LeanerLena5426

I've read a lot lately about a connection between artificial sweeteners and increased belly fat, so I'm trying to cut them out entirely...SO hard! But I've also read that the powders (the packets) actually have sugar in them as fillers, so overall it just seems like something to avoid. Coffee/tea is the hardest. But it was a big vice for me, too, and I feel like it was keeping my sweet-tooth alive and made me crave more sweets. Now that I've got it out of my system I find it's a lot easier, and things like broccoli actually taste sweet to me. (Um, not that broccoli could ever replace my beloved homemade sugar-free pumpkin spice latte! Let's not get crazy now !)

@@BeagleLover I agree! I wish I hadn't gone back to the same surgeon. I'll always wonder if I would have had different results with someone else. @@Band07 there's not much for me to update, things are pretty much the same. I have very little restriction, VERY little. And to be honest, that's depressing (especially because I was self-pay, so I feel really guilty and "stupid" for spending all that money instead of just doing it myself). But, as @@CowgirlJane said, if I eat dense Protein first my restriction is much better. So all is not lost! It's just not as easy for me as it is for some, I have to use a lot of willpower and make very careful choices. There's no signal for me to stop eating after a few bites, I can eat almost as much as I could eat pre-surgury. And my weight loss is slow. But I stick with dense protein first, I don't drink my calories (actually I've eliminated all added sugars--too addictive for me), I eat lots of fresh veggies, drink lots of Water, and exercise. So the weight IS coming off! Also, as tough as it is not having restriction, it's also a relief sometimes. It's nice to be able to eat raw veggies, or a steak, without getting "stuck." It's nice to be able to have dinner out with friends without any worry of getting "the slimes" or only being able to eat a bite or two and having to explain myself to everyone. It's nice not feeling starving AND full at the same time--which I often felt with the band! That's the good part of the situation. I basically feel normal, like I didn't have surgery at all. And that does have some advantages, too.

I loooooove my Vitamix. Expensive, but depending on how much you use your blender and for what (e.g., raw veggies, etc), it's well worth the extra cost!

Well that's good, nothing too serious. Take care of yourself though, follow dr's orders!

The same thing happened to me, and I was scared sh!tless...lol. But it was only that my Vitamin levels were a bit low! The first thing that crosses our minds when we get that kind of call is that we're dying, but honestly, the most likely scenario is your Iron or some vitamin is a bit lower than optimal! I swear, I've been there.

Have you tried cocoa powder? You can add it to things like your yogurt, or ricotta cheese, or coffee, or even hot Water with a bit of splenda. If you can handle real chocolate, hey, go for it--they say dark chocolate's good for you, right? I, unfortunately, cannot stop after just one so I avoid altogether. And if I have major cravings for one thing in particular, that's usually a sign that it's something I can't handle so I'll eliminate it and then the cravings go away after 2-3 weeks. But like I said, if YOU can handle it, you could always go for a small amount of the real thing!

On most days I just get a plain old Earl Grey Tea or Grande Decaf Medium Roast. But for a rare treat, a Decaf Skinny Soy Caramel Latte...yum! The soy cuts down on the carbs a bit, and this is a delicious treat once in awhile. Ooh, and over the holiday season they have Skinny Peppermint Mochas--another yum! I used to LOVE chai lattes but I'm off sugar now completely (can't handle it, triggers me to overeat). Still haven't kicked the artificial sweetener habit though...but it's on my to-do list! Sometimes even a sugar-free latte can be a trigger for me, so I need to watch myself.

@@Sleeve101 There are pumpkin spice flavoured K-cups (various brands)--delicious, and no guilt!

Well, almonds are a great healthy fat but those calories WILL add up if you eat too many. I used to try to substitute salted peanuts for my salty potato chip cravings, but I found once I started I couldn't stop! So I'd end up eating waaaay too many peanuts and feeling really guilty. I had to cut them out, too dangerous for me. I find the best way to deal with something I just can't stop eating (once I start) is to cut it out of my diet entirely. I don't have a problem with almonds though--but I get the raw ones, the roasted/salted ones would probably cause me problems, are those the ones you're eating too many of?

You sound like you are very well-prepared, and I think that's awesome! Couple of additional things to consider, based on my experience--which was NOTHING like @@Cody's mom, my recovery was horrendous! I was in agony for weeks, and it was months before I was fully mobile. And I have a high tolerance for pain, so it's not just that I'm a wimp! If you're going to be alone, you may want to set things up in your house so that you can reach them easily. Putting the Protein shakes on the top shelf of the fridge, getting out a pot, etc. Set up your bed with pillows to prop you up, move the tv, etc. Anything that's physical, you may want to do ahead of time so it's all set for you. Your recovery could be a breeze like @@Cody's mom or 3 months of hell like mine, but most likely somewhere in between! So may as well be prepared. Couple more things: I ended up buying a belly binder, which was a huge help with the pain. And finally, although this is TMI (sorry), if I had it to do over again I'd buy one of those reach extenders for, um, the bathroom... (I could not twist or bend without excruciating pain, and therefore could not reach...again, sorry for TMI!) Good luck!!

I would definitely ask your NUT/surgeon first, but, it seems like 7 days on clears is a lot so maybe you'd be fine to at least switch up to full fluids. I know I only had to be on Clear liquids for a couple of days before full fluids, which were a lot more filling. You don't want to risk a leak though, so tell them you're starving and see what they say. Maybe it's a sign of healing if you're already experiencing hunger!

I didn't worry too much about Protein at first either...then all my hair started falling out!!! I'm with you on keeping to "real" food, but if you're not getting enough protein yet, then I do think supplementing with shakes and powder is a good idea.

I definitely had less tolerance of things in the first few months, especially if I ate something with a lot of carbs (it happened after mashed potatoes, and something that had sugar in it). I have absolutely no issues with different textures, like salad or rice or bread, but I find if I eat something that's too fatty I will feel a little nauseous.

Exactly! I've shed many a tear, believe me, feeling sorry for myself about "wasted" money, and self pity wishing I couldn't eat so much. But like you said, it is what it is. We still have smaller pouches than we'd have without any surgery at all (at least I hope??? sometimes it sure doesn't seem so...), and the rest we'll just have to do ourselves. Which we CAN, and we WILL do!!!!!!!

Oh, I know what you mean!! Maybe silken tofu, in a smoothie with fruit? Or greek yogurt in a smoothie? It's so hard, I know! Good luck