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My pre-op diet allowed 4 Bariatric Advantage protein shakes per day, plus any low calorie liquids, jello, popsicles, etc. The best things I stocked up on were different flavors of "soup starters"...pho broth, tortilla soup broth (Swanson), Chinese hot and sour broth (also Swanson). These were great because most of the allowed foods are sweet...artificially sweetened, even worse. The only problem is they are high in sodium, so you can't go too crazy with them. I also really craved chewing, so I did allow myself an occasional dill pickle or some celery. Personally, I would advocate this pre-op diet. It is fool proof, you don't need to count any calories, and convenient. It sounds pretty dismal, but it really isn't bad after day 3 or 4. I think it is also a good way to start to rewire your relationship with food. You definitely are forced to find other things to think about other than food!

These "facts" you know are untrue! I would like to know the names of the "2 of the most influential bariatric surgeons" that gave you this information as well as the "US Consulate" that you spoke to. First of all it would be the Mexican consulate that might get involved in tracking this type of information NOT a US Consolate! A US Consulate would NEVER release personal patient information to a company that's not involved with the patient in questions care! I lost all respect I had in you when you insisted that you even know of a surgeon that has done 8500 surgeries without complications. By the way, the chief surgeon for ALM is the number 1 Bariatric surgeon in North America, a fact! Go back to your sources and review your bullit point facts. However this is your site and your free to write what you want, delete or edit it. That's why I stated for information and questions about ALM, contact ALM. For info on Bariatric Pal, contact Bariatric Pal!

Ah yeah this does seem to be a common theme for the UK. For the protein I am making sure at the very least it is half to 2/3 rds of each meal with lean protein like chicken, fish or lentils and then vegetables for the rest of it like carrots, potato & peas. I found a cook book here on Amazon that I am going to buy today, so hopefully that will have some ideas, its called: Gastric Sleeve Cookbook: Top 100 recipes for every stage of bariatric surgery recovery by Shannon Henderson Looking at guides from the US: https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/meal-plan/ and another one here: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary_guidelines_after_gastric_bypass/

The issue of someone like swimbikerun is truly interesting to me; I believe it points to our underlying insecurities and our almost universal need to seek therapy, when the one thing that has been your focus, your shame, your hope, your everything goes away, what do you do then? I'm not the youngest on these boards but I am on the lower end of the bell curve, so there are a lot of people here (bariatric pal) who have spent 20, 30, 40 years morbidly obese and now "suddenly" aren't, some people handle it better than others and some people are affected by it differently than others. Sounds like she doesn't know what to do with her intensity!

Thanks. I think there is also some sort of bariatric pal app. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Exactly! Instead of beating ourselves up for not reaching our goal weight, we should focus on how much we have accomplished! And for most of us, the original goal weight was a fairly arbitrary number. The important thing is that you are way healthier than you were two years ago. Congrats! Well if we’re doing confessions, I’ll admit that I can have mimosas (yes, plural) and not suffer. Weird story, but I actually ran into my bariatric surgeon at a padel ball tournament last fall. Weirder still, my husband and I got paired up against him and his wife. Mimosas and breakfast burritos were flowing and my bari-surgeon himself poured me a mimosa after our match! I told him I either had room for the mimosa or the burrito and his response was “damn surgeons, can’t trust ‘em” Lol, I chose the mimosa 🤣 Hope everyone is doing well So far I’m hanging into the high 130’s and I too think that I look much better now with 5 extra pounds on. I seem to be in constant flux-regaining then losing the same 5-7 pounds. I’d like it if I had a bit more consistency, but as long as I can keep within my window I’ll take it.

Hey everyone hope all is well I'm about 11 months post op today!! WOW HOW TIME FLIES!!! Anyeays here's my stats HW: 350lbs SW: 302lbs CW: 179lbs I'm down almost 200lbs from my highest weight and since surgery I am just over 120lbs I am a slow loser now especially lol I had the Duodenal Switch on 8-6-2013 and I'm so happy I did. any bariatric surgery I believe is great for people who need the extra tool to help them. My goal weight is 160lbs and ultimately I want to be around 130-140 lbs by this time next year so hopefully I can still use this tool and get to my goal. I'm definitely going to need to have my excess skin taken off but that's something I'll worry about after I get to the weight I want to be at here's pics from this 4th of July weekend...

