Kindle

I keep a variety of drinks and flavors around all the time. I have to dilute the RTD shakes with milk because they are too thick and sweet for me. I also add more Water than recommended to any of the powders to dilute them. Another trick is to add a bit if real juice to the fruity flavored drinks so it masks that artificial sweetener taste. Early on I also added unjury unflavored Protein powder to everything...soups, broths, mashed potatoes, yogurt, etc. for a savory alternative to all the sweet shakes. Here are some of my currently favorite concoctions.... Premier chocolate with skim milk and banana Syntrax matrix or Premier vanilla with skim milk and PB2 Muscle milk cake batter with gingerbread Torani syrup Muscle milk cake batter with pumpkin pie Torani syrup Syntrax nectar apple ecstasy with a splash of cranberry juice Garden of Life Raw Protein Vanilla stirred into plain Greek yogurt (OK, so this is more like pudding than a drink) Muscle milk cake batter with fresh blueberries Syntrax nectar cherry with a splash of OJ Premier Protein chocolate and caramel or hazelnut Torani syrup in my morning coffee Syntrax matrix vanilla with OJ ....frozen for a dreamsicle treat.

My dream job would be lottery winner...so I wouldn't have to "do" anything!

I lost 22 pounds on my two week preop diet, 34 pounds the first 3 months and 28 pounds in the last 3 months since I've been eating "normal". I actually increased my carbs 2 weeks ago to try and slow my weight loss....added in a little more fruit and whole grains... Not to mention the blueberry muffin and vodka cranberry last weekend and the birthday cupcake two days ago.(And still lost 3 pounds ). My restriction is awesome and I eat healthy 90% of the time. My sleeve is a dream come true!

HW 238 SW 216 CW 154 TPL 84 TGP 88 6 month surgiversary today! I'm thrilled beyond words.

I eat whatever I want. I obviously go for protein and veggies first, but I also include fruits and complex carbs for a healthy, balanced diet. As for indulging in the "bad" stuff, you bet I do! I followed my diet plan to a T pre and postop, but after about 3 months, I was feeling back to normal and felt OK eating most anything. I've had pizza, tacos, tiramisu, cake, ice cream, cheesecake, muffins, pancakes, fries, wine, and vodka....all completely guilt free! The only thing I consider off limits is carbonated beverages. ( I tried a few sips and it was definitely a no-go) Of course I eat these things in moderation, and I am one of the lucky ones that doesn't have carb craving triggers. Like you, I had surgery so I would never have to diet again. No counting, no tracking, no depriving myself. I make good choices and my sleeve limits my portions. I am 6 pounds under goal and still losing so for me, this plan works.

6 months out today. I have one large protein drink everyday (24-32 oz, 30-40g protein) and drink 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the PM. I don't measure or track anything else, so I know I've got a good start on fluids and protein with just this one thing. At this point I'm eating every 3 hours but my restriction is so good I can't eat enough real food to meet protein goals. (I know I said I don't track, but I've tallied my totals for a "typical day" and see my protein isn't even close without the supplement). Besides, I love my yummy shakes and have no intention of giving them up!

I did a lot of research before surgery on long term side effects of cancer and ulcer gastrectomy patients. The nutritional deficits they were seeing manifested themselves 10, 20, even 30 years out. Iron was the first one to show up, then B12, and vitamin D. Between 10 and 20 years after a partial or total gastrectomy, up to 90% of patients had deficiencies with women being more affected than men. This really raised the red flag for me on just his important it is to continue supplements and get annual bloodwork.

There are a couple threads on here that talk about how different Proteins are absorbed at different rates. Whey isolate is absorbed the fastest, where casein and egg Protein and milk concentrates are absorbed at a slower rate. They are still utilized, just not as rapidly. I read in several articles how body builders prefer to drink a slower absorbable protein at bedtime so their body gets a "slow burn" of amino acids throughout the night. The research gets very confusing and contradictory, so I prefer to get my protein from as many sources as possible....eggs, dairy, meat, soy, etc. I also use a variety of different Protein drinks...Syntrax nectar, Syntrax matrix, Premier, muscle milk, unjury, and Garden of a Life (which uses sprouted seeds as it's protein source). That way it doesn't matter who's right, I'm covering all the bases.

Blue63... Thanks! As for my success, it's been as easy as protein, veggies, water and vitamins. Don't stress about stalls and don't obsess over the numbers on the scale. Follow the basic meal plan rules and you can have success, too.....just stay positive and no whining allowed! . Feel free to PM if you have questions. I don't want to hijack this thread.

That's a question for your surgeon. Did you get a postoperative diet plan? I would assume protein shakes are OK for whenever he puts you on full liquids.

Premier chocolate with skim milk and banana Syntrax matrix or Premier vanilla with skim milk and PB2 Muscle milk cake batter with gingerbread Torani syrup Muscle milk cake batter with pumpkin pie Torani syrup Syntrax nectar apple ecstasy with a splash of cranberry juice Garden of Life Raw Protein Vanilla stirred into plain Greek yogurt (OK, so this is more like pudding than a drink) Muscle milk cake batter with fresh blueberries Syntrax Nectar cherry with a splash of OJ Premier Protein chocolate and caramel Torani syrup in my morning coffee Syntrax matrix vanilla with OJ ....frozen for a dreamsicle treat. And the list goes on.....LOVE my protein drinks!

