DonRodolfo

Interesting. As a woman who has lost basically the weight of a whole woman.. I feel stronger now. I can run, I can move, I am in shape - I am woman, hear me roar....lol
when I was heavy I felt vulnerable because I just didn't have enough fitness to feel self confident about anything physical. A fall meant going SPLAT etc.
Even so, I can understand what you are saying, I have just experienced it almost opposite.

I am SO THRILLED!!!!! I just got off the scale and I weigh 298 lbs... NOT 300 something!!!!!! I am at my marriage weight, which by the way is 18 years ago this Sunday! I can hardly contain myself! I can't remember the last time I saw a weight UNDER 300 lbs. I am eternally grateful to this sleeve. With out it there would be NO WAY under heaven that I could loose weight. I am SO HAPPY!!!! Woot Woot! I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every thread that someone has a problem, someone always mentions calling an attorney. no wonder healthcare in this country is so messed up.
Anyway, I am glad you are okay. Take a breath, you have a right to ask about what happened, understand it deeply so you can advocate for yourself. Not everyone is easy to intubate and maybe it is a good thing this happened since an endoscopy is a very low stakes way to find out how your body is going to need to be handled during actual surgery. (okay, maybe not a good thing,I am just trying to find the bright side here)
Scared the crap out of me that after my band removal the anesthesilogist left chart notes that said I had difficulty, but never told me and they weren't detailed enough for the next one to know what to make of it. It scared me, but i really appreciated that anesthethist #2 was professional enough to discuss it with me and describe the action plan in case things went bad. Of course, it was fine and he later told me he had no idea what the first one was talking about.... but i still appreciated the care and informing me of everything.

I found this review when I was looking into the shakes
http://www.davidmodderman.com/blog/index.php/weight-loss/body-by-vi-is-it-all-hype/

Start sampling Protein drinks to see which ones you like/don't like. Also, start working on getting that 64oz of Water in per day (part of that is getting in the habit of carrying a water bottle everywhere you go if you don't already).

Someone posted this earlier this evening in another thread:
http://www.shape.com...h-protein-waste
Ask the Diet Doctor: Is Eating Too Much Protein a Waste?
You may have heard too much Protein is bad for your body, but chances are you’re not eating enough
Q: Is it true your body can only process so much protein at once?
A: No, it is not true. I have always found the idea that your body can only “use” a certain amount of protein funny, as what happens when you go over that number? Does it pass through your system undigested?
Protein and how much you need is a very misunderstood topic, most likely because we have traditionally looked at how much protein we need in our diets based on preventing a deficiency and not the optimal amount. If you are looking to ensure you get adequate levels of the essential amino acids, then you will need somewhere between 50 to 60 grams of protein each day. I know many nutrition professionals who believe taking in more than that is a waste.
But I’m going to bet that you are not reading SHAPE to help prevent nutritional deficiencies—you likely want to slim down, train harder, perform better, or all of the above. For this we need to look beyond deficiencies and look at what is optimal for building and rebuilding muscle. At its most basic level, for this to happen you need protein synthesis since protein is both the building blocks of muscle and the gas to ignite the process.
RELATED: The right mix of nutrients is essential to keeping your internal furnace burning. Enjoy these three Snacks that will help you lose weight.
Researchers from the University of Texas wanted to figure out how you could optimize that process and if the timing of your protein mattered. They had one group of volunteers eat a high-protein (90-gram) meal at the end of the day and another space out protein intake across the day (30 grams per meal). Those who ate protein at every meal yielded the greatest net increases in protein synthesis.
So 30 grams seems to be the right amount to max out protein synthesis, meaning that if you had 40 grams of protein in one sitting (as found in most Meal Replacement shake packets), you won’t see any more protein synthesis. But does that mean the extra 10 grams of protein goes to waste?
No, it just means it won’t be used to further increase protein synthesis. But protein is not a one-trick macronutrient—it can also be used for other things. If you eat more protein above your muscle-building needs, your body will just break down the protein and its components and use it for energy. There are two benefits to eating more protein such that some could be used this way.
RELATED: Need some pep? Try these 11 all-natural energy-boosters.
The first is the thermic effect of food. Protein is the most metabolically demanding micronutrient—some estimates show that it takes your body almost twice the calories to break down and use protein than it does carbohydrates.
Protein also elicits a different hormonal milieu than carbs, one more favorable to getting and staying lean. When you eat carbohydrates, the hormones insulin and glucagon are released. Insulin puts the brakes on fat release from fat cells and is used by your body to drive the amino acids from protein into your muscles. During this process, insulin also moves sugar (as you have a basal level of sugar in your bloodstream) into fat or muscle cells. This could result in low blood sugar (which can cause you to feel “off” or light-headed), so your body also releases glucagon, which has the primary job of taking stored sugar from your liver and moving it into your system so that you maintain even-keel blood sugar. Another bonus of glucagon is that it seems to also increase satiety, making your feel more full and satisfied. Glucagon may also stimulate your fat cells to release fat, but the details of this are still being figured out in humans.
RELATED: Now that you know what you need protein-wise, check out six ways your diet is messing with your metabolism so you can improve your eating—and your body.
While this may sound like academic musing about protein, it works out in real life as well. Weight-loss studies that include a higher-protein (about double the “prevent deficiency” recommendations) diet group show greater weight loss and better improvements in body composition. While there is a limit to the extent you can increase protein synthesis in one sitting, your body puts any extra protein to very good use.

