Okay vets, let's get our list of tips on how to lose the weight: DS-Eating 101

1) Age at surgery
20

2) Pre- and Post-op Activity level (choose one: active, sedentary, etc.)
Pre: sedentary
Post: normal with spurts of higher activity.  Not a daily runner or anything, that's for sure!  I exercise maybe 2-3 days a week for 30 mins each time.  I try to take the stairs instead of elevators, walk the long way instead of the short way, etc.

3) CC length/stomach size
CC: 100cm
unknown stomach size-it was small, that's all I know!

4) Surgery weight/Highest weight/Current weight
353/368/150-160lbs


5) How far out are you from surgery now?
1 year, 10 months

6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can)
Unfortunately, I didn't keep many records of this.  I scoured the past food and fitness threads, though.  Here's what I got:

1 month out: cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, softly scrambled eggs, low carb yogurt, refried beans and cheese, low carb milk

Sample menu from 1.5 months out:
Breakfast: a few slices of pepperoni with mozzarella cheese
Lunch: half of a taco (low carb tortilla)
Snack: 2 one inch cubes of watermelon and one strawberry
Dinner: some egg salad and half a piece of low carb bread.

Sample menu from 3 months out:
B: scrambled egg with sausage and cheese
L: ham
D: About 3oz of steak and a bite of twice baked potato

Sample menus from 4 months out:
B: 1 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese with 12 oz lactose free milk
L: 8 pc chicken nuggets from Chick fil a (eaten over period of about an hour)
D: Texas Land & Cattle: few bites of house salad and ~3 oz steak filet - medium rare

Breakfast: an over easy egg and some bacon -- I think about 3 strips.  Maybe 4.
Lunch: couple oz of leftover steak and a strip of bacon
Snack: babybel cheese
Dinner:  4 strips of bacon

Sample menus from 6 months out:
B: none, was fasting for my labs
L #1: half of a sandwich made with 1 slice low-carb flaxseed bread, 2 oz swiss cheese, 4-5 oz turkey - grilled and dipped in mustard (~20g protein)
L #2: other half of sandwich (~20g protein)
D: lots of cheese and pepperoni on a low carb wrap, dipped in ranch (~12g protein)
S: low carb strawberry yogurt and a babybel cheese (10g protein)
S: mint-chocolate protein drink (23g protein)

Breakfast: glass of low carb/high protein milk (21g)
Snack: handful of pistachios (5g)
Lunch: half of a turkey/swiss wrap (17g)
Snack: glass of low carb/high protein milk and 2 slices of American cheese (29g)
Snack: chicken drumstick  (12g)
Dinner: pig in a blanket, took off most of the blanket :)  (15-ish?)

Sample menus from 8 months out:
B: large slice of meat lover's pizza with extra cheese--ate around most of the crust.
S: cheese
L: hot dog and more cheese, with ketchup and mustard
D: 1/2 of a grilled cheese with 4 slices cheese and low carb bread
S: spicy chicken and vegetable soup...with cheese!

B: about 5 big hot wings with ranch, eaten over about 1 hour; 4 pickle chips
L: couple oz of kielbasa
S: tuna, mayo, relish, on about 4-5 small crackers
D: bowl of chili with lots of melted cheese

B: about 4 oz of steak (28g)
L: 1/4lb hamburger patty w/lots of swiss cheese, and onions and pickles, no bun, eaten over about 1hr (40g)
D: Bratwurst with sauerkraut, no bun (15g)

Sample menus from 9 months out:
B #1: Jimmy Dean ham and cheese breakfast bowl; left about 1/2 the potatoes (24)
B #2: 2 eggs, over easy (12)
S: chicken broth...dunno, just sounded good. (2)
L: turkey/swiss roll ups dipped in honey mustard (34+)
S: cottage cheese with pineapple chunks (11)
S: couple of pork rinds with french onion dip
D: ham/swiss lunchable, only ate 1/2 the crackers (18)
D#2: turkey/swiss roll ups dipped in honey mustard (28)
Seems like all I've wanted to do today is eat. 
Total protein: 127g Wow!  I usually don't eat that much!
I even did a lil estimate of my carbs and they were about 50-60g.

