BarbieVSG14

I think if you chew, chew, chew, take tiny bites, and measure out what you're going to eat so you don't inadvertently over eat, you should be fine. Dr Matthew Weiner (who's YouTube videos are a must watch, by the way) says if it hurts, you're either eating too much or too fast. Watch for the "full" signals. Some people feel it way up in their esophagus, some people sneeze (yes, really!) and some people's noses start to run. Make sure you STOP there, because one bite more could make you miserable for hours. You feel like you want to explode or vomit just to make that feeling go away! If the food doesn't agree, you'll know. You'll either feel like vomiting or will be on the toilet. Not a lot you can do but lay down and let it pass. It's really a testing period at first. I was lucky. I've over eaten and been pretty uncomfortable, but have found no food that has ever disagreed with me. I haven't thrown up once in almost 4 years. Sleeve of steel!

Did you see the post where he was advocating cutting the amount of fat the OP was eating? Substituting a mozzerella stick with fat free cheese? That is what my post was referring to. Even newly post op, fat shouldn't really be a factor. And technically fattier foods and foods higher in protein will keep you satiated longer. Does that clear up my post? I was just using the 65% as an example of people who follow a Ketogenic diet. There is a method to my madness, really

Refried beans and cheese was my first real food, and it was heaven. There's also this Ricatta Bake recipe you should google. It's like you're eating lasagna without the noodles. So good!

I see your point. And I agree. UNLESS someone is Keto. Then they advocate something crazy like 65% fat and like 100 grams of protein. No way someone even a couple years post op could even get enough calories for that! My point is don't be too afraid of fat. A lot of times, healthy fat and protein go hand in hand, and you can get more bang for your buck with things like nuts. But I definitely agree it shouldn't be the main percentage of your macros.

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with fat with the correct foods. You really, really need to educate yourself on nutrition. You're still following the old "diet" mentality of the 70's and 80's. I lost over 100 pounds and have kept it off for over 3 years and haven't tracked fat at all. When our capacity is so limited, a few healthy fats is actually good for us. And edited to add: "Fat free" anything is the most unhealthy crap anyone can eat. It's full of sugar and preservatives to compensate for taste. The fat free trend is why there has been an uptick with obesity in the last couple decades. We are better off eating real food. Besides, if I'm going to eat cheese, I'm sure the hell not going to waste my limited capacity on fake fat free American cheese!

Unfortunately, if you have been obese for a while and depending on how much extra weight you're carrying and age, no creams will help with some skin and stretch marks. The less severe areas can be faded or 'tightened' up, but some will never go back unless you have surgical intervention.

No, but I wouldn't hesitate to if needed!

I'm a big proponent in weighing every day to hold yourself more accountable--IF you can handle the normal fluctuations that happen through out the weight loss process and beyond. You get to a point when you know the difference between normal fluctuation gain or when you've been eating like an a*****e gain. Either way, you're held accountable. I got to my heaviest when I ignored the scale for years at a time.

I too know how hard it is. I smoked for 20 years before my surgery, and decided it would be silly for me to continue when my main motivation was health. I'm more proud of quitting smoking than even the weight loss. Sometimes I miss it, most of the time I don't. I certainly don't miss being a slave to it. And the smell. I concur with vaping. That's how I quit. I just tapered down the nicotine until I was at 0, then quit altogether. You should try it! It's not easy, but can be done if someone really wants to. Just like with this surgery. If someone really wants to be successful, they'll do it. If you struggle, you utilize every tool you can find to make you successful.

This makes me sad. Is there any way you can talk him into looking at your sleeve through an endoscopy to see what's going on?

I don't understand the concept of having a major surgery to become healthier and then continuing to do something so unhealthy.

