Chantel

HW: 212 (2 weeks pre-op) SW: 197 Surgery date: 7/9/13 Current weight: 156 Down: 56 (41 since surgery) Goal: 130 26 pounds to goal

Just reading some of the posts and wanted to say hang in there! I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks on pre-op diet and then 15 pounds or so in the first two weeks post op and then stalled for about a month. Maybe a little longer... Pre-op diet started 6/25. Surgery date 7/9. Down 53 pounds total now. Just stick with your plan. :-)

My surgeon actually recommended it for the first 3 weeks post-op.

Syntrax has a 'naturals' line, but not positive about what those flavors do/do not contain. The description says no artificial sweeteners, though. :-)

Thanks for sharing your photos. :-)

I have a kitchenaid blender and it works fine as long as I don't put too much ice in. I only put 4 cubes in my shake with one scoop of protein powder and one cup of almond milk.

I'm 3 months out... 100 g Protein 50 g carbs 22 g fat

My husband inhales Quest bars. He doesn't consider them off limits whatsoever. :-)

I craved green olives during the liquids stage and drank some of the brine. :-)

I had 3 c-sections in less than 3 years. The sleeve recovery was harder than I expected. I'm wondering if it's because I didn't have a newborn to distract me. :-)

For those of you that are at or near goal, that tracked calories while losing, what was your calorie goal and/or average number of calories on a daily basis? Thanks!

I was very nervous about telling my dad, but I was unsure how he would react. I just thought he might think it was unnecessary or that I could do it myself if I tried harder. In the end, though, I told him just before my surgery date and he was very understanding and supportive. The deciding factor for me, though, was this... What if, heaven forbid, something catastrophic happened in surgery and he didn't even know I was having surgery. I just couldn't live with the possibility of that. I also felt that he might be hurt if I chose not to share my plans with him.

My pre-op diet was: 2 Protein shakes 2 Protein Bars dinner was 5 oz lean protein, 1 - 3 cups of non-starchy veggies and 1 serving of a healthy fat. Last day was Protein Shakes only. I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks.

I've had two so far. Not sure of the dosage. One was pre-op and the second was this Monday. I think I noticed more of a difference this time (post some weight loss).

I take 2 every day. I sometimes take my B-12 at the same time, sometimes not.

Yes, I ate whatever I wanted (pretty much) between my initial consultation and day of surgery. I felt a litte bit out of control, but in the same way that I felt out of control when I failed at a diet. I gained 7 pounds between May 1 and July 9.

I stalled for about a month after the first two weeks and then started to lose again. It was frustrating!

Pain meds and sleep. :-)

I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks pre-op and then about 15 pounds in the first 2 weeks post op. And then I stalled for about a month. No kidding! Them finally started losing again. 11 weeks post op now and down 47 pounds all together. My starting weight was 212 and I'm 5'3". I didn't really do anything different to break the stall except try to eat about 800 calories per day, which my surgeon's PA recommended. :-)

My surgeon's office also gave me a sample of Optisource, which is vitamin and calcium in one. Apparently, some people think they are too chalky, but I liked them. They taste kind of like orange flavored chewable vitamin vitamin C to me.

I like Syntrax Double Stuffed Cookie and Isopure (grape/orange/coconut flavors). Bariatric Advantage orange cream is good too. :-)

I was using nicotine replacement (gum/lozenges) and had surgery. I don't recall if my surgeon tested for it or not, but I did tell him. You might want to just discuss it with your surgeon. Hope that helps.

I'm almost 3 months out and eating about 700 to 900 calories per day. I stalled for about a month starting at week 3, but have been losing fairly consistently since then. I'm down 47 pounds and I'm 5'3". Starting weight was 212. Hope that helps. :-) Btw, when I was stalled, my PA said to get 800 minimum. No more than 1,200, but that 800 - 1,000 would probably be best. She also said not to "eat back" exercise calories. I have a desk job, but also have 3 small kids. I haven't been exercising consistently. I think it really is 80% diet for me at this point.

Flintstones complete (2) Calcium with vitamin D Biotin Potassium Sublingual B-12 (I've had Trader's Joes brand and Bariatric Advantage brand)

Cashew and coconut here, too. :-)