Lunch: ham and swiss lunchable, only ate 3 of the crackers (20g)
Lunch #2: warm turkey and swiss roll ups w/honey mustard (40g)
S: cheese stick (6g)
S: 2 eggs over easy w/a slice of wheat n' fiber toast (19g)
D: turkey w/stuffing and gravy (20g)
Protein: 105g
Carbs: about 40g

Sample menu from 10 months out:
Breakfast: turkey and pepper jack sandwich - low carb bread(26g)
Lunch: egg salad sandwich - low carb bread (19g)
Dinner: grilled turkey/pepper jack sandwich - low carb bread(31g)
Snack: slice of bologna (4g)
Dinner #2: cup of chicken tortilla soup with added cheese (20g)
Snack: 12 oz high protein/low carb milk w/SF strawberry syrup.  (18g)  and lots of coffee and chai tea

Sample menu from 11 months out:
- scrambled eggs w/cheese, 2 sausage links, hash browns (22g)
- ham and pepperoni tortilla pizza - low carb wrap(30g)
- cup of greek yogurt w/blueberries (22g)
- egg salad on a slice of bread, low carb bread (14g)
- 2 cups of coffee w/milk (6g)
- barbeque chicken and cheddar sandwich - low carb bread(20g)

Sample menus from 1 year out:
-soybean pasta w/cheese
-2 oz cheese and a powercrunch bar
-ham and turkey sandwich - low carb bread
-cup of greek yogurt
-ham and turkey sandwich - low carb bread
-high protein granola bar

B: kashi cinnamon oatmeal
S: mixed nuts
L #1: half of a turkey and muenster sandwich and a mozzarella stick
L#2: other 1/2 of sandwich
S: chocolate powercrunch bar
S: cinnamon raisin high protein granola bar
D #1: cup of fage and some pepperoni/turkey bake
D#2: turkey muenster sandwich, 1 slice bread

b: kashi cinnamon honey oatmeal
s: cup of fage yogurt
l: ham, turkey, cheese sandwich
s: cup of fage yogurt
d: ham, turkey, cheese sandwich
s: pepperoni, turkey, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella bake
s: more pepperoni/turkey bake stuff

Breakfast: kashi cinnamon honey oatmeal and a 3 cheese omelet (24g)
Snack: nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberry mix (10g)
Lunch #1: 1/2 ham, turkey, and gouda sandwich and 1 oz mozzarella stick (30g)
Lunch #2: ^ same ^ (30g)
Snack: peanut butter high protein granola bar (10g)
Snack: more nut mix (10g)
Snack: vanilla powercrunch bar (13g)
Dinner: several slices of turkey deli meat (3-4oz), cup of greek yogurt, and like 4 velveeta cheese slices, eaten over about 1 hour.  (45g)
Snack: 2 slices gouda cheese (10g)
Snack: cup of greek yogurt and 12 oz of mootopia milk with SF strawberry syrup (32g)

**all sandwiches/wraps in my menus are made with low carb products!!

7) Your basic strategy.  Did you low carb, or take a less anal path.
LOW CARB.  Practically carb-o-phobic.  I watched all carbs.  All bread products are low carb.  NO chips, cookies, candy, starches in general except holidays.  I wanted the weight off and I wanted it off as fast as possible.  Nothing passes my lips without looking at the label first.  Some stuff has carbs and you'd think it wouldn't.  Soups, prepared foods, etc.  All must be watched!  You might THINK that protein in a sauce is high protein, but the sauce probably has tons of added sugar, and maybe even added flour to thicken.  Especially watch barbecue sauced stuff.  Look at condiments. 

8) If you're in maintenance mode now, how do you eat now as compared to while you were losing?
About the same, just less strict with the carbs.  Less carb-o-phobic.  Still use my low carb products (love them), still watch food labels like a hawk.  Eat a TON of quantity though.  I have treats more often now.  I try to not eat carbs alone.  I have a goal to get in some sort of protein at every meal.

9) Do you have a plan to avoid regain?
Eat strict, deal with any possible regain ASAP and not ignore it.  If I see things going up, I deal with it THAT day.  I don't really have a safety limit or anything.  Just, if I see the scale making an upward trend and my eating habits explain that upward trend, I cut back.  Not as much carbs, etc.  Also, I only eat junk when it's stuff I REALLY want.  Do I want/need the carbs in a hot dog bun?  Um, no.  Do I want the carbs in a decadent piece of cheesecake?  Uh...yeah!  If I'm gonna have junky carbs like chips or whatever, they are going to be my favorite chips.  If I am going to have a lollipop, it sure as hell is going to be my favorite flavor.  I'm not going to eat nasty, soggy fries just because they are in front of me.  I just have to ask myself if the junk is worth it.  Do I really want it?

