Cape Crooner

At Newton Wellesley, they have a weigh-in the day of surgery and they cancel anyone who's gained weight. I went on the 5:2 diet the day after my first weigh-in and the 1700 calorie diet 3 weeks later after my first meeting with the surgeon/NUT. They cut me to about 1000 calories 5 days before surgery and I went in down 30 pounds (about 40% of my loss goal achieved). So far, I have had an incredible recovery and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I lost 30 pounds in 2 months, which meant there was a lot of room in my torso for the surgeons to maneuver (my surgery only took about 30 minutes). I have also heard that the high Protein pre-opt diet strengthens the stomach tissue, which results in a firmer staple/suture hold and faster recovery. If I was going in on the 9th, I'd go on a 1000/calorie high protein diet today!

Victoria - Do you mean "2.5 weeks pre opt" or post opt. NOTHING upsets my stomach. I'm adding green Tabasco to my eggs and refried Beans. I'm adding spicy low carb bbq sauce to my mashed sweet potatoes. That said, 4 ounces is my limit for anything of substance (it's probably 3 ounces, but I can't bring myself to prepping such a small portion.) Of course this may change with solid foods!

HW: 281 SW: 251 CW: 234 As mentioned above, I did a mini binge before my weigh-in so my HW was more like 277. Also, I went on the 5:2 diet the day after my weigh in and went to 266. Then 1700 calories/day until 5 days before, then 900. Today I'm eating just under 700 calories.

I specifically asked my doctor about this on Monday and I was surprised to learn the FACTS: 1. Drinking while eating cannot do any damage after 7 weeks (which is when your sleeve is fully healed). Before week 7, it can stretch things and conceivably open the incisions (just like eating too much). 2. Drinking while eating has no impact on whether or not your GI processes all the food you eat. If your food isn't digested in your stomach, it will be digested in your intestines, 3. That said, the only reason one should be careful when drinking while eating (after week 7) isto make sure you have room to take in all the food you need. We did not discuss drinking while eating as a "strategy" to enable one to cheat and eat more than their sleeve allows. The fact is, there are plenty of ways to cheat if that's something you're inclined to do...

Marcia - I'm so glad you reconsidered. I'm not sure how old you are, but I'm 62 and I've been dieting since I was 13. Several times along the way I lost 40 or 50 lbs and thought I was "cured". Once I started doing low carb, I kept it off for a few years, but invariably 5 years later, it was back and more. Over 30 years it added up to 30 pounds which wasn't too bad, but not really good. Then I retired (early) and put on 25 pounds in 10 years. None of my low carb diets put a dent it. At that point, I conceded I'd be obese until I died and figured I'd die 10 years early. I heard about the Sleeve on the radio and started researching it. I had no comorbitities, but several that were borderline. My BMI was 38 so I did the unimaginable. I signed up for an orientation and went on a mini eating binge. After the orientation, I hung around and begged the admin to weigh me in. I was 40.2 BMI! Anyway, I was a perfect patient and immediately started losing weight. My blood work showed diabetes, so 35 would have cut without the binge. I had surgery 2 months after orientation (10/6) and I'm down 47 pounds from my post binge weight. I'm a week away from solid foods and more than halfway to my goal. I fully expect to be "normal" in every way (except one) in 4-5 months and know that I got back 10 years of life (well, God willing). Trust me, even if you could get to a BMI under 30 NOW, it will get harder and harder to stay there as you get older. You may have saved your life! Congratulations...

I'm using Lose It. I tried MFP, but it seemed too complicated. Also, I use a Misfit for tracking my calories burned and it works well. Btw, I like misfit because the battery lasts 6 months. I'm a chef, so I like the way Lose It lets me build recipes. Anyone who's used them both care to compare? I'm committed for life, so I can switch to something better.

I got cleared yesterday to golf yesterday (10/6 surgery).

Thanks for all your responses (both here and via PM). Although I'm months away from venturing into social drinking waters, I'm thinking about how I'll proceed when that day comes. I have been enjoying (greatly) a spicy Virgin Mary around "Cocktail Hour" and I'm thinking that when I'm ready to give alcohol a test drive, I'll start by adding a little vodka and seeing how it goes (I'm thinking a half shot or so). Any bloody mary drinkers out there try this this approach?

I've been thinking about this. My local grocery store sells large and thin pita pockets that are 100 calories each. I'm thinking you could cut one up into quite a few little triangles (16-24) and the bake em with salt & pepper (maybe garlic or onion powder) in a Pam coated baking pan. Combine with a Greek yogurt dip and you'd have more than you possibly eat without going over 150 calories.

I think facts in the OP and subsequent comments speak for themselves. Although I am not a republican, the fact is that wls is free in Massachusetts under a universal healthcare plan that was created by a republican. Enjoy your "move on"...

I guess, if we want to pretend elections have nothing to do with our healthcare options...

Well I just hope you didn't vote for the liar... I think you can get it covered in Massachusetts, but that's Romneycare, not Obamacare...

Another question...actually a thought. It pertains to drinking while eating. I am already sensitive to when the valve at the bottom of my stomach is opening and closing. When I have thin puréed Soup, it goes right down. Cottage cheese gets tight after 2 ounces. So, fast toward to dinner out and wine. It would seem to me that sipping wine (less than 2 ounces) along with solid food would not be enough liquid to open the stomach valve. Anyone have and thoughts or experience with this?

I was never a fruity drink kinda guy; a couple of margaritas a year and maybe Mai Tai's when I was in Hawaii. That said, i'm growing fond of Chrystal Light and thinking maybe one of the fruit versions with white rum or lemonade with tequila...

