Creekimp13

There's a risk you'd fall back to old ways even if you do have it. Lot of folks gain all their weight back...surgery or no surgery. I hate to say this, but it's a truth that no one brings up and it really should be brought up....weight loss surgery is no guarantee for success. It helps. But the real work is in your head. They fix your stomach...not your brain. And your brain is very sneaky. LOL. That said....statistically, odds for longterm weightloss are MUCH BETTER with the surgery. I think your health comorbidities would be improved with the surgery, for sure. Wishing you the best.

Changing your habits and dealing with the surgery is serious work...it works best when you're completely committed. Wait until you're 100% ready for best results.

I'm over three years out and breakfast is still tight for me. I think overnight your sleeve/pouch empties and restricts some, and rests like that. When you wake up and start drinking water/coffee/whatever....it kinda loosens things up so lunch is easier than breakfast. I typically pick a slider food for breakfast. I like oatmeal in the morning cause it stretches gently, or half a caramel protien shake in a huge mug of coffee that I sip all morning. Not a fan of dense protien in the morning like ham steaks or bacon or that kinda stuff....though I do like that for lunch:)

This is an interesting article about the myth of soda stretching your stomach written by a doctor and medical director of a bariatric center. Soda is not a good choice. Even diet soda might make you overeat. It's devoid of nutrition. It might deplete your calcium. It really should be eliminated as much as possible. But it's not gonna stetch your sleeve/pouch. With two weak valves at either end, the PSI simply isn't there to stretch a muscle with gas. Yes, doctors and nutritionists tell you this routinely. Because soda is a lousey choice and maybe you won't drink it if they make it sound scary. Again...not advocating for my choices...just sayin...not all doctors sell this myth. https://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/drinking-soda-after-wls-debunking-the-myth/ There are some great REAL reasons not to drink soda, however! Very worth a read.

"It seems US doctors in general deal in absolutes, if you will, and European ones try another strategy. I mean, we're on 1,400 cals from the start, and you have to see if you can get UP to it. That's different from most US plans, too." I think this is a fascinating point! My doctor was a US doctor, but with a TREMENDOUSLY different approach than most of what I was reading here. I was encouraged to eat 1200 calories per day...just weeks out from surgery and am part of a study that is assessing longterm regain. So far, the studies are showing more regain 3-5 years down the road for folks who were more severely calorie restricted for a longer time initially. The idea is that this might be due to resetting the metabolism at too low a caloric set point, and that those who return to more normal caloric levels sooner have a more robust metabolism reset. I have no idea what's true, or if there is enough data yet, or how much is individual based....but I'm glad I can eat pretty normally (lots of unrefined carbs, occasional treats, potatoes, bread, a can of diet soda here and there) and not regain. I do have to watch my calories a little bit. But I maintain really well at 1400-1600/day, so rarely feel deprived. Bigger things MY doctor stressed: eat dietary fiber with your carbs, avoid refined sugar/flour. eat fermented foods and fiber to feed good gut bugs. get 60g of protien a day, but try to get half from plants (beans, oats, nuts, tofu, mushrooms, potatoes, etc). avoid animal fats, pick olive oil, grape seed, canola, etc. eat lots of diversity of vegetables and fruits. Exercise daily for life. VERY different advice. There's no single answer on this stuff....which is why it's fun to share experiences. A lot of folks here will get ornery when you share an experience that is against the "rules" they were taught or is completely different from their experience. How dare we provide such a "bad" example to those starting out? How dare we endanger them by saying things are ok that their doctor said are HORRIBLE? Here's a reality: It's not our job here to make anyone's choices. We each make our own. We're each adults. And another reality....all doctors don't recommend the same things. All doctors don't make the same "rules". I like when people are honest and share their true experiences. All of them. Even the ones I personally disapprove of. We all have our own truth. It's up to us to figure out what works best for us individually. And it's up to us to listen to our doctors, do the research, and make the most informed decisions we can. It's gonna look different for each of us, folks. Seriously. And that's ok:)

They're all different. Best to do what the surgeon likes best...since he/she is the one doing the cutting. Sometimes a doctor will look at your blood work and the amount of weight you're losing and figure your liver is doing ok. Sometimes they're using tighter instruments and need all the space they can get. Sometimes it's a judgement call, and your doctor is the best person to make it. My doc did a hellishly strict two week liquid diet and I followed it to the letter cause it was what made surgery the safest/easiest/best for him to do. Other folks have good luck with reduced carbs, skim milk diets, calorie resticted and no diet at all. Listen to your surgeon. That's the only person whose opinion matters on this one. Following presurgical instructions is important for your safety.

