Andrea F

I'm just under 4 weeks out and have moved on to purees. I have been able to eat everything that I've tried.

We aren't allowed to go ketogenic eating. I wasn't given any indicator for how many calories or carbs I should be at. Only a protein and hydration goal. Now that I'm almost four weeks out.. I'm under 100 carbs a day (increased now that I am on puree). Our program believes in balanced eating focusing on protein, veggies and starches last if there is room. Our meals should include 3 food groups (including grains).

Those are questions I will be asking my surgeon tomorrow at my post op check. I am almost 4 weeks out. I'd like to start using some scar reduction cream if possible. Four of my incisions have health perfect and have left nothing but a thin straight line. I have a thick scab on one... and another never closed... just a gaping hole that has now scabbed over. I'll be needing a TT eventually so I'm hoping that these less than stellar ones can be taken care of then.

The carbonation will cause your sleeve/pouch to expand possibly stretching it out some. It will take more volume to feel full and you'll get less benefit from your weight loss surgery. This is something we all could easily do without - and if you have some sort of extreme dependence or emotional attachment then your mental health issues should be dealt with as well.

To each their own. I love the information tracking gives me. It allows me to dial in my macros and bust up my stalls... it it makes sure my calories and portions are on point. When I get frustrated about slow loss or stalls. I know where to look.

I generally do a variety of things to keep my body guessing at what comes next. I like Pilates, but want to integrate more Yoga into my routine. I like swimming and walking. I do group sessions with the folks at work *boot camps* and those include a wide range of workouts as well... my favorite being Tabattas. I also find things on You Tube and like to do those as well especially if they are 20 minutes long and can be squeezed in here and there.

Some days are tough and you'll always be faced with these situations. If not with your husband... with someone else. Family, friends coworkers. The only thing you can control is you. I understand you might want your husband to journey with you but he's got to be motivated and ready on his own. But you can set the example and if he sees how well you are doing.. he may just want what to make those changes. Find ways to deal with your emotions in a positive way. Maybe take a walk, or go out and do some retail therapy. Get your nails done. Do something for you.

I think all these are really great ideas. Personally, I like the hand written note the best. I should think about those supporting me and figure out something for them. Thank you for the great idea!

I had my surgery on February 9th and have been cooking for my daughter. So far it doesn't bother me so much. For me once I hit my goals and am in maintenance I know I'll be able to integrate things in. Does it mean I will never have a bite of cake again or a chicken wing?! Heck no. Just not right now.

@Erykah2017 I was deficient before surgery and on pills.. not sure why I need to be on liquid for 6 weeks

Our nutritionist doesn't allow ketosis at any stage of this process - are you following the guidelines that were provided to you?

Instead of looking at additional surgical options I would suggest that you deal with the issues that cause you to gain wait, and your relationship with food. Emotional eating? Overeating? These surgeries won't produce miracles and getting another surgery isn't going to fix the problems that you are having. Are you weighing/measuring your portions? Watching calories and protein? Eating according to the nutrition guidelines that your nutritionist and/or surgeon provided? Eating three meals a day? Surgery helps with restriction. It doesn't help with food choices or frequency.

We get a heightened/altered sense of taste after having this surgery. Apparently its quite common after having surgery to your gastrointestinal tract. Don't worry, it will calm down.

I don't know if you are able.. but walking can be great exercise. I'd also suggest some free weights for the arms. You can watch You Tube videos and figure out a routine. I have terrible upper arms, they look terrible now. I can only imagine what they will look like when I near goal. I'm only three weeks post op, so just walking (although I am cleared today onward for elliptical) and no weights until after six weeks.

I use the Centrum adult chewables (not the silver) it tastes like orange. I also take two calcium chews. And liquid iron at the moment which tastes foul. Apparently I have to be on the liquid iron until 6 weeks post op... ugh

Those are some good points. I see my surgeon on Monday, and my nut on the 23rd... I'll weigh in their opinions before proceeding.

This is a great question and I'm eager for a response as well. Our nutrition program discourages raw fruits and veggies for 3 months but there was no exemptions on cooked veggies. I'd love to start including kale, spinach and chard in my meals.

Everyone has a sweet spot for losing and finding that balance can be challenging. It is a process that can take some time and depends on many factors like what kinds of foods you are eating, and how active you are. I'm just three weeks post op and am hitting my puree phase for eating now.. and am at 700-900 calories per day. I haven't lost much in the last week.. I think it was my body thinking it is starting at 550-650 calories. So I'm hoping this little boost will be just what I need to start losing again. Our number one priority is hydration. Our nutritionist has us eating 2/3-3/4 cup of food over 1-1.5 hours at meal time. And we are supposed to include three food groups.

@Ken S. thank you!!!

Every time I put my Surgeon in there and hit save. It is there, then I click to another page and come back and its gone. It doesn't save it. I'm using my computer and I've tried multiple times what's up is it broken?

There is a lot of variation in the size of sleeves depending on the size of bougie that is used. Typically a larger bougie is associated with less complications. The upper part of the new sleeve/stomach can dilate considerably after time which is probably where people are seeing their increase in volume capabilities. I agree with the others, if you are worried about the size of your meal weight loss surgery might not be for you. I too had concerns, I wanted to be able to eat 1 cup of food in a sitting eventually. I think that piece was one of many reasons why I chose sleeve over rny.

I use myfitnesspal to track my activity, food and hydration.

I would stick with protein and veggies, but be wary of added fats and sugars in sauces and things. The buffets usually have lots of options including fresh fruits and veggies. You shouldn't have a problem finding things that fit your new healthy lifestyle. That said I'm all about the details and like the poster above, I would probably bring a small portable food scale to ensure my portions and protein grams are on point.

I use the net carb calculation and get all my protein bars from Costco. I look at three things, protein content, fibre and sugar. I'm not will to trade anything for sugar.. so most of the bars that I select will have very low carbs/sugars.

I didn't tell everyone at church... just a few select people that would be able to support me when I was off. If anyone asks, I intend to respond with eating right and increased activity. I don't ask for personal details of the happenings in their lives so why would they expect me to divulge mine?