10) Tip for newbies you'd like to share
Get the weight off first.  You have your whole life to see how much crap you can eat and still maintain your weight, but this surgery only gives you a certain amount of time to lose weight fast (I tend to say the first 12 months instead of the first 18).  Use the important places in your stomach for foods you need that nourish your body...protein.  But don't forget to treat yourself occasionally because that's what life is all about!  I never think about what I eat on holidays, special occasions.  We all need a free day every now and then.  Take them, enjoy them.

1) Age at surgery
36

2) Pre- and Post-op Activity level (choose one: active, sedentary, etc.)
pre-op sedentary

post-op - started walking when it got easier on my knees/ankles

today - walk to and from work every day (50 mins one way). Plan is to start running.

3) CC length/stomach size
67 cm / 2.8 oz I think

4) Surgery weight/Highest weight/Current weight
342 lbs / 344 lbs / 175 lbs

5) How far out are you from surgery now?
17 months

6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can)

3 months
b - 1 egg
l - deli meat
d - haddock fillet, few spoonfuls of veggies
s - melba toast, cheese and bacon

6 months
b - 1 egg, 2 strips of bacon
l - deli meat
s - mini carrots
d - roast beef, few potatoes, gravy
s - popcorn w/ butter

1 year
b - 2 eggs, 3 strips of bacon
l - chicken ceasar salad
s - mini carrots
d - chicken parmesan and veggies
s - popcorn w/ butter


7) Your basic strategy.  Did you low carb, or take a less anal path. 
I consider my strategy middle of the road. I was aware of the carbs in the things I was eating and was watchful of them. I probably ate about 100 g or so, maybe more. I didn't overdo carbs, I didn't eat bread or pasta (still don't apart from whole wheat tortillas) but I did/do eat potatoes. I lost my weight slow and steady. Had I watched my carbs a little closer I would have hit goal by now. I'm happy with my weight loss though.

8) If you're in maintenance mode now, how do you eat now as compared to while you were losing?
I am still trying to lose about another 15 - 20 lbs before plastics. I continue to avoid breads and pastas and I have increased my exercise.

9) Do you have a plan to avoid regain?
Watch the carbs closely. Continue to make exercise a part of my daily life. I am really scared of re-gaining; I eat too many treats. I have realized that if I can't cut that out then I damn well better burn the calories. I also am going to watch the scale and not let the weight creep back on.

10) Tip for newbies you'd like to share
Put off indulging in any "treats" as long as you possibly can. Once you start it is so much harder to stop them it is to never "try" them. Lose as much weight as you can at the beginning when it is "easier" to do so.

Bev

1) Age at surgery - 43

2) Pre- and Post-op Activity level (choose one: active, sedentary, etc.)

Pre-op -
sedentary, could barely breath or walk a block, had severe obstructive sleep apnea. I used to be online alot. My weight bearing bones were getting the best of me and suffer a lot of pain in my hips, back and joints. I developed arthritis.

Post-op -
very healthy and have a very active lifestyle (socially & professionally, since I can travel now compared to pre-op). I am back into the sports arena and am very athletic. I am able to be more social, going out places with my friends because I am mobile now and am no longer a prisoner trapped in the jail of a body I suffered from. I am not much online anymore. Life has continued tio pick where before I developed the disease of morbid obesity. My IRL keeps me very busy and productive.

3) CC length/stomach size - 125cm / 3.5oz

4) Surgery weight/Highest weight/Current weight - SW 247 / HW 305 / CW 120

5) How far out are you from surgery now? 33 months

6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can)
I had serious food intolerance and had to taste test and work with what was best for me and to get in my protein and maintain my health. By the time I was 6 months post-op, the severity I had was simmering down, as my intestinal tract was healing and was able to eat more variety of food that was 3-4 weeks prior causing food intolerance. By the time I was 5 months post-op, I was limited to eating steak (red meat) and seafood which were very expensive. I had issues with various protein powder supplement and by the time I was over 6 months post-op, have tested 20 different type. Protein powder was very challenging for me and cause various side effect from vomiting or feeling queasy to nausea or just not able to tolerate the flavor. By the time I am was 5 months post-op, I ate a mini can of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti with Meatballs to get in some carbs and the protein it had for the day to help me out.

