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My nutritionist was awesome and a great help to me! I lost 60 pounds in the 6 months prior to surgery because of his workshops, no nonsense attitude and his wealth of knowledge about the body and nutrition. I wouldnt be where I am today without him.

LOL about using the acronym "FUPA"!!! Draya...love BB wives

Great article! Thanks for sharing!

LOL! Before surgery, I would just walk up & down aisles getting whatever I thought we needed. Now, I have two lists. One for the family & one for me. And I spend waaay more time in the grocery store reading labels...kids don't even want to go with me anymore.

Ugh...as hard as it is...comparing your loss with others will only result in alot of unnecessary anxiety. Not only are our bodies completely different from one another, our wls journeys are unique to the particular individual. When you consider age, sex, surgeon, metabolism, medical histories, genetics, etc...its like comparing apples with oranges. As long as you are following your surgeon's & nutritionist plans...you are doing GREAT!

I would suggest that you check with your Dr. and get some labs done. Vitamin deficiencies can cause you to bruise very easily.

I also thought this would be the one requirement that I would have trouble with. Surprisingly, it was pretty easy to adopt after surgery. I never had any trouble with getting liquids down. I pretty much sip all day, but stop at least 15 minutes prior to eating (per my nutritionists requirements). I get full very quickly when eating so I definitely eat my protein first, then a few veggies. I couldnt imagine trying to drink at the same time. There just isn't any room. I usually resume drinking after 60-90 minutes depending on how my tummy feels.

I didn't expect my husband to switch up his lifestyle just because I chose to have surgery. It was my choiceto jump through the 6 months worth of hoops, go under the knife for the 13th and hopefully last time and change my mindset towards food. Because this was my choice, I did not change what I normally did for my family. I still cook dinner every night....although I may double up on the veggies & skip making the starchy sides for them. The interesting thing is my husband began to adopt my lifestyle in small ways over time. He has since lost over 60 pounds. While I appreciate the support...I didn't change my lifestyle for him. I did it for me.

Someone shared this article from bariatriceating.com that I wanted to share here: Don’t eat bread! That latte has 35g sugar! No macaroni salad. NO tortillas. No rice. It won’t last without change There is no delicate way to say this. We have always set ourselves apart from other bariatric groups in that we don’t look the other way while post ops continue to eat the bad carbs. We try and bring them back to the bariatric reality. We coax you to knock off the Pasta, rice, tortillas or bread and often people get mad or try and justify it. For years we’ve watched people blow through this surgery and they all have the same story. Everyone thinks they are ‘Different’, that they can handle the bad carbs and the sugar (they don’t get sick!) and ‘because they have lost 100 pounds in 7 months they must be doing something right’. The first hundred pounds is the surgery Hate to keep making the same point, but your surgery did it, not you. Remember that you are not driving the car for the first year. Eating the same foods that grew you to 300 pounds, but in smaller amounts is not a good long term plan as eventually you will be able to eat larger portions. Ask yourself why eating the same bad carbs would be a good plan. No doctor has advised you to eat the same way post op as you did pre op. Post ops pick this up somewhere, latch on to it and defend it, often to the bitter end of a total regain. No one fights for broccoli carbs! It’s not that the bagel will kill you, it’s that these carbs make you hungry. They rapidly turn to glucose and burn… poof, gone, #Lookingformore. They don’t give you any nutrients. They don’t create a feeling of satiety or lasting fullness. The empty carbs work against what you are trying to achieve. If you were arguing for eating salad or green bean carbs, more power to you… but people are trying to hang on to foods without value. If this big argument was for VEGETABLES… well it wouldn’t be a debate as vegetables didn’t make us fat, it was those ‘other’ carbs. Did you ever meet an obese vegetarian and wonder ‘HUH?’… how’d they get obese if they are vegetarian? Same deal… its not the vegetables, its the other stuff… the carbs… the potatoes, bread, macaroni, rice, tortillas and sugar! Square peg… round hole Stop looking for slightly better substitutes for bad choices and find new healthier foods to love instead. We keep trying to force that square peg into that round hole. Stop EATING crackers and chips… don’t find ones that you can justify because they have fewer carbs. Enough with the terrible fishy shirataki tofu noodles. Learn to live without bread and pasta so it will not call your name. We aren’t changing the behavior or trend if we continue eating them, just slightly shifting it. Before long you’ve got your hand back in the Doritos bag & fork in the Mac and cheese. Look It’s Protein Cheesecake! Don’t add protein to muffins and convince yourself they’re good for you. Stop with the Starbucks Creme Brûlée Lattes because ‘they’re your one indulgence'; they have 500 calories and thin people don’t even drink them. Stay the heck out of Wendy’s. I read an article the other day touting all the ‘good choices’ in fast food restaurants. How about stay out of them. That’s the best choice of all! Why go to the place where you know there is danger. Before you know it, oops… there are fries in your bag! You know people gain back weight, right? In our first month of new Facebook Support group I have cried for new members who have gained back all their weight. I am not immune either after fourteen years, three bariatric books and knowing better. When life hit the fan, I comforted my bruises in the way I knew best and it has taken me ten months to lose fifty pounds of it. People are having revisions, a lovely sounding word for a second serious body damaging operation. What will change? Unless there is major change along with that new surgery, won’t it have the same result? Step away from the bagel! Own that there was and maybe still is something wrong with your food picker! Use surgery as an opportunity to change, not cheat. I used be bothered by the ‘word on the street’ that we were the carb or food police, but am now proud of it. If you want to promote the virtues of Everything in Moderation while eating half a Subway, there are plenty of groups that will help you do it. If you want to eat right and learn new behaviors to make the feeling of slipping on those skinny jeans last… we have a support group that’s a healthier fit. Bariatric Surgery IS the easy way out It’s a personal food cop that is always with us, that helps us push away from the table. We make it hard when we don’t live by the bariatric rules we’ve been given. There is nothing harder then gaining weight back after surgery. There is nothing better than losing it a second time. Control is empowering. If you need to pick up and start losing again… If you need to work off a regain… it’s not too late and your pouch works just fine if you choose the right foods. Clean those lethal carbs from your life and go back to Bariatric Eating – protein first and lots of fresh salad and vegetables. We’ve got the support for you to make that change!

