JohnZ54

Blend a protein shake with ice or frozen fruit.

Are you losing inches? I've only lost 6 lbs. over the last 3 months but I have gone down two pants sizes.

When anyone makes the "easy way" comment I tell them that diet & exercise have an 8% long-term success rate. Surgery has a 73% success rate. I didn't choose the easy way, I chose the smart way.

Eat a little of the protein and keep moving things around with your silverware. It'll give the illusion that you're eating more.

Stock up on tissues. If 4 days this early upsets you then you're in for a bumpy ride. The human body doesn't respond like a machine. I've had weeks where I followed my plan and either stalled or gained. I've had days where I went off plan (In n Out burger, fries, cake) and actually lost weight the next day. At this point you're still dealing with inflammation from surgery, which means Fluid retention. Once you reach 6-8 weeks you'll be mostly healed and that fluid retention will subside. If you're a "Type A" personality you should not weigh every day. scales are a crude way to gauge progress. Although we call it "losing weight" what we mean is "losing fat". Take your measurements once a week along with weighing yourself. You'll get a more accurate picture of your progress.

Yes, I have experienced this. I was taking Atenolol and had a stall that lasted 3 weeks. It was lose 2/gain 2 over and over. Someone in my support group suggested that I research my medications to see if any inhibit weight loss. I found that beta blockers can affect weight loss. I called my doctor and he agreed that I could stop taking the Atenolol to see if my weight loss improves. I started losing again two days later.

It is soy and gluten free. Yo, ProYo! JohnZ54, is there any soy in this treat? I am EXTREMELY allergic to soy and the damn stuff is in just about everything. Thank YOU. Valentina

I recently discovered ProYo where I shop. It's a high protein frozen yogurt pushup treat. They're too high in sugar to have every day but they are a great occasional treat.

My healing process has been really easy. I have experienced very little pain. I haven't taken any pain medication since I left the hospital. So far I haven't experienced any eating issues. I'm currently able to eat most foods except for raw vegetables, fibrous fruits, nuts, popcorn, etc. My biggest issue now is that I sometimes forget that I've been sleeved and eat too quickly or while distracted. Then the pain of being too full reminds me that I can't do that anymore.

I'm in San Diego and was sleeved on October 28. My surgeon was Dr. Gordon Wisbach at Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa).

Add me to the list!

A couple days ago I blended a vanilla Premier Protein shake with some frozen strawberries. It was like a strawberry soft serve ice cream. It was a way to get in my protein and a nice break from the usual protein shake.

I started the puree/soft phase on Tuesday. Last night I put some chicken breasts in the slow cooker. I mixed a can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup with a can of water and poured it over the chicken. Finally, I sprinkled on a little poultry seasoning. I let it cook for several hours until the chicken was fork tender and easy to shred. It was very moist and I was able to use a fork to cut it into smaller pieces as I ate it. I had it with 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes and a few canned green beans (my NUT says that I can have canned vegetables as long as they are mushy). I still couldn't finish everything but it was soooo good after having nothing but liquids for over two weeks.

I've experienced that. For me, it isn't constant. It happens after I do a lot of walking. It goes away once I rest for for awhile.

I was sleeved on 10/28. So far I am doing really well. No pain what-so-ever. No problem getting in my Water and Protein. I do get tired easily. I think that my calories are still too low. I'm averaging 600-800 calories per day. I'm also walking a bit, about 7500 steps per day. I do experience hunger sometimes. Usually it's when I see something I really enjoyed before. I think that it's head hunger. So far I've been able to ignore it. I am really looking forward the next food stage.

I named mine Major Bob. Because I had a major part of my stomach bobbed.

I was also sleeved on Wednesday and am experiencing the same gas effects. Drinking 2 ounces feels like I ate a whole Thanksgiving dinner. My minimum goal is 4 oz per hour so it's a little challenging. What's been helping me is walking. Whenever I feel too bloated I walk until I belch. Right now I'm all about walking and sipping.

I was sleeved yesterday (Oct 28) at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Very little pain. I can walk well. However, I'm having a hard time getting my in liquids. One ounce of protein shake and one ounce of water makes me feel like I swallowed a bowling ball. I know it will get better but at the moment it's a stuggle.

I'm my surgery the same day as you (Oct 28). I started my pre-surgery diet on the 12th. The first few days were rough but then my energy came back and I feel OK. I even made Cookies for my family and didn't even taste one. There's a bowl of Halloween candy on the dining table and I have no desire to have any. Normally I would have grabbed a piece every time I walked past it. I hope this continues after the surgery. Some things I'm doing to help with my anxiety: Listen to music and walk Look at clothing web sites Look at theme park web sites and imagine how fun it will be when I won't have to worry about fitting in the rides Look at my medicine bottles and think of how great it will be when I no longer need most of them Think about how fun it will be to play with my grandchildren without getting out of breath Think about how fun it will be to surprise friends and family members There are so many positive things to look forward to from having this surgery. Reminding myself usually reduces my anxiety.

I'm right behind you. My surgery is scheduled for October 28. I keep alternating between dread and excitement. I keep going over my lists and supplies to make sure I haven't overlooked anything. I'm so ready to get this done.

I'm also October 28. Just finish my pre-op meeting with surgeon. ????

I know how you feel. My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 28 and I'm 55yo. For me (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea) , life will be scarier without the surgery.

congrats to you too!! I love your costume idea!! Hopefully you are feeling up to it. I like "Sleevin' King especially with the "stab wounds" incisions!! Love your humor! Thanks! A friend suggested that since I'm having a large part of my stomach "bobbed", I should name it Major Bob. This naming thing helps distract me from the fact that I'm going to be a swirling mix of excited and anxious throughout October.