I needed carbs and followed my surgeons guidance carefully. I did not throw up on the Chef Boyardee. I don't recommend a post-op DSer to casually eat it as part of them daily dietary meal plan. I had issue with food intolerance and the carb and protein from it helped me out. I only ate it 2x a week and for me did not cause any weight gain or to be stuck that I couldn't lose more. I still was losing weight and successfully.  

3 months out
- milk (I could only drink fat free milk, the other that were whole, skim or lowfat tasted awful to me and I tasted every brand in the supermarket. It had to be fat free)
- koolaid made with Splenda
- protein shakes (mixed with milk, I could not for the world have protein mix with water. I kept testing different types throughout my early journey and through my 1st yr)
- yogurt (I could eat half now and half later back then)
- oatmeal
- cream of wheat
- puddings
- various soups
- 1/2 scrambled egg
- 1 slice american cheese
- cheddar cheese (only shredded, not cut into blocks)
- slice grilled ham
2 - 2.5oz ground beef
1/4 cup chili
small amount oxtail stew, but try to eat more of the meat than the stew
- small amount, just teaspoons of picadillo
- hamburger (with lettuce, tomatoes, onion as a side salad, ketchup/mayo blend as condiment for my salad and burger, no buns)
1/2 Wendy's burger (minus the bun. I could not eat any McD burger at all, I had food intolerance to it)
- Burger King 1/2 Whopper Junior (no cheese, no bun, but had to be careful, sometimes the burgers from these places gave me stomach cramps)
1/2 McD Fish Fillet with cheese, no bun
2 - 2.5oz rib-eye steak
2 - 2.5oz t-bone steak
- very small amount roasted shoulder pork (pernil/lechon)
2.5 oz salmon
1 lobster tail and it had to be with melted butter
1/2 meat from 1 side of the crab
1/8 - 1/4 cup black beans stew
1 meatball with marinara sauce (no pasta)
1 small bananas
- small amount mushrooms
- small amount green pepper
2-3 slices tomatoes
- black olives as toppings
- small amount onion
- less than a palm worth of lettuce
- 1/4 cup steamed carrots
1/4 cup zucchini (mostly steam, but could eat saute and even grilled)
1/8 c baked, broiled, steamed or mashed yams ( I could not do any other type of potatoes, not white or sweet white)
1/4 cup pumpkin (steamed, sauteed, broiled or added to stews)
2-3 tsp rice (either white or rice with beans)
1/4 cup applesauce
- toppings of pizza (couldn't eat the crust until after I was over 1 year post-op)
- popsicles (I never could finish one) 

daily protein amount - 90-120 mg 
daily carb amount - 30-50mg


6 months out

- Special K cereal with milk and added protein powder to it
- Cheerios (same as above)
1/2 - 1 slice whole grain bread and it has to be toasted
- Pillsbury biscuits (has to be buttermilk, others gave me stomach cramps)
- cream cheese
- pasta (angel hair, but mostly homemade #9 size and prefer to make fresh spinach pasta)
- Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs (only able to eat 1/2 small mini can)
- corned beef with few potatoes
2.5 oz pizza burger (ground beef topped w/ melted mozzarella or fontina cheese & marinara sauce, no buns)
2oz Italian sausage with grilled onions, red and green bell pepper
4-5 shrimps
- began to eat grilled salmon for breakfast every morning, since I was 5 months post-op
- codfish
- mero fish
- king fish
- grouper
- tilipia
- crab
- lobster
2.5 oz ribeye steak
2.5 oz filet mignon
- very small amount pork tenderloin
1/2 kosher beef frank
- small amount ground beef
2oz meatloaf (it was very small but very filling for me)
1-2 beef negamaki
2 shrimp and 2 vegetable tempura
1/4 cup Japanese house salad with crabemat, avocado and Asian ginger dressing
1 thinly sliced deli ham
- salami or pepperoni (baked them and ate them as chips)
- very small amount sweet Italian sausage
- very small amount sage pork sausages, but still had issues with this one
- filet mignon
- any type of vegetables
- watermelon

