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Eating more net calories has NEVER caused me to lose more... just the opposite. Ensure adequate Protein and plenty of Water,then minimize net calories and I burn FAT.... just my experience/opinion. Im not a believer of the "starvation mode", unless one gets to a body fat percentage of around 5 or so, providied you consume adequate protein....I won't have to worry about that for a long time.

It's very common to get tighter around periods. The band is over living tissue which can swell. Hormonal changes can cause bloating/ swelling. Some people do report problems with flying. However, the band manufacturers said in a written reply that it should not cause issues as it contains liquid not air so is not affected by pressure. But many people find stress makes them feel tighter and flying with all its deadlines etc is stressful. I have, quite literally, flown round the world three times with my band! Plus long haul flights from the UK to Asia, Africa, Europe. I just take care! I drink lots of Fluid, choose soft food options. I have never had any problems. But, as I said, I have read people saying they had issues.

So sorry your going through such discomfort.Although, not an expert, I would try to get in a lot of fluid with electrolytes/ potassium first and then go for the protein. Some people drink gatoraide I drink vitamin water, both have electrolytes. you might want to use a moist heating pad on your back in the meanwhile to relieve the spasms.

Muscle milk sugar free with 15 g of protein.. Does it sound bad? I want opinions

I'm not terribly knowledgable about protein drinks, but do know that muscle milk chocolate is one of the few I can choke down.

What about hardboiled eggs? They have lots of protein and would fill you up! That is my standard "go-to" food. You can always eat just the whites if you want to save on the fat.

How many calories were you getting at 6 weeks post op. I'm finding it hard to get my protein in can you all tell me what your daily diet was at 6 weeks. Also how much did you eat at a time? Thanks

There a lot of posts on here about baby food, the only problem is protein. They make a flavorless powder you can mix in with the baby food.

The first week can suck. But I SWEAR it gets better and then great! Almost one month out and back to work and I feel like a new person who is almost twenty pounds lighter than surgery day. Reward though for missing boobs! In either case, my hardest thing now is the pre planning to make sure I have good food in the house and available at work. Protein first! Fluids fluids fluids! Best of luck to you!

First of all, DEEP BREATH! calm down! I am about 4 months post op, I wont lie, it was hard at first and I did have to jump through hoops to get it done. Second, If you dont do this now, you will regret it for the rest of your life. You are too young to have the problems you have and believe me, they will only get worse with age. Third, everyone, and I mean everyone, I dont care how much bravado they have, are scared when they go in for surgery, any surgery, you are not alone. Now to your questions: 1.How many of you needed your gallbladder removed? Was the option on the table to do it with the sleeve surgery? I already had my gallbladder out years before the surgery. From years of being obese and eating crap food, my gallbladder died. So if you dont have the operation there is a good chance you may have to have it out anyway. 2. Long term what Vitamins do you take and how many? I just take regular chewable vitamins, nothing extravagant. one a days and they are fine. 3. I got two body piercings a long time ago. Nose and ear. Both of which i got keloids from. Will my stomach react the same to the staples, infections? Anbody else who has piercings/ had keloids? Keloids is basically scar tissue. I doubt it will have any effect on your staple line 4. I have a retroverted uterus. Anbody else have it that has had this surgery? Any complications ( The two questions above are noted in my file to be discussed with my surgeon on nxt visit) I have the same and had no complications 5. Are there ever times when you can eat and drink at the same time? Even just a sip? I understand all the reasons why you shouldn't, just curious if months on out if its possible..my mind is having a hard time wrapping around that thought. Its usually a half hour before and half hour after, you get used to it, its not that big of a deal. 6. What happens if i do all the required visits and chicken out at the last minute? Now why would you do that if you have come this far. Imagine being 100 or more lbs lighter, it will happen if you do not chicken out! You have to live in your body, do not let anyone tell you how to live in your body. now go get'em!

