alwaysvegas

If I had contemplated the "easy way out" about the surgery too much longer, I could've died from diabetes, sleep apnea, or a heart attack. I'd rather contemplate things while alive.
This weight loss tool can save lives, but it still takes lots of work on the ol' noggin' to make it all happen long-term.
The sleeve helps with our stomach capacity and our physical hunger, which is ALOT of help (trust me, they're both wonderful benefits)...but we still have to control what goes down our gullets...and we can get alot more down in a day than you think possible. Calorie-dense slider foods can really set us back. That was the same before surgery and it's the same after.
I've lost alot of weight without the sleeve and it's going to help me keep it off long term, but I have to keep working on the calories and exercise.

I posted a thread showing my weight loss over a year. Stalls are very common.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/335141-one-year-of-weight-loss-graphed/

I posted a thread showing my weight loss over a year. Stalls are very common.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/335141-one-year-of-weight-loss-graphed/

I picked my goal weight based on the number I have always wanted to be. I've always wanted to weigh 119, however I'm a little older now and 129 seemed a bit more attainable. Both 119 and 129 put me in the acceptable BMI range where I am no longer overweight, so I was happy with those numbers. I was a self-pay patient, so no one ever gave me a goal weight. I met with the surgeon, I paid him, he chopped out my stomach, and it all took 3 weeks from start to finish. In hindsight, it might have been nice to have some of the services of insurance, but it all ended up working out ok in the end.
Now that I am at goal, my goal is 119, so this way if I gain a pound or two or I want to go on vacation, I am still beneath my first goal weight and I don't have to worry about most of my clothing not fitting.

Definitely buy one at a time and try them out. They have a VERY strong bite to them. I actually liked all flavors considering how much Protein they provided and liquid.< /p>
But do not go an buy a case before you're tried them out.
Good luck!

Jan 2014: 46 waist, XXL shirts -> Mar 2015: 32 waist, M/S shirts

Awesome! Just grabbed this thanks! I've been researching making bars just this week...so timely. Thank you!

My surgeon recommended avoiding fibrous veggies (broccoli stems, lettuce, cabbage, celery) until six months out. Of course, most everything is "as tolerated," unless specifically prohibited by your surgeon/nutritrionist.

Being satisfied on 4-5 oz of food post-op has been much more rewarding than being stuffed on 4 cups of food pre-op. I can't explain why it is, but it is.
Best of luck!

I just got approved by my insurance!!!! After 8 months and going through 3 insurance who at the beginning of the year dropped all bariatric coverage. I picked up new insurance and was approved in 4 days!!! Ahhh everything just became so real!!

chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
8 scoops chocolate Protein powder (I use Wheytech Pro 24 Rich Chocolate by Bodytech found at The Vitamin Shoppe or on Amazon)
1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/3 cup PB2 (3 TBS powder mixed with approx 1.5 TBS Water adjust to make into nice PB paste)
3 TBS Honey
½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/3 cup crushed peanuts
Directions
1. Mix together the Protein Powder, oatmeal, Peanut Butter, honey and milk.
2. Form into 12 bars and then roll in the crushed peanuts to finish.
3. Place in the fridge for about 30-45 mins or until solid (tastes better if overnight) also best to keep in fridge until ready to eat
18 grams Protein
It is pretty hard to mix and will seem like it is too dry.. you have to use elbow grease to get it mixed well… rolling in the peanuts doesn’t work that great so you will need to press the nuts into the bars. They are really chewy, but great snack!
The scoops that are in the powder that I use are pretty large.. if yours has small scoops you may have to double it....
For all the ones below, just chop everything in food processor with the almond milk and lime juice if required for recipe...
Peanut/Date Bars
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 cup chopped dates
9 scoops vanilla Protein Powder
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
3-4 Tbsp. lime juice
That is it! Makes 12 bars just like other recipe… This one has 20 grams protein...
Key Lime bars
1 ½ cups pistachios chopped
8 scoops vanilla protein powder
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
3-4 Tbsp. key lime juice
Zest from limes – I did it from 2
1 cup chopped dates
½ cup finely chopped pistachios for outer layer of bars after shaped
Makes 12 bars - 19 grams protein
This one I am going to make this weekend… Won’t know how it tastes until Sunday…
Vanilla Apricot Bars
1 cup dry roasted peanuts chopped
1 cup chopped dried apricots
8-9 scoops vanilla protein powder (don’t know how many I need yet for right texture..)
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
Makes 12 bars
I think that is it.. 20 grams protein
So far the ones with dates in them are a bit sticky.. but VERY tasty!!

I don't think it is necessary.. but I still drink them from time to time even though I am 4 months out...
I CAN meet my required 76-95 grams without them.. but sometimes it is a super easy way to make sure I get there...
Also, it would depend on what your NUT says..

You are correct. I do skip the posts that I am unable to read due to font, color or lack of spacing. I'm an old lady. If I can't read them, I can't answer them.
It's my OPINION that this is a much different issue than someone who may not have the education to communicate with proper spelling or grammar or someone whose first language is not English.
The bottom line? If I can read it and I have what I believe is a good answer, I will address it. I will not comment on one's lack of ability to communicate to my standards. If I can't read it, I won't respond. I hardly think MY answer will be the end all be all for anyone nor is my expertise/lack thereof a detrimental or instrumental to anyone's experience.