I still had severe food intolerance to
* chicken, turkey (any part or cooking method)
* tuna (whether canned or fresh)
* almonds and peanuts, pistachio (painful stomach cramps,but cashews were OK)
* carbonated beverages (digestive pain from HELL)
* white bread or loaf (French, Italian, Cuban bread)
* pizza crust
* any type of heavy dough, especially white, soy, wheat and almond flour 

daily protein amount - 90-150 mg 
daily carb amount - 60-80mg

1 year out 
90% of my food intolerance had disappeared by this time, exactly 11 months post-op and was a HUGE relief and PEACE for me. Still could not tolerance anything with with sugar alcohol, sugar substitutes (except Splenda) and no carbonated drinks (it continued to give me pain from HELL in my digestive system)
I was able to more the food listed above easily by this time and was able to during my 1 year post-op phase:
- bread (but still very limited amount, I could only eat 1/2 to 1 slice)
- english muffins and it had to be well buttered
- pasta (still limited to angel hair diameter)
- small amount paella (ate the seafood and meat and hardly few tsp amount of rice)
1/2 NY style pizza slice
- CHICKEN (2oz was the maximum limit, until I was 2 yrs post-op)
- TUNA
- monfongo with lots of garlic within, pork crackling and poured with lots of latin stewed gravy on it
- very small amount of General Tso chicken
- Chinese house fried rice (I removed all the chicken from it, because of all the trauma I had with it, during the past few months)
- goyza or fried dumpling, only the meat, not the dough that is on it
- some gyro, with lots of tsaisiki sauce, but 1/4 piece of the pita bread
2 pieces of souvlaki meat 

daily protein amount - 120 - 160mg
daily carb amount - 100-150mg

Due to the severe food intolerance I experienced, I had to lose weight slowly and keep vigilant with my bloodwork results, to make sure there were no dips or downward trends with my levels to cause deficiencies. I had to eat higher carb food in order to compensate the issues I had with eating certain food that something cause me an adverse effect and other times, it didn't as I was getting over the episodes and able to reintroduce and digest the food. Also higher amount of carb help eliminate my headaches. I could not do low carbing at all or my migraines would resurfaced. My food selections were based on my situation and with guidance of my bariatric surgeon. My digestive system was very slow in the healing process and to properly digest the food early out. 

6) Your basic strategy.  Did you low carb, or take a less anal path.

The only basic strategy I  had was limit my simple carbs (sugary stuff), but did not avoid it, I focused mainly on protein and fluid intake.

For the first 5 months post-op, I was low carbing less than 50g.

During 3-5 months post-op, I began to develop very strong migraines headaches on a daily basis.

At 5 months, per medical advice, I upped my carb count to 60-80gms, until I was 8 months post-op. Headaches suddenly went away and never occurred again. My headaches were related to low carbing and never had migraines prior to surgery. Also, I had a lot of severe food intolerance that was adding to the issues. My food selections for protein were very limited and had to planned my meals ahead of time, except when I was outside.

By 9-12 months, I was intaking 80-100gm of carbs daily. After 12 months post-op, I was intaking 100-150gm of carbs daily and still losing weight. By the time I was 2 yrs post-op, I began to suddenly drop weight fast and had to up my carb intake to 200gm and have gone as high as 300gms a few times, without having any negative issues and did not gain weight. 
 
Intaking such high carb amount also helped with my protein and nutrient intake to prevent deficiencies. Currently, my carb intake is anywhere from 150-250gm daily and it does not affect my weight or cause me any digestive issues being almost 3 years post-op. Like taking vitamins and mineral supplements that varies from DSer to DSer, Food selection/choices and carb amount also varies from DSer to DSer and based on their criteria, whether malabsorption or other issues (such as food intolerance).  
 
7) If you're in maintenance mode now, how do you eat now as compared to while you were losing?

I am able to eat more variety of food and a bit more in quantity than early out or 2 yrs post-op. The amount that I am able to eat more depends on the texture, type and density of the food. I can still only eat 3-4oz steak or chicken and no more. I can also at 1/4 c of coleslaw, macaroni or potato salad,

If the food has a lighter texture, yet high protein, such as crabmeat I can eat more of it now than before, but still the same limited amount when it comes to crabcakes or other food.

With my gastric sleeve, I can tell has stretched a bit due to time (and this is very normal and suppose to happen), but in reality not much for me. It is still very restrictive to amount I can consume or eat, even at being 3 years post-op.

