BarrySue

Shrimp, tuna, hardboiled eggs, cheese, and fairlife milk (I feel like I'm the damn company spokesperson, but it was the only way to get me to my protein goals every day).

Always always always consult your OB-GYN! Your body is going through a lot of intense changes that can wreak havok on hormones, but that doesn't mean WLS is the cause! Definitely check with your specialist to ensure everything is in good working order down there. Be careful not to let WLS overshadow other potentially unrelated health issues.

About 14-16 weeks out I started eating popcorn. They have great 100 calorie bags I could buy at the vending machine for a snack, and they were a great way to keep from binging on more dangerous things while I adjusted to my post-sleeve dietary habits. Almost 18 months out now I still eat it pretty often, although I prefer microwave light pop versus some of the really saturated/cheese dust coated brands they sell at gas stations. Those things can have 400+ calories per bag!

The biggest issue I'm seeing is people actually denying their weight is a problem. "Weight is just a number, it doesn't determine true health" or "I don't trust BMI, it says I'm obese and I don't believe that." So many people think they just need to hit the gym and eat "super" foods, and I want to shake them and say QUINOA will not help you, no matter how much you exercise, you can't train away a bad diet, and for the love of god, BMI isn't accurate, but unless you're a special athlete whose physician has done alternate means of testing to determine your bodyfat ratio, being obese probably isn't a good sign.

This is not the victim olympics or a contest about who is allowed to hurt the most. This is a WLS forum. So yes, people will delve deep into all manner of weight loss issues despite there being other things happening in the world. There is no need to marginalize or insult people for perfectly legitimate concerns, nor fall back into the tired old "millenial" generalization (which is one of the most inaccurate, backwards, ridiculous labels when you examine the facts). BP is not a hugbox, but that isn't a moral imperative to be a jerk. Placating and justifying someone's bad decisions is not the same as having a little compassion for someone terrified of the after-effects of weight loss. I don't view it as "trite" or "shallow" to be hesitant about weight loss due to excess skin. As women, we face a unique struggle in terms of our appearance. We are judged for what we are AND what we are not. We can feel unattractive and have rude comments made about our chubby cheeks, and be conversely nervous that we will have rude comments made about looking saggy, sallow-cheeked, and old (one of the biggest comments on the appearance of extreme weight loss folks is "they look so old now"). Yes, we all have health reasons, but I have a hard time believing many women who get WLS don't also crave feeling beautiful. In our society, beauty means power. Beauty means value. Beauty means avoiding the discrimination, bias, cruelty and dismissal that comes with inhabiting a large body. Should appearance mean these things? No. But that is the reality of the world we live in. We have all suffered so much under society's expectations of what we should and shouldn't look like, is it really a surprise people question the results? So many of us have deep issues with body image and self-loathing. We are accustomed to viewing ourselves as undesireable. Surgery, hard work, pain, sweat, tears, only to fear that you will still hate the person staring back at you in the mirror? Terrified you will never find love? Worried that you'll go from a "big gal" that some men say they prefer, to a scarred and wrinkled mess that you fear is no one's preference? That is not shallow. That is not trite. It is legitimate fear. And it can be overcome, but it takes work, time, love, and support. You don't need to kiss anyone's ass, placate, or justify anyone's delusions. You can always scroll past those threads. But damn, a little compassion wouldn't be remiss. **Edit: Check the forums for how many threads contain "my spouse/partner says they won't find me attractive anymore if I lose weight."

You show people pictures of your SW and they don't believe it's you!

