Recycled

I really don't plan on doing anything different. It doesn't actually feel like a finish line. I've gotten used to my new eating habits and foods and exercise routines, so I plan on just continuing the same from here on out. I'm even gonna keep the mindset that my goal is farther off in the distance.....as in a couple of years. I want the new pattern to get set in stone before I let up......Besides.....I don't really miss anything, so it's not about cravings or wrong foods. I think keeping up the exercise will be the challenge. All new territory for me....so we'll see. I will be paying very close attention to the vets and how they maintain as well.

Counting on the "feeling full" effect can be a very imprecise method. I agree with CowgirlJane...... Measure/ or weigh everything....and stick to the measured amounts.

I know the idea of "tiny" or a few ounces or a "shot" sounds beneficial, especially from the Protein angle.......but.....when it comes to liquids, less is really not a benefit. Along with protein, you also need to get in a significant amount of fluids daily. The norm is at least 8 glasses or 64 ounces. So while there is no real set in stone method....when it comes to liquids......more is better.....even when mixed with protein. Added note: make sure to pay attention to the sugars and calories in those high protein shots.

word for word exactly my thoughts as well.

Nothing........the hospitals will go bankrupt if they can't charge you $110.00 for a tube of chapstick. No, really......take what little you can. Or to say it in another way. Don't take anything. You won't need it. You're gonna be sleeping or if you are awake......you're gonna want to be sleeping. You'll be in some crappy gown (you won't care) and flashing everybody as you walk the halls and then......back to sleep. You'll be groggy and probably won't make coherent sentences.......and when your mind finally clears up.....you'll go home In the comfortable clothes you wore in........that are in the plastic bag they gave you.......So.....you need nothing. Enjoy your rest.

@@katesuccess, Thank you for your kind words. I was always taught that if others can do it, no reason why I can't, so just do it. But I'm also old enough and experienced in life enough to know.....that's sometimes alot harder then just sayin it.......so Support is always good too. So I'll keep doing what I do and we can all keep supporting everyone else so they can achieve their goals too.

Title - "Bread and Biscuits post op" <-------- my response.....WHY?

Any exercise......!! Just do it. While you can't target any specific area for weight loss, I would think riding a bike or swimming would be the best for toning the stomach and thigh muscles. Or maybe time for some weight machines at the gym. But alas, if it's just loose skin.....not much can be done short of plastic surgery.

Mirrors and pictures were always my reality check before. And they are now too. So the idea of keeping pictures around of before and after to keep me in check is what I'm gonna do too.

This weight loss thing can certainly get expensive...... Since my surgery, I have worked extremely hard to get in shape as I lost the weight and now that I have reached my goal weight.......... I setup an upcoming vacation in March to go snow skiing at Breckenridge CO. The thing is......all my ski stuff was so old from years ago, I had to upgrade to all new stuff. Wow.......the costs of everything has gone thru the roof. But now with all new gear and sharp new ski clothes, I'm anxious to hit the slopes again.

Dade here.

It's hard to beat their amount of Protein but I agree they have a strange aftertaste. Kinda like soap. funny thing too, is they foam up like crazy when you rinse out a Water bottle after using it with the Isopure. I either use them cut 50% with water or when I'm really thirsty at the gym and guzzle them so fast I don't notice the taste. With time, you get used to them. Still, for being so expensive, they should taste better.

Relax Ann, I wasn't yelling.....but I get your point.....I'll save it for the "Guys Room"

Seems my comments were taken wrong and a little too harsh. So I apologize if I came on too strong. Sometimes I get carried away and the tone of writing it doesn't come across the same as intended. I have removed it.

I know this is not what you asked but, the farther out you get the more some of those rigid rules start to seem less important. I just eat enough to get in close to my daily goals, concentrating mostly on Protein and fluids. Sometimes I eat 3 distinct meals....other times I graze all day long. But even when I graze, I keep track of whats going in and stop when I get close to my daily limits. If I do go over, I make it up with additional exercise for that day. Now if memory serves me, during the puree stage I wasn't hungry at all and only blended up some concoction about twice a day. Filled in the rest with shakes. I kinda fudged the puree stage anyway as I felt once you chew up the food really good....it's basically "puree".

I completely forgot about bars. I have tried many and while I like Quest the most....(I tried every flavor) .....the Quest "Cookies and cream" are by far the best. Almost too good. I eat at least one a day. I try to get in close to 200g of protein a day and for those numbers, you pretty much have to use supplements.

Just food for thought...... My sleeve was limited to about 3 ounces for several months during the post-op swollen stage......and gradually increased over time (as it relaxed and healed).... to about 6 ounces now. Mind you, it's still is a very restrictive amount, but it now allows me to eat a more rounded meal including veggies and other foods along with my high Protein foods. And as others have said.....just eating a high protein diet at the beginning never seemed to cause any adverse effects. All my blood work levels came back just fine as well.

Wine.....I think it has about .00001 grams of protein. Ok, not funny. Actually, I kinda think they all suck. But you do get used to them enough to tolerate them. I have been drinking Premier Protein shakes every day, since before surgery. I also drink Isopure Zero carb when I go to the gym or ride my bike. And I mix Protein powder in my milk when I eat Kashi Cereal. Thats about it for me. I drink mostly unsweetened tea or just Water.

What winter challenge..... Couldn't help it......a Florida stab........ The stalls are gonna happen and they will take a toll on your desire to continue to exercise... DO NOT GIVE UP......That is the time to make even more effort to get to a gym or bundle up and go outside......do whatever you have to do to keep getting in the exercise. That will break the stall, but more importantly it will solidify your resolve to maintain the change in your lifestyle that must include exercising.

As they would say in "Godfather" " take the morphine.....leave the walk." sleep is a good thing. Makes the time go by faster. But do walk as soon as you can.......you'll feel better.

A guinea pig to go thru the surgery for me....... Don't worry about it, they can get you whatever you absolutely might need and you'll be outa there in a flash anyway..

While you'll soon see much more weight loss.....you won't get rid of the stalls. Later on they will probably get longer too. You have to maintain your resolve and not let it get to you. I had one stall last over six weeks with no loss in weight. I would just exercise harder and concentrate more on meeting my daily intake. They eventually break and the weight keeps coming off. The sleeve has only one job......the rest is up to you.

With the limited space in the sleeve, I just concentrated on getting in as much Protein as I could each time. Didn't leave much if any room for anything else. Hence, my mantra......Eat protein first......Oh, and hydrate....constantly....as in, all day long.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm gonna repeat what your Doc's gonna say at your checkup......Don't worry about the stalls and stay focused on your long term goals. Keep doing what you're doing. The numbers will add up in the end.