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I noticed that I am walking faster today, almost back to normal pace. Soon, LOL, I will be able to keep up with my husband again. I had an interesting NSV today that I think has nothing to do with weight loss, so to speak, and everything to do with my "new found" positive feelings about myself. For the past two years I haven't really had a good positive image of myself. I lost my long straight blonde hair to chemotherapy. I was over weight even then, but I had my pretty hair to help me keep a positive image about myself. With that gone, it has been hard. Not to mention that my hair came back extremely curly! Everyone tells me how much they love my curly hair, but I just absolutely hate it, and I really mean ~~~loathe it! I guess this not so good feeling about myself has put me into the mousy quite type category, which I have never been in until this year. Well obviously looking at my numbers, I haven't lost much weight. I have been taking pictures and I can see slight differences because I myself know where I feel lighter so I can see those changes in the pictures. However, my husband really can't see any visible changes. So, I know this isn't happening because I showed up to work looking "thinner". Well here goes my NSV.... There is a very handsome man that sits just a few cubicles down from me. I have been walking past him since January, ever since I returned to work after my chemotherapy. He has not once ever turned his head, acknowledged my existance, looked up from his computer screen at me or anything of the sort. I even had to discuss something work related with him and he talked to me while he looked at his computer screen. So, I have walked by his desk countless times and never a reaction. These last few days, I have been talking about this "natural high" that I am feeling. Well, my natural high must be radiating, because everytime I pass this guy now, he glances up. He even said "good morning" to me in the kitchen. Interesting perspective into how positive or negative feelings about yourself can change a situation. Morning Scale: 212 (up +1) Food today: cup of coffee black w/ 1 equal Breakfast - ham and swiss cheese, about 3oz total Lunch - 3oz of Red Snapper and 4 pieces of yukka protein snack - Dinner - 1/3 of a La Madeleine chicken, broccoli tomato crepe. Calories 416, fat 21g, net carb 31g, protein 22g. Excersize: None

Sooo... I have started my pre- Op diet. My surgery isnt until August 29th but my surgery team and I have decided that I would do it for a month instead of just 2 weeks. I've been on it for almost a week now and it's actually not bad at all! I've had to weigh in yesterday and I have lost 4lbs in less than 1 week on it already. I've read some ppls diets and see that they get put on strictly liquid mine is not. My diet is as follows: Breakfast: Protein shake or fruit Lunch: 4-6 oz of lean protein ( fish or chicken) and unlimted Veggies Snack: Protein shake or fruit Dinner: Same as lunch Snack Protein shake or fruit If I dont have time to cook, there are a select list of lean cuisines or healthy choice dinners I can eat, but I have to add at least 1 cup of veggies to the meal. No carbonated, sugary, or alcoholic beverages. I have been eating salad with 6 oz of grilled chicken in it for lunch and salmon with assorted veggies depending on the night for dinner. I'm not a big fan of milk or protein shakes but I have found that the Special K brand strawberry flavor is pretty good which i drink for breakfast, and I will snack on fruit in between meals or have another protein shake depending how hungry I am. So far its been great. I havent been hungry and have been able to ignore cravings. My boyfriend and I even went to the movies last night and I snuck us in sandwhich bags filled w grapes and water with mio. Didnt even think or have the urge to get my usual popcorn and Icee. GO ME! I've also been going to the gym on my nights off and do an hr on the treadmill and if I work I walk the stairs at night 16 flights!!!! Its a killer. lol But I'm doing it and I feel very proud of myself. I have to say I feel very lucky to have such supportive friends and family. 2 of my cousins and 1 of my friends and my boyfriend have all decided to join me on my month long pre op diet. Everyone around me is so encouraging, I couldnt ask for a better support team. Even my co-workers i have told are extremely supportive and I am greatful. I pretty much have an appointment or 2 a week from this week on. I've done my pre op testing, met with the anestesiologist and the nutrition classes. I have my Upper GI next week, THen meet w the psychiatrist again the following week, then meet w the MD , Surgeon and Nutrtionsit the week after that... Then SURGERY!!! I also got my schedule at work today and I am off the entire month of Septemeber. I hope that is enough time. My nurse manager is aware that I am having the surgery and told me to take all the time I need to heal. Cant take care of others until you're healthy yourself. I also got my approval letter in the mail from my insurance. All my ducks are in a row! Just waiting for the Big day and I am soooo READY!

