Fiddleman

We better stop this talk and reminiscing of dream donuts before we get a bunch of hate PMs.

Maybe you are right about the hunger thing and artificial sweeteners... I use mostly Splenda to sweeten my coffee. Will have regular sugar in certain things, but try and minimize it. For example, my Protein bars have 2 g sugar for the real chocolate they are dipped in ( nu go slim bars). I have also tried Stevia with success. It tastes better than Splenda, but a little harder to find and costs little more. One thing about Stevia that I can appreciate is It is twice as efficient as Splenda. Only 1/2 amount is needed for coffee when compared to Splenda. Also there are some articles that say Splenda is made in a lab where Stevia is natural. Not sure if the stories that Splenda originally was derived from rat poison R&D are true or just marketing hype by anti-Splenda agenda.

Hey guys- what is the lowest pants size I can expect to fit in post op? I am 5'11", 180 lb and can comfortably fit in a Levi 34" today (so far from 46+ pre op). When I say 34 fits comfortably, I mean they are pulled up around my waist where they are supposed to hang, no belt. Think of how jeans are supposed to hang ala Abercrombie and Fitch ads where there is a dude in jeans without a shirt on. With body shaping workouts, I think 32 inch is possible. Is this a good size to target or should I be thinking about 30 or 28? What size is considered attractive in today's society?

I recently posted the following comments on another thread and thought they were useful enough to live stand alone in a new thread: If it is helpful, my NUT at Swedish hospital in Seattle (yay Britney) recommended eating like the induction phase on Atkins for the pre op diet. I did not have any trouble with that as lots of practice there over the years. The Atkins Induction phase is essentially a very low carb diet, no breads, starches, caffeine, etc. You eat proteins as much as possible with some low glycemic vegetables. The surgeon stated that I had a super healthy and small liver because of doing this type of eating pre op. Most people will end up losing 10 lb. a week by eating low carb before surgery. For example, I switched my diet one month before surgery to be like Atkins induction phase and lost about 30 lbs dropping my weight to 335 lb., probably reducing complications that might have been present had I been 30 lb heavier and still eating junk. I felt it also gave me a good kick start on learning to eat better *before* post op physical and mental struggles. Really important!! Maybe this simple suggestion will help you or others who read this later. I also like the idea of drinking protein shakes before surgery. That will help you get used to the post op drinking of protein shakes. All we drink are protein shakes for up to 3 weeks post op (aka the liquid phase) so the more you prepare yourself for this, the better. However, I do have to warn you that your favorite protein shake flavor pre op may no longer be your favorite protein shake flavor post op. Our tastes often change when going over to the other side. For this reason, it is not a good idea to load up on tubs of protein powder pre op thinking you will be also drinking the same flavors post op. happened to me. MyBariatricPantry.com and other sites like this let you buy sample packets of protein shake flavors. Try some or all until you pick one or more that you do not mind drinking. Again, do this post op as your tastes may have changed after your stomach is removed. I happen to like Nectar sweets (several flavors) both pre op and post op, but did not like Nectar fruits post op where others really like Nectar fruit flavors post op. I used to be big on peach and banana flavors pre op, but hated them post op. Everyone will have different tastes. I still have 1-2 protein shakes daily. They are really helpful for when I need a low effort 1st meal and a recovery drink after working out. Still love to drink Nectar Cookies and Cream even today. I feel good that protein shakes are helping me get in an extra 40-50 grams of protein a day. I try and eat 150+ g of protein a day today. Water and milk will taste different post op, maybe even gross or cause GI issues. I could not drink milk again due to lactose intolerance issues until month 5 post op and plain water again until month 6 post op. You may find an alternative like light soy or almond milk will work just as well as nonfat/low fat milk post op; it will be smoother on your stomach and less trips to the bathroom. Everyone is different. As for water, I could taste all the minerals and it sat heavy in my stomach post op. I am still flavoring my water today at month 9 post op, but can drink bottled and tap water again without flavor if the need arises. Luckily, the need does not arise very often because I have water flavoring in my pocket most of the time. Try and drink as much water as possible to flush toxins from your system. As you are dropping weight, the stored toxins are released into your liver and it needs all the flushing it can get to keep up. I try and drink 100+ oz water a day today. An Atkins style diet without the higher fat foods actually works remarkably well post op to drop lbs month over month until you are able to add back in good carbs around month 5 or 6. For example, month 1 (45 lbs.), month 2 (45 lbs.), month 3 (15 lb), month 4 (15 lb), month 5 (15 lbs.) and month 6 ( 15 lbs). I am maintaining at around 180 lbs now for 2 months. This is only a suggested style of eating post op as it will not work for everyone nor will it be preferred by everyone. As an aside, I also added coffee back in at week 6 and alcohol at month 6. My remaining pre op vices, I suppose. Hey, I am a Seattleite and need my coffee! Today I have transitioned into a Paleo diet with supplementation (shakes and bars) to help optimize my running and cross fit activities. Up until month 5, my exercise was mostly walking / elliptical and I encourage everyone to really get good at walking before taking on additional exercise activities. Besides, your dog will love you for it! Hope this helps! Please add other tips that have worked for you so pre ops will have a smoother transition to post op with regards to eating and drinking.

