Getting There

The site is only for patients of Dr. David Kim in Dallas/Fort Worth. The administrators of the site only accept "friends" who are his patients. The purpose of the site is to provide LOCAL support and encouragement for patients of the same surgeon who have the same surgeon and generally live in the same area. I'd encourage anyone whose surgeon doens't have a private FB support group to start one.

Remember to track the calcium you're getting through food/fluids. To convert the RDA percentage on labels, remove the% and add a 0. So 10% would be 100 mg. Your multi probably also has some calcium. The TOTAL grams of calcium should be 1500. I typically end up taking two 500 mg calcium citrate/day - sometimes less. My surgeon also suggests calcium citrate. Apparently this is better absorbed by those of us with sleeves. Bariatric Advantages chewy chewables are like caramels. Calcet has lemon & chocolate chewables that are like candy. Healthy Indulgence (I found them at The Vitamin Shoppe) is like a piece of dark chocolate. Yes, they are all a bit expensive, but think about what you're saving by not eating fast food, drinking soft drinks, and eating so much less now - I'll pay for yummy calcium compared to wasting money on food like I used to anyday

I was referring to a private support group site on FB for patients of my surgeon. It's awesome!

So we're all discovering this surgery isn't a magic bullet - DRATS!!! This is actually work - mental, physical, emotional....... Takes a TON of discipline. And let's face it, this is not much fun. But think back to pre-surgery days. That wasn't much fun either. At least for me, I still obsessed about food, just in a different way. Before, my thoughts focused on the next meal - where would I eat, what would I eat, what was for dessert. then how bad I would feel having eaten yet another fat and calorie laden meal and I would feel miserably overstuffed. Now my obsession is with grams of protein, ounces of fluid, calories. But this feels better in the long run. Most of the time. I haven't "cheated" at all so far (surgery was 9/10). Started at 265.4 - as of Monday I was at 222.1. I haven't lost as much as I would like to have at this point, but I have to take the blame - I have dome so little exercise. I was doing well at walking initially but that has fallen off since work has gotten much busier. So I do have some control over increasing the rate of loss. And really, it's not that bad as it is. Adjusting to this new life is interesting. It's a challenge. But everyday, I'm still glad I did it.

Momto3 - I'm not sure how the FB site was started but it's awesome! It's a private site so our posts are seen on that page only, not on our regular FB - keeps our WLS stuff "between us." The administrators have to approve people to join too. You might research it and perhaps start your own group for your surgeons patients.

Instead of donating my "under-grown" (WOW is that fun to write!) clothes, I offered them on the Facebook page that my surgeon has for a support group. That way I KNEW they were going to someone that could really use them (in this case, a mother & daughter who had the surgery within 2 weeks of each other). All I asked was that once they didn't need them, to offer them to others in the group that might enjoy them. They were SO appreciative!

Here is the link to SB's espresso drinks nutrition information: http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/nutrition?drink=all#view_control=nutrition&drink=bottled-drinks&drink=brewed-coffee&drink=chocolate&drink=espresso&drink=frappuccino-blended-beverages&drink=kids-drinks-and-other&drink=smoothies&drink=tazo-tea&food=bistro-boxes&page=2

Check out StarBuck's website - they have nutrition listed for all of their drinks. Can be a bit tedious to find the one you're looking for but worth it since it will show protein & carbs too if you're tracking those.

A Tall Skinny Latte (Fat-Free &Sugar-Free & no whipped cream) at SB's is only 100 calories. Well worth it 3-4 times a week. And there is the protein aspect with the milk. I just ordered a Nespresso Espresso maker so I can make my own ($25/week at SB's is getting ridiculous!). It makes Espresso and steams the milk (nonfat of course). I can add my own sugar free syrups....... Can't wait for it to get here!!!