8) Do you have a plan to avoid regain?

I am TRYING to regain 20 lbs and do not have much success with it! It's hard for me to gain weight. At least, I am not losing anymore. If further out, I need to avoid regaining, it will be according to what I need to do and most likely, from it will be in reference to carb intake and the amount that is appropriate for me to maintain, lose or even regain with main focus to not allow any regime negatively affect my health or cause deficiencies in my bloodwork. This will be done by taking the self initiative to research and receive guidance from my physicians for any concern or inquiries, as needed.

Each DSer is unique and different according to their level of malabsorption and how they malabsorb protein, fats, carbs, vitamins and mineral and need to be addressed and taken into consideration. As well as, the length of the alimentary limb where food gets process and malabsorb, along with fat soluble vitamin and certain minerals, the size of the stomach that cause restriction, and length of their common channel that also contributes to how they lose, gain and maintain their weight. So when the time come and I have to organize a plan to avoid regain, these factors based on me would be worked into to play to be effective and continue in m success to maintain not only my weight, but also my health,

10) Tip for newbies you'd like to share

The first year is all about trial and errors, as you are healing and getting to know your system that is based on YOU adn YOUR digestive system and malabsorption level. Expect the first year to be a roller coaster ride and even a rough road (for some) filled with various experiences (some positive, other times disrupt you dailt routine) as you get further out. The main idea is to take action to prevent any downfall to your health and seek medical advice immediately, especially when you have symptoms that is affecting/disrupting your daily tasks. Do not hesitate or let it drag on. The first year it is all about educating yourself based on your personal DS journey as you heal and having common sense and gain knowledge to what you do and eat in order to maintain your health, weight, avoid side effects and prevent deficiencies. You  will become your own expert according to your personal journey and even know what is right or wrong and even how it affects your health and system.
 
Food, supplemental nutrients and even side effects that occur, will teach you to know that you need to adjust and tweak as you become a pro listening to your body and digestive system that will "talk" to you and provide you with signals to what you need and must do. 

The most important things for a DSer are protein intake, nourishing your body with food and needed supplements, and knowing what is right for YOUR health and life. Keeping tabs of your bloodwork that you will learn is your road map and guide to how you are doing within.

One thing is you are very responsible for the action you take in your long-term aftercare and with the phsyican you choose to be there for you. If you must, take printouts of articles, threads with replies from DS forums and anything you read online, so you can go over it with them, question them until you fully understand the facts and can further research it more.

Learning to live as a DSer is based on your personal malabsorption level that will lead you to the road to good health and remember to be responsible to stay compliant and if in doubt regarding anything, you do have the right to nag the heck out of your doctor, bombard them with questions and if they are wrong, incorrect or do not provide what you feel is the answer you are looking for, again CHALLENGE and DEBATE with them until you are comfortable with what you are seeking. But, most importantly continue your research and gain self knowledge from what you read and research that even further.

Just because a person has a medical degree does not mean they know everything. They are not Yoda, Zeus or are a human medical encylopedia to know it all. We as DSer have the responsibility to teach ourselves and the medical community. in order that anyone who is connected to you is able to clearly understand and obtain the knowledge of what we are all about as Dsers. Doctors and the medical personnel are responsible to provide you with the correct treatment, prevention and to help you maintain your health from going downhill.

I am very aggressive and do challenge any physicians who is to treat me. I always come prepare to discuss matters that concerns me and also in which I do not understand or am doubtful about that I have research regarding my health or my DS. It is a 2 way street and we all have to meet each other half way in order to become a tag team for succeed and trust each other. H as the physician. I am his/er patient and rely on his/er best care for me. 

You have to take the initiative to continue your research as a post-op DSer to understand how your system work and what needs to be done by paying attention to your digestive system, learning all you can about your bloodwork, understand what and why you need to take daily supplements, the amount and how it affects you and your overall health, especially if a deficiency develops and what treatment are available as well as co-factor to bring that level up. You have to become an expert and listen to the signals your body is giving off and know WHY it is doing that and WHAT may be the cause of it and what you need to do to correct it.