I am having surgey on Aug 13. I wish I had your pre-op diet. Mine is for only 2 weeks, but I can only have 4 protein shakes a day and non-starchy vegetables!

@MandaElaine Texas girl how is your pre-op diet going? I start mine tomorrow. Preparing for this surgery is not easy. Mentally, Physically, and financially. Reading all this material I was given and spending hours aday on the internet doing my research on Lapband. I tell you it's draining. What gets me is all the different rules and regulations from different doctors. Plus trying to find the right vitamins and Protein shakes and just shopping for all that is needed. Going on youtube to find out about a product and one person likes it and swears it's good. Then another swears it's nasty. So I came to the conclusion that it's Trial and Error and money will be wasted on products I don't like. Any way I just felt like venting so you happen to be the one. LOL Hey Manda take one for the team

I was studying th guide for my week 4 -solid food intro diet. Just to read, so much food, I am already disgusted. Breakfast 1.5 eggs with 1/2 toast Then between breakfast and lunch 8oz of water or crystal light 4 oz of protein 8 oz of milk Lunch 3 oz of Turkey roasted 1 oz of vegetables Then more liquids 12 oz of water or juice 4 oz of protein Dinner 3 oz of meat Vegetables And more liquid ... I am dying Well not now, I should start next Wednesday. Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Very common! I too, did not like certain things I use to LOVE prior to surgery.(especially my protein shakes) There are many people here who have gone through this. It is only temporary, thank goodness! Good luck

I am allergic to aspartame (well, it's a migraine trigger, not really an allergy) and I like Splenda, but I've noticed lately I get a nasty aftertaste with it. I use monk fruit sweetener in my coffee, stevia always had a weird taste to it. I wish there were more options with the sweeteners out there. I'm hoping there isn't aspartame in the Protein drinks/shakes (I just ordered a variety to taste test, I'll likely be having surgery in July). Is there a particular stevia you've found doesn't taste odd?

I use plain Greek Fage (pronounced Fa-yeh) yogurt. It tastes like sour cream, so some people don't like it, but it is right up my alley. For one cup, it has 9 grams of carbs, all from natural sugar (no added sugar). It also has 23 grams of protein!!! In addition to eating it plain, sometimes I use it on a little bit of baked potato, a little bit of taco filling or anything else that screams out for sour cream. The problem with the yogurts you probably are looking at is the fruit and sugars added.

I'm pretty sure a PPI is for blocking tummy acid. I think the other members are asking you because sometimes excess acid mimics hunger. Also, have you tried more dense Proteins? I'm almost 6 weeks out and I noticed that blended food slips right through (I thought my sleeve was too big) where dense Protein (chicken, beef) fills me up super quick. I hope you find what works, best of luck!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I Am wondering how you have your mfp goals set up for food. My nut doesn't have a set for mfp so I thought I'd pick y'all's brains :-) I'm talking about calories/carbs/protein, etc. Thanks! -MM

