Inner Surfer Girl

Walking is exercising...

I agree that you need to get specific instructions from your surgeon and NUT. My clear liquid phase was Clear liquids with the exception of premier Protein shakes and ProtiDiet Soups (tomato basil and creamy chicken). I used ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate, too. Contrary to what some surgeon's programs advise, my surgeon stressed the importance of getting in protein early. When you are on clear liquids it helps if most all of your liquids have some kind of protein. In addition, Water and sugar free Popsicles were important. As to amounts, sip all day and aim for 64 oz Fluid and your protein goal (mine is 100 grams). Sip, sip, sip.

It's never too late to start over and ask for help. You have support from people on this site but don't forget about your other resources: your surgeon, NUT, bariatric support groups, psychologist/therapist, etc.

I am so glad you are finding OA helpful. It is a great program and has saved my life. I encourage anyone who struggles with obesity or other food issues to at least be willing to explore the idea of attending a few meetings. I do understand your frustration about maintaining a vibrant fellowship. I moved from a large city with a very active OA community to a small rural town. It has taken some time but now there are several meetings available. Between service and letting go and letting God, things do work themselves out. The traditions, like anonymity, and not promoting are powerful but sometimes hard to understand. I encourage you to read the traditions. Also, it only takes two people to make a meeting. The few times I was the only person there, I took the time to read, pray, and meditate. You never know if that is the day a newcomer decides to visit and comes in later.. Don't let discouragement keep you from taking what you need from the program. Best of luck.

I was sleeved April 20 by Dr. Weiss at Georgetown. He is an awesome surgeon. The worst part of the experience was the anticipation and the leap into the unknown. Learn as much as you can and feel free to ask questions. You can message me, too. Best of luck with your surgery.

I was sleeved April 20 of this year. Up to then, I had been on every diet and considered myself pretty much a professional dieter. I had yo-yo dieted so long that I truly messed up my metabolism. As soon as I was sleeved, the weight started to drop. Yes, because of the sleeve, I am surviving on fewer calories than I did before surgery when dieting, but it's a very different experience (physically and mentally). Now, rather than focusing on deprivation and being hungry, I have to focus on maximizing my nutrition, getting in enough Protein, and staying hydrated, all while not being very hungry. Focusing on calories, in my educated opinion, is asking the wrong question. Yes, the calories are low, but minimizing calories is not the primary goal. It's a byproduct.

The "third week stall" is very common. The solution: stay off the scale. All you need to do is get in your Protein and fluids and wait it out.

I forgot to add, a food scale and good measuring utensils are a must if you don't already have them.

Try GNC Lean 25. I like the orange cream in particular.

You can get a sample pack of Syntrax nectar shakes directly from the manufacturer. The first couple of weeks post-surgery I lived on premier Protein (you can get them at sam's Club or Walmart), ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate (my surgeon's office had them and I also ordered them from Bariatric Choice), ProtiDiet tomato basil and chicken Soups (also from Bariatric Choice), and WonderSlim Dark chocolate pudding (Bariatric Choice). As others mentioned unjury has sample packs available from their website. I like GNC Lean 25. I think the GNC stores can let you sample some of the flavors. I buy GNC shakes and Quest Protein Bars (which you can try once you are on solid/crunchy foods, through Drugstore.com. This is also where I got some shaker bottles. I have a couple of different blenders but use the shaker bottles to mix my shakes most of the time. I also got some small (1/2 cup storage containers), appetizer spoons, and some sushi plates, and small rice bowls. Some people like toddler dishes but I like more grown-up dishes. That said, the gerber graduate lidded bowls are good for leftovers. For my hospital/post-surgery bag I got: lip balm, a heating pad, gas-x, and biotine spray.

A shaker bottle is good for making shakes.

Definitely check with your NUT. My program would not have allowed potato soup pre-op but would have post-op. The pre-op diet for me was high-protein no carbs/starches.

I haven't seen dark chocolate protein pudding? Is there a brand name that sells that? I like the WonderSlim Dark Chocolate. I make it as is or add PB2 to it and it really hits the chocolate spot for me.

What is your Protein goal? Are you tracking with something like MyFitnessPal? Are you eating protein first? Are you eating high-protein food recommended by your NUT? If so, you should be ok. With my protein goal of 100 grams a day, I was initially getting about 1000-1200 a day once I was on solid foods. My NUT said that was fine and that I would still lose at 1400 (I was worried that 1200 was too high). Now, I hover right around 1200 calories. If you are worried about calories, etc. why not call your NUT? I focus on eating protein first and nutritious foods. I don't avoid all carbs (just starches like Pasta, bread, rice, etc.). Be aware that your recovery and weight loss goals should be driven by your protein goals not minimizing calories.

I am a high BMI sleever. I was sleeved April 20 and my BMI was literally off the charts (they had to calculate it by hand). My high weight was 565. My surgery weight was 535 and I am about 453 right now (I don't weigh very often).

If you mean clear Protein drinks then I like the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. They come in several different fruit flavors. Some people like Isopure. Some of the Syntrax Nectars are lighter. I like the fuzzy navel.

I didn't know what a good night's sleep was until I started sleeping with my Bi-Pap. I can't sleep well without it. Post-surgery I had to get a new machine (mine was several years old) that automatically adjusts the pressure and it's great.

Dark chocolate protein pudding, chocolate protein shakes, chocolate calcium chews, chocolate protein bars...I haven't had many days without chocolate since surgery.

Swimming is great once your incisions heal. As others mentioned walking is a good way to start. I have mobility problems so I didn't start getting any significant exercise until I could get in the pool.

I am glad my surgeon went into a great deal of detail about the importance of protein and the evils of high fructose corn syrup as well as the physiology of obesity and why it's not a character flaw but a physical problem to be obese.

Fortunately, I'm not working right now so I don't have to dress up very often (or even wear a bra most days if I don't want to)! I currently wear a lot of dresses so I can wear them through several sizes. I am already down one size in a bathing suit and just bought the next size down so I will be ready! When I get to a normal size/weight I would like to go to a nice department store and use the personal shopper service to build a nice work wardrobe. It will be nice to be able to buy good clothes off the rack for once.

Happy Birthday, @@CanyonBaby!

@@losinghope15, how are you doing? Any progress?

Congratulations! You are on the way to a new life. It will be here before you know it.

That sounds really low for an upper and lower limit, even on Clear Liquids. What food phase are you on? How far out from surgery are you? What is your Protein goal?