OneManWolfpack

Fellas, I'm getting sleeved in just over 2 weeks. Doing pretty good pre-op so far, but had a major slip up this weekend when I invited some buddies over for football. I'm back on track now, but it got me to thinking just what I'd tell the guys when I'll be around them soon eating practically nothing and sipping on Protein shakes and broth every quarter. I've seen plenty of topics on this site about whether to tell your spouse/partner/GF/co-workers, etc. But what about the guys? You know what I'm talking about. Here's how I envision that conversation goes down: Me: Guys, I want to talk to you all about something. Buddy #1: We know, your fantasy team sucks. Quit bitching about it! Me: No, not that. Something serious. Buddy #2: Is it cancer? Me: No, nothing like that. Buddy #3: Then it's not serious. Put your nuts back on Me: No seriously guys. Listen, I'm planning on having WLS Buddies #1, 2, 3, and 4: .......................(stunned silence) .................................................. Me: Um, guys... Hello? what do you guys think? Buddies #1, 2, 3, and 4: ............................(more stunned silence).......................................... Me: I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I've decided to go through with it. It's the best decision for me, my health, and to get my life back Buddy #4: I didn't realize you had a vagina Me: Hey, that's not fair. Buddy #2 (to Buddy #4): Yeah, that's not right dude. Me: Thanks for the voice of support man Buddy #2: No, I mean, I think we already knew you had a vagina. Me: Uncalled for dude. Buddy #1 (to Buddies #2 and 4): Guys, lay off him. Me: (Not saying thanks, just waiting for the punchline....) Buddy #1: I mean, it's probably just his time of the month. Me: (And there it is). All right, you guys suck. I'm outta here. Buddy #3 (yelling out as I leave): Hey, give Randy Jackson my best, dog! DOOR SLAMS SHUT. <END SCENE> So I ask you men: What have you told the fellas about your surgery and weight loss?

So, Becky... if things ever wind up not working out between you and your boyfriend, I just thought you'd like to know that I recently got sleeved and should be losing a lot of weight in the near future... and you know what that does for us guys and our, um, packages, right??? Just sayin'....

Nothing wrong with that approach. In the wise words of the immortal George Costanza: "Remember, it's not a lie if YOU believe it"

Wow! There are almost 2,000 replies to this thread that SkinnyMinnie started back in August.... I've said it before and I'll say it again: OctoSleevers rule!!!! Congrats to all and keep it up! HW: 365 SW: 337 (10/25) CW: 308 Looking forward to saying buh-bye to the 300's FOREVER.....

I'm just looking forward to a feeling similar to about the 0:32 mark of this clip: (Warning: content may be offensive to those who don't appreciate good old fashioned tasteless humor)

Agree with OTR, it's all you chad! To illustrate: I'll never forget at a social event with work people a year or two back when I decided to put on some Gio. A couple girls actually asked me "what's with the cologne?" and one followed up with "who are you trying to impress?" (And it was just a spritz, I didn't overdo it, I promise). When I asked how they thought it smelled, I was given a very lukewarm response. Not two weeks later, I heard them going on and on about one of the newer guys at work (who, admittedly, was clearly much taller, thinner and better looking than me... but older and MARRIED!), and in particular they liked the way he smelled. I asked point blank, "you mean the way he overdoes the cologne at work?" (it was really over the top), and they were like "oh my god yes!" and "I LOVE the way he smells!" (in that I want to be on him tone, you know what I'm talking about). Anyway, the point was: HE WORE THE EXACT SAME COLOGNE AS ME! Damn I can't wait to be thin. (Sadly, though, the sleeve won't make me taller...). Anyways, way to go chad, keep it up!

This is NOT meant as a challenge! I just want to get a general sense from people, especially those a year or more post-op, how much they can comfortably eat. I ask because I am less than a week post-op and I'm still in the phase of having trouble getting more than 1 oz of Fluid in every 15 min. I can't even imagine eating a small meal at this point. Obviously this is a good thing, since at my worst I could easily put down a whole pizza, a dozen wings, a liter of coke, and still have room for huge slice of cake... all in the span of "grazing" over an hour or two. :ph34r: Thanks in advance for the replies!

