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Kindle

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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  1. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from soready17 in No pain?   
    I never had pain eating. As for stretching, you can't stretch your sleeve at 10 days out. If you do overeat, you'll blow out your suture line long before you stomach tissue would stretch. But you will certainly lose restriction over the years. At 4 years I can eat twice as much as I could at 2 years and probably 10 times as much as I could the first 6 months postop.
  2. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from James Marusek in 4 years postop and doin' fine   
    Haven't been here for awhile, but since Im at my 4 year surgiversary I thought I'd check in. 80% of this post is completely plagiarized from last year's update but it gives a good recap of all 4 years....
    Year 1 - the year of losing all of my excess weight (100 pounds), dozens of NSVs, and a new wardrobe. By far, the most exciting year. Even the month of liquids, 6 weeks of diarrhea and 2 insanely painful gallbladder attacks couldn't put a dent in my enthusiasm. It was all so new and fun and easy. Life was great and I was invincible!
    Year 2 - the year of finding out life still sucks no matter what size you are, losing my best friend to suicide, sinking into a deep hole of depression and finding that I could no longer rely on my old friends.....food, alcohol and cigarettes. Just struggling to get through each day with really no desire to. Two more gallbladder attacks which I finally put an end to with a long overdue cholecystectomy. Surprisingly able to maintain my weight loss from the 1st year.
    Year 3 - the year of emotional healing (well, at least a start in that direction) with a grief therapist, testosterone replacement and an antidepressant. Finally able to crawl out the darkness into a somewhat bearable existence. My latest breakthrough is I actually said yes when asked out on a date about a month ago. Considering my introvert personality and swearing off relationships almost 20 years ago, this is an extraordinary step for me. We've been out 1/2 dozen times and I'm actually enjoying it.
    Year 4 - the year of falling in love, being blissfully happy and regaining 10 pounds (yikes!) I'm still with that guy that asked me out back in Oct 2016. Enjoying my first totally honest, mature relationship. Ironically, I've found being a good bariatric patient is harder in good times than in bad. I've got better things to do than think about Protein, fluids, carbs and vitamin......everything has become less and less about surgery and weightloss and more and more about life.
    So my downfall this past year has been cocktails and chocolate. Took up the bad habit of consuming both on a daily basis. That, and a lot of donuts and muffins! But the good news is I have already dropped 8 of the 10 pounds I put on. As always, it just takes going back to basics..... drink more Water, eat more Protein and less carbs. My BF is great and jumped on the high protein/low carb bandwagon with me. Of course being a guy, he's dropped 20 pounds to my 8 (stupid boys). I have every confidence I will drop those last 2 pounds before 2018.
    Bottom line is successful WLS results is not rocket science. Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever. If you can't control sliders and trigger foods, they WILL lead to regain. If you don't make the psychological adjustments and permanently change your habits and behaviors, you WILL regain. It's totally up to you whether or not your surgery becomes just another failed diet. Don't be afraid to seek professional help with the mental side of it. Because as the years go on, that's what makes you successful, not how tiny your stomach is.
    Good luck to the newbies. Congrats to the veterans.
  3. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  4. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  5. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  6. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from ProudGrammy in What's the story behind your profile name?   
    LOL. Every party has a pooper. That's why we invited you.
  7. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from RNY-Fall-2017 in Almost 4 weeks post op and I have only lost 14 pounds   
    At seven weeks out I've only lost 14 pounds post op, and that's fine. I only weigh once/week and don't worry too much about it. I'm eating healthy and If it takes a year to get to goal that's fine, too. This is for the rest of my life, so I'm in no hurry to "keep up" with everyone else. And beside the scale, I have the mirror and my baggy clothes and my loose rings to show what a success I am!
  8. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from ZumbaMami in Premier Protein- HOT!   
    I don't see why you can't try it. I use Premier Protein as Creamer in my coffee which comes out of my Keurig at 190 degrees. I also make my own hot chocolate Protein powder....powdered skim milk, Syntrax vanilla Protein Powder, Unjury unflavored protein powder, Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa and Monk Fruit sweetener to taste. Just add hot Water. Mmmmmmm. And a bit of Torani almond Syrup makes it Mmmmmm Mmmmmmm.
