southernsoul

My surgeon used skim milk as my primary source of Protein for the first 2 weeks. He's not a fan of Protein shakes in general. I was allowed to use NesQuik No Sugar Added chocolate mix-in to make chocolate milk. It's not a huge difference from a chocolate Protein shake, but maybe enough suffice? Are you allowed to drink milk? For weeks 3 & 4 I was on full liquids & able to put the unjury chicken in some cream of chicken Soup, which was much better to me than having it mixed with Water. Good luck!

One way that I have used Pork rinds post op is as a substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf or meatballs. I knew that the Protein in pork rinds was mostly collagen (& therefore not absorbed), but when you crush them up they make a great low carb filler or breading for recipes that call for bread crumbs.

I started wearing my hair in it's naturally curly state shortly before I had sleeve surgery. I hoped that if it started thinning after surgery, wearing it curly would help it look fuller. I found a couple of products from Mixed Chicks that I like a lot. Post-op, your hair might change, but you can't know until it happens. If it does change, you'll learn how to work with it just like you did when you went natural. Good luck!!

I started wearing my hair in it's naturally curly state shortly before I had sleeve surgery. I hoped that if it started thinning after surgery, wearing it curly would help it look fuller. I found a couple of products from Mixed Chicks that I like a lot. Post-op, your hair might change, but you can't know until it happens. If it does change, you'll learn how to work with it just like you did when you went natural. Good luck!!

I started wearing my hair in it's naturally curly state shortly before I had sleeve surgery. I hoped that if it started thinning after surgery, wearing it curly would help it look fuller. I found a couple of products from Mixed Chicks that I like a lot. Post-op, your hair might change, but you can't know until it happens. If it does change, you'll learn how to work with it just like you did when you went natural. Good luck!!

My insurance approved a panni, and I paid $3K out of pocket to get the full Tummy Tuck. I was also approved for a breast reduction at the same time. I didn't do anything special, my surgeon just submitted for approval and got it. I had another surgeon tell me he wouldn't bother submitting for insurance approval because I'd "never" be approved....I still had about 20 lbs I wanted to lose, had not maintained at goal for a year, etc. I said thank you very much, went to a different surgeon, and boom.....I was approved and had plastics about a month later.

Dear HFFM,
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile, but I logged on today & your post caught my eye. I'm 3 years out this month. Six months after my sleeve surgery, my husband was killed in a fire. The fact is, any one of us could die today, tomorrow, next week, or next month. We get in cars, cross busy streets, fly in planes, and do many other things that expose us to risk. There's no way to control all risk. You sound like a loving, committed husband and father. You are having this surgery to increase your odds of having more time with them. You have prepared for the possibility of something happening to you, and you have provided for them if/when that day comes. You have controlled for as much as you can, and big kudos to you for doing so. The rest of it is simply out of your control. Take a deep breath, kiss that beautiful wife and son, and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you!

Dear HFFM,
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile, but I logged on today & your post caught my eye. I'm 3 years out this month. Six months after my sleeve surgery, my husband was killed in a fire. The fact is, any one of us could die today, tomorrow, next week, or next month. We get in cars, cross busy streets, fly in planes, and do many other things that expose us to risk. There's no way to control all risk. You sound like a loving, committed husband and father. You are having this surgery to increase your odds of having more time with them. You have prepared for the possibility of something happening to you, and you have provided for them if/when that day comes. You have controlled for as much as you can, and big kudos to you for doing so. The rest of it is simply out of your control. Take a deep breath, kiss that beautiful wife and son, and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you!

Dear HFFM,
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile, but I logged on today & your post caught my eye. I'm 3 years out this month. Six months after my sleeve surgery, my husband was killed in a fire. The fact is, any one of us could die today, tomorrow, next week, or next month. We get in cars, cross busy streets, fly in planes, and do many other things that expose us to risk. There's no way to control all risk. You sound like a loving, committed husband and father. You are having this surgery to increase your odds of having more time with them. You have prepared for the possibility of something happening to you, and you have provided for them if/when that day comes. You have controlled for as much as you can, and big kudos to you for doing so. The rest of it is simply out of your control. Take a deep breath, kiss that beautiful wife and son, and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you!

