Official Ongoing Gastric Sleeve Maintenance Thread

[TiaDidi 0]

Thank you so much, I will definetly watch the video, hopefully its the change I need.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

best of luck!

[gamergirl 4,610]

I haven't been around much since I had surgery. The site went nuts and wouldn't load properly for the "formative months" after surgery, so I kinda quit coming around. But I find myself really needing to connect with you guys on the maintenance issues these days. I hope you'll have me back. Before surgery, I was not a dieter. Diets clearly weren’t working for anyone else, not in the long-term, so I didn’t really bother with any certain plan. Instead, I exercised and tried to be aware of what I ate. Clearly, that didn’t work for me. I ended up, at my highest weight, at about 235 pounds on a 5’1” medium frame. On a recent Disney World vacation my hips, back, and feet hurt so much that the thought of going back made it clear that either I had to lose the weight or I’d be one of those people on the motorized scooters at the ripe old age of 34. The greatest gift of this surgery was the clear guidelines and the months following surgery in which, while unable to eat as I used to, I changed my approach to eating and understood that I can manage to eat anything I want, just not everything that I want. I recently celebrated my 1-year anniversary. In that year, I lost 100 pounds, with my lowest weight being 134.4. The upsides of surgery are undeniable and I have no regrets. This was the verry best decision I ever made for myself. I’m a bit of an introvert and misanthrope, but I find myself jubilant for days when I get some appreciative attention. No one has flirted with me for years and it feels great. I have become a bit of a clothes horse (LOL) and have a great time shopping and dressing, things I never cared about in the past. I generally just feel a whole lot better about myself and the world, I find. But learning to maintain my new habits, my outlook, my motivation, that is where I find myself struggling. I’ve noticed since I made it into the 130 pound range that eating has gotten noticeably harder. It could be timing, my weight, my body’s adjustment, my mental state, or any combination of factors. But suddenly I find myself in a place where my past handle on controlling my eating has become completely unhinged. I’ve tried the “let’s just get back to basics” approach a few times and then found myself right back to the bad habits. So, what are these basics and the bad habits? Here is the score: [*]Daily [*]60-70 grams of Protein daily – easy, peasy without fail [*]64 oz of Water – I think I’ve been pretty good here, but I recently began to really push Water I hopes that it might solve some hunger issues. Weekends are my only big concern and I’m actively working on it. [*]2 Bariatric fusion multi-vitamins daily – like clockwork [*]I exercise (cardio, strength, and core) 3 times a week without fail, shooting for a 500 calorie burn each time. I also use my heart rate monitor when I walk the dog and track what calories I burn. [*]I track my food, even my crazy binge eating days, every day on myfitnesspal.com and my food diary is open to my friends. I’m “HeatherTakesCharge” if anyone wants to find me. [*]I am still trying to lose, so I try to keep my net daily calories (after exercise calories burned) to 800-1000. I find myself well over 2000 calories too often. My ultimate goal is 125 pounds, though I’m not overly concerned with it. As long as I’m not going up, I’m pretty happy. My biggest scare happened last week. I woke up one morning and found my weight above 140. Something has to change. [*]My blood work, taken every 3 months since surgery, has been perfect. No issues. [*]I can comfortably eat a HUGE amount of food compared to the limited number of bites I read many of you saying. My restriction is definitely there, but not like I’d hoped. I’d love to go back to the days when I could only eat a handful of bites at a time. [*]I feel physical hunger pangs as well as dealing with head hunger. [*]For the first 6 months, I could easily eat a piece of candy and satisfy my sweet monster. Now, even thinking about eating something sweet sends me into a monster craving to which I too often give in and in a ridiculous, binge eating way. It is SO scary. I swore I’d never eat like that again, yet here I am. [*]I have intense acid reflux without medication, but my prescription Prilosec controls it well as long as I don not forget to take it. [*]I battle reactive hypoglycemia occasionally. If I get a handle on it quickly, I can recover. But sometimes it just ruins my day, both calories-wise and by making me feel ill for an extended period. [*]My food intake during the day is usually exemplary. It is the time I am at home when I make the very worst choices. [*]My partner is fighting some insecurity and self-esteem issues, leading to what I consider deliberate attempts to sabotage my eating. Her answer is, “You did this to yourself. I’ll do what I want. You make your own choices.” Therefore, at least at home, I am unable to keep out the foods that I find most damaging. And she is the primary cook. I try to make my own dinner sometimes, but if I do it constantly, this also becomes a point of contention. Her choice of meals or places to eat out NEVER consider how it will impact my diet. The sabotage extends to the gym as well, with at least one melt-down a month about how my trips to the gym are ruining her life. Seriously. But that is a whole different issue, I know. I’ve dealt with the relationship issues successfully in the early months, so I know I can continue. But it is simply one more strain on the bigger picture, you know? So that is it. My head isn’t in the game any longer. I feel myself becoming more and more depressed and fearful that I’ll slip into that old “I’ll eat what I want” person who can not find the motivation to get back on track.