I am partners in a mobile vet practice, so I have a very active job...on the road all day, lifting, bending, walking, etc. I went back part time after 7 days and full time at 14. Couldn't lift more than 20 pounds until the third week, though. I would go insane with boredom to take more time than that. And I think keeping busy helped me not wallow in all the postop issues so many people whine about. For me it was life as usual. I was certainly tired, and felt uncomfortable at times, but I'm just used to working no matter how I feel. Hadn't taken a "sick day" in over 4 years. Worked through bronchitis and the flu and every other ache or pain I ever had. My partner never even missed a beat through her viral pericarditis. Owning your own business means no work = no income, so we just suck it up and do our jobs no matter what. Good luck! You should do fine.

Fav... Being able to wear regular size clothes. Least fav... Saggy loose skin on my legs and B/C cup boobs dangling in DD skin

It's great living in the boonies. Besides a subway inside the gas station, there is not a single fast food restaurant in the whole county!

I looked at both originally. A friend of mine that has had LB over five years talked me out of the band. She's had to have an emergency surgery when it slipped, and too many fills/unfills to count. She vomits at least 2-3 times /week, which she admits is her fault because she eats too fast or doesn't chew well. Even after 5 years she's never hit her goal weight and gains a bunch back every time she gets an unfill. A lot of her failure is her fault because of what she chooses to eat, but the whole band maintenance thing sure sounded like a pain in the butt. I was sleeved in dec 2013 and am already below goal. After 3 months of recovery I was totally back to normal and feel fabulous. No reflux, no food aversions. The only thing I've given up for the sleeve is carbonated beverages and 80+ pounds. She's now looking at converting to a sleeve.

Sherry, glad I'm not the only one that considered going to Mexico for surgery a vacation. . My sister met me down there and we had a lot of fun! And what's not to like about getting out of cold, snowy Idaho in December?

I was the same as Linda.... My surgery was the last of the day and I was back in my room about 6pm where I promptly fell back asleep until 9pm. Released at 9am next morning and I walked a mile as soon as I got to the hotel. Rested in my room after that and then walked another mile in the afternoon. All I really needed that first night was loose clothes, a safety pin to attach the drain to my jammies and my ipad. They had me sipping water within a few hours after I woke up and I watched TV all night between dozing on and off. I never needed the pain Meds. I assume they won't release you if you are having any problems.

Just under 6 months in between.

I have people tell me everyday that I look fabulous and I don't need to lose anymore. My hairdresser calls me skinny bitch every time I walk in her salon. My mom hasn't seen me since last fall, way before surgery. She and my dad are coming for a visit in two weeks but she's already been telling me to stop losing based on the pictures I've sent. It will be an interesting visit. The crazy thing is that I'm not exactly tiny in size 12 jeans, but I guess it's all a perspective thing.

Great job! Keeping fighting the good fight.

Missbrown, Sorry I don't have any great fitness tips to share. I haven't been to a gym in at least 6 years (I did Curves for a little while) I started riding my recumbent bike about 3 months postop to get a little tone in my butt and legs. I only ride about 25 minutes 3-4 days a week. Honestly, I hate exercising and this is something I can do while watching TV. (Judge Judy, actually). Really, my life is my exercise program. I am a vet tech and partners in a two person mobile vet practice. Which means I work long days and am bending, squatting, holding, restraining, pushing, chasing and lifting all day long.....cats, dogs, horses, cows/calves, goats, you name it... I also have my own horses and have to load and stack and feed 80 pound bales everyday. And then there's yard work, housework and weekend activities like horseback riding and rafting. I guess I've always maintained a strong core.

I think you can get them at walmart, some grocery stores or any coffee supply store. I live in a very rural area so I get everything online. Torani has an online store, but I got mine on Amazon.

Muscle milk cake batter with gingerbread or pumpkin pie Torani syrup. Premier chocolate with skim milk and banana Premier chocolate with skim milk and caramel and hazelnut Torani syrups. Premier or Syntrax matrix vanilla with PB2 Decaf Chai tea with Syntrax matrix vanilla and skim milk. Muscle milk cake batter with fresh blueberries. Syntrax nectar apple with a splash of cranberry juice.

I was on liquids only for 18 days, so your postop diet is very different than mine. I got full on just 2 tbls of puréed food even then because I had such great restriction. But most people don't feel full until they are on solids.

Full is when it feels like no more can go down. The previous bite is just sitting there at the bottom of your esophagus and it doesn't feel good. I did that twice early on. Like Shelly said, you will learn fast and you won't want to repeat it. Just eat super slow to give your brain a chance to figure out when your stomach is full before it's too late. Some people have posted about puking when they ate too much too fast, but I never got to that point. And now I never eat till I'm full (once I figured it out) because it's just not worth it.