I'm 3 years out this month. In my opinion, learning to cope without turning to food is one of the hardest challenges post-WLS. Many of us have used food for comfort, or when faced with stress, or just when boredom would set in. It's important not to "graze" all day, too. Maybe it would help you to keep a journal? Write down how you're feeling when you see that you're not eating well. Are you feeling stressed? Sad? Angry? Lonely? I think a lot of emotional issues that have been band-aided with food pre-op rise to the surface post-op, and it's important to work through them. Good for you for weight-training, though. Exercise is one of the very best outlets for stress relief and for releasing dopamine and serotonin. Wishing you the best of luck!

I'm 3 years out this month. In my opinion, learning to cope without turning to food is one of the hardest challenges post-WLS. Many of us have used food for comfort, or when faced with stress, or just when boredom would set in. It's important not to "graze" all day, too. Maybe it would help you to keep a journal? Write down how you're feeling when you see that you're not eating well. Are you feeling stressed? Sad? Angry? Lonely? I think a lot of emotional issues that have been band-aided with food pre-op rise to the surface post-op, and it's important to work through them. Good for you for weight-training, though. Exercise is one of the very best outlets for stress relief and for releasing dopamine and serotonin. Wishing you the best of luck!

Welcome!
After wedding (best wishes!) and honeymoon planning, WLS planning will be "a piece of cake" (no. don't eat the cake ).
I think now is the time to be an "information sponge". Read, watch, talk WLS. As much as you can. No one can have too much information.
Your bariatric team should be giving you some ideas of what you should have on hand for pre-op prep and post op liquid diets.
Like:
A Protein powder that you like and it likes you. Shop around for samples. Many companies will supply free samples. GNC has single serving paks of Quest Protein Powder (the brand I like) in all of the flavors they offer for a minimal fee.
Protein clear drinks that will help you get your require protein and fluids in per day.
sugar free ice pops----a life saver the first week post op.
Home made broth--frozen beforehand.
A determined mind set--which sounds like you already have.
Keep posting any questions here. No matter how simple or silly it may sound, we have all been where you are now and know how "it is". No matter what the question, there will probably someone on BP that has experience with whatever you have on your mind and can help you or at least talk about the issue through with you.
How exciting? A new marriage and now a new WLS journey! 2016 will be your "year to remember".
Prayers going up ...

I think the one thing we can ALL agree on is we want to see @@Dub f*ck that cake.

Are you serious ?
I've found @@VSGAnn2014 to be one of the sweetest and most supportive people I've ever encountered. Clearly you have her mistaken for someone else.
You must have bumped your head.
Go ahead and give everyone their cake and just let me know where the rest is......'cause I'm gonna hop up on the counter and American Pie that cake into oblivion.

I'm hardly ever on here anymore, but this post caught my eye today. I live in Athens, and was sleeved by Dr. Paul Macik at Northside. He was really good, and his office staff is great. I'm 3 years out this month. Because of the distance, I didn't go to the support groups at the hospital regularly, but I did join several WLS groups on FB, in addition to being here. Good luck to each of y'all!!

And the name calling starts again. I think you are missing the point that everyone is here because they want to be. No one is being paid or compensated in any way. I stay because I feel like I can "pay back" the help I received when I was a newbie and yes, much of it was tough, blunt, "are you kidding me" type answers.
I don't NEED to help those who are easily offended, who call names, who report anything/everything I post just because my name is on it. And yes, there are definitely people I avoid.
It has nothing to do with "bruised egos", "toys", "maturity" or "whining". But thank you for clarifying your position here.

I'm 3 years out this month. In my opinion, learning to cope without turning to food is one of the hardest challenges post-WLS. Many of us have used food for comfort, or when faced with stress, or just when boredom would set in. It's important not to "graze" all day, too. Maybe it would help you to keep a journal? Write down how you're feeling when you see that you're not eating well. Are you feeling stressed? Sad? Angry? Lonely? I think a lot of emotional issues that have been band-aided with food pre-op rise to the surface post-op, and it's important to work through them. Good for you for weight-training, though. Exercise is one of the very best outlets for stress relief and for releasing dopamine and serotonin. Wishing you the best of luck!

