SummerTimeGirl

Thanks!!!!!! That 71 lbs was total since March but only 52.5 of it was since surgery on May 19th. Either way, I'll take it! LOL Good luck on your upcoming surgery!!

UPDATE: Just wanted to post a small observation. So, since March I have lost 71 lbs total. Well I finally was able to try on some new pants and sadly, I only fit into the next size down. It fits me good. Not too loose or too tight. Just right. Strange because you'd think with 71lbs down you would have lost several sizes (plus I lost 7 inches off my waist and 5 off my hips). Or at least I think like that. LOL Guess not. I guess it also means what I already knew, that I carry a LOT of my weight around my mid section.

Agree with everyone else. Seems too low. I admit, I did NOT have a calorie count to stick to during the liquid, puree or soft food stages. But NATURALLY in the first month/month and a half I was getting in around 300/400. However, once I got to regular foods around 1.5 months out, I was NATURALLY eating around 500/600. I'm now 3 months out and eating around 600-800 a day. My Nutritionist and surgeon said stay UNDER 1000 a day if I'm still in the losing phase.

Depends. What were you "eating" weeks ago? Liquids? Puree? I know with me I questioned how I was able to "eat" so much when on liquid and puree stage and how I didn't feel restricted and everyone assured me it was because the foods go right through you, pretty much, in those phases. Not a lot of volume of food. Then of course once I was on soft and then regular foods yeah, I felt my restriction and cannot eat a large amount of food in general either.

I was told to stick to walking, swimming, that sort of thing (cardio). When I inquired about weights they told me no. That they never give the go ahead on weights until after 3 months. That they want you to concentrate on cardio for now. So, I'm hoping when I speak to them for my appointment this week they'll finally give the go ahead on that.

Before Surgery: 1 B12 1 Vitamin C 1 Viatmin D3 3 Fish Oil 2 Iron Metformin Lisinopril Hydrochlorthyazide First 3 Months After Surgery: 2 Flintstone's Chewables Complete Vitamins 1 B1 1 B12 2 Viactive Chewable Calcium w/D3 1 Iron Metformin Lisinopril Now: 1 One a Day Multi Vitamin 1 Magnesium Metformin Lisinopril I had the sleeve. When it comes to what I'm taking now, I just started that regimen like a week ago. I have switched to ProCare Health Bariatric Once-A-Day Multivitamin w/45mg Iron. When I ran this new vitamin by my dietician and surgeon for approval, they told me to STOP taking B1, B12, and Iron as an extra. That everything is provided in the new vitamin. At the same time I told them that I never took Calcium prior to surgery but that after surgery at some point I remember being told to start taking it. Looking back on my records I could NOT find where or who told me that so I told them this. It could have just been the discharge nurse who said it. Not sure. Either way they looked into it and couldn't find it in my paperwork from any of the doctors either so they told me to stop taking that too. So now I'm down to the stuff listed above. Come the middle of next month I will have my blood work done again and guess I'll see where we go from there. If what I've been doing is enough or not. My guess is that I'm not getting enough iron due to my anemia. I usually almost always need more than the daily recommended but I figured I'd just take what they said for now to see if it is indeed enough or not. I can adjust accordingly if not. I'm also hoping to be taken off or cut back when it comes to my two remaining prescription medications. At least that's what my family doc said we're gonna be looking into once I have my appointment with him next month.

Hmmm, I was told once I hit the regular food stage to keep it below 1000 while still in the losing phase. Experiment for a week or two and up your calories by 100 or 200 and see if that helps. Also, are you getting in enough protein? I thought I was but when I started keeping track I realized I was only getting in half of what I needed and I was stalling all the time. So I made an effort to make sure I got more protein, 60-70 grams a day, and upped my caloric intake to between 800 and 1000 a day and that got me moving again. Have you called your dietician and/or doc office?

