Post-Op Life (16 Years Out)

[KennyM 17]

Let me start with some simple statements.

No, I don’t know the length of my comment channel, I used to, but that doesn’t define my surgery and therefore takes up ZERO brain capacity.

Yes, if given the choice to have the surgery or not have the surgery, I would do it again.

Yes, working out at a lower weight is easier, but it still sucks, and I still hate working out. 🏋️‍♀️

One day you’ll forget about your surgery until after you’ve eaten too much movie theatre popcorn. 🍿You will pay for this mistake for at least 24 hours and swear to never do it again, until the next time you go to the movies and do it again.

Men only: NO, this surgery does not make your penis bigger. It makes the perception of the size of your penis bigger because you can see more of it when your belly disappears. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are suddenly a porn star, you are still the same guy.

Yes, I love Kale… As a garnish. Kale was never meant to be eaten as a food, whoever decided this leafy weed should be consumed by people should be banished from civilization.

16-years post-op and not a day goes by where my surgery doesn’t impact my life in some way, shape, or form.

If I eat too much of the wrong foods one day, I pay for it the next. I always carry a can of Ozium with me. It’s better than killing the human in the stall next to me.

I have learned that no matter how many Vitamins, supplements, and shakes I consume, since my surgery I am prone to anemia. Around 10 years ago I started receiving Iron infusions. I initially had to go in for a fill up once every six months, now, I go in around once every 13 to 14 months. Why has this changed, you ask? Great question! Because as you get further and further away from your surgery, your body’s ability to absorb nutrients increases and therefore you have the ability to absorb more calories increases as well, that is why people can easily start gaining weight several years down the road. Though I am not a doctor, I do believe this is accurate information.

Only once since my surgery have I **** in my pants, I don’t remember it happening, I just know that I woke up and had this issue to deal with. It has not happened since that time, I think mostly because I try to eat what I’m supposed to eat and I avoid foods that lubricate my intestines to the point of them becoming a slip and slide.

No, I do not tell every person I meet that I’ve had surgery. In the beginning, it’s a little difficult because you can’t eat normal amounts of food and it’s apparent that you want to. Immediately after surgery, I avoided going out for dinner with friends, instead, I would meet them for a drink. Today I can go out for business meetings, dinners with friends and no one knows or can tell that I’ve had surgery. I can order a normal size meal and always do. Typically, when I go to dinner, I eat my Protein first, then I have a few carbs and a few vegetables. I eat what is considered by most Americans to be a normal portion, not a restaurant-sized portion.

Now let’s talk about Protein Shakes. I am sick and f**king tired of all of the Internet chatter about which shake is the best tasting, has the most Protein, is convenient, comes in rainbow colors. It’s a f**king Protein Shake. Almost all of them have some shitty aftertaste component to them. I have tried dozens over the years and thanks to my son, a football player, I have found the one Protein Powder that truly destroys all others. It is called Pro7ein: http://www.vitasport.net/vitasport/products/protein/pro7ein-synthesis

I prefer to mix one scoop to 8 ounces of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Many mornings I will do two scoops to 12 ounces of unsweetened almond milk. I end my day with another two scoop Protein Shake before bed.

I will tell you that if you add this one thing to your daily regimen, you will not be pooping yellow sticky liquid. I’ve read a lot of comments in these forums about yellow smelly poops. The reason you have yellow smelly poop because you’re not eating the right stuff, if you start focusing on your protein first, your ass issues will clear up.

Final note for you post-op, surgical newbies. You’ve had weight-loss surgery, you don’t have cancer. Stop treating this like you have something terrible f**king disease when you are around your friends. They are really tired of hearing about it. Trust me. Eat what you need to, do your thing, don’t make a big deal about it.

In all, I’d say I am very happy 16 years post-op. Is having a duodenal switch right for everyone? No. Like any surgery of this type, it has life-changing implications. Some are good, summer bad, but ultimately it is to help those of us who struggle with losing weight.

***I originally placed this in Post-Op Q&A and relaized it belongs here.

[GreenTealael 25,336]

I love kale, I firmly belong in civilization. Otherwise great post

[Creekimp13 5,840]

As much as I want to, and as much as i've tried...I hate Kale, too. Bleh.

But I love so many other deep green veggies, it's ok that I don't like it. Maybe it's one of those weird ones where certain people have taste receptors that actually experience its taste differently?

I've tried many a chopped Kale salad recipe...put it in green shakes...I've worked at it....and no dice.

The bearded dragon loves it, though:)

[BigViffer 3,544]

11 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

As much as I want to, and as much as i've tried...I hate Kale, too. Bleh.

<snip>

I've tried many a chopped Kale salad recipe...put it in green shakes...I've worked at it....and no dice.

Have you tried making greens with kale? I'll make a huge batch of collard, mustard, turnip, and kale (or any combination of them). I'll take a pound of peppered bacon and get it just to the point of being crispy. Then add some garlic, apple cider vinegar, and as much greens as I can fit in my crock pot. Cook them down and add some more. That's just the basic recipe, you can season it a little differently after that.

I can literally eat that all day.

[GreenTealael 25,336]

IDC I ❤️ Kale with everything

[clsumrall 535]

Thank you Kenny M. Made my day!!

[Strivingforbetter 247]

@KennyM I'm just barely one year post-op and curious about weight regain. Have you experienced it? One of the reasons I chose the DS is to avoid this. I know our intestine absorbs more food over time, but I wondered what this led to in the long term. Perhaps in changing our eating habits regain doesn't have to be an issue.

[KennyM 17]

I bottomed out at around 185 pounds and regained SOME weight over time. I never went above 245. I am now working out with a trainer and focused on getting down to 190 - 195 (I looked sickly at 185). I eat well, I simply watch my carb intake and fats. I eat about 250 grams of Protein, 200 carbs, and 50 fat, daily. This is to get to where I want to be.

[GreenTealael 25,336]

On 6/14/2018 at 2:10 PM, KennyM said:

I bottomed out at around 185 pounds and regained SOME weight over time. I never went above 245. I am now working out with a trainer and focused on getting down to 190 - 195 (I looked sickly at 185). I eat well, I simply watch my carb intake and fats. I eat about 250 grams of Protein, 200 carbs, and 50 fat, daily. This is to get to where I want to be.

Updates?

Still hate kale?