PdxMan

I'm about a 5 iron away from Beaverton.

Used to live in Loveland, but am now in Portland. Where in Colorado are you? Kristina, what part of the Portland area are you in?

Agreed. The pouch is made from the fundus, the stretchy part of the stomach. It can stretch. You don't have a pouch. Your stomach is not stretched. So doing a diet to shrink a stomach that isn't stretched makes sense? Insteeead, go back to following the basic guidelines as closely as possible. This is the lifestyle you need to adapt to. This is the lifestyle that is maintainable. Liberez, remember you have to add an -ed for a swear word to show up. Otherwise, it shows all fucked up. See?

You have a sleeve, not a pouch. The pouch test is designed to shrink a bypass patient's stomach (pouch) by using strict portions. Instead, evaluation how compliant with the guidelines you are. Do you track everything on MyFitnessPal, or the like? Are you exercising, and if yes, are you exercising rigorously or just going through the motions? As you progress, also know you will have stalls. 6 months out is pretty common, actually, because that is the time when most people can tolerate just about anything and everything. Have you been re-introducing breads or other starchy foods?

I don't know if I would go so far as to say failure of the patient in as much as I would say failure for the patient to fully understand the consequences of what they were doing. Failure to set reasonable expectations, as I often chime in about. So many times I see people posting their disappointments with their weight loss. They lose a pound every few days and then when that slows down, they throw their hands in the air screaming, "What am I doing wrong!!??" Then, they get a case of the fucked-its and "cheat". I think everyone goes into this with the best of intentions. Not everybody is doing this to get skinny. They just want to lose enough weight to get off medications or the like. They aren't interested in exercising and putting in the effort to cook nutritionally balanced meals. I applaud those folks. They set their expectations based on what they knew they wanted and were capable of. The folks who do have expectations of getting skinny need to really examine what work they are willing to do to meet that expectation before having the surgery. Those who have had the procedure know this is not a magic bullet. I was devastated at first mourning the loss of food as my comfort mechanism. I had no idea it would hit me as hard as it did. For me, it was the fact I am also part of a 12 step program dealing with addiction that I was able to address these and learn. Now understand, these are my truths and may or may not be anybody else's. But one of the reasons I come to this forum and stay here to share my experience, strength and hope is because it is a constant reminder of where I came from. I am my own worst enemy. Self knowledge does not prevent self sabotage.

I am so sorry to hear you are feeling this way. To sum it all up quickly, you must right-size your expectations and read more about what this journey is like. First off, weight loss at the beginning is always going to be more dramatic. That is when we are at our highest and have the most to lose. Surely you know there is no way to maintain losing 1 pound a day. Right? If you have been researching and reading this forum and/or others regarding VSG, then you know there is a stall early in the process as your body begins to accommodate the drastic change in calorie consumption. This is a normal and expected thing. You will also have many stalls over the course of your journey. Set your expectations now. They will happen and are quite normal. The scale ... ugh! If I had my way, they would be outlawed for any WLS patient. They are evil and can only serve to disappoint. There is no way it can meet your expectations, especially if your expectations are unrealistic. Weighing multiple times a day only compounds the disappointment. Again, surely you know deep down inside your soul that it is quite natural for your weight to fluctuate throughout the day. If you gained 1 pound from morning to afternoon, do you really think you gained 1 pound of fat? What are you looking to lose, weight or fat? If you sit back and look objectively at your weight loss, you should know that you are doing fantastic. If you had a friend who posted the same numbers, what you say to them? Would you be disappointed with their progress? You said you are battling depression. Do you have a professional in your life that you can discuss this with? Are you on medication and if so, are you taking it as prescribed? There is a very real mental aspect to WLS and the loss of comfort mechanisms which, for a lot of WLS patients, was a reason for the morbid obesity to begin with. I suggest you consult with a professional. This is a drastic change to our lives and can be difficult. There is no reason to go it alone. There is no weakness in seeking help.