Wow...this is a fabulous thread! I actually had to go over this question with my PCP when I went to her for a recommendation letter for my bariatric doc. I think the main reason I'm fat is because I medicate myself with food. I am an extreme emotional eater. Unfortunately, this includes ANY emotion....like depression, sadness, happy, joyful, boredom, etc. It's not good when you Celebrate and console yourself with food. I also think that I have some real issues about being afraid of not having enough food. For instance, if my pantry or my bank account gets below a certain point, I truly panic. I believe this is because I lived through a time, after my parents divorced, when we were very poor. I remember that we would eat butter on crackers because we had nothing else. We also lived off of Vienna Sausages & Tuna (which was waaayyy less expensive then). It was always a real celebration when my mom would get paid and we could have something different to eat. *sigh* Kind of sad, isn't it? I know I'm not the only one who has this experience or problem. I also have no clue how to deal with it or fix it. Any suggestions?

Just wanted to check in and wish all my fellow December sleevers a very Happy New Year. Had my 3 week post op visits with my nutritionist and nurse today. They went well, and I have clearance to eat anything I want as long as it's healthy, eat a small portion, and chew chew chew. Protein first, veggies next, fruit, then whole grains. They said I was right on target. I start their 8 week post op program next Wednesday, and I start my 3 month exercise program on Monday. (They encourage us to do it longer than 3 months, but 3 months is included in the bariatric surgery package.) Saw my endocrinologist yesterday, and my A1C is lower than it's been since 2009. I am so thrilled I had the sleeve. I hope you all are doing well, and are meeting the New Year with better health and happiness! No caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages. No decaf for 6 months. That makes me sad, but the weight loss progress is worth it.

@@lisacaron it is in San Diego California on April 10_12I am pretty sure I forgot the name of the Hotel but, if you type in meet & greet it should come up Alex posted about it a while back he has Information on it, I went back& looked it is at the Manchester Grand Hyatt , & you have to register & the password for the discount is Bariatric pal just to make sure pm Alex so he can give you more details.

Hello I am new.. 1/21 Consultation 2/18 will be my 1st appointment with NUT. I have to complete a 6 month medically supervised weightloss program with the Bariatric Center. This includes testing 3 NUT appointments, Monthly weigh ins, Psych Evaluation, PCP approval Letter. I'm Nervous as ever. I'm 5'1 so they say and My Highest Weight 249 when I actually wasn't afraid to step on the scale. At Consultation 243. They also have me doing a 3 month Physical Therapy routine as well. I'm Nervous about everything and I need this surgery. I need to be healthy for my kids. I want to climb stairs like most people and not be winded. I want to be able to stand without my feet falling asleep. I want to squat down with my baby and actually be able to play. I want to Live a long Healthy Life. I understand this Journey is a life long commitment and I am Ready. I went for Consultation 5 years ago but I didn't like the way they treated me and I felt it was a sign to continue trying to lose on my own. Well here we are my weight has gone up and down, lose a little gain a lot.

Got the best news today! I'm OFFICIALLY official! Said I've lost enough pre-op weight to satisfy their requirements and my surgery is confirmed for 10:30 Tuesday Aug 12th. So super happy! As far as meds, I will be on a special bariatric multivitamin, vitamin d, b12, an acid reducer for 3 months, and a gallstone preventer for 6 months. Come on Tuesday! I'm ready to do this :-)

This is a myth. Dietary ketosis is COMPLETELY different than metabolic acidosis. The body is a very resilient organism. It will maintain (in the absence of acute and overwhelming diseases or difficiences) a pH balance in blood and tissues within a VERY narrow margin. That is part of why they test CO2 and O2 and K (electrolytes) and Ca, balance in the blood. It shows what state your blood pH is in (in an average). And it regulates the pH balance primarily through the kidneys and lungs--keeping your blood from going into metabolic acidosis or even respiratory acidosis. Both of these states are an extremely critical emergency situation--like you are dying. Osteopenia can be caused from many different things. We as bariatric pts take a crap ton of calcium. But taking calcium out of balance (which we do) CAN contribute to osteopenia--as can quick weight loss. ADEK and K2 (metabolites) are necessary to build bones by sending the calcium to the bones rather than the soft tissues or pulling minerals from the bone. I've been low carb (in and out of ketosis) for the better part of 20 years. I do not have osteopenia. I also am on Femara which can also cause osteopenia/porosis. So...I would tend to really look at the studies that are "proving" acidity because of ketosis. Just my 2cents. Sorry you are dealing with osteopenia girl!!!

