BLERDgirl

I've noticed my temples are thinning.

Follow your doctor's advice. Getting in that Protein will be important post-op. Starting to make those changes pre-op is good practice for the post-op life. The most valuable thing I did pre-op was practice eating slowly. I'm happy I listened to my team and did it. I've never thrown up or had a case of the foamies thanks to listening to them. It's as much about re-learning how to eat as it is to lose weight. You won't learn how to make a high protein/low calorie diet by using medifast instead of what your doctor recommends.

Maybe this is part of the problem too. I will slow things way down and see what the effect is. Maybe try luxuriating over some lovely canned chicken! Yum! Seriously, though, good suggestion. Steve's right, we have to not only take small bites, we have to eat super slow. You can try putting your utensils down and waiting a minute or 2 between bites, or you can download the app Eat Slower. Between keeping the food moist and slower eating, hopefully it will help.

You can ask your doctor and they will give you a bunch of statics, but like everyone else has said, it varies too much to guess or project honestly. Just go into this determined to do your best. Some people are fast losers, some are slow losers and some are steady and in between. Occasionally you even have those who gain weight from the IV fluids. Don't focus on the scale. Focus on staying hydrated, getting your protein in and exercising as soon as your doctor permits. If you really want to see something amazing, take your measurements the day of surgery (neck, boobs, waist and hips). Then take them after each follow up visit. You'll be surprised at the changes you see.

That sounds like you may be eating too fast.you could try spacing your bites 2 minutes apart or using the Eat Slower app

You are my Sheroe! Hopefully I am as successful as you.

Do you have heart problems? I didn't have to see a cardiologist either

That does not sound like fun, but it was smart of you to get it checked. Hopefully they'll have you patched up and home soon.

yep 3 month script for omeprazole (generic prilosec) You'll be happy to have it, just find one you can tolerate.

I didn't have a stress test. Is that something a particular insurance company request or just another program to program variable?

Yogi brand tea also makes a variety similar to smooth move called Detox Tea. Whole Foods sell it in the aisle with their herbal teas. I'm vegetarian and if I eat too many Beans I get really loose stools. Beans are also high in Protein, especially black beans, lentil and peas. Some people are hesitant to eat beans because of the carbs, however they haven't effected my weight loss at all. Adding a capfull of Braggs organic apple cider vinegar is also a natural way to stay regular.

You might benefit from food logging. It's not everyone's cup of tea but for many it helps to see things in print. Will you have your one year follow up soon? Perhaps make it a point to discuss this with your nutritionist.

You are doing well. Don't let that looming deadline haunt you. 70+ lbs in 7 mths is 10lbs a month. So if you continue at that rate you could actually hit your doctor's goal. However I wish he had framed it more positively for you. Doesn't hearing, "Congratulations! You've lost 70lbs, if you keep losing at this rate you'll weight ________ in a year!" Sound better than demanding you lose such a big number by your 1 year anniversary? Either way, here's the reality. You've lost 70+lbs! When was the last time you did that? Pat yourself on the back for working as hard as you have to get to this point. As for the cravings and low energy. I suspect it's a side effect of the emotions that are being stirred up due to feeling you are "behind" and the fact that the scale hasn't moved in 10 days. Now is the time to develop new coping skills instead of turning to the old friend food for comfort. Are you working out? I have discovered the endorphin that you get from a good, vigorous workout. Better than carb loading by miles. Instead of hoping on that scale and upsetting yourself, have you taken your measurements? Neck, boobs, waist and hips. Try doing that once a month and maybe give the scale a rest for a while. Spring is coming, maybe try your hand at gardening. Or just try a new adventure that doesn't have anything to do with food. You can do this, just hang in there, put the scale away for a minute and focus on eating well and exercising more.

Yoga pants are gym pants. Lane Bryant active wear might be a good option. If you purchase the ones with compression in them, you can also use them post op.

A few things: 1. Have you spoken with your nutritionist? 2. You say you eat most of your calories at night? Is there a particular reason why? Do you work split shift or evenings? If not, I would try switching that. For me I find that if I skip breakfast I don't lose as well. My metabolism needs to be waken up early in the day. I also do better eating the majority of my calories before 4. My biggest meal of the day is usually lunch. Dinner is often something like like a small salad or soup. Doing this means that I get most of my calories in during the time of the day when I am most active.

I don't think so but I know I want to be strong so if it means I will lose at a slower rate, I'll take that swap.

2 weeks full liquids, 2 weeks pureed, 2 weeks soft foods and after that anything as tolerated. I guess that makes me 6 weeks on solids. I have the tummy of steel and haven't had any trouble with foods.

I agree. It's part mental game. I also really wanted to embrace eating better as a lifestyle change. I no longer think of "bad" food or "cheat days". I didn't want to have negative connotations with my eating. I wanted to develop the skills to have the occasional cookie, or piece of chocolate without being victim to cravings or binging. I like having the ability to walk away from food now.

I can say as a vegetarian I really don't have any trouble getting my protein in. I imagine being a vegan would be more challenging and likely involve higher doses of soy than I am comfortable with. Especially since so much of the soy we get in the country is highly processed. The real trick was showing the nutritionist that I was serious about making this work. I think once she saw that I did my homework and it was working for me, she felt better about it. Ironically enough I had a uteria episode my very first appointment so they never gave me any issues with needs to keep things as all natural and unprocessed as possible. They had living proof of how bad my allergies could be.

There's a admittedly fine line between a guy say 'hey", street harassment and stalkers. the first 2, yeah a bit of attitude and a look may take care of that, the stalkers are a different story. I wouldn't advise any female to walk with headphones on. You need to be safe and aware of your surroundings at all times. I have 911 on speed dial on my phone and I carry my keys in defensive mode, ready to stab an eye if I need to.

That's why the motto around these parts is "Never trust a fart!" Glad you are doing better. Cograts on the weight loss.

Method used (regular lap vs lap assisted by robot, etc...) if there was also another surgery piggy backed on that such as a hernia repair and body type. I had 4 or 5 (they are all too faded to recall now), but part of that was due to having had 3 prior incisions from my hysterectomy and scarring from an abscess. Some of use get more, some of us get less.

I read that you wont get that full feeling until you are on soft and solids. Some people don't get that restriction until they are on solid food.If you feel like that it may be best to limit your servings to ¼ - ½ cup per serving. Just remember you aren't broken, you belly just needs denser foods to recognize that it's full.

I think I track more out of habit than anything else at this point. I've been doing it for 4 years now so I have a pretty good idea of what I can and cannot eat. Unfortunately Water pills aren't an option for me. Thankfully for me I haven't had any issues with feet/leg swelling since my surgery. I am happy to hear that you are feeling a little better. Hopefully things will continue to improve.

Well there goes that theory. I went through menopause 10 years ago. VSG has been pretty easy for me. No emotional issues at all. @Tanika81 - Hang in there. Hopefully things will continue to gradually improve.