  9. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from bogglesauce in First before and after pictures   
    Ok, so here's my first pictures. The "before" was taken Dec 4, the day I started my preop diet. The "after" was taken 3 months later (2 1/2 months postop) and 50 pound down. Size 22 to 18.
       
  10. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from nursejackie in Low BMI and Gastric Sleeve   
    I had a BMI of 39 with no comorbidities. (My BP was creeping up and my feet and ankles and knees hurt all the time, but nothing that "counts"). All of my family and friends knew about my surgery beforehand. They know how many diets I've been on, so although they were concerned with surgical risks, they all supported my decision. And I tell anyone that asks about my weight loss that I had surgery. I don't think it's right to mislead people into thinking I just did it with diet and exercise. Since I see a dozen clients everyday, this means I've told hundreds of people and have gotten exactly 2 negative comments. But I have heard the "you weren't big enough for surgery" comment quite a bit.
    My work partner gets to hear these comments and discussions everyday. I mentioned to her last week how surprised people who thought I wasn't "fat enough" are to learn I lost 100 pounds. She agreed it was a surprise to her because didn't even really realize how big I really was. People just get used to seeing you a certain way and don't really notice all the extra weight until it's gone. But when all is said and done, I am healthier and I feel great and that's what I tell people.
  11. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from southernbellair79 in Help?   
    Well I guarantee your weight gain is from Coke and wine and whatever other empty calories you are consuming, not from the steroids.
    Once I was maintaining below goal I have stopped any regains immediately if I pop even 1 pound above my bounce range. 2 things have worked for me....
    1) full on preop Liquid Protein "preop" diet. Three Protein shakes/day and unlimited leafy green veggies. At least 80g protein and 100oz Water. Usually only takes a few days of this to drop several pounds and to curb any carb cravings that have taken hold.
    Or 2) go back to just protein and veggies. Still the same protein/water goals but my overall calories are higher and it may take a couple weeks to drop a few pounds.
    If you cut out all refined carbs (including Coke, alcohol, Pasta, bread, rice, etc) and just go back to the same basics that helped you lose during those first 6-12 months you WILL lose those 40 pounds. It may take several months, but isnt that why we had surgery? To lose weight and keep it off? And remember You've got your sleeve forever. Let your sleeve do what it does (portion control) and you do what you need to do (make smart choices) and it will work.
  12. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from southernbellair79 in Help?   
    So what and how much are you eating compared to when you were losing weight? That's what you really need to look at. steroids don't magically make you gain weight on their own. I've been on both prednisone and methylprednisolone for cervical stenosis and pinched nerves since my VSG 2 1/2 years ago and did not gain any weight because I still made myself eat on plan.
    Basically steroids cause weight gain because of
    1) Fluid retention, which can partially be controlled with a low sodium/high potassium diet;
    2) increased appetite, which you need to still keep in check with mindful eating. Track and measure every bite if you have to.
    and 3) decreased activity due to pain or doctor ordered restrictions. But in the end, weight loss and gain has to do what you put in your mouth, not necessarily how much you excercise.
    Go back to basics. Lots of Water and Protein. Watch your carb and sodium intake very carefully. Try resetting yourself with a week or two of Protein shakes only or try the 5 day pouch test.
  13. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  14. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  15. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from jacqueline5678 in Long Term Results of Sleeve Gastrectomy   
    Hey I resent that! Some of us are still here because we have transferred our food and alcohol addictions to WLS forum addictions. As dysfunctional as they are and as silly and idiotic some threads are, it's like a horrible car crash that I just can't help but stare at.
    Hello my user name is Kindle and I am addicted to online forums. LOL
  16. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from cynthiap05 in Anyone taking NSAIDS or steroids postop   
    Well I heard back from Dr. So at OCC already (I swear, that man never takes a day off!). He said NSAIDS are fine, just to take Prilosec OTC while on them. That's pretty much what I figured, but it's nice to get confirmation. I'll likely pick up some Celebrex tomorrow.
