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silverthread's experience is pretty common immediately postop. It's all part of the honeymoon period when everything is so easy....no cravings, great restriction, little to no appetite, etc. Just be aware that your body and head will change drastically between 2-3 months and 2-3 years out. That's when you realize just how much work it really takes. So take advantage of those first few easy months to retrain your eating behaviors and learn new coping mechanisms to deal with your addiction.

Walking and more fluids is the answer to your issues. Getting 64oz or more should be your #1 priority at this point. Start sipping the moment you wake up. Always have a glass or bottle next to you. Set a timer to remind you to sip. Give yourself mini goals....16oz before work, 16 more by lunch, another 16 before you go home, don't go to bed before that last 16oz is gone. Try mixing up temperatures and flavors to find what goes down the best.

I'd nix the blueberries and add at least 20g protein.

Very few VSG patients have dumping syndrome, so more than likely yes, you will still crave sugar and be able to tolerate it. Unless you stop eating it. The brain reacts to sugar much like it reacts to cocaine. And if you have a little, that just triggers your brain to want more and then more. Try going cold turkey no sugar for a week and see what happens to your cravings. No cheating or the experiment is worthless. Like most addicts, you may need to seek professional help to truly stay clean long term. Find a therapist, preferably one that deals with eating disorders and see if you can make any progress with them before surgery. You may luck out and be one of the few VSGers that dump or become intolerant to sugar, but more than likely this will likely be a lifelong struggle with or without surgery. You may also check out www.smartrecovery.org it is an addiction recovery program alternative to the traditional 12-step based programs like AA and OA.

Odd question, but when you went shopping did you use American money or another currency?Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Every place we went took American dollars, but gave change in pesos. If I had enough pesos to pay, like when we went to Starbucks I did. The cashiers at Walnart were especially helpful in explaining the exchange rate and giving us tips to not get ripped off. In the end we gave all our leftover pesos to our driver as part of his tip. And yes, I had awesome care in Mexico, both during my stay and afterwards. Lots of compassion and one on one attention. In fact, it's easier to get in touch with my Mexico surgeon even 2 1/2 years out than it is to talk to the US surgeon who removed my gallbladder just 30 miles away.

Add unflavored Protein powder to your broths, I also pureed and strained every kind of cream soup I could find and added protein to them....dozens of options there. freeze protein shakes for popscicles. What kind of protein shakes are you using? Syntrax nectars are more koolaid-type if you are sick of the same old chocolate/vanilla/strawberry options. I also added Torani syrups to the shakes to change up the flavors. chocolate hazelnut, vanilla raspberry, strawberry banana, Irish cream, mocha, vanilla latte, pumpkin pie, etc. BTW, between pre and postop I was on liquids for 34 days and I continued to do shakes through all my stages up through maintenance even 2 1/2 years out. It's the only way I've gotten 60-80g every day since day 5.

I actually do Camp Gladiator boot camp so I am a little concerned post surgery and post lifetime of getting enough to eat with the amount of exertion I put out 3-4 times a week. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App Well then, yeah, that many carbs may be just the ticket for you since you are burning them off. But for a lot of more sedentary WLS patients, including myself, (I usually log 12,000 - 20,000 steps/day but no gym time) it might not be the best choice. Good luck with everything!

I just checked out the advocare Meal Replacements and they have WAY to much sugar for me. A 1:1 ratio of carb to Protein is not a good profile IMO. Unless you're working out heavily or training for a marathon and need the carbs, that 12g of sugar in the advocare is a waste of useless calories you don't need. Plus the Calcium casseinate they use is not nearly as absorbable as whey. I use Syntrax nectar, Premier, Quest, Bodytech, and unjury. All of them have 20-30g protein and just 0-5g carbs

I eat popcorn all the time. Started about 8 months postop once I was past goal and my sleeve was good and healed. And yes, it's a slider food so I usually only make the 100 calorie mini bags. I could easily eat a whole regular bag.

Can you do popscicles? If so, freezing protein shakes in silicone molds is another option. Premier protein chocolate is like a fudgesicles. Vanilla protein powder with milk and orange water flavor drops is like a dreamsicle. Syntrax nectar orange, grape and cherry freeze up just like traditional pops. You can get really creative with all the flavors. And you can have as many as you want!

I had my first gallbladder attack at 8 months postop. For about 10 minutes it felt like severe heartburn...pain up under the center of my ribcage. Then it progressed to debilitating pain radiating around to my back that nothing could alleviate. Spent 1 1/2 hours curled up in a ball on the bathroom floor, trying to breath. I've broken my back and had two vertebrae in my neck fused and this was by far the Worst pain I have ever experienced. Suffered through 3 more attacks over the next 14 months before finally having my gallbladder removed. By then I had 15 stones packed in there. I've known so many people that have had digestive issues after having their gall bladders removed that I wanted to be absolutely positive I really had to do it. Surgery was 23 months after my VSG and fortunately I have had zero problems since.

