Dub

Howdy, man. Welcome to the site and that's great news on your plans. I can only speak from my own experience. The whole sleeve surgery and recovery was very, very smooth and straightforward. I've followed all my plans instructions and have be free of issues. The weight loss I experienced during the pre-op diet and pos-op (same diet) has been very consistent and I feel much better already. My knees and back are thanking me. This site's app is okay.....but for the full effect, try logging in on a PC or Mac and view the full site. You can see more and log in your own stats and view other's. It sure is helpful to me to see stats from folks that are a year, two years....and more post-op. Hearing from them what their successful and failing methods is powerful stuff that can help you shape your own strategy. Again, my experience was that pre-op diet was the most difficulty part. It was difficult because it was vastly different than what I'd done before. Difficult because it came at a time leading up to the surgery.....which I was beyond ready to get through........difficulty because I wanted to be past all that. It passed quickly. Staying busy will help. You are truly blessed to have a strong support system in place. That is an asset. A tremendous asset. Good for you. Get rolling along and know with absolute certainty that 11-17 is going to get here fast. You'll be well on your way and losing weight well before Thanksgiving and by Christmas.....wow, man, by Christmas you'll be looking & feeling like a younger version of yourself. It's guaranteed. Just follow your plan and enjoy the results. I laugh inside now when I hear folks I know talking about having to be careful that their holiday weight gains have started. They are already fretting over gaining weight from Halloween.....and dreading what's ahead the next two months.....already talking about how they need to lose weight....next year....beginning on New Year's Day...... You'll will be striding into New Years with an new lean body. What a great way to start the year.

It is a gastric roller coaster, indeed. You had me laughing like hell at that description, man. Accurate and funny. Could be either. I remember my pre-op diet very well. It was calorie deficit and also put me into ketosis after about 4-5 days. It was no surprise, as I'd been there-done-that during my many weight loss attempts in the past. I was comforted with the knowledge that the feeling puny only lasts a day or two if you'll stay the course and get through it. If you cave in and have carbs, then, you'll simply prolong the struggle and keep on feeling like hell. Stay the course and gut it out. You'll get used to the ketosis quickly and your body will adapt. You'll amplify the weight loss, most likely, too. Enjoy feeling those pounds drop off and know that you are underway. Your ship is sailing already.....plotting a course to a sunny beach somewhere where you'll enjoy strutting around nekkid.....or closer to it than you've dared think about. The magic is already happening. Go with it.

Thank you, Darlin'. I'm really not an arsehole.......or not to most folks, anyway. I try my best to be supportive around here and I really am grateful as hell for my experiences and assistance I've been given here. It's been hugely helpful. I simply don't posses the proper social graces and filters to keep my mouth shut when I should. In person, I'm a fairly polite and easy going guy.......until I'm not. I've always appreciated the support that is real, accurate and safe. I don't see the benefit of someone validating unsafe behaviors or supporting actions that don't lead to weight loss. I log on here to help gain perspective with weight loss and how to best benefit from weight loss surgery. For whining and self destructive stuff there is always Facebook.....plenty of folks there to tell ya its' okay to keep doing whatever you like and it'll all get better.....no effort is needed from you to improve....etc. I could go back and read some of my early posts here and laugh my ass off at how I viewed things then. I try to keep that in mind. Everyone is at a different point in their development .......but damn, we are having or had surgery for weight loss. You expect a certain degree of commitment from us, the patients........... I know that I am glad to have you around, @@Dub, as well as a lot of the other folks who comment, offer advice and support on a regular basis. You can tell, the ones among us, that have their **** straight. Its a huge resource to be able to tap into, but you have to be receptive and take it all in, even when it's not what you want to hear. And I think the support here works two ways. We all get something when we need something, and get to give something when someone else needs something. Regardless of what situation I was looking for at any given moment, being able to offer help or receive help, has done wonders for me on my journey. Its most therapeutic. Hugely therapeutic, I agree. We may not always like what we hear....but when it's coming from someone 1-2 years post-op who's living at their goal.....and been through all the challenges......it sure resonates in my head. So grateful for them.....and the folks that are kicking ass at every part of the process. All we can do is our best. The good news is that our best + wls + ongoing support = potential for great success.

