Rogofulm

I'm so glad to hear that my story helped you get back on plan. Seriously, once you stay away from the non-plan foods for a while, you no longer crave them. And that's a very good place to be! Good luck!!!

If you click on my profile, you'll find several before and after pics. Thanks for the good wishes, and good luck on this amazing journey!!!

I'm glad it was helpful! Hang in there – it gets better almost every day. Keep following your guidelines and check back here for ideas and tips. Good luck!

RogofUlm's Story Vertical Sleeve surgery: June 24th, 2014 Pre-surgery high weight: 265 Weight at surgery: 254 Initial goal weight: 154 Time achieve goal: 8 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Stretch goal weight: 145 Time to stretch goal: 10 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Total weight loss: 120 I went on my first diet at the age of 7, and sometimes feel like I've started a new diet every Monday morning for the last 48 years. I've done 'em all – from a 40-day hospital stay in a ketogenic program in 1974, to Weight Watchers (3 times), Diet Center (2 times), Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Atkins, South Beach, Cambridge, Slim Fast, Fen-Phen, grapefruit and egg, and even starvation. I've probably lost close to 1,000 pounds throughout my life, including three or four diets resulting in nearly 100-pound losses. And after all that, at the age of 55, I still found myself 110 pounds overweight; with diabetes, apnea, asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, and borderline blood pressure. With a wonderful wife and 10-year-old child at home, I was a heart attack or stroke just waiting to happen. So why was I able to lose weight so effectively at times, but never keep it off? Same as most people, I suppose. When fully committed, I could “flick the switch” in my brain and resist anything… for a while. I'd lose a bunch of weight and start looking and feeling better, and then I'd be at a party with lots of goodies and think, "What the heck. I've done so well, so I’ll treat myself just this once and get right back on my diet." Hello, slippery slope! And then the cycle would begin: pig out, starve myself, pig out, starve myself… Eventually the pig outs would last longer and require more and more fat, salt, and sugar to satisfy. And, of course, each new day brought a brand new commitment to get back on track, so I wouldn't eat anything until 6 pm... and then I'd pig out again. That “switch” doesn’t always stay flicked, you know? So what's the definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Then, 20 years ago, I lost a bunch of weight and maintained it for quite a while. But because of a bad reaction to a medication, I eventually had to have a hip replaced. Everything went well with the surgery and I even quit smoking in the process. Great, right? Yeah, but then the weight started coming back on, and eventually I gained about 50 pounds. So then I bounced around for a few years, yo-yoing all over the place between 60 and 100 pounds overweight, until I got married and we had a baby. Of course, during the pregnancy I gained 40 more pounds of "baby weight". But unlike my wife, I never delivered mine! So that brings me to the more recent past, when all those years of being overweight finally caught up with me and I began getting all the "fat diseases”. When the diabetes first came on, I dropped 30 pounds without even trying. But eventually we diagnosed it and got it under control with pills; and then the weight came right back on. A couple of years later, my weight started dropping again "for no reason". Of course I knew what was really going on, but the weight loss felt so good that I rode it down 45 pounds. But again, eventually I had to get it back under control, and again, all the weight came back. So by the time I decided to have WLS, not only was I taking pills plus daily insulin injections for diabetes, I was sleeping with a CPAP machine for apnea, and taking fistfuls of pills every day to manage the other co-morbidities. And that brings us to last year. In addition to all the diseases, I was exhausted and achy all the time, and had trouble dragging myself out of the recliner to play with my kid like I should. I'd take naps after stuffing myself at lunchtime, and exercise as little as possible. We all know the drill, right? And I’d gotten myself hooked on chicken wings with high-calorie sauces, a mountain of French fries, blue cheese dressing, and four large glasses of tea. I'd go out 2-3 times a week for wings, but I'd go to different restaurants because I was so embarrassed by how much and how frequently I was eating them. And gradually, I got more and more disgusted with myself. During that time, two of my co-workers had weight loss surgery: one bypass and one sleeve. Every day for about a year, I watched them get smaller and smaller. They didn’t keep their surgeries a secret, so when I asked about their experiences, they graciously shared all the details with me – the good, and the bad. And gradually I got to the point where I said, “I WANT THAT!” So my inspiration to have weight loss surgery was a direct result of my co-workers’ successes, and their openness about having had weight loss surgery. Once I decided to get sleeved, I went "all-in". I followed all my doctor’s post-op rules to a tee (with the exception of coffee – my one remaining vice). But this time something was different from all those past diets. Because of the restriction in my stomach, instead of losing momentum and giving in to temptation, I was able to stay on the horse. My new “tool” gave me the strength I needed to consistently make the right choices. I lost 110 pounds and made it to goal in 8 months. And in the two