Recidivist

Well... For me the preparation was mostly mental, in the sense that I had to wrap my head around the idea that I would be eating differently for the rest of my life. I learned to just take it one day at a time and not get overwhelmed by what "might" happen a month--or even a week--down the road. That helped me get through the liquid, puree and soft food phases. I'm not much of a cook, so my meals in the first few months were simple and very repetitive. To be honest, I wasn't really hungry and was just looking for ways to get the necessary protein as easily as possible. As for exercise: I did essentially none (except walking) during the weight loss phase, and I still don't. I followed my doctor's food plan as closely as possible, and my weight came off fairly easily. I do acknowledge that exercise is beneficial for strength and overall fitness, but I don't think it's a critical component of weight loss.

I waited about six months and then started drinking regular coffee. My morning cup (with skim milk and Splenda) has become one of my great joys!

Sheri, so glad to see you back and to hear you are doing so well! You are looking great, and I agree that the new weight is probably the right place for you to be. (I had my skeletal phase as well.)

Like you, I told almost nobody about my surgery. Lots of people asked me how I lost so much weight, and I simply told them that it was a medically-supervised weight-loss program (which is true). If they ask how much I've lost, I say that I'm not sure and that it doesn't matter because I did it for my health. I then tell them that I feel great and have more energy than I've had in a long time.

Okay, I'll play along! I don't have a "before" pic that really represents how big I was, because I generally avoided being photographed back then. My before is from a chorus concert I did--and I will admit that I was wearing a "man girdle" at the time. (Cringe.) I went from 250 to a low of 132 before bouncing back up to 142.

That really is an astounding result for 4.5 months. Congratulations!

Good luck as you start on your journey! As for the hospital: you will likely be too tired to do anything but sleep. I brought several books and didn't read a page. Just bring the bare essentials (i.e., toiletries). As for home: Definitely take time for yourself, to rest and to let yourself heal--and make sure all of the people around you know that you will need at least two weeks to do that. You will also need time to plan your water and protein needs. You will find that you will be obsessed with protein and water for the first several weeks. Your ideas (candles, films, massager) sound lovely (and yes, the massager is safe). I watched a ton of TV and movies during my three weeks at home before I returned to work. It's important to do whatever will make you feel relaxed and comfortable, and that will be different for everyone. Just be aware that you will have very little energy and will take a LOT of naps! Enjoy it while it lasts!

I love Premier Protein but it was too expensive to drink it exclusively for two weeks. I got a huge tub of whey protein powder from a fitness store, although I can't remember the brand.

The change in my armpits was dramatic and unexpected. I don't shave them, but the deep craters made it harder to apply roll-on deodorant. Ummm...this happens to men as well, and the difference is quite noticeable. In a good way. 🙂

Have any men out there had plastic surgery and care to comment about it? I'm pretty sure I've settled in at my long-term weight and am now wondering whether I want plastic surgery. Most of you can probably relate to what is going on. I have sagging skin everywhere: neck (which I hate), chest, LOTS on the stomach, thighs and buttocks. I'm not sure if I want to do just the neck, or include the stomach--or do the whole things. I'd be interested in good or not-so-good experiences you've had. What is the scar like if you have the stomach done?

AZhiker, I'm intrigued by the Whole Foods Plant diet. Do you have a link to site where I could learn more about it?

I'd like to ask fellow maintainers about fruit and vegetables in maintenance. I'm still pretty careful about my diet, which means prioritizing protein and avoiding carbs, fat and sugar. I love fruit and veggies but am still very careful with them as well. I eat green vegetables in limited amounts but avoid starchy ones (potatoes, squash, carrots, etc.). I also eat fruit in moderation but try to stick with berries and I particularly avoid bananas. I do this in part so I don't fill up on "empty" calories and also because I'm worried about the carbs/sugars these foods may contain. How do you all handle fruits and vegetables?

I also had bypass, and my scars not noticeable at all--I have to really look to find them. The only exception is where the main port went in, which is a small, white scar. They don't bother me in the slightest.