Im new to all of this! I apologize if this is LONG!! Been researching wls religiously for maybe a year and a half now. The thing that really pushed me to finally make the first step in this process was... having severe undiagnosed pain in my back for 2 years and finally seeing a surgeon. Told me I had bulging discs and the only thing that he could do for me was shots and physical therapy, w/ a recommendation for getting fit and build the muscles in my back.....I'm 24, 310 pounds.... there are days that I feel like I'm an 80 yr old woman. Scared me to think I would have to live with this pain forever! Anyways, a family friend ( I'm still on my mothers insurance. The family friend is also my mothers co worker, so has same insurance) had the sleeve done so I took that step and made a consult app with the same office she went to. (Central New Jersey...Dr. Ballem/Dr.Rainville) Going in I thought for sure I would have to jump through all the same hoops she had to before getting my date (i.e. 7-8 months supervised diet). WRONG! With bmi so high I only have to do three months!!!! Going in I was okay with the 8 months, thinking it was a good time to prepare. Initially my mind was set on this surgery and I was thrilled to take this journey. When i heard three months at first I didnt know if I was happy or scared. Everything since the intial consult has been a whirlwind! My first consult i got a tentative date of May 5th for surgery. I have already been to 1 dietician app. 2 Left. Only have the pysch evaluation and an endescopy left to do..as a side note I wanted a sleeve to begin with. The surgeon agrreed it was the best option for me since I was relatively healthy. No co-morbids and (besides my back) full mobility. Now to the reason for posting..... I actually was very excited to be honest, about the three month thing because that meant the sooner I had it done the sooner i could start a new life. I have read information until my eyes bleed. Was prepared for the maintenance afterwards. I was very positive, had a great attitude about everything up until this past Wednesday when I had my first dietician app. My mom is not supportive of the surgery itself. She keeps reminding me of all the bad things that could happen. So she asks me how it went. I said it went great. I have to start changing a few habits now. (I.e. more Protein, less carbs, chew more, drink more). She goes on to tell me if I can make the changes before surgery why do I need it? I have been exercising for the past three months to help with the back pain and she says that coupled with the healthier eating should be enough to make me drop the weight. She thinks I have not exhausted all the avenues before resorting to surgery. To be honest I probably haven't done nearly as much dieting as some of you which I told the nurse, dietician, surgeon. Im gonna say I started gaining weight in kindergarten. Have only tried two commercial diets ( at 16 yrs and 280 pounds I did Michael Thurmond and last year at 23 and 330 I did Plexus) because I or my family could never afford any of the others long term. I have done numerous attempts on my own to cut back and exercise to no avail. The dietician seemed very positive that I would do great with the sleeve since my problem seems to be with portion control and obviously the sleeve would help with that. After that conversation with my mom the doubts of this whole thing came crashing down on me.....can you guys just answer some questions or input or calm my fears? I'm just gonna list them... 1.How many of you needed your gallbladder removed? Was the option on the table to do it with the sleeve surgery? 2. Long term what Vitamins do you take and how many? 3. I got two body piercings a long time ago. Nose and ear. Both of which i got keloids from. Will my stomach react the same to the staples, infections? Anbody else who has piercings/ had keloids? 4. I have a retroverted uterus. Anbody else have it that has had this surgery? Any complications ( The two questions above are noted in my file to be discussed with my surgeon on nxt visit) 5. Are there ever times when you can eat and drink at the same time? Even just a sip? I understand all the reasons why you shouldn't, just curious if months on out if its possible..my mind is having a hard time wrapping around that thought. 6. What happens if i do all the required visits and chicken out at the last minute? The dietician visits are included in surgery cost, would I end up having to pay for them? I think that's enough for now if I have more questions i will post in comments! Bless you and thank you if you've read all of that. I just need some support. With my back I was feeling the lowest I possibly could feel and thought that surgery was and is my last shot at living again. My weight has stole my childhood, teens, and now my 20's. I was teased in grade school but nothing like what I was in for in middle school. I ultimately dropped out because I couldnt take it anymore. Since then I have become a hermit. Don't know what to do with myself....weight scares me from doing anything fun in life. I was just ready for change....help!

Yogurt, egg whites (some people have trouble with eggs), mashed potato (no gravy), mashed cauliflower, squash, chili (Wendy's), bbq chicken (KFC, no bun). I would bring ready to drink protein shakes so that you have SOMETHING in the event you are desperate (premier brand from Costco is very good, Muscle Milk Light). Bring some plastic spoons as you can usually find greek yogurt anywhere (including 7/11 or Cumberland Farms) but they may not have spoons.

My first 2 days were rough. I just slept and hurt. I didn't have the gas pains, I was very achy. I drank nothing the first day and very little the 1st post-op day. My surgeon kept me a second day because of the poor fluid intake. I'm drinking more today. Water, gaterade, and protein powder with water. And liquid Norco.... I'm going to assume I can consider that a fluid...he he. Sent from my Moto G (4) using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok so i am 4 weeks POst Op. Lost 18 lbs so far and now comes the day when i am surrounded by candy. I have never had a big sweet tooth but i am craving a Kitcat or a Recesse. I have 3 small kids who are excited to go out tricker treating...i will go with them. But by tomorrow morning 80% of that candy has to be out of the house. My kids dont know what most of those candys are so i want to keep it that way. And i also what to they it away from me. Am i being mean? unfair? i dont think so, my kids do not have a weight problem, but i do not want a sugar overload that for sure will lead to Time Outs! I have my first fill in two weeks, i hope i can last. I am feeling hundry every 3 hours and so far i have not felt any restriction, BUT i am keeping an eye on portions, protein and CHEWING. Good luck to all!!!

