dashofsunshine

Do you mean out to eat, or just...out? I finally left the house about a week after surgery. I didn't eat anywhere out for about 2 1/2 months.

Your friend is right. I almost let the "you lose more weight with the bypass" thing change my mind about the sleeve. 175 lbs lost, surpassed goal, and still losing, and I can tell you - how much you lose is all up to you. Work hard, follow your plan, and you can lose it all AND more with the sleeve, just like the bypass. Good luck with your surgery!!

I usually come in around 40 or less per day - that's total carbs, not net carbs. I'm 18 months out.

I've lost some, yeah. Unfortunately. Most of my close friends (i.e. The ones that matter) have been so wonderful, supportive, and awesome. But it's borderline hilarious and kind of frustrating how competitive and catty women can be. I made several friends early on who were having/had WLS already...through networking and Instagram, etc. They were all SO kind and supportive, etc, "we're in this together!" ...until I lost more weight. Until I surpassed them. Until they got self conscious. Until they started comparing. Once that happened, I can't even tell you how many mean things were said to me. How many "friends" I lost. I was so upset by it for a long time. I've never been a competitive person - I didn't even play sports in school, lol. Not my thing. I hope we all make it, and I always have. So, to have women be SO mean to me simply because I reached "goal" faster (goal is a number. It's just a number. And it's not a race.) was really a harsh slap in the face. The ones that really truly love you, though, will stick by you. And that's what matters just steel yourself for some hatred. Many women are very insecure.

I'm 18 months post op now, but even at a few weeks out, I was taking miralax. My doctor told me to do half dosage per day. I still do that when things get rather problematic, but in general, staying hydrated REALLY keeps things moving. Even when I eat so few carbs, adequate water intake always helps. But definitely try some miralax (or call your surgeon and see if he/she ok's it, although I believe most do).

Here is a really good article for you! http://blog.fooducate.com/2013/01/06/when-stevia-isnt-stevia/ Basically, many forms of stevia aren't as, uh..."natural" as they want you to think. Chemicals have to be used to transform that little slightly sweet leaf into a white powder or clear liquid that is 40 times sweeter than sugar. It bothers some people more than others, and some brands/forms of stevia are more "natural" than others. Hope this helps! EDIT: here's a good breakdown on Truvia as well, which I used for quite a while in my first several months post op. It's widely available in grocery stores and a lot of people use it. http://blog.fooducate.com/2013/07/20/warning-stevia-sweeteners-may-not-be-as-natural-as-you-think/

Hey there! You got this. The pre-op diet is no walk in the park. You can do it! It's worth it I hope these help to encourage you!

I have a pint in my freezer right now it's a special treat food for me! I have one scoop in a bowl once a week, and it's perfect. Remember...moderation in all things. The macros are great (considering it's ice cream), and if I told myself before surgery "You can never have ice cream ever again," well...that's a pretty miserable sentence to place on yourself. One of the best parts about living a healthy lifestyle is learning how to eat things you love, occasionally, in a healthier way Halo Top is a great once in a while treat.

Dub is totally right. I remember after surgery, still on liquids...still dealing with MAJOR food/sugar addictions...looking at all my old restaurants on Yelp and just dreaming of food... It will get better. So, so much better. Hunker down and power through. Once you are able to eat actual food again, just follow your plan. The cravings subside, and I truly do crave different things now. I can also tell if my body is needing veggies or Vitamins - if I haven't been getting enough, I start to feel like absolute garbage. The same goes for eating anything high carb or just sort of grazing on things I know I shouldn't. After a day of that, I wake up the next morning feeling terrible, and that's when I reach for salad and grilled chicken and get back on track. You'll learn to listen to your body, and it will want healthy things, once you retrain it

I use creamer, the regular sugar kind. I used a lot of stevia and sugar free in the early days. But now, at 18 months out...below goal and still losing...I feel in control of my eating habits, and I really am trying to weed out artificial sweeteners. I don't eat sugar otherwise (except for an occasional piece of fresh fruit), and I keep my carbs low almost without even thinking now. So, a tablespoon of creamer in my coffee every morning is not going to kill me. Moderation is an epic thing. Peppermint mocha FTW.

Yeah, nope. I can't and don't keep them in the house. When we go visit my parents 2 hours away, they always have club crackers. And chips. Nope nope nope. No nutritional value whatsoever, and they are definitely a slider food for me, so I just have to stay away. I second the suggestion for Quest Protein chips, though! You can even use half a bag and put some ground turkey or pulled pork on top and a sprinkle of cheese. High protein nachos!! Woooo!