It's really individual. Add a little bit with caution and see how it goes. I've been eating the skin on my potatoe since I was about three months out....zero issues. However, even three years out now, I still have issues with corn on the cob! Corn is literally the only thing I have to be careful with...and only if it's crunchy (not very cooked) off the cob. Canned and frozen corn I'm ok with. Popped corn I'm ok with. But that darn corn on the cob....needs extra caution for me. Which stinks...because I love it! Have zero issues with any fruit skins, no problems eating meats of all types. Just fresh corn. Everyone's different. Just be cautious...a little at a time....and see how ya do. Best wishes.

Seen any billy goats gruff? 😉

I ate it a few months out. Key is to cut it into itsy bitsy teeny weenie pieces and chew very very well. I've never had a problem with it.

I make my own with old fashioned oats, egg whites, cottage cheese and baking powder....zap it in the blender and it makes a nice batter.

"I was told that we can NEVER have soda again in our lifetime! My surgeons staff drilled it into my head a million times because I was addicted to diet coke." Yep, me too. This is absolutely correct and I'm not advising anyone to go against good advice. However, I also believe in being real and honest. I risk it. So far have had no ill effects. I have good restriction, and have not had an issue with one can of diet soda a day. I think if one can of soda turned into several you could run into issues. Not recommending you do this. Just saying...it hasn't caused me any issues in three years. Not an endorsement...just an admission.

At your stage, I liked Mio water flavors. I liked herbal tea, green tea, regular tea. I really liked coffee with caramel premiere protien shake in it....tasted like a fancy coffee drink. These days I drink coffee with lowfat milk and splenda or monkfruit. I really like Monkfruit...it's my new thang. LOL I also drink a can of diet pop most days now. (Which is contrary to most bariatric surgeon's advice, so maybe don't do this! LOL) There's really nothing wrong with water. If you like water best, stick with water! It's good for you. If you think the sweeteners are grossing you out, try Monkfruit. Much much better than Stevia IMO, and a little different from Splenda and Aspertame.

Yes, you can drink that. Lots of people who can't tolerate full protien shakes have better luck with the clear. Try filling up a little one ounce medicine cup and drinking it in ten little sips spaced a minute or more apart. You have to take these tiny little sips all day....but you will get your fluids in this way. Just don't stop sipping. Little teenie sips all day. If you don't get your fluids in, you will end up in the emergency room with dehydration. Many people do when they are not reading their instructions and following them to the letter after surgery. Even if you can't meet your protein goals right away, make sure to get your fluid goals with water or zero calorie sports drink or whatever you can tolerate. Don't do sugar drinks, you'll get sick. If you're for real...it's stunning that you've been so poorly prepared by your provider...which is why I asked if you were trolling earlier. I can't imagine my provider giving me so little support and so little understanding of what your post surgical diet needs to be...as you are demonstrating. If you truly have not been adequately prepared by your team, I apologize. The advice you are seeking...what to do right after your surgery...is advice best given by your provider. Read any papers they sent home immediately. If the information is not there, call their emergency line and ask why you were not prepared. Wishing you the best.

It's only February...I think there are great chances you could get a surgery date by the end of the year. If you know what surgeon you want to use, phone them and ask how long their typical patient takes from first visit to getting a surgery date. They'll have a good idea.

Couple of honest questions, no judgment meant. 1. Have you read any of the paperwork you were given? 2. Are you trolling? 3. If you are serious, you need to contact your provider and speak with them ASAP about what your diet needs to look like the next few months for your safety.