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

There aren't any OTC antibiotics that I'm aware of, so I'd have to see if my PCP would prescribe something. I'm supposed to take the Mexico antibiotic twice a day for 3 days and it's 5ML (1oz) everytime and horrible!! It takes me hours just to psych myself up to take it. Then again, I am a big baby when it comes bad tasting stuff so I'm screwed on the whole Protein shakes thing. BLECH!!!

The only one I told was my hubby (because I had to). I have lost and gained weight so many times before, I don't think there will be too much inquiry. If there is, than I went on a strict Protein diet and started exercising again. That's the truth without all the details. I feel that I have enough to do to stay on course without having to pause and discuss, defend or explain my decision to everyone who wishes to satisfy their curiosity. Good luck!

This is going around.......I stir 2 teaspoons of benefiber in my yogurt with some chia seeds and that helps........getting in all your water helps also......dairy is binding, so if you're taking in a lot of dairy or whey protein, you may want to change it up. Miralax is also great.......tasteless, mixes in with any hot/cold liquid.......seems to take about 12-24 hours to work....gentle..........dr says you can take it everyday and it won't cause health problems......even 1/2 a serving a day...........Hope this helps.

My Kaiser plan is: Stage I - day of surgery (Wednesday for me!) Stage II - full liquids - day five after surgery (Sunday for me) Stage III - pureed foods after call from NUT, generally two weeks post-op. I think Kaiser calls the pureed, what others call mushie. After pureed.. Stage IV - soft foods stage, moist protein and a little veggies and fruit. Stage V - after three month post-op class Always protein first.

I am not interested in carbs anymore either. I do crave bread with EVOO and balsamic vinegar. That is really the only thing I want to dive into. You are still early in the game. Concentrate on your protein intake and those carb craving should go away.

Yep, that was me too. My problems with my weight were never about hunger ... at least not physical hunger. My problem has always been head hunger, eating over emotion, just about ANY emotion. So, eight months before my surgery I started seeing a therapist, an obesity therapist. Had a session today, it was great!! Journaling works for some, others keep a food diary ... my therapist has had me do both. I won't tell you that things are always smooth sailing, but the head hunger is soooo much better than before. Now, when I want to eat but I know I am not hungry, I take a moment to think about what I am feeling and why I think food will make things better. Usually I am able to "talk myself down from the ledge" LOL But, I've been at this so long now that I just take the short cut: I ask myself if it's time to eat and if the answer is "no" then I think about how eating over an emotion will make my journey to my goal weight that much longer ... so I skip it. It took a while to get to the "short cut" point, but I got there. I have an example tonight. I thought about having a glass of wine or two. I don't drink often, but hey, it's Saturday night and I have a bottle in the fridge. Well, alcohol is just wasted calories and will wipe out much of the exercise I did this week so, I'm skipping it ... just not worth it. Today, it's not a big deal ... that wasn't always the case, denying myself something was just not an option in the past. Hang in there, find ways to break the old habits. You can get a lot of good advice on this forum. Take what you can use and leave the rest behind. All the best to you on your journey.

Hey everyone my name is Dana I was sleeved on June 2 so far the process has been wonderful by my 4th day home I felt so much better and currently am experiencing no pains what so ever my only difficulties would be the amount of Protein I am consuming and I hope this won't affect my weight loss so far I am 15 pounds down I have been obsessively checking my weight every morning but the past 2 days have not lost a pound I hope this doesn't stay this way after seeing I lost one to two pounds per day seeing nothing has me a bit worried and of course I would love to shed the weight as quickly as possible I would love to hear more from others I enjoyed so far reading many post its exciting to hear the stories of others who have been sleeved so far. I am the only person I know to have done the procedure seeing what you guys write is very inspirational and helps me look forward to what awaits me *Dana*

My guess would be the sodium you would want to look out for. I am starting pre op diet tomorrow (it is a mix of protein shakes and two small meals) and my surgery date is the 27th. I am nervous and excited!

I must say, it does get a bit easier as you get through the first week. I did cheat badly last weekend and opened my pie hole and told the NP that and she chewed me out! I'm not going to cheat this weekend. I get banded on the 24th. I'll stick with my protein drink for breakfast and lunch and my Weight Watchers meal or Lean Cuisine for dinner...:thumbup: