ThreeFifty

Every since I first started researching WLS I started reading tons and tons of boards and websites and groups on the subject. Watching Youtube video's and reading articles etc. Ive probably touched on every topic of information there is on the subject at one time or another in the last year or so. I have been a bit obsessed.
There are some things I see that bothers me. and that is how there are people that will try to do thier own thing and not follow the rules. Id say almost every day when I go to read my ussual websites and forums and groups, there is always a post from someone doing something that they shouldnt be doing.
"I ate crackers 4 days after surgery"
"Im eating boiled eggs 3 days after surgery"
"I got to have my alchohol so Im not giving that up"
"I pureed a cupcake...I'm in the pureed stage"
I don't do water" (which really annoys me...water has no taste, this is usually stubbornness)
I don't understand it. why would you spend all that money, spend all that time, the recovery, the pain, the uncomfortable moments, nausea, inconvenience to not follow the rules and try to make it work for you the best it can. Sometimes people just don't know better I get it. not everyone does the research and not everyone has good options as far as their nutritionist to help. But some do. they know better and but they want to do what they want to do anyway. I actually saw a post from someone on another forum...
"I didn't spend all this money to have to watch what I eat...if I wanted to do that I would've just lost weight the regular way"
I read stuff like that and wish there was a way to revoke that persons surgery and give it to someone else.
The bad thing about this thinking, as soon as a person say something silly, there are others that fall right in line. one persons bad behavior feeds that behavior to others. "Oh its alright to eat crackers 4 days after surgery? I'm gonna go buy some crackers now"
A lot of people say "talk to your NUT" which is good, but I don't believe there are a million different rules. I believe there is 1 set of rules, there is a right answer. if your NUT is telling you that fried chicken is OK 4 weeks out, YOUR NUT IS WRONG.
That was a long intro but here is what I wanted to share.
This is a article I saw earlier today that I thought was interesting.
http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/top-10-bariatric-post-op-mistakes/​
Sometimes after we have had our surgery, we still get absent minded and need reminders. this is a good kick in the but
Especially number 10.

I couldnt get 800 calories at 3 weeks I was just getting about 600 at that time. it took me till about 6 weeks to consistently get 800 calories and I'm at 9 weeks now and still just barely get 800 calories daily. sometimes a little more. yea there's nothing wrong with the 800 per day at 3 weeks (I would actually say its a little high).
but yea, 400 calories for a shake is too much. 1 shake is almost a half day's calories. if you do a second, your pretty much done for the day. To me, it seems like that thing where people say "I just had bite of cake". a bite turns into 2 bites, turns into a slice, turns into a bigger slice and before you know it, you're eating just like you were before.

First a food scale - I measure everything
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3J9EGO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
These little Disposable Containers - I use these to portion out things to take to work for lunch etc
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009VSFZBG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
This mini food Processor - Used it a lot in the pureed stage, still use it now for various things
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I0DV6W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
Propel Water Packets - Take these everywhere
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GEYS94?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
Baby Spoons - Makes my yogurt fell like a giant meal lol
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQEPH8Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

When I decided to have surgery (I haven't had it yet - July 16 is my date) I assumed my ins covered it so I made the initial appointment to start the process etc had my mind already set.
I found out that my ins didn't cover so I was bummed, looked into Mexico but I ended up finding a different option. of coarse its too late for this this year but I was early enough that I signed up for the affordable healthcare ins plan. its still expensive as I have a monthly payment (and I didn't qualify for a discount) and I will have a 5k deductible (800 has to be paid up front before surgery)
I figured this would cost me about the same as a trip to mexico but I like the idea of having a doctor intown that I can just make an appointment if I need/want to be seen for something.

I found her,

I found her,

Im 8 weeks out now and Ive only been to 2 restaurants since the surgery. at about 3 weeks I went to a mexican restaurant and just ordered refried Beans.
this past weekend I went to a sports bar/restaurant and I ordered she crab Soup and I got them to sell me the "add 5 grilled shrimp to any entree for $$" even thought I didnt order an entree they still sold me the shrimp. I ate the shrimp and 2 spoons of the Soup and was full. couldnt eat anymore.
like I said, Im 8 weeks out and my doc has given me the ok to try to eat anything. but Im still not eating anything fried, no bread, no Pasta and some things still hurt, and I still cant eat but about 5, maybe 6 oz of food. I figure when I go out, I'll just order a soup or if they sell some type of grilled shrimp or fish I would get that if soup wasn't an option.

