dlappjr

This reminded me of a post from a Facebook group I belong to. A gentleman there has been a big advocate for WLS and speaks to groups about how life changing it is. This is an excerpt from one of his speeches, about how to tell, or what to say to people when you tell them you had surgery. The part about it being a tool gets summed up very well here. Hi name is Bill Streetman. If you want to see some of his video on youtube, search for him there. He recently rode his bike from Ohio to NC to speak at an Obesity seminar there. https://www.whs-newlife.com/author/billwhs-newlife-com/ WLS is not the reason I, or anybody, lose weight or keep it off. Bringing in less calories than I burn up is why I lost weight. And I did that by eating less calories (but eating the correct calories to fuel my body) and exercising to increase what I burn up. In my life I have had difficulty managing my eating. So to help me I underwent gastric bypass. This helps me eat less. It does not however make me make good food choices. And it's never got me out of bed to go work out. That is why we say it's a tool, not the solution. It's no different than a short person using a ladder to paint their ceiling... a tool to assist them with the limitations that they were born with. The ladder doesn't do the painting, doesn't select the color, doesn't roll straight lines, doesn't clean up afterwards. It's a tool just like WLS.

I have been hesitant to get new clothes, but the old ones were like tents on me. I finally had to get a new pair of jeans and some shirts. I found the cheapest stuff I could get for now, as I am sure I won't be in them too long. I have developed a love for workout type clothes now. I even wear 1/4 zip athletic type pullovers and workout hoodies to work now.

Thanks, good luck. It is the most amazing thing for Breakfast.

I have grown tired of the charcoal smoker and am looking into a new electric model instead. I must say, the best food I have had since surgery is a piece of smoked salmon. You can put that in anything and it tastes like heaven. I learned the other day that we are only supposed to be eating around 3 egg yolks a week, to keep Cholesterol down. Well, I love eggs, so I have come up with a recipe for deviled eggs that replaces the yolks with smoked salmon. Cannot wait to try it!

I'm down, to get down! Starting weight will post Monday. *** Starting Weight: 300lbs. *** *** Goal Weight: 270lbs. ***

@@KindaFamiliar 200lbs. LOST! Man am I rooting for you. That is a huge HUGE accomplishment! I bet you'll do it by the end of the yeat. Holy jeez. Thats awesome!

If not, there is another challenge that happens frequently we could join. @@stephh has a thread called Halloween Challenge. She does new challenges every couple months. I plan on joining her next one, starting 11/9. Just an option if you would rather have more people involved.

Dang! If its gonna be that kind of party...

I can only imagine how that went down........two Iron wills colliding.......forgedtits and the doctor (I'm seeing Arnold Swartzenaeger in this role for some reason....) "I want a sammich dambit !!!" "NO...just soup for you". "It's not fair......I should have cupcakes". "No......Protein Powda only......now, get to the choppa". "I want oodles of noodles and bread bowls" "STOP with your whining" I almost feel sorry for the surgeons.......I mean, they have the ability to change lives in a way that patients can only dream of......yet their results are held hostage by those that want to fight them every step of the way. I simply don't understand how people make it to the surgery and have so damn little understanding of basic calories and nutrition. This stuff is taught in elementary schools. Hell, I grew up in the boonies.....where the teachers main challenge was keeping us from breeding our cousins.....yet somehow.....someway....they taught us the basic concepts of how to eat. Sure....many, like me, turn their back on that knowledge and develop weight problems as adults. Thankfully I stayed off my cousin, though. There is normally so much education that goes into a bariatric program that you'd expect good comprehension of the surgery and the demands that follow. Add to the fact that she's lived through this with her husbands wls.....although a different procedure. OP is right. It's not fair. It's not fair to the surgeon. That poor surgeon will never get the time back that she's going to spend arguing with the OP in this visit. OP already knows everything and won't be satisfied until the surgeon yields and admits that cupcakes, Cookies and pizza are in fact, great foods that will yield to a slim, trim and sexy new you. Poor surgeon. She could be spending that time with patients that actually are receptive and willing to listen and follow. Omg I laughed so hard! I even spoke in Arnolds voice. And the cousin thing... bahahaha Haha -- good for you for your self control for staying off your cousin! Also great response too!! You always do! Oh yeah! I forgot to congratulate you @@Dub, on not being a DaddyUncle!

#HelpObama

I'm not usually one to speculate, butt, it must have been serious. What with all this blatant disrespect being strewn about.