For question 6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can), I am unable to post a typical daily menu say this is what I ate normally on a daily or regular basis. Each day was an issue with food and had to make the best at just trying to get in my protein in. You can't really tell regarding that looking at that list of what I ate. It was a slow progression when it came to food and what I was finally able to eat, after lots of testing and waiting to see how it goes. Instead, I listed various samples of food that I was able to test, eat and somewhat tolerate to digest, as I progress each day. I was introducing and taste testing each food one at a time and every single week. The condition I had was very simliar to severe dumping syndrome to what a RnYer goes through in their symptom (not the cause of or how it develops like them). This is reality and what I experienced and had to deal with daily with my DS. My main concern was to get food in my system to nourish my body, organs and blood and prevent deficiencies from occurring. 

Some of the food listed were what I was able to eat, but it was still very limited to the physical amount. But, you can't really see that from reading it. I relied heavily and lived on drinking a lot of protein drinks (on various types) and it had to be with milk after I was 6 months post-op. Like I said, I tested over 20 brand and flavors before I could find one that I could tolerate its flavor and didn't feel so heavy to digest. That saved my health and life. Sometimes, I would drink as much as 5x a day. But on average 3-4x a day until I was over a year out.
 
I struggled alot with food early out and during my 1st year journey. Although you just can't tell by what I listed and it looks like I was eating a wide variety of food choices, it was not like that. It was very slow process to introduced food each week to what I could handle and what would cause a serious dumping reaction to me. Sometimes, the food digested well. Other days, the same food cause me to rfom vomiting to experiencing excruciating stomach pain that I need to crawl into fetal position. The best thing is, I no longer experience dumping syndrome or fear it will cause a negative reaction to my system.  Just wanted to make that clear regarding my experience early out with food.

Ok, here it goes, a post from a lackadaisical eater. lol

1) Age at surgery
30

2) Pre- and Post-op Activity level (choose one: active, sedentary, etc.)
Pre-semi active
Post- extremely active. I started the couch to 5K program at 2 months out. By 6 months I ran my first 5 mile race. It was the greatest day EVER. I work out a lot now. I need to balance out my cardio and weightlifting at this point. I need to tone more. I do cardio at least 3xs a week and shoot for 5 days. I joined a runnning club and run with them usually 3xs a week averaging 3-4 miles each time. Other workouts include gym classes: Spinning, Kickboxing, Boot Camp, and Step. I LOVE group exercise. I also go on long bike rides with my husband.

3) CC length/stomach size
I have a 150 CC, and not sure the exact size but large prob 3-5oz (48 bougie). Definitely a conservative DS.

4) Surgery weight/Highest weight/Current weight
262/262/178  (-84 lbs)

5) How far out are you from surgery now?
9 months (well a week shy of 9 months)

6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can)

I'm a regular poster on the Food & Fitness Thread so I looked in the archives!

1 month
B- bananna scream shake 34.5g
L- Mr Gorton's salmon filet 17g
D-banana scream shake 34.5g
S- 3 buffalo wings 18g

I didn't feel like eating today at all!
25 mins on treadmill

3 months
B- S&S Protien shake
S- trail mix
S2- cheddar cheese stick
L- Mexican bake
S- 6 oz greek yogurt w reduced sugar jam (anybody in this area Giant has the Chiobani? brand 6 oz containers plain yogurt on sale this week for $1....18g of protien)
D- smothered chicken thigh, couple spoonfuls of potatoe salad, couple spoons of collard greens, one bite of cornbread.........the DS is PERFECT for soul food!!!!

92g Protien, 68g carbs

6 mos
B- S&S High Protien Frap
B2- gorgonzola chicken breast
L- 4 mozz sticks
S- Salmon cake
S- carb smart bar
D- 1/2 chicken quesadilla
S- after workout Protien fruit smoothie (Nectar Carribbean cooler, 1/2 c yogurt, c frozen strawberries)

64+ oz water, Boot Camp class

7) Your basic strategy.  Did you low carb, or take a less anal path. 
The basic strategy has been see food....eat it lol. I hate low carbing it, and can rarely last more than 3 days doing it. It feels too diety like (if that's a word). I don't go extremely crazy but my carbs are rarely ever under 50g and never under 30g. I usually fall between 50-100g. I have been doing just fine with that. I eat cake, cookies, candy, and ice cream on a regular basis. I don't do too much white flour, that was never my vice....it's da sweets I love! But at dinner out, I eat a roll. When I eat pizza I eat the whole thing, not just the toppings. Luckily sugar and flour doesn't bother me too much..maybe a lil gassy if I eat a lot of it but no pains or bloating at all. I don't know if it's my 150 Common channel or just how my system is, who knows.

