SleeveSoon

I have a 3 year old 95 pound chocolate lab "puppy". I arranged for some help in walking him after my surgery. He doesn't jump up on people, but he does pull when being walked.

I recently made my own Protein bars (substituting almond butter for Peanut Butter and added a few chocolate chips and dried cranberries). Easy to make (no cooking) and even my son likes them. http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/supplements/do-it-yourself-protein-bars

I like the injury chocolate splendor and vanilla Protein powders in smoothies with unsweetened almond milk, ice, blueberries, and a few frozen banana slices. I even made a batch of homemade Protein Bars with the chocolate splendor this week. The chicken soup flavor is my least favorite flavor. I am still working my way through the container and add a half scoop to soup - being careful not to make it too hot. I also drink the Premier Protein chocolate shakes for the convience when I am on the go.

Sorry a bit off topic, but I would like your input on why you felt it may have been too early to jump into the dating pool after losing about half of your weight. I am about half way to goal and am standing on the side of the pool wondering when to get in. I am also looking for someone who is active ( I go to the gym on average 5 days per week) and was wondering if I should wait until I get closer to goal weight.

I am 7 weeks post op and find that foods that contain moisture (chili, chicken with tomato sauce, slow cooked shredded pork, pureed meats with vegetables, Soup, etc.) are easier to eat without sipping Water. I try to stay away from dry Proteins because they are tough to get down without sipping water.

I am a tea drinker and stopped all caffeine about two months before my surgery. I tried many decaf teas and settled on PG Tips decaf. About six weeks after surgery I introduced caffeine again and now in the morning I drink a combo of PG Tips decaf and Tazo Chai (with caffeine) with a little bit of stevia powder. I love the flavor of the Tazo Chai and figure one caffeinated beverage a day can't be too bad. Later in the day I sometimes have red rooibos tea (naturally decaffeinated) to break up the monotony of Water and water with crystal light.

Chris Christie (from NJ) had the lap-band surgery. I am 5 weeks out from being sleeved and had a 1 week stall. If I was in a three week stall I would be carefully journaling all food and would meet with my nutritionist to review my food journal and discuss options.

I went to see the surgeon today and asked him about the unusual feeling I had in my stomach when doing squats. Based upon my description he thought that it might be my xiphoid (cartilage at the bottom of the sternum). He said I could continue to do squats, but not to squat too low which is when the feeling occurs.

After 4 weeks I was cleared to begin lifting weights again. I've recently started back with weights and I have noticed an unusual feeling in my stomach when doing squats. Even without weights, it feels like something is moving around inside my stomach when doing squats. Has anyone experienced this after surgery? I signed up for an 8 week "medical integration" program at my gym (affiliated with a local hospital) to get me back on track and have an assessment scheduled for this program this afternoon. I will ask the person performing the assessment about squats after WLS.

I had Type 2 diabetes for over 10 years and was on 4 medications to keep it under control. I was sleeved on 9/1/15 and a week later was off all my diabetes meds and now have fasting blood sugars under 100 without medication. Listen to your endocrinologist and primary care doctor.

@@OKCPirate - The person at the gym performing the assessment had no opinion on what was happening when I performed squats. She suggested holding off for now on squats and any other exercise that would put stress on my stomach (sit ups, twisting exercise with bands, etc.). I see my surgeon on Thursday and I will ask him about it.

To get the amount of protein in foods I simply do a Google search. For example "How much protein in salmon?". Usually an answer appears from the USDA site and then I have to adjust for my portion size. Salmon shows as 17grams for 3oz.

I would highly recommend Jeanine Miles in Marlton (856-797-4805). She performed my psych eval and has had WLS herself.

I am about 5 weeks post-op and also have grown tired of Protein shakes and powders. I have tried to grow my list of foods with protein and eat them instead of shakes. Here are some of my current protein foods: - Salmon - Tunafish - Hummus - eggs - Greek Yogurt - Scallops - String cheese - Slow Cooked chicken, Pork, Beef I agree that it is tough to meet the Water goals when you stick to the 30/30 rule. One thing that helps me is to have a glass/mug of crystal light at the ready, so 30 minutes after a meal it is there to remind me to drink.

I am a month post-op and am trying to incorporate some new foods into my diet. I see that hummus is on my approved list of foods, but I am struggling to figure out the best way to consume hummus. Pre-op I would eat hummus with pita chips or pita bread. What is the best way post-op to eat hummus? Does it pair well with other food (chicken), or can I use something to replace the pita chips for dipping?

I tried mixing hummus with tuna fish today. The result tasted pretty good, but it was a bit dry. I need to look into the carb free (cauliflower) bread sticks.

Its a bit too early for raw veggies at this point, but that will be a good option down the road. I am having tuna for lunch today and will use hummus instead of mayo. I've never heard of this before, but I am willing to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion!

Congratulations! I spent a good part of this morning packing up all my 3X shirts and trying to find 2X shirts to wear. I've also packed up several pairs of jeans and dress pants. I am going to need some new pants and belts soon.

Its been two weeks since surgery and my doctor has cleared me for cardio (no restrictions) but has deferred weights/swimming until 4 weeks after surgery. I have been walking and riding a stationary bike on a daily basis, and I am looking for some additional exercise options not involving weights or swimming for the next few weeks. For example, do you think a rowing machine would be ok?

I will hold off on the rowing for two more weeks. My dog is pretty happy with all the walks these days.

I was sleeved on 9/1 and just got out of the hospital today. So far so good. Had some discomfort from gas, but otherwise things went pretty smoothly. Its unbelievable how little Fluid it takes to feel full.

Tomorrow is my surgery date as well. Need to be at the hospital at 6:30 am. It's been a long journey to get to this point and I am looking forward to getting past the surgery. I am down 15 pounds the past two weeks due to the pre-op diet (two protein shakes and salad with grilled chicken).

I did the online dating thing a few years ago. I would always pay for the first several dates. Typically a first date would be something light - like meeting at a Starbucks or at a wine tasting bar. I hated long email exchanges and always felt an in person meeting was well worth the time and money. I don't think that I ever spilt check with a date, but some times they would offer to bring a bottle of wine to a BYOB restaurant. One woman paid for dinner after we attended a play. Any effort that they made was appreciated. I expect to start dating again in a few months. I am having my surgery (Sleeve) tomorrow and expect that eating and drinking restrictions may be a bigger challenge in dating than who pays for what.

Just hit 85K miles on my ST1300. This bike has taken me to Vancouver, Newfoundland and all 48 lower states. Looking to take a trip south along the coast to Virginia and a separate trip to West Virginia before my surgery on 9/1.

For the past 6 weeks I have been lifting weights one day, doing cardio the next day, and resting the next day. With only 2 weeks to surgery I am looking to step up exercise, but am concerned now that I am starting a diet of Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch and a light dinner. Should I eliminate the day of rest and alternate lifting weights one day and cardio the next day? I understand that after surgery I will have to wait 6 weeks before beginning to lift weights again.