HopeFaith

Hi Everyone,
There will be a weekly Zoom Meeting for DS'ers and those seriously contemplating having the surgery starting 1/30/21 at 11am Pacific Standard Time. Since I signed up for a free Zoom account, max running time for the meeting is 40 mins. We will have a timer and anyone who wants to share will have 3-5mins. I'll write a brief format, something very simple but structured with the ultimate goal of all of us having a place to support each other and share our experiences. If you think you might be able to make it, please respond to this thread. Thanks!

You will need the Meeting ID and Passcode to log on via Zoom. Here is the Zoom Meeting Info:
Meeting ID: 750 1754 0708
Passcode: RQGkb0
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75017540708?pwd=Sk9uOHRCRjdxVzNCcENpanF4ZW1sQT09

They will be exploring an area that's far away from where the WLS was performed. It's pretty easy, I had it done. The worst part is the colon cleanse the day before. After that, it's a breeze. Good for you. An ounce of prevention.......

I revised from the Lapband to the DS two years ago. Since that time, I have lost 80 pounds. Besides there being a whole lot less of me, yes, I am happy and would do it again. I can eat pretty much what I want and have maintained my weight loss due to the malabsorption component of my surgery. You will find that many sleevers have regain issues. As far as the bathroom goes, no one's poop smells good. I have more gas in the evening and looser stool than I used to, but this is a small side effect and not a deal breaker to me. I went from a size 2x to a medium top. A size 18 pant to a size 8. No one eating next to me would know I had weight loss surgery because I can eat a normal portion. Protein first, veggies next. Drinking lots of water. My joints and feet don't hurt like they used to either. I wouldn't let a little more gas deter you from considering the DS. It's a good, solid, data-proven weight loss intervention. Out of all of the weight loss surgeries, the DS has the best proven track record for keeping the weight off, even over bypass surgery. Ask your surgeon.
My short answer: Yes, I'm happy.

I discovered several websites that focus on "Bariathletes," WLS patients who compete in athletic/endurance events. The challenges are unique: how to eat like an athlete with a pouch that only holds an ounce, how to get the quick energy without risking dumping from carb loading, etc. I think the websites will be very helpful. A sports medicine dietitian is actually one of the recommendations.
Yes, I have a training schedule. None of the single events are that big, but doing them all in a short period of time is where I am failing miserably with insufficient caloric intake. For example, today I walked 5K which was fine. I ate some breakfast and then did a 400 m swim and felt awful for hours - just totally depleted. This tells me I need to be getting more calories to make sure I can go on to the next event. I am going to try a Premier Protein prior to my next session and see how that goes. I think I could also use orange and banana slices during an actual session, with the hopes that the sugars will go directly to the muscles and not result in dumping. I will give it a try this week.
This is definitely a new challenge, but one I need to learn how to work with if I am going to meet other goals I have in mind.

I am 7 month post bypass and have been at GW for several weeks. Was feeling great and on top of the world. I have exercised since day one and felt good/strong enough to be challenged by ladies triathlon in a month. (1/4 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile walk/run.) So I have started training. The power walk is not an issue - I walk that far every day anyway, but I have been working on speeding it up. I started swimming this week, and it is HARD after not having swum in quite a while, but I am doing it. My bike comes next week and I will add that in. My problem is that doing the walk and swim every day has wiped me out. I feel calorie depleted, but cannot eat more than 800- 1,000 max per day.I am keeping up with hydration just fine - that is not a problem. I normally fast in the mornings, but I see I cannot do this and exercise hard in the mornings as well. My tummy is not liking anything fatty anymore. Cheese, meat, peanut butter, nuts, etc are making me feel sick. All that feels good is tea, protein shakes, yogurt, cooked squash. I am maintaining my weight (not losing any pounds, which is fine), but I feel like I am getting thinner.
How can I maintain a training schedule and compete in this event, and eat what I need in order to do this? Anyone out there who is really upping their exercise and still feeling good? How are you doing it? What are you eating before, during, and after events???? I need some help here. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak right now. I am feeling a bit down and discouraged.