There have been many that came before me and after me with the same starting weight that have blown me out the water, pounds loss wise, but I have been happy these past 9 months with my loss and know I could have prob lost more if I was more anal. But then......I would have been miserable.

8) If you're in maintenance mode now, how do you eat now as compared to while you were losing?

9) Do you have a plan to avoid regain?
I have already accepted the fact that if I want to eat the way I do I must continue to work out hard. Weight loss surgery or not the body is still working off a calorie in/calorie out ratio. I believe my large stomach and long common channel puts me at a greater risk for regain if I ever become complacent in my journey and slack off.

I also plan on weighing everyday once I get to goal. Once I see a 5lb weight increase at any given time I plan to low carb it *gasp* for a few days and get it off.

10) Tip for newbies you'd like to share

Hmmm...tips? I say trial and error your eating till you get to your sweet spot. I was a lucky one that could eat lots of carbs and still lose weight, but if I saw the scale never moved I would have to readjust my approach to be successful.

Remember that this is your journey and yours alone. Don't compare yourself to everybody else on the board. We all are differnt....differnt common channels, stomach sizes, eating preferences, exercise levels. The weight will come off, it just doesn't have to be at the same speed as your surgery twin!

Last tip, hide the scale. I never made a post about being upset on a stall. Because....I never knew when I was on a stall. The first 5 months I usually weighed once a month. Every month I saw a loss and was happy. You will save yourself a lot of worry and stress by doing it this way.

1) Age at surgery
47

2) Pre- and Post-op Activity level (choose one: active, sedentary, etc.)
Pre-op - Winded Slug
Post-op - Not winded Slug

3) CC length/stomach size
50 cm cc and 4 oz stomach

4) Surgery weight/Highest weight/Current weight
267/267/155

5) How far out are you from surgery now?
Surgery 11/06 so almost 3 years

6) Typical menu at 3 months out/6 months out/1 year out (be as specific as you can)

3 months (40 pounds down)- B: Unjury shake with whole milk 6:00 am
B2: 6 ounces of yogurt 8:00 am
S: String cheese and lunch meat 10:30 am
L: half of a Subway Tuna Salad Sandwich, only a few bits of bread 1:00 pm
D: second half of a Subway Tuna Salad Sanwich, few more bits of bread 5:00 pm
S2: Unjury shake with whole milk 9:00 pm

6 months (66 pounds down)- B: Boiled egg with butter, piece (or two) of bacon
S: Cheddar cheese
L: Inside of 2 chicken enchiladas, refried beans, couple of chips and salsa
S2: Yogurt
D: Ribeye Steak (1/2) baked potato with everything (1/2), couple of bites of salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
S2: Unjury Shake with whole milk

1 year (100 pounds down) - B: Two eggs fried in butter, served on toast, buttered with plum jam.
S: Grilled cheese sandwich and a couple of Hershey's kisses with Almonds and a couple of Hershey's kisses Cherry cordial.
L: Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Sonic, half the bun discarded (bread not that good, so chose to discard) extra large diet Coke.
S2: half a can of whole cashews
D: Large hamburger steak with cheese and half a baked potato with butter, sour cream, cheese. Peach pie with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.



7) Your basic strategy.  Did you low carb, or take a less anal path. 
Less anal on the carbs. Would have lost faster reigning them in a bit, but I enjoy them so much. 

8) If you're in maintenance mode now, how do you eat now as compared to while you were losing?
I think about eating healthy more than ever before. It is funny when you are denying yourself (dieting) and eating healthy it feels so sad. When you are a healthy weight and trying to eating healthy but not denying yourself bits and pieces of 'forbidden' foods, it is such a happy feeling.

9) Do you have a plan to avoid regain?
No. I'm not going to spend my new life worrying about what the future might bring. I'm enjoying the moment. If regain starts to appear, I will deal with it swiftly. Not sure how, but I know I can get good input from my peeps on the DS board and my Renegade buddies will spare me no slack.

10) Tip for newbies you'd like to share
Love your life, no matter what stage you're at. We waste so much time on stupid unimportant things. I'm turning 50 this year. Half of a hundred. How did this happen? Push for what you want out of life. Don't just accept the cards you're dealt. If you've got **** for cards, bluff. Nuff said.