rgodfrey09

Hey Kyle! First of all, you look GREAT! Are you on Facebook? There are a couple groups on there for sleevers and working out that have tons of great advice. Some use preworkout, some eat more... Just personal preference really. You're 4 months post op, so still pretty tight. At about 6-12 months, you will probably be able to eat more. I know I sure can which helps with my workouts. Hit me up at www.facebook.com/Richard.godfrey I will add you to the groups Edit: the groups are all private so no one can see them but you if you're worried about that

@@Chris408SJ on Bariatric pal, there isn't Facebook has tons of men and glbt groups!!!!

*waves* I belong here. There is a facebook group, one for WLS Men and one for WLS LGBT. If anyone is interested in joining, add me on Facebook and let me know. They are closed groups so may not be able to search them. Www.facebook.com/Richard.godfrey or rgodfrey09@gmail.com should find me

They are all pretty dense @@DaisyAmy BUT you can try warming them in the microwave. This makes them a bit softer. I warm mine for about 20-30 seconds, and then eat immediately and they are tasty like that. On the plus side, this also makes the chocolate or cream bits inside depending on flavor get all melted and delicious.

I am so glad I'm not the only one with these issues. I am 6 months out from VSG and man, I'm just starting to heal. My doctor didn't mention this particular side effect, so I had no idea! After about 7-10 days of no BM, I took a laxative and it hurt SO bad I ended up with not 1, but 2 fissures. It has taken 5.5 months for them to heal and I'm happy to say I finally had a non-bloody painful BM yesterday. What I do: 800mg Chelated Magnesium (Chelated helps it absorb faster for our small stomachs) 1 colace softener with Breakfast and 1 with dinner 3 Fiber gummies a day 2 probiotics(13 billion cultures) Added in a serving or two of whole grains Increased Water Minimal cheese No Protein shakes No pain killers ever Added chia and flax to my breakfast daily Cacao nibs for extra magnesium It sucks without the shakes trying to keep calories low and carbs low, but honestly they were like concrete in my intestines.

I had sticker shock in them at first as well, but then realized it was an entire meal for $2-$2.50(I usually stock up when they are on sale for $2 a bar) and to be honest where else can I get lunch for $2?

I'm really curious as to what your nutritionists justification for that statement is. Net carbs is literally total carbs less fiber, and I can't think of much "crap" that is super fiber packed to throw off the carb count.

I'm pretty curious of this as well. I started at 408 and am currently at 319, so quite a ways to go but I know once I get there the skin will be an issue if I meet my goal of losing over 200 lbs

@@Thinside Yeah yogurt is always weird to me. Siggi's is the brand I eat, it's for the lowest carb count of any I've seen. I like the peach flavor and its 12 carbs and 14 or 15 protein I think

Quest Bars are about the lowest carb high protein option I've found. A LOT of other bars have a bunch of carbs. Fruit, also, yes. That is why my nutritionist says no fruit at first. If you absolutely gotta have fruit, stick to raspberries peaches plums as they are lower in carbs.

I guess it would be best to say also that I'm 3 months out. As I get closer to maintenance my NUT allows more carbs. The easiest way to track net carbs in MFP is to add fiber to the things you track. Then you can just take total minus fiber and voila!

I eat anywhere from 65-100g protein, depending on if I work out that day. Carbwise, I take in 30g net carbs or less. I've only exceeded this number one day so far, and I think it was like 32g net carbs but I worked out REALLY hard that day. Haven't had an issue with energy or anything working out. My nutritionist doesn't allow any breads, grains, fruits or anything. My carbs almost all come from fiber and vegetables and the small amounts in protein bars that aren't fiber.

Oh my God YES the constipation is my ONLY complaint! Literally, I tolerate food great, take my supplements, get most of my water in, and am working out three days a week for 90 minutes, BUT THE CONSTIPATION. Going to the bathroom is literally the most dreaded thing, and luckily only happens every 3 days. Then I have 2 days of healing time and then just when I feel okay again, back to hell.

There is also a men's Facebook group tuba! Find me on Facebook and I can invite you. Rgodfrey09@gmail.com

Any using MyFitnessPal? I just started a couple of days ago, and definitely do not think I'm getting in enough calories. I struggle to get over 400-500 along with all my Water. I'm eating very Protein dense, clearing about 60G a day on average. Any other guys using this app so I can see what you're eating would be a big help! My username is RickyReality on there, and also on Instagram @ VSG_Rich

@@Dub Vitamin Shoppe sells singles, I don't know where you live but that's where I buy them.

Love this topic! I am currently in a Mustang and have gone from 415 lbs to 327. Definitely fitting much better! My gift when I reach goal will be a new car and I'm thinking a 3 series convertible.

@@Dub I had the sea salt ones with salsa and guac last night, amazing! The biggest thing to keep in mind everyone is of course they won't taste like potato chips, potato chips are terrible for you. The grease and starch are delicious, but these are the best alternatives I've found. In no way are they ruffles or lays, but they get my 21g of protein which is huge and they satisfy my crunch cravings.

I have about a bag every other day... Easy protein, delicious. Texture is a little weird at first for some people, but I personally think the Cheddar and Sour Cream ones are FANTASTIC!

I hate to echo what others have said, but ABSOLUTELY stop drinking your calories. I cannot stress enough how much this creeps up on you and will stall you. For myself personally, if I don't get enough Water or don't eat enough Protein, I stall. On the other hand, if I get TOO much protein, I stall. It's a very fine line we walk as WLS patients, and it really requires a lot of diligence. I myself haven't gone above 800 calories a day. I try and get close to that every day, and usually stay between 650 and 800. My fitness pal has been a lifesaver in tracking, and I use it DAILY! If I eat an almond, I put 1 almond down. This way, when I stall I can evaluate things. Another important part is Vitamins, minerals, and your other macronutrients. If you get your protein and water, that's only 1 piece of a very complex puzzle. If you're deficient in your vitamins and minerals, you could stall. Maybe set up an appointment with your NUT to try and refocus and get back on track?

I bet if you try them, they will taste good but you won't like the feel. I've tried a few bites of a tortilla twice and both times I couldn't eat the rest of the day because it just sat in my sleeve.

@@tubabuddha Did they say why?! Hopefully the surgeon will write a good appeal!

@@tubabuddha congratulations! If you have any questions or anything or just wanna chat, feel free to reach out. I remember feeling sort of isolated those first few weeks.

@@tubabuddha sounds like what I've been going through. When intimacy falls away, it's tough to really keep a relationship going. Mine didn't want me to, and I put it off for a long while. I finally went through with it because honestly I needed it and I did it for me. Have you had it yet??

@@OKCPirate you are absolutely correct, but for someone who is just having the surgery and starting out dehydration is a very real issue. This is why I think the doctors want you to try and adhere to that 30g rule in the beginning because A) excess protein that you don't burn turns into glycogen and stores as far similar to a carbohydrate and as you mentioned can cause liver and kidney problems without adequate water. I know I still at 8 weeks struggle with my water goal, so if I was getting excess protein I'd need even more water. In my research, getting extra protein like that only seems worth it if you're able to get the extra water and if you're able to work out. Around surgery time, OP will not likely be doing either of those.