NGM - Try to only weigh yourself once/week. I started doing that and it really helps! And weigh yourself the same time of the day each time. I've started weighing on Monday mornings. I've started drinking coffee again 3-4 times/week. It suppresses my appetite (since I'm one of the unfortuate ones who stills feels hunger - real hunger, NOT head hunger - please let's not start that debate again ). It doesn't seem to have any affect on my stomach - on days I drink coffee I drink an extra few ounces of water to compensate. Will know in the morning if I've broken the stall I've been in. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Justine - I did that too but now I use a small plate (salad plate or bread & butter plate) instead of a regular dinner plate. Instead of a bowl, I've been using a ramekin. Makes it look like I have more food than I do so I'm kind of tricking my brain. Works pretty well - I don't feel like I'm always staring at a mostly empty plate. I've had a hard time adjusting to taking SMALL bites and eating SLOWLY but I notice that when I do, I tend to eat less because I feel full sooner. I'm not successful everytime, but it's something I'm working on I try to put my fork or spoon down between bites and completely chew/swallow before taking the next bite. These things all help, but don't come naturally or easily (at least to me )

For a chewable multi, I like Bariatric Support (by Twin Labs). For calcium, I like Healthy Indulgence (Hero Nutritionals). Also like Calcet in both lemon & chocolate. Bariatric Advantage has good chewables that are like caramels (chocolate & caramel flavors). Also hated Bariatric Advantage Multi and there calcium chewables that are tablets (as opposed to caramel like).

I'm taking a chewable multi for bariatric WLS patients so I'm sure it's OK. I don't think there's an issue with a LITTLE sugar - there is natural sugar in fruit, etc. The problem, as I understand it, is really with excessive added sugar. Most surgeon's seem to recommend a sublingual B12 (dissolves under the tongue) since our stomachs can't properly absorb B12 otherwise. There are 2 forms of B12; the Methylcobalamin form is supposed to be better absorbed. Ask your surgeon what strength you should get based on your blood work. Consider taking Biotin as well. It hasn't been proven, but many think it helps with new hair growth following the thinning most of us will (or have) experienced at about 3-4 months post-surgery. Some say Iron helps as well, but I would only take iron supplements with the OK of either your surgeon or PCP based on your blood work. I get all of my supplements at the Vitamin Shoppe (they have retail stores or you can order on-line). I love having one place for everything. They have a really good calcium citrate - Healthy Indulgence. It's like eating a piece of dark chocolate. I have also tried (and like) Calcet Chewables and Bariatric Advantage Chewy's (the are like caramels) - you can order both of these on-line from various places. And yes, plan on taking a multi, calcium, B12, and possibly Vitamin D (most people in the US are deficient) for the rest of your life. With our tiny stomachs, we just can't eat enough to provide all of the nutrients we need. Eventually you will be able to take a tablet form of some of these (I take a gel cap for my Vitamin D and Omega 3's already) My calcium chewables are my dessert after lunch and after dinner now - wow how life changes with a sleeve! Be aware that a chewable multi may be best forever since many of the pill forms just don't dissolve well (Centrum is known to be particularly bad).

Darn it - I'm in a stall Stuck at 40 pounds lost. Going to up my calories a tiny bit and increase my walking a bunch. Cuz it's no fun if the scale isn't moving DOWN! Surgery was 9/10 - hair shed is the same as usual so that's good.......

Sounds divine! And I LOVE red curry so I'll add an extra pinch Thanks so much!

Do you have any other co-morbidities? High blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea? Those will help build your case. Depression and aches/pains usually won't. Ask you doctor why he/she doesn't support WLS for you. If you're not happy with the answer, absolutely find another doctor. This would be a great site to use to do that as most here have a PCP that encouraged the surgery. If you chose to go self-pay (I did because my insurance won't pay for WLS period) make sure to verify whether or not your insurance will pay for any complications resulting from the surgery. Some will, many won't. If yours doesn't, you can buy insurance that will cover complications. I didn't even know about this before my surgery and I'm grateful I didn't have any problems. And while the chances are great that you'll do fine, there is always that small chance - and complications can run into a huge expense! My surgery was 8 weeks ago today. And I'm VERY VERY VERY happy that I did it. Yes, there are significant changes. Yes, I do miss eating the way I used to sometimes. No, I don't miss the 40 pounds I've lost so far - and I won't miss the 90 more I'm going to lose over the next several months Best of luck!

I'd love your recipe - Mulligatawny Stew - YUM!

