Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

happyteacher’s Posts

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 6:37 am

"If I could say one thing to the Vets, it would be don't be so jaded now that you've reached goal and have mastered your Sleeve. Not all of us come out of surgery with our "food issues" resolved....not all of us come out of surgery with restriction....and not all of us come out of surgery well informed about how to manage our tool (Even when we think we are). "

Well said!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

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happyteacher
on 9/3/12 6:05 am

Topic: RE: Less than 24hrs to go!

I am excited for you too!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 6:04 am

Topic: RE: Following Directions

Great post Karik :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:56 am

Topic: RE: 15 wks out and gained 2 lbs?!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:48 am

Topic: RE: Tummy Tuck/Ins??

Nice! Didn't know this- I will have to call the insurance and see what is an option. I was just assuming that I would have to pay.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:45 am

Topic: RE: What about our metabolism...??

There is usually 2 camps of thought on this board. There is a group that keeps it under 800 and 40 carbs with some of that group keeping it under 600 cals. I can think of at least 2 people who in maintenence report eating about 1200 calories after that plan.

My bariatric team never supported the low cal low carb approach. Initially they did not prescribe a specific calorie or carb number, just emphasized the protein and fluid targets. When pressed those first two months the Nuts did say a range between 600-800 calories. By the third month the range went up to 800-1000 and about 100 carbs. Felt a ton better as the hypoglycemia was now managed and the increase in fiber eliminated the chronic constipation. I also regularly surpassed the protein targets. I eat 6 times a day alternating carbs with 15 carbs and 30 carbs per meal. It is important not to eat a lot of carbs at one, as it wil trigger a flood of insulin which in turn stores fat and triggers cravings. A few months later I went up to a 1000-1200 calorie range with the same carbs. I had no trouble at all getting to goal on this plan. Even the last 20 pounds or so that everybody posts as being so tough were a non-issue for me. With this calorie plan though I do exercise 6 days a week with a tyical work out being an hour on the elliptical or a 4-5 mile walk. The last few weeks has been a hot mess for exercise due to surgery/illness- but when able I exercise.

What I recommend more then listening to some chic who made goal or some other dude who made goal is working with your support team there. What is the plan they are outlining? Are you following it with integrity? If not, why?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:34 am

Topic: RE: Dizziness / Lightheadedness

Yes, and for two different reasons.

1. Fluids- if they got low my blood pressure drops and dizzy/light headed issues.
2. The bigger problem for me- low blood sugar. In the first few months post op I tried to keep carbs under 40. My blood sugar in the morning was very low. Once I adjusted my plan to allow for more carbs and spaced them out appropriately it stopped. I eat 6 times a day. I alternate 15 carbs and 30 carbs per meal/snack. I make sure I eat a little something before bed, as mornings is always the trouble spot.

I now have a third reason- recenntly went to a chiropractor and a neck exercise they have me doing causes a lot of dizzyness. Just started this so no idea if it is a fluke or not yet.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:27 am

Topic: RE: 15 wks out and gained 2 lbs?!

Look at your cals- I bet you could not have gained it in fat. 2 pounds can easily be water weight- it is only about 32 ounces of water or so (rhearob can be more exact on that if he chimes in). Don't sweat it- this is a normal thing for most. Just keep yourself on plan and exercising

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:23 am

Topic: RE: I'm so happy

That is an awesome nsv!!! Fitting into and then out of old clothes is one of my favorite nsvs- just pretty much anything related to clothes really! Us taller girls always have to struggle to find stuff that fits well!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/3/12 5:20 am

Topic: RE: not quite 11 months but here are side by side comparisons

Love the clavicles you are now sporting! I do see a big difference. Keep chugging along until you make your goal - you got this!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 4:39 pm

Topic: RE: 3 years out! 350lbs lost......before and now PIC !!

You are truly amazing! Congratulations on your surgiversary and keeping that maintence going so smoothly!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 2:11 pm

Topic: RE: Is/Was anyone afraid that the surgery itself would kill them?

I did. I don't have a fear of death, but the idea of not being here to finish raising my kids was a real worry. I just focused on how I was eating myself into a grave anyway, and at least this offered some hope of turning that around and mending the health. I also was careful to research my program and doc to give me the best chance possible. It was disconcerting when I asked the surgeon if he can predict who has the complications, and he couldn't. Still, so glad I did it!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 2:07 pm

Topic: RE: Protein shakes make me naseous.

If you don't like your new purchase cold, try putting some in the coffee. Made it through a whole huge container of muscle milk that way :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 1:46 pm

Topic: RE: For those of you who areat least 6 months out, What do you eat in an average day?