The sleeve did kind of reset my ability to feel full. I am much more careful to listen to my body and I keep the full feeling for longer. Yesterday I ate dinner and felt full for about an hour afterwards and didn't feel hungry again at all. I used to never really feel full and if I did I could eat again within the hour easily, always looking for the next thing. I have never vomited due to anything I ate. I dry heaved once while I was sick and coughing way too much. After recovery, I now eat all meats/cheese/nuts. Eventually I'll be able to add in vegetables, but for now I need the space for Protein. I usually do a couple of cheese sticks for Breakfast, a premier Protein shake for lunch (convenient for work), some chicken or other meat for dinner, and some bacon and unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell for "second dinner". My stomach doesn't feel any different except I get full a lot faster and I don't get the hungry feeling as often. It has changed how I do business in my life. I'm very careful to track everything I eat in MFP, and I make my food decisions based on my protein count for the day. I literally only eat meat, cheese, and nuts (along with some various mustards and vinaigrettes). My carbs are usually under 20, although if I eat a premier Protein Bar, it can be as high as 45. I don't just "go with the flow" with food anymore. I preplan what I'm going to have with me if I go out for the day (always Water, sometimes a protein snack/meal). If we're going out to dinner I look up a menu/nutrition info and choose before I leave the house. I exercise every day and am determined to get the most out of my honeymoon period as possible. I plan on always tracking in MFP, exercising, and planning meals. The main thing I think will change when I'm at goal is that my balance of protein and carbs will be a little different when I can eat more calories- although I'll definitely be talking to my NUT when that time comes. Good luck to you!

Ok... So wow this has been such a transformation for me so far very happy with results so far and are seeing numbers on the scale I have NEVER seen that's great AWESOME actually never experienced such a thing before feels great but my BIGGEST upset is this nauseous feeling I get every morning... I take my acid blockers at night that helps with the burning but I feel empty like no food in my tummy at all I hate eating at this hour very early 5am/6am because all I want to do is go back to sleep and enjoy my morning easing into my Breakfast, it's like I have to eat something to feel better and if I pick the wrong (soft food) to consume like sweets (Protein drink, apple sauce, yogurt I get so nauseous and tummy starts going crazy wanting to vomit. So yes I am trying to stay away from the sweets as a coat for my tummy but choose more warm foods but wow I have to actually cook the food (not a fan of microwave food, would rather bake it taste better/boil/sear) and the microwave food I can handle cant eat right now at this stage. So Im like really now I have to have bfast when I don't even want to cook/eat ahhhhh just wanna sleep pls help thx. PREOP-357 SURGERY DAY 1/14 ----- 341 MONTH 1/20/14 ----- 323 2/24-----309

Not sure if my diet would be considered typical, but here goes (from a non vet): Breakfast: matrix Protein shake with chia seeds and Water Pre exercise snack: 2 energy squares Post exercise snack: Amplified Wheybolic 60 shake with water Lunch: 3-4 ounces of chicken patty, 1-2 ounces of green veggie or red pepper Snack: nu go slim Protein Bar Dinner: 3-4 ounces of protein (chicken or beef), 1-2 ounces of green veggie Snack: matrix shake with water I try and eat Paleo as much as possible with supplementation to achieve higher daily protein amounts. If I exercise in the afternoon, I switch my morning Snacks with afternoon snack. Morning exercise is running and afternoon exercise is cross fit on alternating days. I try and run between 5 k and 10 k as fast as I can, ramping up the incline for more intensity and for burning of more calories (800-1000). I do not know the calories I burn in cross fit, but it is difficult, intense and about an hour long. On weekend, I usually eat out for one lunch and dinner, but still pay close attention to diet to support fitness. I found it helpful to eat as low carb as possible up to month 5 and eat high protein. I could not eat raw veggies so well so did green drinks. This kept insulin levels normalized and prevented much hunger. As my exercise ramped up at month 5, I began to eat more good carbs. I have found it a little difficult to control hunger if I eat too many grams of sugar in the protein bar. I am currently switching from a protein bar with 2 grams refined sugar to a Paleo protein bar with raw honey and more carbs. So far so good, but time will tell how this changes my hunger. I hope it reduces as I will not be eating those 2 grams of refined sugar any longer. I tracked like a fiend for first 3 months and then stopped. I keep it simple, repetitive so no need to track once it became second nature to live the daily life of post op without much random food planning. I really do not like tracking if it requires more than 10-15 minutes in the morning so made a decision to eat in a way that does not require tracking. Eating the same thing every day is not as bad as it seems. I do not need a lot of variety of I finds food that fits the form and taste I require. Hope this helps!