There is some research (positive) on twitter re IF i would spell it out. Posted by bariatric surgeons. Im chicken to try it. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks for sharing about how you eat. I am sticking with just meats and veggies right now. I guess my stomach can't do Bariatric Advantage. The milk products really messed up my system this time around. I can still do the Protein drinks that don't have milk. I will check out the recipe site. I am going to try the tuna patties. I am glad Katie is feeling better.

Gail WTG :glare: I am smiling ear to ear reading this - I love your renewed committment !!! Yes this is about you - your health !!! You CAN DO IT :eek: - For me the little journal that I could carry with me was the best - cuz it's to easy to forget that one little cracker here and there if you wait to sit at the computer to journal - in the little book you can jot down what you eat and then total the calories when you get to the computer if you don't know them while eating... You go girl - so proud of you for taking the horse by the reins !!! Glad to have you back !!!! 1Day - you are still young and kids (yes dear my DS will be 38 in July - so to us oldies you are still a kid:tongue:) now a days it seems that kids want things right now - instant gratification it will come - you need to work on you and being happy with who you are right now - everything in its time - if you do the work it will come.. ----------------------------------------------------- Good evening gang !!! DS is watching Lakers - 5 yr GD washing dishes most likely using up the whole bottle of soap :eek: 14 yr GD is with friend - DIL is visiting with friends and GS is out jogging - the boy weighs maybe 110 and he's about 5'6.. So I thought I would ck in and see how everyones doing.. Well, will ck back in a few - gotta check my other threads and maybe fb.. Today's food BF - Protein bar - 190 c 20 grms pt L- Cobb salad & Ranch - 300 calories D- Baked fish - small ear of corn - 1/2 c rice. 385 calories S- Fresh strawberries 80 c and popcorn 100 and who knows what else it's only 8:13 here in cali.

Hi guys~ SIGH. Where to begin. Been a busy week for me. Kid started first grade (you live on the moon if you didn't hear this news..LOL) And... My dryer stopped working (I LIKE doing laundry and this REALLY threw a kink in my system)... The neighbors must think I am having an affair with the appliance repair guy b/c he has been here every day for the last 3 days. The pool pump/chlorine system died. (Those of you that know about pool pumps or pumps- know that the end must be in Water, too much air sucked in will break a pump. The other day Nels asked if he could take the vacuum out of the pool and I said yes- I assumed he unplugged it from the pool wall. $600 mistake. SIGH) My brake light keeps coming on in my Toyota. Scared the gajeebers (is that a word?) out of DH and it had to go in. NONE of the other mothers in Nels' class signed up to volunteer for ANYTHING and I am stuck being the sole room mom. (Most have many kids or work full time- understandable. Switching from private to public school- I have a few things to learn). I have an interview on Tuesday for a part time NP job. While talking to the administrator she looked up my license and noticed that it expired 2 months ago. SIGH. $75 penalty on top of NP renewal fee AND have to renew my ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). I did an online ACLS test and the company charged my credit card but didn't email me the card. SIGH SIGH SIGH. TOM is 4 weeks late and I am feeling REALLY crappy (N/V, bloated, boobs tender, etc..) . I was hoping pregnancy was an explanation but alas just ole menopause knocking at my door. (I am sure the gal at the drugstore thought this ole broad is buying the pregnancy test for her daughter! LOL) 2 nights ago had ZERO sleep- only after I realized it was a full moon did I understand why. sooo tired. What else? there's more but won't bore you with anymore details. So, Janet, confession is good for the soul. Been too busy having an affair with the repair man- didn't get to the gym. Walked two days and had enough hot flashes to provide electricity to a small country. Does that count? LMAO (LAUGHING MY ASS OFF) that your car read 119 degrees and that's what people thought you weighed! Imagine a car that said- ok, you gained 4 lbs today- I am NOT going through the drive through and taking you straight to the gym! haha:tongue2: I weigh 80 lbs b/c that's what my car said..LOL. Lori~ welcome home. I hear you with the comparison thing. My DH does it for me too. Sometimes I am just shocked at how my brain sees it. Glad you had fun. Arlene~ anxiously awaiting the news! Hang in there! That's all the ole brain can process. Apples is gone. Julie is hanging in there. Melissa is sick- hope you are feeling better. Someone keeps calling me LauraK. Can't remember who now. I know there are more, but that's as far back as posts I can see. I pledge to try to get to the gym NEXT week. This week I am barely keeping my head above water. Maintaining has to be OK for right now. Thanks for the support you guys. Tough week. peasout.. Laura