Don't know how long this offer is available, but you can download a free Kindle DIY book to make Protein Bars at home
DIY Protein Bars(FREE Bonus Included)
Complete Handbook on How to Make Simple and Healthy Protein Bars at Home
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W5XV7CK/?tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=781188d7fcdf41a6a3cbc318539d9ad6

I was self-pay in Mexico, so I didn't really receive any kind of formal consultation about the mental/emotional aspects of the surgery. My interactions with my surgeon's office were all about the pre and post-op nutrition, medications, Vitamins, scheduling, and logistics. I had to do a lot of research and reading on my own and I still had a tough time emotionally post-op. It's just such a huge life change and there are so many emotions involved. I'm not sure any amount of knowledge pre-op could have fully prepared me for the actual experience. The good news is that I got through those early months and I am perfectly fine and happy now.

Zero. Other than why did I wait so long?

If I had contemplated the "easy way out" about the surgery too much longer, I could've died from diabetes, sleep apnea, or a heart attack. I'd rather contemplate things while alive.
This weight loss tool can save lives, but it still takes lots of work on the ol' noggin' to make it all happen long-term.
The sleeve helps with our stomach capacity and our physical hunger, which is ALOT of help (trust me, they're both wonderful benefits)...but we still have to control what goes down our gullets...and we can get alot more down in a day than you think possible. Calorie-dense slider foods can really set us back. That was the same before surgery and it's the same after.
I've lost alot of weight without the sleeve and it's going to help me keep it off long term, but I have to keep working on the calories and exercise.

Thank you for sharing your story!
Losing weight opens up so many opportunities to extend life and enjoy life. You have a wonderful attitude about Thomas. It is indeed more about health than vanity. Wanting somebody healthy is definitely caring.
Best of luck to you both!

Hi and welcome @@bbecca!
I had some anxiety also. There are so many wonderful success stories on here to help you confirm your belief in WLS as a great choice.
I also love that you said "...Being healthy and enjoying my life..."
Because if you focus on health...all the great benefits of WLS will come to you. You'll still have to do your part by focusing on a healthy lifestyle, but the WLS is an incredible tool for helping you achieve long-term success.
Best of luck on your journey! Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a wealth of great wisdom on here.

Hi and welcome @@bbecca!
I had some anxiety also. There are so many wonderful success stories on here to help you confirm your belief in WLS as a great choice.
I also love that you said "...Being healthy and enjoying my life..."
Because if you focus on health...all the great benefits of WLS will come to you. You'll still have to do your part by focusing on a healthy lifestyle, but the WLS is an incredible tool for helping you achieve long-term success.
Best of luck on your journey! Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a wealth of great wisdom on here.

A selection of quotes I've actually said that are indeed strange:
"No, they did not remove my entire stomach. Just most of it."
"No, I didn't have the bypass. I had the less complicated weight loss surgery." As if I could perform it myself or something.
"No, I'm not starving. I feel great!"
"I disagree. I eat more than a squirrel."
"Yes, I used to be quite large." Takes out driver's license to prove it. Why would someone lie about being fat?
food arrives at the table. "Can I get a to-go box, please?"
"Yes, I really am full. I know I'm taking most of it to go."
"No, I didn't just eat before coming to the restaurant."
"Yes, bowel movements still work the same way."
"Yes, I miss my manboobs."
OK, the last one I never said.

Warmest congratulations, but looks like you spent some good money on new clothes. You know you're gonna be too skinny for those clothes too soon enough. Ah well, you'll learn.
I made my first mental goal to cure my co-morbidities: sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes. Those were all cured within a couple weeks after surgery. I just did a home study to verify sleep apnea is cured, but scheduled for results next Friday. But fingers-crossed I'm cured there too.
After my co-morbidities were cured (I was around 235 or so), I set a goal of a nice even 200. Well 199 to be in ONEderland.
Once I hit 200 my goal was not to go for some super low weight I couldn't possibly maintain, but to try and find that balance between eating and exercise so I could maintain a weight forever. If that weight was 200...cool. But the weight kept coming off.
I exercised a bit less and ate a bit more...trying to find a lifestyle that I could maintain long-term. And I think I've found my "landing weight." I may end up gaining a bit after a couple years due to eating more and I'm okay with that. I just didn't want to hit a "very low" weight, not be able to maintain it, and get frustrated when I gained back 30 lbs.
Point is...try and do what you can do long-term (aka forever) once you get closer to any goal weight you set (or don't set). Try and find a reasonable balance. The goal isn't to be skinny, but do be healthy, and maintain it!
But be sure an congratulate yourself and enjoy all the health benefits and non-scale victories along the way!
Best of luck!

Great article! I often bake my Proteins and vegetables at one time with limited universal spices (garlic powder, onion powder, pepper), but make separate sauces and use different additional seasonings for different meals.
So my Protein and vegetables can be chicken, broccoli, onions, mushrooms.
But when I pack my lunch I add alfredo sauce and italian seasonings. And for dinner I use soy sauce, white pepper, ginger, and fish sauce.
I still make the decision on the sauces and spices daily, but it takes the planning out of the Proteins and veggies! I just change up the proteins and veggies weekly.

Hi and welcome @@bbecca!
I had some anxiety also. There are so many wonderful success stories on here to help you confirm your belief in WLS as a great choice.
I also love that you said "...Being healthy and enjoying my life..."
Because if you focus on health...all the great benefits of WLS will come to you. You'll still have to do your part by focusing on a healthy lifestyle, but the WLS is an incredible tool for helping you achieve long-term success.
Best of luck on your journey! Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a wealth of great wisdom on here.

I hate when too many people respond to a topic and I'm too lazy to read them all.

I also hate when people hijack other peoples' threads.
Which reminds me...I hated the Sopranos finale. Did anyone else?
And Kim Kardashian with blonde hair...I mean REALLY? And why does Kanye always look upset? It all bothers me.