jess9395

I haven't read the other responses I'm sure there are some good ones but first of all, an appetite suppressant might make you not hungry but it won't take away any grumpiness/not feeling good that are caused by not getting enough food/calories/protein. Second taste is not a reason you CAN'T do something. Throwing up or gagging or nausea or acid stomach might be, but taste is a WON'T not a can't. Sometimes we just have to suffer through what we don't like for a greater good down the road. Third yes you better find a Protein source you can tolerate because you will need it post op. There are so so so many, keep trying. Took me a long time to find the ones I use. Bought a lot of samples (try Nashua nutrition) and some tubs I returned (Vitamin shoppe is good about those) or gave away or tossed.

Everyone is different! Lots of things in play. Did you do a pre op diet? If you lost weight pre op your first week post op won't be a high because you already lost the big Water weight drop people often lose the first week of any diet. I lost an amazing amount my first week (17lbs) but I didn't have a pre op diet, even so my doc said at my one week follow up not to trust that loss and not to stress if it went up. It didn't, but I hit the "three week stall" right after at two weeks while my body caught up. It's a marathon, not a sprint!

Oh there are LOTS of ways to get 100 calories in only a tablespoon of food! Check out the options at a local REI or running store. GU's and honey stingers and Beans and gummies all with quick acting carbs and electrolytes. My favorites are called Bonk Breakers because they are more whole food based, so are honey stinger products and they have wafers gels and gummies. Even Jelly Belly makes sports beans. Cliff actually makes some whole food gu's out of sweet potatoes and the like, they are awesome! Or get electrolyte replacement drinks powders or tablets to add into your Water. Carbs and electrolytes all at once. At 50 calories per 8oz that's 450 calories of carbs right there in your 72oz so that's good for more than 5 hours of hiking right there. Or make your own fuel--one of my favorites is simple--1c dried fruit, 1c dates, 1c nuts and 1T vanilla in a food processor. Then roll into 1T sized balls. I have another recipe that includes Protein powder coconut flour and PB2. 100 calorie balls are about a tablespoon size. I've worked on this fueling for exercise for about a year now and it's tricky at first till you find your groove, but very do able! I have similar restriction even at more than a year and a half out so I totally understand!

I've been working to do this and I will tell you all the Pinterest boards and looking at what other people wear (and advice from your teenage daughter in my case) is awesome, BUT... You absolutely need to try stuff on. What I thought I'd like does not flatter my new body. I have always pictures flowy boho chic type stuff and knit fabrics and their formless shape makes me look larger. I am moving into more tailored (or at least fitted) woven cotton type things. So def try stuff on!!! Buy at goodwill or resale stores so if something doesn't "work" no big loss! I am amazed at the deals I can get on high end brands in small sizes at resale stores!!!!

Paleo-ish with low to moderate carbs. Very little refined food of any kind, especially carbs. BUT since I do Protein powder I can't say I do true clean eating or paleo. I also allow myself a treat about once a week that's usually processed carbs like chocolate or a cookie, so I'm in the moderation camp. Sweets aren't a trigger for me so I can do those. No bread though or Pasta potatoes rice crackers etc. except maybe 5-6 French fries once a month!

Probably have to wait yeah till you are on full solid

You've gotten lots of great suggestions. I also do cold cut roll ups (I do mine w cheese but you can do without) roll em up w mustard and some cilantro or green onions. Shrimp w cocktail sauce and celery (I keep the shrimp in the freezer in single serve baggies, throw em into my lunchbox and they are thawed by lunchtime). Cucumber slices w Peanut Butter or hummus Toasted chickpeas (bake w a small amount of olive oil and salt at 425 till crisp) A few precooked frozen meatballs. My new summertime treat is frozen fruit. I eat it straight or throw some in my ninja blender w a bit of Water for a sorbet or some flavorless or vanilla Protein powder and milk (you could use almond milk) or water for a smoothie Zucchini chips (slice and bake in oven at low temp for about two hours)

There's no way with my restriction that I could get in enough food with three meals, I just can't eat enough. So I plan 5-7 small meals. Can you get in all your protein/calories in three meals? Just curious!

Yes I've done just fine

I'm not sure carb loading the day before would help. I run half marathons and now a marathon and the most recent studies show carb loading is not the most efficient way to fuel. 100 calories of carbs every 30-45 minutes after the first half hour is a much better way to fuel.

Stop panicking and weight in once a week. Too many reasons for minor fluctuations--Water retention, time of the month, too much salt, hot temperature, workouts--you will make yourself crazy. Also know that weight loss slows and there is an infamous three week stall that may or may not hit you anywhere from two to six weeks out.

Hominy is similar to corn, isn't it? Corn irritates my sleeve horribly. I still get stomach aches 1.5 + out. Only other thing that does that is rice (and carbonation). So be careful!

Wore one to the beach last night for my kids back to school family beach night and one to the watersides earlier this summer! I didn't take any pictures sadly but will try and take one soon! Hoping to go to Cabo in a few weeks for our anniversary so maybe then!

Lol they let me skip the pregnancy test as I have had my tubes tied and went into early menopause about a year and a half before surgery

I have Anthem blue cross PPO and jt varies depending on what the employer/group has purchased. I had to do much less than most it seems. No six month supervised diet (history of attempts was plenty). I was under 45 when I had surgery too so I had to do fewer tests. sleep study (only because I admitted I snored! No sleep apnea though) Mammogram General physical and blood work Ekg Psych evaluation One nutrition appointment I had it all done within 30 days.