Vanilla w/ water enhancers are really good
Add ice and blend...
Orange creamsicle, strawberry shortcake, rootbeer float, dreamy watermelon lime, pina colada, etc... The list goes on and on.
Chocolate with a tiny bit of chocolate jello powder and ice makes a more milk shake consistency.
Caramel in decaf coffee as creamer is spot on
Peaches and cream in decaf tea (hot or iced) is amazing
?Good Luck?

The best one is the one that you will use - it's no good buying the "ideal" product that you can't tolerate and will only sit on your shelf unused. That said, whey isolate is the preferred as it is the most absorbable, with the whey "blends" and "concentrates" being a notch or two lower, but will still work. Experiment now, try sample packs from different vendors, aim for isolates if you can but go with what you prefer, don't stock up too much as your tastes may change post-op (and they may not...) so if you have a few different ones on hand that are OK with you, you should be fine for a while.

I used the Premier Protein ready made stuff. If you have a Costco, they sell the vanilla & chocolate by the case.
IF you're a coffee drinker & IF you're allowed to have it - I've done a lot of Starbucks "hacks" to get me through. Two shots of espresso in a venti iced cup with ice. Then pour a premier protein shake on top & mix it up. Delicious. I've also added a tablespoon of Torani sugar free syrup to play with flavors & sweetness. Starbucks does have a couple sugar free syrup options as well.

There's a powdered peanut butter that is not terrible. If you get a little bullet type blender & add a scoop & your protein shake & blend, that's a decent option.

The powdered proteins are reallll trial & error. Both by brands & then just experimenting with them & how they'll dissolve for you. Look on YouTube too for videos about this! I found I was attempting to mix the powdered protein into my coffee all wrong. It would just curdle & was disgusting. If you put it in a shaker cup & add 2oz of milk and then shake it first, then add the coffee & shake again - much better.

There are also some Premier Protein clear drinks you can try & I really like Protein20 waters. One important thing - what tastes good to you during pre-op might not taste so good after. So try to buy just enough to test out & have on hand for after. I didn't mind the clear Premier Protein before surgery. Now it's just kinda ick. I can dilute it way down but, heh. I'd rather just drink water & get that protein & calories elsewhere.

@HopeFaithI know of Dr. K’s:
Link
But that’s really far for you. Have you checked local hospitals?

@shazza I lost 19lbs my first mo. Some might say that wasn't so much. Not me. I'd never lost that much so quickly and the bonus was I wasn't gaining like I would've been w/o the DS.

Hi, I recently relocated to Southern California (Laguna Niguel area) from Dallas TX. Dr Ayoola was my surgeon in Texas. I have been looking for a support group in the Laguna Niguel area. Does anyone know of any Bariatric support groups in the area? I had the DS, but support group doesn’t need to be surgery specific.

That is great- a little over 2 weeks, I googled the stall and some people had a stall for 4 weeks. I wonder if I should just stay away from the scale for a bit. Not eating much (calorie wise) and not losing doesn't really sound fun.

My stall is officially broken!! I'm down another pound as of this morning!! Whew.

I am sure you already know but watch your carbs too. That maybe holding you back. The general consensus is 20g of carbs or less. Also try tracking your food intake. This can give you a better idea on where you succeeding and where you need to work on.
Also remember, that you are still healing and your body is going crazy trying to take care of itself. Right now it won't be worried about weight loss. It is probably just holding onto the weight due to shock. Give it time, you will lose again. Also I stall for 1 week and lose big the next. Try to keep a weekly track of weight loss too. It actually helps you figure it your bodies partners.
Mines goes like this every month:
week 1: Major loss (3 - 4 lbs)
week 2: okay loss (2 - 3 lbs)
week 3: little weight loss (1 - 2 lbs)
week 4: barely any weight loss (0 - 1 lbs)
I hope this helps.

Hi A Better Me - I am not 'NEW' - I had surgery almost two years ago by Dr. Davidson at Forest Park.....I am here to tell you it's the best decision I ever made in my life!!! Good luck to you, you'll love your sleeve!!!