Officially....forever. This is the one rule I just hated. I need to drink when I eat. The idea is to not wash stuff through your stomach so fast that you overeat. Also, pushing stuff into your small intestine before it's had any chance to digest in your stomach can give you some digestive upset. In an ideal world...you should follow the rule, and follow it forever. That said....I couldn't follow it for more than a few weeks before I gave up and had small amounts of fluids with meals. It's not gonna kill you, but it can make it a lot easier to overeat. If you're watching your calories and limit the amount you drink, you'll probably be ok. But yeah...if you're looking for a full sensation to help you establish meal times....drinking with meals will inhibit that and feeling empty can lead to overeating and eating too many times a day. I kinda prefer multiple little tiny meals with fluids....but I do have to count calories, or I can easily end up overeating.

I eat 1400-1600 to maintain. 60g protien a day, at least half from plant sources. Almost as important to me is getting 25g of dietary fiber a day and eliminating animal fat. I don't eat refined sugar or flour to speak of, but I eat a lot of fruit, veggies, nuts, beans, oats, mushrooms, etc. I like to eat. I eat a lot. But the right stuff now. (for the most part)

Big one in my opinion: Refuse to go to therapy. If I gain, I know I need to go to therapy. I'm not ignorant about the poor choices I'm making....I know this stuff backwards and forwards and I am noticing every ounce of the gain (even if I'm ignoring it.) If I gain...I'm choosing to make poor choices. There's always a reason for being self-destructive. Gotta tackle the reason to make good choices. For me, not going to therapy when I know I really should...is the quickest way to get in trouble. I don't go all the time, but when really hard stuff happens....I'm over being proud and defensive. I just go. And feel better. And make better choices. Boom! I lose weight. For me...weight gain= out of control food addiction being used to medicate emotions. Therapy helps me sort that out. Seems like it should be obvious by now, but it's not. Addiction is sneaky.

My doctor was delighted I brought it up. He loved the idea and said he had several patients in his practice who had terrific results. He had an excellent recommendation for a Bariatric program, too.

3 years out...can still find mine if I look, but they're super light now. The red look fades, but mine were pretty apparent for the first year. My husband said I looked like I lost a knife fight cause I had a gallbladder surgery the year before the sleeve and needed an extra couple of holes for my hiatal hernia repair. Looks pretty good now. Couldn't tell unless you were looking closely and the scars are just white. Just takes time.

There are a bunch of them out there. I just wing it and put half a cup of oatmeal in my little smoothie blender with three egg whites, maybe 1/4 cup cottage cheese, a half a teaspoon of baking powder, and a glob of greek yogurt. If it's too dry, I add more yogurt and sometimes a little almond milk. After the batter rests for a few minutes it will get very thick as the oats suck up the fluid. I make silver dollar pancakes and eat about 5 and put the rest in the freezer. This recipe is awesome with blueberries. Maple Grove Farms sugar free syrup is 5 calories a serving and isn't bad! I also love them with home made apple butter made with Splenda instead of sugar.

Filled out first paperwork in June of 2017, surgery in December of 2017. No insurance issues, but surgeon had a LOT of hoops to jump through including significant weight loss with dietician, correcting vitamin D level, psychiatric appts, endoscopy, fitness and healthy cooking class, other tests, etc.

If you can stand bone broth (add some stuff for flavor) it can be helpful. The caramel protein shakes are great in coffee. I liked the protein bars, particularly the chocolate delux ones. I liked boiled potatoes with lowfat shredded cheese, refried beans with cheese and salsa, tofu, rotissiere chicken (SOFT), soft baked fish. I really loved frozen greek yogurt bars (Yasso makes a great one). Also, protein pancakes were a tremendous favorite. (you make the batter with oatmeal, cottage cheese, egg whites, baking powder, greek yogurt in blender)

The hardbody look isn't my favorite for myself, but I admire it on others and I think you look terrific! That level of fitness is just amazing. Great work! I'm one of those nutty walking/cardio people. LOL. If I lifted weights I'd drop them on someone and kill them....not an athlete, total klutz. I have heard other female weight lifters say it's addictive...and ya'll certainly have my respect!

Your regular family doc should be able to help you with that. Best wishes.