Brian B

For those that still get hunger pains .. I feel so sorry for you. I don't think I could have been as successful as you if I did. Cheers to you for being strong!

I just read through all these post and I wish they would all come back and let us know how things are going. I'm 13 months out from my surgery and have been stalled for probably 4 months. I am maintaining and happy with where I am at. When I say happy I really mean is that I am healthy and my lifestyle is healthy. I am eating better than I ever have and exercising more than I ever have .. and I think that is the real goal. I would love to lose another 20-25 lbs. I am not sure if want to lose that weight because I love the feeling of losing weight or because of vanity. Confused .. but still in a good way.

Peanut butter powder .. oh I will have to look for that, and the Benefiber in your shake .. why didn't I think of that! TY!

Not being able to drink water sound terrible.. what are you doing to get your fluids?

First of all hunger isn't painful ,, starvation is painful .. and it take about 30 days for you to starve to death. Surgery is a tool that helps your body .. it doesn't fix your head. Hunger "pains" are normal and shouldn't be feared... You're not going to starve! We all need to break the cycle of thinking that if I have hunger pains I need to eat or, or ... or what? If you wake up hungry.. that's also completely normal. Whats not normal is eating like your going to the chair lol. I think when we get hungry, we eat with our eyes instead of our brains! You, as a WLS patient, only need 4-5 oz to feel full, 4-5 oz of food should make everyone else feel at least content, and if it doesn't there is something wrong with you, but its not because your starving or more importantly in pain.

I don't think that vaping has been proven to be better than smoking.. lets face it .. its all bad. I don't think the Dr. has the evidence to prove or disprove so for the time being they can't pass judgement. I do feel like I vape more than I smoked but its hard to count since your not "smoking a pack a day".. I smoke the same amount of juice every week. Also your gear can change the amount juice you use .. so its really not a apples to apples question. You would have to count the puffs you used to smoke vs the draws you take now. Also it makes perfect sense that you might be smoking more if you reduced the nicotine. Your body still craves.

All those problems will get better if not completely resolve themselves as your weight drops. I have a sleeve and can take Tylenol. Which surgery you pick is really up to you. Factors like BMI should be part of the equation. I almost choose bypass because I thought I would lose more weight but if you look at me know, the sleeve worked incredibly well. I think they look at averages and make determinations on a whole. In the US sleeves are "newer" so there technically have been way more successful bypasses, so that would mean there better? I think both surgeries will get you there but its really how well you tackle your weight loss goals. Remember the surgery is just a tool, not a magic pill. p.s. I choose sleeve because I felt it was less invasive and had less long term side affects and maintenance. This of course is just my opinion.

Grilled pork tenderloin!

3 meals a day ... and I guess 2 snacks a day .. does that mean 5? premier protein shake and bar for breakfast (38g of protein) 3 slices of lean ham, 1.5 slices of provolone cheese (wrap) and 2 pickles for lunch (24g of protein) hamburger (bubba burger) and one slice of american cheese, and a generous 1/2 cup of green beans for dinner (34g of protein) I also have 2/2 cheese head light cheese sticks for snacks in the afternoon and in the evening (28g of protein) lots of sugar free popsicles 3-4 vitamin waters a day I also will mix in some Uncle Ben's Ready rice occasionally and sometimes I dump a little Hormel chili on my burger to mix it up That comes out to be 155g of protein, 36g of carbs, 83g of fat and 1400 calories .. I also work out every other day for at least an hour, 30 minutes cardo 30 mins weight training.

Use a scale 100% of the time.. you can't eyeball 4 oz's. Also weigh stuff after its cooked. Dont measure out 4oz of ground beef to make a hamburger. Make yourself 2 and then weigh out 4 oz. dont forget the cheese .. one slice usually equals an oz. 4 or 5 months in I was totally stalled. I left my scale at my parents house and was totally eating more than I should. Bought a new scale and immediately got back on track. Also a 1/2 a cup of veggies is 4oz's. Took me a while to figure that out.

They are considered a liquid so go crazy!

Skinny pop! .. but remember corn = bad = carbs = but it also has fiber and a little protein. Just consider moderation. I would wait at least 3 months to eat anything off the menu... but always ask yourself .. is it really worth it?

If you do want to try a rice .. Uncle Bens Ready Rice is awesome. Ready in 90 seconds and has 5g of protein! Its 2 servings per bag so just wrap it up and save for tomorrow.

Every morning I have a premier protein shakes and bar. I take the shake and put it into my ninja blender with ice... makes it so much better. Fuller feeling and extra cold .. just like a real shake! And then I have a premier protein bar. Shake is 160 calories and 30g of protein Bar is 190 calories and 15g of protein ,, and 7g of fiber! Breakfast of champions!

Halo Top!

I had a sleeve and averaged 15 lbs a month till the 9th month. As people have said .. as long as it moving in the right direction you're moving in the right direction. Your process isn't a quick fix and the scale is really just another tracking tool. Try to focus on the positive changes you're making in your life because the scale isn't going to make you happy.

One of my favorite Dr. Noz-isms was when one of his bigger, bed-ridden patients said .. "but I'm starving!" and Dr. Noz replied "You're not starving you have over 800 lbs of fat!" (that was a paraphrase) Yes it was a childish response BUT sometimes its like he is dealing with impulsive children who don't get it! How could you not get it! When they don't lose anything or even gain a few and they have this look like, what did I do? It's almost comical. My other favorite response is when they have gained and say .. Dr Noz isn't going to be happy with me... He isn't their parent! I just wish one of them would say .. Doc I have been cheating all month, I am so mad at myself! WLS isn't a magic pill .. its all up to you!