Sharon - Yep laundry is so much fun - I am going to need to do a load tonite.. Snacks - I save mine for nites - it's usually popcorn - sf pudding - even a bite or 2 of chicken - I always have a rostiser (sp) chicken in my fridge - If I am starving I will have a bite or 2 of chicken - and I did have some Protein snacks I got from bariatic choice - they look like cheero's but they are like cheese puffs sour cream & chive - 130 cal and 12 or 15 grms of pt.. I need to order some more I liked them - I had some taco ones from them too - they were ok- also you get 24 chips (bite size tostedos) for like 140 cal - I will have those on the weekend with some salsa... Bariatric Choice also has these great Cookies - Peanut Butter & choc - 150 cal 12 or 15 grms pt and they are big and filling - I have both and I ususally eat them before a work out.. Hows your daughter doing - How are you adjusting to being the grandma :0) Melissa I ate 800 cal one day then next day 1000 then next day 900 then maybe 1100 one day then 1200 on day - I varied my calories 800 isn't that low - Here's all the food that you can eat 100 to 150 for bf (Egg Beater omellet 60 cal with a little ham 50 cal and a piece of cheese 45) 150 to 200 for lunch (3 oz of tuna 80 cal - 25 for mayo - 2 wasa cracker 60 - lettuce free) 250 to 300 for dinner (4 oz fish 150 - 1/2 c rice 120 - Veggies 50) 100 to 150 for snacks (Popcorn & Pudding) Plus I exercised 4-5 days a week during my weight lost phase.. I am a volume eater still - I want the most food I can get for the least amount of calories - I rather have a salad that has 300 calories than 2 cookies or I rather have 3 bags of snack pack popcorn (well I don't know if I could eat 3 - but know I can eat 2) As you lose weight - it takes less carlories to maintain that weight at 250 it takes 3500 a day to keep that weight - well now my calories are between 1500 - 1900 now to maintain 138-143 and I go to the gym 3-4 days a week - if I didn't go to the gym hell I could only eat 1000 cal a day to maintain my weight..

OMG I just ran 4 miles!!! That's the longest I've run at once. It took 52 min, and I had to walk a bit of it, but not much. I'm so psyched!!!! On Christmas when i got the Nike+ I signed up for the "Beginner 20" challenge to run 20 miles between Dec 26 - Jan 31. Well... with tonights run I completed the challenge, and I'm in 4th place!!!! I can't believe I ran that far. Of course, that's just 3 days of running for Renewed and Whosya! LOL, you two are amazing! MacMadam... glad you joined the challenge! Lyn... how you doing? Luluc... how's life? Did you go back to school?

Same for me...I can't keep up with Renewed and Whosya, lol! My goal is to see just how far I can push myself and try to get in as many miles as possible. Let's keep up the good work guys!!

