Inner Surfer Girl

Glad to hear you are doing well. Are you allowed soft foods this early? If do, great. If not, I would caution you to not advance your food faster than your surgeon/NUT advises. I was on Clear liquids for week and full liquids for one week. I didn't advance to soft foods until my third week. Just be sure you follow your program, focus on getting in your Protein and fluids, and walk.

Add Eat It Up! To your list.

Who told you that you can't have fresh fruit? Was it your NUT? Have you had any nutrition classes? I know that pre-op my classes focused on preparing for surgery and immediately post-op. I had a class one week post-op that focused on the weeks following surgery. I am still on the losing phase so my program includes fresh fruits and vegetables, just not a lot of them. I avoid starches (pasta, rice, etc.) for the most part but am not forbidden anything. I choose to eat protein first and have vegetables and/or fruit with the room that is left. I could have quality grains (like oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice) if I plan for it. Once I hit maintenance I will have more room for carbs. It sounds like you may not have the full picture. There are many people on this site who are in maintenance and I have never heard anyone who wasn't allowed good, whole, clean foods.

You have got to keep up with your Protein and fluids. Are you sipping all day? Do you set short-term goals/milestones (2 oz every 15 minutes)? Have you talked to your NUT? You will feel lousy if you are dehydrated and malnourished.

By the way, you aren't counting calories, you are tracking your food to record the nutritional content, especially the macros: protein, carbs, and fats. Calories are secondary, at least that is what my plan entails.

This is when old-fashioned fractions, equivalences, and basic math comes in. Did you eat 1/2 the packet? 1/3, 1/4? I guesstimate usually if I know the starting amount. Or, you could weigh or measure what remains and deduct it from what you started with. Or, you could put it in the refrigerator and finish it later and count the whole portion. It helps to get comfortable with conversions: ex. 2 tablespoons = 1 oz = 1/4 cup, etc. It becomes easier the more you measure things. Here is a good conversion chart. https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/convert/measurements.html

I was sleeved April 20 of this year. My high weight was 565 and I was 413 at my 6 month follow-up. I have a long way to go but could NEVER have lost this much without the sleeve and following the post-op program since my metabolism had pretty much shut down. I couldn't be happier with my surgery choice, my surgeon, my recovery, and my progress. When choosing the type of surgery to have, the amount of weight you have to lose really doesn't matter, as far as I can tell. Best of luck in making your decision.

I record everything in MyFitnessPal but only really focus on Protein. I avoid starches for the most part but do not avoid all carbs.

I know that for many people, as they approach their goal weight their weight loss slows down. I also know that stalls are a natural, normal, and necessary part of the process. I would recommend that you be patient and follow your program. What does your NUT suggest? Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I'd like to encourage you to really focus on getting in all of your protein. It bet it will make a tremendous difference in how you feel and even rev up your weight loss.

Then, it sounds like you are supposed to stay on Clear Liquids until you see your doctor for your one week follow-up per your surgeon's instructions. I am just surprised that they didn't give you more education/training than that. Good sources of Protein for clear liquid phase: Bone broth Isopure ready to drink ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate Other clear liquids: Jello (no sugar added) Popsicles (no sugar added) Decaf tea Herbal infusions (herb tea) Water Water enhanced with crystal light, Mio drops, etc Bouillon or broth Definitely call you surgeon's office for clarification of you have questions. Mine had a 24 hour help line for any questions or concerns. Best of luck.

Water was harder for me at first too. Try different temperatures:cold, room temperature, warm, and see if any of those works better. I had better luck with room temperature water. You might also want to turn adding water enhancers like crystal light, Mio drops, or even infusing it with lemon, cucumber, mint, or something similar. You can also try making decaf tea or an herbal infusion (herb tea). Just keep trying. sugar-free hello and sugar-free Popsicles can also help you get your fluids in, too. It does get better.

Really? When do you suggest weigh ins? When I was newly sleeved, I only weighed at my doctors appointments. Now, I weigh no more than once a week.

I agree. Not eating enough protein and not eating frequently enough is a recipe for disaster. She needs to make an appointment with her NUT right away.

Calories should follow your protein requirements. Someone with lower protein requirements will have lower calories than someone with higher protein requirements. You have to compare apples to apples.

I've battled depression, too so I understand your fears. Just be open and honest. The evaluation is for your benefit.

One great plus when eating a piece of fruit rather than drinking juice is that you can enjoy the flavor longer if you eat it slowly.

I was sleeved and I started with a much higher BMI than you. You need to decide which surgery to have based on your surgeon's recommendation not on how much weight you have to lose.

As far as I know neither surgery would keep you from eating at restaurants. This post is at the very least somewhat misleading.

You are going to hit a stall at about your third week, so don't let the numbers on the scale freak you out.

Your PCP is your Primary Care Physician (your regular doctor). My NUT is about an hour away from me (she is at my surgeon's office), so I just see her when I have appointments with him. Otherwise, we have phone meetings and she is also reachable via email.

Try asking your surgeon or PCP for a referral. If your surgeon doesn't have one on staff they should have someone who works with other patients.

Congratulations! Good for you for not giving up. So glad to hear your recovery is going well. Just keep sipping and walking. You may want to stay off of the scale for a while, too. Keep us posted!

I agree that you might want to have a piece of whole fruit rather than juice.

A quick update. Since the weather is turning colder I just joined our local wellness center. I used my PCP's referral to join, so I have to go at least 12 times a month. I am keeping my finger's crossed that we don't get snowed in too much this winter. I have an initial appointment with a trainer on Monday to do an evaluation. I am kind of looking forward to it!