KristenVSG2014

I'm sure you've seen on here multiple times that the sleeve is simply a tool to help you lose weight. You still have to use willpower and choose what you put in your mouth. Especially around the holidays. I ate a fruit cake cookie the other day. No big deal. It was just one and I stayed within my calorie limits and met my Protein requirements. I was sleeved 11/3 and I get hungry but not ravenous like before surgery. I've also noticed sometimes when I think or feel hungry I'm actually dehydrated so I strategically plan when I will eat and drink during the day. I don't do this perfectly. In fact I find it much more difficult during the weekend. But I do the best I can. If I'm craving Chinese I find a delicious recipe online that focuses on protein and I skip the rice or noodles. The other day I made jambalaya with sausage, chicken and shrimp. I ate the meat only and serve it with rice for my husband. It's even possible to eat out! I went to an Italian restaurant and ordered Chicken Parmesan grilled, not breaded, and served over veggies rather than Pasta. It was delicious! I haven't gotten bored at all because I keep cooking and trying new things. I only get the metallic taste when I haven't had enough Water. One thing I noticed is flossing daily is absolutely critical when taking in lots of meat. Skip a few days and you will notice for sure! Most people I think are so thrilled with the pros of the sleeve they are willing to overlook the cons. I miss eating Publix subs but when I step on the scale and it keeps going down I remember it is totally worth it!

It was going to take the whole day to get back to Florida and I knew I wouldn't be up to it so my husband and I made a vacation of it and stayed with his parents in Los Angeles for two weeks. Even after two weeks finding enough protein and fluids for the ride home was expensive and difficult. I did need a pillow to put in front of my stomach on the ride from TJ to LA, though. Do you have someone going with you? I made my husband carry everything.

My stomach did the same thing the first few weeks. I called it "rumbles" because I could feel and hear it like a storm brewing. I'm sure now that it was acid. I also was not put on a PPI and it wasn't until 6+ weeks out that I started to have heart burn and reflux. Call your doctor and ask for a Rx or go to CVS and pick some up OTC.

I've had Mirena over two years and it stopped my heavy periods completely. I have PCOS so my periods were irregular but when I had them they lasted much longer than normal. When I started my pre-op diet I lost 14 pounds and had a 2 day period. Whoa! I forgot that's what happens to other women. Now I'm 7 weeks post op now and while I haven't had any blood, I'm most definitely ovulating WITH Mirena in place. I'm thinking this is great since my hormones are finally regulating. I plan on having Mirena replaced when it expires. I love not worrying about pads and tampons. As a side note - You may want to get the placement checked (or check for your strings yourself). I've heard of women losing weight and the IUD shifting out of place. Never hurts to get your doctor's opinion!

First, YOU GO GIRL! Congrats on the awesome accomplishment!! My highest weight was 290 and I can't wait to be 190!! Second, "Let your haters be your motivators!" ???? I love your positive attitude.

This is hands down the best NSV I've read so far!

I'm on week 6. I try to plan my meals each day in MFP. I usually have a cheese-stick or a boiled egg for a snack. Then I usually have leftovers for lunch, today was mole chicken. Dinner was turkey taco meat topped with cheese, sour cream, salsa and cilantro. I've discovered if I feel hungry it's usually acid (so I take an antacid) or I'm thirsty (so I drink).

I've gone from a 9 1/2 / 10 to 8 / 8 1/2. And I'm still 60 pounds from my goal weight!

Before VSG: I am most definitely a volume eater. I like the feeling of being full and satisfied. I used to LOVE to go to Olive Garden because I would eat about 4 bowls of salad (equivalent to one of the giant bowls), then I'd eat breadsticks (anywhere from 2-8) AND my meal which was always something with Alfredo. Then mop it all up with one more breadstick. Then get some of those little fried doughnuts and chocolate dipping sauce. Mmmmmmmm. I also enjoyed a homewrecker burrito from Moe's along with chips and cheese dip. Popeyes' chicken is really good. I would eat two breasts, two wings, half a large fry and a large red Beans and rice. I'm not a huge snacker or sweets person but I have eaten half a sheet cake in one sitting on a few occasions. But it has to be whipped icing, I don't like buttercream. After VSG: I just ate 1 1/2 deviled eggs for lunch and I'm full. :-)

Such great ideas on here!! I agree with the boiled eggs, cheese sticks and shrimp. I never seem to tire of them.