Been making these a ton (I can eat about 3-4 of them) and even my husband loves them. Sorry I don't have a pic. Homemade Chicken Nuggets (one can makes about 9-12 nuggets depending on how big you form them) 1 12.5 oz can of Chunk Chicken in water drained, rinsed and squeezed of the excess water 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp (or more/less to your taste) Ranch Seasoning powder 1 tbsp (or more/less to your taste) hot sauce of choice (I use Franks Original) 1 egg Salt & Pepper (just shake some in) Onion Powder (just shake some in) Garlic Salt (just shake some in) Paprika (just shake some in) Parsley (just shake some in) Mix it all together and form into the size of your typical store/fast food nugget. Sorta squeeze the chicken together while forming the shape. Place pieces into an air fryer that has been sprayed with non-stick spray of choice. Spray tops of nuggets with spray. Cook for 12 minutes on 390. Flip at 6 minutes mark and spray again with spray. Serve right away with or without dip of choice. I usually use Ranch or mix a little mayo with hot sauce and use that. Sometimes I use nothing.

Agreed. I have video meetings with both next week and will ask for sure.

Hmmmmmmm, now I'm curious as to why both the surgeon and dietician told me I didn't need to take those extras? My next blood work will be interesting.

I think SOMETIMES when a SO acts like this it's mostly out of insecurity. Not that they really are against the surgery or you getting healthy. They're just afraid of what changes it may bring in/for you and whether or not they'll still have a place in your life. Then of course there are just some SO's that are just a**holes and act like jerks. LOL Perhaps he'll come around and support you eventually once he realizes you're not gonna leave him in the dust. HA

No, I totally get it. LOL Just telling you what I was told. I will have my blood drawn next month so I guess we'll see. My supply finally came today. STLoser said their labs always come back good too so fingers crossed just this one a day will be enough for everything we need. I too was thrilled about the one a day. LOL

I sent my docs the link to these and they told me I did NOT have to take extra Calcium, B1 or B12 and possibly no extra Iron (cause this one a day had enough of each) but I doubt that since I'm anemic and always need more. But for the average normal person there is plenty of that too.

Yes, based on your suggestion of these I ran it past my surgeon's office & dietician and they said it looked good and if I take this I will no longer need all the extra supplements such as Calcium, B1, B12, etc. in addition to it as it seems to have enough. However, I suspect I MAY still need extra iron as per my usual issues and need of it throughout my life. I usually take 65mg and that is not enough at times and the highest you can get it in this vitamin is 45mg. So yeah, I expect to need more iron. Just waiting on them to arrive.

Congrats!!!!!!

Yeah I didn't really know either. I guess I just never really thought about it but it made sense when others explained it. And yes, once I started in the other stages that involved more food, I started to feel the restriction.

Yes, if you're talking about the weight. I will be 3 months out on the 19th and have lost 70 lbs since March and 52 lbs since surgery day. I seem to be losing steadily. For a while there I was having stalls but I THINK it was due to NOT eating enough protein and possibly not enough calories either. So now I make it a point to get in enough of both and all seems to be going well so far.

Thanks so much! Glad to hear it does change/get easier. This is what my dietician said too. So I guess for now I'll just keep working on it here and there where I can. Thanks!!!

Awesome! Sounds like you're doing great! I'll be 3 months out the 19th. So far I have lost 70 lbs since March and 52 lbs since surgery. Definitely feel better doing everyday things like cleaning and cooking and walking without being so dang hot, sweaty and out of breath. It's been great! I feel like I may be able to fit in some smaller clothes too but I've yet to go there. Not sure what's holding me back but, soon I may try on smaller sizes to see where I lie. Otherwise eating and drinking has been smooth sailing the entire time. THANKFULLY! Haven't had any aversions to any food I have tried yet. No issues with pain or anything. Hope everyone else is doing well too.

Best of luck to the both of you!!!!!!

Great idea! I also have an old Wii system. I tried hooking it up over the Summer for the grandkids but couldn't find some wires. Maybe it's time to look again cause I know I have the WiffFit with it too! That would be fun for all. I can also look into that game you mentioned. Thanks!!

Yeah, didn't hit me either. I have since tried it a second time. Drank it a lil faster than the first time and a lil more and still didn't hit me hard or at all. But I kinda feel like I too lost my taste and desire for drinking. I don't think it's as much the taste I have lost interest in but the fact that we simply cannot drink/hold as much in our stomachs so, why even bother? Ya know? Seems kind of pointless now. For me anyway.

