Airstream88

I was dead set on having the Sleeve when I started my journey. Due to my weight and BMI, my surgeon recommended RNY. In the end it was up to me and after much investigation, I chose RNY because I did not want to have to worry about GERD and having to have another surgery for revision if it developed. A nurse in my surgeon's practice had RNY 18 years ago and she is healthy and having no issues. I'm 5 months Post-Op and feeling great. My knees, back and hip have so much less pain than prior to surgery. My pre-diabetes has gone away and my blood sugar is in the normal range.

I have used My Fitness Pal and other electronic apps but I prefer to write things down. I have a little book I bought from Amazon - it's called the "food Journal". I don't track calories, FAT, CARBS, etc only Grams of Protein and my Fluid intake per my NUT's plan. But there is space to track them all if you want. Its simple and doesn't require any devices or the Internet (except to look up Protein grams)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCNM55C/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486660494&sr=sr-1&keywords=Food+Journal

You are doing this for your health and well-being. What difference does it make what people think?
To ask for a bigger stomach so you don't have to face the questions of others is setting yourself up for failure.
I told everyone I was having the surgery - co-workers, family, etc. Everyone has been supportive and happy for me that I am finally losing the weight and looking and moving better. I made the decision to be open about it because I didn't want to have to lie or pretend to people about why I was eating so little or losing so much weight so fast.
A good Bariatric surgeon requires a visit to the Nutritionist and the Psychologist to make sure you are ready for such a life-changing surgery.

I have lost approximately 86 pounds since surgery. I didn't have to do the pre-op liquid diet. I haven't dumped because for the most part, I have not eaten anything deep fried or that is made of 50% or more sugar. I'm very careful because a friend who had RNY years ago ate something at a party we were hosting and spent 5 hours in our guest bathroom.

I may have lost more the first month because I did not have to do the pre-op liquid diet. I only lost 14 pounds in the 6 months of supervised diet needed for my insurance. So my body wasn't in shock already from two weeks of living on liquids.

The only reason I even looked into WLS surgery was because of the sleeve because I was dead set against RNY. But after consulting with my surgeon he recommended RNY. During the 6 month insurance requirement I researched and read tons of posts from people who had both procedures and decided I'd rather go for the one that would result in more weight loss and not require me to have a revision later if I developed issues with GERD. At 5 months I am very happy with my decision. I have yet to dump or vomit and can eat most Proteins as long as they are not too dry.

My surgery weight was 371. I want to point out that I wasn't and still am not a hard-core dieter. I do not do low carb, no carb, and now that I can eat real food, I no longer drink Protein Shakes or eat Protein Bars. I follow my NUT's program of eating 5 meals a day every 3 -4 hours - with 3oz of Protein eaten first. I work out with a personal trainer 2x a week and ride my recumbent bike 20 minutes another 2 - 3x a week. I've found that I don't lose weight if I don't get my fluids and Proteins in and also tend to lose more after the days I get my max protein of 90g.

I just barely tolerated the puree phase and definitely didn't do well with scrambled eggs. I relied on applesauce and SF chocolate pudding with Protein Powder mixed in, mashed potatoes made with Fairlife milk and shredded cheese on top to add extra Protein, the ricotta bake (recipe on the world according to eggface blog), yogurt and shakes.
It is uncomfortable at first to eat real food but keep at it. The uncomfortable feeling eventually goes away.

5 months post RNY
Lost 37 pounds the first month
Lost 9 pounds the second month (had major chest cold for 3 weeks)
Lost 13 pounds the third month
Lost 9.5 pounds the fourth month (had menstrual period for 6 weeks straight)
Lost 13.1 pounds the fifth month so far (17th is date)

Did your surgeon prescribe you an anti-acid medicine like Prevacid? Sometimes hunger can be caused by acid in your pouch.
I had RNY and am on prescription strength Prevacid for 6 months.

I just barely tolerated the puree phase and definitely didn't do well with scrambled eggs. I relied on applesauce and SF chocolate pudding with Protein Powder mixed in, mashed potatoes made with Fairlife milk and shredded cheese on top to add extra Protein, the ricotta bake (recipe on the world according to eggface blog), yogurt and shakes.
It is uncomfortable at first to eat real food but keep at it. The uncomfortable feeling eventually goes away.

You can drink Smooth Move Tea. It definitely helps me when I'm constipated. Also Colace stool softener is good. I have resorted to enemas a few times. Now that I can eat all my Protein via real food, I haven't had any issues.

You should be happy!!! Get as much packed up as possible for your move. Keep busy and the time will fly I promise!

I started at 371 (actually 382 but lost 14 pounds prior to surgery). I had RNY on 10/17/16 and I have lost ~65 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I lost the most the first month - 37 pounds, followed by 9 pounds the second (was sick for a month), then 14 pounds the third. My surgeon wants 120 total gone by month 6 - we'll see.
I'm not giving myself any timetable, just enjoying the new me that's emerging after decades of being overweight. I've gone from a Catherine's 5x to a 2x. My knee pain is much better - still there but better managed on way less medication than prior to surgery. I am no longer pre-diabetic.
I'm very glad I had the surgery!