months after that, I lost another 10 pounds to give myself a comfortable buffer. I put away the CPAP machine; I’m off all diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma meds; and I'm on the lowest dosage of my cholesterol meds. In a few more months, I hope to be off those too. So now that I’ve reached my final goal weight, I don’t need – or want – to lose any more. I’m exactly where I want to be for the first time in my adult life; which, quite frankly, is a totally mind-blowing thought! My big secret? Just follow the danged rules – all of them! (And mind you, I’ve been a rule breaker all my life.) If you do exactly what your doctor or nutrition program recommends, the weight will come off. After a month or two of making good (but difficult) choices, the cravings for the foods that got you to your pre-surgery weight will start to fade away, and the pride in your accomplishment will have a stronger pull than the food. That’s when you really get on a roll! Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight quickly: Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast. Eat 60–80 or more grams of protein daily. Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.) Do not consume any starches or sugars. Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products. Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc). Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices. All Snacks must be protein-based (Jerky, nuts, cheeses, Greek yogurt, deli meats). Get some exercise 4-6 times a week. Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you. Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal. Beef/turkey jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself! If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here! Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible. Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal. Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles. Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well. Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them. Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you. Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history. A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments! Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives. But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program. And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy! Now, I’ll admit that many people think this much rigor is unreasonable and unsustainable. They believe that you need to learn how to “eat normally” on your way down. I get it… but I don’t buy it. (And believe me, self-discipline has never been one of my strengths.) My philosophy has been that there’s plenty of time to learn how to eat for maintenance once I get to my goal weight. That way, if I add something back in my food plan and it causes me to gain a few pounds; I only need to re-lose those few pounds. I don’t need to lose them PLUS all the rest that haven’t come off yet. That’s a whole lot harder and more daunting than just losing a few. I also believe that we get a 9–12 month “honeymoon period” (when the weight comes off more easily and the hunger is more manageable), to get our heads in the right place for the long haul. I firmly believe that people who take maximum advantage of their honeymoon period are far more likely to get all the way to goal weight; and hopefully, to keep it off. And now my theory will be put to the test... Over the next few months, I’ll need to start experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. I’ll need to add back some foods that will stop the weight loss, without causing a gain, and without putting me back on the slippery slope. But what are those foods? My doctor suggests that if you want to increase your carb intake, to add only foods that you would eat cooked as part of a meal (like brown rice, whole wheat Pasta, sweet potatoes, barley, quinoa, oatmeal, and green peas). No white bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes, no refined sugar, no fruit juice, soda, or ice cream, and nothing that would tempt you to go to the fridge or pantry for a handful or bowlful as a snack. That sounds reasonable, so that’s what I’m going to try. But what about all those yummy foods I’ve been missing? I don’t know yet. Maybe the day will come when I can have one small scoop of ice cream, or four cheese crackers, or a mini chocolate bar, or a sandwich. But today is not that day. For now, it’ll be baby steps until I’ve maintained my weight loss for a good long time. If the truth be told, since I detoxed completely from starch and sugar, I haven’t really craved the stuff. So how do I feel about my weight loss journey so far? Believe it or not… it’s been a total blast! And see... that’s another reason to follow all the rules and lose the weight quickly – the compliments, your reflection in the mirror, clothes that fit and look good, the extra energy for family and friends, and most of all, your new-found health – are a thousand times more fun and motivating than anything that could ever go into your mouth! And here’s one final thought… Several months ago I ran into a woman I hadn’t seen for a while. She’d been thinking about weight loss surgery, but was afraid to take the first step. But when she saw the “new me”, she said the exact same words I had said a year ago, “I WANT THAT!” Well, a few weeks ago she got sleeved and she’s doing great! And that’s how this wonderful story continues… I wish all of you great success, and a healthy, exciting, and fun journey to good health!!! Rog (of Ulm)

Excellent video! I'd recommend it to anyone who has had, or is contemplating having weight loss surgery. Thanks very much for sharing the link!

