TES

I would adapt it for a new way of eating by eliminating the rice and corn (simple carbs--and corn is one of the last things to add to your diet bc it can get caught in your staple line) and adding some Protein and veggies. You could do a sweet veggie like red or yellow bell peppers for the same flavor profile as the corn. You can eat this whenever your surgeon puts you back on regular foods, including veggies. Probably somewhere around 6 to 8 weeks. I would skip the chips while actively trying to lose weight (maybe add a few back in at maintenance), but that is just my personal preference and my doctor's recommendation. Your mileage may vary. I thought I would miss a lot of foods that I really don't miss! The feeling you get from getting healthier every day is something that can't rival previously favorite foods. I have all kinds of new favorite foods or adaptations of previous favorite foods, too.

My doctor says 4 months (16 weeks) for nuts and seeds. I am 11 weeks out and this is the one case in which I now eat them in moderation before the recommended timeline but chew very, very well. I am so by the book, but I am a vegetarian and knew that being able to eat 1 100-calorie pack of almonds and a little bit of chia seed every day would give me another much-needed food/snack option (not cheese! and not processed!) and keep me from having cravings while keeping the digestive system moving. I'm going to tell them at my 12-week checkup that I started early. I saw lots of people here eating them at 6 weeks. With that said, I recommend following your surgeon's guidelines and not advancing yourself.... I will wait the full 4 months to eat something like half of an "everything" bagel thin--which would be a rare occurrence, anyhow.

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-chia!" They are tasty, good for us, and even decorative on a clay figurine. Seriously, though, I love chia seeds sprinkled on my Greek yogurt. Pre-op, I would eat oatmeal, topped with Greek yogurt and then Chia seeds. Now I don't eat the oatmeal, but still very good.

Also, it could be hormonal--especially if you are perimenopausal. Weight loss throws off all kinds of hormones!

VSG is such a crazy world--we consider a 5-pound-a-week weight loss "slow," where pre-op, that would have been miraculous! We consider a morbidly obese BMI of 35 as being "a low BMI." We think 1 cup of food is a LOT. It's all relative--and it's the new normal!!!! :-)

Now that's an awesome transfer addiction!!

Maybe you could make some healthy treats for the fam, like homemade protein bars with oatmeal or something like that? Even if they don't have a weight problem, it could still affect their health. Maybe try something crafty, like making jewelry or knitting? Volunteering somewhere? PT job?

If it makes you feel any better, I started with a high BMI, I never, every go off plan, drink all of my water and get in all of my protein, track everything on MFP, have been walking since week 1 and back at the gym within a few weeks--and I have lost a little less than you have--but in 11 weeks, so almost twice as long. I think we are all different. Actually you have lost about 5 pounds a week, which I believe puts you on the high end of average. Hang in there and think how much that would be in 6 months or a year (I don't know how much you have to lose). Even 4 pounds a week over 5 months is 80 pounds! 5 months is nothing--it will fly by. Congrats on your loss so far and keep up the GREAT work!!!

Are you sure it's the surgeon's requirement and not your health plan's requirement?

OMG these are awesome! Thank you all for lifting my spirits...and heart-felt congratulations. Please keep them coming, everyone!

My hair just started falling out too (11 weeks post-op). I get plenty of protein and take biotin and a multi vitamin (plus Vit D and B12), which I think may be helping keep the extra loss to a minimum, if that makes sense. I just notice more hair in my brush and shedding during the day, but it's not noticeable on my hairline or anything yet (hopefully never). I have somewhat fine hair but I have a lot of it, so that probably helps. Also, my hair is past my shoulders, and I think when your hair is longer, you notice hair loss more. At least that's what my hair stylist says. It seems like more is coming out than actually is.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/

Looking good!

What I was trying to communicate is that just because someone has true physical hunger, it doesn't mean that something went wrong with the surgery. It is within the realm of normal and is not as uncommon as is sometimes believed. However, we can still resist the hunger through discipline and by eating the right things, and we also still feel restriction. I've honestly never wondered if the surgery was going to work. I knew that I would lose weight more slowly than others due to my body's metabolic efficiency (related in part to some endocrine issues and probably yo yo dieting), but I'm happy with it so far and have been since immediately post-op. Wishing you all the best with your surgery...I'm sure that it will go great!

He does not sound very supportive. You deserve better...at any weight! Congratulations on taking this step towards better health. You will do great!