Liz, I agree with Oregondaisy in that if your doc believes in evidence-based medicine, then using statistics like the long-term failure and weight regain of diet and exercise alone versus surgery is something that shouldn't be overlooked by him. But having said that, maybe he's just following a conservative (and entirely reasonable) treatment plan that ensures you really have tried several other options and that you're fully capable of adhering to the relatively permanent change in lifestyle/eating behaviors that WLS entails. Maybe it's because you're "only" 25. (although, in all honesty, I wish I'd done this 10 yrs ago myself!) In any case, I think at some point you still do need to fill your PCP in on what's going on. After all, you still could develop other general medical issues even after a successful sleeve (severe acid reflux, gallbladder issues, Vitamin deficiencies, etc, etc.), that your PCP should be involved with, and keeping him in the loop on your surgery can help with earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment of those issues, if needed. Just my 2 cents from being recently sleeved. Best of luck to you in reaching your goals. Hope to see you here with us on the losers bench soon!

Congrats Chad! Keep it up and keep sharing. We're all in this together

Looks delish... Sadly I'm in the pureed stage so I'd have to pulverize them into a liquid soupy mess.... two more weeks til I can chew! (fingers crossed) BTW, seeing the words "chicken nuggets" makes me reflect back on how much money I've spent at fast food joints through the years... not a proud accomplishment

Sleeved 10/25. Wasn't able to get my full daily Protein or Fluid in until a week post-op, but been doing better this past week. Had my two week post-op doc visit today and feeling right on track. Get to advance to puree tomorrow ....uhhh, yay? (I want to chew real food but I'm not hungry... weird feeling) Congrats and good luck to you all as we keep moving forward as big losers!

I agree with the Celebrate grape (but NOT cherry) and the Calcet calcium chews -- prefer the chocolate. I also tried Bariatric Advantage multivit first and hated it. (but as a kid... Flinstones were my absolute fav -- haven't had them in quite a while)

Hey folks. It’s amazing how a site like this brings together people of all ages, cultures, and walks of life. As a diversion to break the monotony of measuring out my liquids and Protein post-op, I thought it would be fun to reminisce about what shaped us all through the years -- not literally (because that would be things like too much bad food and lack of exercise, or having kids LOL!), but from a pop culture standpoint. I’m sure another thread like this is somewhere on these forums but after a quick search I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for… I think this one is different than the pinned “Who Are You?” thread. (oh, and please note the generations listed above are loose years and may not be agreed upon by all – just needed some ranges to fit into a poll format. And I know in many other countries these generations are quite different in names and year ranges. This poll was meant for fun and diversion and certainly not intended to insult any person or group.) I’ll start it off… I’m a Gen X-er. A child of the 80’s. I watched cartoons like Voltron, Transformers, GI Joe, He-Man, and Thundercats as a kid. TV favorites evolved through the years: Family Ties --> Perfect Strangers --> Saved by the Bell --> Cheers --> Seinfeld --> Entourage --> Curb Your Enthusiasm . And now to the present favs: (The Office/Parks & Rec/How I Met Your Mother/The Big Bang Theory/Louie) Music influences as a kid/tween: hair Metal (Poison, Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi) and also U2 High School: Grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins) and U2 College: Dave Matthews, Rusted Root, Green Day, Weezer, Radiohead… and U2 Young Adulthood-present: Staind, Linkin Park, The White Stripes, The Lonely Island, and of course U2 Defining Movies: Childhood – Goonies, Stand By Me, Breakfast Club High School/College – Silence of the Lambs, American Pie, Shawshank Redemption, Austin Powers Young Adult-Present: pretty much any Todd Phillips, Farrelly Brothers, or Judd Apatow movie Finally, since I’m quite partial to funny things (as you may or may not have guessed): The title of funniest comedian alive as it evolved through my eyes went something like this: Richard Pryor --> Eddie Murphy --> Jerry Seinfeld --> Chris Rock --> Louie CK (current titleholder), although I hold a special place for Gabriel Iglesias since, like me, he's not fat... he's FLUFFY! There’s plenty I’ve left out. Feel free to rant, rave, add your own memories, pop culture, places, people, political/global events, or otherwise. I look forward to reading people’s responses! Now it’s time to go sip some more protein….