I had my sleeve July 16 didn't really have any issues, no pain, no out of the ordinary gas, was back at work after 10 days and didn't have any problems getting Protein Water or any of the food in the different stages down. my 6 week post op apt was last week and I had lost 40 lbs.
pretty much none of the things Ive read on this and other sites I have experienced as far a negatives

Today is my one year surgiversary and as of my weekly weigh in yesterday, I have surpassed my goal by one pound. My starting weight at the beginning of this process was 260. I was 236 on my surgery date. And I am now 164.
It's been a long road. The early days/weeks/months were rough. But for a long time now, I've just felt "normal". I eat 5-6 times a day. Always Protein first, but I occasionally have some treats. Juts yesterday I shared a piece of cake with my husband. I love not feeling deprived. If I want a treat of some sort once in a while, I have a little bit of it. I don't track my food or calories. The big thing to really get my head around through this whole process is that this is not a "diet". This is the rest of my life. I don't have any deadlines to meet with my weight loss. The goal was just to eventually get down to a healthy weight and stay there.
Were I on a "diet", I would have been tracking every calorie in and every calorie out. Sharing that piece of cake with my husband, I would have tracked those calories eaten and then tried to make up for it in calories burned so as not to "fall behind". I would have to "make up" those extra calories. Now... if I eat half a piece of cake, I don't sweat it. If it takes me a week to burn off those "extra" calories, what does it matter? What's a week in the grand scheme of things? It's definitely been a real change in thinking for me.
As for exercise, I've been killing it in that department. I've run several 5k races over the summer and plan to continue with my running and working on improving my time. I was pretty hard-core about strength training as well until my sister and her four kids moved in with us temporarily. That makes getting time to myself to SAFELY do strength training a real challenge, but I plan to get right back to it once they move out later this month.
So now, what you've all been waiting for: PHOTOS!
           

I guess the question is how is she not being supportive. is she just not being involved or active in what you are doing, like she's not paying attention or participating in conversations etc.....or is she giving you sh@& about it and being actively problematic.
I think that's the difference. a lot of people want to just say if people aren't supportive they are bad for you or jealous or something negative, its not always that simple. they may just not agree and decide to deal with it. or maybe they disagree to a point where they are upset that you did it anyway.
back In the early 2000s I bought a motorcycle. My mother didn't agree or support it and never supported it and tried to get me to sell it every time it came up in conversation. I didn't think nothing bad about that she just disagreed and it was understandable, motorcycles can be dangerous.
For me, no one has to agree or support it...they just have to deal with it HAHA. its done. now if they are being toxic about it, then its time to let them go. but its life. we are all human with our own opinions and beliefs, everyone isn't going to agree and lets be honest...this does seem crazy...we let them cut 80% of our working stomach out. We have to be a little tolerant also when it comes to loved ones actions on this subject...I think

I guess the question is how is she not being supportive. is she just not being involved or active in what you are doing, like she's not paying attention or participating in conversations etc.....or is she giving you sh@& about it and being actively problematic.
I think that's the difference. a lot of people want to just say if people aren't supportive they are bad for you or jealous or something negative, its not always that simple. they may just not agree and decide to deal with it. or maybe they disagree to a point where they are upset that you did it anyway.
back In the early 2000s I bought a motorcycle. My mother didn't agree or support it and never supported it and tried to get me to sell it every time it came up in conversation. I didn't think nothing bad about that she just disagreed and it was understandable, motorcycles can be dangerous.
For me, no one has to agree or support it...they just have to deal with it HAHA. its done. now if they are being toxic about it, then its time to let them go. but its life. we are all human with our own opinions and beliefs, everyone isn't going to agree and lets be honest...this does seem crazy...we let them cut 80% of our working stomach out. We have to be a little tolerant also when it comes to loved ones actions on this subject...I think

I guess the question is how is she not being supportive. is she just not being involved or active in what you are doing, like she's not paying attention or participating in conversations etc.....or is she giving you sh@& about it and being actively problematic.
I think that's the difference. a lot of people want to just say if people aren't supportive they are bad for you or jealous or something negative, its not always that simple. they may just not agree and decide to deal with it. or maybe they disagree to a point where they are upset that you did it anyway.
back In the early 2000s I bought a motorcycle. My mother didn't agree or support it and never supported it and tried to get me to sell it every time it came up in conversation. I didn't think nothing bad about that she just disagreed and it was understandable, motorcycles can be dangerous.
For me, no one has to agree or support it...they just have to deal with it HAHA. its done. now if they are being toxic about it, then its time to let them go. but its life. we are all human with our own opinions and beliefs, everyone isn't going to agree and lets be honest...this does seem crazy...we let them cut 80% of our working stomach out. We have to be a little tolerant also when it comes to loved ones actions on this subject...I think