I dropped nearly all the weight by the 12 month mark. Since then, it's been a lot slower and had I been following the diet here in Europe, I'd have lost more (I've been here 3.5 months and only lost 8 pounds, but it's from all the physical activity, as I've been eating and drinking bad stuff like CRAZY and need to get back on board when I return home). I had a lot of complications my first few months, hated food and developed an intolerance/nauseous reaction to almost everything, so the first 100 lbs were gone in less than six months. I'm a picky, fussy eater who never cooks and is very busy, so I just found the right foods and stuck to them hell or high Water, lol. I rarely ate full meals during my first year because that simply didn't work for me (I'm so busy and always on the move). I just found the right combo of stuff at CVS/Walmart/gas stations (high protein/low carb nutrition bars, this special milk called Fairlife (it filters lactose and sugar out, Protein added, I used it like a Protein shake because regular protein made me nauseous), protein gummies, fruit/veggies on the go (snack packs that would have sliced apples with yogurt/sugar free caramel, or diced watermelon, or carrots with Peanut Butter, etc), protein gummies, and TONS of cheese. I also eat fast food pretty often, but I limit it. Chili from Wendy's, hot dog with chili from checkers with only a tiny fraction of the bun, cheeseburger from mcdonalds with the bun pulled off, taco bell pretty consistently (I either get crunchy shell or peel away most of the flour tortilla). I didn't do hardcore exercise (but between school, work and internship I was working 90-100 hours/wk), although I did walk everywhere. Walked as much as I could, because I knew I could sustain that. My biggest tip is to BE REALISTIC about your preferences/likes/habits/behaviors. I didn't try to completely change myself, because I knew I'd fail if I tried to be one of these "make ten meals, freeze them in tupperware, use cauliflower crust and complicated healthy recipes and go to the gym every day" people. They are WONDERFUL, they are successful, but they are not me. So I tweaked/adjusted things, creating a plan I knew I could maintain. There wasn't really a wagon to fall off of. I still eat fast food, I just skip the fries and pull the bun/breading mostly off. If I want dessert or a snack, I indulge, taking a few bites and then toss the rest in the trash or give it to a friend. That way, I'm not obsessing over it, I've satisfied the craving, and I haven't binged/gone overboard. In the end, you'll find what works best for you. You may be one of the people who takes great joy in completely changing everything, establishing brand new cooking/exercise routines for yourself, etc. Whatever the outcome, just find something you can LIVE with.

So, I'm 18 months post-op, currently studying abroad in Europe this semester. It's not my first time through the continent. I studied there in 2014 while topping 350 lbs, and it was awful. I didn't fit into the cute cafe seats, or the theatre, or the train seats, or the airplane seats, or the tiny narrow corridors, I didn't fit ANYWHERE! I felt as though people stared at me in France, giggled at me in Belgium, and to a group of German schoolchildren, I was the largest woman they'd ever seen. My feet hurt. I was in agony trying to keep up with my classmates. I felt uncomfortable and didn't want to go out and socialize. Groups of young men made fun of me. I kept to myself and failed to bond with my classmates because I felt so incredibly uncomfortable. I was exhausted with the walking, walking, walking, and in historical sites with lots of stairs, I simply couldn't go. I slowed down my group and couldn't enjoy so much because I was in pain from the physical demands. This time with a BMI of 30 instead of 60? Oh boy. I've hiked mountains, walk uphill a mile every day to class, walked 5-10 miles a day without feeling tired, stopped noticing whether or not I'm being watched, talked to strangers and made so many friends, built relationships with my peers, and I no longer need to examine the seats in theatres or restaurants to determine whether or not I'll fit in them before entering. Men approach me (and boy if that isn't crazy new to me). I no longer manage my entire life around obsessing over whether something with be too physically demanding. I'm having the time of my life. Getting the sleeve was definitely the best decision I've ever made, and I'm excited to rediscover the world in ways I never had the chance to when I was 350+ lbs!