I ponder the possibilities of how much more effective my weight loss coaching sessions with my NUT & Psyche could have gone..........

Powerful difference. Well done, sir. Very well done !!!!!!!!

Thank you, Darlin'. I'm really not an arsehole.......or not to most folks, anyway. I try my best to be supportive around here and I really am grateful as hell for my experiences and assistance I've been given here. It's been hugely helpful. I simply don't posses the proper social graces and filters to keep my mouth shut when I should. In person, I'm a fairly polite and easy going guy.......until I'm not. I've always appreciated the support that is real, accurate and safe. I don't see the benefit of someone validating unsafe behaviors or supporting actions that don't lead to weight loss. I log on here to help gain perspective with weight loss and how to best benefit from weight loss surgery. For whining and self destructive stuff there is always Facebook.....plenty of folks there to tell ya its' okay to keep doing whatever you like and it'll all get better.....no effort is needed from you to improve....etc. I could go back and read some of my early posts here and laugh my ass off at how I viewed things then. I try to keep that in mind. Everyone is at a different point in their development .......but damn, we are having or had surgery for weight loss. You expect a certain degree of commitment from us, the patients...........

Hey Dub Just curious...exactly when did you stop drinking diet soda? Was it months before surgery? Right before surgery? Did you gradually stop or stop cold turkey? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this! Howdy. I began to scale back on things and it really made it easier for me. I had a back injury in early April. I was doped up with meds and realized this would be ongoing for a while....stopped all alcohol at this point. I sure didn't need pain meds mixed with alcohol and the problems that could come from there. The back surgeon was the one that recommend bariatric surgery (I'd already had a hyperbaric & wound center surgeon and a vein surgeon both recommend it a couple months prior while I was getting other stuff treated and corrected). The back pain shut me the hell down.....shutdown in a way I've never experienced and it scared the crap outa me. Rapid and sustained weight loss was my highest priority. By early June I was in a bariatric program and began losing weight. Exercise was out of the question and I was fighting to get mobility to make it back to my job after being absent for 6 weeks. Returned to work and struggled but kept after it. I realized that my current diet was vastly different that my post op diet and it was getting results....but was just different. I conferred with the NUT and the program's nurse & advocate. My initial approach was to go low-calorie. The advice I took from them was to continue with what was helping me lose weight, but to ensure I was getting Protein. They stressed that there was going to be some rapid weight loss upcoming and to maintain protein levels. I basically swapped over to more of an Atkins diet. The diet sodas were more of my own concern than their's. They said that as long as I realized I'd not be able to drink them post op......for several months.....then it wasn't a problem. I used to drink 4 20oz Diet Dews or Diet Cokes on a workday......by the time I was a month out from surgery I was down to 1-2 on a workday and none on my days off. I've had zero desire for them since the surgery on October 13. About 3 weeks prior to surgery I started having an occasional Diet Snapple Tea or Lipton Tea. There are numerous flavors in their diet line-ups and there is no carbonation to contend with. The best two things that I did when leading up to surgery was to eliminate alcohol and to begin losing weight. Today is the third week past surgery and I feel really good. I run out of energy fairly easily. I go in short bursts. I'm anticipating that improving after my next surgeon's appointment on the 4th week. He'll add some more fuel to my daily menu that should certainly help. The weight loss has been really steady and I can see a difference, but more importantly, I can FEEL a difference. I worried about a lot of my demons leading up to the surgery......but the two that mattered most were as I stated....dropping the alcohol and putting forth the effort to lose weight. I've got a secret weapon that I'm about to unleash on my weight loss that's going to pump me into overdrive.......I've yet to do much of any type of exercise throughout this entire process. Very minimal. I'm a dude who enjoys exercise, too. I've been very cautious with my healing back and taking things extremely cautious with the 9 wounds in my gut form the hernia repair & sleeve. The wounds are healing nicely and my back feels better. I'll be starting the gym tomorrow (treadmill). Things are about to really speed up on my weight loss. What I've done since June is basically been done while being sedentary. I'm stoked. Treadmill guy......elliptical guy.......and then by this Summer when the hernia has healed, I'll add in weight training. By next October....my one year mark post-op......the physical changes could be significant. The emotional changes have already been. HOPE is a powerful asset. Having days when my back is trusty......and getting past having to rely on hydrocodone and other pain meds........just Proteins, water, and my blood pressure meds only.........things are getting better. Life is good. Life..... while having visible abs at 47 will be gooder. I'm looking forward to the future in a way that I haven't in a long, long time.

