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You 're right. That is Dr. Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center. (One of my surgeons) And, BTW, he was also just on ABC Nightline, demonstrating a new non-surgical "gastric balloon" weight loss device.

All of my friends and family know about my surgery. It's a whole lot easier and less stressful than having to lie to them. But I see a lot of clients only 1-2 times/year, so they are shocked when they see me. Not a day has gone by over the last couple months that I don't get a comment about my weight loss. (Seriously...EVERY day) Depending on the person and/or situation, I may tell them I had surgery or if it's not appropriate I try to brush off their comments and change the subject. There are some, however, that keep pushing and pushing for answers. I've been asked if I've been sick or even if I have cancer. I'm just waiting to get the nerve up to blurt out I started doing meth to some of the nosier ones.

To answer your first question, I did not cheat at all on my preop diet, or postop for that matter. I was sleeved at OCC in December so I know what you are going through. So......Drink all your Protein shakes. I had at least 8 different varieties to chose from. Drink lots of Water in between. Take advantage of the unlimited green veggies part of the diet. I ate spinach, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, lettuce salads (with flavored vinegar dressing) and mushrooms like there was no tomorrow. I added unflavored Protein powder to chicken and beef broth, Chinese hot and sour Soup base and wonton soup broth and ate those in place of a shake on some days. Spinach/mushrooms/beef broth/Unjury protein powder was a favorite. unjury protein cheese sauce powder mixed with Swansons tortilla soup base was also very yummy. I was supposed to lose 12 pounds before surgery and ended up losing 22 pounds. This diet is not there to torture us, it is designed for us to have the safest surgery possible. And if you need more motivation, Dr Ortiz actually turned down a patient a couple weeks ago the day of her surgery because she did not lose what she was supposed to lose preop. Do you really want to travel all the way down there for nothing?

Here's premier's explanation of their product ingredients... http://www.premierprotein.com/deeper-science-on-protein/ I purposely try to mix up my Protein sources, Not just limit to whey protein. I do milk, egg, soy and sprouted seeds

Eating and drinking finally stopped being a chore for me 3 months out. Now I love food again, and make sure every bite is a yummy, healthy one (well, almost every bite)

Good luck and keep us posted when you can. I'll be sending good vibes your way.

I picked one based on what I weighed when I was fit and healthy in my 20's. I was a raft guide and ski instructor back then. My surgeon's dietician picked one based on what, I don't know. (After weighing in, taking measurements and a history from me) I hit her goal last week and I've got 10 more pounds to go for my personal goal.

Yep, couldn't drink plain water til almost 3 months out. Now I gulp it down with no problems.

I ate the same quantity of the same crappy food right up until the day I started my preop diet. But once started, it was GAME ON. I was so excited for this change to happen I had no problems with the preop or postop diets. You just have to be in the right state of mind and enjoy this wonderful new life you have chosen. Don't wallow or lament or whine about the small stuff. It's JUST food and it's JUST for a few weeks. You can do this. Go check out the before and after posts and use everyone else's successes for motivation. One day those will be your posts.

Eating and drinking was a chore for me for almost 3 months. Now I love eating and make sure every bite is a yummy one. And like hhhappy, I am totally in control now.

No one can tell you if it will happen or not. I was pretty good with getting in all my protein, but never took any special supplements or used special shampoos and at 5 months out I've had no hair loss. But I was totally prepared to shave my head and wear hats if it happened. Just like the preop diet and the gas pains and the recovery diet and and the diarrhea, it would have just been a temporary thing on my way to a new wonderful life.

It's definitely a personal preference. For example, a lot of people love the isopure but they are the only thing that ever made me gag. I love Garden of Life, but others think it's gritty and tastes bad. I tried all the Jay Robb's but only liked the piña colada. My favorite overall brands are Syntrax , Unjury, garden of life, muscle milk and Premier protein. Premier has the best bang for the buck in my opinion...30g of protein in 11 oz. $18 for 12 at SAMs...even cheaper at Costco. But, like someone else said, I never liked any of the RTD straight because they are too thick and sweet. I dilute mine at least 1/2 and 1/2 with skim milk and then it's perfect (plus more fluid and protein)