Yes, not drinking while eating is something that people do tend to notice when I'm eating with friends--particularly breakfast (which is my favorite meal to eat out). I get a coffee to start and ask that my meal be a bit delayed so I can finish my coffee first.

A seven-pound gain is insignificant, particularly if it's the result of lockdown and the holidays. Don't beat yourself up about it! Early in my weight loss journey, I thought I had to be perfect all the time and would feel guilty about exceeding my calorie or carb goal for the day. I've learned that when I do make a mistake I just need to put it behind me and focus on the future. You lost 112 pounds, so you obviously know what you need to do. Forgive yourself for the seven pounds and focus on getting back on track!

The same thing was happening to me at about the six month mark, and I was afraid I was going to end up being too thin and not being able to stop the weight loss. I ended up lowering my goal weight from 150 to 140, and I still ended up at 132 at about the 9-month mark. My weight stabilized there without my changing anything about my diet, and then I gained another ten pounds before landing where I am now--and I've stayed here for about nine months now. I'm definitely eating more than I was during weight loss. As Arabesque mentioned, it can be tricky to find the sweet spot where you are no longer losing or gaining. Once you do, maintenance is really quite rewarding.

I had bypass 21 months ago, but the principle is the same. I can definitely eat like a normal person, just smaller portions. Mind you, I have dramatically altered the eating habits that made me obese in the first place. I now am very careful to avoid carbs, fat and sugar. (I can eat all of those things without any ill effects, which surprised me.). One of my biggest reservations was having dinner with friends after surgery. At this point, I can order off the menu and eat a healthy dinner without anyone being able to tell that I've had surgery (although I don't usually finish my meal or order dessert). In short: yes, I can eat like a "normal" person.

I'm a gay man who agrees with AZHiker. The advice and support I've received here have been invaluable. I don't consider my sexual orientation at all relevant to those discussions. Two points of disagreement with AZHiker: I do think that age and gender can be relevant to our weight loss journeys. Men tend to lose weight differently (and more quickly) than women, and older people also face different challenges than younger ones. (I had surgery at age 59.)

I found myself craving pickles as well. I started drinking pickle juice, which was really satisfying. At first it was out of a bottle of pickles, but I found that you can actually buy bottles of pickle juice. Quite a nice discovery!

That would be my question as well. I did Optifast once and lost LOTS of weight--but it came back in less time than it took to lose it. I don't think this would be much different, as it doesn't permanently alter your digestive system.

Yes, I had a very hard time making that transition--and others along the way. The issue for me was that the more I was able to eat, the more choices I had and it became more difficult to make sure I was doing the right thing. It's so easy during the liquid phase because the plan is so simple. However, you will continue to lose weight as you move through the phases. Ultimately, it's in your interest to adhere to the various phases so you can learn how to eat differently post-surgery (and for the rest of your life). You need to make peace with food and not be afraid to eat--although I totally understand what you are feeling!

I went with the "medically supervised diet" explanation in many cases when I wanted to explain my dramatic weight loss and small portions. Admittedly, this was mostly with work colleagues and friends, not with immediate family.

I understand and agree, AZhiker. I've been doing well so far, but I fear it will get harder to stay at my current weight as time goes on. Let's all check in here from time to time and compare notes--even if we've gained a bit. It will be good to know we aren't alone!

I'm quite relieved to read this post. I am at 19 months and have also found that I can eat almost anything and in much larger quantities than I could even at one year. I also sort of wish that I still felt the same restriction (and lack of appetite) we all experienced early in this process. Like all of you, I re-gained about 10 pounds from my low weight, and I think I actually look and feel better as a result. I am still pretty vigilant about avoiding carbs, sugar and fat, and I also eat what could be considered "normal" sized portions for a person without a large appetite. I do slip up from time time (particularly when invited to dinner at friends' houses) without any ill effects. So far it hasn't had much of an impact, but I do worry whether this will be the case for the next 10 years or longer.

I did that a lot at the beginning, and I still dream about food from time to time. In my dream I'm always eating a huge amount of forbidden foods. I'm also aware that I shouldn't be and feel guilty about it. I'm quite relieved when I wake up and realize it wasn't true.