teachren

Julie, I get how distressing the feeling is. As I recall, a few months back (probably about 10 months out) after eating some pork I had a similar sensation. I didn't eat for the rest of the day and the next morning I seemed back to normal. I felt like it was acid as I had a weird smell and taste in my mouth. Was the beef…

Congratulations! It's an amazing feeling when you accomplish something you know you never could have done before surgery. You get a real adrenalin high, right? Give the bike ride a shot! :-) Well don!

I'm 16 months post surgery, lost down to a low of 152...and (about 150 pounds down) now hover between 152 and 162 depending on the time of the month. I'm certain I'm perimenopausal (as I'm 44..yikes) so the old hormone thing really fluxes my weight. So...the answer in my mind is drop your carbs, up your protein and go back…

haha..that's classic! 3 days later. Yup..I've broken that rule too. Just plain popcorn in a paper bag in the microwave. But...that's now that I am a year out. I didn't have popcorn early on. I have about a cup or two and it satisfies me when I am in a munchy mood. I figure it's way better than reaching for the potato…

Chew gum! Seriously...chew gum! I'm not saying all the time but once in a while it's great just to give you some flavour early out. I do have to be careful about the sugar alcohols increasing my gas. I was craving some flavour and ended up having a piece of sugarless gum a couple months out. I accidently swallowed it and…

Yes...you'll get around it but it's not easy. I found I went in spurts...usually connected to my weight loss and subsequent stalls. You hit a stall...get down on the whole thing...and end up obsessing over having something you shouldn't. Sometimes you have it and move on or when the will power is winning you pass it and…

I second the Old Navy compression work out garments. Right now I am actually wearing their bike short as the bottom to my bathing suit! My legs are small...but seriously "crepey" with hanging skin down to just above my knee. I looked into ordering bike short style swim wear and it was uber expensive in Canada so I tried…

Ya...that's a tricky one and I wish I had some sure fire advice for you...but no such luck. I was a huge foodie and loved to cook.( well...still do) During my early months out last summer I chanelled my efforts into modifying recipes to fit my plan. Then I batch froze them in small portions for when I could eat them. That…

I have been happily drinking it for months. I have been drinking too much lately...so I'll have to cut back but I would on average have 2 cups a day. Lately some days 4. I use 5% creamer...and measure it out. That's just how I like it. I think coffee has been given a hard shake but I think recent studies suggest that…

Congratulations on meeting your goal! Enjoy it!

AWESOME...that's all I've got...ABSOLUTELY FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!!!

Why are you eliminating Nestea Zero? Are you not wanting the artifical splenda? Or is it just because it was too habit forming and you're going cold turkey? There is no carbonation in Nestea. I do drink it on occasion now as a "treat". I am trying to limit my artifical sweetners so that's why I consider it a treat but if…

Wowza! Man I just told you yesterday what an exercise inspiration you are to me...now you post this?? Hehe...you're unstoppable. What an amazing transformation thus far...and there is more change to come. I agree your avatar pic looks smashing. It draws you into your smile. I needed to see these when I got home tonight. I…

You wait for "the foamies" to arrive and then hopefully don't make the same mistake again. With the VSG when you eat to being "full" for the first few months you've likely eaten way too much. It totally depends on the item you are eating. My first time with the foamies was eating 2 oz of pork tenderloin. I only had a…

It's great to hear your enthusiasm for the process and your willingness to make the changes necessary to be successful with VSG. Walking is a great form of exercise so don't discount it! Not everyone is cut out for the gym but you can pick up some low weights to use at home from Walmart. I used them early on in my recovery…

Sarah, I'm with ya sleeve sista! I have been kicking myself lately for getting a little to sloppy with my diet. I let a few extra carbs slip back in, then it's a few more. I still manage to keep my calories okay but I think the hard part for me has been that I am now eating more calories as I am basically at my goal…

I like pawoodhull's theory on this one. Average it out...some days you're low, others you are higher. I tend to think I overeat on the weekends more due to boredom or not being busy enough. I don't think it's that I'm actually any hungrier...just idle. Of course the answer to that one is keep going. Make appointments, do…

I am a year out from surgery. I chew sugarless gum and drink through a straw occasionally. I find the gum helps me stay occupied when I am bored and would otherwise reach for something to nibble on. My surgeon said it is fine. He's done over 3000 VSG surgeries so I think I trust his judgement. I understand others counsel…

Welcome...and good luck on Tuesday. :-) It sounds like you have things under control. I stayed home for a week after I returned from surgery and it was enough time. I was going a bit stir crazy by the end of it. I teach little squirts so I figured I'd better stay home just while I was still "tender" as they tend to be all…

Fantastic! Congrats! I am hovering with it....have been for a month. I ended up going up almost 10 pounds with water and have just gotten back to my 162. If I could stay away from the carbs maybe I'll be able to join you later this week...2 lbs will get me there!

Nicely put!

Ahh...it copied really funny. So sorry I am not techie enough to get it to work. Okay..the other thing I put in was Oikos plain yogurt and Guy's sugar free bbq sauce. The yogurt and egg white were the binders and upped the protein. Other than that just the meat and some finely chopped veggies and spices. I made some one…

I make mini meatloaves in cupcake tins and don't use any flour. I do add in a little panko crumbs now and again. I use egg white as the binder and lots of veggies. I find the trick is to cook out the veggies in a frying pan first to get rid of the excess moisture. Then add them to the ground meat (I use chicken, turkey or…

A BMI of 23 is not unreasonable in my opinion. Lose a little more, see how it feels and if you don't like how it looks on you put a little bit back on. I don't understand why they wouldn't want you to do cardio anymore? Are you exercising hard every day? Or are you going to cardio classes a couple times a week? I guess…

Dumping? Likely not. From what I hear on the gastric bypass boards that seems pretty intense like you are literally having deathly pain and fluids from both ends. Many will tell you that VSG patients don't "dump" on sugar or excess fat. I tend to agree with them based on my personal experience but there are others who call…

Welcome to the team. That's great you're getting more water in...it's so important not only at the beginning but through your journey. When you're up to eating make sure you get your protein in as that's the other key to success for most of us. Looking forward to helping you with any questions you may have along the way.…

I second mixing up your own ratio of protien to liquid. Have you varied your liquids? I don't often have shakes anymore maybe a couple times a week but I like to mix the creamy ones with unsweetened almond milk instead of water. Other than that if you are a couple months out and like eggs I would suggest 1/2 cup of liqud…

Oh..that's too bad you have issues with spice. I find it's the best way to zing up otherwise bland meals or the repetitiveness of our diet. Have you considered just going with fresh herbs to add some flavour? Mint, cilantro, thai basil and the like add that exotic flair without heat. I use them regularly. Good luck!

It makes great burgers if it is ground. You have to make sure you add some egg and maybe a little dijon mustard to the mix. It is so low fat that it does get dry. The key is NOT to overcook it so it stays juicy. If you have the loin, marinate it in your favourite marinade and grill it medium rare. It's quite "gamey" but I…

I will have to try the Chai mix, thanks. Shannie312, I love iced coffee too. I use Syntrax Cappucino protein powder, fresh brewed coffee from the morning or evening before (I just put the left overs in the fridge to cool down) and a little bit of unsweetened vanilla almond milk over ice. Honestly, it tastes like what I…