:thumbup: I've officially lost 100 lbs!!!! :eek: I'm soooo excited! I got up this morning wondering what the scale would say and wondering if I would be disappointed if I didn't make my goal. I weighed 230.1! What a wonderful Bandiversary!! Renewed~ Wow!! You rock!! I knew you would do FANTASTIC!! You, my friend, are simply amazing! Great job!! Did you get pictures? If so, I think you should post them. Again, congrats! Oh, did you hear Rocky music? LOL

Delores you should be proud of yourself ! You did something to take back your life that is no simple feat! People are always going to be judge mental let them it's theirs to deal with ! I work with 2 Md.'s who do bariatrics and I felt the same way now I've started my own journey and will be sleeved on The 24 I'm on both ends of it and some if my coworkers have been supporting some really I could give two hoots about I'm doing this to take back my life and I've decided I luv me more than I care what they think of me so continue on your path and let others deal with their own insecurity !

lyn--correction--renewed started this thread, but I would gladly take credit for it...its been amazing! Just kidding but BIG thanks to renewed! I have never felt such support for anything in my life like I do here. I think this and the low-carb thread has really changed my life. This is what I needed! Support! All of the other failed attempts to lose weight I was missing this. This time I have a new attitude and Imnot just doing it by willpower alone. This is the first time I am losing weight without the anger that I have had in the past, or the jealousy, or the desperation. I am doing it all on my own terms and doing it because I WANT to, not because I have to. Which brings me to another topic... I was talking with my best friend whose sister just had RnY. My bff is like a sister to me. She is seriously my bff soulmate. We have a connection like I have never seen. She said she will be totally supportive if I get the lap-band, but we got to talking and was saying what would happen if I DID NOT get the band. How will I feel if my denial letter or call comes. She has noticed a different attitude with this time I am losing weight. She said its like I finally am losing for the right reasons. I have been very successful so far and she has seen me lose weight a million times, but she and I both feel that this time its different. This time its forever. I will not be crushed if I get denied the band. Like everyone said, the band is just a tool. I feel like this support group is the biggest tool I have ever had in my life (an no...Im not calling you a bunch of tools! :wink2:) I just hope that if I am denied a lapband that you guys will still accept me here on this thread and lowcarb thread. I need you guys in my life! Seems like I can't get through the day without checkin in atleast 3 times a day! I have a feeling the band will be denied through my insurance because I need a bmi of 40 for the last 5 years and I haven't had that. Its dipped below a few times. At first I was desperate for the band, but as the weight comes off, I think less and less about getting it. Anyway, thos are some random thoughts I am having this morning. Oh as far as tummy tuck, I already know I will need one and I know dh will pay for one. I always watch tummy tuck and breast implants surgeries on tv and one day my husband was watching with me and he said "I wonder what a tummy tuck costs?" and I told him. I told him that I want one (what I meant was I will need one) and he was ready to sign me up! I had to explain to him that I needed to lose 100 pounds first and THEN I get a tummy tuck. It was pretty funny. He thought they could just suck ALL this fat out of my stomach (seriously like 40 pounds of fat in my stomach alone!) and then just cut off all the extra skin. I wish it was that easy! haha!

Thanks Renewed! Ya'll I did go to the gym yesterday - I did the elliptical and bicycle for 30 minute each then I got on the treadmill. I still need to buy another MP3 Player (mine bit the dust last week) so I didn't run, but I'm going to start again at week 3 on Monday. I miss running. I did so great weeks 1-3, but week 4 I just couldn't overcome. I'm not giving up though! I went back to the gym this morning too and am going tomorrow morning. Back on the wagon!!! Now to get an MP3 player that works - I just can't run without music...I need distraction - LOL I weighed in today and lost six pounds this week!!!! I about fell over when she told me that - I actually did an embarassing happy dance - LOL Renewed - congratulations on your PS! I bet you are thrilled...you deserve it. You've worked so hard and come so far. TOM is hard on me too...it drains me and I don't do anything for a few days. Take care of yourself. I had a tubal with my last c-section. I can't tell you about the recovery since it was intertwined with the whole baby thing. I'd be a bit one-sided (BAD) if I did that. I have been silent lately on this thread, actually lurking, lurking, lurking....I haven't been running like I want and need. I'm still here though!

Sheribear--it would be great to get a comparison! I was also told I could switch to any iron supplement and start taking capsule vitamins (versus the softchews) as long as the multivitamins are bariatric-specific vitamins. I don't mind the softchews, but they are expensive. Anyone have a good multivitamin capsule to recommend?