It's around 90 degrees outside, in the shade. In a closed car in the sun, it's a death sentence.
Today a staff member came running into my office and said "call 911! Someone is passed out in their car". I grabbed my cell phone and ran outside. I saw a van, engine off, windows rolled up and doors closed, and a woman slumped over in the back seat.
I yanked open the car door and the woman moved a little. It was one of our patients. I ordered one of the staff to go get our wheelchair, and I quickly got her inside, and covered her with cool wet towels, while someone got the doctor. She was not entirely coherent.
During our questioning of her, it came out that she was severely depressed, bad situation at work, bad situation with husband. She couldn't explain what she was doing in the back seat of her van with the engine off. All she could tell us was that she came there because "it was a safe place."
Before she left in an ambulance, I got her to promise that next time she needed a safe place, she would come into the building. Come sit in my office, as long as necessary. I'm not entirely convinced she was not trying to end her suffering.
Any problems I'm dealing with right now are miniscule compared to what this person is dealing with.
I'm reminded to be grateful. And I am.

Dear HFFM,
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile, but I logged on today & your post caught my eye. I'm 3 years out this month. Six months after my sleeve surgery, my husband was killed in a fire. The fact is, any one of us could die today, tomorrow, next week, or next month. We get in cars, cross busy streets, fly in planes, and do many other things that expose us to risk. There's no way to control all risk. You sound like a loving, committed husband and father. You are having this surgery to increase your odds of having more time with them. You have prepared for the possibility of something happening to you, and you have provided for them if/when that day comes. You have controlled for as much as you can, and big kudos to you for doing so. The rest of it is simply out of your control. Take a deep breath, kiss that beautiful wife and son, and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you!

Dear HFFM,
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile, but I logged on today & your post caught my eye. I'm 3 years out this month. Six months after my sleeve surgery, my husband was killed in a fire. The fact is, any one of us could die today, tomorrow, next week, or next month. We get in cars, cross busy streets, fly in planes, and do many other things that expose us to risk. There's no way to control all risk. You sound like a loving, committed husband and father. You are having this surgery to increase your odds of having more time with them. You have prepared for the possibility of something happening to you, and you have provided for them if/when that day comes. You have controlled for as much as you can, and big kudos to you for doing so. The rest of it is simply out of your control. Take a deep breath, kiss that beautiful wife and son, and keep moving forward. Best of luck to you!

You made me cry, its been really hard I've lost a lot of friends having this surgery they feel I took the easy way out. I gained weight after I got sober off drugs 8 years ago. And It doubled after being raped 4 years ago in a hospital. So seeing Dr has never been easy. I went to Tijuana for my surgery. So having lost my support system and not being able to hide behind food I'm lost. I was telling someone the other day my life used to revolve around food, and it doesn't anymore. And i dont know what to do, i want drugs but i know thats a dead end road. I cant talk to my friends they don't understand what and why I did this and they all drink and I can't so we don't relate now. I wanna hide in my bed and never come out. I can't seek help because I work with the people you go to when your feeling like I am. I don't even want anything to do with my dogs who are my kids, my heart my life.... But I smile and put on the face that everything is OK and it's never been worse. Thank you for your posts you all have been there and I see that. But with no family, husband, face to face with someone who understand and gets this are not opinions for me. I am so glad I have this outlet because I'm a point of make it or break it. And your response hit hard in a good way thanks

Yesterday I posted a "brag list" of misc. things about me and clearly I offended a few people so for that, I would like to apologize. If you actually read the list, you will see that there is very little that is spectacular on there and I am certain that everyone on this forum could come up with something similar if not FAR BETTER than I can.

The point of my list was that I want to be known as far more than a WLS patient or former fatty. It was not at all intended to be an entry into a pissing match. I am quite positive that some of my attributes listed like "drives like a do^che bag", "likes reality TV", and "runs screaming from spiders" won't get me far in life.

I was trying to inject a bit of humor, but clearly I missed the mark.

So as not to fan the flames in a thread gone horribly bad, I will post this right here.

My "brag" list. Please keep in mind that I have been blessed to be a work from home mom for 18 years giving me lots of extra time to torture my kids by being HYPER involved in their schools. I am adding notes in red for clarity.