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Gastric Sleeve 1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Since December 2014 2. What's your current height and weight? 5'6" 135 3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I'm lucky I guess, I eat 1600-1800 to maintain 4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? I aim for 90-100g a day. I can't get it all with food because my restriction is great, so I still do Protein shakes and bars. 5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? I pretty much don't do simple/white/refined carbs on a daily basis--bread, potatoes, rice, pasta--I haven't had but a bite of rice since surgery, no Pasta and maybe 4 slices of bread. If I am gonna splurge on simple carbs it will be sweets--a cookie or a singleReese's Peanut Butter cup, or a third of a scone. I do that about once a week. However, I don't limit my fruit or vegetables and I do oatmeal once or twice a week. And when I run I fuel with carbs when I have a race or go more than 5 miles in training--dried fruit/nut/date balls are a favorite but I also use processed ones like honey stinger wafers and even occasionally Gu's and sugared electrolyte drinks. 6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? Tricks? Hmmmm I don't eat typical "meals" because my restriction is high. I do 5-7 small mini meals, meat and cheese roll ups, peanut butter with apple or banana, Greek Yogert and fruit, protein shake with frozen fruit Protein powder and sometimes fair life milk or Greek Yogert inside, shrimp w cocktail sauce and celery, cucumber w soft cheese, etc. 7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Like I said above the biggies are pasta, bread, crackers, rice and potatoes. I allow myself most everything else (including sweets and occasionally French fries) in very limited amounts. 8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I run 20+ miles a week (just did a marathon where I was 40+ miles a week, but now am only half marathon training), so 3-4 yoga classes a week, daily yoga at home on days I am not in class and do either a 10-15 mile bike ride or a 500+ meter swim weekly so I can keep up for my triathlons (I have been doing a short one every other month or so). 9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? I did two years of weekly therapy before weight loss surgery and I think it was invaluable! I have done it on and off since for "tune ups" 10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Maintenance is the "now what?" Usually in the past there has been no maintenance for me it's been up and down and then up again. Maintenance isn't sexy--you don't get the kudos and great feedback, the attention drops off or becomes the new normal. So you need to find something else to motivate you. For me it's been racing--marathons, half marathons, triathlons, relay races, etc. the other part is subconsciously a lot of us think our lives will be magically perfect once we are skinny/heathy/whatever. It doesn't happen. And there's nothing left to blame the things that don't go well on. He's not less attentive because I'm fat. I didn't not get that job because I'm fat. (Just for example). I need to figure out the real whys in my life now. Again a good reason therapy is helpful!

I understand some people can, but I'm over a year and a half out and still do one a day.

I've done it all--toppings off regular pizza, cauliflower crust, flat out bread pizza, even a small slice of thin crust regular pizza and last night most of a small piece of regular crust pizza. I am over a year and a half out and on maintenance (and since I run a lot I actually am at the point I need to be conscious to avoid losing). Haven't tried the chicken crust though! That sounds really good im gonna try that!!! Anyhow, you will be able to to pizza again, in small amounts and as long as you make sure to include it in your plan. Bread for the most part doesn't sit well with me unless it's crisp/toasted so I can't do really doughy crust but anything else I can do in moderation.

I found the c section way worse than the sleeve but tummy tuck was worse than the c section.

I don't have to guess, I know. Down 135lbs and strangers make eye contact, shopkeepers approach and ask if I need help, I get friendly smiles and such soooooo much more! How much is the weight loss and how much is me carrying myself differently in the world--with confidence--I don't know, but DEFINITELY treated with more respect and approached much more often.

That's what I had (along with a lift)! I LOVE my new boobs! They look amazingly natural and not "done" at all. Neither my husband or I can feel the implants even when we are "looking" for them which is a bonus.

I can do small amounts of everything at this point (1.75 years out). The pork still doesn't sit very well. Steak was the other that took a long time (ground beef was okay earlier so I can't really say beef). chicken, fish and turkey agree with me the best!

I do a full scoop with about 8 oz water or milk.

I have mixed feelings on PB2. It's lower calorie because they "defat" it partially so it's kind of powdered, which is great, but they then add sugar. It's not a lot of sugar, but why did they have to do that? Anyhow I use both. I add the PB2 to yogert or Protein shakes as someone said above. Also have used it in mini low carb cheesecakes I make with low fat cream cheese, eggs and Splenda. Sprinkle it on my oatmeal which I have maybe twice a month.

Ok from my paramedic sister-- You can do an NG tube just not a BLIND NG tube, it needs to be guided by ultrasound imaging because the stomach isn't as expected. BUT she also says there is no reason she can think of that emergency personnel would have to do an NG tube in the field. It's for feeding, feeding is rarely needed in order to stabilize a patent in an emergency situation. Also, yeah no NSAIDS long term bc it can irritate the stomach/cause ulcers/whatever, but again it's not poison or life threatening if it's given. And again, if they are giving pain relievers in the field it ain't NSAIDS, it's something a tad stronger. Sugar? Again not life threatening, in fact I have sugar by choice on occasion, yes even real refined sugar. May threaten my weight but not my life. Medic alert bracelets are to help EMERGENCY personnel in life threatening situations. In my surgeons opinion, my paramedic sisters opinion and my opinion bariatric patients don't need one. But hey, I don't think it can hurt, but it may take a few minutes of the paramedics attention away from me when I need it most to read that they can't put in a feeding tube or give me Advil. I don't wear one.