Just do the best you can ensuring you get your liquids in. You can end up in an emergency room due to dehydration. I walked around with a Gatorade all the time for the first month. It was at least 3 weeks before I was able to hit the goals.

I doubt you are adding a lot of muscle mass at this point. Running doesn't really bulk you up ... at all. What it does do, though, is help store glycogen more efficiently in your muscles. Glycogen is mainly stored in your liver, but when your body sees it needs more resources, due to additional exercise, it will begin to also store glycogen in muscles. One of the differences, though, is when it is stored in muscles, it must also bond with Water in a 4 to 1 ratio. So, if you are storing an additional pound of glycogen, you also have to store an additional 4 pounds of water. This equates to 5 additional pounds! So then you think, "Woa! I'm giving up all exercise, then!" Well, as you mention, your clothes are fitting better. I'm also guessing you have great energy and have a better overall feeling of wellness. Not even to mention the heightened metabolism. I know when I was running regularly, my body was a furnace and my weight loss was incredible. Don't worry about the scale or your doctors if you decide to stay committed to this. They will understand what exercise is doing for you. And ditch the scale. It measures weight, not fat. What are you looking to lose?

Interesting article. Basically supports what my thinking has been. I just wonder how long does the procedure have to be done before it is no longer referred to being "in it's infancy"? They state numbers referring to patients 6 years out, so, that would appear to me to be out of it's infancy ... But, I reached goal 8 months post and have been maintaining the same weight for over 2 years now. In the article, they state "failure" of a procedure if you have regained 22 pounds or more. That seems like a heavy statement because I have read on here many folks who have regained this and more, but were able to lose it again when they recommitted to comply with the basic guidelines. To me, that is not a procedural failure, but rather an issue with the patient's compliance. As far as why there is weight gain, the article states: There have been so many pissing matches on this forum with regards to the "cheating" question. I'm not going to get into that battle again. Just be ready to accept the consequences. It is difficult for me to support an alcoholic who won't stop drinking ... Bottom line, IMO, is that if I were to gain 30 pounds, it will be due to my "cheating" the sleeve, not the failure of the procedure. I also believe that if I were to return to rigorously following the guidelines, I would drop that 30 pounds. Does this point to a failure of the procedure?

Hello all who are getting ready for, at least for me, the first day of the rest of your life. I have been on these forums for over 3 years lurking for several months before joining. One of the most consistent things I see posted by folks in their pre-op diet or newly sleeved are questions relating to directions their doctor, surgeon, nutritionist, physician's assistant, insurance coordinator ... gave them. "Why did the nurse tell me to remove my piercings prior to surgery?" "Am I going to have a catheter for surgery?" "Why is my doctor requiring me to quit smoking prior to surgery?" "Why am I on Clear liquids right after surgery?" "Why can't I have ice chips or popsicles after surgery?" "Why does ... ?" On and on the questions go, and I and others are happy to share our experience with everyone. But I would also like to suggest that when you are given these instructions, ask the person right then and there. You are not going to offend them (providing, of course, you ask in a respectful manner) and in fact, you will probably impress them as you are taking more active role in your health and understanding what you need to do to aid in your success. This is especially true post op if they are ordering tests. Find out why they are ordering them and what the results mean. Make sure your medical team in the hospital is all on the same page at all times. You wouldn't think that you need to be the coordinator of this, but sometimes you do. My wife wouldn't have her appendix right now had I not stepped up to inform one doctor of another doctor's request to have some tests run. They were getting ready to cart her off to surgery when I jumped up explaining that Dr XXX wanted a more thorough urinalysis done as he was thinking stones. He was correct and why this Dr didn't know about the other tests being ordered ... well. The bottom line is you, and/or your family/support network need to be your own advocate. Don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Knowledge is power.