For me personally...once I took my ego out of the picture and reread the article, I agree with it in its entirety. The first time I read it, i was a little perturbed by the 100 lbs being solely attributed to WLS. I lost 60 pounds prior to surgery by following the bariatric diet. Then I reread the article and inferred that the author isn't talking about what we lost prior to surgery. He or she is talking about what we do AFTER surgery. Personally, I know that I am no different from anyone else. I know that if I go off my plan, eat whatever I want, exercise when/if I want to...I will gain all the weight back and then some. And I've worked too hard to let that happen. This article helped me FOCUS and stop making excuses.

I don't really see why you can't have any alcohol ever, unless you know you are prone to addiction or something. I do agree that drinking it daily would be stupid, since it's empty calories. Soda has carbonation, which some believe can stretch the sleeve and I'm not willing to take that chance, so I avoid it 100% of the time. But I have had alcohol several times in the last 9 months. Maybe once a month or so once I was allowed. Just at social occasions and I'm very careful about it, because I have noticed I get drunk much faster post-sleeve, so absolutely NO driving the entire night, just to be on the safe side. I'm generally opposed to drinking my calories, but I don't see the harm in drinking in moderation on occasion. My program is very conservative and my team also said no alcohol ever. As already mentioned the cross addiction & empty calories being the main reasons. I hardly drank prior to surgery anyways so definitely not a sacrifice for me. Regarding the OP, if you were to honestly provide a journal of everything you are drinking & eating to your surgeon, what would he or she think?

My team (Surgeons, Nurses, Nutritionists, Psychologist) made it very clear that I would lose 50-60% of the excess weight IF I followed the plan. I knew wholeheartedly that WLS was only 1 leg of a 3 legged stool (the other 2 legs being diet & exercise). So keeping all that in mind and knowing that I wanted to reach goal in as quick a time frame as possible, I very purposefully followed the bariatric plan 6 months prior to surgery. I lost 60 pounds before I had the sleeve so my BMI the day of surgery was fairly low @ 31-32. I am 5 months out from surgery and 10 pounds away from goal. But losing the weight is just half the battle. I'm hoping that I've done the plan long enough to where it has been ingrained as habit...but I know that I have to follow the plan for life in order to keep the weight off.

^^^^Rationalizing at its best^^^. I'm out.

My program is very conservative, particularly about alcohol. The transference of addictions was the main concern, as nutritionist, surgeons, psycholologist, and nurses all discussed with me during all stages of this process. I drank maybe a glass of wine a month before surgery, so didn't quite understand what the big deal was. Well after they showed the research during our various meetings...I no longer questioned the importance of being aware of this problem. Combine the research proven issues of addiction, empty calories, stress on the liver after a major surgery, not to mention my new tummy is so small I really don't want to waste space on alcohol...I choose not to go against my program's rules in regards to alcohol. Just not worth it in my opinion. But something I've learned on boards...some people rationalize/loosely interpret their programs rules...so my words or the words of way more experienced/successful others is taken offense to or just ignored anyways no matter how much logic is provided. Folks will do what they want to do period. Again this seems like program recommendations, where is the research you speak of that was presented to you ? I would like to see that.I am a librarian so research is my thing. However, I'm leery of spending my time locating the research for you when a simple Google search using the key words, "alcohol dependence bariatric surgery" returns quite a few results. Seems like this issue is no secret. If I thought it would make a difference & you would use this info in a responsible manner, I'd hop on that research for you. But Something tells me that you are going to do what you want to do anyways. What I don't get is why not save time & take your surgeon's & the many folks on this board's word for it. I mean we can't all be blindly following our programs plans without logic & reason... right?