Breakfast- boiled egg and coffee Snack- Atkins chocolate shake Lunch- Natures Valley Protein bar Snack- almonds/cashews/slim jim Dinner- chicken breast and veggies Snack- rice cakes/nuts Roughly around 1000 calories with 80 grams of carbs and 60 grams of protein for a day like the one listed above.

Okay, I just called my doctors office - suggestions were 1. get the PURE Protein from walmart, put a package in a blender with a few strawberries, half a banana, and an ice cube - blend until liquefied. 2. get the test tube protein shots from GNC. they are high protein, low-volume. not so tasty, but you get your protein in in about 2 shots/day. HTH.

I used the County Employee's Managed Care Insurance system. They have apparently really tightened up their criteria for approval over the past 5 years. But on the flip side they had no issues with approving the VGS as a surgery option. San Joaquin would have been my first choice for hospital, but Dr Irani uses MSW now rather SJH. Best wishes.

Thanks for the responses.... I will try adding more Protein at breakfast. And I am SOOOO bad at eating slow it defintely deosnt take me a full 30 minutes to eat I eat in more like 10-15 minutes

Today has been great so far. I had a protein shake for breakfast. Costco premier. Normal. For lunch I had half a can of chili, just had a craving. But what was incredible, is that I was totally satisfied with one serving ( 1 cup). That has never happened pre-band. One serving was a starter appetizer. I don't think I've ever had one serving of anything and been satisfied. Blows my mind.

Thanks a lot! I have heard some about the food you eat post op and one of the question I have is regarding Juicing, is it something you would recommend starting after surgery mixed with proteins like isopure and kind of sticking to that for awhile??

A few things that I found and did when I went back to work were: You will probably be beat after work. Good idea about going back on a Thursday. That's what I did and by friday afternoon I was SOOOOOO tired. I rested the majority of the weekend. So just don't be disappointed if you go back and realize you can't keep up with the same pace that you used to. Second, I bring all my food with me. I was the epitome of the opposite of this before surgery, I bought breakfast at DD, lunch at either a diner or chinese, and then dinner, we typically went out to eat. No wonder I was so unhealthy!! Anyway, I realized 1) I wouldn't be able to get all the protein in if I didn't bring my own foods and 2) those old places didn't really have anything sleeve friendly. I"m two months out and I still can't find much that I would want to eat there. I usually bring a shake and some greek yogurt and a string cheese. That gets me through the day and then I have a really lean high protein dinner with a little veggies if I have room. I am still having a hard time getting all the fluids in during the workday because I am so preoccupied. But we'll all get there. :-) Hope this helps. It really helps if you have an understanding boss and coworkers too. Cause your feet will probably be dragging for the first week. But the energy will come back!

I have had it since my gall bladder was removed in 08. It's like I literally get a little light headed and start sweating. Then there is a painful churning in my stomach and I have to go RIGHT THEN. While I'm actually going to the restroom my sweating and churning continue, as does my pain. For me it can even happen in the middle of a meal. Sometimes it will take several trips to the restroom until only orange or yellow acidic bile is coming out due to no gall bladder. Heavy creamy foods like Alfredo sauce, acidic foods like tomato based marinara, any fried foods, lettuce... My Protein shakes ... Really too many foods to name. This has been such a problem and my surgeon said if I follow the rules with my sleeve and eat dense Proteins first, maybe it will slow down or stop it.

How's your restriction? Maybe a fill is in order. I still drink protein shakes but not as much as I used to. Maybe about 3 or 4 a week. In the beginning it was 2 a day.

Thanks guys! I'm trying 15gm protein Greek yogurt watered down with ski. Milk to start getting protein. I just came home from the hospital yesterday, feeling much better.

Read an article on webmd says can take in up to 218g of protein daily. But protein has 4cal per gram. So yea, too much protein can equal too many calories. High protein intake can be dangerous to people with any kind of kidney compromise.

Susie, this is a great question with some excellent answers. Thanks for asking! I have problems with kidney function and my drs never discussed my increased protein intake with me. I will now address this, this is a serious issue for some people. Thanks for everyone's insight!!