LOL...Funny how you mention strawberry shortcake and all I can think of is another thing I cant eat 'cause I'm still on full liquids post-op. And I thought this thread was gonna take my mind off that! Well, at least you didn't mention The Gummy Bears (one of the underrated 80's cartoons and also one of my pre-surgery vices)

Funny, I saw this link on another thread in this forum... it would be like combining your two weaknesses into one warm delicious bite of awesomeness! http://www.emilybites.com/2011/07/lasagna-cupcakes.html Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go back to sipping my Protein. Only two and half weeks until I get to chew again.... (Sigh)

I agree with lil lee. Or maybe try Crystal lite PURE, or a few drops of Mio or other flavored water enhancer. What about G2, either alone or mixed with water?

I call mine Tiny ...or Big AL (depending on how much fluid I can get down... 10 days post-op LOL!)

(....anxiously awaiting iggychic's response....)

Ask her how many of those clients that went from a 22 to a 6 wound up at a 26 to 28 a year or two later. Most of us have tried and failed multiple diet and exercise regimens, even with "outstanding" personal trainers. And many on this forum and elsewhere have dropped significant amounts of weight with some of those programs only to gain it all back and then some because we simply couldn;t stick to it long-term. Old habits crept back in. Surgery is a "last resort" of sorts for many, and in some cases it really is the only realistic option for the sake of their health. You may want to politely educate your co-worker about how the sleeve helps enforce a long-term change in one's approach to eating, and does help prevent some (though certainly not all) of those bad habits. And that, contrary to what she may think, is still really hard to maintain and not taking the easy way out. Best of luck to you in your goals!

...When you start thinking that pureeing the leftover halloween candy wouldn't be cheating (but what if added in protein powder? That's ok right? Um, Right?????)

Congrats Bethany! I'm also 1 week post-op today. Still hard to believe all us OctoSleevers are now actually in the post-op phase after all the waiting and anticipation on getting this done. Hope everyone else is also doing great!

Mmmmm.... My favorite fun size halloween candies in no particular order: Kit Kat Reese's PB cups Snickers Milky Way Twix Mounds Hershey bars 3 Musketeers Butterfinger Clark Baby ruth Clark M&M's Whatchamacalit Whoppers Nestle crunch Caramello Ugggghhhh. I better stop myself. Thank god I'm only 6 days post-op and can't eat any this year. (Wait, can you puree kit kats and reese's? ...I'll be right back!!!!!)

Lying on a beach with Eva Mendes.... (you know, after she dumps that ryan gosling stiff for the new improved me)

Man, I'm on the opposite end as the OP. I wish I didn't feel constantly full. Since I'm only 6 days post-op I'm still in the stage of forcing myself to try to get my fluids in... and failing miserably (yesterday finally got up to 36 oz total -- still way low). I know it will slowly progress, but for now I can;t even imagine eating actual food. And like Jonathan I slipped up last night when I woke up and went to the fridge to get some water: poured it in a regular cup and instinctively took two semi-big gulps before realizing what I was doing -- OUCH!!! My stomach wailed angrily at me and I definitely made a promise to myself not to sleepwalk anymore