Fritos ... *sigh* 13 months out ... I can eat anything but I stick to my routine. To everyone who is having trouble .. just keep it simple. I know it sounds corny .. but eat to live .. don't live to eat. People who are 0-9 months out, just put those blinders on and eat what your Dr. says. You will survive! For those who at 9+ months out life will be a challenge till you realize eating is feeding your body so that it can survive.. its not a source of pleasure. Yes I know food tastes good! I could eat a bag of Fritos right now.. and I am not talking about the little single serving size bags. YOU CAN'T DO THAT .. no one should do that. I think a majority of people (maybe everyone) over eats.. its simple math of how many calories do you need to survive... anything else is just for fun and we all have have to much fun. Don't let food be anything more than what it is, fuel.

I totally had the same issue with my mom... good riddens to that b-word! We always hear ... just get rid of the toxic people in your life but its very hard when you're related! The moment I stop caring about what that woman said my life became so much easier. Not liking yourself is a whole different issue and it is a good thing that you don't use excuses for not figuring out the real problem. You must realize its not your fault for thinking this way. Its probably your coping mechanism to justify why your mother was so evil. As a child before you "understand", your parents are gods! They can do no wrong and the only thing you want is their love. And when you don't get it you start building up walls .. making excuses for why they don't love you the way you need to be loved. As a child you have the compulsion to place blame, and in your case it sounds like the only person you could blame is yourself. I have no idea why your mom treated you the way she did, she obviously has her own issues but as a child you don't understand all that grown-up stuff. "..using fat as an excuse for not liking myself." This really struck a nerve with me. Thanks .. back to therapy! lol .. but seriously, lose the weight, stop using that as an excuse. For the last 15 years I now realize one of the problems was that I secretly hated myself. I used to tell my wife that I was prejudice against fat people. Even at 413 lbs I didn't consider myself one of those people, but really I might have been talking about myself.. actually I am almost certain I was. My mind is kinda spinning now but I really want to say to you is lose the weight, you dont need an excuse for hating yourself. WLS is a positive trip towards happier days.

My wife has been extremely supportive and extremely happy for me thought my whole journey. I think she does feel the stress as I approach her weight, which she has struggled with since I have known her. I think that what I eat and the amount of physical activity has encouraged her to keep up with me. So my weight loss has invigorated her to be healthier. Sometimes I feel bad for her because I make my weight loss seem so easy, and I feel that I get a little preachy when it comes to helping her work through her weight issues. I know she doesn't have the same tools as me but I want her to succeed because I feel that her frustrations might be exacerbated because of my wins. Either way, she is happy for me which makes it all seem worth it.

But are you really hungry? Remember it is really hard to starve yourself and when I hear my kids say I'm hungry I just laugh at them because none of them are wracked with hunger pains. They just want to eat! We are very close in our journey date wise and weight wise so I know how you feel. For me I still don't get hunger pains but I do get the desire to eat .. almost wanting to feel normal again so I have been snacking more but I wouldn't call it hunger. I wonder if your starting to feel the stress about hitting your goal and wondering what you will need to focus on next. I have said to myself so many times in the last few months .. losing is easy .. how am I going to keep it off?! Just remember were you were a year ago .. and focus on something else.. focus on something that doesn't have carbs =D I swear carbs makes me hungry. Keep it together!

I can't wait to fly again .. my last flight was so painful for me and the girl sitting next to me. She was trying so hard to get another seat. I remember the sad feeling I had cause of her desperation .. but then again I really didn't blame her. Every time I bend over its an amazing feeling ... Putting on shoes ... Crossing my legs ... Lifting my arms over my head and not freaking out that my belly is hanging out of my shirt SEX!!! Wearing skinny people clothes like North Face .. I always wanted one of those jackets and now I have 3! Shopping at the GAP! lol .. the list goes on and on

I was 46 and 413 lbs. I had type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and possible heart issues. I was taking 6 pills a day plus checking my blood. Life was a struggle .. my weight made me depressed mentally and physically. I really hated myself. After talking to my cardiologist I decided to look into WLS and decided it couldn't hurt. While on my pre-op diet I lost about 30 lbs and was off all my meds before the surgery. I was sleeved April 4th of 2016 so it has been a little over a year. I have lost around 183 lbs and feel great. I am only mad that I didn't do this when I was 31.. so lucky you. I pretty much lost 10-15 lbs a month for the first 9 months and have been sitting in the 230's since. Not sure if I have stalled or just that I am working out so much. I am quite content at my current weight but another 20 lbs would be nice. One thing that WLS doesn't help you with is keeping the weight off lol. I always though that losing weight was the tough part but really its changing your relationship with food to make your life better.. dare I say normal! The surgery is just a blur now .. all the gas pain and uncomfortable adjustments are nothing to me anymore. But every time I button up my size 36 jeans I still get a smile on my face and think how amazing life feels now.

Fat Doctor UK is very cool. I watch a few episodes over the weekend. I did have to get a stones = lbs app to follow along. I kind of like the show a little better because I can actually understand the doctor and it seem like the patients are very normal. Then again the trailer park drama is kinda fun =D

I imagine this is a very complex thing for most people. I totally understand why you would want to keep it a secret but on the other hand you will be dying to tell everyone because its such amazing feeling. I didn't tell anyone besides my immediate family and my wife's family but as time goes on and you're losing weight people will start to take notice. Everyone will want to know what your doing, what diet you're following. So tell them about your life style change. Tell them everything that you have been doing minus the surgery.. its none of their business! Tell them about the food you consume.. all your hard work in the gym. Try to inspire someone to reconsider their choices and also grab a little positive attention for doing such an amazing job even if you got a little help from surgery. Be proud of yourself!