ShrinkingBiker

Thanks I am glad to know that it's just the honeymoon thing. It's good to know that. It might just be new stomach confidence, but even beyond small portions and excluding special occasions (eating out is usually a once a month thing or less for us) My wife and I have made major dietary changes. We eat much healthier meals then we used to and substitute healthier ingredients for ones that are less healthy.. I've been following Bobby Dean's show "Not my momma's Meals" which takes his mother Paula Dean's recipes and makes them healthier lowering carbs, fat and calories. Not everything on there is a home run, but lots of them are really good, and good for you. Might be worth checking out for those of you who are looking for healthier recipes too.. We have been using my post surgery recovery time to really change the way we both eat, and our overall health in general.. Besides my MMA training, we both now go to the gym 3 days a week. Sundays we take a long hike instead of the gym. Right now my workout schedule is Mon / Wed / Fri Gym with wife Mon-sat MMA training Sundays hike, or walk w/ wife. I am pretty sure that is why the weight has slowed since week 6.. That's when I started working out again so I am probably rebuilding muscle as well as burning fat.

OK, I've been reading a lot here about what people eat at my stage (8 weeks out) and I'm a little concerned that I am not able to eat even a fraction of what others can.. Example.. Last night we took my mother out for Mothers day.. It wasn't anything fancy as we where gutting a bathroom in the apartment building they just purchased.. We went to a local diner, and I ordered the pot roast. It came with salad, mashed potato, and green Beans. I ate the cucumber off the salad, and a tiny piece of chicken from a fajita that they got as an app. I mean a tiny piece like a pinky tip.. Then I had 1 slice of the pot roast (it was thinly sliced like a spiral ham and about 3 inches round. That was all I could eat.. I had them pack up the rest and my wife had it today. I would expect at this point to be able to eat a bite of salad, and maybe 2 slices of meat some vegge and maybe a bite of potato. I didn't drink anything before the meal either. The other night a bunch of us went out for a ride on the bikes, and stopped at a bar to eat.. I ordered 5 buffalo shrimp and only was able to eat 3 of them. took the other 2 and the fries home. Is it possible that there is still swelling in the stomach at this far out, and it will loosen up at some point, or is this what I will be expecting to eat for the rest of my life. I am down a lot since surgery, and while I am not loosing what I was the first month, I slowed to about 4-5lbs a week. My main worry is when I hit goal, how will I be able to up the calories enough to maintain that weight if I can't hardly get anything in this tiny gut of mine.

awesome.. thanks all.. I'd love to hear from some of the vets too silly thing to worry about.. I just let my head get ahead of me.

30-30-30 pretty much is your new rule as far as I know. The pain does stop, but portions for me are very small still.. I haven't had bread, but I can't finish say a normal burger patty (not the giant ones you get at chili's, but the thinner ones you see at bbq's. Some foods are a little easier then others.. I was pretty much able to eat anything without much issue, but like I said very small amounts.

Yes, I had the same issue upped my water intake and it's helped.

I was told 6 weeks before going back to mma, riding my motorcycle, and lifting weights. So I would guess that would be about the same for basketball and cricket.

If you are not apposed to cheese I find that to be something that I enjoy and gives decent protein. Cottage, ricotta, cheddar (just chew it til it's like paste) they all come in low / no fat versions too.

It really depends on what you do. Desk work or non standing work should only need a week or so to recover. If you lift heavy stuff 4-6 weeks.

Hi! congrats on starting your new life

It is really your choice.. but yes, it is kind of becoming a thing of the past.. I was sleeved on March 20th and right now I am down from 326lbs (147 kg) to 264lbs. (119kg) The plus of the band is it is fully adjustable and reversible. Some of the downsides are some lose little weight and gain much of it back after a year scarring on stomach where the band is irritation from band having to go back often for adjustments Sleeve also has it's ups and down. It's permanent.. They remove a large portion of your stomach Heart burn is common (it is also an issue with banding from what I was told) It's a more invasive surgery However, the results from sleeve is greater then with the band, and the results are usually longer lasting with less gained back once you hit your goal. The sleeve is in the middle when it comes to complications right after the surgery, but has lower long term issues as compared to the bypass and the band. (many on here have had to remove the band and revise it to a sleeve. Also, my doc said that usually in 10 or so years the band would need to be removed to replaced. Hope this helps.. These where the things that where reason I went for the sleeve.

I can eat anything, but very little of it still (sleeved March 20) tonight we had pierogies and onions and I was only able to eat 2 of them. I'm not complaining.. I do with I had a little less restriction at this point though.. I worry that I will never get passed the meat in my meals ever again.. lol

I'm sure there where a lot of reason he chose that.. I think the recovery time is faster, and I was what made him comfortable. The abiltiy to remove it down the road also probably played a part as well.. It is each persons choice what they want.. I chose sleeve, my friend chose bypass, and my ex-boss did sleeve.. we all had our reasons for our choices, and he is allowed to have his. I do think taking this step is a great thing for him. He is a really nice guy (met him a few times) and he's a great governor. On a more selfish note, I really don't want him to run for president until he is done with his 2nd term in jersey.