Most days we swim in our pool or play outside in the yard with things like the water table, chalk/drawling, painting, bubbles, play ball, etc. We have walked the neighborhood together but they constantly want to stop and pick up things, look at stuff, the little one can't walk fast so it really does nothing for me as far as getting my heart rate up. LOL Doc has even told me, DO NOT TAKE the dog or the grandkids on walks with you. You will not get your heart rate up to where it needs to be with someone else tagging along. He said I could go on extra walks with them but to make sure I get my own walks in without them. Yeah, sure. HAHA That's my family doc. Not the surgeon. Otherwise I do have to cook for them, cleanup, do other chores around the house so I do get some exercise in. Just not elevating my heart rate kind of exercises like suggested and most definitely not for long if it does at all. LOL

My biggest struggle, I guess, would be my inability to get in a wide variety of foods. I feel like I just eat protein, i.e. meat or eggs, and then have no room for anything else like vegetables, dairy, healthy fats or even starch or fruits. I have spoken to my nutritionist before about this and she says that it will change over time and to just concentrate on getting in enough protein for now. That I'm still early in the game. I try but most days I'm lucky if, in addition to the meat (protein source), I get in 4 bites of veggies total for the day. Almost never get dairy unless it's a slice or two of cheese or yogurt or cottage cheese, and rarely get in starch even though that too is suggest for my diet. Fruit I have been really trying hard to get that in at least. I'm sure eventually it will even itself out. I also am finding it hard for exercise. This Summer has been a doozy when it comes to the health of my family. My son had a procedure, then me and my surgery and now my husband had surgery last week (had a defibrillator placed), plus I take care of my 3 grandkids from about 8am until 6pm or later sometimes. Anyway, I'm finding it hard to get time in for me or even a dang walk without anyone needing me or wanting to tag along to slow me down. I wanted to get back to the gym but it's just not possible at this time. I do have an exercise bike and various sizes or bands and free weights but, I'm just no good with coming up with a plan on what I need or should be doing. Can't even seem to find time to do those either. Thankfully I am still losing weight but I'd most definitely like to be toning sh*t up too at the same time. LOL

I'll be 3 months out on the 19th of this month. For Breakfast: I usually eat ONE egg sometimes with or without 1 piece of turkey sausage. Sometimes scrambled with some sort of cheese, or diced ham, or veggies. And sometimes I'll just do a sausage, egg and cheese on a whole wheat English Muffin but can never finish the entire thing (usually have at least 1/4 left). For Lunch: 1/4 cup of Tuna (just tuna, light mayo, salt and pepper) with 6 whole grain saltines and 6 mini cubes of cheese. Most times I cannot finish all of this either. Sometimes I'll just do a few slice of lunchmeat (98% fat free) and a few slices of cheese. Sometimes a yogurt or cottage cheese. Just depends. For Dinner: Almost always either chicken, shrimp, some sort of fish (all cooked various ways but fried) and veggies (spinach, green beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, etc). Which, by the time I get down my meat serving, I rarely have room for veggies but I always add them to my plate and TRY to get some in. Just recently I made up some taco meat (with ground turkey) and we made mini tacos with those 1 carb tortillas (15 calories) from Mr. Tortilla. They were awesome!!! We added a spoonful of meat, diced tomatoes, sour cream, shredded lettuce, taco sauce and taco cheese. Just a pinch of each item on each taco. I could eat two. And I was pushing it by the end of the second one. The tortillas are like 3 or 4 inches wide but so dang good! I HIGHLY recommend them! We tried their Spicy Prototype for now but also have the Multigrain and the Pico de Gallo. Can't wait to try them! Tons of things you can use them for. I usually do not snack during the day at all. Just don't feel the need to. But after dinner I do try and get in at least two servings of a fruit (before bed) as per my dietician. So, I'll usually do an apple and a small Halo (not at the same time) or cottage cheese with a few pieces of cantaloupe tossed in, or few pieces of watermelon, cherries, etc. So far that has been the norm and usual for me. Now I have eaten things like a slice of pizza once or twice or a few bites of a cheesesteak and a few bites of an Italian Hoagie (all were during a long weekend vacation/trip), a few fries, but that does not happen often. It is NOT typical behavior.