Teachamy

I added Benefiber to everything that I ate or drank. When that didn't work, I used Miralax. (Which didn't cause cramping.) Now that I am almost 7 months out, I use several gummy supplements a day, and make sure I am getting in my recommended Water. I also drink 1-2 c. of coffee a day, which helps a lot.

If I might barf if i eat one more bite, I know I've hit my limit.

Yes. And you're probably not taking in very many calories. Make sure you are drinking protein shakes if they're allowed for you.

Go RJ! Hot stuff!

Thanks to some of the vets for posting. I have been thinking a lot about it, and I don't plan to stay in the 150's. I am currently a size 10-12, and I'd much rather be in the 8-10 range. Or even 6. Yes, maybe it is "vanity weight", but it's my body and I want to feel like I have reached the milestone I have set for myself. Thanks especially to you, CowgirlJane

I miss hearing from vets on this page. I get a lot of nice advice from newbies and those who are pre-op, but I wish I could hear from those of you I remember and recognize. People who are going through what I am going through right now.

I appreciate this, thanks. My goals have been shifting slightly. As it turns out, I am only 5'4", so a "normal" BMI for me is 145. I know it sounds like I am hyper-focused on a number, but I am not the type to weigh every day. I weigh every 2 weeks or so, and it has never been a focus of mine until now that I am so near goal.

I You may get a number of replies to your post and ultimately all are most likely somewhat right and somewhat wrong. When two experts have different opinions in this situation, their opinion is based on experience. You need to view each opinion as right and ultimately listen to what your body is telling you, within the parameters of the experts you are utilizing. Personally I think you need to get to the place you feel most comfortable with yourself. It's not necessarily a number. Currently you don't know what 140 will feel like. The only potential problem with what I'm saying is if you are at a point of being obsessed with a number OOPS! SORRY! LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THIS RIGHT! (See below)

Do you track your calories on an app like My Fitness Pal? It should help you keep track of what you're eating and if you're meeting your nutrition goals.

Initially, my center said 600-800 calories a day. 60+ grams of Protein, under 60 grams of carbs, 8 glasses of Water. Now that I am nearly 7 months out, they have told me 900 calories a day.

I have decided to start asking people what they weigh when they ask me about my weight. What an excellent idea! Should make people understand what it feels like to be a WLS loser. (And it's good for my research into the evil minds of others...Mwa haa haa...)

I use straws every day. I am typically a rule follower, but in this instance, I find it much easier to get in my Water with a straw. Wait until your sleeve is healed (about 3 months) and give it a try. If it bothers you, or you find it fills your tummy with air, don't do it. I have met many people who also have no problems with straws.

You're doing a lot of exercise for so early out! Because your calories must still be very low, you are not taking in enough calories for the amount of exercise you are doing. Although it may seem counterproductive, I would recommend slowing down the exercise regimen until you can take in enough fuel for your body. You are in starvation mode right now and your body is fighting you to hold on to everything it can. I would recommend using My Fitness Pal to keep track of calories and Protein, It helps a lot. Take it slow, get in your protein and Water, and you'll see the pounds come off.

My bariatric center dietician ( a new one, as of today) has told me to shoot for 145, rather than 140, and to eat no less than 900 calories a day. She says if I go below that, I won't be able to maintain the loss...I disagree. My diabetic dietician ( love and trusted for 10 + yrs.) has said, "hear me tell you that you can "shoot" for whatever goal you want, but 160-155 is a good weight." I am still overweight on the BMI charts I have seen, so I am going by that. I will not be a "normal" weight until I get to 149. Lots of confusing info. from the folks who are supposed to know about this stuff!

I see a lot of people talking about "curves" and I guess this question must have a lot to do with body type. The only "curves" I ever had were my breasts (which are tolerable) and my butt-in-the-front.(so NOT cute!) So since I don't have hips or a butt to speak of, skinny is just fine with me!

OK, yes. My ideal would also be a size 8. Maybe a 6. The last time I remember being smaller than that, I was in 6th grade, and I think that would be too much for my lady-frame. (I developed boobage since age 12!) So that's what I am going for. I feel pretty good as a size 10 and wonder what it will be like to dip into the single digit range. It is too much fun to bring in my size 31 (12) jeans to the consignment store!!!!!!! Buh-bye size 12!

Experienced peep here to say please. please, please GET OFF THE SCALE! I know it's a tough addiction to break, we seem to go from food addiction to scale addiction, but I am here to tell you, too much scale is like too much food. it is counterproductive and directly affects our mood. We can't allow Water weight, surgery weight, and daily weight fluctuations to dictate to us how we feel. Weigh no more than once a week, at the same time of day. Then get your scale out of your sight! If you do this, you will see the pounds drop. As for me, I had a low BMI to begin with, so I am a "slow loser", but I don't weigh often enough to worry about it. Every once in while, I seem to be averaging about 2.5 weeks right now, I drop in to my bariatric center to get weighed by their well-calibrated and reliable scale. I usually see a 4-5 pound decrease in weight, which feels pretty darn good. If I weighed daily, I would only see tiny fluctuations in the right direction, and probably many in the wrong direction. This way I know, what is off is off for good! You are doing the right thing, and I hope you don't let your scale addiction get you down!

Let me get this right...you put an egg into chicken broth and feel like you're failing because of it? Have you been doing anything else that is "off plan"? Honey, I take it you are in a clear liquid phase right now. Of course you want food! Your body needs food to survive, otherwise, we would all be on liquid diets forever. You aren't even 2 weeks out of surgery yet. Try to relax. Once you go onto full liquids and finally food, I think you will see your relationship with food begin to change. I was a little weepy at first too, and I dreamed of Pasta at night. (Weird, huh?) But now I am very happy I made this change. You will be too! You can do this!!!

Are you at your maintenance weight? (Or were you, before you started to gain?) Are you tracking your calories/carbs on MFP? Have you been weight training? I am 6 mos. out and still at a loss phase, but these were my ideas...

There is no guarantee the surgery will cure Type II, however, it does a hell of a job getting rid of insulin resistance! So if you maintain the post-sleeve diet and keep your carbs reasonable, your body should have no problems pumping out the right amount of insulin. I am Type I (autoimmune) but I had a lot of insulin resistance as well. I may have been a Type I /Type II hybrid. At any rate, now that the insulin resistance is gone, my blood glucose levels are far easier to control. What a relief!

It all depends on where you start, how well you stick to the plan, and how your body reacts. Some of us lose really fast. Some of us (like me) start with a 35 BMI, and it takes us 6 mos. to lose what others lose in 2. Sorry, but that is the best answer I can give. Oh! I almost forgot...get OFF the scale for a while. It helps.

Measure, measure, measure. That being said, when you burp or hiccup, stop and assess. Are you done? It is important to learn that "almost full" feeling. Once you master it, you'll know when you get there. Sometimes those 2 or 3 oz. is just too much, so be prepared to save some for later. Or maybe it just means that you are eating too fast?