I guess the question is how is she not being supportive. is she just not being involved or active in what you are doing, like she's not paying attention or participating in conversations etc.....or is she giving you sh@& about it and being actively problematic.
I think that's the difference. a lot of people want to just say if people aren't supportive they are bad for you or jealous or something negative, its not always that simple. they may just not agree and decide to deal with it. or maybe they disagree to a point where they are upset that you did it anyway.
back In the early 2000s I bought a motorcycle. My mother didn't agree or support it and never supported it and tried to get me to sell it every time it came up in conversation. I didn't think nothing bad about that she just disagreed and it was understandable, motorcycles can be dangerous.
For me, no one has to agree or support it...they just have to deal with it HAHA. its done. now if they are being toxic about it, then its time to let them go. but its life. we are all human with our own opinions and beliefs, everyone isn't going to agree and lets be honest...this does seem crazy...we let them cut 80% of our working stomach out. We have to be a little tolerant also when it comes to loved ones actions on this subject...I think

My plan was not to tell anyone. Pre surgery I told a friend who also started the process. when I found out I had to have someone drop me off at the hospital and take me home. I told my parents. I think my mother ended up telling her sisters/my aunts (she has 6) and some people in her church. I think between the people she told, it will probably get to everyone on that side of my life (which honestly I dont see often. hardly at all)
Ive told a few people that were expecting things from me that I couldnt do (going out to dinners, cookouts etc) but other than that no one at work knows, and no one I deal with on a regular basis know. some people...like co workers know I had surgery but my story has been that I had a hernia repaired. a couple people has notice Ive been loosing weight but no one has put 2 and 2 together. I haven't lost enough yet to where people start asking questions tho.

My plan was not to tell anyone. Pre surgery I told a friend who also started the process. when I found out I had to have someone drop me off at the hospital and take me home. I told my parents. I think my mother ended up telling her sisters/my aunts (she has 6) and some people in her church. I think between the people she told, it will probably get to everyone on that side of my life (which honestly I dont see often. hardly at all)
Ive told a few people that were expecting things from me that I couldnt do (going out to dinners, cookouts etc) but other than that no one at work knows, and no one I deal with on a regular basis know. some people...like co workers know I had surgery but my story has been that I had a hernia repaired. a couple people has notice Ive been loosing weight but no one has put 2 and 2 together. I haven't lost enough yet to where people start asking questions tho.

My plan was not to tell anyone. Pre surgery I told a friend who also started the process. when I found out I had to have someone drop me off at the hospital and take me home. I told my parents. I think my mother ended up telling her sisters/my aunts (she has 6) and some people in her church. I think between the people she told, it will probably get to everyone on that side of my life (which honestly I dont see often. hardly at all)
Ive told a few people that were expecting things from me that I couldnt do (going out to dinners, cookouts etc) but other than that no one at work knows, and no one I deal with on a regular basis know. some people...like co workers know I had surgery but my story has been that I had a hernia repaired. a couple people has notice Ive been loosing weight but no one has put 2 and 2 together. I haven't lost enough yet to where people start asking questions tho.

Just wanted to throw update out there for people that are going to have surgery and trying to get expectation of what results may be..
SW: 324
GW: 205
CW: 269
Weight loss at 7 weeks post op: 55 lbs
Male, 45 years old, sleeve

I was sleeved on 7/29/15
Today I had my first post op visit and the numbers speak for themselves.
Highest weight : 242
Surgery day weight: 229
Post surgery weight: 214.2

My surgery was July 16 I lost 28 lbs at my 2 week post op appointment. I have had about 3 people ask me if I'm loosing weight (I didn't tell many people at all, no one from work). right now Im only weighing myself at the dr appointments but my next one isnt till the last week in august then october so I may start weighing myself after my august appointment.
I dont have any problems getting in all my protien or Water, Im on pureed stage. some of the pureed food hurts going down, I may go back to soups/broths for another week. other than that. everything is great. I went back to work a week after surgery and I feel 90%

Not sure who posted this recipe; however, I have been requested to post it again - so here you go (and thanks to the original poster!)

