shriner37

The literature from my surgery practice said to expect a two-week pre-op liquid diet, but the surgeon told me I only needed to do one week. I think it was because my BMI or weight was below a certain level.

Something to keep in mind... BMI does calculate based on actual height, but lots of practices use the MetLife height/weight tables to determine "ideal" weight, so the "excess" weight can be determined. If you do use the MetLife tables they measure height in one inch heels, so you would add an inch to your actual height when using them. They are ridiculously optimistic in determining what ideal weight is, but many practices use them as the baseline to figure what your excess weight is, and how much of your excess you can expect to lose.

There are very few absolutes in this world, and that also relates to weight loss surgery. My surgeon told me that the key was moderation. The sleeve can tolerate alcohol just fine - the question is can I consume it in moderation and still achieve my health and weight goals. For me before surgery beer was a big piece of my social world, especially on weekends. In years past I had owned a bar for nearly a decade and drank almost daily. I believe alcohol, beer specifically, was a large part of my weight problem. In the seven months post surgery I have learned the following: 1) my sleeve can indeed tolerate alcohol; 2) it is a 'slider' meaning it doesn't fill me up like good quality Protein does; 3) it does hit me a little harder than before, and 4) it absolutely stops my weight loss in its tracks. For all of these reasons I keep alcohol consumption to a minimum, reserving it only for special occasions. For example I'm traveling to Las Vegas this coming weekend and will surely have a few cocktails. However I've invested too much in my weight loss journey to allow regular alcohol consumption to derail it.

No real tips but I know how you feel. For me it's body image and self confidence. I never had the mobility issues you mention but always thought of myself as 'fat and ugly' and so therefore shied away from many social settings, dating, etc. When I did try I was either ignored or immediately categorized into the friend zone. I'm a bit over halfway to my goal and looking in the mirror now I see a build that isn't a lot different from the average guy my age (mid 50's). Not where I want to end my journey but definitely not grotesque or unique. However, I'm so conditioned to being rejected, treated as that 'fat friend' or just ignored that in my mind I'm still 'fat and ugly' and someone no one would want to go out with. As another example I always shied away from cameras and photographs, as I didn't want to see myself. That is another hard one to overcome. The exercise portion of my weight loss regimen has been lacking of late, and I hope that pursuing a full program of cardio and resistance training can not only reshape my actual body, but also my mind's image of it. I'm working on these mentally as well and hope that as my weight loss journey continues I can overcome the image and develop the necessary self confidence. If I can't improve this on my own it will be something worth seeking counseling, as I want to achieve the full benefit of my weight loss efforts.

I've heard something similar. From what I have read a stall occurs when the body is focusing on tearing down fat cells instead of just emptying them, which happens periodically throughout the weight loss process. This could explain why we tend to lose inches during a stall while we are not losing pounds.

Congratulations on great results! Search the forum for "three week stall". It's a common occurrence and completely normal. You've lost 40 pounds in a short period of time, and your body needs a period of adjustment. It generally occurs sometime in the 2-4 week period after surgery and can last a few days or even several weeks. You will have other periods of stall along the way, just embrace them as a necessary part of the journey.

Regrets? - None Wishes - I wish I had done this years ago. Changes - the biggest change for me is that my new way of eating has significantly altered my lifestyle. food used to be a social event... I used to go out to lunch with a group daily; now it's maybe a couple times a month. I also eat out as little as possible since it's difficult to get the right foods and portions at most places. For me now food is fuel, and refueling is way less fun than social eating. Even if it is the right approach to take.

There are a couple of studies out there indicating that over a long period of time the RnY may be more effective than the sleeve. I don't know whether to believe them or not, since research studies can often be developed to achieve a specific result. Plus, the sleeve just hasn't been around long enough for lots of long term studies, where the RnY has been the staple of weight loss surgery for over a decade. That being said, I went for the sleeve and have been happy with it. One question though - my surgeon told me no NSAIDs with the sleeve. I had not heard that restriction was only applicable to the bypass. Did I understand that correctly?

Horizontal. :-) Seriously, the first couple of nights after surgery I slept in a recliner just because I am a side sleeper and it was a bit painful with the sutures and staples. After two nights I was able to sleep on my side, gingerly at first. After the first couple of weeks it was back to normal though.