I'm only a few weeks out and not planning about having a drink anytime soon. I could never drink much beer and being an Atkins guy, I always limited the carbs. My drinks of choice were bourbon and Water or vodka soda. I'll probably go red wine for a while. I'm just bored and projecting my new lifestyle to help me pass the time. I am thinking that on "drink days", I'll make extra certain to count calories and make sure I get 70 grams of protein before I have anything to drink. My fitness tracker says I'm burning 3500 calories a day and a glass of wine is 125 calories, so I don't think it will be a "ruin my diet with empty calories" thing... Thanks!

Thanks LL, exactly what I was looking for... Have your drinking habits changed post-opt?

I'm down 40 and no one other than my wife has noticed. I'm still wearing the same clothes and I think that has a lot to do with it. I'm now at the weight (242) I was when I went from XL to XXL. Once I get to 235 or so, I'm going to Target and spending $100 on some XL stuff. Then people will notice. My goal is 190, so I'm hoping to be donating all my XXL and XL clothes to Goodwill in the spring.

Also "people" not "propel" (can I shut spell correct off!)

I meant concluded not convulsed (damn spell checker)...

I actually never gave surgery a second thought once I did my research on the VSG. And I convulsed that it simply returns my stomach to the size/shape it was when I was a kid (before my mother started loading me up on Fritos and Ho-Ho's). BTW, I probably would not have done r-n-y because of all the plumbing reroute that goes with it. And the band does not work (which may be the case with the propel your therapist was talking about). The second thing I did was take both the pre-pre opt and pre-opt diet very seriously. My understanding is that this is the only sound way to avoid post-opt complications. I lost 30 pounds in 2 months before surgery. I exercised my core every day and went to a top rated hospital near Boston rather than the one nearest my house. My surgery went incredibly well. Other than dealing with my post opt eating restrictions, I already feel better than I've felt in a very long time. My ultimate rationale came down to this: 1. How much do I need to lose to become healthy again (in my case, this was probably 70 pounds). 2. What are the chances that I'll lose this much and keep it off on my own. My answer was 0%. 3. If I take that leap of faith and assume I could lose 70 pounds on my own, how long would it take and how much of my life would I have to change. This third question turned out to be the key. No matter how I looked at it, it would take much more time and sacrifice to lose 70 pounds through conventional methods than with the VSG. In my case, probably a year plus vs. about 6 months. And of course with the sleeve, my odds of keeping it off go through the roof. Finally, going vegetarian or vegan will do nothing to help you lose weight. Consider the following are on most vegan diets: French Fries chips and guacamole Sugar and all the evil things that come along with it Bread, P&J Onion Rings Home Fries I know how unhealthy a vegan diet can be. I watched my daughter put her husband on it and all he ate all day was the stuff in this list. After a year, she switched to pescatarian and he's much healthier. Take the time to truly evaluate the alternatives in terms of time/sacrifice and do not allow staying or returning to a heavy unhealthy weight to be an option. I think it will become a no-brainier.

I'm just finishing one as I type this. It took me about 10 minutes to drink 11 ounces. I have virtually no restriction on liquids, but big time on mush. It takes me a half an hour to eat 3 ounces of cottage cheese or refried Beans. My VSG was 10/6/15...

Boston Day 5 Update: I couldn't be happier with where I am. 1. NWH lets us eat a 900 calorie diet up to the night before surgery and blended 48 hours after surgery, so I never had to endure the liquid diet ordeal. 2. I have been building up my diet and drinking since Thursday. Yesterday I ate about 700 calories and almost 70 grams of protein. I'm having no problem drinking over 64 ounces a day. 3. Almost no pain - just on the sutures. I can tell if I eat/drink too fast, but I wouldn't call it pain. 4. I'm sleeping soundly, but only about 7 hours a night. That means in bed at 9:00 and up at 4:00, which is creeping out the neighbors. 5. Been walking since Day 2 - a mile a day in the hospital. Yesterday I went out for over an hour (5 miles). 6. Started driving Friday. 7. Weight HW: 281 - 40.2 SW: 250 CW: 245 I know it's early in my post-opt journey, but it's going much better than I expected.

I was Tuesday and graduated to blended diet Thursday. I don't have hunger pains (like I did throughout the pre-opt diet), but I just polished off 4 ounces of mushroom Soup and felt like I would like some more. Not a hunger thing, more of a palette pleasure reflex. I'm taking in about 600 calories a day, feeling quite content, but I feel like I never even had surgery. Incredible!

I asked my surgery this very question and she said 2 weeks. She is Sheila Partridge, head of surgery at Newton Wellesley - #1 ranked wls center of excellence in Massachusetts. She seems pretty strict about everything else. I'm going in next Wednesday (8 days post op) and I'll ask her again.

I'm not quite as light, but 250 at 5'10", I was 37 BMI a week before my surgery (10/6). I admit that I had a pizza before the first weigh-in to top the scales at 281 (BMI 40.2), but all of my co-morbities were marginal and I knew if I didn't qualify, I may never do it. As soon as I weighed in, I started very tough dieting (5:2, then 1500 calories/day cut out booze, coffee, and diet soda). I Lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks and my mother said "forget the surgery, you're fine" (thanks Mom). I admit thinking that I was half way to 225, which was a very comfortable weight for me. Anyway, I kept coming back to two things; first, I really believe it was now or never. Sure, I could lose another 25 pounds, but was there any doubt that I'd see 260/270 again? Second, if I projected where my diabetes, fatty liver, and arthritis were heading, I really believed it was about having a life after 80 versus being dead or in a nursing home. Fast forward, I'm home 3 days post surgery and I'm already feeling better than I did at 281. I'm on the blended diet and it's fine. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know I'll be eating normal food in 6 weeks and sipping wine with my (small) Christmas dinner. No brainier - hang in there and keep your eyes on the bigger picture.