Do I officially lose my man card now? Lol! Feels great! The reason I am getting one (at this moment) is because my feet were all gross when I noticed them at Yoga a couple days ago. My feet were drying out from all the running I do. They were flaking on the heals. I know, gross! Had to use the big cheese grater on my feet. Lol.
Besides , I am here with my wife. Marriage bonding!! I do not think I would have done this pre op, but now I care how I look and I am no longer an anti social hermit. It is sort of strange in a way, but hey, post op is a great time to make changes in your life. Feet are now ready for another round of yoga vinayse.
Hey guys, time to go out and do new things you never would have done before. It is enlightening and makes you a more rounded person. Running 10 k one day, cross fit the next day, hot yoga the next day, hiking the next day, etc. Fun stuff being a post op!!!

My 20 day preop consisted of cottage cheese and Protein Drinks. I loved cottage cheese but I think if I so much as looked at it now I would hurl lol. You name it I tried it to change/help with the taste. Mrs dash isn't bad regular or southwest, dry hidden valley ranch (very little) was ok, but I liked a bit of Campbell's Tomato Soup mixed it. Traditionally I've always doused it in black pepper just like my dad lol

Well done!

Let me be VERY clear on something. The darkening on the skin we are experiencing IS NOT dirt. That is either an ignorant comment from an uneducated person, or someone who has been EXTREMELY poorly informed. It has to do with Insulin Resistance and the insulin leaking out of our bodies. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the TRUE cause of this very embarrassing, hygiene UNrelated issue. Please read below or take time to do your own research on Acanthosis nigricans. I myself have found very positive information regarding this unsightly issue, with regards to weight loss and overall fading of the problem areas.
Acanthosis nigricans is a brown to black, poorly defined, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin. It is usually found in body folds,[1] such as the posterior and lateral folds of the neck, the axilla, groin, umbilicus, forehead, and other areas. (In other words..your neck, armpits, groin (inner thighs), near the belly button, and forehead)
It typically occurs in individuals younger than age 40, may be genetically inherited, and is associated with obesity or endocrinopathies, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, polycystic ovary disease, insulin-resistant diabetes, or Cushing's disease.
The most common cause of acanthosis nigricans is insulin resistance, which leads to increased circulating insulin levels. Insulin spillover into the skin results in its abnormal increase in growth (hyperplasia of the skin).

So the other day I couldn't find a before picture...found one and it's frightening! It's a weird pic because I have this NPPV mask on trying it out in class (I'm a Respiratory Therapy student). Also I am reposting the picture I took last week at 88 lbs total. In the picture I am probably 280 or so. After picture I am 214.

For the people who don't know me my name is Corey. I started my preop diet in October of 2012 at 475lbs. I was sleeved on 1/28/13, on that day I weighed in at 450lbs. As of today I am at 382lbs, and I can already feel a major difference in things I can do now that I couldn't before. I couldn't walk for more then ten minutes at a time before the surgery, now I go for an hour plus walk almost everyday! I think the hardest part for me so far has been reinventing my relationship with food..... food use to be my goto for everything. I got depressed, I ate. If I was bored, I ate. If I was happy or celebrating something, I ate. Now I find constructive stuff to do when or if I need to. I started drawing, and I am thinking about buying a tattoo gun and some practice skin next. Me and my son go outside and play (it's nice not being so tired all the time!) and I am looking forward to being able to goto amusement parks this summer and being able to fit on rides!! My weight loss journey is far from over, my goal weight is 200-220lbs and I know that thanks to this surgery as long as I stay committed I will make it. I also wanted to take a minute to say thank you to the people on this site as well, without the support you guys have given me during my rough times in the beginning I don't think I would be doing as well as I am now! Thank you!!