Marie told me the same thing which is why I stopped listening to her. They do not customize diet at all at Specialized Bariatrics. When I asked for suggested daily macros she told me my Protein should be 20% of my calories. That would be 50 grams at 1,000 calories a day. So where in the heck are the rest of those calories coming from if they also expect low fat? Carbs. No thanks! Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for the quality of care I got in Mexico but they need a new nut. She doesn't know much about Bariatric nutrition. 1,000-1,200 a day is great for you as a man but why would I eat that as a 5'7 female unless I'm at my goal weight? Nah. I'll stick with 600-800 calories a day like I've been doing and my macros are set to 50/35/15 protein/fat/carbs. I've lost 37 pounds so far so I guess it's working.

Do you have trouble drinking in general or just finding the time to? I think everyone has to try to figure out what works for them but this is what I do: 6:00-7:00 Drink 20 oz hot tea 8:00 Eat Breakfast 9:00-11:00 Fill up 32 oz bottle and work on sipping 11:30-12:30 lunch 1:30 - 5:00 Finish drinking 32 oz bottle 5:00-6:00 Go walking 6:30 dinner 8:00-9:00 Another 20 oz hot tea So one 32 oz bottle and start and end my day with a 20 oz tea. That's 72 oz of Water.

Have you taken measurements to see if you are losing inches despite the scale not moving? The scale is only one measure of success. Measurements, how your clothes fit and compliments from others are more. I found this good article I thought gave some good advice: http://www.boxingscene.com/weight-loss/35945.php

Hi! I'm over 4 weeks out and was also sleeved in Mexico. The full feeling was a little harder to feel on puree unless it had meat in it. I measured everything and ate 1/4 cup. I loved Taco Bell's pinto Beans and cheese. Mmmmm. I also put skim ricotta, tomato sauce and fresh basil in my processor then heated it up and melted mozzarella on top. I also cooked turkey chili and processed the mess out of it and that was the first time I truly felt full and couldn't finish the serving.

Captain D's has a single shrimp skewer that's only 100 calories and 12 grams of protein. Or you can get grilled white fish and shrimp skewer meal with veggies.

When you say halfway through your second month do you mean you're 6 weeks out? If so...20 pounds in 6 weeks is excellent. Your body has to take breaks between massive losses. Put the scale away. Keep doing what you're supposed to be doing and weigh yourself once a month for now.

Oh no. I'm waiting to hit the dreaded stall because the last time I was 220 my body stayed there FOREVER. I was never able to get below 217. I'm hoping to blow past it with no issues but deep down I have a feeling a stall is on the horizon!

Thank you, @@crystalmaries and @@kikicoates78!!

You also have to keep in mind we are eating a LOT less than we used to so the body is using the majority of it and little is resulting in waste. The BM's I have had are smaller than my 25 lb Beagle's poos. Lol. I take a Cascara Sagrada about once a week and it has kept me pretty regular (every other day). I also have a giant cup of hot tea before I go to bed and as soon as I wake up.

Update: HW: 290 SW: 260.8 CW: 225.2 I lost 13.8 on my pre-op diet and 21.8 since surgery so I'm down a total of 35.6 lbs. Measurements: Neck - from 15' to 14' = 1 inch Below breasts - 45' to 40' = 5 inches Hips - 53' to 47' = 6 inches Arms - 16 1/2' to 15' = 1 1/2 inches Thighs - 27 1/2' to 26' = 1 1/2 inches

I was sleeved 11/3 and lost 13.8 on my pre-op diet and 21.8 since surgery so I'm down a total of 35.6 lbs. I've had no issues or complications. I'm very happy with the whole process.

YES!!

I had a terrible time trying to find size 10, I can't imagine trying to find cute size 11's! I still have at least 50 pounds to go so I'm curious if I'll end up a size smaller. My feet and ankles already look pretty boney.

Yep. I used to wear 9.5 W or 10 but now I wear 8.5. Just ordered some new shoes because mine are all too big!

As a kid, anytime we had leftover white rice, I would put the cold white rice in a mug then top with sugar, cinnamon and milk. Mmmmmmmm. Taste like horchata.