I was told that the sleeve is created from stomach tissue that does not easily stretch. Carbonation expands in the stomach and can be painful as it has nowhere to go. I have had a few sips of carbonated drink since surgery and did feel some discomfort. I did find out I could tolerate beer (which we shouldn't) by pouring it into a glass and allowing the carbonation to exit first, but if I try to drink it directly from a bottle it is challenging and even painful. My surgeon told me the issue of drinking with straws was an urban legend and told me there was no issue doing so.

I'm not as far out from surgery as you, but I did get myself completely off track at about 6 months post surgery. My weight loss stopped for about 6 weeks. I considered doing the '5 day pouch reset' protocol which basically mimics the immediate post-op diet progression from liquids to solids over a five day period. However, I found that what worked for me was just going back to the basics - logging all my food and focusing on eliminating carbs and getting in 90+ grams of Protein, while trying to stay at or around 1,000 calories per day. In essence what I did was similar to the induction phase of the Atkins program - eliminate most all carbs, focus on protein and get my calories back in line. I found that the weight loss started promptly when I did this. I wish you luck in finding the secret that works for you!

I too have found that a high Protein, low carb diet works best for me. However I also found that I absolutely need to log and track my food intake. First, it helps me achieve my protein goal (90+ grams per day). But more importantly drives accountability as it forces me to confront everything that I consume with the filter of "do I really want to eat this and have to log it". I can't tell you how many times I thought about eating something I shouldn't and that simple question stopped me. Each of us have our own drivers and needs. For me, the practice of food logging and calorie tracking helps drive personal accountability and I would not be successful in this journey without it. I believe when I reach my goal weight I will be able to loosen up a bit, but always know that if I slip that going back to a high protein, low carb diet with tracking will get me back on track.

I'm close to seven months out and still can't really eat much salad, mostly because of the bulk of the lettuce and vegetables. I find if I get the Protein I need I can only eat a small portion of salad. If I try to eat a bigger salad I either end up picking off all the protein first or not getting enough of it in the meal. We have a salad bar at our work cafeteria and I do occasionally prepare a small side salad to go along with a chicken breast or some other lean protein, making sure I focus on the protein and just eat the salad as a side dish.

I think the lifting will be a bigger issue for you than the time off. Of course everyone's experiences were different but I had surgery on a Tuesday and was back at work the following Monday. I actually could have returned on Friday had I needed to. I will say that it took a week or two for me to get back to full strength and stamina, probably due to being on liquids only for the first couple of weeks. My surgeon required me to not lift more than like 15 pounds for the first month or so after surgery.

At five months after VSG I was clicking along, well on track for my weight loss target. Then came almost two months of extensive travel, being on the road almost every week. This included a week-long sales meeting, a week of vacation and a week of training plus some other trips. I got completely off track from my diet and also consumed way more alcohol than I should have. Long and short, my weight loss stopped in its tracks. I think I lost two pounds over two months. The good news was that despite all of this I didn't gain anything. Getting back on track meant going back to basics. A return to tracking all of my intake, with a focus on Protein and limiting carbs. Plus a re-dedication to physical activity and exercise. The combination of these has gotten my weight loss moving again.

I'm in a similar situation, although I have about 45 more pounds to lose. I think I prompted mine by traveling for almost a solid month, not eating an optimal selection and also consuming some alcohol during that period. Since that time I've only been able to drop a pound or two, and my weight has been fluctuating around the same point. I'm having a hard time getting the weight loss restarted. Thinking this coming week I will kick up the exercise routine and also maybe do a '5 day pouch reset' program to see if I can get the weight loss rolling again.

I don't think the bypass is still the 'gold standard' today. It had been the most common procedure for many years, but VSG has taken over as the most commonly completed procedure today, for all of the reasons mentioned. Less involved, lower risk of complications and fewer issues after surgery, all with essentially the same expected weight loss. With all that being said, the choice is one you should make after consulting with your bariatric surgeon. They will help you review your situation and decide which procedure best meets your needs.

