Mike in LA

Drop that "friend" and move on !!!!
I discussed at length this choice with a couple of my real friends and every one of them was supportive of my decision. They were there before and have stepped up to assist in any way they can after as well. When we go out to a restaurant, they don't make me feel out of place because I can't eat a whole meal and we actually choose places that serve family style to we can all share and take what we want for portions ...
A true friend should support this choice of yours to use a tool to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Period!

Drop that "friend" and move on !!!!
I discussed at length this choice with a couple of my real friends and every one of them was supportive of my decision. They were there before and have stepped up to assist in any way they can after as well. When we go out to a restaurant, they don't make me feel out of place because I can't eat a whole meal and we actually choose places that serve family style to we can all share and take what we want for portions ...
A true friend should support this choice of yours to use a tool to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Period!

Drop that "friend" and move on !!!!
I discussed at length this choice with a couple of my real friends and every one of them was supportive of my decision. They were there before and have stepped up to assist in any way they can after as well. When we go out to a restaurant, they don't make me feel out of place because I can't eat a whole meal and we actually choose places that serve family style to we can all share and take what we want for portions ...
A true friend should support this choice of yours to use a tool to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Period!

For starters, I have never believed everything I read on here. Don't think anyone should.
Secondly, It seems like everyone has different instructions from their Surgeons and NUTS. After all, we trusted them enough to remove 80% of our stomach so why would we NOT do as they instruct?
That said, I believe the different surgeons instructions come from this; first, medical fact, second, medical opinion, third, serving the lowest common denominator, and lastly, covering their asses.
Caffeine is fine? No caffeine ever again? Straws ok? No straws ever? Alcohol ok? No alcohol ever? Carbonation ok? No carbonation ever? I think lots of surgeons say these things because lets face it, we didn't get morbidly obese doing all the right things so many think that there is no wiggle room in their patients and they don't want someone suing them because they used a straw and gained all the weight back and we not warned about it.
I do follow my surgeon's and NUT's instructions but I also think they use a common sense approach. My only no no according to them is carbonation. I can live with that. Had I been instructed to never have caffeine, alcohol, use a straw, or consume a carbohydrate I would not have had this surgery. I got this surgery to live a long, healthy and normal life not spend the rest of it being afraid every time I put something in my mouth.
I'm sure there are some WLS patient who need that strict set of rules but I think for the most part, we can all use our common sense along with our medical advice and make the right decisions that work for us.

Funny ... I just asked a friend of mine who's lost a lot of weight the same question. He lost about 1/2 size as I have ... I noticed my slip on dress shoes were coming off and I was walking a bit "off" ... I just bought new shoes this past weekend, 1/2 size smaller and they are perfect ... I didn't notice it on the sneakers, since you use laces, but the slip on dress shoes made it obvious!!

I banned McDonalds in my house after the surgery. lol It was my comfort food.< /p>

Wow ... hits close to home. Always being the big guy when going out and trying to blend in or disappear as to not get any attention was always the goal. I worked extra hard to make sure I was put together, to dispel that stereotype that a big guy was always a bit of a slob ... Living in a large city like LA makes it even worse. People out here are so focused on the "look" and some people have no issue making rude comments as they pass you on the street in certain parts of town.
My true friends never made it an issue, but after battling my entire life with this challenge, it was definitely a part of the decision to get this surgery. I can tell you since I'm almost 4 months out and almost 80 lbs down, my confidence is totally changing. I always felt I carried myself proudly, but this has helped boost that confidence. I can walk in a room, a bar, a restaurant, you name it and my size isn't the first thing they see.
I'm still on the journey, but ever so glad I started down the path!!

I loved the way he put it: "Its not bigotry if we deserve it."
I was just recently arguing with someone who discriminates against the person that I used to love because of that person's large size. Apparently they don't see it as discrimination because they perceive it as a health issue, even though this person's health is absolutely fine.
Thank you for sharing this important article

This article went around on Facebook this past week! It hits home so much for me... The last time I was in a gay club - I was standing by myself texting a friend while other friends were dancing.. When I looked up there was a group of 6 or so younger gay "men" looking at me, pointing and laughing (or throwing shade)... It was so hurtful and I wasn't doing anything to them... I didn't say anything to my friends until we left because I didn't want to start a fight.. My friends were furious and wanted to go back and confront them but to me it wasn't worth my time... I haven't been to a gay club since then... I'll go to an occasional piano bar because the crowd tends to be a little older... But I really don't feel like I "fit"!

I wouldn't know, restaurants are somewhat banned in my household right now.