18 months out, I still never cook, lol. Even if I had the time (which I don't), I just hate it and don't bother. I eat all ready made stuff or at best things I can pop in the microwave. Fast food? Pretty often, but it ends up being beef patties with cheese and ketchup with almost no bun, or beef/chicken with cheese in a tortilla, etc. Occasionally I'll indulge with some fried chicken breast. I steer clear of fries, pizza, all those carb side items, though! Chik-fil A with their diet lemonade and lean meats are awesome! My usual diet? Breakfast: Hard-boiled egg and fruit for breakfast (occasionally a little pack of instant oatmeal instead) Lunch: seafood (sushi with most of the rice cut off, or sashimi, or grilled shrimp) or burger/taco Dinner: chili or a lunchable (the pizza lunchable has like 300 calories, 17g Protein, under 20g carb) Between all that, I eat a ton of Protein Bars and string cheese. I'm not trying to deny myself, I'm just incredibly picky! I also eat popcorn, Peanut Butter crackers and these weird little protein gummies my local 7-11 sells, and pick up my favorite fruit snack packs when I can (sliced apples, bears, peaches, watermelon, etc)

Your stomach can have contractions/spasms during the first couple weeks whenever you swallow something down. As for the Protein shakes, I also HATED them and couldn't drink them post surgery. I ended up using Fairlife Milk. It's a special milk that is fortified with additional protein, with the lactose and much of the sugar filtered out. It was actually healthier than almond milk and many other alternate forms. I would mix diet cocoa mix in and drink it hot, or mix sugar-free strawberry syrup in and drink it cold if I didn't feel like having it plain. I did this for a few months, and it was a HUGE help.

YES!!! I do this too. I think it's a subconscious sense of discomfort/insecurity, because I find myself doing it more in public, even if I'm not paying attention.

I'm young, healthy, never used anesthetic during dental work because I had high pain tolerance. The sleeve is by far the most excruciating pain I've ever known. I could barely move for two weeks. I had to call 911 twice when I couldn't get up off the floor because even the slightest bend in my torso was agony. Slept upright and on my back for two months. Incisions hurt for two months. It was torture. It just happens. You never know how your body will respond. You will get through this, you will survive, and the pain will be a distant memory and not matter anymore. Now that I'm closer to my goal and living the life I dreamed of, I'd do it a thousand times over. All you can do is hang on and remember that this too shall pass. The pain is not permanent. It will eventually end. And you're suffering through this for yourself, for your children, for a better life. Hang in there, friend. It sucks right now, but it gets so, so much better.

I went from size 32 to size 12, 353 lbs to around 180 now. Still have a ways to go, but I feel much better. I lost almost everything the first year. The last four months I've been traveling through europe, eating and drinking unhealthy stuff like crazy, but I've still shed 8 more pounds because of all the walking! When I get home, it'll be back on the bandwagon. **I don't share photos publicly because of my job, but feel free to inbox me for the results <3

College was fine. I had no issues, my professors all let me keep Water and Snacks with me, everyone was understanding, it was actually very easy to maintain my weight there since many college folks are so health-conscious. I stayed away from alcohol for a full year though. It simply wasn't worth it to me to risk permanent damage to my body. Now, I can go out for a night of drinking, but I must give myself lots of time (1.5 hours minimum) to digest food. Mixed drinks take forever because my stomach capacity is small, so I end up pretty much just drinking straight shots, but I pace myself carefully with plenty of time between drinks (and I NEVER MIX CLEARS AND DARKS). If I try to drink too much, I'll vomit. If I mix, I vomit. My sleeve is very good at telling me when enough is enough. Unlike many people, my alcohol tolerance didn't really change, and after all the weight loss, I still don't really feel much of a difference in the amount it takes for me to get a buzz. But enough people have expressed a lower tolerance, so be careful anyhow! Lastly, drinking is seriously overrated. I wouldn't do it too often, sleeve or not. Campus culture can be nuts, and it's not good for your health overall to drink so much. I definitely feel the pressure, so I just limit the nights I'll drink, and encourage my friends to take part in activities outside drinking (bowling, trivia, dancing, etc). Learning to have fun and participate in social activities outside of food/drink has been really helpful!

I commend you OP for getting right back in the gym. Your strength will return eventually. Just give yourself more time.

I don't go outside. Seriously. I'm waaaaay too Irish to survive direct sunlight anyhow, and I prefer to stay tucked away in air-conditioned spaces. When I go to day-long events though, I simply plan for rest and rehydration every four hours.

