lucky8mb1

My first appointment was the end of Sept/beginning of Oct. My surgery was December 10th. I could have gone in earlier but I had a vacation planned right smack in the middle of that time. I was self-pay, so there weren't really any time restrictions.

You could also try clear protein like the Isopure "juice". That was my requirement for the first week. However, I hated it and could not drink it no matter what I cut it with. But on the other hand I've read that some people actually like it and it's a nice change from shakes.

Sorry, I missed the part where it said you disliked the taste. I really don't care for plain shakes as much. I add stuff to mine: sugar free Torani Raspberry syrup, sugar free Hershey's syrup, PB2, unsweetened Coconut/Almond milk, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc.

What's the problem with the protein shakes? Is it the taste? If so, have you tried adding other things to them to help mask the protein taste?

I'm going to PM you.

What area of Houston?

Yes, all the time. I'm wrapped up in a blanket every night and I live in the Houston area. It's not THAT cold here!

11/26 Weight: 298 12/10 Sx Day Weight: 282 Monday: 268 Not as fast as I'd like, but it's still going in the right direction.

Height, start weight, and current weight.

I spent a week at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico and started my pre-op 2 days later. Let's just say I wasn't the poster child for restraint while there, lol. I was going out with a bang!

You look great! Love the sleeve! Would you mind sharing your stats? Your body type looks very similar to mine. Thanks!

I'm feeling great...pretty much back to normal except for eating much less food, lol. I've been back at work since 3 days after surgery. My incisions are almost fully healed, and nothing crazy to report. As of my unofficial weigh in today, I've lost 14lbs since surgery and 30lbs total since I started my pre-op diet on 11/26. I'm very pleased. I had a stall last week for about 5-7 days and it kicked back up a few days ago and I've been dropping consistently again. My post-op diet was Clear Liquids for one week, pureed for another week, and now soft foods for 3 weeks. I haven't had trouble with anything I've tried yet. I feel very lucky. I started back at the gym yesterday, trying to amp up my walking. Looking forward to my follow up next week to see if I'm cleared for weight lifting.

It depends on your surgeon's post-op diet requirements. They are so varied. Some are on liquids for up to 3 weeks. Others can start pureed after a week. What are your post-op eating instructions?

Totally normal. At least for me and many others who have chimed in on this very subject. You've got this!

Mine gave me a calorie goal of 1500, with 85g protein. From what I've been reading, it seems like a lot compared to other people. I'm about halfway there on a daily basis already and just over 2.5 weeks post-op, though - so it may not be as far fetched as I think.

Yes, actually longer. A yogurt takes about 30-45 minutes. If I'm eating it at work and I'm busy, it can take over an hour. A shake can take me about 45 minutes, sometimes an hour. Same with lunch and dinner meals. I have a hard time stretching out dinner because my husband and kids are usually done pretty quickly. I find myself moving too quickly and I feel it. My husband has been staying at the table with me after we excuse the kids to shower, etc. He'll chat with me and I'll take bites in between. It's actually kind of nice because it gives us time to catch up!

Absolutely! Let's definitely continue to check in with each other. I could use it, too!

I've had one c-section (my second child was a VBAC) and had zero complications with my surgery.

I guess you could call me an early December sleever. I'm feeling great. Had a brief stall for a for a few days, but the scale has started to move down again and I'm loving it. Can't wait to log my next "official" weight on Monday, as I know I'll be in the 260s.

I went through this right up to the surgery. Right as I was about to get my Versed before being wheeled into the OR, I said I needed to use the bathroom. I remember staring in the mirror and saying to myself, "What the bleep are you doing to yourself?" I remember asking my husband up to the night before surgery, "Am I making a mistake? Am I jumping the gun? Can I do this on my own? I know how to lose weight." This was all true. I know how to lose weight and I can do a pretty damn good job of it. The question is....do I know how to keep it off? The answer is a resounding NO. I can't. I gain every pound I lose, plus some. I remember in college when I hit my high weight of 185. I was devastated. Lost some weight, then gained it back - all the way to my new high weight of 244. Freaked out about that. Lost weight, gained it all back to 262. Freaked out again. Lost weight, gained it all back up to 298. I saw the pattern and it wasn't pretty. I'm only 34 years old. At this rate, I'd be 400lbs before 40. I realized that I needed help. Not a magic solution, but a tool to help me. I know how to eat well. I know how to exercise. I just need help with portion control and being a bit smarter about my priorities in food selection. The sleeve help keeps me on track for those things. I think right now we're still in shock about what we did. My husband has said multiple times that he can't believe I did it. Not because he didn't think I would or could - but because it is a major major step. I don't believe I did it either. However, as time goes by and I start to take baby steps into my new post-sleeve life, I realize that it isn't so bad. My old habits were doing me no favors, and I can still live my life - with a few adaptations. Pretty soon, the old way of life will be a distant memory and very much a thing of the past - which means there will be nothing to miss. You're going to be ok. Once things are more "normal" and less restricted, I think you're going to settle in just fine.

I was sleeved on the 10th and am at about 600-800 calories/day. One Protein shake (2 scoops of chike with 8oz skim milk) comes to about 300 calories alone. I typically have a greek yogurt (or shake) for Breakfast, soup or egg salad (no bread) for lunch, a yogurt or shake for snack, and then beans/cheese, chicken salad, soup etc for dinner. Sometimes I feel like I eat too much, but I don't have pain/discomfort and I take my time. The scale is still moving so I trust that this is what my body needs to fuel it and allow me to stay strong and alert all day.

Welcome!

Welcome! I was sleeved on 12/10 and am loving (almost) every minute of my new post-sleeve life. Jump in and start posting!

One week clear liquids, one week pureed, 3 weeks soft, then regular foods.

Unfortunately the sleeve doesn't make the temptation go away. Granted, I'm less hungry than I ever was before - but it still kills me to not eat one of the delicious looking homemade baked goods brought by friends, or to be at a restaurant with friends and sip on the only thing on the menu that meets the liquid or soft food criteria since I'm not on regular solids yet. Meanwhile they partake in all of my old favorites. Fortunately for me, I'm scared to death of causing a leak so the threat of negative consequences is enough for me to not cheat. You really need to work out your food addiction issues. The sleeve is a great tool but it cannot make a food addict no longer addicted to food. That is a mental issue and it needs to be addressed separately from the physical issue of the stomach. Definitely talk with your surgeon and see about getting with a therapist to talk out your issues and concerns. Best of luck.