Creekimp13

My group was actually involved in a study focused on upping calories sooner. I was encouraged to reach 1200 calories per day as soon as possible, and did so around week 3 after surgery. I have not seen the study, but I was told by my doctor that people who eat more calories sooner will lose weight slower, BUT....statistically have much less regain later....the hypothosis being....this is because the metabolic set point is being re-estabilshed at a more robust livable caloric level. I cannot speak for anyone's experience but my own, and can report observations of a family member who has also had bariatric surgery. My cousin is a few years younger, also had sleeve, and was on an extended restricted calorie plan. She ate 600-800 calories for months after surgery. She lost rapidly. She was appalled by the calories I was being encouraged to eat as soon as week 3. Gave me crap constantly that I would not lose the weight she had. And at first...I was concerned she was right. She lost more weight than I did MUCH MUCH faster. Eating 1200 calories a day, I lost slowly, but consistently. But I eventually reached goal. I'm three years out, she's four years out. I've maintained everything I lost and I eat around 1600 calories a day. If I go up five pounds, I don't have any problem taking it off by dropping my calories down to 1200-1400. She's regained half of what she lost, and says she struggles to lose weight eating 1000-1200 calories a day. She blames the sleeve, and is planning to do revision surgery to RnY bypass. My personal feeling...is that there could be something to this concern about metabolic reset at too low a calorie threshold. Do I know that? Nope. People are extremely individual. This is a new science and there's a LOT we don't know, and even more that will vary by person, diet, and a dozen other variables. But I do know that attitudes among bariatric surgeons regarding diet are changing at the major research universities....to favor higher calories sooner. I'm guessing we'll know a lot more about how this all works out in the data.....in about ten years. LOL

I just read that the average 25 minute episode of sexual copulation (which includes foreplay) burns 101 calories for men and 69 calories for women. Guys burn a few more calories because they tend to be bigger and engage more muscles during the act. So...I'm thinking...to get that 500 calorie deficit per day to lose a pound a week....if I just have sex 7 and a half times a day.... LOLOLOLOL

*duplicate post*

Establish a relationship with a bariatric therapist. For me...it was as important as the surgery longterm.

Great questions for your surgeon! Also, really great advice to look for surgeons with excellent credentials, excellent reputation, who can give examples of how they manage patients who develop GERD. It is an extremely important topic to research and ask good questions about....and also important that your surgeon has realistic good answers that gel with research. It is a common problem that sleeve patients need to take seriously. Questions for surgeon... What steps do you take to prevent GERD? What strategies do you recommend for people who develop it? What percentage of your patients develop it? What do you do for them? Have you done continuing education on GERD management for sleeve patients? How has your approach to GERD changed in the years you've been doing sleeve surgeries? I think this is a serious problem, and one I gave a lot of thought to. That said.... I had a huge hiatal hernia before surgery, and terrible acid reflux. My surgeon fixed the hernia when he did my sleeve and I have not had any acid since. Nada. Not one day...and it's been such a relief. Have often said that finding that rotten hernia and fixing it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I'd have never looked for it if not for the sleeve surgery. Experiences do vary...bigtime. I appreciate your experience and think it's something folks need to be aware. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Once a week. Monday morning, stark naked, after i've peed. LOL

Run that by your bariatric group, just to be safe.

It isn't unusual after about any surgery. Usually home discharge instructions will list when to be concerned about it. Best wishes:) Glad you're on the other side!

Woot! Exciting! Good luck:)

I needed every minute of the 6 month diet to do the work of understanding my eating habits and what I was in for....and I still could have used more time to prepare. I understand being excited and impatient to move forward...but the six month diet is important. Without learning to control your eating habits, you're going to be in trouble. This surgery is a tool, and it's a tool that fails...a lot...when people are not prepared for the lifetime changes they need to make. And I don't mean just adjusting to your new anatomy...that's relatively easy. What I mean is...the fact that you will STILL have to count calories, record everything you eat, fight temptation and cravings, and especially... find other outlets for emotional eating, identify your triggers, cope with the things that drove you to eat. Most of the people who make noise on the boards fall into two catagories. The people who have experienced some degree of success working very very hard. And the people who have experienced some degree of success by the good fortune of an excellent physiological reaction to the surgery regardless of their habits (luck). Who we DON'T tend to hear from, or see posts from....are the majority of people who have these surgeries.... who never lose more than 50% of their excess weight. When people get unhappy or feel unsuccessful...they don't post about it. Half of people who have this surgery will fall in this category. You can eat around an altered stomach and gain it all back. It's not even hard to do. The surgery changes one anatomical element to give you an advantage....not a fix. Your head is the place that needs the real fix. Six months...is a great investment in working to fix your head before you have to deal with your new digestive system. Are bariatric surgeries a terrific tool? Yes. The new anatomy helps a lot. Another terrific tool...one that is arguably just as helpful and arguably more important to your longterm success......a bariatric therapist. Make sure you have access to one. Best wishes to all!

During stressful situations, your insulin levels drop because stress hormone levels go up. It makes it harder for your insulin to work the way it should. All of this can raise your blood sugar. It's temporary. Your body is responding to what it thinks is life imperiling stress....by kicking in your fight or flight mechanism. If you want to get away from danger in a hurry, or survive a terrible injury in the wild... you need a burst of energy...and when your metabolism is working correctly, that means a big burst of blood sugar. Stress hormones work great when your metabolism is normal to give you a nice boost when you need it. But when you're diabetic, and your sugar and insulin are out of whack...it can just make things worse. Not only are you facing the physical stress of surgery, you've got the psychological stress and the stressful diet going into surgery shaking things up. Things will improve rapidly as you heal:) No worries!

OMG...this is hysterical. blackcats...you're killin me! LOLOLOLOL

If you want something incredibly delicious and shakey....try frozen bananas with coco powder, skim milk, coconut milk, frozen greek yogurt (I just dump some in a zip lock baggie and break pieces off after it's frozen) and vanilla...in the blender. Bananas do have sugar, so watch out if you are sensitive. This is my go to when I crave ice cream. It's amazing, decent nutrition, and you can add protien powder if you want.

The TUMOR? 😳

Woot! Good luck!

Be patient and stay off the scale for a week or two. Wish I could say something more inspirational or proactive...but it really is that simple. Just wait it out. Happens to almost everyone.

Really interesting question! Had not considered the ink side of skin removal. Thanks jayteee

Luckily, mine are on my ankle:)

"NEVER trust a fart.....for a few weeks anyway 🙂" -Neensyb Just read this on another thread seeking advice for someone about to have surgery....and had to repost it here to rave about it. Made me laugh, and man, was it true! I'd forgotten the *ahem* sharts. Thanks Neensyb, for nearly putting coffee out my nose this morning. 🤣

Take louge pants or PJ bottoms, so you can roam the halls after your surgery. Don't bother with a robe, it won't go on over your IV. Take chap stick. Walk all you can:)

Bahahahaha! Too true!

https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/4-lap-band-surgery-forums/

Wow! Checkin our your progress. Great work! Lookin awesome!

I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. Was worried about you! Please be gentle with yourself and let us know how it's going.

According to WebMD a 150 pound person burns 350-450 calories per hour of raking and bagging leaves. Other sources are less generous and estimate 250 calories per hour. Depends a little on your size, how vigorously you rake, how often you take breaks, if you keep your heart rate up, etc. Regardless of if you're chugging away, sweating....or taking breaks and doing it gently.....It's a great work out:) Good core strength exercise with all the bending and twisting and pulling. I totally understand your enjoyment of this. And I think it's awesome. Congrats on coming so far!