squeaker31

I did not ask about support groups but that's a good idea. I would think that's information they would give us if there was one. I am seeing a counselor but she's one I already had and doesn't specialize in wls. But maybe finding another group or person that does would be more what I'm looking for as far as follow up support.

Kindle probably meant weighing portions with a food scale.

I think there are studies about carbs and sugar that show it goes beyond the mental. Not that mental isn't a factor as well. If having a little makes it harder to stay on track maybe it's not worth it. But that's not everyone's experience. For me personally a banana isn't worth the sugars, that's something I learned when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes and really had to watch. But overall I would say that if you are staying within your overall goals for nutrition it's a personal choice. Clearly different nutritionist have different plans and advice. But like my NUT said I could have full fat mayo but when I look at it on my tracker it's just not worth it. I think you can make personal choices within your framework and still be successful.

I have been wondering about my energy levels. Pre surgery I was always exhausted. Always. I still feel tired but I think I do have more energy now at 6 weeks out. I feel like I can walk with more pep in my step. I still need naps and am not as active as I want to be but I'm hoping to keep building. Finally feel like maybe an upward spiral instead of a downward one!

Reading all the stall posts I swore that I wouldn't get frustrated like that. Well that's out the window now lol! I dropped a lot in the first two weeks now it's 4 weeks straight of no loss at all. It feels like drastic actions should get results. I'm questioning everything I'm doing even though I have seen how normal stalls are. My clothes are fitting better though and I keep telling myself to keep the faith. As long as I stay honest in my tracking and reporting to my docs and they say I'm doing it right then it will come off. It's hard though lol.

I hear you! Recovery was much tougher physically than I expected. Popsicles and iced fluids helped me a lot to up my fluids. I am 5 weeks out and finally sleeping through the night and the pains are gone. To sleep I would take a hot shower and an adavan. Helped a lot even though I would still wake up after a few hours it was restful sleep. Personally I never could get enough Protein on the shakes even the nectar kinds. But once soft foods were Introduced it's been much much easier. Good luck! It will get better even if it doesn't feel like it now.

My doc said no straws for drinking. I don't know if that's forever or while healing. Said it brings in excess air.

My mom scheduled our Mother's Day lunch at a buffet lol. I am about 5 weeks post op. And she is doing her six months pre-op plan with a nutritionist. I'm not super upset or anything it's just like ... Sigh. food as part of events is one of my bigger worries going forward I guess. Let's do lunch or let's go have a drink, everything seems to revolve around food. I can still stay on track but I don't want to talk about my food choices with every person and people probably will comment if I'm eating two bites of something.

Thanks all. I'm still on soft foods but I was able to have scrambled eggs and some cheese from the cracker tray. For $17. Lol. It was a specialty buffet for Mother's Day rather than like a buffet restaurant so lots of rich stuff and seafood and stuff, no salad bar. I was at least hoping for cottage cheese lol. Nobody said anything about my plate but I found out my mom has told my entire family without my permission about my surgery. I'll have to look into that bariatric card for future reference though. That would be helpful for eating out.

I am interested in this too. I hope it's normal after recovery to be able to drink more quickly it would help me get it all in lol.

Someone gave me a great reminder on another thread ... You have a few weeks on this side and probably a lifetime on the other side. It will take time to adjust your mind along with your body changes. Keep working at it! Good luck! I also agree mindful eating classes and/or counseling are big helpers.

I was off four weeks, and I have a desk job. I was able to put in hours from home which helped. But I was so uncomfortable. Sharp pains on my left incision side even when I went back I don't think that's the norm. But weirdly the first day back to work driving and bending were awful I almost cried from pain ... But the next day I was finally better. So maybe I took it too easy and needed to push through. Or maybe my body was ready to be healed finally.

I saw someone in another thread saying their doctor advised them to see the first 6 mo - 1 year as a sprint not a marathon. And that after one year most patients don't lose. Any veterans find this to be true? And is it because you're closer of your goal? I just find it has to believe that the surgery changes the mechanics or how you lose weight (calories in calories out). I have a significant amount to lose and I was prepared more for a marathon of a new lifestyle. Rather than to lose all I can in 1 year. I mean it makes total sense that you might lose slower because as you are lighter the percentage of your excess weight changes. But I would like to think it's still possible to work towards a long term goal.