I don't drink protein shakes anymore on a daily basis I get my protein through foods now. It's very possible and 800-1000 is what my doctor suggests, and where I'm comfortable. You should ask your doctor where he/she thinks you should be!

The stories you see of people eating 10 fudge rounds in one sitting or "eating for two" are excessive, guys. Literally, medically: you only need 300 extra calories per day to feed a baby. You can add in a few high protein snacks per day and EASILY get that. Don't fret!

Everyone loses differently. Some people lose a ton of weight in the beginning, and it trails off; some lose less in the beginning, then it picks up; some lose easily and evenly the whole time; some lose slowly the whole time. The important thing to remember is that, if you follow your plan? You WILL lose weight. It doesn't matter what the scale says - scientifically, mathematically, the weight will come off. Your body is still very swollen, it went through quite a bit of trauma, and it will take months before it is fully healed. There are so many things happening inside you right now that are throwing off your weight. My advice? Get off the scale. It will drive you mad in those early days. Stick to your plan, and let your doctor weigh you. Good luck

In the early days, I added a spoonful of instant coffee and sugar free torani caramel syrup to ice, vanilla Protein powder, and a little skim milk (or water). Blend it up, protein frappuccino. I waited until a few months out for the real thing, but I drink it every morning now worth the wait. Glorious coffee!

I suppose this answer varies from person to person (and surgeon to surgeon), but when I asked about exercising and eating more calories, my nutritionist told me that the numbers they gave me were already factoring in that I was exercising. So, in short, the answer I was given is no. The caloric values I was told to stick with already assume that you are exercising and burning calories. FWIW, on extra heavy lifting days, I still eat a few more, despite what my NUT said. I eat about 800 calories a day generally, but if I have a really heavy workout day, sometimes I'll try to bump it up to 900 or 1,000 with more Protein to avoid feeling exhausted and to give my muscles plenty of fuel for recovery. I'm 18 months out and have surpassed goal. Still losing.

I love cooking and entertaining even more now than I did pre-op. I really, truly enjoy finding delicious recipes that use whole foods - learning about herbs and spices - finding creative ways to prepare dishes in a healthier (yet still tasty) way. My family and friends LOVE when I cook for them now, because what I make is both delicious and healthy. Surgery isn't a death sentence for your social life, or for the enjoyment of food. You simply learn to enjoy different foods in different ways.

Yep. There will be some. Hydration, age, exercise, genetics, etc...all play into how MUCH...but you are going to have some loose skin. Just expect it and don't be let down when it appears. Do what you can to tone it and be proactive. It doesn't end up as rolls and rolls of skin for everyone. I lost 175 lbs, no skin removal, and this is me now. I have some on my stomach and a bit on my arms, but nothing debilitating. Some people have more than others, but don't let it get you down. Exercise and hydrate and when the day comes, if you'd like, you can get it removed! Your health is worth it

My scars don't show at all, really. I suppose if you looked closely, you might see them. But they healed right up and have faded very well. I'm 18 months post op. I'm pale as a ghost, so I think that helps my scars blend in a little, lol!

I'm 18 months out, my sister in law is 6 years out - the noises never go away. Embrace it and learn to live with it, lol. It's pretty normal.

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you, but I'm tuning in as well...hoping to be pregnant sometime next year, so this is valuable information.

I think this is the only one I haven't posted on...I think! Lol HW: 330 SW: 323 CW: 156 I will be 18 months post op on the 20th.

I'm in Nashville too! What hospital/surgeon did you go through? I'm just starting my journey, and don't know anyone who has done the sleeve. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App Mine was about the same here in good ol Nashvegas! My surgeon was Dr. Dyer at Centennial

Hi guys I hit goal last month. I hope everyone else is doing well! HW: 330 SW: 323 CW: 158 (My doctors goal weight for me was 163)

I like salty, crunchy Snacks for the most part. I love whisps, which are basically Parmesan cheese chips. Less than 1 carb per serving and 9 g of Protein. I eat those or Quest Protein chips when I need that satisfying, salty crunch. I also like pickles, olives, Sargento cheese snacks (the new little baby stick ones come in several flavors, and about 5 of them is the perfect snack for me), a few slices of deli meat, a few almonds, etc. You get the gist. I also like light & fit Greek yogurt, and half an apple with a little bit of Peanut Butter as a treat. I keep my carbs at around 30-40 total per day (not net carbs, but total carbs), and I never really crave them anymore. I kept them at 20 total per day while I was actively really trying to get to goal.