I travelled alone but my sister met me in TJ and was there for my surgery and 2 days postop. She didn't stay the night in the hospital, so technically I was alone from the time I woke up after recovery until discharge the next morning. I Facetimed with her and my parents, so it was kind of like having someone there. I chose my surgeon and facility carefully so I would have felt safe being alone. In fact, when I first scheduled, I thought I would be there alone. My sis decided to come at the last minute. There actually was one gal there from Canada who was alone and just hung out with the rest of us in the surgery center and when we went shopping.

What they said. Like Ann, I was SO ready for this. I even started my preop diet early cause I was so excited. Going into this new life with a good attitude, ready to embrace all that comes with it, not getting bogged down in the little stuff, and enjoying the ride will translate into a much easier recovery, transition and long term success. For me, I simply underestimated the role that food played in my emotional wellbeing until I was put to the test. Just be ready to roll with the punches and know you may need a Plan B.

Not having the emotional crutch of food and alcohol. Learning how to deal with life's stresses without my old standby's. Having to feel the full effects of my emotions without being able to dull the pain. I eventually had to find a good therapist and start taking antidepressants after my best friend committed suicide. As for drinking with meals, I do it all the time and have since about 6 months out.

Ditto to what cowgirljane said. I rode heavier than you (along with a six pack of beer in each saddle bag...my poor horse )and most of the guys I ride with are close to or over 200 pounds. It's never too soon to start learning good balance and riding technique. It will serve as a great Pilates-like core strengthening excercise as you lose weight, as well.

@@Fredbear or you could explain WTF point you are try to make. For ME the ACA sucks. My congressmen voted against it. Why should I thank them for it? Other than thank them for doing what they could to keep it from happening.

For this, you can thank your congressperson. Actually, all 4 of my my congressmen voted against the ACA and voted Yes to repeal it.You're still proving my point. :-) "When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. " Not really. My congressmen did the best they could to not let this happen. It's the congressmen that voted FOR the ACA that I have to thank for my shitty insurance.

For this, you can thank your congressperson. Actually, all 4 of my my congressmen voted against the ACA and voted Yes to repeal it.

Actually, no. The WLS coverage is a state thing but the drastic increase in premiums and higher deductible (because that's what I can afford) is a direct result of the implementation of the ACA and is the same in every state. Who do you think is paying for all those people that are getting free health insurance now? That would be those of us that own a small business or are self employed and work 60+ hrs/week with no PTO. I make just barely enough to not qualify for assistance and 20% of my gross income goes towards my medical expenses at this point. I have to fight and appeal for every single thing and now one of my meds is no longer covered. I have had the same insurance (Blue Shield) for the last 12 years and never had any problems with my coverage or ever got denied for any procedure prior to the ACA. And yes, I looked at other companies and their premiums are even higher. I was much better off before health insurance became so "affordable".

I wouldn't have done anything different. What I did worked just right for me.....avoided those no-no foods, exceeded Protein and Fluid goals, learned to eat just until satisfied, not full, established new eating habits and a regular Vitamin schedule. I never did measure or track my food (besides protein and water) because I knew I would never keep it up. No sense trying to implement a plan I would not stick to. Instead, I just taught myself to eyeball my portions and learned the limits of what would let me lose vs maintain vs gain. That turned into a new lifestyle I can easily maintain. Likewise, I knew I would not keep up with an excercise program so I never bothered with that either. Basically, I would start doing now whatever you think you will be able to do forever and be very mindful of what foods you need to consume to lose weight vs foods that could cause weight stalls/gains in the future. Also make sure you have a plan in place for dealing with stressful events in your life. Those seem to be the trigger point for when many people start to regain weight. For me, seeing a therapist and getting on antidepressants was what I needed to help me cope since I refused to use food and alcohol as a crutch like I'd always done in the past.

Thanks. But I guess spending every penny I had is part of what motivates me to keep all my weight off (2 years and counting). I'm just bitter about how crappy my insurance has become since ACA took effect.

I know someone personally that is getting surgery through the Affordable care act! Her surgery is this month. She asked which plan covers weight loss surgery before she purchased insurance. It does pay, you just have to pick the right coverage. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App No, it doesn't always pay. There are absolutely NO individual ACA policies that cover WLS in Idaho. And before ACA I had $30 dr visit copays, my deductible was $1500 and my monthly premium was $220. So I stand by my original sentiment.

You can get a sampler here.... http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/SYNTRAX_NECTAR_NATURALS_PROTEIN_POWDER_SAMPLES_p/nectar-natural_sample.htm

EVERYTHING was too sweet for me postop. I diluted all Protein shakes 1/2 and 1/2 with milk or water. Used twice as much water as called for when mixing protein powders. Added unflavored Protein powder to every kind of broth or cream soup I could find for a nice break from the sweet shakes. I set mini Fluid goals for myself throughout the day....finish 12 oz before leaving for work. 20oz before lunch. Sipped on a 24-32oz Protein shake all afternoon in between appointments, and finished out every day with 12oz of camomile tea before going to bed. Have a bottle with you at all times and take a sip every chance you get. Set a timer if you have to.

Sucralose. So definitely a no go for me, too. Syntrax nectar Naturals use stevia, monk fruit and erythritol. (Luckily I can tolerate erythritol) and comes in Peach, orange, fruit punch, strawberries and cream, chocolate and vanilla