." And it can be dangerous, this is why I really stick to 3 meals and 2 snacks on schedule now. (and measuring or weighing helps too) I think this hasn't turned into a bad habit for me because now I don't get cravings like I used to, but it is something I have to stay conscious of so I don't over eat--over time.

50 lbs and about 50%!!

I would eat the cottage cheese alone at first,,,just to make sure you fit in your Protein first. Eat the fruit separately. Then in a few days or weeks, when you can eat closer to a half a cup, mix it together.

I copied this from my friend's foreman grill recipe book last weekend. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds deliciious to me. Zesty Citrus Thyme Shrimp Kabobs Marinade: juice of 1 orange 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper 1 lb shrimp (24-32 count peeled and deveined) 6 skewers -Marinate shrimp for 1 to 2 hours -Place on skewers and grill for 2 minutes on each side Optional: -BOIL extra marinade to make a sauce -Serve over rice

My favorites during the mushy stage were scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, egg salad (w/mustard, mayo, parsley or dll), non-fat refried beans with melted cheddar on top. Mashed potaoes and very soft cooked noodles are okay at this stage too. Applesauce was my go to fruit at this point.

I have Type 2, very insulin resistant. Was on 850 mg metformin 2x a day; Novolog insulin as needed and Lantus insulin at bedtime 55 units; and lisinopril. I have lost 50 lbs in 3 months. Glucose levels have been in low 100s, hi 90s. I no longer take the Novolog and lisinopril. Metformin is the same, Lantus is down to 11 units each night and going down all the time. I see my endocrinologist in 2 months and he said by then I will most likely be off the insulin completely. I think I've been losing at a pretty average rate. I've had some stalls, but don't think I'm anywhere near having a "problem" losing weight. And as a side note, my carb cravings are practically gone completely; haven't had a candy or dessert since before surgery...for me that is nearly a miracle!!

Hi Emma's mom, I'm glad you are being conscious about this at such an early stage. It will give you a head start in modifying your behavior. First, your sleeve will be able to handle more food little by little as the weeks/months go by. My progression was 1/4 cup, then 1/3 cup, then 1/2 cup, etc. I am about 3 months out and I can eat about 3/4 cup. When I get close to a cup or so, that is overstuffing myself and yes I get that food in the throat feeling...not good! (btw my guidebook from the dr says in the long run our sleeve should be able to hold 1 to 1-1/2 cup of food MAX) Also, how much you can eat depends on the density of the food. So when you move onto solids, my advice is to learn to chew thoroughly. At least try that as your first step. It will slow your eating down, and if you do feel food in your throat at least it won't be chunky...ouch! (sorry if this sounds gross) This is what I am struggling with now. I have not ever thrown up, but I have come close to wanting to. It is a battle for me; I used to wolf down huge amounts of food but those days are over. I wish you the best in your journey!

Last week I really started going gung-ho on the salads. They are going down just fine. I have to remember to eat slow and chew well. I think that's the key to trying any new food (and sticking to your dr's advice of course).

Yippeee!! Congrats!!! I just got here last week too!!!! We're AWESOME!!! (it's been over 20 yrs for me too )

Instead of trying to eat larger meals, I read somewhere that someone added more healthy fats to stop losing. Like avocados, nuts, more olive oil in cooking and higher fat dairy. This seemed to make sense to me ...that you can eat higher calories but still stick to healthy calories.

Ditto! But I seem to be naturally eating more lean meats and low fat dairy as they just sit better in my sleeve.

OMG!!! I LOVE IT! I didn't realize others had this fear too!! Now I look forward to it!

Here! Here! I had the same fear about yoga...not anymore!

I'm 3 months out and can eat anything I ate before surgery...just much less. But just because I can eat it doesn't mean I do. I eat virtually no deep fried foods and no sweets...and it doesn't bother me. It also doesn't bother anyone else. At first, it will seem odd if you try to go out to eat...I avoided restaurants for almost a month after surgery. But after that first month it won't be a problem for you. Just tell everyone your sticking to a diet...they don't have to know about surgery.

Well, I have a theory--which is impossible for me to prove at this point. My theory is that if anything is gonna work, you have to start it at least 4 months BEFORE surgery. I started minoxidil 1 month post surgery and started the Nioxin shampoo and conditioner about 3 weeks ago...and this week my hair started coming out in little handfuls. I started minoxidil 2 months ago and my hair is still falling out. I was not perfect about taking my vitamins, but I have taken them all along...good quality Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate, iron, calcium, D and B12 as well. Nothing seems to have made a difference, I think the only missing factor might be that I started too late. I hope you haven't had surgery yet...because no matter what you try I think it needs to be months beforehand. I'm gonna continue my regimen and will post if and when my hair normalizes.

Thanks for sharing. I'm almost 3 mos out and was tempted to try a diet coke today. I decided against it, and now reading your post I'm glad about my decision. Sometimes I think eating or drinking anything "forbidden" will become a slippery slope toward a full on chocolate-donut-eating-extravaganza!! I figure the longer I can hold out the better, I hope I can make it to 5 mos like you!

Thank you Suzannesh for reminding us of something that is so important!!

Yes, I am almost 3 monthss out; have tried pretty much all the things the dr. said I might not be able to tolerate and have felt fine. Have not thrown up once. Even though my guidebook says to eat up to 1200 calories a day, my NUT advised to stay between 1000 to 1100 and not to eat more than 2 to 3 servings of grains/bread a day. So I usually keep my carbs at about <60 a day and stay at 1000 cals. I have had a few stalls, but have lost 50 lbs so far which I am happy with. I agree w/Suzanne, you have to find what works right for you. If I did extreme low carb I think I'd be miserable, like I was on all the diets I've tried in the past...but again, that's just me!

I had my surgery at UC Irvine, their directions are: whey Protein isolate at least 20 grams per shake; 100 to 200 calories per shake; fewer than 12 grams sugar per shake. So that's basically, hi pprotein, low sugar, low cal.

Hi Nena, I think I'm much farther from surgery than you. I am almost 3 months out. I had my first corn tortilla at about 2 months out; I only had 1/2 a tortilla at first and chewed it real well. I tried 1/2 a flour tortilla at about 2-1/2 months out. I first tried a mild chile sauce 3 weeks after surgery; I'm fortunate the spice didn't bother me. When I tried the chile colorado, it was about 1/3 of a cup and the sauce was not thick. I could only eat small amounts at a time. And I only eat tortilla maybe 2x a week. I'm not advising you do this, I'm just letting you know that I tried these things a little at a time and have felt fine.

It's not sad!! I wish I only had 50 lbs to go! Congrats to you on your accomplishment and all that hard work!

Starting at my 3rd week after surgery (days 15 to 20), I came home from work, went straight to bed and slept 2 to 3 hours each afternoon/evening. I could've gotten more water in, but really I think it was just my body using its energy to heal. All will be well; by day 21 I was pretty much back to my old self.