This was a HUGE reason I kept my surgery to myself.
I am a mom to two great teenagers.
I have been happily married for 21 years. He deserves a medal, don't you think?
I have a fabulous goldendoodle. She sheds horribly, don't believe the people who say they don't.
I am a 2nd degree black belt and a certified martial arts instructor.
I volunteer at a womens' shelter. A friend needed their services, this is a little pay back.
I play the guitar. My mom insisted on music lessons and we couldn't afford a piano.
I own a successful business.
I work with autistic children and kids with Down's syndrome. They will let anyone volunteer.
I love Old School Rap and can perform Rapper's Delight in it's entirety. SOBER. Sorority trick. And it annoys my kids.
I love talking to strangers.
I am the VP of my HOA. No one else would do it.
I am PTA president, Choral Booster's VP and head theater mom at my kids' schools. Helicopter mom.
I love dogs, hate cats, save turtles and run screaming from spiders. I won't flush them either. They might come back up.
I was a beach lifeguard, a sorority girl and an only child. (Explains a lot, huh?) Poking fun at myself.
I Zumba, deep Water fin and ski double blacks. Deep Water finning is an awesome class. Try it! My aunt lived in Vermont so we all skied free.
I drive like a ****** bag even though my vehicle is a minivan because I am always in a hurry. (At least I own it.) Poking fun at myself. I'm a horrible driver.
I hold the door for people and I can recite pi to the 56th digit. I had an autistic student who recited pi all day every day. Everyone in my class could do it.
I used to teach emotionally disturbed kids until the parents drove me nuts. And IEPs. They were the worst.
I was a theater major before I was a psychology major, before I got my degree in communications/psychology and my master's in education. Read that indecisive college kid who racked up a LOT of college debt. Still paying those bills.
I am a brown Mexican but don't speak Spanish. Poking fun.
I am a great cook but a horrible baker. Poking fun.
I love to read and I love reality TV. It's embarrassing to admit the reality TV thing, but I can poke fun at myself...
I drive with the radio off because I enjoy the silence. I talk too much.
I could go on forever but I am boring myself. POKING FUN at myself.

I have a lot more interesting things to talk about over WLS. Why on earth would I make that the definition of me? People can't help but ask about it, I have no desire to be the inspiration of that discussion. It was bad enough that people had to "confess" every extra calorie or missed workout to me while I was losing out of a bizarre "guilt".

I'd rather be any of the above over the former fatty/WLS lady.

Again, my above post was not intended to offend or fan any flames. All I can do is humbly apologize and of course, ask YOU to post your BRAG list. I'd love to hear about YOU.

Thank you for starting this thread, Rev. I've also been thinking a lot about the food messages I received growing up. My grandmother fed the people she loved copious amounts of food, but she spent her entire life gaining and losing the same 20 lbs. My mother is a pretty terrible cook, so my sister & I were fed a continuous stream of packaged, heavily processed crap food from my mom & heaping helpings of southern-fried deliciousness from my grandmother. Neither way of eating was an example of a healthy (or even a moderately OK) diet.
My first husband was a seriously talented cook & he made incredible meals every night. His food was rich and delicious, and he never made healthy or lighter alternatives. In fact, when I would try to lose weight, he complained that he didn't see why he should compromise the quality of his food just because I had a weight problem (he has always been very lean). I never learned anything about proper portion size, and I took a daily medication with a side effect of increased appetite. Naturally, my weight ballooned.
Now, I feel like I am gradually getting a better handle on my eating. It's taking some time & it's definitely a process. I'm trying to keep myself prepared to make changes when something stops working, since I've heard so many vets say they found they had to make more changes as they got further out. I enjoy the NSV's, markers, and milestones of my weight loss, but I'm trying to keep most of my focus on the long term changes rather than the short term "woo hoo" moments.

One way that I have used Pork rinds post op is as a substitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf or meatballs. I knew that the Protein in pork rinds was mostly collagen (& therefore not absorbed), but when you crush them up they make a great low carb filler or breading for recipes that call for bread crumbs.

I think everybody's different & I agree with kattastic...it's important to know yourself. I also think it's important to accept that you might change over time. Right now, I'm an eat in moderation person for the most part, but I'm only 5 months out. I enjoy the high-Protein, low carb way of eating & I don't particularly miss refined carbs. However, I try to stay mindful that what works for me now might not still be working in 6 or 12 or 24 more months. So, I'm trying to eat in a way that feels healthy and satisfying, but keep in mind that I may need to tweak as I get farther out.