Hey @@CowgirlJane, You are such an inspiration to so many of us! Your experience and willingness to talk about the struggles as well as the victories show us what we can expect, and what to look out for. Eff, DQ! That's the sort of thinking that got you to where you WERE. It's the good choices that got you to where you ARE! "I never really was a skinny chick..." is defeatist thinking. That's settling, and you don't do that any more. (How am I doin' with this motivational speech?) One of the components of our program is supporting those who are behind us in the journey. Let that motivate you too. Dare I say that you are a role model? Or is that too much danged pressure? However you look at it, maybe it's time for a reset, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Use us, just like we've used you – for motivation! Good luck, we're all behind you!!!

Careful! My program says to stay away from fruit juices, pretty much forever. They are considered "empty calories", just like ice cream. That is, liquid calories that pass right through your stomach without filling you up, but can slow down your weight loss. You might want to double-check the instructions given to you by your bariatric surgeon.

@@TheProfessor, ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@@Kindle, I'm so sorry for your loss. But I'm so glad to hear that you're focusing your grief in a positive way rather than trying to manage your feelings through food. That's a momentous change, I imagine, and you should be very proud.

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the pounds will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

You bet, @@VSGAnn2014! As for the challenge, I'm with ya sister! I promised my wife that I'd quit losing and try to gain back a few pounds. So now I'm yo-yoing, but it's only two pounds, and it's all below my goal. I want to gain back about 4-5 pounds. But I'm trying to be so careful that it's not happening very quickly. I consider that a good thing. And I agree with you that every time the scale goes up, it's really hard to accept. But when it goes down again, that feels better. My wife worries that I'm obsessed with continuing to lose, but I'm not. As I keep saying, I'm completely happy with my weight for the first time since childhood. I'm used to eating this way now, and don't crave "slippery" foods, so why would I want to open that door? I'm experimenting with quinoa and brown rice to see what effect it has, and eating more fruit. And You know what? If it takes me a month or two to gain 4 pounds, I'll be thrilled with that!

I found myself getting dizzy when getting up quickly from a chair or the floor. A co-worker suggested that it might be LOW blood pressure and asked if I was on BP pills. My doctor agreed and took me off the pills. That was just a few days ago, but I think it's getting better. I haven't noticed it as much in the past few days. Good luck!

Nope, I get hungry. But I can mostly control it by drinking TONS of fluids – like 120 ounces a day. 30-45 minutes after eating, you should already be drinking. Try to drink 24 oz of fluids between Breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and between dinner and bedtime. That's 72 oz a day right there! I like Crystal Light (or generic) decaf, sugar-free iced tea, and I Water it down so it's not so sweet. Once I add in my shake, 2-3 cups of coffee or hot tea, and evening hot chocolate, it's always around 120 oz. It doesn't take away all the hunger, but it sure makes it manageable. Good luck!

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the pounds will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Nope, you're pretty much right on all counts. So how does the magic work? Most of us probably had the same thoughts you are processing right now. If it's all about what I eat, why don't I just follow the Bariatric Eating plan and avoid getting cut? Guess what? You can! BUT.... If you've tried any variations of the Atkins diet, or other high-protein, low-carb, drink plenty of fluids, and get some exercise programs, you know that except in rare cases, it's unsustainable. You'll lose a bunch of weight, then stop following it so closely. And when you do, the weight comes back on -- and brings friends. We've all been there. So what's the difference with the sleeve? It's really about the constriction. You physically can't put that much food in your stomach at a time. Even a year out, most of that constriction is still there. As you say, you can cheat it, but the sleeve makes it much easier to make better choices. And the removal of the ghrellin manufacturing plant helps too. Especially during the first 9-12 months or so, when you have your best opportunity to lose the most weight. Yes, people report being hungry shortly after surgery, but typically that's either thirst disguised as hunger, or stomach acids which can be controlled by Protonix or an OTC Omnaprazole pill like Prilosec. As you get farther out, more hunger returns, but it's not the ravenous "I could eat a horse" type of hunger. And I've been reading a lot about a "reset" program that people have been using to return their sleeves and pouches to their original effectiveness. So, is it easy? No way. But it is much easier that it would be without the surgery. It takes work, dedication, and constant vigilance, but the rewards are well worth the effort! Good luck with your surgery, and I look forward to hearing from you down the road.....