The recurring theme in this thread is very true - you can't make someone want to change themselves, they have to reach that decision for themselves. I think all of us worked through a process regarding our weight... denying we have an issue, accepting the fact that life is different for us, and then ultimately deciding to make a lifelong commitment to change. I know for me it took years before I was ready. No one told me I should do this and frankly I would have resented that information had they presented it. I had to decide for myself. There are a couple of folks at work (one is my employee the other a co-worker) who both have significant health issues related to their weight. I was hopeful, along with some others, that my surgery experience would be a motivator for them to consider change. It hasn't. I've had lots of people ask me about it but unfortunately neither of the folks who really need to change have done so. I've had others at work suggest I talk to these two about my surgery to which I said absolutely not. It's not my place to initiate such a conversation. If either of them were to ask I'd gladly share my learned knowledge about WLS and my experiences. But they have to be interested enough to ask. I know a spouse is a different relationship than a co-worker but the same psychological barriers still apply.

I think you will find this forum, in general, to be a great place to find support and answers to your questions. There are people here in every stage of the process, and no matter what you want to know someone has experienced it and will be willing to share. Good luck on your journey!

I slept the first two nights in a recliner, then was able to move to the bed. I had some discomfort when rolling over or moving too much for the first couple of weeks. It was mostly pain around the one large incision, and took a couple weeks to fully resolve.

I'm only about six months post surgery but I can give you a few insights, at least for me. - My stomach capacity is more than it was right after surgery, but still way smaller than before surgery. Depending on the meal I can eat somewhere between half and all of my Protein entree with a little bit of side dish. - The reduced stomach capacity makes you think more about what you are eating. Since you are eating much less food, it is more important to make each bite count with proper nutrition and food selection. - I had no problem being able to consume alcohol with the sleeve, but it did stop my weight loss in its tracks. I now limit myself to a very rare drink on special occasions. Save it for maintenance. - You will become an expert at how much protein is in everything you like and eat. - Vitamins and Calcium chews have become part of my daily routine. - My motivation to exercise is still as challenging as it was before surgery. Routines are very hard to change.

Thanks for the comments. As I said, this was a very good learning experience. I knew that caloric beverages are the arch enemy of weight loss. I don't think I can pinpoint the flawed logic that enabled this behavior. It may have been "I'm on vacation" or "it's only once a year" type of logic, or it may have been that I've had drinks before on occasion (very limited and very occasionally) without much weight loss impact. Whatever it was, this was a very good eye-opening reinforcement that for me alcohol or any caloric beverage is not compatible with weight loss.

February is always the most challenging month for me personally. My company conducts a week long national sales meeting, usually at an offsite location. Other work projects involved travel and I also try to take vacation with friends and family to escape the cold Midwest winters. This year I was on the road for 20 of 28 nights during a four week period in February/March. I was a regular drinker before surgery, but after surgery have cut back to just a rare drink on special occasions. During these trips, though, of those 20 nights I ended up consuming alcohol to some degree during 14 of them. This is the first time since surgery I've consumed more than just an occasional drink. This, in addition to not being able to totally control my food selections, would have been a disaster for me pre-surgery. In years past I would have ended the month 4 or 5 pounds (at least) heavier than I started. The good news is that I didn't gain anything. I ended up exactly where I started the month. The bad news is that I lost a month of weight loss opportunity during the first year "honeymoon" period after surgery. This tells me that the sleeve works. Despite not following my program well I was able to maintain my weight during this challenging period. In evaluating the month I came to the conclusion that the main culprit was the alcohol. Some days I had a drink or two, others I had probably way more than i should have. Remove the alcohol consumption and I would likely have continued to lose weight, perhaps at a slightly slower rate. So, for me the lesson learned is this: I have no problem handling an occasional drink on special occasions and still losing weight. Regular consumption of alcohol, however, will absolutely derail weight loss.

My surgeon had the drain removed at discharge from the hospital so I can't answer that question. Did they tell you how long you need to keep them? As far as the Dodgers game goes, I think it depends on the person and how quickly you heal. I was sleeved on Tuesday and came home from the hospital on Wednesday. I was able to drive to and attend a meeting on Thursday evening (2 days after surgery). I was attending baseball playoff games about two weeks after surgery so you may well be able to go without problems.

Yes, it is completely normal. Your stomach tissue was extremely swollen right after surgery which caused the problem with Protein drinks the first few days. As your stomach heals the tissue swelling and inflammation starts to decrease and you can handle liquids and food better. I even told my doctor's PA at my two week checkup that I wasn't sure they actually did the sleeve! He laughed and said they hear that a lot. And the first stall at around 3 weeks is also completely normal. If you search "three week stall" you'll find hundreds of posts about it. If you stick to your surgeon and nutritionist's recommendations you should be fine.