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You can put it in a Protein shake if you drink them. Doesn't really change the taste and make it crazy creamy-smooth. I used a lot of avocado early in maintenance when I was trying to add calories and good fat without bulk. Guac is a fav, on just about anything for me. I've seem people cook an egg in half an avocado, but that would be a lot for me in one sitting, size wize and fat wize. My gall bladder is on the edge, (may eventually need to come out :-() since WLS and too much fat, (even good fat) can be a bad thing now.

I've been in maintenance for a couple of years now, only occasionally logging anything anymore and maintaining pretty well. I never logged anything but Protein when I did journal during my loss phase and have enjoyed daily treats in small amounts worked into my plan and without guilt. So I'm not really "judgy" on myself as long as I'm meeting my protein goals and maintaining weight it's all "allowed". For me, it's more when I know I'm crossing that "control" line. For example, Boom Chicka Pop with dark chocolate and sea salt. This is a product I should not have in my house! When it's there, I'll eat it till it's gone. Never all in one sitting as I physically can't anymore, but a little all day long on a weekend day or over the course of 2 days. Just Way. Too. Much. Till it's gone and I feel like crap. When I've done that, there's no way I can meet my protein goals. There's only so much room, ya know? Surprisingly enough, it doesn't always lead to gaining a few pounds either, as long as the behavior is not prolonged and I maintain my 5 day a week exercise habit. But it makes me feel like crap, mentally and physically just the same. So what do I do to recover? Journal for a few days and return to moderately clean, high protein eating. I always feel better when I'm PROPERLY fueled!

Great post and congratulations on your weight loss! I can echo most of your experience except the horrible co-workers. I was open about my surgery from the beginning and continue to operate openly as a WLS advocate even around new people I wouldn't HAVE to tell. Yes, I've run into a couple of folks who don't understand\agree with the tool I chose to reclaim my health, but by FAR most of the comments I got\still get are positive! I also find that life-long overweight folks are maybe a bit less supportive than my fit friends. I made a choice to permanently remove my ability to over eat in order to get control. It's not to be taken lightly and it's not for everyone, but I have ZERO regrets!

There will be occasions you get "stomach flu" type stuff and can't keep anything down for a few days. Like right after surgery when you weren't feeling like eating or drinking... 1. Do your best to stay hydrated. Add an electrolyte enhanced beverage. 2. Try to get some nutrition in you, most likely in the form of a Protein shake in my case when I'm sick. Do it even if you don't "feel" like it. Head to the doc if you can't keep Water down. You no longer have the luxury to let hydration lapse for long as you'll go south faster now that your tummy is smaller and you're not getting as much in the first place. I've had stomach flu once in the 2 years since surgery. Lost 7 pounds in 3 days after entering maintenance. For me, it comes off fast when I'm sick now, (which is rare now that I'm much healthier)!

Of course you can! BUT... If the surgeon has a strong recommendation for a different WLS option based on your medical condition, be open to what they have to say. Get another opinion if you like, but don't let your online research and\or friends experiences with sleeve vs bypass outweigh the expert's opinions on which procedure is safest for you. Best of luck!

Your BMI is 37.2 which is clinically obese. You are at about the same BMI # as I was when I started. I've maintained about a 90 pound loss for 2 years. I don't know what your health issues are, (mine were multiple and worsened a lot between age 40 and 47 when I finally had my sleeve done to correct the problems). Gone are the meds for asthma, chronic joint pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. (None of which I took at 40, btw. Bad behavior has a way of catching up with age)! So no, I don't think you are "too skinny" to benefit if that's the path you've chosen to take. Don't let anyone talk you out of it for that reason.

I never really counted carbs. My doc said to shoot for 1000-1200 calories per day with 86g of protein. I always overshot the protein goal. It took adding high protein snacks to get me to that calorie level but I'm really glad now that I did that as my metabolism kind of "reset" in a very manageable place (1300-1500 cal/day with regular exercise) for long term maintenance.

I came home bruised after my last trip to an amusement park from getting slammed around in the rides because there was not enough butt or shoulders to hold me tightly in the restraints!

You'll get there. Keep working at it, stay hydrated and advance your diet as directed. I like Fairlife milk products (higher Protein than regular milk) and did a lot of Syntrax nectar Iced lemon tea Protein Drink as it mixes with Water and doesn't get super "thick". Lots easier to get down in the early stages and you can sip it all day.

At about 6 weeks I started focused exercise (more than light walking). I purchased a good quality stationary bike and use it religously 5 days per week first thing out of bed before work. 45-60 minutes and 20ish regular pushups or a few 2 minute planks. If I'm not "feelin it", (unless I'm really sick) I do it anyway, usually on a much easier setting, but for at least 45 min. It's a 2 year old habit now and my day is just not right without it.

