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I asked my surgeon what size he made my sleeve and he said he used a 36 bougie. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I was hoping it would be a 32 or 34.
Anyway, what size was your bougie and are you happy still with your restriction?
Every program is different. Mine is 3 meals and no snacking allowed, though they will cave on one snack per day if you exercise. They are adamant that 6 meals leads to problems. I find I'm better controlled at 3 plus a couple of snacks. One of the reasons I no longer see my program's NUT. But again, early on I'd follow the program you are in and discuss issues with them, if not working for you/spouse.
HW 510 / SW 424/ GW 175 (stretch goal to get 10 under) / CW 160 (I'm near the charts ideal weight - wonder if I can stay here)
RNY November 2016
PS: L/R arm skin removal; belt panniculectomy - April, 2019
I not a big drinker and never have been but did used to have an occasional beer with a meal. Where I used to be able to drink a bottle now the most I can drink now is about 6 oz, and that I have to nurse through out the meal. Yet, although I'm still a big guy, it hits me like a ton of bricks! I have to wait a little before I drive, even though at the most is only 6 oz of beer inside of me? Maybe because our tummies are 90% smaller, the alcohol is absorbs into our bloodstream faster? I don't know. Yet, also the beer appears to evaporate from me just as fast as well. So while admittedly I do not know how this works, I do know I cannot drink much alcohol and when I do-I FEEL IT!!
Vertical Gastric Sleeve-(8/26/14)
HW 347lbs SW-328lbs CW-247 lbs GW-212lbs Randolph, 
"LOVE" is knowing someone has the power to hurt you, yet TRUST that they won't" 
"Sing like no one's listening and dance like no one's watching!!"
Good Morning
If you have any questions about your Gastric Sleeve and Exercise I made this video for you!
https://youtu.be/iaYro8BbtTg
Regards
Dr. Alvarez
I was told that hydration is key after surgery. It takes time to build yourself up to consuming a certain number of calories or grams of protein. I track what I consume and some days I do great. Other days I would prefer not to track. But I also need to remember that when I burn more calories my intake level might be elevated.
It seems there is not a standard that must be followed after surgery. As patients provide more feedback, emphasis on what and how much we should eat is given. I don't like saying to be your own doctor but we can all do a little trial and error to see what works best for us. If something works, stick with it. If not try to change it up.
I try for 3 meals per day but I keep snacks in mind just in case. Low-fat string cheese is my go-to snack. I learn as I go, take advise that makes sense, then share what helps.
I stuck with mostly protein and a few green vegetables for the first three years. I slowly added some fruit after that. I ate five or six small meals a day and still do. I would never try to limit to three meals a day. I stick to 200 calories for most meals and 300 for a larger meal.
I don't understand dietitians who tell weight loss surgery patients to eat meals that will stop the weight loss and put pounds back on. My surgeon's office has a great dietitian and I always follow her advice.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
I have a hard time as well trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing? I was sleeved about six months ago and have followed the diet I was given from surgeon. Three meals and two snacks plus 4-6 bottles of water daily.
Last week I met with the dietician from my surgeons office and was told I'm not to go more than four hours between meals or snacks. Also was told I'm eating too much protein and not eating enough fruits and vegetables or grains! Apparently we're not supposed to diet anymore now that we've had surgery.
If I were to eat the way the dietician advised, I wouldn't lose any more weight. I'm just going to do my own thing with emphasis on protein to get to my goal.
I went through the menopause before WLS, so I can't speak to the timing of stalls and menstruation. But I do occasionally ge****er weight gain for other reasons (e.g., eating a salty meal). I have an electronic scale that shows body fat percentage in addition to weight, and I find that feature very helpful and reassuring. If my weight is up a pound, but I'm pretty sure it's water weight, I'll see that the body fat % has gone down, and feel reassured. By the next day, my weight is usually down again.
However, the body fat % didn't show much change from day-to-day, and hence wasn't that useful, until I got down below about 100 kg (220 lbs).
Thanks for your reply! Hubby & I have been telling her even 3 small meals and a couple protein smoothies or something because she keeps saying the dietitian said 3 meals a day only but she can't get enough protein that way. I've told her about several of these forums for advice and support also but she hasn't looked into them.