This has been a popular question lately. This is from a bypass patient, but it is true for sleevers as well. If you don't believe it, try it yourself. I know I can eat way more when I drink and eat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR0VM3mnsgM‎

How much time are you looking to take off? What kind of budget? As you can tell from my name, I am from the Great Northwest. If I had two weeks, I would fly into Portland and drive along the Columbia river Eastbound coming across Multnomah Falls (see image) and the many other beautiful waterfalls in the area before heading up to Mt Hood: I would then drive to the coast and catch dungeness crab and eat them right on the beach. I would then drive up the coast to Seattle and catch a cruise to Alaska, which I did last fall. The Tracy Arm Fjords were something to remember. Upon my return, I would enjoy all of the eclectic life of Seattle Before heading back home.

3 years this July

I just want to echo a lot of the suggestion here to get a fitting. Go to any running store in your area. They can help you. Yes, I believe Shoe Tree has the little Dr Scholl's pressure sensor thingy ... that is not what I'm talking about. At the running store, they will have a treadmill and video cameras. You will take off your shoes and socks and they will video tape your gait as you walk on the treadmill. Pretty much everybody has some level of supination/pronation in their feet. (See attached image or Google one of these words if on mobile device that doesn't show the picture I attached) They will suggest shoes which support your level. Getting a shoe which is really spongy is actually the last thing you want to do. It is not going to be weight absorbing as you may think. Sure, it may feel great when you first put them on and bounce around the room, but it is not going to give you the support you need. You have already noticed this. It will affect your knees, hips and even your back. Running stores do this for free, but as also mentioned, a podiatrist can also do this. Of course, whenever starting an exercise routine, it is recommended to consult with a doctor, so a podiatrist may be a great first step, assuming your insurance covers it. Yes, the shoes are going to be more expensive than you may be prepared to pay, but also know that a properly fitted shoe will also wear longer as there is going to be firmer support in the areas you need it. They will wear more evenly providing longer life. In the long run, they will actually last longer than a show which is not properly fit.

I'm going on three years post, soon, and I still put my utensil down after each bite. Not only put it down, but I put my hands on my lap. If I don't, I'll just grab that utensil immediately. I also chew much slower, ensuring the food is really ground down. This was also a problem for me as when I inhaled food, I would only give it a few chews before swallowing. After I swallow, still having my hands on my lap, I evaluate how I feel. Am I beginning to feel any restriction? If yes, then I stop. Do I really want another bite? Do I really like what I am eating and am I eating just for the sake of eating? Why do I want another bite? Am I trying to feed some emotional hole or is my body needing nutrition? If I am satisfied with my answers and I am feeding my body, not my head, I pick up the utensil and repeat.

Well ... it's only $9, so if you believe it will help you, that is what really matters. The sleeve is going to dictate your portion control. I know you are early out and not on solid foods, yet, but believe me, you will be amazed at how little you will be eating. I would be afraid to use a tool like that because I would then be comparing to something. A device that is really designed for folks with "normal" sized stomachs. You aren't going to need a device like this for awhile, so why don't you just give it some time and see if you are able to do this. When it is dinner time and we are having stir fry, I just take a couple small tablespoons of the meat and veggies. If I am not feeling the restriction, I'll grab another bite. Having chicken? I will take 1/4 of a breast. Same thing. If I am not feeling the restriction, I will cut off another bite. Guess what I do with fish ... yup. Same thing. After a few meals, you know what your portion size needs to be. Start off by taking ridiculously small portions. You can always grab another spoonful.

Nutritionist. I only had to see mine once. But I did call her a few times post with questions. They are a good resource for you. Try to develop a good relationship with them. They may save your butt more than once.

Here is the deal:

I just checked urban dictionary and I have no idea what PB is, either ...

What I had to remember was drinking while eating was one of the methods I used to pack more food in. It enabled me to consume more calories. It aided my abusive relationship with food. I had to start a new relationship with food which meant taking smaller bites, chewing more, waiting longer between bites and not drinking right before during or right after eating. It was difficult at first, but I believe it has been integral to my success. Not drinking allows me to feel the restriction longer and not consume more than I truly need.