What else are you eating? What's your sugar and carb intake like? Have you logged your food on myfitnesspal or other app? Sometimes that will give us a better picture of what's going on.

For those of you who have had recent surgeries, remember that you might not lose any weight at all in weeks 3-6 after surgery. That is normal and expected, but if you keep following the rules, the inches will still be coming off. After that, the weight will start coming off again too. For those of you regretting your choice of the sleeve, my doctor says that statistically, bypass patients lose the quickest, then sleeve, then lapband. BUT..... After 18 months or so, they all end up at around the same percentage of excess weight lost. So the difference is not as big as you might think. What it boils down to is what we put in our mouths. It sounds like some of you didn't get much advice and nutritional counseling prior to surgery. In my opinion, that's criminal! So here's a site I've found that provides a lot of valuable information about the entire process. It covers all stages of the program, including advice on what to eat, what not to eat, what Vitamins to take, and what exercise you should try to do. There are a ton of web sites providing this type of advice, but this site seems pretty comprehensive. Good luck!!! http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/

Nah, I expected it to be hard work, and it is. But not nearly as hard as it would be without the sleeve! I get full now. That didn't used to happen. Or if it did, 20 minutes later I felt empty again. Now I can refill with Crystal Light and I'm good to go for a while. So if you're not already, make sure you get the fluids in. The more the better!

I just snarfed Crystal Light out my nose!

What a fascinating article, @@maggie409! It would be nice to see independent corroboration of their findings, but it's certainly intriguing.

Yup, ketosis give you bad breath. I carry a roll of breath mints with me everywhere, and gargle with mouthwash several times a day. Also, drinking fluids helps makes your mouth feel a little less toxic. I've asked my wife to let me know wneh she notices my breath getting funky. Yeah it's unfortunate, but the corresponding weight loss is SO worth it! So I just think of stinky breath as yet another NSV (non-scale victory).

I'm sure we all see progress pics that make us think, "Hmmm...." Heck, I even posted a picture of myself shirtless on this forum! But before my surgery, I barely wanted MY WIFE to see me without a shirt on! That shows you just how far we can come in our own minds when we have weight loss success. The reason people share their milestones, often with pictures, is to Celebrate and receive positive feedback from their WLS peers. Nobody's asking you to lie to them. And there's really no need to lie, because when you see pictures that you don't think are flattering, you have a couple of perfectly good choices: 1) As others have written, just say nothing. You're under no obligation to respond. And 2) you can provide wonderful support and affirmation without ever mentioning how someone looks. "You're doing great! Keep up the good work!!!" And that's the honest truth!

Yup, I'm in the coffee club too, with Splenda and non-dairy Cremora. And anything that's protein-based is fair game. Kung pao chicken is one of my favorite foods, as are ribs. As long as I stay off the carbs, that type of food doesn't seem to affect my weight loss much.

9 months within 5 pounds of goal? That's fantastic! I'm a little more of an "all or nothing" person, so I have to work my way back to "normal" and find my footing more gradually.

I'm so sorry for your loss! I know it's hard to eat, but starving yourself will not help, just as stuffing yourself wouldn't have helped in the old days. Since you have no desire to eat, can you at least try to drink Protein shakes? Maybe if you have 3 or 4 of them a day, just like during the pre- and post-op weeks, you can still get some nutrition while you struggle with your grief. And as other have said, call your doctor to make sure you'll be okay. When we lost my Dad, my Mom had trouble coping for a long time until she went to a few bereavement sessions offered by our local hospice. Somehow they really helped her deal with her emotions and she was able to start functioning again. Of course her grief didn't go away, but it was a big step for her. We wish you all the best and offer our support during this very difficult time.