loriannfos

Hello all! Sleeve date 12/31/13 - weighed 210. Now at 144. I ran 8 mi yesterday and I'm training for a half marathon. Woot woot!

Congrats Fiddleman! I am happy with my March. On Sunday I ran/walked 7.25 miles in 1h, 20 min. And more importantly, I am still able to walk today ! LOL

With all due respect to your surgeon, I disagree with his opinion and I think you should seek a second opinion - this is from my perspective of being both a doctor (family Medicine) and a gastric sleeve patient. There's no reason you can't switch your post-op follow up to a different Bariatric surgeon. You are meeting your weight loss and protein goals, you are for the most part avoiding refined carbs, so I don't see a problem. Congrats to you for your success thus far! You're doing great!!

Hi folks, I've been doing some research on various Protein formulations, whey vs soy vs casein vs whey protein isolate ... I have read that whey protein isolate has the highest bioavailability among the different subtypes. It is also on the higher end of the price range. I think the Premier Protein ready-made shakes (a mix of whey and soy Proteins , I believe) are quite tasty, actually tastier than the more expensive 'Oh Yeah!' whey protein isolate shakes (except strawberry - oh yeah ready mix is the tastier ) I wonder about the bioavailability of Premier Protein ... Eg what percentage of the protein delivered is the gut able to absorb? I haven't been able to find any stats on this. Any input would be greatly appreciated! :-). Thanks and best wishes to all in your weight loss journeys! Yours Truly, A Protein Geek :-)

For folks in South Carolina, on DirecTV, it is at 10 PM on 'eTV' - ch. 29. 'Independent Lens'.

Good job Fiddleman, you are a P90x Beast! :-) I am training for a 10K, using the '10K Runner' app. Today finished week 4 of 14 - now up to running 18 min per workout - go, me ! I am circuit training with a personal trainer at the Y for 1 hour twice a week as well. My goal for March is to log a total 6 hours per week for training, and to run a mile nonstop by end of month. Thanks for all the inspiring and motivating posts!

Hi y'all - just checking in, too, w/my 12/2013 'peeps'. HW 210, SW 199, CW 158, total loss 52#! Everything in day-to-day activities seems easier now... Makes sense, now that I'm no longer lugging around the equivalent of a 5-gal Water jug all day long! Nutrition remains a bit of a struggle ... No hunger so I have to set reminders to eat! Lol, never thought I'd say That ! I rely on whey Protein isolate shakes (1-2 a day) when I'm falling short of my 70g daily goal. I carry a water bottle (stainless steel, double (vacuum) wall) at all times. I like my water icy-cold only. Wishing everyone well! Happy Spring (and happy new 'you'!)

My favorite protein shake (powder) is Unjury. It is high quality whey protein isolate - which is well absorbed by the gut - and tastes great.

Update for Loriannfos: VSG date 12/31/13 Highest Weight 210 Starting Weight 201 Current Weight 164 --46 lbs lighter!!! -- Livin' and Lovin' the sleeve plan! I'm enjoying a healthy snack tonight... 1/4 c fat-free Refried Beans Topped w/ 1/4 c shredded Colby-Jack cheese And I added about 6 grape tomatoes (quartered, lightly brushed with Lucini olive oil) Added a pinch of Kosher salt Stuck plate under broiler for about 5 min... Delish!

Thanks for the excellent information! It has been a wild ride for me thus far. But a successful one: down 46# I am so glad I established a therapist prior to my surgery. The monthly appointments ensure that I 'Check in' on how I am doing emotionally.

Great metaphor! I thought of it today while at a lunch meeting. A colleague seated across from me was eating French Fries (my Achilles heel). I was feeling sad, deprived... But then a thought popped into my mind, 'I am stronger than a French Fry '. Within an instant the negative thoughts were replaced with a sense of calm, Zen-like centeredness. To quote a popular 80s song, "What a Feeling!" Thank you for sharing such a wonderful way to reframe a negative "cannot have, self-deprive" into a positive "I am strong, I have a choice, I am empowered" . Kudos!!!

ME TOO! Happened this past Sun night... my friend instantly high fived me . Congrats!!!

Greetings from Gaffney, SC! I apologize in advance for being long winded, but as this is my first post, I'm not quite sure how to start. My name is Lori, and I had my vertical sleeve gastrectomy on 12/31/2013. This is my New Year, New Body, New Spirit pledge and the first new step of what has thus far been a whirlwind journey of self-discovery. My first weight loss journey began for me in late adolescence, the first of my sputtering-start-and-stop efforts at weight loss, all valiant though alas temporary. Back then I knew so little of just how the deck was stacked against me. Even college, medical school, and residency did little to advance my understanding of bariatrics. Take a wild guess at how many hours of education I received in nutrition counseling and Bariatric treatment options in medical school ... NONE!!! That's right... As I faced my own struggles, my colleagues either remarked, 'when is your baby due?' [i have never been pregnant] , or, closer to my WLS date, one remarked, 'why don't you just diet and exercise?!' [gee, never thought of THAT before!].... Grrr! So I decided from there on to tell only two folks - my husband, who has thankfully been an awesome supporter, and my office manager (who's great at keeping me on track in the workplace.) Since 1/1/14, I've never looked back! Yes, it's been hard at times - mostly in trying to eat and drink ENOUGH! Wow, feeling full, quite a foreign, but welcome, concept for me! I've lost a total (from highest weight) of 44.5 lbs. I can breathe easier, I have tons more energy, and can shop off the rack at clothing stores. But my biggest 'non-scale victory' has been wearing my wedding rings again. !!! (Hadn't fit in 5 yrs). And now I am dealing with all that emotional 'stuff' that I'd previously 'stuffed down with food'. Yeowzahs! Good thing I hired a therapist in advance! The shocker for me is not quite recognizing my own reflection in the mirror some days... On some bleary eyed mornings I've actually startled myself ! And though I am losing weight at a good rate, that self-critical little voice sometimes sneers at me, 'who do you think you're kidding?! What makes you think this will work long term?! '. I wish I knew how to banish that little twerp from my self-dialogue permanently!!! I am looking forward to getting to know you, my brothers and sisters in this journey, those who can truly relate to the ups and downs of life after sleeve. Tour tips, tricks , and thoughts are welcome! God's peace, Lori

I was sleeved 12/31/13. New year, new stomach, new me!!! Thus far I've lost 45#. Have 35# left to go. Feels weird to be looking in the mirror and feeling pride rather than disgust at what I see. I am still on soft foods diet. I am craving Thai food something fierce, but I'm leery, as I just can't seem to tolerate spicy foods since surgery. That's a toughie for this Cajun girl raised on good ole N'Awlins Louisiana cooking! (Sigh)

I have struggled with constipation as well. I've upped my Colace (OTC stool softener) to 100 mg twice a day. I try to work fat free Refried beans into my diet, 1/4 c daily, that helps. My doc lets me use Miralax as needed (OTC too, but not good for folks with kidney issues so check w/doc first ).

I am much colder than I used to be before surgery. I am 8 weeks s/p vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Congratulations!!! Remember to sip, sip, sip Water all day. It's very easy to get dehydrated! Keep up the good work!

Fat Free Refried Beans. I portion control. and hey, there's some nutrition value . But not much prolonged satiety. I'm scared to try any kind of forbidden foods, lest I slide to the point of no return (pun intended LOL) and I'm paranoid it would be a slippery slope to ruining all my hard work thus far.

Proud of you!!! You are an inspiration

LOL!!!

LOL!!!

I like the idea of cute Rachael Ray dishes! I also bought a bunch of Baby spoons, and 4-oz quilted Ball Jars with dissolvable labels.