JamieLogical

Just do as much as you can. It was a good while before I was getting my 64+ ounces a day. A couple of things you can try is to experiment with Water at different temperatures is easier or harder for you to drink. I found VERY cold water or warm drinks (tea, broth) easiest for me to drink. Some people can't handle cold water at all and prefer it closer to room temperature. Another thing you can do is try to flavor your water by adding some milo, crystal light, etc. Or even mixing in some fruit juice. I was allowed a 50/50 juice/water in the early days post-op, but encouraged to discontinue that shortly thereafter, since they don't want us drinking our calories long term.

In 2010/2011 I lost 90 pounds "on my own" and I hated my loose skin and empty breasts. My husband didn't mind one bit. H loved me 100% and always made me feel sexy and wanted, from when I was 270 pounds down to 180 with all the skin. I opted to have plastic surgery, but it was 100% for me, just like I ultimately had WLS for me when I ultimately regained 80 of those 90 pounds I'd lost. You can only do these things for yourself. You are the one who has to live with them for the rest of your life. I'm glad you are realizing that and I hope you ultimately reach a decision regarding PS that will result in the greatest amount of happiness for yourself. Good luck in your blossoming relationship!

I did the same, but of course 2 days post op, we are ALL on liquid diets. So technically adhering to the guidelines the OP's surgeon suggested.

Are you just a few days or weeks out? If so, you are definitely not the only one who regrets your decision. It's VERY common in the early days as you are healing and adapting. I promise you that it gets better day-by-day and week-by-week. Once you are back to feeling "normal" your regrets will be gone for the most part.

Hey! I'm a woman and I'm fascinated with boobs too. Boobs are just awesome, no matter who you are!

I agree with Kindle. I don't think you can go wrong with either option and you just have to base your decision on the criteria that is most critical to you.

I had to give up caffeine for my pre-op diet and 30 days post-op. It was the WORST. I literally counted down the days until I could have my coffee again! Fortunately, I'd given up soda years ago on a previous diet, so I didn't have to struggle with missing carbonated beverages as well.

I told my boss I was "having surgery" and left it at that. I didn't say what kind of surgery and they legally have no right to ask, unless they are handling your FMLA paperwork. As to whether or not you can just use sick days, that would be dependent on your company policies. I didn't have enough sick days saved up, but luckily, my employer has a "catastrophic leave bank" that all employees "pay" one sick day into each year and then if an employee needs extended medical leave, they can draw from that bank so long as they qualify via FMLA paperwork. If you have an employee handbook, I would start there to figure out what you need to do. If your employer has an HR department, that would probably be your next stop.

My loss has been SLOOOOW, but steady. My 6 month surgiversary is one week from Sunday and I've lost 44 pounds post-op. I just consistently lose 1.2 to 1.6 pounds per week, no matter what I do in terms of food and exercise. I work out 5 days a week now, but I wasn't exercising for a while because I hurt my hip and the loss has stayed the same all the way through. I hear you on the Protein Shakes. I was SOOOOO over them between the pre-op diet and the post-op liquid and pureed stages. I switched to Protein Bars as soon as I was allowed solid foods, though it took me about an hour to eat the first one I tried! It got much easier and now takes me maybe 10 minutes to eat one?

I started out losing 1.2-1.6 pounds a week and still am, almost 6 months out. It may be slow, but at least it's consistent!

I'm almost 6 months post-op so I can eat any meat now, though I'm supposed to restrict beef. I eat beef maybe once a week, if that? I am not a fan of fish, but I love shellfish so I eat a lot of shrimp. I eat mostly chicken (obviously), but also do turkey sausage, pork, or whatever else my husband makes for dinner. He's the cook in our house and I just have whatever the Protein is from whatever meal he is making for himself. He's fond of various Indian sauces, so he'll do Chicken Makhani or Rogan Josh. He makes his with rice, but I just have the chicken and sauce. He makes pork enchiladas with verde sauce and I will just have the pork and salsa without the tortilla. He does turkey kielbasa with perogies and I just have the sausage. He'll do turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes and I'll just eat the meatloaf (with ketchup!). You get the picture. I always do leftovers for lunch, so I typically have two meals of meat a day. Breakfast is a Protein Bar and my Snacks are cheese sticks and greek yogurt.

Is niacin deficiency an issue with sleeve patients? I have never heard of such a thing and seems unlikely given that we're on a high Protein diet (most meats contain niacin) and on Multivitamins.

I had to only use 2 oz. containers in the soft foods stage, just to warn you. It was a while before I could handle 4 ounces of anything (even soup) and even now, 6 months post-op, I can typically only handle about 3 ounces of meat.

I would consider 3-4 pounds a week very rapid!

Yep! It just boils down to math. In order to get all of your protein in and considering that most protein comes with at least SOME fat, there just isn't a lot of room left for carbs. If you are supplementing with Protein shakes or bars, those usually come with SOME carbs, but most meat sources don't have any carbs unless they are breaded or sauced. Right now all of my carbs come from Protein Bars and any breading or sauce on my meat Entrees. I don't have room for side dishes or toppings or bread/rolls for a sandwich. I have meat with some sort of seasoning or sauce and that's all I have room for.

I measured at first to just get a hang of it, but I mostly just eyeball my food now and judge how much I'll be able to eat, because I go from "not full" to "WAY TOO FULL" like the flick of a switch. I am pretty good at it now, but occasionally misjudge and pay for it in the form of extreme discomfort. Luckily I never actually throw up.

That is an excellent analogy!

I had weight-induced GERD and heartburn pre-op. At higher weights it was an issue, at lower weights it was not (I was a yoyo dieter so my weight fluctuated a LOT). Since surgery, the GERD has been pretty consistent, even as I've dropped below a weight were it was no longer an issue in the past. I take omeprazole daily and that keeps it in check, but the few times I've tried to go off it, the GERD kicked in right away.

My point was that this is a thread about Ariel Ortiz and OCC. While it is perfectly legitimate to raise concerns about Dr. Ortiz in this thread, it's not really appropriate to then go on extolling the virtues of another specific surgeon. If freddie wants to go start another thread about Dr. Corvala and discuss his/her decision making process and experience there, then that would be extremely helpful for people beginning their research and working toward making their own decision. This thread is already 190 pages long and has a lot of information to get through for people considering Dr. Ortiz and OCC, it doesn't need to be muddled up by extensive posts about other surgeons. Good luck with your pre-op diet and I hope you have a great trip and successful surgery. Definitely post back here if you have any questions or concerns about what to expect and let us know how everything goes!

I had similar issues, but with my esophagus. It would constrict painfully with every tiny sip. That lasted for the first two weeks or so, but it did subside once I was healed up.

There is no thigh gap in my future unless I get to an underweight BMI. I have HUGE thighs. I'm just going to end up with a lot of saggy skin in that area that causes me some unpleasant chafing, I'm pretty sure.

The first few days are ROUGH. I'd go so far as to say the first few weeks, actually. Yes, you read stories on the forums of people going back to work just a few days post-op, but those are definitely the exceptions, not the rule! I think the vast majority of people really struggle in that first little stretch where every single sip is a chore. But, I promise you that it DOES get easier day-by-day and week-by-week. Hang in there!

Wow! Congratulations!

Aw, congratulations! I wish you the best of luck on this new journey. I'm so happy that you are on a path that will lead you to long term health.

Welcome! I wish you much success with the pre-op diet. It can be really rough. The first few days are the worst, so push through those and then it will be a little easier. Feel free to post any questions or concerns you might have about your upcoming trip to OCC. And good luck!