Butterthebean

I think it has everything to do with the fact that so many people believe you can lose 100 pounds and keep it off permanently if you just eat less and exercise more. Of course, most people here understand that there is more to it than that.

Are you kidding? I got friends who keep their little blue pills in Speed Racer pez dispensers on their key chains. No shame whatsoever....in fact it's like bragging that they are getting some.

I was 401 on May 1st. 5 months later I'm 268 and falling. No problems whatsoever. Follow your surgeons preop and post op plan to the letter and you will be fine. Start exercising now. Don't wait. Start drinking Protein shakes now and learn to love them. Too many people wait till after surgery, or right before. But sometimes they can be an acquired taste and they take some getting used to. And take a real hard look at yourself. Recognize your food addictions and make a plan for dealing with them. Most of us who are that heavy have certain foods and/or situations that make us vulnerable to eat too much of the wrong things. Surgery will not stop this. Recognize those things and start making the changes to eliminate them. Having more than 200 pounds to lose should not be a problem. Drink lots of Water, eat lots of Protein and exercise and you will be successful.

Yes...the comments are sad and depressing.

Skinny bastard.

They do contain protein, but the type of protein they contain is not what you need, nor will your body utilize it properly. Therefore, for what you are trying to accomplish, they are worthless.

You should go to some biker rallies. I have lived off of those things (plus beer) for many a long weekend.

When I told the guys, the responses I got we're either "deer in the headlights" look, or they would tell me that their mother/sister in law/aunt/sister had WLS and now looks great. It's all been positive. Now they are getting nervous because soon I will no longer be "the fat friend."

I'll see your turkey leg and greens, and I raise you sirloin skewers and asparagus.

I'm 5 months post op and I was still drinking at least 1 shake every day because I like them and they were satisfying. But it was getting harder and harder to stay under my calorie limit. So I gave them up for a while and instantly noticed I was having no problem staying under my calories. I guess they were a trigger for me.

Unfortunately I have had stalls. They didn't start until the last 2 months or so. I won't lose an ounce for a 7-10 days....then wake up the next morning with 3 or 4 pounds gone forever. And then the next day it will be 2-3 more pounds gone. Then nothing again for another week. I was still drinking protein shakes everyday because I like them so much. About a week ago I decided to cut them out for a while. Almost immediately the scale started dropping and I was more satisfied eating solid protein instead of drinking the shakes.

Exactly right. If you're nodding off, you need sleep, not caffeine. Not getting enough sleep is as unhealthy as not getting enough Protein.

EVERYONE goes through this. Read the link in my sig about stalls, it will explain what's happening to you. Just be patient and it will break on its own.

There are plenty of studies that show it to be a diuretic. The risk of dehydration during your recovery is higher than it was before due to limited Water intake, so you don't need anything making it harder. However, there have been newer studies showing it is not a diuretic. I have read several and talked this issue over with my wife who is a researcher, and I don't feel either side has debunked the other....only that there is conflicting evidence. However, for me the reasons to steer clear of caffeine are the same reasons that non sleevers should steer clear of it....it's a highly addictive stimulant. I'm high on life.

I eat something about every 3 hours. Sometimes it's nothing more than a serving of cold cuts, or a piece of cheese or protein shake...as long as there is some protein.

22

Some do....but the "natural" look is quite popular there.

I agree. The first week after surgery it's doubtful anyone is burning off any fat at this point. You can live off your glycogen stores for many days, especially at the reduced activity level most people are at just after surgery. I came home 15 pounds heavier from the hospital than when I went in. It's all fluids, and it goes away in a few days.