I made this for lunch today and had to share it was so delicious..
If youre at the stage where you can eat shrimp and veggies this is perfect.
Take 1/2 lb-1 lb jumbo peeled and devined shrimp (depending on how many servings you wanna make) 1lb makes about 4-5
1 red bell pepper
1 Tomato (large)
1 squash
1 zucchini
1 Avocado
1-2 garlic cloves
1 shallot
Olive oil
Salted sweet cream butter
Peppercorn
Mince the garlic and shallot.
Dice the red bell pepper, tomato, zucchini and squash to bite size not too small for texture.
In a deep dish place your shrimp add sea salt, black peppercorn, garlic powder, paprika. Let marinade in for a few minutes.
Preheat skillet and add a tablespoon of olive oil once its hot stir in garlic and shallot mix until garlic browns a little (1-2 min). Stir in red bell pepper mix for a minute, add tomato stir for another minute and add rest of veggies. Cook veggies for about 4 min toss in tablespoon of butter, keep stirring.
Toss in shrimp until cooked thoroughly add sea salt and peppercorn to taste.
Place a bed of sliced avocado on a plate and put your shrimp on top. Voila! Enjoy!

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Your southerner card, please hand it over!

Your southerner card, please hand it over!

Explaining your experience is different then generalizing and saying that the surgery is a waste. For MOST people it works the proper way. For the small minority something could have been done wrong. I'm sorry that your surgery isn't working for you, and I wish you future success.

Ok, I've never once been sarcastic or mean on this forum. But your just ridiculous. Your either trolling, very uninformed, or just plain not smart. You make your own success. You fail, it's your own fault. Why even be on this site? To tell people to eat McDonald's and pizza and crap? This site is for people who have genuine support or advice. If you want to just be sarcastic, your really not needed here.

Seems to me that if you are able to eat so much that you wouldn't be needing to also supplement with Protein Shakes. Certainly as a dietician, you know how to get your protein from food sources.. chicken and eggs are not "specialty items" they are inexpensive, easy to prepare, stick in your sleeve and are protein rich. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around your need to buy Protein drinks if you are eating as much as you claim.
You say your doctor botched your surgery, i get it, I would be mightily frustrated too, but you are also full of excuses and seem to be making very little effort here. I think you are right on the money. You definitely should NOT have had this surgery, It is definitely not for you. Shame on your doctor for giving you false expectations and for operating on you in the first place. Even if the surgery would have gone perfectly, I don't think it would have worked for you.

Good point. I hope you are right. I do tend to take what people say as literal... My head was about spinning around because he's been offering nutritional advice to other sleevers which included things like "McDonald's fish bites" so for him to say he's a dietician really threw me for a loop.

Is it against the rules to accuse someone of trolling? Certain things that are being said seen too ridiculous to be real.

No judgement here. I have my own past with alcohol and I'm a little scared of after surgery. I've been alcohol-free since the end of November of last year and trying to stay that way, one day at a time.

So I'm guessing none of you have seen the "As for me I'm bottom heavy so I can't wait to loose these theighs so I can have my legs up in the air longer lol." thread.

I keep reading on here about those who are struggling with guilt when they eat. Until yesterday I was one if those people. I am 6 weeks post op and yesterday we had a family function where everyone ordered pizza. I took a small slice, cut it in half and ate the half, except the back crust (the part where you hold). Afterwards I felt such a tremendous amount of guilt, I was depressed, angry, and frustrated that even after his surgery that food was STILL controlling my emotions. I just want to be normal! Eat like a normal, healthy person and FEEL and look healthy.
Here was my revelation. A healthy, normal person DOES eat a slice of pizza and enjoys it without all the negative emotion attached. Food has no power over me if I don't give it power over me. A small slice of pizza is not a bad choice (as long as its not a trigger food, as long as solids are cleared by your doc, and as long as you eat a normal serving size for your sleeve).
2 months ago I would have eaten 3 slices,maybe 4, with a coke and some garlic knots...so why the heck am I crucifying myself? THAT Is not healthy, not the pizza.
Free yourself. The weight will come off and you will lose the mental heaviness as well.

You're not alone, none of us are. We may be strangers, but we all have each other, and WE understand!

No, But I've tried your boyfriends....