My surgery was 9/10. I'm eating about 600 calories/day and at least 60 gr protein. Keeping carbs around 50-60 but if I go over, I'm not too concerned. Not enough fat to even worry about. I eat pretty much any meat I want - chicken (grilled or canned), shrimp (boiled or grilled), salmon (grilled or canned), tuna (canned - though I'm going to have seared tonight!), steak, hamburger, other grilled fish. No problems with any of it. I eat 2 oz at lunch & 2 oz at dinner. Along with a veggie and a starch once a day, I'm content - not stuffed, not still hungry. Can't always finish all of the veggie and starch. Veggies - no problems with cooked or raw. No problems with fruit but I don't eat much of it. LOTS of Greek yogurt (vanilla or flavored or with fruit on the bottom - I LOVE the Dannon Light & Fit - only 80 calories, 12 gr protein & 9 carbs). Yogurt is what I almost always have for breakfast during the week. Cottage cheese (2%) - love it with some applesauce & cinnamon "sugar" (I use Nectesse instead of sugar) I've lost 40 pounds so far (includes 9 that I lost on the pre-surgery diet). Not quite as fast as I'd like to be losing, but I'm OK with it. Especially since I'm not exercising like I should be. Weird thing is that while my jeans are definitely looser, I don't feel that I've really gone down a size. But maybe they were just that much on the tight side before Shirts are certainly looser and I've gone from a 2x to a 1x though I still wear many of my 2x's - they're just a bit large now. Can't wait until I really need to toss all of my current clothes!!!!!

The only artifical sweetner I can't tolerate is aspartame - gives me bad headaches. Bought Nectreese a few days ago. It's made from monk fruit so it's "natural." Same consistency as sugar. I like it well enough. That said, I'm not going to completely avoid sugar, or artificial sweetners. I like the flavored Greek yogurts and will eat a cup of yogurt for Breakfast almost every morning. But I wouldn't do so if it were plain - nasty! With all the changes I have made (no fast food, no fried food, only "quality/healthy Protein, more fresh veggies and some fresh fruit) there has to be room for real life - a healthy way I can live the rest of my life. Most people of normal weight don't completely avoid sugar or sweet foods - they just have the ability to eat them in moderation (something I couldn't do very well before). My sleeve gives me the ability to be moderate, which I love!!!

Thanks for your encouraging post! You've done a great job and I like your realistic attitude. Way to go!!!

I like Cytosport Whey Isolate Protein drinks. They are clear, fruit flavored, ready-to-drinks. I get them from Vitamin Shoppe. 130 cal, 32 gr protein, 1 carb/bottle. I pour 1/2 into an empty bottle. I'll fill the bottle I'm going to drink immediately with ice and water as I prefer it diluted. I usually only drink 1/2 bottle/day now and get the rest of my protein from food. It's also a good way to get in some fluids

New GM you're doing an amazing job and don't let some snooty personal trainer get to you. Ya know Oprah Winfrey has had a very highly respected personal trainer, Bob Greene, and she can't seem to lose weight or maintain a weight loss. So doing this with only a personal trainer is of benefit because??? You just keep doin' what you're doin' and when you're at a healthy weight - and when you're able to maintain that weight - we'll see what Mr. Smarty Pants has to say then.

Great idea!

I typically avoid chain restaurants (always have) but Chili's has some great lighter choices. Their grilled salmon is pretty good - and makes 3 servings (2 oz each). Check out their nutrition facts on their website. Shrimp cocktail is always a good choice - easy on the cocktail sauce if you're watching carbs. When I order a steak, I always request that it be prepared without butter or other oils. Same with veggies. You can get grilled chicken almost anywhere. If I go to a nicer restaurant when they aren't busy, I'll ask to talk to the chef. I'll explain that I'm eating low carb, low fat, high Protein - many times they'll prepare something special for you. I don't usually mention portion size as it's often difficult for them to determine how to charge for "weird" portions. I just take some home. If I'm going out after dinner, I take some of those things you put in the freezer to keep things cold along with me so I don't have to throw away the left overs...... Takes a little planning, but not too bad once you get into the habit.