McButterpants

Here's one of my favorite recipes...for when I need a "treat" Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie Protein shake... 8 ounces of cold Water or 1% milk 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder 4-5 ice cubes 1-2 Tablespoons Torani sugar-free Peppermint syrup whizz up in your blender Add a scoop of chocolate Protein Powder (I use unjury Chocolate Splendor) whizz until blended - maybe 10 seconds Tastes just like a Thin Mint cookie!

Although I didn't have an issue keeping anything down, I, too had buyers remorse immediately after surgery. I think it's normal. Be kind to yourself mentally - it's done, there's nothing you can do about it anyway. Take care of yourself physically - you're healing from major surgery. I found walking was the best medicine for me. I wasn't fast and I couldn't walk for long periods - in the beginning I just paced around the condo, then added a trip around the parking lot. As I felt better - around day 3 or 4, my 2nd thoughts started to subside. However, even now, 7 months out I do have thoughts about "Did I do the right thing?" "What did I do to my body?" Those thoughts are few and far between, but I do still have them. On the whole, barring marrying my husband and having my son, this was the best decision I've made in my life. You're going to do fine...

A pound of fat is approximately 3500 calories....you didn't gain that! It's just your body holding on to some Water - many things can affect that...Maybe you worked out particularly hard yesterday or the day before - your muscles need water to recover. Maybe yesterday you consumed a lot of Protein - your body will hold on to water so you can process it. Maybe you ate a lot of salt. Who knows, it just happens. Don't stress over it!

I would start experimenting with shakes - I probably wouldn't do one every day at this point because you still have 3-4 months before surgery. Maybe a couple of times a week - you may find that you like the way you feel with an afternoon shake or when you start your day with a shake. It's worth a try. Experiment with different flavors (Torani sugar-free syrups are great), different textures (add a couple of strawberries or blueberries) and different temps (you can drink them hot, iced or cold - read the directions if you are going to try it hot, the Protein doesn't like high heat). One tip for those just trying out powdered shake mixes - mix the other ingredients in your shake first (ice cubes, fruit, etc). When that's mixed, add your shake mix and blend for a few seconds. I have found that the shakes get frothy if mixed for a long period of time. Also, don't over-purchase before surgery. Your tastes may change and the one you think you like pre-op doesn't set well post-op. Good luck!

I'm about a month behind you - surgery November, 2013. Your stats are similar to mine - I'm down 70 pounds and have 20-30 more to go. My loss has slowed way down. I've only lost 4.6 pounds in the past 8 weeks. I take my measurements and I am losing inches, which is good. I've been working out and doing resistance training. I'm frustrated, but I am not going to let it derail me. I talked to my doctor and while I was talking, I realized I was snacking more than I thought. I went back to tracking my intake again - not every day, but it does bring to light some habits that were creeping back in. I also started drinking a shake a day (some days I do 2 shakes). That curbs my appetite enough in the afternoon to get me thru to dinner. I cut down the number of Protein bars. My doc reminded me that if you graph weight loss for a VSG patient it's not linear, it's more like a stair step. I'm trying to be patient. I know my life is better today than it was 7 months ago. I want to lose more and am dedicated to do so. Best of luck to you!

I'd have to check, but raw veggies weren't on my approved foods until 8 weeks or so. Every doctor is different. It's going to be trial and error for a while. Just remember, you're still healing, so be gentle with your new tiny tummy. Best of luck to you.

I find if I eat refined carbs (breads, sugars, etc) I want more and my hunger is worse. I stick with whole foods. I don't eat a lot of bread, rice, pasta or potatoes - those will certainly trigger my hunger.

I paid $11K for Dr. Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas. (In comparison to my local hospital that charges $30K)

My stomach is holding up remarkably well after 70 pounds lost. My boobs started shrinking immediately - I wasn't big to begin with. I have some sagging skin on my inner thighs which bugs me a bit, but bermuda shorts covers it.

One month out I ate a lot of chicken and turkey breast. Buying a rotisserie chicken as the poster above suggests is a good thing - it's many meals. I ate a lot of deli meat and sharp cheddar cheese as well - I rolled the turkey around the cheese - you can dip in mustard or spread on some guacamole or add some cucumber sticks. Frozen turkey meatballs are a good choice. Fat free refried Beans w/ some melted cheddar - top is off with some plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) and, if your stomach will tolerate it, a little salsa - yummo. For Breakfast it has been a Jimmy Dean Turkey sausage patty and scrambled egg. Hope this helps!

