IcanMakeit

Since you seem to be able to take it or leave it, why stray off the program now? I think you should save the experimentation until your sleeve is more mature and you have become fixed in your new healthy eating style.

The timing of my first drink was about the same -- 7 months post-op. I had 3 oz of champagne for the New Year and I was fine. I felt it a little bit more than I would have pre-surgery, but I didn't get drunk or feel sick. I hope you enjoy your birthday drink as much as I liked my New Year champagne.

Your doctor's information about WLS outcomes does not reflect the statistics, but it is true that some WLS patients stop losing weight long before they reach their goal weight. Sometimes this is because they are unable to follow the post-bariatric diet and do not continue to exercise. Even though capacity is much diminished after surgery, it is possible to consume too many calories by snacking and grazing and/or choosing calorie dense foods. And some have health issues that slow weight loss.
I don't know if your diagnosis precludes WLS, but if it doesn't, you should do a little more reading and soul searching before writing off the possibility. Since you believe you can stick to a diet, you might be a good candidate for WLS. Most people find it much easier to lose a significant amount of weight with the surgery than without it. It is also the case that WLS patients are more likely to maintain a large percentage of their weight loss than dieters who did not have the surgery.

I am sorry Dave's course of treatment is so arduous but I'm so glad that you have found a great medical team that is fighting for him as hard as they can. Stay hopeful and prayerful. We're all pulling for you both.

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I can't imagine how hard it must be to face such a serious illness. I hope all the prayers and good wishes that I, and many others on this site are sending you lift you up at least a little bit and help you stay hopeful.

Although I agree with what I believe to be the point of this article (that in order to achieve long term success, we have to make permanent changes to our way of eating), I was also put off by some of its assertions. I do not agree that the first 100 lbs lost is all due to surgery. So many people never reach that milestone because they were unable to follow the program set out for them. Losing that much weight takes sacrifice and focus. I don't like hearing anyone diminish this accomplishment.
The other assertion that I don't really agree with is that it's wrong to enjoy substitutes for white carbs. There are many healthy ways to enjoy your Pasta sauce, not just Shirataki noodles, and to me, no reason not to try them.
Unfortunately for me (since I really enjoy carbs), I do agree that I need to severely limit white carbs forever if I want long term success, but I know that not everyone agrees with that.

@@Swampdoggie
Ha! I am going to try to work this into a conversation today.

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I can't imagine how hard it must be to face such a serious illness. I hope all the prayers and good wishes that I, and many others on this site are sending you lift you up at least a little bit and help you stay hopeful.

@@Swampdoggie
Ha! I am going to try to work this into a conversation today.

Your doctor's information about WLS outcomes does not reflect the statistics, but it is true that some WLS patients stop losing weight long before they reach their goal weight. Sometimes this is because they are unable to follow the post-bariatric diet and do not continue to exercise. Even though capacity is much diminished after surgery, it is possible to consume too many calories by snacking and grazing and/or choosing calorie dense foods. And some have health issues that slow weight loss.
I don't know if your diagnosis precludes WLS, but if it doesn't, you should do a little more reading and soul searching before writing off the possibility. Since you believe you can stick to a diet, you might be a good candidate for WLS. Most people find it much easier to lose a significant amount of weight with the surgery than without it. It is also the case that WLS patients are more likely to maintain a large percentage of their weight loss than dieters who did not have the surgery.

Newest update: Dave had his chemo port put in today, with no issues. He begins chemo on Tuesday. It will be 3 treatments for 3 days, then 11 days off for recovery, for a total of 6 sets. Sometime during that time-frame, he will be carrying treatments with him, constantly being infused. Then, if it does what it is supposed to do, he will undergo yet another attempt at surgery, to remove the tumor on the colon, plus any cancerous areas within the abdominal cavity.....
He will have a PET scan this coming week to try and determine where the other cancers are located, then they can "aim" the chemo treatments and radiation at those. While he undergoes the surgery, they will use radiation while he is opened, to "kill" the cancer that is unseen by the human eye. I am learning SOOOO much about this! This type of surgery is done by ONLY ONE surgeon in the U.S., and ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD HIMSELF, this man is located in our area of Spokane, WA!!!!!!!! Coincidence? I just DON'T think so!
Then he will undergo 3 more months of chemo, to kill what may be left of the cancer. So a VERY long road, a VERY trying time to come. I'm in it for the long haul, because this is very promising. And I KINDA like my guy!!!!! We have hope, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Because of Dave's health (great-other than cancer!!!) and physical fitness (great) and age (a YOUNG 53!!!!), he has a lot going for him with this plan.
Today we started the fight. And with the POWER, GRACE, and LOVE of our MIGHTY Lord Jesus, we will fight the good fight! With all of you prayers, we are stronger than ever. Did you know we have folks from ALL over the country weighing in on this fight?!!!!!! I cannot. CANNOT thank you all enough for what you are doing, I am sincerely HUMBLED. I am sincerely GRATEFUL. AND. I love you all! Bless you, people!

Your doctor's information about WLS outcomes does not reflect the statistics, but it is true that some WLS patients stop losing weight long before they reach their goal weight. Sometimes this is because they are unable to follow the post-bariatric diet and do not continue to exercise. Even though capacity is much diminished after surgery, it is possible to consume too many calories by snacking and grazing and/or choosing calorie dense foods. And some have health issues that slow weight loss.
I don't know if your diagnosis precludes WLS, but if it doesn't, you should do a little more reading and soul searching before writing off the possibility. Since you believe you can stick to a diet, you might be a good candidate for WLS. Most people find it much easier to lose a significant amount of weight with the surgery than without it. It is also the case that WLS patients are more likely to maintain a large percentage of their weight loss than dieters who did not have the surgery.