So I was watching all of the wedding shows on TLC today (don't ask me why, I have been married for almost 20 years and am not planning a wedding for anyone else, but I still like them). While watching, I suddenly got this crazy craving for white wedding cake with raspberry filling. I never even liked sweets before VSG, so I do not know why I was thinking about it. I could have gone to the store and bought a piece and just had a couple of bites, but even then, who would I be "cheating"--myself, that's who. So instead, I decided to try a "goal" (very early progress goal, not final goal) bathing suit that I bought. It's a Miracle Suit (halter, really cute) and 6 (women's plus) sizes smaller than the suits I usually wear to work out. I never thought it would fit in a million years, especially because Miracle Suits usually run a size (2 women's sizes) smaller, but it did! I don't look great of course, but I look like a healthier version of ME. Plus the suit has underwire, which is so much nicer than the soft cups--which I know other ladies who wear a bigger cup size can relate to. I couldn't find the underwire in bigger-sized suits (which makes no sense, but I digress). So now I am so happy, I am not only not going to tempt myself with anything that isn't on plan, I am going to go work out in my new bathing suit! I already have it on, after all. Also, I saw a friend that I haven't seen since before VSG, and she asked if I had lost some weight. I said "a little" (probably 35 pounds pre- and post-op since I've seen her), and she said, "No, a LOT!" It was my first compliment! I think people may start noticing more bc I am starting to wear "mini goal" clothes that I had bought a while ago (also like having a new wardrobe without spending $$). Our weight loss is definitely more obvious in more fitted clothes.

Have you tried mixing it up? My RD really believes in alternating higher and lower calorie days as well as higher and lower carb days (when I do it, I do "good" carbs such as berries and still within reason) to break stalls. This is the ONLY thing that has helped me break a stall, except for more water. I keep protein consistent at 80 g or above, and haven't noticed a difference when I bump up to 100-120 g. Your mileage may vary, but it might be worth a try. I don't think that you have to track it exactly if you're 7 months post op--you probably would have a feel for a lower vs higher calorie/carb day. Good luck!

Actually, I have heard around 50 percent of VSG patients still experience physical hunger. Ghrelin is also made in your brain and your pancreas and it also takes a while to dissipate once the fundus is removed. I am 11 weeks post-op and my physical hunger is just starting to dissipate (yay!). Still have some head hunger, but it's nice the physical hunger is diminishing. I don't think it will ever go away completely, though. I know others' experience is different--but I think it's important not to generalize. We all have our own journey and experiences and that doesn't mean that something went wrong with the surgery.

SOOOOOOO true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like x 1 million!

Congrats! My husband took a few days off after my surgery and it was so nice to have him around, but I probably could have done it without anyone here if I had to. I did feel better having him outside the bathroom when I took my first shower (he helped me dry off, too, though I probably could have dripped dry if necessary). When my abdomen was still swollen and my incisions were sore, it was great to have his help with housework and laundry. Also, when I needed some things from the store and wasn't up to going myself, nice to have help. But again, it was a nice to have and I think you could get by on your own if needed. Not sure how long you will be in the hospital, but it's nice to have someone at home the first night you are home to check on you during the night, etc. Good luck with your surgery!!!

congratulations on the adoption! I think you are very smart to stay here for the surgery given your family history with anesthesia. My mom is a retired OR nurse and she always says who you pick as your anesthesiologist is just as important, if not more, than the surgeon. I would see if you can ask around about who's the best and request that person. Also, in your case, it might be a good idea to ask for a pre-op consult with the anesthesiologist due to the family history. The regular CPAP use will be extremely important for a successful anesthetic procedure--not just a hoop to jump through. It WILL make a difference. Your oxygen sat rate can be affected by sleep apnea, which is very important peri-operatively. As far as attending the group meeting, I so know what you mean. I hate group things, and if you want your privacy and are well known in your community, that would be a double concern. Can you call your surgeon's office and ask if they have an alternative option? You may be able to get a private consult with the medical staff and/or may be able to do an online tutorial. My surgeon's office offered both and I skipped the group meeting. Post-op, I also don't do the group meetings--I see my PA and RD separately (in part because I'm a vegetarian, so much of what's talked about in group meetings doesn't apply to me--and partly bc I also like my privacy and am not big on group sharing type stuff). Good luck...I'm sure that everything will be great, and that you will be a happy, healthy dad and husband as a result!

Congrats on making it to the 100s! that's awesome. good luck with your next goals! You look great btw!

So glad to hear that you are feeling well!

My stomach gurgled for about the first 3-4 weeks and then it stopped, except when I eat soup (same as MrsG). I am wondering if this is because we aren't supposed to have solids and liquids together and technically that's what soup is? So I try to only eat thicker soups or pour off some of the broth, like a thick black bean soup.

I know that this was just an illustration in your longer post, but protein is SO important, including during the first 2 weeks! It helps you heal and get stronger and my surgeon wrote in our pre-op pack that the biggest reason for hair loss later on is not getting enough protein during the first 2 weeks. What the RD might say is to focus on fluid first and then protein those first few days/week, because you definitely don't want to dehyrdate. But you can get them both in, and at first the water requirements are 48 oz, or 64 oz or more if you can tolerate it. The liquid protein, especially if thinned out, should be do-able during those first weeks.