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Yes, I think most of us eat mostly protein, because you get your protein in first and only eat other things if there's room leftover, and if you are getting at least 60-80 g of protein a day there usually isn't a lot of room leftover. I try to get in low-carb veggies as snacks.

yes, when I was in the puree stage, I ate hummus with a spoon. Now at almost 5 months out, I scoop it up with bell pepper strips and cucumbers.

You've lost 35 pounds at 7 weeks post-op? Or was some of that pre-op. That is at least average and actually above average. Keep the faith--if you stay at 5 lbs a week or even 2 or 3, it will go more quickly than you think...probably faster than it took you to put it on. Congratulations...that is great progress!

If you are taking a calcium supplement, make sure it is calcium citrate. It's actually best for preventing kidney stones if you get your calcium from dietary sources, like cheese or milk. Always have dietary calcium with anything containing oxalates, like spinach or almonds, bc it will bind to the oxalates and prevent stones.

I don't blame you, Fiddleman--in general, I think it's good to keep health stuff separate from work/business. What if they see the ad you are in as the VSG poster guy, though? :-)

Are you eating 3 meals or 3 meals and a snack and not grazing, not eating sliders, focusing on protein and low-carb veggies? And exercising and drinking plenty of water?

What a great doctor and a great attitude on your part! According to your ticker, you've lost 13 lbs since surgery, right? Actually, I think that's great, and it's probably about average from what I've seen here. One thing I love about my surgeon is that he has never compared my weight loss to anyone else's or anyone's average. He just says great job. In fact, he hasn't even talked to me about what my goal weight should be. I'm thinking he will do that when I get closer. I cringe when people report a really good weight loss and mention they are discouraged bc their surgeon told them at a checkup that they should have lost 9 more pounds by now. UGH. Everyone's metabolism and body and rate of loss is different even with all else being equal (food/calories, protein, water, supplements, exercise). Keep up the great work! Your losses will come. It is amazing how they add up even if you don't lose as fast as some others right out of the gate.

I think one of the reasons that people who are actually losing weight fairly quickly (e.g., 5 lbs a week) think it's slow is that people who lose abnormally quickly--like 80-100 lbs in 3 months--tend to be more vocal and post about their successes more than the slow-ish losers. So it gives us a skewed perception of what "normal" is. I thought it would be helpful for some of us slow-ish losers to post how much we have lost and during what time frame. Since it's my thread (lol), I'm going to say that a "slow-ish" loss is no more than 0.5 lbs to 3 pounds per week (maybe a little more in the first month). Even 3 lbs/week is above average for nonsurgical patients, but I think that it might be average to slow-ish in the VSG world. Maybe we can help inspire each other and offer support! Please post: * number of weeks out from surgery * amount you have lost so far--post surgery only--do not include pre-op losses, or if you do, break them out * if you want to include starting and current weight or low or high BMI, you can (not required) * whether you exercise and average amount of calories/eating plan I'll start: * 11 weeks out from surgery * have lost apx 30 lbs from 2/5/13 surgery date--that puts me at about 2.5 lbs per week on average * lost about 20 pounds pre-op in a 6-month diet/exercise plan (big difference in rate pre- and post-op!) * higher BMI (above 50) * exercise--walking, Water aerobics, swimming, bike, will be starting strength training this week * 600-800 calories/day, relatively low carb ("good" carbs only, from veggies and occasional berries) * always get in my water and protein! take supplements

I know they are more per ounce, but I love the 100-calorie packs of almonds or almonds and walnuts (walnuts are probably the best health wise, but I like the taste of almonds better). That way I can get in some healthy fat and a little protein but control calories.

How many servings does that make? are you post-op?

I noticed significantly more hair loss at about 10 weeks post-op. Now at 19 weeks post-op, it is about the same. I am using Nioxin, which may be keeping it from getting worse, and have been taking biotin since right after surgery. My surgeon said the biotin probably doesn't help but it can't hurt. He says the amount of protein you consume 2 weeks post-op helps predict hair loss a few months later, but I got plenty of protein my first 2 weeks and still have hair loss. While it's a bit distressing, I just think about how it's as a result of something good for my long-term health, not like when someone loses hair due to chemo or illness. that must be horrible. Even though I lose so much hair, my part still looks okay and I don't think people can tell. I did have a few inches cut off my hair and colored it darker. Luckily I had a lot of hair to start with. I have a bad habit of touching my hair now to check for loose ones and I really need to stop doing it, especially in public.