I am a little over 8 months out and hit goal. However, I am in this gray area of planning on losing a little more weight a little at a time until I hit a point that I am happy with. Given that, I am sticking to a 1200-1400 caloriie range. Prior to goal I topped out at 1200 unless I had a bad day. I upped it to slow the weight loss down, but not stop it. I am not sure yet if that is the right range as I have been out of sorts lately between being sick and an unrelated surgery. We will see. Here is a sample of a normal day.

A day without shakes-
2 eggs, 2 bacon, 1/2 slice wheat toast
mango spears
tuna on a bed of spinach
yogurt with soy nutlettes
chicken breast and veggies
protein cookies

If I use shakes-
shake for breakfast
everything else about the same, but the morning snack is more generous.

I use shakes a lot more during the school year since it is so easy.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 1:39 pm

Topic: RE: I learned my lesson: confessions of a 10 day post-op

I am so sorry that your lesson was so painful. I think it was generous of you to be willing to put yourself out there so other newbies hopefully can take it as a case in point for not cheating. Hope you feel better soon :)

Try to identify what your trigger was and develop some strategies for the next time it happens.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 1:33 pm

Topic: RE: For the post-op cheaters-I want to know...

As usual I see things from a different perspective then Frisco. Personally, I think if somebody is looking to validate their cheat they don't need Oh for that. What they do need Oh for is help in getting back on track. Admitting a cheat typically spurs suggestions and strategies from vets, along with some condenscending posts typically.

I think that we all had weight loss surgery because we are a serious bunch of fatties who knew no bounds when it came to overeating. Just because we had surgery doesn't mean that a magic wand was waved and those overeating tendencies just disappear. It is a work in progress.

Most people here have a cheat every so often. They don't feel good about it, they do not look to repeat it, but hopefully they are able to deal with it and move forward in a positive direction.

I cheated a bit in the early phase- mostly rushing phases. For example, in the pureed phase I couldn't stomach the idea of actually putting the eggs in a puree form so I smushed them with the fork and took extra time chewing to allow the saliva to do it's job. I am not proud of that and I don't recommend it. But it was part of my journey. I have a sleeve of steel so it has been very kind to me- no vomiting, foamies ever.

With all that said I would have never made it to goal if I was cheating constantly. I was consistently very good. Anyone can mfp friend me to view my diary- I am idateacher2 over there.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/2/12 12:52 pm

Topic: RE: my sleeve-story.. post-op 72 hours

Hang in there- you will feel pretty normal in less than 2 weeks from now. Welcome to the loser's bench!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 6:11 pm

Topic: RE: Sleeved patients!

See my ticker. Stalled out at about 2.5 weeks for a bit, but don't remember when it kicked in again. I do blog each month so you could check that - maybe I wrote it down there.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 6:09 pm

Topic: RE: Protein shakes make me naseous.

In all honesty I would keep trying different shakes. I am glad you are approaching your protein goal, but you are not there yet and that is critical. Have you tried Isopure or somethng similar that drinks more like kool aid then a thicker shake? There are a lot of shake recipes out there- maybe experiment with those. Keep trying :)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 5:47 pm

Topic: RE: Stomach twisted

Sending you some good karma... should be there momentarily!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 5:44 pm

Topic: RE: The good and the bad

I'm with you- if the docs say it is safe to double up then make the best use of that time off. Only problem is I know in the past when i needed multiple surgeries they would really try to space them 6 weeks apart when possible... gives the body some time to heal. I hope it works out for you and you are doing a fantastic job preop!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 5:41 pm

Topic: RE: just want some advise

Cozy up to protein shakes or something like Isopure. Get your fluids and protein at the same time. Congrats on the weight loss!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 3:11 pm

Topic: RE: Oops = ( Help!

Hey neighbor- don't do that again. You are absolutely right about the kernels getting lodged in your seam there friend, and leaks happen because of choices like that. Pay very close attention to how you are feeling and if there is any sign at all of a leak get your butt to the ER. I would probably call the doc just to be sure as well.

You may want to consider counseling. At the very least if your program offers support groups attend- it really will help. If you are part of the Beaumont group we meet on Monday nights at 6 at the Royal Oak location or Thursdays at 6:30 at the Rochestor location.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help- you can do this!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 3:02 pm

Topic: RE: Surgery Didn't happen

That is rough. I hope you are feeling better. On a happy note, many here do awesome with the sleeve and it is a fabulous option. Hope it all works out for you.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

happyteacher
on 9/1/12 2:12 pm

Topic: RE: Trader Joe's haul - shame on them!!

Yes.... that was the lower cal peanut spread I was referring to in the above post. It is a little thinner then peanut butter, hence the girls don't like it. I like it for dip. Just now trying the cookie stuff... yikes is that good!

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

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