If it is helpful, my NUT at Swedish recommended eating like the induction phase on Atkins for the pre op diet. I did not have any trouble with that as lots of practice there. it is essentially a very low carb diet, no breads, starches, etc. You eat Proteins as much as possible with some low glycemic vegetables. This kind of diet actually works remarkably well post op to drop lbs until you are able to add back in good carbs. The surgeon stated that I had a super healthy and small liver because of doing this when he opened me up. Most people will end up losing 10 lb in a week by eating low carb before surgery. For example, I switched my diet one month before surgery to be like Atkins induction phase and lost about 30 lbs, probably reducing complications that might have been present had I been 30 lb heavier and still eating junk. I felt it also gave me a good kick start on learning to eat better *before* post op physical and mental struggles. Really important!! Maybe this simple suggestion will help you or others. I also like the idea from space dust regarding drinking Protein shakes before surgery. That will help you get used to the post op drinking of Protein Shakes. All we drink are protein shakes for up to 3 weeks post op, so the more you prepare yourself for this, the better. However, I do have to warn you that your favorite protein shake flavor pre op may no longer be your favorite protein shake flavor post op. Our tastes often change going over to the other side. For this reason, it is not a good idea to load up on tubs of Protein powder pre op thinking you will be also drinking that post op. MyBariatricPantry.com and other sites like this let you buy sample packets of protein shake flavors. Try some or all until you pick one or more that you do not mind drinking. Again, do this post op as your tastes may have changed after your stomach is removed. I happen to like nectar sweets (several flavors) both pre op and post op, but did not like Nectar fruits post op where others really like Nectar fruit flavors post op. i used to be big on Peach and banana flavors pre op, but hated them post op. Everyone will have different tastes. Water and milk will taste different post op, maybe even gross. I could not drink milk again due to lactose issues until month 5 post op and plain water again until month 6 post op. You may find an alternative like light soy or almond milk will work just as well as nonfat/low fat milk post op. it will be smoother on your stomach. Everyone is different. As for water, I could taste all the minerals and it sat heavy in my stomach post op. I am still flavoring my water today at month 9 post op, but can drink bottled and tap water again without flavor if the need arises.

Great- looking forward to meeting you in person!

You are such a success!! What kind of exercise do you do?

Darn, I thought I was making progress for a moment...

You would probably be mad at me if one showed up on your doorstep fed ex overnight. Might not even be stale by the time you get it!!

Size matters. Period.

It is my thread so I do mind going off topic. The best apple fritters are from the Pike Place Market in a small bakery. They are called Texan apple fritters because they are the size of dinner plates. OMG. And you know how sometimes things taste worst the bigger they get ( e.g. a huge apple may look good, but inside is all grainy), not true of these fritters. They are awesome. One bite and you are in heaven. Lots of frosting and chewy dough parts with lots of apple flavor. Mmmm. Now see, I want one!

He he, those apple fritters and maple bars are to die for. I was such a slave to the apple fritter pre sleeve. I don't go into the UW book store for donuts any more, but their coffee is so good. I would drive 30 minutes to just have their coffee. Mmmm. For those that are not in the area, trust me, we know what we are talking about in our little Seattle clique of sleevers.

I have a pair of Nike zoom running shoes that have really held up. Been running on them an average of 24 miles a week from Dec 15 2012, and according to a running store clerk, the shoes still have 100 miles left on them whoo who!! It looks like I will get about 5.5 months or about 450 miles out of them. Good on the wallet.

Tried yin today. Felt like a 90 minute Swedish massage. So nice. I went to this very nice facility in Woodinville, WA called Balance Yoga. Very professional and clean facility with many amenities. Do check it out if you live in the area (I am about 35 min North of there). Highly rated through my Corporate Passport Benefits as well. I think I will try Hatha next. I bought a 30 days for 30 dollars unlimited use. I will probably go 2x a week over the next month to explore all the different yoga types. Can really feel Yoga working my ABS now. They are sore, but I guess that is a good thing for when the shirt comes off this Summer. lol. Will be so much fun and oh so relaxing...

That is so full of awesomeness! Way to go!

That's just not right...

Mmmm, armadillo....

I bet it would be approved and taste like chicken. Lol!

No hangover, never... I have a drink about once a month now post 6 months, just as a way to socialize when eating out. Seriously, over in 10 minutes for me...now driving home, just kidding. Wife driving home. I am surprised at how quickly the alcohol metabolizes. I just know my run tomorrow is going to be a b***h with this alcohol . Maybe not? It was Pre sleeve. I always suffered day after drinking when trying to run.

I mean amaretto (sp?). Lol! Told you I was sloshed.... wore off after like 10 min but kinda fun.

No , lol! It was a drink.