Reigo

Unless they have 11pm support group, that can't happen. I work until 8 or 9pm when international. Tat and I would imagine a support group in Madrid would be in Spanish. My Spanish is good enough to order food, find a bathroom, shoe store, shop, and curse! I actually haven't attended a support group at all yet but plan to If I am not traveling.

So having been there and done that with the bright eyed bushy tailed (or honeymoon syndrome) and now realizing what the real constant struggle is, how hard is it not to be jaded here? Most people posting are newly sleeved and are so fresh and eager with the easier road still being travelled. While its great that their outlook is positive, it must get a bit difficult to read all these types of posts. Just curious when the rose tinted glasses came off for you? I am only 7 weeks out and realize I. Am facing an uphill battle for life. Wanted the solution but realize I only got a calculator! Still up to me to solve the problem...

Besides making smoothies with these, any other good uses for PB2 or PB2 with chocolate?

Ok, just googled and found this...so excited to try a few recipes! http://www.bellplantation.com/recipes But still chime in with any suggestions or recipes. All welcomed.

I have tried them all (I think): Weight watchers Adkins South beach Acupuncture Every diet pill known Cabbage Soup diet What about you?

Nope! I didn't have a BM for 8 days post op and that required medication to help. Once I did, I was fine though! It's horrible when you can't go!

I love reading all the responses-thanks for posting!

I forgot about sensa! Lol

Love it! And you grew a few inches too

I have only lost 25 pounds since surgery and been stalled with no weight loss for 4 or 5 weeks now. You are doing awesome. That stuff is horrible. It's so hard but think where you are and why you did the surgery in the first place.

Looking great! You look so much younger too! Keep up the great job

Both! They are a healthy source of protein and carbs.

I am around 9-10 weeks out and can eat around 60% of my old capacity. I can eat 12-16 ounces of food with Normal size bites and chewing. I can chug liquids without even thinking about it. I feel like my surgery was a failure. My doctor said "just cause you CAN eat 16 ounces doesn't mean you should" well, no kidding but why did I go through all of this just for a slight reduction! I know surgery is a tool but there's no honeymoon period here! I watch everything I eat to keep at 1200 calories and it's a concerted effort. I do the elliptical for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Results are so slow and I have been stalled for 4 or 5 weeks straight now. I am having NSVs but still can't help to feel depressed. My doc basically said that he doesn't want to over- restrict so I woud struggle to eat but I feel I have no boundaries, other than my own self imposed restrictions. I don't want to go through it again so I guess I just have to take the desire to loose and work hard...

I would guess it depends on the amount of elasticity in your skin. Some people's skin tightens up with exercise and others doesn't. When you are clear for exercise, I would start.

I had the exact same thing to the point I started to throw up from an intense migraine. It was horrible. I feel for you but post op, it will be better if you can work through it. Sorry

I think you might be right about that- it makes sense and it does heal faster. Guess my honeymoon period is over before it started

I suppose down the road I could get the sleeve but I really don't want to go through that again. For me, the cost difference was huge since my insurance covered most of this procedure. I used a well known doctor here with over 20,000 surgeries and great reviews. Just think I didn't quite get the restriction I hoped for.

I belong to that site but there's no activity on it alpt all. I posted nearly 2 weeks ago asking what others calorie intake is now and what it was before surgery and no responses. I ask here and got a dozen responses. I wish that other site had more activity but I do find useful and informative information on this site so I am more active here. It's still helpful to find support, eating tips, info like the valve (which I didn't know). So I work with where I can find data...

Both the nut and the doc thought my calorie intake is good. Plication does have a slower weight loss rate. I have lost 25 pounds post op but it's tapered off. Inches are coming off though so that's good. At 1000-1200, I am really restricting my intake to healthy options, primarily Protein, veggies and some low carb options like flax oat pita (50 calories). Don't think I could cut it much more unless I used Water to replace a meal and trick my stomach to be full.

I try not to but I love spicy food so sometimes I have 1-2 small to cool the burn but as a rule, I generally don't. Another vet here explained to me about the phyloric valve (sp?) so since then, I don't drink before or after.

No. This was my first big step with a wls. I had gastric plication which is different but in theory I should have more restriction. I chose plication because insurance covered all but 5,000 of it and no insurance clearing process (and my BMI wasn't high enough to qualify for any other wls)

Thanks. It is hard to think I went through all this but that's the cards I was dealt. I just need to want this bad enough and work hard

I got gastric plication which I know is different but in principal, it restricts the stomach's capacity and should yield the same level of restriction. My friend had it and has restriction just lie the sleeve.

I was on clear liquid for a week before protein shakes. The advise given is good. Focus on liquid and walk. The pain is so much better in a week and by three, it's almost gone all together.

Thanks for sharing! It's great to know what the long road entails. I just posted that I feel my surgery was a failure because I can eat 60% of my old capacity at 10 weeks out but I guess it doesn't matter even if I did have restriction, I could gain. Looks like its just old fashioned hard work...