My program is very conservative, particularly about alcohol. The transference of addictions was the main concern, as nutritionist, surgeons, psycholologist, and nurses all discussed with me during all stages of this process. I drank maybe a glass of wine a month before surgery, so didn't quite understand what the big deal was. Well after they showed the research during our various meetings...I no longer questioned the importance of being aware of this problem. Combine the research proven issues of addiction, empty calories, stress on the liver after a major surgery, not to mention my new tummy is so small I really don't want to waste space on alcohol...I choose not to go against my program's rules in regards to alcohol. Just not worth it in my opinion. But something I've learned on boards...some people rationalize/loosely interpret their programs rules...so my words or the words of way more experienced/successful others is taken offense to or just ignored anyways no matter how much logic is provided. Folks will do what they want to do period.

@ Yes, it is very confusing seeing the varieties that Bariatrics patients eat. I felt the same way when I began my journey. But after awhile on the boards and websites, you begin to see trends in the more successful people and trends in the more unsuccessful folks. I began to pay close attention to the veterans and those who were successful in meeting their goal and staying close to it. I emulate those people because that is where I want to be. My suggestion is to take others suggestions with a grain of salt, but pay very close attention to your nutritionist, surgeon, & the successful vets.

I've tried updating the weight on my profile. I received a message that there needed to be a goal date. Really don't desire to put in a particular date in this field, because my goal date is when my body decides for itself. Anywho I went ahead and put a date in that field, updated my current weight, then clicked save. Even though a green msg appeared saying changes have been saved...it still shows my old weight.

I haven't read through the responses...only the original post. So here it goes... When I was obese, I would frequently make people laugh when I said "God made me big because he knew I wouldn't act right skinny." You see, I have no issues with women with lovely figures or even lovelier Confidence displaying what God gave them. I appreciate beauty. There's something powerful in feeling great & dressing in a way that makes you feel good & not caring what others think. Now that I've gotten my groove back, you'd better believe I'm going to wear whatever makes me feel pretty, sexy, etc. as Bobby brown said, It's My Perogative!

I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone's responses. I'm approaching my goal in little less than 6 months & Im finding myself to be anxious and nervous. It didn't help that my surgeons are over the moon happy with my progress and don't want to see me until my 1 yr anniversary in December. So I kind of feel like I'm on my own for the first time since I started this process...

@@B-52 Real quick...cause I'm going to be late, but just wanted to say that I hear you and agree. I wish there was a forum specifically for those who actually follow the plan or whose level of commitment is unwavering for the most part. Ive also found that some of the folks/vets that stick around are really negative & as we know...negativity is contagious. Peace & blessings

I think I had a 32 BMI the day of surgery. Many of your concerns have to do with your mindset and perspective. My purpose for getting the sleeve was 90% quality of life, 10% want to be skinny. i would ask what is your purpose for this procedure? What do you ultimately want to gain from it? Then focus & let go of the concerns that do not factor into your decision. I can tell you that after losing 100+ pounds, decreasing my meds from 4 to 1, no longer having any health problems, wearing 1/2 my original size, and being in better shape than most people half my age more than makes up for my smaller chest size or the possible temporary loss of some hair or the adjustment to my lifestyle.

Here's what works for me... Prayer Yoga works wonders . There are YouTube videos and an awesome App called Yoga Studio. Walking Meditation/Self Hypnosis Apps Manicure Journaling

@@sweetie716 I am a thyroid cancer survivor and have to take my thyroid med everyday for the rest of my life. I totally get what you're saying in regards to the "Vitamin timing". I take my thyroid med @ 5:30am, 2 of my calcium tabs before I leave the house at 6:45am. I keep my Multivitamin in my desk at work and take it at lunchtime, then I take the other 2 calcium tabs before bed. I've read that 4 hrs is the optimal time to wait before taking Vitamins. My Endo and my recent blood work says my regimen is working just fine as my thyroid levels and vitamin levels are great. Also, there have been plenty of times where I've forgotten my vitamins and still my bloodwork is great, so I wouldn't worry too much unless your bloodwork shows a deficiency. Regarding the feeling fat...been there & still struggle with it. It's called body dysmorphia, and it's something I need to work on. But I'm a work in progress and my mind will catch up to my body changes in time. About things slowing down...things haven't really slowed much for you in my opinion. A couple of pounds could be anything (constipation, Water retention, etc.). I once stayed at the same weight for 3 weeks. Keep calm & breathe, you are doing great!

@@LipstickLady Are we held more accountable if we call it "cheating" vs. held more accountable if it's called a "choice"? I would argue that both descriptions equal "eating off plan". The stagnate scale, resulting weight gain, or if I'm lucky...no weight change, doesn't change the fact that I've detoured, however temporarily, off plan. For me, simply eating off plan results in my being held accountable...sooner or later the scale, my emotions, and my health will hold me accountable regardless of what term we use to describe it.

This was an interesting thread. Thanks for making me think @@LipstickLady . As I thought this through, I came to the conclusion that whether we call it, cheating or choosing, simply doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I came across a quote that says, "If you kind of sort of try, you kind of sorta get results." In other words, the results you achieve are directly proportional with the efforts you put in. So really, whether we call it cheating or choosing...kind of a moot point in my opinion and is just semantics describing the same effort or lack thereof.