I'll be honest - I had similar thoughts pre-surgery. And, I failed at so many diets that I wondered "will I fail at this, too?" First, I wasn't prepared for the emotional / mental part of this process. I read and researched so much about the physical part - how the surgery is performed. I didn't think much about the reasons I got to 256 pounds - I didn't think about my binge eating, my eating in secret, emotional eating, etc. I wish I had been more mentally/emotionally prepared - it would have made things easier in the beginning. Instead, I had to address my emotional issues while I was learning how to eat with my new tiny tummy. Second, the sleeve doesn't stop you from making bad decisions. I have a sleeve of steel...The only thing that bothers my stomach to the point of getting sick is my bariatric Vitamins. I haven't found a food that my stomach doesn't like. That's a double edged sword. I can eat anything - that's not necessarily a good thing for an overeater. So, I have to CHOOSE to make good food decisions. I can eat ice cream before I go to bed...I have to choose not to do that. I can eat a bag of tortilla chips because that's a slider food for me - I have to choose to not have them in my house. The sleeve will only stop you from eating copious amounts of food in one sitting. It doesn't stop you from going back to the bag of chips 30 minutes later when you can fit more into your sleeve. The sleeve is simply one tool in your tool box. Thirdly, the sleeve doesn't drive you to the gym or make you put on your tennis shoes to go for a walk. That's you. You are responsible for that. As far as being able to lose 2-3 pounds a week - you're right. I could lose 2-3 pounds per week up to about 20-30 pounds. Then the weight loss would stop and I'd fall off the wagon. What you're doing on the pre-op diet and immediately after surgery isn't sustainable for the long-term. My husband said it best right before surgery...."This is going to force your hand." It has. My weight loss at 7 months out is moving at a snail's pace...I log 80-100 miles in a month at the gym and I focus on getting my Protein in. I get discouraged because I'm not losing at the same rate I was 5 months ago, but I'm still fighting the good fight - and you know what? It's easier to fight knowing I have this tool in my tool box.

I would eat at McDonalds before surgery - not a lot (I'd prefer a good cheeseburger from a great bar here in town). Now - I really don't want one. In fact, I was in a McDonalds this afternoon and the greasy smell made me a little sick to my stomach. I didn't order anything and to be quite honest, I didn't want anything. I have found that those foods that I used to crave, want, binge on, just don't appeal to me anymore. I used to love bread - good crusty artisan bread. I rarely eat bread now and I don't miss it. The other night at Olive Garden I had 1/2 a breadstick....pre-surgery, I would eat 3-4 breadsticks plus all that Pasta. I used to love pizza - I know will eat the toppings and a couple of bites of the crust. I think once I de-toxed my body, I realized all that I didn't want all that processed food anymore. I'm not saying I never eat carbs or bad stuff. I've been known to sneak a fry from my son's plate or a Dorito here and there, but for the most part, I don't want that stuff. I know you're worried about what your diet will be like post-op....I did too. I mourned food. I had my food funerals. In reality, I didn't need to. Food just doesn't have it's clutches in me any more - I'm finally free.

You're doing great! I set a timer to remind myself to sip every 5 minutes. Also, move as much as you can - I paced around the condo the first couple of days, then ventured outside and walked; adding a couple of minutes to each walk. It was slow, but it made me feel better. I didn't have a recliner - I wish I had. Lots of people comment about how that is more comfortable. When you are able to move to a bed, try lots of pillows. I basically made a cocoon of pillows around me while I laid on my side. You'll feel yourself getting better and stronger every day. I didn't get my minimum Protein or Water in for many days. I did what I could.

I wasn't cleared for salad until about 3 months out and I still can't tolerate it very well at 7 months. Some docs say no salad for the first year. Also, the goat cheese may have been ambitious on your new tiny tummy. Your hunger feeling could be acid - many new sleevers will confuse hunger with acid. I did. I do feel hunger and have felt it for quite some time, but it's different than before surgery. Hungry for me feels more like empty. You'll have to learn what your new hunger feels like. Also, if something doesn't agree with you early on, like your salad and goat cheese experiment, give it a week or two and try it again. It's going to be trial and error while your tummy is healing. I eat about every 2-3 hours. In the beginning, like you are a month out, I measured everything. I focused on 1-2 ounces of Protein - turkey breast, chicken breast, deli meat, etc. If I had room for anything else, a bit or two of vegetable or Beans. Know that you may not be able to eat the same amount at every meal. Some times 1 ounce filled me up, others I felt like 2 ounces wasn't enough. Focus on chewing your food 20-25 times and slowing down your eating.

You're going to be fine. Be patient, you just went thru major surgery. The pain will go away and you'll start to be able to keep things down. Get plenty of rest and walk when you can. (Walking was the only thing that helped with gas pains for me...) Hang in there, Buttercup. You're going to do great.