I am a vegetarian and haven't had any problem with any vegetarian forms of protein--you can do tofu, tempeh, Morningstar soy products, Greek yogurt, low-fat cheese, etc.

Drink as much water as you can!

Am I not doing the math correctly--you've lost 25 lbs since pre-op and you've lost 11 lbs in the 3 weeks since surgery? That's awesome! What were your expectations?

Wow! Heartfelt congratulations, PotterGirl!!!! :-) Way to represent the vegetarians, too!

Great job! what a beautiful photo of all of you (the bride is definitely her mother's daughter...she looks lovely too!). Congratulations...I'm sure this was a great feeling! Your dress is perfect. Looks like my kind of wedding--casual elegance!

Everything will be great and you will be so happy that you did this!! :-) Wishing you all the best!

Hope you feel better soon! The first few days were the worst for me (I could have never gotten online to post on a forum, so you are doing better than I was already!). Take Gas-x strips if you aren't already (if surgeon okays) and drink as much as you can. The walking does help and if you can stretch your arms a bit, do that. The morphine helped me a lot (I had a pump) immediately post op. The oral med they gave me after that did not agree with me..made me nauseous and couldn't focus eyes, so they switched it and I felt a lot better. The pain should lessen within a few days but you will probably be sore when sleeping etc for at least a week or two. Everyone is different though. I took pain meds for a few nights post op so that I could sleep and just motrin/tylenol during the day (with dr's blessing).

You look wonderful! We are the same height so your progress is definitely aspirational (and inspirational!) for me. Keep up the great work and keep the faith...I know that you will! :-)

I think it depends on where you carry your weight and how tall you are. Do they give measurements? You don't want it to be too loose bc it will support your abdomen a lot. They do wrap around a lot and seem to have a lot of wiggle room within a size. I LOVED my abdominal binder. So glad the hospital gave me one. You might even want to consider getting two of them, so you have one to wear while you are washing the other one.

Also, can you eat more of something like yogurt? I can eat 9 oz of Greek yogurt. In fact, I am eating that right now.

Sorry you are going through this. Do you try to eat more frequently to compensate? When you say 3 bites, is that 3 bites of dense protein, or anything? Can you drink protein shakes? I am just a week short of being 5 months out, and I definitely don't have that issue. I can eat about 4 to 5 small veggie meatballs with a little (like less than a tbsp) of ricotta and a little parmesan or 2 soy protein sausage patties with cheese (I'm a vegetarian). At first I could only eat about 2 to 2.5 veggie meatballs, so my capacity has increased. I can eat about a cup of salad, but not if I am eating protein, so I usually eat veggies as snacks. I would definitely talk to your surgeon.

I would think that it would be fine to puree yourself if your plan says pureed fruits are allowed.

I feel like almost every question that I answer on the forum ends with "but make sure you check with your surgeon and follow his or her advice." I know others do the same. So I propose a new VST acronym: YSMV, or Your Surgeon May Vary--a riff on YMMV, or Your Mileage May Vary. What do you guys think? We may collectively save hours upon hours, right?

LOL! SAFTPAS is awesome! I did eat some popcorn when I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago. I was thinking of the guy who posted his pic with great weight loss and said "This is me after eating some popcorn." LOL! I am normally so regimented with my plan but let myself have a few "treats" during vacation. I can see what a slippery slope it could be. I really didn't overdo it but was not as focused on Protein, had a couple of cocktails, a few boardwalk fries, and yes, popcorn. And some pizza, not much crust. Ugh. I did go swimming or walking every day. But at the end of the day, I gained 4 lbs, bc my body likes it when I am very regimented. :-) I got it back off already (quicker than a normal loss--about 1 week) but if I had stayed on plan, I would probably be down at least another pound or two. LL (lesson learned).