Man......I really hope you get this sorted. You've got some strong advocates appearing in this thread already who have nailed down the need to get this resolved. You mentioned Duke earlier in the thread. If that is a possibility for you then I would HIGHLY recommend Duke. Stellar medical facility in every way, shape and form. It's not fair what has happened to you and they can hopefully get this sorted out. You are going to have to be persistent as hell. It's understandable that you are beyond tired of this whole deal. Hang in there a little longer and fight to get it resolved.

I can only imagine how that went down........two Iron wills colliding.......forgedtits and the doctor (I'm seeing Arnold Swartzenaeger in this role for some reason....) "I want a sammich dambit !!!" "NO...just Soup for you". "It's not fair......I should have cupcakes". "No......Protein Powda only......now, get to the choppa". "I want oodles of noodles and bread bowls" "STOP with your whining" I almost feel sorry for the surgeons.......I mean, they have the ability to change lives in a way that patients can only dream of......yet their results are held hostage by those that want to fight them every step of the way. I simply don't understand how people make it to the surgery and have so damn little understanding of basic calories and nutrition. This stuff is taught in elementary schools. Hell, I grew up in the boonies.....where the teachers main challenge was keeping us from breeding our cousins.....yet somehow.....someway....they taught us the basic concepts of how to eat. Sure....many, like me, turn their back on that knowledge and develop weight problems as adults. Thankfully I stayed off my cousin, though. There is normally so much education that goes into a bariatric program that you'd expect good comprehension of the surgery and the demands that follow. Add to the fact that she's lived through this with her husbands wls.....although a different procedure. OP is right. It's not fair. It's not fair to the surgeon. That poor surgeon will never get the time back that she's going to spend arguing with the OP in this visit. OP already knows everything and won't be satisfied until the surgeon yields and admits that cupcakes, Cookies and pizza are in fact, great foods that will yield to a slim, trim and sexy new you. Poor surgeon. She could be spending that time with patients that actually are receptive and willing to listen and follow.

unjury makes a chicken soup flavored Protein powder. You mix it into Water that's now hotter than 160 degrees to keep it from clumping up badly. I add a small amount of Mrs Dash and it's really good. It's a nice break from the Protein shakes. I've been doing the shakes for 2 weeks prior to surgery and 3 weeks afterwards......trust me....this soup is a nice change.

I had surgery the same day as you did. I am allowed a glass of tea or coffee now. I'd assumed that I would go nuts and guzzle those down as soon as allowed. I really haven't. I could take them or leave them. I only have them on 1/3 of the days since I've been allowed. I was a very heavy Diet Dew & Diet Coke drinker prior to surgery. I'm not wanting to fool around with carbonated drinks now......and flat drinks suck.......so Water is king right now. I really thought the low amounts of caffeine I am getting now would leave me feeling like crap.....in withdrawal or something. Honestly, it's just not been an issue.