A point I was trying to make, but after re-reading my post, I don't think I did a very good job of, was comparing pre and post weight loss. Let's take a look at this scenario of identical twins with exact starting numbers. One twin is on a two week pre-op diet and they lose 10 pounds. Two weeks post op, they have lost an additional 5 pounds. The other twin doesn't have a pre-op diet and they have lost 15 pounds in the two weeks following surgery. Would you say the twin who had the pre-op diet has had their post surgery weight loss slowed due to their pre-op diet? I would say the answer is no. That 10 pounds is going to come off regardless due to the glycogen factor. It is not 10 pounds of fat, which is what most people are looking to lose anyway. I think if you are bound and determined to compare, you will find most people who are rigorously compliant with the guidelines begin to lose at similar rate. The bottom line is, for the most part, if you burn more calories than you consume, you are going to lose. The longer you maintain this imbalance, the longer you will continue to lose, over the long run. Yes, there are going to be stalls. It is quite natural and a necessary part of the journey. Expect them.

Most people will lose the quick 10 early in just about every diet. This is due to the glycogen stored in the liver being used first. Have you ever noticed on you other diets how difficult it was to lose weight after the first 10? Notice how easy it was to put back on 10 pounds? Glycogen. So, people who have pre-op diets are going to lose this prior to surgery while those who don't have pre-op diets will lose this after surgery. As you may imagine, this is going to skew the results of the two groups. Just one of the many reasons people just should not compare themselves to each other. So, keep this in mind when you read people's stories and inevitably compare their results to your own. So, you ask, if I lose 20 to 30 pounds pre-op, will the weight loss keep going. The honest answer is ... it depends. It depends on your compliance with the guidelines given to you by your medical team. Early out, you are not going to have a choice but to be compliant, for the most part. I'll never forget the lady who came on here asking what she can eat at Dairy Queen 3 days post-op. Folks with this mindset will struggle. My advice is to follow the guidelines as best as you can. Weigh yourself at a minimum once a week. Once a month, if you can. Weighing daily can only bring disappointment as it is natural for your body to retain liquids and release them on a day to day basis. Are you looking to lose weight or fat? Weighing once a week will be a better measure of fat loss. Good luck!

I used the Patches. When I started, I was putting them on every few hours. When I got the urge, I would go for a walk instead of going out to the smoking area. It helped. As time progressed, the time between new patches increased and instead of buying the smaller ones, I kept buying the bigger ones and cutting them with a scissors being careful to leave the protective liner on and not touch the "sticky" part. It was a struggle, but I was able to beat it.

Join a running group. Since you are in the Boston area, I KNOW you will have dozens of different groups catering to people of all levels. I'm not talking about the casual group which gets together on Monday nights and then hits the bar after ... but the ones where they have a track night where you can focus on speed and form. Learn how to stretch properly and get advice to prevent/recover from injury. I joined one here in Portland and we had Saturday morning runs of varying lengths covering different terrains. On Wednesday, we would have track night where we solely worked on speed and/or form. We had about 100 people all together which were broken down by pace going from the 7 and under minute per mile all the way up to 18 minute per mile breaking into categories by the minute. I was able to go from an 8:30 pace down to 7:00, but I'm a little crazy ...

You are right. For me, it was impossible to meet my quotas for Protein AND liquids. I was told to focus more on getting the liquids in because I can end up in the emergency room due to dehydration. Lack of protein won't send me there. What you experienced is called slimming. Your mouth over produces saliva and this foamy stuff just starts coming forward. This is usually due to taking too large of bites/drinks or not waiting long enough in between bites/drinks or not chewing the food thorough enough, but I'm guessing you are not dealing with the latter, at least not yet. Myself, I just kept my room temperature gatorade (couldn't tolerate water) with me always and just sipped. My first couple days post I had Water, but discovered sports drinks worked better for me. Couldn't do cold ones, either. Had to be room temp. It does feel like you are drinking 24/7, but it may be what you have to do. Just know that it does get better. This is some of the most difficult time. Just keep trying your best.