Wynnie

@@livlife this is an amazing forum, so keep checking in to other subjects as well

Kudos to you for your overall re- commitment to you, which is an important step to take. Was there a nutritionist that you worked with prior to and/or after your 2012 procedure? If so get in to see them again, I'm sure they would be happy to see you, and if not call your bariatric surgeron's office for a referral to a nutritionist as I think that is your healthiest first step back into your re-dedication. Good luck, and stick to your guns. Also remember all the reasons why you made your initial decision for having surgery to start with.

I am not clear on your pre-op regiment, BUT you are post op now. A few things to consider. Do you want to stand up from a chair with less pain, do you want to tie your shoes the first time you try, do you want to turn over in bed with far better ease, do you want to walk a few steps without being out of breath, do you want to stop worrying about taking a fall and no one being able to pick you up, do you want to stop being the person who goes nowhere and has nothing to wear, do you want anything? What do you want? You now have a tool, don't be afraid to use it to change for the better. Is it possible that the changes from weight loss will change your identity and where you will fit in afterwards, and you won't know who you are? Embrace change, all of it, both the mental and the physical. Change can be frightening. Seek out a nutritionist or a psychologist to assist you in accepting the changes. You have support here, but you may want to seek professional guidance as well. Wishing you every success

For lunch at work I have an Atkins frozen meal. I only get the ones with over 20 grams of protein, they are low carb, high protein and they have a nice selection. They are approx $4 per meal but it cheaper than when I used to buy lunch. I keep them in my office freezer and just pop one in the micro and viola, Swedish meatballs, turkey with string beans, meat loaf with veggies, crust less chicken pot pie, chicken and broccoli alfredo . I have been doing amazingly well with this method and my dr and nut stated that I don't need to track calories just protein 60 to 100 grams per day and carbs, under 35 until I reach goal weight. So far so good

I have ZERO control when it comes to chocolate so even a little in my house will mean the whole bag gone in 10 min. I did however, just find a tea selection of chocolate teas, go to the website for The Republic of Tea and try the banana chocolate and the coconut cocoa one as well. And they are low caffeine and I also have the cinnamon vanilla flavor too, caffeine free and they seem to satisfy my sweet tooth but no sugar. I add 1 packet of stevia in the raw and viola a nice warm feeling. Oh, they have a chocolate sampler box too! Yummy non cheat treats!

I was the exact same way, but it does pass. I found that I was over chewing the food which made it expand and ugh. It will pass just chew as you did prior, take a few bites then wait 5 min until the next few bites. I found that roasted chicken and med rare steak worked best for me. Also I still fare better with fried eggs vs scrambled, not sure why. Be patient and trust that when you are full, you are full

I find that when I have a chocolate craving that if I mix some plain Greek yogurt with some chocolate protein powder it satisfies my choc craving. It's worth a try. I use the unjury brand of protein powder so it dissolves and is lump free in the yogurt. Good luck, I know it's tough.

I take tramadol and have the sleeve. No gastric problems ith it. Hope you feel better soon

It seems to be very normal. The way my doctor explained it was that the stomach takes 3 months or so to fully heal and for all the post op swelling to go down.. I also got amazing advice from my nut as I told her that I chew my food into mush and she told me to chew it the sway I did pre op as over chewing makes the food expand and not go down as easily, and you know what, she was right. The other thing I did was to add 1 Quest bar to my day. I had it for breakfast every morning as it allowed me to get in some much needed protein. Still wait 1/2 hour after eating it, just like any other food you eat. You are headed in the tight direction!

As of this morning I am in ONEDERLAND! I never thought I'd be back here, and I feel lucky to see it again. It's funny how the small part of my family who know I had VSG are not as enthusiastic as you'd think as they may feel that it's been easy, and even my husband realized the huge effort that goes Into this, but said to me a few days ago that he didn't realize all the hard work and dedication that is involved, nor did he know you can easily gain weight. He has been very supportive every step of the way along with our sons, they've celebrated every milestone and are my cheerleaders. January of this year I started at 303 and now am 199, 104 pounds gone, of which 71 pounds is post sleeve on June 12, 2014. Goal is clearly in my sights!

It was the 50 pound mark for me as well, and the comments still keep coming. Keep going, stay motivated, keep your follow up appointments and your nutritionist appointments, as well as following your eating plan and success will be yours!

CONGRATULATIONS! The feeling must be amazing! Keep going!

The best cookbook I've found is Bob Harper's Skinny Meals and so far my husband loves what I've made. They are all high protein, low carb, low fat, and the caloric values are perfect as well. I have a very busy work and home schedule and these meals are easy, basic, simple and have a wonderful taste and textures! I downloaded it as an ebook and I just prop up my iPad when I am making these meals. FYI my 14 year old loves it too. Almond crusted chicken with balsamic string beans is our fav so far!

Grandma2tweetie, yes, I use my protein powder with plain Greek non fat yogurt. I use the unjury brand of protein powder and when I mix in the chocolate it tastes like chocolate pudding, yummy!

A better option than G2 is Mio or Dasani. Mio has a few Options that contain B vitamins and they are all sugar free and no carbs, even the G2 has sugar and carbs. It's tough but the results make it beyond worth it. Good luck on your journey, I am so excited for you!

I was a month shy of 50 when I had my sleeve, and I am thrilled with the results thus far and am enjoying feeling and looking younger! Knee pain greatly diminished, spine less pain, actually everything hurts less, and I have greater ease of movement overall. Best decision ever.

Excellent idea, as the more movement and getting back into your normal routine you do, the better the physical and mental healing process will go! Congrats on your excellent decision to get healthy!

Each and every person who placed a comment is dead on! I am proud of myself when it comes to my weight loss, and getting good eating habits in the early post op stage is vital as trust me you will feel hungry again and the only thing that keeps me on the straight and narrow is knowing I am getting to my goal and that I am able to move and participate without being a burden on those around me. I feel more energetic, I get out more, I am so happy I made this decision. Good luck to each and every one of you, you are amazing!

Ok, it's happened hunger is back, what allowable snacks should I be thinking of?

Kindle, love your snack feedback, thanks!

Chelae, excellent options! Thanks so much!! It's one of those things, as I read it I'm like, oh gee I know that, but I really didn't

Hello all, ok so I'm just wondering what everyone is eating for breakfast?

I take multiple medications in capsule and pill form and had zero pill taking restrictions. In the hosp there were a few I put off taking for a few days, then when I was released home I could take them again 1 at a time over the course of a 5 min apart. Now I am back to being able to take them as I did prior all in 1 fell swoop per dose. The first 2 months was a slow go but I'm back to normal ńow. I also had a hiatial hernia repair with my sleeve Be patient and as to my vitamin I take the Opurity chewable and use a pill cutter to cut it into 4 pieces and chew 1 at a time as it's too powdery for me to chew it all at once.

I know others will respond but I commend you on making this huge life decision! I had/ have 150 pounds to lose and now I'm approx 60 pounds away from goal. You will lose quickly to start and then it will slow, and you will have periods of no loss, but please keep with it, don't become discouraged and you will succeed. Stick to your allowed foods, it's not a diet but a life plan, or at least that's the mind set that is working for me as the word diet implies temporary, but life plan seems permanent. Good luck and keep checking back in here!

SherB ah, my old friend the protein shake, and I have a lot of it left great idea, thanks for the reminder!