Hello November Sleevsters, I'm a late OctoSleeever less than one week out and I thought that you guys might want to hear some of the details of what "little things" to expect as surgery day approaches. I remember how I was constantly flipping between excitement and nervousness as my day approached. Fortunately with this site and my doc's office I felt I was fully informed as I could be, but still, there was much "unknown." I'm posting this on two different Nov Sleever threads I have seen so sorry in advance for the repeat. Obviously bear in mind each doc and facility is different, and each person's circumstances are different, but you all already know that! First: my personal stats: mid-30's male, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, hypertension, very high BMI (59 at highest weight) Pre-op: No specific liquid diet other than days pre-op clear liquid only, NPO after midnight night before surgery. But my doc required 5% weight loss pre-op, and NUT recommended min 2 weeks of high protein/lo-carb diet consisting of 2 protien shakes a day, one 4-6 oz lean protein meat dinner with some veggies, and "healthy" snacking (greek yogurt, cottage cheese/string cheese, tuna, etc) Day before surgery: Pre-op hospital check in with administration (ID card, insurance, any pre-payment if needed, etc), and Nurse (review medical history, meds, allergies, planned post-op care, weigh-in). Day of surgery: Check-in pre-op 2 hours before surgery, led back to a curtained bay where I was instructed to "take it all off" and put on hospital gown, compression stockings, and non-skid socks. Instructed to use the bathroom to empty bladder, met briefly with surgeon and anesthesiologist, nurse took vitals, started IV, administered a heparin shot in my belly, and placed a scopolamine patch (for nausea) behind my ear and administered an anti-nausea med Iv as well (either phenergan or reglan I think), and also an oral zantac for acid reduction. I waited in the bay on the gurney watching TV for about an hour as all this was going on, and then they came to wheel me back to the OR. I slid over to the OR table and they put some warm blankets on me. The anesthsiologist gave me some "happy juice" through the IV and I really think I was out in less than 10 seconds. When I woke up in recovery all I felt was extreme pain all across my abdomen and rising up to my ribcage. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "Dilaudid." The next thing I really remember I was already in my room. It was about 4 hours after my surgery start time. A nurse was standing over me and I felt I could barely talk because of extreme dry mouth and dry/sore throat, but I was extremely nauseous and in pain. They gave me Dilaudid for the pain, Phenergan and Zofran for the nausea, and some glycerine swabsticks for my lips and mouth. For the next three hours I was in and out of sleep, waking up only by the gas pressure/bloating. That was really the worst part, the extreme sense of fullness/pressure in my abdomen. The surgeon visited with me that afternoon and told me it went well, that he also removed my gallbladder because it showed a lot of scarring (I already had known gallstones and this was a possibility going in), and told me he did not visualize any hiatal hernia or ulcers. I had four little wounds for the ports, the largest of which was at my belly button and barely visible. No sutures or staples, as all were closed with Dermabond (surgical glue). Finally around 5 pm (surgery was 9 am) I got up to walk around the nursing unit with a nurse's aide, used the restroom (they measured all urine output - my first was 600 cc which they said was good enough. I did that two more times that night, about 8 laps total. I was told that walking was the best way to relieve the gas pressure. They wouldn;t allow Gas-X strips that first day. The next morning they gave me a tray of clear liquid to try after the PA came around to visit me. Broth, water, tea, and crystal lite with Juven mixed in. I really couldn't tolerate even two sips due to the ridiculous pressure I felt it placed in my stomach. I felt SOOOOO Full. I did many walks that day and they tried several different anit-nausea meds. I didn;t really ask for any pain meds because it was not that kind of pain, just extreme fullness. Finally after my doc saw me they gave me Decadron by IV, and within a couple of hours I was starting to feel better. But by that time it was late evening and they had decided to keep me an extra night because I couldn;t tolerate the liquids. The next AM I was able to tolerate about 4 oz of fluids and they allowed me to be discharged. FYI no "leak test" performed -- I know docs vary on this nationwide. Meds at discharge, in addition to the multivit, calcium, and iron, was liquid Lortab for pain. I've only used it once. It makes me groggy and really doesn;t help the bloating/gas pain, which is the only pain I really had. I declined any nausea med. Things I brought to hospital and used: Toothbrush/paste (which also made me dry heave after gargling the first 2-3 times), Gas-X strips, iPhone, deodorant, change of underwear/socks. Things I brought but didn't use: cell charger, biotene rinse, cepacol throat spray, house slippers, headphones, a book, robe. Post-op course so far: No complications, just getting fluids in is the hardest thing. Combined with the diarrhea (sorry), risk of dehydration is greater. Doc recommended at least 64 oz fluid and 60-70 grams protein. First day home (post-op day two), I only got in about 6 oz (plus the leftover IV in the hospital), next day 14 oz, next day 28 oz, and yesterday 36 oz. I have to force myself to keep sipping and keep walking, but every day is getting a little better. I have no hunger whatsoever. I drove post-op day 4 for the first time (since I wasn;t taking pain meds), just to the pharmacy and back to get a liquid calcium since the chewable I had was making me nauseous. Showering was fine as soon as I got home, just told no soaking in a tub and pat the wounds dry. No creams or lotions on the wounds for at least a week. Fist post-op visit is next week, but had post-op phone call with the nurse already. Full liquids only until post-op check. I'm off work for two weeks. Hope that helps some. Sorry it was so long. Good luck to all of you!!!!