Yep, I had buyer's remorse immediately after surgery along with some, "What the hell did I just do to myself." Even 7 months post-op there are times when I think that - they are fewer and far between now, though. You'll be fine. Just sip and walk, sip and walk. You'll feel better in no time.

Yes, your life will change forever... I am a better mom and wife. I don't have such a hot temper - I'm not pissed off all the time. I no longer wake up with headaches every morning. Those aches and pains I felt all the time at 256 pounds - GONE! I'm more connected with my family. I can do one hour cardio sessions. I'm stronger physically and mentally. I am no longer too embarrassed to leave my home. I'm an active participant in my own life. I'm sharper mentally - I'm a better employee. I think you know where I'm going here - My life has changed for the better. Sure, I can't sit down to a huge bowl of Pasta any more. I can't gulp Water. I have to think before I eat. I no longer sitting down eating 3 pieces of pizza. I don't eat ice cream any more. But those are parts of the Old Me. The New Me is so much happier, even without all the sacrifices I had to make. I'll address your specific concerns... The "pain" of the liquid diet for the first two weeks after surgery - sometimes it's going to suck. But, you'll know that what you're doing is a life changing experiences. You will get frustrated - I did. There was a time early on I told my husband that I was sick of it taking me 20 minutes to eat a scrambled egg. It is frustrating. But, I survived and so will you. You've had 50 years of over indulgence - it's time to reclaim your life. this is your reset button. How soon to go back to work after surgery - I telecommute full time, I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work 1/2 days the following Monday. If I had to return to an office, I would have taken 1-2 weeks off. Those first 2 weeks I got tired very easily. I flew 10 days after surgery and got very tired. Social life after surgery - I just went to Buffalo Wild Wings last night with some friends. I had the naked wings and ate 2 of them. No one said anything about the amount of food I was eating. I had a great time. A few weeks ago we went to dinner and I had a vodka cranberry - it was delicious. I can't drink like I used to - I have one drink. Sometimes I miss a beer at the ballpark, but I fit in the seats better so it's a tradeoff.

If the 7 month post-op McButterpants could tell her pre-op self anything...Everything is going to be OK; stop worrying.

I'm almost 7 months out...here are my answers from my perspective. Hunger - I do feel hunger, but it's different than before surgery. Once I figured it out, I realized that sometimes what I think I'm feeling is hunger is actually acid. I can pop a Tums and that feeling goes away. I find that I'm more in tune with my body post surgery. I know when I should be hungry and when I shouldn't be. Hunger feels more like "empty". Sipping - I still cannot "gulp" or take big drinks. I have to sip and any more than 3 sips in a short period of time hurts. I think of a "sip" as if you were drinking a hot cup of coffee - you wouldn't take a big drink, it would be a small amount. I have read some people can guzzle Water - that's not been my experience. Also, since surgery, I do not enjoy plain water - since surgery, it's like liquid sandpaper for some reason. It's weird. I drink Propel Zero almost exclusively. I hope this helps!

Be patient - you're recovering from major surgery. Your body is trying to figure out what you've done to it...You've had surgery and you're eating/consuming close to nothing. My suggestion is to weigh yourself once per week (more if you can stand it). The scale is not your friend right now. Take this time to heal and take care of yourself. Your body will react when it's ready - and that timeline may be different than what your mind wants it to be.

I'm almost 7 months and still can't eat much salad..."green" with envy! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

It's perfectly normal to feel this way - emotions will run high, you'll second guess your decision, etc. But it will get better. I have had thoughts of "what did I do to myself", even as recently as last month (I'm 6 months out now). Those thoughts are becoming few and far between and they are fleeting now, but they do happen. I can tell you, I don't regret this decision at all. This has changed my life. Be patient - you are still healing. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to feel emotions - it's good for you. It will get better - I promise!

I will preface this by saying I do not regret having my surgery 6 months ago - this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have my life back and that is priceless. With that said, there are a few things I miss.... DiSorrono and Coke gulping water during/after a workout sitting down to a big bowl of pasta and diving in coffee the way I want/like it...cream and sugar or agave What I do NOT miss.... feeling like crap every day waking up with a low grade headache most days being mad/angry most of the time not being engaged in my own life being tired all the time being so bad out of shape that walking a mile took a huge amount of effort not liking what I saw in the mirror being embarrassed all the time The trade off is so worth it!

I have the FitBit Flex and love it. It's easy to log your food - it will synch with MyFitnessPal, although I don't use it for that. This is my 2nd FitBit (I had the one previously). It synchs with my iphone5 quickly for instant feedback. One drawback on the food logging - you have to look on your computer to find out where you are with your Protein and calorie breakdown - I wish you could see that on your phone.

Good for you!!!!!! And you ARE cute as a button!