BillieLou

Hello. I am new to Vertical Sleeve Talk but I am not new to a sleeve. I had my surgery on 4/25/2011. I did really good for the first year but this year has been a bit rough. I have had some health issues (wrist injury) which caused me to be pretty much house bound for 6 weeks but it interfered with my ability to exercise for the past 3 months. Before this issue I had hit a plateau about half way to my goal weight. At this point I have decided that I need to do a system reboot. This system reboot includes: 1. Finding a support community that understands what it is like to live with a VSG 2. Start eating according to plan again 3. Re-read my bariatric support books that helped me learn about life after surgery 4. Start a new exercise program that will accommodate my healing process (post ECU translocation) 5. Find out the true size of my sleeve by doing the Cottage cheese test (it is 6 - 7 ounces) I am hoping that this thread will be beneficial to anyone who is also in need of a "System Reboot" and that together we can make it to our final goal weights together.

Hi. Wanted to give an update on the System Reboot now that week 1 is done. It has been a very good week, I have not felt hungry, I have been getting all my Fluid (except for Saturday - which I will get into in a moment), and I have lost 4 pounds. Overall last week was typical and I maintained eating 4 ounces of Protein and 3 ounces of fruits or veggies at each meal. I have found the wonderful Koolaid SF liquid flavoring (Cherry is my fav) and it has helped me to control my sweet craving and get all my fluid in. Saturday was a bit of a crazy day - was so busy and I didn't have any way to carry my Water with me. Need to not let this happen. My goal for this week is to start adding in a some exercise now that I have been cleared by the Dr. I am going to start by using my stationary bike and doing some basic strength exercise at home. Thank you everyone for your support. BillieLou

I have done a bit more research and have read of two alternatives that might be used (note that neither suggestion was from a medical site): oatmeal or ricotta cheese. Hope that helps. Please remember you can also check with your surgeon or bariatric support center for additional information.

First full day of reboot is done. It has been a success on several layers. I have measured my food and food that I am filled on between 5 and 7 ounces of food. I did find myself grazing on beef Jerky during the late afternoon. My work day was ending and was sitting in a meeting and there it was and I just started nibbling. I didn't measure, just opened the bag and started in. I did catch myself about 20 minutes in and put the bag away. This is a bad habit that I have to break! I have been working on getting all my Fluid in, which has historically has been a problem to the point of having having to be hospitalized for dehydration. Tonight as a reminder point I am listing the signs and symptoms of dehydration: Symptoms By Mayo Clinic staff Mild to moderate dehydration is likely to cause: · Dry, sticky mouth · Sleepiness or tiredness · Thirst · Decreased urine output · Few or no tears when crying · Dry skin · Headache · Constipation · Dizziness or lightheadedness Severe dehydration, a medical emergency, can cause: · Extreme thirst · Irritability and confusion · Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes · Lack of sweating · Little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be dark yellow or amber · Sunken eyes · Shriveled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn't "bounce back" when pinched into a fold · Low blood pressure · Rapid heartbeat · Rapid breathing · No tears when crying · Fever · In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness Here's to Day 2 of System Reboot.

Best wishes!

Preety, I'm not sure but I think you could use anything of the same consistancy (maybe yogurt or mashed potatoes) as long as you know the starting weight of the food and can detrrmine the volume eaten. There may also be a contact at the site posted that you could pose the question. If you find out please lert us know. I will also do some research to see if I can find an answer.

The Cottage Cheese Test Purchase a container of small curd low-fat cottage cheese. Begin the test with a full container of cottage cheese, and perform the test in the morning before eating anything else. This will be your breakfast on that day. Eat fairly quickly until you feel full (less than five minutes). Note that the small soft curds do not require much chewing. You are eating rapidly so you will fill the pouch before there is time for any food to flow out of it. After eating your "fill" of cottage cheese, you will be left with a partially eaten container that has an empty space where cottage cheese used to be. Measure the volume of cottage cheese you have eaten by filling a two cup (16 fl.oz.) measuring cup with water. Pour water into the container of cottage cheese until the water level rises to the original top level of the cottage cheese. The amount of water poured into the container is the functional size of your pouch. http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4

Learning is hard, after two years I am having to relearn what it is all about. My Soft Stop is a small burp. Learning about your soft stop is very important as it will keep you from sliming and other eating to much or eating to fast symptoms. I have also learned that some foods I just don't tolerate well anymore -Pasta being the biggest offender and a food that I truly have had a long term love affair with. Here are a couple of suggestions that might help, even though you have probably already heard them): Eat slowly, learn to recognize your soft stop, and slowly introduce new foods into your diet to determine your tolerance of it. Good Luck on your journey!