Hey! I am a gastric sleeve patient of dr mandelbaums too! Glad to see others on here.

Sorry about the delay getting back!

I'm willing to bet that a lot of it had to do with lost muscle, so thats not good.

But if I exercise (treadmill, walking dogs, eliptical) I tend to have zero cravings.

The night before I prepare my meals. I baggy everything off and decide when I'll eat everything. Beef Jerky on waking up. Shake at 9:30. Cheese and Meat at 12/12:30. Shake at 4pm. some meat for dinner.

Notice the meat? Protein fills you up.
If I'm in a bad spot, I don't cave with fast food. I eat fast food, but often I just look at the facts, what would give me pleasures and end up going to a deli, 7/11/market and getting some "bad meat". Most "bad meat" is better than fast food.

I've had maybe the equivilent of a large french fry box of fried foods over the last 8mo. Grilled cheese (low carb bread, no or little butter, maybe a spray for flavor) or an egg & cheese quesadilla are my "cheat" meals.

Only a jamba juice around? Lowest calories, add two whey proteins. 20g protein, not the best choice to be made, but maybe the best option available.

Nothing really magic, just motivation and whatever they did to make me get full faster. Take away the surgery part and it's pretty much textbook "cut your calories, stay motivated" type of speech.

It really helps a lot for me to stay structured at work though. My weekends are so sloppy forgetting meals, over eating, not being prepared...

im in indiana too

I understand being nervous if we weren't I would say we had a problem. I understand it is a major surgery but I need this for a healthier me. I know my weakness and I wish I could have the surgery tomorrow. I think we both are going to competent doctors that we trust and I am not afraid of the operation as much as what happens after...can 2 oz of food at a time really fill me up. I look at what I eat now and think "really" 2 oz? Then again what I eat now got me to this place. Yep I am ready. Stay confident and upbeat we will have hard days but I believe our better days are about to happen.

Thanks for the friend request Where are you having your sleeve done? I met with Dr Diaz at St Vincent and have 4 more PCP visit before my sleeve can be scheduled. I am reading everything I can get my hands on and I am so excited to start on the "new" me.