happyhippo

i got it an I am not quite 50 yet...lol I am 3 mos out. I spent my post op time off work watching the food channel. I did ok. But my husband is very supportive and he tried to not eat in front of me if he thought I would really like what he was eating. I however, dont have small children. So I now have a rule that if I feel I absolutely cannot pass up something. 3 bites. 3 bites...(i don't mean a mouthful) I mean 3 bites. but i am not finding a lot of things I cant pass up. For me this tool is my way to keep the weight off. I am determined to do this. And, the NUT training before hand did help so much. It is a life changing process. We will lose some battles. BUT WE WILL WIN THE WAR.....

hi i am 3 mos out and I still use shakes. I make protein shakes with fruit and greek yogurt and i make one each morning with just 1% milk and protein powder, In this manner I get 20g of my protein right off the bat. and I also mix my calcium supplement powder in this shake each day. But, I like shakes so it has not been an issue for me. I did use ALOT of pureed food for a change though. I thought it was amazing how good something like chili tasted pureed when it looked so ugly.lol.

my surgeon told me post op snacking is ok. you will only be able to eat really small portions at a time. drink lots of water and pick healthy snacks that follow your eating regimen post op.

I added protein shakes to replace meals. With that and the food log for the NUT, I lost 20 pounds before surgery and have had no complications. you also might try the sugar free popcicles and no sugar added fruit pops.

[ That is the hardest thing for me. I still eat too fast and get that "one bite too many" feeling....I am a work in progress.

that is what my surgeon told me at my 1 mo follow up. I go 06/17 for my 3 mo. i am averaging 1 -2 pounds a week right now I think. I think it will slow down the closer to "goal" that i get. We shall see.

The exercise part is a BIG change for me. I am going to try a 2x wk visit to the gym and walk on my "gazelle" the other nights. Of course I am mostly doing the gym to utilize the weight training for strength although I do like the treadmills and the elipticals...lol. I only have a 3 mo free trial membership so we will see how this goes.

MY PHASE 3, 4 WEEKS POST OP ALLOWED THE ADDITION OF SOME SALTINE CRACKERS. I AM INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW MY "BIBLE". THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO ME BY THE NUT. SO I FOLLOWED IT PRETTY MUCH WORD FOR WORD ADDING THINGS AS INSTRUCTED.

I am so excited about this weight loss. And that I have to change eating habits is forcing me to make adjustments I could not do on my own. This is my chance to keep off this weight. I meet with a trainer at the gym tonight. Gotta work on tightening up some abs and triceps....lol.. Thanks so much for commenting. We can do this journey together.

I am so happy to hear from someone who is so close in dates....lol. I usually start my day with a Protein shake/ 1% milk. I add my Calcium powder to this. Then I drink something on the way to work since I commute an hour both ways. Usually it is Water or a diet tea or something like that. I also purchase Bariwise fruit drink mixes. They have like 15 grams of protein in 8 oz servings. I tend to get hungry about 10 or so since I ate Breakfast so early. I have a snack. lunch is whatever I am having that day. Deli lunch meat. A boiled egg. Today it is leftover Mother's Day lunch. Chicken/rice. I drink water all day. I use SF flavorings. If there is something I want to try and it might not be good for me. If I choose to try it 3 bites is the limit. Like the cupcakes I made for my niece's birthday this weekend. I am in the process of gathering diabetic friendly/WLS friendly/ sugar free recipes. If (and I try not to) I cook....I try to use the low fat/reduced sugar/SF options when I can. My husband has not said anything tasted bad yet. I utilize sugar free popscicles and no sugar added fruit pops. I make smoothies and have a juicer I don't get to use as much as I would like. Mostly I just do my day to day stuff. I eat what I can when I need to and try to get the water in...Avoiding sugar is my biggest change and that is a constant challenge. The only thing I really am having problems with is the slowing down when I eat. I have always worked where you had a short lunch, scarfed it down and went on or ate at your desk. It is the hardest part for me still. I keep chugging along but that one bite too many is uncomfortable. Can you tell I like to talk?

I agree with Ms. AntiBand. I eat differently sometimes on a daily basis. I feel like I cant eat as much some days. My Dr. told me the healing process was 12+ weeks so I just chalk it up to "I am still healing". And I know for me the ounces depend on what it is. The thinner, the more oz I can eat. Every day is a learning experience.

Hang in there!. We all start somewhere and its all an individual journey. God Bless.

HI. I started my process on October 30, 2012. I was initially preparing for Lap Band. But after a LOT of research I chose to have the VSG done. I did my prep for the insurance company and lost almost 20 pounds by watching food intake, and logging EVERYTHING I ate. The NUT was so excited by my little notes and comments, LOL. Anyway I put the procedure off til March because my hubby and I were booked on a cruise for our anniversary in February. My surgery date was March 14, 2013. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I don't remember ever not being overweight. My goal was to get back down to a size 18....lol. But the doctor says my goal is 158. I will work toward whatever I can achieve. I am slowing adding exercise. This is hard for me because of time. I work over and hour from home so I am traveling 2.5 hours a day. Essentially, I am gone from home 11.5 hours a day and I require sleep so I don't have a lot of "extra" time. I am walking two or three days a week and I am adding weights for my upper arms. It is a process, but a process I am committed to finish....and maintain! I wanted to join this forum so I could have some support available as things arise. To date, I have not had any problems. My surgery went smoothly, post op was not a problem and I am now 7+ weeks out from surgery and the Phases have not posed any issues yet with food. Just really wanted to say Hi and start to get to know other "sleevers".