Mistakes...I've made a few and some friendly advise

I hope this helps some of the new sleevers to avoid the pitfalls and achieve their individual goals.

The first six months count the most!

1. Measure/weigh/log your food even while you are on liquid and /or mushies.

I know it's a pain in the ass but it's amazing what you learn just doing it. For example, I found out that zucchini is very high in carbs long after I had been using it as a green side of veggies. And milk, my favorite is not my best friend because I tend to abuse it. And 1 tbs of corn is almost all the carbs you can have in a day! Who knew?

2. While you're on mushies mash potatoes and cream soups are ok...Later on, not so much

I had a hell of a time keeping my carbs down because I just didn't realize how many carbs are in stuff. Low cal soups, veggies, my milk in my coffee...my freakin vitamins have 9 grams. That's 25% of my daily limit. Geez! So you see how logging can educate you in the beginning. Think about how much more weight I could have lost at this point if I had logged early on.

3. Start exercising daily!

Even if its just a walk around the block at the same time every day. The reason is that it builds the habit. Like having your coffee in the morning.  I didn't exercise early on. But I started at about 3 months or so out. When you get to a certain point in the weight loss you are going to need a boost in your calories you burn. i.e. Welcome to my world.  Also, if you want to have more calories daily when you reach maintenance you're going to need some muscle. I suggest you plan ahead. Create your own habit...it's better than chewing your nails or smoking.

3. Weigh your meat and only eat the amount you set.

For me it's 2oz. In the beginning I didn't weigh the meat and several things happened. I did not eat enough and thought I was getting more protein than I really was. When I could eat more/different foods I over ate and got sick. Since I started weighing, I've now been able to "eyeball" at restaurants and friends houses much more accurately.

4. Protein

Eat your protein. You need it so that when the scale goes down it's actually fat that has left your body and not muscle. I wonder how much lean muscle I lost early on?

5. Avoid alcohol and sweets

My biggest mistake of all. Drinking my martini at night way to early in the process. Oh I waited the required two months set by my surgeon. But the empty calories and the habit have not helped me one bit to get to my goal. I mean really, If I had waited until I got to goal I'd already be there now and enjoying my martini guilt free... Remember, the first 6 months are the most important. There will be time enough for those little extras when your in maintenance and all those years after. Whats 6 months in the scheme of things?

6. Don't test your sleeve

In the beginning I thought that I would never be able to eat very much ever again so therefore I would never ever gain any weight back. So I would "test" foods. A little of this...a little of that. Now I crave them and it's harder to say no. I can eat a hell of a lot more of the slider foods now then early on. Save the "testing" for later, like when you have a guilt free martini. 

7. Take your acid reflux medicine

OMG in the beginning I had no idea that most of my discomfort was from not taking the acid meds regularly. I mean from nausea, hunger, pain, burping...all of it was related to not taking my medicine REGULARLY. That stuff only works if you take it every day. Who knew?

Well that's it for now I guess. I really hope that my sharing helps people to make some better choices than I did early on.  

cheers
donna

Excellent post and very informative. I'm due to be sleeved on Monday so this post was very timely for me.

Thanks for the tips Donna, Im going to take your advice and start taking my reflux medicine.

Regards
Freddy

Great list!  Thanks for the tips for us noobs!

Great advise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm 2.5 moths post-op and still deal with the bad full feeling or get sick sometimes because I overate. I'm going to weigh my food to get better at portion size. Thanks!!!

Amen, sister!  

Hey Donna,

Thanks so much for taking the time to help us newbies. I am not at all afraid of the surgery but I am terrified of messing up the day-to-day stuff as a new sleever. Your points are so valuable. I am going to bookmark this. Thanks so much, BTW, how is your daughter? Best, Sharon

Sharon, thank you for asking.

She is doing much better. Her blood counts are up and she is totally recovered from her ordeal. We are leaving for Tijuana March 4th for her surgery.
I'll keep everyone posted.
donna

Donna, this is all so helpful & such great reminders. Thank you! BTW, you look great!!!

 
Great post and great delivery Donna !!!

I don't do so well with that..... I get the replies like "Well I've lost 35lbs in two months eating what I want.....I think it's working just fine for me....hah!"

frisco