I stayed with the Protein shakes (Ensure) and slowly added some Soups into the mix at 3 weeks ... I used an immersion blender and it really helped.
I think you have to follow what your NUT says ... but they're are options out there ... just get creative!!
Best of luck!!

After reading all these, I can understand both sides of the coin. I've told my closet friends and my Mom, not the rest of the family. I feel it was a personal decision and honestly only told my mom since it involved surgery otherwise I wouldn't have wanted her to worry!! As we get together for the holidays, I will have no problem telling my family ...
As for telling more friends, the closest ones I'm comfortable with, the others, not so much and I trust my close friends won't update them.
Work has been the biggest challenge. I told 2 of my coworkers, who have been considering the procedures, but no one else. I had it done during my vacation, so I didn't miss a step at work thus far ...
Now that I'm down 67 pounds, there is a noticeable difference. I feel comfortable advising them I decided to put me first and I'm really focusing on my eating now, which is the honest truth. As the boss, I don't need them to know all my personal details and feel I have the right to my privacy. This is my choice and my journey ... I'm going to do it on my terms!!

I don't like keeping secrets because I am not ashamed of my decision. At first I romantisized keeping this whole thing a secret, even from my mother but then I thought against it because if anything happened while I was having surgery it wouldnt be fair to her that she at least didnt know. I struggled with that for a while.
But I strive to live a transparent life and in that transparancy there may be oppurtunities to touch other people's lives with my story. I already have, twice (that I know of) and at the end of the day... people greivances about my decisions have nothing to do with me. So I do my best not to concern myself with them. It makes for a much happier me.

Surgery on June 18, down 40 lbs. Have gone from 235 to 195, happy so far!

Love my sleeve!!! Sleeved on 28Jun ... and so far down 67 lbs ....
Not having too many issues and in a nice routine!!!

I'm lost! All this sounds crazy like some conspiracy theory mess! Meet me back in the real world. This forum is suppose to be a place of encouragement and support! If you don't like a doctor report them to a medical board and find a new one, other than that let it go! What's next?

All these sound familiar ...
Since being sleeved on Jun 28th, I've finally made peace with the scale. For the first 6 weeks, I was on it several times a day. I got to the point now where I put it away M-F and only leave it out on the weekends. I find that is has helped my sanity a bit. Even checking it during the day, I realized how much you weight fluctuates in a day. And my darn scale has the partial weights!! Darn digital!! ...
Anyway, I'm on that thing first thing Saturday morning and again Sunday, but by Sunday night, it goes back into the cabinet, so I can't use it.
I find it's a little less stressful this way and helps out a lot!!

Since the sleeve, there are some days I'm right there with ya!!!

I'll take 'Crazy things you never hear fat people say for $1000 Alex'.
lol I wish I loathed food. I really do.

Nothing taste the same to me. It has been very disappointing trying some of the foods I loved before May 24, 2013. I work for an internal medicine physician and he as no idea why the taste change....makes no sense. Some people on here say after time their taste returned to normal and some haven't. It's jut strange. Wish someone had an answer.

Definitely. Greasy restaurant food disgusts me now. Maybe it's because we are chewing more and actually tasting the food, rather than just inhaling it like before? That's what I figure.
I went out with a friend and we shared a couple appetizers and I was disgusted by the deep fried stuff.
The best dinner out I've had since surgery was at a higher end restaurant and it was a chicken breast with a balsamic sauce and mushrooms. With roasted potatoes. It was so damn delicious. And I had more than enough for lunch the next day!

I loved crystal light, now I can't drink it. I've been sucking down cold Water. I could drink room temp before but now only ice cold works for me.

I'm beginning to wonder if the post-op diet forced our taste buds to go cold turkey from all the processed foods. It may be that the taste bud detox is the reason behind our new food likes and dislikes. :-)

Just a curious question.
I'm almost 5 weeks out and I've been real comfortable with the liquid Protein Drinks and Greek yogurts ...
I slowly added dinner meals into the mix (i.e. eggs, Soups and cottage cheese) ...
I've gone out with friends a couple times and have noticed that some of the good ole foods don't seem to taste the same ... I'm not sure if it's more of a physical or mental response. I've really tried to work on my mental hunger for food over the last month and just checking to see if anyone else is experiencing the same changes?
Last night for example. Had dinner with some friends and had a mini burger. It was good, but not as good as I recall. Same issue last week when I tried some sashimi ... I used to be almost unstoppable when I would get in front of a plate of these items. I was able to eat a small portion (as planned) ... but the taste just didn't seem as good as it used to be.
Again ... just wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this. I'm still very glad I did this. I'm almost 5 weeks post-op and including the pre-op diet, I'm down 46lbs ... so can't complain ...