It's not fun.. I get mine in a capsule too.. Every time I take it I feel sick for a good hour or two.

I think this is something that would better be answered by your doctor.. The advise mine gave on the diet is to always revert back to the liquids if you where having issues and try again in another week or so.

I've seen it listed as low as .01% up to 2% but keep in mind.. This is a surgery like any other.. Things CAN go wrong, but as long as you have a very competent doctor most likely you will be fine. There is a risk of leaks after, but most doctors test and retest for them, so as long as you follow their diet you should be ok. Blood clots are another.. My doc had leg squeezers on me, and blood thinners.. Walk as much as you can post surgery to help with those as well. Infection is another risk.. Keep your wounds clean and wash your hands regularly. What I am getting at here is it is a surgery, but you and your doctor can do a lot to prevent these things from happening. Follow the instructions given to you and you should be fine.. I had it in my head that I may not make it off the table, and it was just added stress for nothing as I am alive and well and lost 60 lbs already. It's worth the risk in my eyes.

how short where you on the bmi? I know it sounds so crazy, but if it's close, then maybe put on a few?

been on Zoloft since 2008 and while I had some weight gain it was not the cause of all of the gain.. I am still on it, and losing fine.. 58ish lbs in 6 weeks. If it works for you don't change it. It was very hard to find something that worked for me.. I was also on welbutrin but have stopped taking it because depression isn't an issue right now. Zoloft I take for anxiety and it takes the edge off so well for me I don't want to stop taking it just yet.

I think it's fine to have stuff that you may like in moderation, but at least wait until you are cleared by your doctor.. Example, I am not on full solids.. Yesterday as a TREAT I had a little bit of chinese boneless spare ribs, and a 1/2 an egg roll.. I didn't come on here posting about how bad it was for me.. I KNOW it isn't the healthiest choice.. but it stayed down, didn't make me uncomfortable, and I enjoyed it.. It's not an every day meal choice.. On the other hand, if you are still on one of the post op stages, I don't feel too bad telling you it was not a smart thing to eat a bag of rolls while on liquids.. It's stupid and dangerous.. and if someone is to take offense to that, then that's not really my problem.. I'm here to help anyone who wants it.. weather it is acting as a sounding board or telling them about the experience that I went through.. I don't pretend to be a know it all, and I don't try to scold people for choices that might not be the healthiest things but are used as a treat.

I have UH.. I'm a bit stressed as I just got aletter from them with their payout info.. and they are saying I owe 10,000 because the surgery was not approved.. My doctor said it was, and when I called a while back the lady said I was.. I am really praying that this is some sort of error.

Well, today was day 1.. hopefully my body adjusts to it. I took it and about an hour later felt like my stomach was upset, and gassy. I kinda felt like that feeling like when you have the flew and almost don't feel like you are in your own skin.. It's hard to explain.. I didn't get any heartburn flair ups though.. which is good, and the gas was just a bloated feeling and didn't develop into anything more. It's just not a feeling I would want to deal with if I was going out somewhere,or doing something.

I think you look awesome.. Thanks for posting the pics. Extra skin is a big worry for me.. if I end up in your boat (minus the boobs, well.. and the bra and panties cause well, I'm a guy) I will be happy with it.. I'm so worried I will have to get another surgery to fix it, and I really don't want the body lift.

My doc put me on actigal.. Today was my first dose, and i really felt like crap from it.. he said it might happen.. but to take it once a way for this week then 2 times a day after that for 6 months.. If I could.. his words.. So I don't know if I can keep it up.. I'll try for now.

I used one at about a month out without thinking about it.. no ill effects.. but to be honest, I was never a straw user.

It's a bit rough until you move on to soft solids.. you will get there. The puree was kinda hard, but nothing compared to pre-op for me.. Just tough it out for a few more weeks and your world will get better. I'm 5/12 weeks out and even compared to last week I am able to take in food much easier. I'm struggling with dense Protein like meatloaf or burger patties (turkey buffalo beef) but for whatever strange reason steak type meats do fine. chicken still doesn't work for me. Right now I am sticking with fresh broiled or baked fish, the frozen meatballs you get in the freezer section which are much more soft then the home made ones, tuna salad is a little harder for me, but I can do about 1/4 can. I think the adjusting to the new life is much harder then getting over not being able to eat some things. Just stick in there and be as strong as you can.. If you need someone to chat with feel free to add me on facebook or pm here.. I'm happy to help anyone and everyone even if just standing in as a sounding board.

I was having cottage cheese, ricotta bake (ricotta cheese, mozz cheese, crushed garlic, italian seasoning, onion chopped fine, and one egg mixed in and tomato sauce and more mozz on top) It made a lot but it was easy to reheat.. Warning, my wife ate most of it... so mark it yours if you don't want it gone.. lol I also did chili blended down, yogart but not greek, fat free ice pops, I had mac and cheese with tuna mixed in it one time.. but Pasta is too many carbs so it was a treat. hmm.. Carnation instant Breakfast sugar free, scrambled egg with cheese and bacon bits, seafood salad blended to a spread, pickle juice.. yes.. I did that.. Cream of wheat, oatmeal, Water melon, cups of fruit coctail..