Dub

Last night I was lazy and made a road trip out for a 5 calorie iced coffee and grabbed a Southwest grilled chicken salad with creamy salsa ranch dressing from Chic-Fil-A.

Been back on the bariatric / keto train for a month now. Feeling much better already. Getting sugar out of my life has been a relief. Took me a couple weeks to get through the cravings. Once gone, they've stayed gone.

You have so much to be proud of. Clearly you are tough and determined. It is terrible that they took away your desire to pursue Christ. Prayers that someone who is truly walking that path will meet you and demonstrate real faith.

Be proud of your progress…..keep smiling….keep on loving the losing. You got this.

So much strife comes from expectations not being met. Key aspect is that those expectations must be known, as couples can't read each other's minds. Talking things out and listening are crucial steps that often seemed to be skipped in the hustle & bustle of daily life. If couples can't be heard and understood by each other.....the door opens widely for them seeking this from other sources..... Some things I had to learn the hard way. Painful way.

Dinner last night….. This was two meals….and the only eats on both days. Would be much better if I would have had a little bit every couple hours through the day…but didn’t sop to eat. Boneless chicken, powdered ranch dressing and onions-peppers with a splash of heavy cream and chicken broth.

Dinner last night....filet, portabellas, broccoli, cauliflower and a small dose of horseradish sauce.

I resumed keto last month. i really needed iron and have been able to cut back on iron supplements somewhat as a result of now getting more through my diet. Sticking to meats, chicken , fish accompanied with an assortment of high fiber-low sugar vegetables. Small amounts of cheese and very seldom nuts….as both are more calorie dense than I want at present time.

56 now. Sleeve done 9 years ago. Wish I had not waited. Been sidelined the last 5+ years dealing with family illness and the aftermath. Getting on top of the regain now...finding the groove again as I resume the successful post op methods.

I would've had no trouble with a Disney trip 5 weeks post op.....other than hearing "it is small world after all" 17,000 times.

Sometimes people just suck. Seriously. Who gives a rip what someone's neighbors uncle Cletus's fourth cousin's proctologist told him about WLS horrors ?? Some folks enjoy pissing on others and tell them it is raining. Some, however, are simply trying to identify with you and find something of relevance to utter. I remember when I had disc surgery in 2017.....can't tell you the number of people who told me their aunt Berthas bingo group had group disc surgery and none of them can tie their shoes without going into a 2-day coma. Yeah...the disc surgery was a source of wonderful relief. That being said....I avoid bingo and proctologists to this day.....

'1) 30oz Yeti cups 2) a talking scale. I kid you not....I am 9 years out...my scale has a female voice and I love hearing her tell the news every morning. 3) a fluffy pillow to take with you to surgery. Use it to hold pressure against your abdomen on the ride home...and whenever you need it those first couple days/week. When standing or walking...that pillow helps. I learned this trick during 3 abdominal hernia surgeries.

You got this. I was also active on here in the years following my sleeve. Had a life event occur that knocked me down. Stayed in a hole for the past few years....but started resuming normal life recently. Addressing the regain. That part is going well. Staying in my lane, been alcohol free the past 6+ years, working long hours and taking care of yard work & house chores on my days off.

I never have been able to drink decaf. The process used to produce it was a turnoff. I prefer to buy dark roasted beans & grind them finely just prior to brewing. I used to use Splenda & protein shake (as creamer). Now I am dabbling with monkfruit & allulose vs Splenda.

I was fortunate in that my first sips of water that were allowed after surgery were so dang welcome...and the satisfaction of having those sips carried over in the weeks ahead. Always having a water bottle close at hand is a good habit to get in. It seems to be a widely held practice by people in general.

My only gripe about spinach is that you have to buy a 37 gallon bucket of it.....as it reduces down to a 1/4 cup once cooked. Actual measurements....or so it seems. Love the stuff. Butter, garlic, curry powder and a splash of heavy whipping cream and keep stirring in heaps of baby spinach. In a few minutes the magic happens.

Sucks that nobody replied thus far. Perhaps drinking a protein shake first thing each day will help kick start your system. Hopefully the intake will help get your system functioning

I am writing this down on sticky notes and putting them on my fridge, my steering wheel and maybe wear one on my forehead. Your first sentence is a battle cry that we would all do well to adopt. Thank you.

That is the best answer of all. The real answer. Truth is, you could give people a gazillion reasons. They may or may not buy into it. It is their hangup not yours. Your energy is being directed on solving matters with the tools you have available. Your health is the goal...not their feelings about the matter. The people who really care will see you feeling better and doing better and they'll be happy for you. They will also see that there is still much work being done by you....much adherence to a new way of eating....more moving and exercise....more feeling better.

@Bypass2Freedom sorry to hear about your breakup. Maybe it is a temporary storm that will pass. I suspect if all the folks who've had WLS were open & honest....we would find many common experiences have occurred in our lives. I'm one of those people who detests change.....no matter that I may be treading water and change may bring a much needed lifebuoy....I'm stubborn and will keep treading water as it is familiar. That was how I was....until WLS. WLS went by uneventful, recover was swift....took a week of vacation time and went back to work. No medical issues....so in my mind there was no need to do anything but the minimum on followup visits with the surgeon. So much change occurred...so quickly....unexpected outcomes....wide open-full throttle-full speed ahead....but I was ill prepared to be at the helm. Felt like I was driving a fast sports car and I only had skills to drive an old beat down truck and only on the back roads. I seem to recall the pre-op class sessions where they gave us the medical risks and the statistical data on relationship survival. I heard it all but didn't listen. I was finally ready to address weight and nothing could deter me. Didn't listen...didn't take part in the group meetings post-surgery. Now....looking back...I see where staying in touch with the WLS support group would have had many benefits.

9yrs post op (sleeve). 6yrs sober now......the calm after the storm. I won't preach to anyone, but I'll simply say that if you reintroduce drinking post op, please, please do so with utmost care and control.