I say do whatever is easier for you! THANK YOU for taking the time to do this for anyone who would like to participate. Looking forward to doing my first one.

I'm in! My CW is 305, Goal Weight is 290. I plan on exercising 5 hrs. per week.

I am sorry that here is a double standard. I see it all the time. I also hate it when someone plays the "hormones/need to get some" card at you girls. It's not nice.

Thank you, Darlin'. I'm really not an arsehole.......or not to most folks, anyway. I try my best to be supportive around here and I really am grateful as hell for my experiences and assistance I've been given here. It's been hugely helpful. I simply don't posses the proper social graces and filters to keep my mouth shut when I should. In person, I'm a fairly polite and easy going guy.......until I'm not. I've always appreciated the support that is real, accurate and safe. I don't see the benefit of someone validating unsafe behaviors or supporting actions that don't lead to weight loss. I log on here to help gain perspective with weight loss and how to best benefit from weight loss surgery. For whining and self destructive stuff there is always Facebook.....plenty of folks there to tell ya its' okay to keep doing whatever you like and it'll all get better.....no effort is needed from you to improve....etc. I could go back and read some of my early posts here and laugh my ass off at how I viewed things then. I try to keep that in mind. Everyone is at a different point in their development .......but damn, we are having or had surgery for weight loss. You expect a certain degree of commitment from us, the patients........... I know that I am glad to have you around, @@Dub, as well as a lot of the other folks who comment, offer advice and support on a regular basis. You can tell, the ones among us, that have their shit straight. Its a huge resource to be able to tap into, but you have to be receptive and take it all in, even when it's not what you want to hear. And I think the support here works two ways. We all get something when we need something, and get to give something when someone else needs something. Regardless of what situation I was looking for at any given moment, being able to offer help or receive help, has done wonders for me on my journey. Its most therapeutic.

Great Job! Oh and @@Elode, Congratulations to you too!

Detroit, MI. Ok, thats a lie. Nobody lives in Detroit. A small suburb of Detroit. Everyone lives in a suburb of Detroit.

Not sure what your surgeons plan allows, but mine says no caffeine till 6 months and no pop, diet or other, ever again. The issue with the caffeine is that it can cause ulcers. Give it a little time, if you can. Best of luck.

Yep! The Popsicles and Jello were my heroes! You can have as much of that as you want. Quick enough, you'll be sick of them.

Exact same thought crossed my mind shortly after surgery. I was hungry a lot and I would follow my instructions but it never seemed like it was working right. I was scared that it didn't work for me. But it did, and it got better. Keep following the plan and it will fall into place. As for the stall, pay no mind. It picks up and next thing you know, you're down 25lbs. Stay away from the scale. It's hard, and everyone will tell you not to weigh yourself too often right now. If you do weigh yourself, be prepared for anything. Could be 0 change, a few pounds gained or lost, but it will work!

Congratulations! Amazing new life!

One of my first meals when I was allowed Turkey, Chicken, Pork and Fish, was a Turkey Burger on the grill. No bun, with melted American cheese, sautéed peppers and onions with a couple pickle slices and some garlic mayo. I ate about 1/3 of a small patty. It was the most amazing thing I had in my mouth in over a month. The second best was the chicken cheddar garlic sausage with peppers and onions. Won't be too much longer @@Dub!

I will add: If you are smoking meat and using a rub, watch the sugar content. I have found that there is a brown sugar that is half stevia and half brown sugar so it has less sugar. I also have packets of Stevia in the Raw, but have yet to see how they work in a rub. Not sure about grilling/smoking with artificial sweeteners.

I am a lover of all things grilled/smoked. Happy to say that after 6 weeks, I was able to have pork, chicken and fish. I still love smoked foods. I was never much of a drinker, so I cannot comment on that. I involve smoked salmon and smoked pork tenderloin in my diet frequently. Last night I made turkey chili and as a replacement for naturally smoked meat, I used liquid smoke when sautéing the onions and peppers for the chili. Made a huge difference. Everyone loved the chili and it was all within my plan. I must say, smoked salmon added to scrambled eggs with some gruyere is my most favorite breakfast. Love me some protein!

Keep it up! I remember thinking how hard it was at the time. Looking back it doesn't seem like it was that bad. You are doing good by keeping yourself busy. I went through a lot of sugar free jello and popsicles before surgery also. Not sure if they are approved on your plan or not, but they helped me get through a few days of fixing my bad munching habits.