RICOTTA BAKE:

1 ? 15 oz. Container of low fat Ricotta
1 frozen pkg. of spinach thawed/drained (squeezed) well - you can also use any veggies (e.g., zucchini and/or eggplant and saut? till soft)
1 C Parmesan cheese (split in 1/2) (Use the fresh grated from the grocery store, the stuff in the can is too dry)
1 egg

Mix all together - except for 1/2 C of parmesan -- put in a baking dish ? (I used a 1 quart size) add another ? C of cheese on top and bake @ 350 till golden & bubbly - about 30mins
Add marinara or pesto sauce on top once done.
Reheats quite nicely!

DESSERT:

1 15oz container of low fat Ricotta
1 small tub of Fat Free Cool Whip
? package of SF Jell-O (instant) cheesecake pudding mix
? package of SF Jell-O (instant) chocolate pudding mix

Combine all ? let set overnight ? ENJOY.

I couldnt drink a whole bottle of the ready made protien shakes. they were ussually 11oz. so I didnt try to drink them. what I was doing, I had Syntrax nectar which is 23 grams per scoop. I was measureing 4 and later 5 ounces of Water in a cup and using 1 scoop.
that way I was getting the full 23 grams but only having to drink 4 or 5 oz to get it. that helped a lot

I had my sleeve on July 16. its been relatively easy for me. I've been able to get in all my Protein as far as Protein shakes, and all the recommended Water since I left the Hospital. I've basically done just Protein drinks and Water with the occasional blended/strained Soup. the Soups that I have tried cream of chicken and mushroom soup was pretty good. cream of mushroom wasn't very tasty. I also tried Campbell's French onion soup blended and strained.
about a half cup of soup, maybe a little more fills me up.
Thursday I had my 2 week post op visit and was given the OK to do pureed foods. They have been a little tougher. Refried Beans work pretty good, cottage cheese, Yogurt all work well....I can eat about 4-5 ounces. but I made some chicken salad puree and that was hard to get down. I'm only doing pureed 1 meal a day. still doing shakes and water mostly.

My NUT was ok as I thought she was a nice lady and I enjoyed the conversation.
But
I do think that the Nutritionist and the Excersize appointents were a waste of money and time. Neither were covered by insurance so I had to pay $100 a visit. and my excersize appointment had the nerve to schedule an extra appointment. I was actually mad, took a day off work and had to keep paying that $100 and got absolutely nothing out of it.
but the NUT gave basic information. I guess if there was a person that hadn't done any research at all it would be helpful...but then again, my doc had a free 2 hour class for every patient that covered everything that the NUT or any other research you may have done.
I really felt like those 2 were just things that opportunist used to make some extra money not because they were helpful, but because they knew insurance companies required it.

My requirements were a little different than yours, I did a full liquid diet 10 days prior to surgery (had mine July 16) I start doing a RTD Protein drinks (muscle milk pro vanilla or strawberry 32g Protein - or Premier Protein vanilla or strawberry 30g protein) for Breakfast, and another for lunch. (sometimes I did a third one in the evening)
For dinner I would get a Soup from somewhere, hot n sour Soup, broccoli n cheese soup etc and mix some unflavored protein until that unflavored protein started making me feel sick on the stomach and just started having the soup by itself (I also did broths).
For Snacks, I did greek yogurt or SF Jello. Drank Water, Gatorade G2 and Propel Water. Hot herbal tea (rasbery zinger, no caffeine) with no sweetner at work during the day.
At the Hospital,
I brought some shower shoes (flip flops) but I didn't use them because they gave me those hospital socks, then I just wore my regular shoes when I went walking. I waited till I got home to shower (My surgery was at 3 and I was discharged at 12 the next day).
I also bought my toothbrush and toothpaste, gasx strips, my ipad and chargers for my phone and ipad.
I used my ipad for about an hour before I was discharged (watched Ferris Beullers day off on Netflix)
didn't need anything else. I just relaxed, walked and slept the whole time I was there.

I just had my surgery Thursday (July 16) I took 7 days off, counting the weekends that would give me 11 days recovery time before I have to go back to work. to be honest, today is Sunday and I could go back to work tomorrow. I have felt fine every since I left the hospital. Im sure another week at home and I'll be crazy lol