They are convenient and a lifesaver to those of us who are constantly on the go. Between work, school, internships and extracurriculars, I have no time (or desire) to cook, and often I have no access to a fridge. They are a great thing to have stashed away, especially because I can turn down unhealthy food and go "nah, I'm good, I've got something to nibble on." I eat those little muscletech six-star Protein bars all the time. 200 calories, 20g protein, 15g carbs, 6g sugar. They are cheaper than all the fancy bars I've had (they sell them in single packs for 98 cents at walmart), and they taste the best. On days when my shifts run 16 hours or I've got wall to wall plans, I can down two bars until I can get a real meal. Honestly, 95% of the Protein Bars I see in stores are horrifying when you flip them over and look at the nutrition label. Tons of sugar, loads of sodium, I was shocked to see some of the "best" bars have 25g of sugar alone. I'll stick to my cheap little bars and call it a day.

You'll find quite a few of us are actually licensed medical professionals with strong backgrounds in nutrition and other relevant information. That doesn't mean we know everything, but it does mean there is legitimate education and experience behind our advice. Not only are there a TON of nurses on this site, but some of them even work in bariatrics. Don't be so quick to dismiss different perspectives. You could potentially miss out on helpful advice.

You seem to have it all figured out. You are the most knowledgeable person on the website. People just don't understand that you're allowed to shoot down any legitimate advice because you're simply wiser and more Enlightened, like a gymrat Yoda. It does beg the question, though -- why are you here asking questions if you're too good to take advice?

Something bitter that hasn't quite aged enough yet. Vintage 2016, perhaps?

I went to a hospital in a different city with a private WLS unit, because I absolutely did not want my medical info to be fodder for other people's gossip.

I paid 15k out of pocket. If I could do it all over again, I'd have run off to Mexico and saved a bundle!

The best thing about food is the instant gratification. The moment a salty or sweet food touches your tongue, you get a sense of satisfaction. That's why long-term weight loss is so freaking scary -- we can't get what we want, and it sucks. It's okay to be terrified of stalling. I mean, we've all gone under the knife and had our organs cut apart, cobbled back together like Frankenstein's monster, or removed outright. I'd be weirded out by someone who didn't care, honestly. So come here, be a wreck, commiserate with us, beg for affirmations and reminders that it will eventually get better and the scale will move. And then when you get what you need, resume your life, stick to the plan, and return when the scale gets stuck again and you need more support. You'll make it, OP. You've already taken the biggest, most difficult step.

I was in your boat, OP. I had an extremely limited window in which to get the surgery due to school and work obligations, and I went under the knife a month after my first doctor's appointment. However, as a nurse, I had a strong medical and nutritional background, and I had done mountains of research as well. Only you truly know if you're ready, well-informed and totally prepared. Whether it is jumping the gun depends entirely on you. If you feel it's too much, too soon, don't force it. If you feel you're committed and have a strong system of support in place, go for it.

Babbs, your posts give me life. This forum should not be an infinite plane of eggshells we tiptoe over. It is absolutely a place of support, and sometimes, reality checks and doses of humility are supportive. I think there is great value in having people check you on your bad habits, not just when they are diet-related, but when they are behavior-related too. Asking for validation mislabeled as advice, or demanding that opinions be bubble-wrapped and lukewarm so as not to appear judgmental or finger-wagging? Believe it or not, demanding these kinds of emotional cushions likely play a bigger role in your weight loss struggle than you'd like to think. food is comfort and self protection. So is demanding others pull their punches when you ask for advice. Both can be destructive, and neither really helps you in the long run. P.S. Slapping the "bully" or "shame" label onto anything that makes you feel uncomfortable does nothing but shut down honest discourse and let you swallow down moral superiority like a deep-fried carb. Don't do it. **Edit: I know the convo has moved on, but I still wanted to address some earlier points. Back to your regularly programmed macronutrient tallies