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One of my first meals when I was allowed Turkey, chicken, Pork and Fish, was a Turkey Burger on the grill. No bun, with melted American cheese, sautéed peppers and onions with a couple pickle slices and some garlic mayo. I ate about 1/3 of a small patty. It was the most amazing thing I had in my mouth in over a month. The second best was the chicken cheddar garlic sausage with peppers and onions. Won't be too much longer @@Dub! Hells Yes. !!!!!! That all sounds great. I'm ready to make my son's favorite burger recipe. The patties alone will be fine by me. I'm also ready for some grilled chicken breasts.....diced up with a small bit of my vinegar sauce on it. Hell, right about now I'll be happy with an omlette.

Inspiring story!!!!!!!!!!

One way to take the worrying out of the equation is to track your calorie intake. You'll know ahead of time what the scale is going to read.

Great point. Ours maintain a private Facebook page. They are always answering the "can I have this" at this point questions. Sometimes they'll post a new product or recipe they like.

Outfreakingstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are gonna do great. Focus on the daily diet and watch the weight fall off these next two weeks. It's understandable to be on edge right now. Surround yourself with positive people and grind out the pre-op diet. Don't read the whining or complaining posts or listen to the food focused people who can't envision not eating cupcakes every day. You'll do great and reach your health goals in time for beach season.

Goodbye French fries (I used to hit them with hot sauce) Goodbye shepards pie. I've never been much of a ketchup fan. Mustard, I really like and am glad it gets the stay around.

Nothing easy about it, but it's really simple. You can nail it down. It's only two weeks. It'll be a lot easier after your surgery.

Howdy @@oldmike You raise some great questions. Before my surgery I was a big fan of grilling & chilling. I'm not far enough along with my weight loss surgery allowable diet to see. Still in the liquids stage. I'm thinking that I'll still really enjoy it and just buy smaller cuts like OKCPirate is doing. Right now I'd eat the hind leg off a hobby horse to get away from these damn shakes. Who knows.......I may do some burgers for my family tomorrow.

I get it. It is revealing how much our family time occurs at meals and snack times. I just picked my son up from school and stopped at a local bbq restaurant on the way home to pic up a family order. Ribs, pulled pork, slaw, baked Beans, etc, etc, etc. Made it home and watched as my family dug in and enjoyed themselves grubbing down on foods that I love. I hung back and had my glass of Water. Thing of it is.....they are all lean ad healthy.....unlike me. I've enjoyed way more than my share of such food over the years and it's perfectly okay for me right now to not have these things but to stick to my plan. There is a lot to be learned from watching healthy folks eat and enjoy food in healthy ways. It's helping me put things into perspective and learn how to handle myself in the future.

Restaurant hasn't happened for me yet....I'll be 3 weeks post-op tomorrow. I'm certain that it'll be someplace with tasty Soups, though.

So, my take? I would bet that many, if not most, of us fall off the wagon at least once during our process but DUDE!! Hostess cupcakes? Little Debbies? Pop Tarts? Popcorn balls!?!?!? If you are going to fall, at least fall with something that is worth it. Cheesecake, homemade fudge brownies, great quality chocolate.... add some hookers and a bottle of "Jack" and I'm there! I'm down with that !!!!!

My starting weight on June 1st was 478. My weight the morning of my October 13th surgery was 422. My weight this morning was 389. I feel much better than I have in a long, long time. My knee arthritis is doing well, but it's not being heavily dosed with meds like it was pre-op. I'll be returning to work this week so I'll see how that goes and how people respond. I've been running out of gas really quick since post op and attribute that to consuming so few calories. I'll be upping my calories next week, according to my surgeon as I add stuff to my menu. It's very, very early on with the deal but the progress has been steady and I have been feeling much better in my joints and back, especially. I am really looking forward to reaching and maintaining my goal weight. This is going to be not only fun but the quality of life will be improved a great deal. I am very glad I finally had this surgery. I think I can finally gain the advantage over the weight battle....once and for all.....and quit losing and regaining the same 25, 50, 100 pounds all the time.