Congrats to both of you. You have both been incredibly successful with your weight loss and it just goes to show there's more than one way to make this work. I'm just over 5 months out and hit my surgeon's goal this week. I'm more in the boat of RRn in that I can't physically eat more than 4 oz of meat or meat/veggies at a time. I just have too much restriction. 1 egg with a tbls of cheese or meat would max me out. I was stuffed on 1 BBQ rib and 3 brussel sprouts last night. I eat at least 5-6 times a day and still get at least 30-40g Protein from a shake. The shake also adds 32 oz towards my Fluid intake, so it's a win-win. I vary the shakes so the protein source includes sprouted seeds, eggs, and soy, not just whey isolate. Other than a short stint of a little lactose intolerance that has passed, I have not had any problems with anything I put in my sleeve and I always hit protein first...chicken, beef, ham, eggs, mixed nuts, pork, Greek yogurt, cheese, fish, seafood. I eat a little veggies everyday, drink V8 juice and usually mix berries or peaches or a banana in my protein shakes. We all just have to find what works for each of us and it sounds like both of you have.

Way to go! I reached my surgeon's goal this week, but my personal goal is normal BMI, too. Thanks for the post.

My fellow college "fat friend" (we are now in our 40s) had Lapband several years ago with moderate results. When I saw her last winter she looked the best she had in years and I looked and felt worst. I knew I didn't want Lapband after all of her issues, so I researched online starting early spring 2013 and discovered VSG. Had it done in December and met my surgeon's goal weight 2 days ago!

I think she was talking about actual stomach/sleeve swelling from the cutting and stapling which causes increased restriction early on, not abdominal swelling from the gas. At least that's what I was referring to in my reply. As for the gas, I really didn't have any issues with that either.

Just the other day my patient was intubated, had an NG, and extubated & removed the NG before we could get ahold of any family. So, it happens. My biggest fear isn't an NG, But to be lavaged-- ah! That's why I put "gastrectomy patient" on my medical necklace, so medical personnel can better understand the reasoning behind the "No blind NGT" and "No NSAIDS" part and take any other precautions necessary.

I had a month long stall between weeks 6 and 10. In fact I gained 3 pounds. Ironically that was when I was taking flagyl for my C. diff infection. It made me very nauseous and I was barely eating or drinking anything. The stall broke once I was off the flagyl, felt better and pretty much doubled my food and water intake. So not sure what to suggest for you. The other thing I found was that I lost a whole pant size during that month of no pounds lost, so maybe your body is changing in ways the scale doesn't show.

I was still on liquids until day 18, but even then I would get stuffed on 1-2 tablespoons of puréed food. I could eat a little more after a month, but then when I started soft foods I was back at square one...only 1-2 tablespoons would leave me full for most of the day. Started feeling normal about 3 months out.

Oh, What great news! You have had such a long, difficult time and I have tried to keep up with your story. Your attitude is amazing and I'm so glad things are FINALLY moving forward for you. Good luck on Tuesday!

Bummer! I have seen the individual packets in stores, but I'd hate to go through that again if I were you!

Looks like a good product. So you're OK with xylitol?

Garden of Life Raw Fit and Raw Protein. Gluten Free, dairy free, sweetened with stevia. Protein is from sprouted seeds and Contains Probiotics and enzymes. Comes in original, chocolate, vanilla and spiced chai. I got mine online, but have seen them in a lot of health food/whole food stores. I also take their Multivitamin for women. http://www.gardenoflife.com I'm not a big organic/natural food freak, but these taste good and it's nice drinking something other than processed whey protein for a change. And I've developed a strong dislike of the taste of artificial sweeteners over the last month.

Even though you shouldn't compare yourself to others, go ahead and use this one ....I lost 3 pounds in the first 17 days post op. Better yet, stay off the scale for at least a month. Get at least 64 oz fluid and 60g protein everyday. That's all you need to worry about this soon out.

Ditto to what RJ said. Your weight fluctuates tremendously from trauma and fluid loss/retention. When I was super dehydrated and needed IV fluids post op, I "gained" 11 pounds overnight. Your body is really in flux right now and your hydration is certainly not stable. Concentrate on healing, hydrating, proteinizing (just made up that word) and don't worry about the scale for now.