Here is what I don't like about linking health directly to weight. Every person is different and many obese people never get diabetes. I don't think it's fair to judge someone's health and lifestyle by their weight alone. I have a friend who is overweight but can't get approved for surgery because she has no other health issues. How much time do you spend thinking about a thin persons medical issues even though they could have plenty. Because weight is so out there, it becomes open for judgement. I think everyone has a right to feel good and that may very well include weight loss, for many many people it does. But if it doesn't I don't think an outside person can judge without any facts besides their looks. And the doctor thing I think the same principal applies. People should be treated as individuals. Doctors should not be afraid to say that weight is causing problems but they should also not blow off all concerns as due to weight. My mom had this also with undiagnosed thyroid disease. She was fatigued all the time and they just said lose weight.

Wow I have not heard the sprint thing. I wonder why that is. Maybe because behaviors are hard to keep up and I believe you kind of have to step up exercise as you go to get the same results. It just doesn't make logical sense to me that you "can't" keep losing weight if you still have a calorie deficit.

My NUT didn't give me a number either and it's stressing me out. She said in wouldn't be able to eat that much but I am tracking and find it very easy to go over 800 calories even at 4 weeks out. I'd like to be sure I'm following the right plan. Does anyone know why the cal limits are so low for these plans? Is it for faster loss? Or will we really not lose at all on say 1200 calories which in normal calorie counting circles would be a minimum. I'm not looking to cheat I was just curious. Not that I can cheat without them giving me a number lol.

After seeing all the three week stall posts I admit I still panicked a little lol. I am trying to have faith that logically you can't follow this plan long term and NOT lose.

Does drinking after eating cause you to be hungrier? I admit I have a hard time keeping track of how many minutes it's been and I try to drink often so I don't get dehydrated again. I thought spacing out eating and drinking was to avoid discomfort/getting too full.

I have seen a bunch of different surgeons opinions on sleeve stretching since being in the forum. What has your surgeon told you? It seems normal that people have different capacities or tolerances even if they are at the same stage post-op. The idea of permanently reversing some of the benefits of restriction is just so scary, I don't know what the truth of the matter is.

I also use my fitness pal to track. It's helping me keep my calorie intake under control since I can't quite trust myself yet.

I am also sick of shakes. I have been able to get in 60-80g of Protein without them. Protein meals and Snacks are all I eat basically. Greek yogurt and light string cheese are good low cal high protein snacks. I will say the shakes seem to be more filling if you are struggling with fullness or overeating (which I am also. I am not eating to the point of discomfort but grazing perhaps a bit too much. Seem to get "hungry" often)

That's not a bad mindset. for me personally education helps me calm anxiety and irrational fears which is part of what leads me to overeat haha. I'm not mentally trying to "get away with something" but rather understanding the mechanics things helps me. For example I don't feel full after two bites like some others at my stage and my crazy mind starts to spiral into that I've somehow ruined something and will ultimately fail lol. Glad I'm also in therapy lol.

I am 4 weeks out and on the puréed/soft foods stage. I am having a hard time because I never feel satisfied or "full" on the portions recommended. Maybe that's because I am not actually feeling hungry? Or possibly my minds idea of full is "too full". I just feel like I could eat all day. Has anyone else experienced this? During recovery or after? Does taking away the hunger hormone also take away the satiation feeling?

I found this article while researching stretching. It made a lot of sense to me. Basically saying that the signals of full or satisfied are messed up by overeating. So my expectation of how full and hungry feel are altered. That combined with what people have said about not being able to feel it well when the stomach is still recovering. http://obesitycoverage.com/weight-loss-surgeries/gastric-sleeve/gastric-sleeve-will-my-stomach-stretch

I actually called the office and asked/begged to start food two days before my appointment too lol. They said cottage cheese and man that never tasted so good! Idk about medically but it seems every surgeon has different plans and some start food earlier. I think as long as you're tolerating it it's okay.