  17. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from nursejackie in Low BMI and Gastric Sleeve   
    I had a BMI of 39 with no comorbidities. (My BP was creeping up and my feet and ankles and knees hurt all the time, but nothing that "counts"). All of my family and friends knew about my surgery beforehand. They know how many diets I've been on, so although they were concerned with surgical risks, they all supported my decision. And I tell anyone that asks about my weight loss that I had surgery. I don't think it's right to mislead people into thinking I just did it with diet and exercise. Since I see a dozen clients everyday, this means I've told hundreds of people and have gotten exactly 2 negative comments. But I have heard the "you weren't big enough for surgery" comment quite a bit.
    My work partner gets to hear these comments and discussions everyday. I mentioned to her last week how surprised people who thought I wasn't "fat enough" are to learn I lost 100 pounds. She agreed it was a surprise to her because didn't even really realize how big I really was. People just get used to seeing you a certain way and don't really notice all the extra weight until it's gone. But when all is said and done, I am healthier and I feel great and that's what I tell people.
  18. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from SandraD_PDX in Embrace the Stall   
    Sorry, but reading the same posts over and over and over gets frustrating. I mostly dont bother to answer anymore, because I've already posted the same answers a dozen time and it's obvious no one bothers to read them. The same question always show up within a couple days. But I just had surgery so I've got nothing better to do this weekend but lay around and piss off people online. (I already got all my Christmas shopping done)
    I use the mobile app, too. For search just tap in the upper left corner and select Search from the menu. For all the forums, tap the upper left corner and select forums from the menu. There are 4 main forums but If you tap any of them a bunch of subforums come up. The stall forum is under the General weight loss forum. Take some time to browse through the site, you will find a ton of information that will be helpful to you.
    BTW, this thread is IN the stall subforum.
  19. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from SandraD_PDX in Embrace the Stall   
    And not only do they not use the search function to see that their questions and fears have already been addressed a zillion times, they don't even bother to put their post in the stall forum where it belongs.
    [sigh] ....it's hopeless. Newbies just won't ever change.
  20. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from SandraD_PDX in Dreaded 3-week stall?   
    If you are on a stall early on, eat more, drink more and stay off the scale. For those of you under 500-600 calories, you are starving yourself and training your body to get by with less and less calories. This will make it harder to lose and maintain when you get farther out. My longest stall was at my lowest calorie intake when I Was sick from a medication and too nauseous to eat. As soon as I Doubled my intake the pounds fell off. I don't track or measure anything, but a couple spot checks of my calories showed 1000 calories by 2-3 months, 1200 calories at 6 months and been maintaining 12 pounds below goal for 4 months on 1400-1600 calories.
    Eat Protein, drink Water, take your Vitamins, include a balance of veggies, fruits and whole grains. Quit making postop so hard and STAY OFF THE FUCKING scale.< /p>
  21. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  22. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.
  23. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Iconcinnity in What are you telling people?   
    90% of the time when someone comments or asks about my weight loss I tell them I had surgery. Their next question is bypass or Lapband? I explain about the sleeve gastrectomy and answer any other questions they have. Everyone has been happy and express congratulations with how great I look and feel. A few have even asked for my surgeon's contact info...including my OB/Gyn who wanted to pass it on to other patients.
    The end result of my openness is a better educated person who can now tell their friends "yeah, I know someone who had weight loss surgery and she looks great!" For me, it's been so much easier than lying and telling half-truths. If anyone is talking negatively behind my back, I don't know about it and wouldn't care anyways. For the 10 % I don't tell about surgery, those are usually clients that I don't particularly like and don't really want to have any sort of non-business related conversation with.
  24. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Iconcinnity in What are you telling people?   
    90% of the time when someone comments or asks about my weight loss I tell them I had surgery. Their next question is bypass or Lapband? I explain about the sleeve gastrectomy and answer any other questions they have. Everyone has been happy and express congratulations with how great I look and feel. A few have even asked for my surgeon's contact info...including my OB/Gyn who wanted to pass it on to other patients.
    The end result of my openness is a better educated person who can now tell their friends "yeah, I know someone who had weight loss surgery and she looks great!" For me, it's been so much easier than lying and telling half-truths. If anyone is talking negatively behind my back, I don't know about it and wouldn't care anyways. For the 10 % I don't tell about surgery, those are usually clients that I don't particularly like and don't really want to have any sort of non-business related conversation with.
  25. Like
    Kindle got a reaction from Maggie1955 in Average weight loss: worth it? Starting to feel discouraged...   
    The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
    Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.

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