I have a Realize Band (not VSG) but I don't think that the surgery really changed my cravings as much as my decision to change what I ate did.

Eliminating cookies, cake, candy, etc was easier because the band helped to make very little food satisfying to me.

so, I ate protein and produce first and then was not hungry or have many real cravings.

cutting out the sugary things was hard at first, but after a few weeks it got a lot easier.

now, when I want chocolate, I have chocolate pudding, or a chocolate protein bar instead of candy.

best of luck to you, I am sure some of the VSG veterans will help you out.

Recumbant bike is a good choice for cross training and for inclement weather, but it is not considered a 'weight bearing' exercise, so it does not help to strengthen your bones.

walk as best you can  and use the bike when you need to

Best of luck!!!

Ah. You are one of those crazy mountain bikers!!!

we

 Were recently in Durango, CO and camped right above the start of the Colorado trail ..... Mountain bikers everywhere!!!!!!

they are a crazy but fun loving crowd!!

congrats on your weight loss and on changing your life!!!  Enjoy!

I am so sorry for your loss.

may your love bring you strength and peace.

It is like having Allstate for your home with no flood waiver.

in case of flood, Allstate will not pay, but you would possible qualify for government assistance.

Your other option is to self pay through loans,savings, out of country options, etc.

Good luck!

I am surprised that Dr Blackstone did not address this with you before surgery.

I believe that a pregnancy that soon after surgery would be considered high risk due to  the malabsorption you are experiencing.

if you believe you are pregnant, please contact both your gun and Dr. Blackstone as soon as possible.

they can work together to help you have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.

if you are not pregnant, please follow Dr. Blackstones advice regarding multiple forms of birth control.

I switched doctors because of weight related issues.

in my case, I finally realized that I had been seeing this man for 9 years, at least once a year for some reason or another, and in that time I gained 90 pounds and he never once mentioned my weight and it's impact on my health.

Reflecting back, it may have been because he was overweight (40 or 50 pounds probably) but regardless, I lost faith in his ability to manage my health

i self paid for my WLS and did not consult him until after my surgery.  Then I switched to his female partner.  I see her about every 6 months and she does a 'what's changed' history at the start of every appointment.  We review my weight, labs, family history, etc.

i have a high confidence level of her ability to help me manage my healthcare.

I would pack my own food and excuse myself at lunch by saying that I had to check email and attend a call..... And then go and eat in my room.

Dinner, hopefully there is soup or a soft fish dish you can play around with.

ice water with lime looks likes a drink ..... Turn the conversation on others and they won't worry about what you are eating.

Good luck!

My understanding is that nerves have been severed during your surgery -- and you CANNOT rely on how much you "can eat" -- you need to be weighing and measuring your food --- eating it carefully and THOUGHTFULLY  --- you have to think when you eat right now ----- if you don't have time to focus on that, then wait to eat until you do have time.

It appears that you are a revision --- and from reading here for 4 years, I have learned that revisions (of any type) lose weight more slowly than virgin WLS patients.

You may have to be patient and more disciplined in your eating and drinking -- limiting your protein to small, thoughtful bites that are about 2 - 3 ounces of food a few times a day -- and then you liquid protein according to your doctor's instructions.

My experience is that major weight loss is as much (or more) of a mind game than a body game.

it helped me to set a goal and then put my head down, and charge to it ... And not let myself get distracted by anything.

i planned meals, I made sacrifices by not eating foods or drinks that were not on my plan, I exercised and I put my needs first.

i kept up with my surgeon and all appointments even if they were just to stop in and get weighed and 'show up'

i went back to weigh****chers for accountability 

i see a lot of people who lose some or most of their weight ... And get distracted by life and go back to old habits ...... They start to regain before ever achieving their original goal.   I knew that I would have been very discouraged by that, so I just kept pushing untilI reached my goal.

after that, I focused on changing my appearance through plastic surgery and that cements my commitment even further.

Best of luck to you as you begin this great adventure.

Weight gain alone is not necessarily muscle tone.

It might help more to add some strength training to gain muscle tone ...whether it adds weight or not.

Good luck!!

my only advice is for you to follow YOUR doctor's instructions, they know you best.

I get 

plenty of fat in my diet, I just choose low-fat milk and yogurt//puddings to keep my calories within reason.

i cook with healthy fats, my surgery is not mal-absorptive so I have to watch my calories pretty closely.