The most important reason for abstaining from alcohol has just been barely mentioned in the comments above--empty calories that offer no nutritional value. My surgeon warned me the easiest and quickest way to gain weight back is drinking your calories. High calorie coffees, sodas, sweet tea, and yes, alcohol. The "Honeymoon" period lasts roughly a year to 18 months. In that time, it's in your best interest to do absolutely everything you can to take full advantage of the lack of hunger, great restriction and easy weight loss, because frankly it doesn't last. During that time, I concentrated on doing what I needed to do to get the best results from the surgery, and alcohol had no part in that for me. I knew that as soon as I reached my weight loss and fitness goals and was comfortably in my maintenance phase, I could imbibe occasionally as part of my higher calorie maintenance routine. And I do on occasion. But that roughly 8 month wait I did to drink pales in comparison to being a healthy weight and fitting into the size I wanted all along. I'm not saying to not touch a drop during the weight loss phase. Odds are it won't effect your losses at all if you just do it on occasion. Hell let's be honest, during those early months we could be eating oreos and chasing them down with McFlurries and still lose weight. But why take the chance of doing anything to sabotage your weight loss when we've got so much invested into it? Wait until you're where you want to be, and then enjoy alcohol as an occasional treat as part of an otherwise healthy diet. We've really only got one shot to get this right. I see too many squander it because they can't seem to ever learn to delay instant gratification as opposed to thinking about the more important long term results. Its a shame.

I love your honesty. And you really explained it perfectly how it can happen so easily. I know this isn't going to be a popular suggestion, but have you thought about trying a weight loss drug? I know some bariatric surgeons and even General Practice doctors will prescribe them under close supervision. Maybe something like phentermine is just the jump start you need? I look at them as just another tool in the toolbox to help is fight the life long battle of obesity.

You can't wait 6 weeks? Really?

Are they wrong though?

Why do you think you gained the weight? And why would you think a revision would be the answer? Sure, you may lose again with a revision, but it will come right back if you repeat the same behaviors that caused you to gain in the first place. Just keeping it real.

I agree. And yes, I see 90% of people bounce up 5-10% once they hit maintenance as their bodies try to find their ideal "set point". Just watch some of the long term YouTube WLS Vloggers. You'll see it first hand. They always seem at their thinnest 1-2 year out, and then they seem to "fill out" a bit a some time later (and a lot of them are complaining about regain). I just let it ride until I just stopped losing weight. Then I hit maintenance and did bounce up 7-10 pounds and stayed there, so I'm glad I went as far as I could go with it, because that damn weight isn't going anywhere, no matter how hard I've tried!

The one thing that's always fascinating to me is how MUCH other people can eat and how little we actually NEED to live on. I mean, I used to eat those massive portions, too! Now it almost makes me sick to watch. I maintain on 1200 calories at almost 4 years post op. I eat mostly meat, fish, nuts, fruits and veggies. Yup, that's 80% of my diet. I choose to eat that way because one: I feel great when I limit sugar and simple carbs And two: I maintain my weight fairly easily sticking to that stuff without having to track, weigh and measure everything because I HATE to! Oh, the other 20% of what I eat? Yogurt, cheese, whole grains and chocolate. Oh, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. I eat like someone who is mostly health conscious who hasn't had surgery. Except I can only eat around 10 oz of food in a single meal, maybe less.

The amount of misinformation I see on this forum is staggering. It definitely needs more vets who actually know what they are talking about, and less people who who think they do.

Let's try this. What are you eating? If you are eating lean protein and veggies, then the amount really shouldn't matter. I haven't thrown up, dumped, or found a food I couldn't eat at almost 4 years out. This surgery isn't supposed to be a diversion from food, but a reset for food and your life. Eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time, drink lots of water, and move more, and you'll do just fine. If you are really concerned about how much you can eat, weigh and measure your food so you won't overeat. The tool itself is really only temporary in the grand scheme of things. Over time it becomes less effective, then it's all on us. Practice good eating habits now and take advantage of the honeymoon period while you can.

Statistically, that's true. But I've seen sleevers go far above the average WLS expectations, too. I was one of them. I lost 100% of my excess weight, where as they say with the sleeve the "expected" is 60%. Whoever "they" are. I think it's 70% for bypass, but don't quote me on that.

60% of bypass patients don't dump from sweets, FYI. You may have the surgery and find you're one of them, so don't count on it too much

This. The only real concern with lack of exercise regarding these surgeries is the alarming loss of muscle that can happen. I always say if you want to be thin, eat healthy. If you want to be fit? Exercise and eat healthy. You really don't have to kill yourself with exercise, either. Any little bit helps.

Absolutely. But if it's meant to be, they will figure out a way to work it out. This relationship stuff is hard!

I make the dinner for the both of us! I just leave out the starch. He's used to protein and a veggie for dinner. That's how it's been for the last 4 years. But he still eats his sweets and snacks. I find healthier options. See? Compromise