SleevePerry

I'll happily dress any one of you for free (or for a bottle of wine, if you're feeling generous)!

I will be 6 weeks post-op this Tuesday. I saw my Doc on Friday and, while she was pleased with my Protein numbers (75-85g/day), she asked me to up my calories from 700/day to 1000/day. I don't think I'll have an issue eating 1000 calories a day, but the number itself seems a little high for someone only 6 weeks out from surgery. I'm obviously going to follow my doctor's advice, but I also wanted to ask all of you how far out you are from surgery, and how many calories per day you are eating, or what your Doc recommends for you? I am 5'6 and 216 pounds. I have lost 26 pounds since my surgery on 6/9. I'm moderately active, and exercise 3 days/week. I am trying to keep my net carbs (after Fiber intake) under 20g. Thanks in advance!

Well, yesterday I hit 1200 calories. The macros themselves were great (100g Protein, 30g carbs, 10g sugar), and I burned 650 of those calories off at the gym, but I'm not at all pleased with myself. I'm a bit panicked, in fact. Most folks on here seem to be having trouble getting to 700-800 calories at 6 weeks, and I can get 1000 in, easy-peasy**. I had five small meals, each under 250 calories, which were eaten within 25 minutes from start to finish. I feel like this would be great at 6-12 months but, at 6 weeks, it feels like a total disaster. I'm a bit scared at how calorie-obsessed I'm becoming. I really feel like I'm working so hard, but am floundering equally. I want to do the best job I can with this, and I ultimately have no idea if I'm blowing it or not. I think I'm mostly just venting, but please feel free to offer your opinion and/or any advice you may have. I've plugged in my meals for today on MyFitnessPal, and am at 4 meals and 850 calories. **last week, my doc asked me to increase my calories from 800 to 1000 calories/day (and I balked at such an increase), and said five meals/day were fine, as long as I wasn't grazing.

@@VSGAnn2014 and @@hockeyfan7 - Thanks so much! I'm feeling a bit better. I've been of the mindset that there is this specific window of time in which to lose a substantial amount of weight, after which time the losses will have slowed dramatically and both my hunger and sleeve capacity will increase. These early days can feel a bit dire, and I fret that I'm not making the best use of this weight loss "prime time." But I do agree that waiting a few weeks and reassessing would be the smartest move here. I have a follow up appointment with my Doc in 3.5 weeks, so I will discuss all of this with her then. In the interim, I'll try not to get so hung up on the actual calorie count. It's so easy to become obsessed, and who wants to live that way? Thanks again!

Ann, do you think I should stick to 850 calories/day until I get to four months, or shall I bump myself up to 1000/day at this current 6 week mark? Not holding you responsible for my course of action, just curious as to what your thoughts are. What do you think your Bariatric Guru would have to say about 1000 calories at 6 weeks for someone of a similar starting weight?

@@Lanewboricua Thanks so much! You're killing it as well! Keep it up!

I bought fresh bean and beef chili in the deli section of my supermarket. Added a bit of beef broth to thin it out and popped it in the blender. Sprinkled a bit of cheddar on top. It was AMAZING. I had it every day of my pureed stage.

I was sleeved on June 9th; today is my 6 week surgiversary! Surgery weight was 242lbs. As of this morning, I weigh 215 pounds. 27 pounds lost post-surgery, 37 lost in total. Woot! I have an Iron sleeve, and have not had any issues eating or drinking whatsoever. I get about 64oz water/day, 80g of Protein, 850 calories and 20g carbs. My doc has just increased my calories to 1000/day, which I'm really nervous about. That seems like a lot for someone at the 6 week mark. I've been going to the gym twice a week, but am hoping to pick it up to at least 4 days/week. I do about an hour walking on the treadmill, 3.5 MPH at a 4.5 incline. Yesterday, I even ran for a bit -- was very excited about that. I cannot wait for my body to become more fit and strong. Love my sleeve!

One week pre-op vs. five weeks post-op:

You could also add powdered milk to whatever you're eating/drinking.

I've been told to set a timer for 30 minutes and to not eat after it's gone off.

Saw my doc at the 5.5 week mark and she gave me the go-ahead for salads.

I bought a recliner specifically for recovery. I slept in it the first night home, slept in my bed (also have a memory foam mattress) after that, but took my naps in the recliner. Was great to have. I've since given it away and really miss it!

Thanks, Ann. I'm tempted to follow your course of action. It makes a lot of sense.

@@BLERDgirl Thanks! Your numbers are identical to what I thought I *should* be taking in at 6 weeks (and what I'd like to be taking in). Every doc is so different; I just hope that mine isn't doing me a disservice by having me at 1000 calories so soon.

@@ShrinkingPeach Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I was suprised when the surgeon told me my 700 calories were too low, especially since her own nurse had told me on my previous follow up appointment specifically to aim for 700 calories/day. The Doc liked my other numbers, Proteins, fat and carbs, she just wants me to bump the calories. I'm more inclined to listen to the surgeon than I am the NUT. Although they are within the same practice, they both told me very conflicting things. The NUT is also a bit more carb happy than I would prefer to be. She's fine with sugars and starches in moderation, whereas I'm a bit more wary during this stage in my journey.

@@MzB Thanks! I got to 950 calories yesterday, but I felt like I was eating way too much. I actually had to eat at 10pm to get those extra calories in. I'm also using MyFitnessPal, and am tracking all of my calories, Protein, carbs, sugar and fiber. Ideally, I'd like to shoot for 850 calories/day, but I'm torn between doing that and following my Doc's advice to the letter.

There is a Paleo recipe for something called Dump Ranch. I've heard great things (including that it's both delicious and easy to make).

I've tried it, but thought it wasn't very good. Have you tried Halo Top ice cream? It's delicious, and has great nutritionals (including protein)! Check out their website to see if any of your local stores carry it. I'd recommend the vanilla bean and the strawberry. The chocolate was just okay.

I take dissolvable B12, D3 and Biotin, all by Natrol. I wish they made a dissolvable version of every vitamin I'm required to take.

I had diarrhea for the first few days. It went away and was soon replaced with constipation.

I hiccup when my sleeve has had its full. I've heard that some folks burp, some have runny noses. My doc said that most every one has some sort of "tell" - their warning that they are at capacity.

I've lost substantial amounts of weight twice before. There was usually a tipping point where suddenly everyone notices and you are bombarded with compliments. You never know - your tipping point could be tomorrow.