I know this is an old thread and quote but it really helped me go read it so I wanted to bump it to help others who are newly sleeved like me.

we keep hearing how things change and how we should learn good habits for later, when we can hold more food. This post helped add some substance to what people struggle with later.

[TiaDidi 0]

Watch it, and if its something you think you might want to try, I can tell you the couple of things a few of us here have done to modify the plan for sleevers. (mainly eat less on feast days)

Okay I am ready to try the 5:2 plan, can you please give me some pointers? Thanks

[feedyoureye 3,087]

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261424-the-52-diet-book-free/

Eat your regular plan on feast days... I eat between 1200-1500 depending on exercise (I eat some of my exercise calories back)

"fast" two days a week. many choose mon-ths, but choose whats best for you, you must not have them on days next to each other.

Fast day is around 500 calories for women. I eat around 550 (according to the 5:2 site that is right for me)

The point is to have 12-16 hours of no eating now and then. Then reduced calorie intake a couple of days a week. Example, I have a Protein drink/coffee/tea in the am through lunch, and then have a pretty regular dinner, around 350-450 cals. Try and get 50 gms Protein on fast days, then veggies. Some skip Breakfast, some eat three small meals, its up to you. If you have to miss a fast day, just pick another day to do it.

Its pretty easy. It is not first of all a weight loss plan, it is a longevity plan, but weight loss is a side effect. I lost my last 20 pounds on it. I am stalled out right now, but figure that will change eventually! There are a couple of 5:2 posts in the vets section, post there with more questions and Im sure I or someone else will answer your questions!
best of luck, Kim

[Bry76 8]

I am 18 days post op and still having severe nausea. I'm looking for anyone who experienced the same thing. I need help. I am taking the max dosage of Zofran twice a day. Anyone have suggestions? It's not my Vitamins. Taking antacid doesn't make a difference. Mainly it's Protein Drinks that make me the most ill. Talking or thinking about a Protein Shake can make me dry heave. It comes on fast like morning sickness but I am definitely not pregnant.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I am 18 days post op and still having severe nausea. I'm looking for anyone who experienced the same thing. I need help. I am taking the max dosage of Zofran twice a day. Anyone have suggestions? It's not my Vitamins. Taking antacid doesn't make a difference. Mainly it's Protein drinks that make me the most ill. Talking or thinking about a Protein shake can make me dry heave. It comes on fast like morning sickness but I am definitely not pregnant.

welcome to Bariatric Pal Bry, may I suggest you post this question in a different place? This thread is for maintinance, for after you have lost all your weight.... how about here? POST-Operation Gastric Sleeve Surgery Questions & Answers

[a new begining 1]

Anybody have sleeve at military hospital???

Especially Walter Reed in MD

What was experience, who was surgeon

[feedyoureye 3,087]

welcome to BP, this thread really has nothing to do with your question, its for discussing Maintinance after weight loss. Let me see if I can find someplace better for your question....

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/391-gastric-sleeve-surgeons-and-hospitals/

[Vdubs 19]

I had my sleeve a year ago. I am 68 years young and 6.0 feet tall. I weighed 351 pounds and now weigh 200. This is my goal weight and I have been maintaining it for almost 3 months.

I certainly can and do eat more than I did post surgery but I still stick to the same routine of Proteins then fruits and veggies but no carbs. I also eat 6 times a day, even if it is a Danon fit and light Greek yogurt or some humus with carrots. I certainly recommend doing that. Don't forget the exercise. I speed walk 4 to 5 miles a day and now box twice a week.

The sleeve saved my life, let it do the same for all of you.

[mommaof3 39]

Wow amazing weightloss! Congratulations!

[Vdubs 19]

You too. I have stepped up my exercise as I do eat more than I did 4 months ago. Still am very strict on the very very limited carbs and that seems to be doing the job.

I never experienced real cravings for the first 6 to 8 months and whatever hunger I felt was handled with a yogurt or some humus.

Keep up the great work and I mean the word work.

[Tiffleigh 7]

Can anyone tell me if I can use my ecig after surgery? Tleigh1669@gmail.com desperate for an answer!!

[Tiffleigh 7]

I'm not sure where to post my questions?

[ausmith 374]

Can anyone tell me if I can use my ecig after surgery? Tleigh1669@gmail.com desperate for an answer!!

Not sure what an ecig is