Remember that terrible commercial where the girl says 'Don't hate me for being beautiful?' Well...don't hate me for complaining about trying to find smaller sized clothing. I know....it's not supposed to be a problem buying regular sizes..but I am only five feet tall so I need to buy petites or find certain styles that translate to 'regular' proportions. Turns out that it's easy to find clothes in sizes 10/12/14 in both regular and petite.
But not so easy finding sizes 4 or 6. Instead of flipping through racks of clothes looking for the larger sizes, I'm now doing the opposite. I know that this is a better problem to have, but it's still a problem.

I never eat ketchup, but I started eating mustard and pickles pretty much as soon as I was allowed "all foods as tolerated." For me, the mustard and pickles make low fat burgers edible.

Honestly, no you won't be able to eat " normally" again. But that depends what you consider normal. I still eat out with my family all the time, I either order a small plate, or get an extra plate and take small portions off everyone's plate, no one seems to mind.
You have to change your whole way of thinking about good. And the most important thing I have learnt is don't drink and eat. It doesn't work. You have to do one or the other.

For immediately post-op, the best piece of advice I got was be upright (sitting or standing) and move as much as possible. When they move you into your regular hospital room after the recovery ward, do not let them put you into your bed! Instead, sit upright in the loveseat, easy chair, rocker, whatever they have for you in your room. That makes it easier to get up and down for your walking and trips to the bathroom (unless you have a a catheter you will be making plenty of trips to the bathroom). When you are sitting in your room, you can gently rock your upper body back and forth with your arms crossed over your torso. Sitting, standing, walking, and rocking help get rid of the post-surgical gas and will make you much more comfortable. Lying around in bed will not help you. Don't even get into bed unless you are going to nap or sleep.< /p>
Don't overpack for the hospital. It's surgery, not a cruise. The hospital will have virtually everything you need.
Apps: Myfitnesspal (though I mostly use the website rather than the app) and Eat Slower.
If you find yourself thinking, after three weeks on liquids, or only being able to eat yogurt, or whatever, "I'm bored with this food" -- remember that food is NOT entertainment. Find something else to entertain you and resign yourself to being bored with your food, at least for the immediate future. It isn't the end of the world.
Do whatever you can to not compare yourself to other people. Don't weigh yourself every day if it is going to drive you crazy. It doesn't matter if other people are losing 40 lbs a month (they aren't), are told by their doctor to start eating solid foods 5 days after surgery, have to limit themselves to 8 grams of carbs per day, or are running marathons 6 weeks after surgery. What everyone else is doing and what their results are should be irrelevant to you if you trust your surgeon and his team and are faithfully following the program they laid out for you.

I eat tortillas almost every day. I did have sleeve surgery over the others so I could eat as normally as possible without the fear of dumping or productive burping. Unfortunately, even with my sleeve, I got both.

I disagree that we should not be finding substitutes for foods we used to love. Why not? Doesn't adapting old favorites into new healthier options make absolute sense, not only for us but for those we love and cook for? I would much rather my kids eat spaghetti squash as noodles instead of white Pasta. I would much rather my kids eat high Protein greek yogurt over the sugary oreo topped versions. I used to make subs, now I make wraps in low carb, high Fiber (gasp!!) tortillas.
I want them to see me enjoy a mini ice cream sandwich or a kids' scoop of sherbet instead a behemoth sized serving and see that it's perfectly OK to enjoy treats as occasional goodies, not diet staples. Oddly enough (wink wink), they are following my lead.

Yes, this surgery gave me back the gift of good health, but it's also affecting my kids in a very positive manner. That's priceless.

Although I agree with what I believe to be the point of this article (that in order to achieve long term success, we have to make permanent changes to our way of eating), I was also put off by some of its assertions. I do not agree that the first 100 lbs lost is all due to surgery. So many people never reach that milestone because they were unable to follow the program set out for them. Losing that much weight takes sacrifice and focus. I don't like hearing anyone diminish this accomplishment.
The other assertion that I don't really agree with is that it's wrong to enjoy substitutes for white carbs. There are many healthy ways to enjoy your Pasta sauce, not just Shirataki noodles, and to me, no reason not to try them.
Unfortunately for me (since I really enjoy carbs), I do agree that I need to severely limit white carbs forever if I want long term success, but I know that not everyone agrees with that.

Although I agree with what I believe to be the point of this article (that in order to achieve long term success, we have to make permanent changes to our way of eating), I was also put off by some of its assertions. I do not agree that the first 100 lbs lost is all due to surgery. So many people never reach that milestone because they were unable to follow the program set out for them. Losing that much weight takes sacrifice and focus. I don't like hearing anyone diminish this accomplishment.
The other assertion that I don't really agree with is that it's wrong to enjoy substitutes for white carbs. There are many healthy ways to enjoy your Pasta sauce, not just Shirataki noodles, and to me, no reason not to try them.
Unfortunately for me (since I really enjoy carbs), I do agree that I need to severely limit white carbs forever if I want long term success, but I know that not everyone agrees with that.

I'm holding at 111.2 lbs. Since I've been advised not to lose anymore, this is a good thing. Thank you Stephh for organizing this challenge.

I'm holding at 111.2 lbs. Since I've been advised not to lose anymore, this is a good thing. Thank you Stephh for organizing this challenge.

@@VSGAnn2014, come sit by me.

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.....