I either order just what I want off the snack or kiddie menu or toss what I don't want, (usually half the bread\bun). 4-6 Chick Filet nuggets, Jr burger sans half the bun, JJ's unwich are all favs.

My self imposed "rule" during the losing stage was to never "drink" my calories unless they were basically pure Protein. Now that I'm in maintenance I'm a lot looser with the rule, but as soon as weight begins to creep back on, liquid sugar calories (fruit or not) are the first to go.

I was sleeved first thing on a Monday morning and home Tuesday afternoon. Never tool a narcotic pain med, Tylenol Jr worked well enough and is easier on the tiny tummy for me. My mom came to stay but all I really needed was a ride home from the hospital. I'd kicked her out by Wednesday and was driving on Thursday. Not everyone has the same experience so your mileage may vary. That was just MY experience. I didn't "need" her for anything while she was there, but she needed to watch here "baby" for a few days I did let my BFF come over on Saturday to help change the bed and carry the laundry basket. Probably would have managed that fine as well, but she wanted to help.

Bought a WHITE puffy coat yesterday without looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow mascot!

Those pants can and will be too big for you! I have several pair of lounge sweats that I'd stopped wearing because they were too tight. I was wearing them 2 weeks ago rolled several times at the waist and cinched way up with the drawstring for "paint clothes", LOL. I really need to pitch them, but I don't have any other "old" clothes to ruin with paint! Saw a facebook "memory" from 6 years ago and... wow. Just wow. I thought I'd gone through and killed all the fat pics, but apparently I missed one! :-) I can look a them now and appreciate the difference. Oh, and purchased a WHITE puffy coat yesterday. Fully expected to look like "The Stay Puff marshmallow", but it was actually very flattering so I went for it! You have a ton of similar experiences ahead of you if you use the tool you're about to receive well. Best of luck!

Yep. I lost a shoe size within 6 months. Slip ons all had to go, boots were tolerable with thick socks and insoles, tennis shoes not too bad but eventually replaced my workout shoes too.

I had the same thing happen to me pre-op with the bed making\passing out and that turned out to be the wrong BP meds. Post op, dizziness on standing (Orthostatic hypotension) started almost immediately (I was off the heavy BP meds by this point and reading normal BP in the office). When testing at home, it was low (below 80/50) after an episode. I was told to feed myself more, and increase my Water intake, adding electrolytes. These things helped and it resolved completely by the time my diet had normalized after a few months.

I used to like to say, "I've lost an Olsen Twin" and let them figure out which one! Seriously though, now that it's been more than 2 years, its not even a discussion anymore. I still get the occasional, "you look great", but its no longer a focus for people who know me.

I bought a Withings wifi scale and it does a great job. Automatically beams every weight in to its app in my phone for tracking. The app WILL synch with MFP if you set it up to link with a food dairy but you wouldn't have to do that.

I'm a sleeve. I liked the idea that it's simple, (no rerouting) and there was less chance of Vitamin deficiency, but If I had the co-morbidities you list, (esp the diabetes), I've have jumped on the DS bandwagon when recommended by my surgeon (he would have insisted in light of diabetes) without a second thought. Do your research. Sometimes there is a clear "winner" procedure given the patient's particular condition other times not so much. If you're concerned, by all means, get the second opinion, but don't be so committed to what you think you want that you don't seriously consider your surgeon's advice. They will advise you on the safest and most effective procedure for your particular situation.

Not really, no. I was pretty out of it most of the day. My the time I was really lucid I felt good enough to take a walk. Never took narcotic pain meds, never looked back. The first month wasn't all puppies and rainbows, but I didn't expect it to be after having 90% of my stomach removed either. It gets a little better every day.

Hummus appie, mashed potatoes, soup, maybe some well mashed poached fish if you're ready, the insides of an egg salad sammich.

Get to the doc or get yourself on an acid blocker! Watch the acidic food after about 6pm and raise the head of your bed. I used the bed lifts sold at Bed Bath and Beyond and just put a pair under the top feet. Made a huge difference. Once the swelling went down and I lost a bit more weight things got much better. I still take 40 mg of Omeprazole 2x per day and probably always will. The sleeve is a reflux inducing surgery. Some folks feel it more than others. I was told by my surgeon up front (I went in with some reflux) that the "fix" if it can't be controlled through meds etc, is a revision to bypass. Good luck!

The first year, while I was still medically obese\overweight, I started getting a lot of "you need to stop losing now" comments and a lot of sideways glances\comments about how little I was eating. Now that I'm past the 2 year mark, healthy and still maintaining a 90 pound loss, there's none of that, just "You still look great" compliments. I think it takes others as long to get over the body dismorphia as it does for us! Give people time to get used to the new you!

1 egg with a slice of cheese, omelet style or occasionally half a P28 bagel with cream cheese