I started at 371 (actually 382 but lost 14 pounds prior to surgery). I had RNY on 10/17/16 and I have lost ~65 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I lost the most the first month - 37 pounds, followed by 9 pounds the second (was sick for a month), then 14 pounds the third. My surgeon wants 120 total gone by month 6 - we'll see.
I'm not giving myself any timetable, just enjoying the new me that's emerging after decades of being overweight. I've gone from a Catherine's 5x to a 2x. My knee pain is much better - still there but better managed on way less medication than prior to surgery. I am no longer pre-diabetic.
I'm very glad I had the surgery!

Yep. I have a heated mattress pad on my bed, otherwise I would freeze at night.

I'm still in the losing phase but I can tell you what my NUT recommends for her patients.
5 meals a day - 3 - 4 hour apart - NO snacking in between. Each meal to contain 3 oz Protein (or more if you get hungry between meals), a multigrain (2 per day) or fruit serving (2 per day) and non-starch veggies. We can also include 3 good fats daily (1 oz nuts, 1 tsp olive oil, nut butters, etc). I have to meet my protein goal of 70-90g of protein daily. Eat your protein first so you will feel your restriction. Also, dense protein stays in your stomach longer and helps with hunger.

My self-proclaimed therapist response is, get new friends and your life will blossom again. No need to rush out and go looking, as "birds of a feather flock together".
My advice is... have the confidence to know, your social life will return, but you have bigger fish to fry at the moment with your health and your overall emotional well-being. Sounds like you need more YOU time, more than bar time anyway. Especially with people who seem not to care about you, as they do their drinks anyway.

I can appreciate you feeling isolated, but consider it a blessing and opportunity to work on yourself. Everyone enjoys being around a well adjusted dynamic adult, who knows them self and can feel confident in their own skin. Sounds like you are making changes like every butterfly does. So I wouldn't expect to make big changes by becoming healtheir and stronger, and still expect nothing else in your life to change as well. (Including "friends", nothing you stated would make a difference to a real friend who wanted you to be happy and healthy. I think you have drinking buddies, not friends.)

Also I am an addict, whenever I take one addiction away, the addictive personality in me searches to place that addiciton elsewhere. so, I think it is very wise to stay clear of bars for the next couple years, so you don't have that issue on top of what you are dealing with today. There is a saying I learned from my first procedure, "as the weight comes off, the issues come out." No one who needs weight loss surgery is free from lot's of issues buried under their fat. Including myself.
So just think about that as you continue the roller coaster you are on, as you are a strong person who wants to improve your life, thus you made the difficult decision to go down this path. So stay strong and stay the course, drink and walk, drink and walk, and write, write and write about your emotions and food.
I hope this helps, forgive me if I am off base.

Kudos for being so strict. My NUT believes in more balance. I'm allowed 2 multigrain servings a day and 2 fruit servings a day plus 3 healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, nut butters, avocado).

Kudos for being so strict. My NUT believes in more balance. I'm allowed 2 multigrain servings a day and 2 fruit servings a day plus 3 healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, nut butters, avocado).

What is your Protein goal? Have you increased your exercise lately? If so, you may want to up your protein to compensate.
I use Colace and Smooth Move tea for general Constipation issues. My PCP does not recommend laxatives - he prefers to treat the problem from below - i.e. using suppositories or enemas. I've only had to do that once.

My NUT does not recommend store bought Vitamins. She told us WLS patients only absorb 25% of Regular Brand Vitamins.
You would have to take 4x as much of store brand to get full absorption.
I take:
1 capful of Nutrametrix or Isotonix Multivitamin with Iron (These are mixed with Water and are 95% absorbed within 15 minutes)
1 capful of Nutrametrix or isotonix Calcium (mixed with the Multivitamin)
2 - 250mg Bariatric Advantage chewable Calcium twice a day spread out at least 4 hours apart (for a total of 1375 Calcium) American Society for Bariatric Surgery recommends 1375 - 1500 daily.
15g Bariatric Advantage Iron daily
Bariatric Advantage sublingual B12 every other day

We aren't allowed to go ketogenic eating. I wasn't given any indicator for how many calories or carbs I should be at. Only a Protein and hydration goal. Now that I'm almost four weeks out.. I'm under 100 carbs a day (increased now that I am on puree). Our program believes in balanced eating focusing on protein, veggies and starches last if there is room. Our meals should include 3 food groups (including grains).

I started at 371 (actually 382 but lost 14 pounds prior to surgery). I had RNY on 10/17/16 and I have lost ~65 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I lost the most the first month - 37 pounds, followed by 9 pounds the second (was sick for a month), then 14 pounds the third. My surgeon wants 120 total gone by month 6 - we'll see.
I'm not giving myself any timetable, just enjoying the new me that's emerging after decades of being overweight. I've gone from a Catherine's 5x to a 2x. My knee pain is much better - still there but better managed on way less medication than prior to surgery. I am no longer pre-diabetic.
I'm very glad I had the surgery!

OMG! You h ad no guidance at all? You need to find a Bariatric Nutritionist and have a visit or two.
My NUT did not allow us to eat baby food. It does not have the levels of Protein you need. Your body needs protein, otherwise it will pull the protein from your muscles.
My plan is 5 mini-meals daily, every 3 - 4 hours, no snacking in between. At this stage you need to be drinking at least one Protein Shake a day to get close to your protein goal - 60g minimum. Premier Protein shakes have 30g of protein and can be bought at Wallmart, costco or Sam's.
Stop 30 minutes prior to eating, don't drink while eating, and don't drink for 30 minutes after.
Were you given Vitamin and supplement advice? You need a good bariatric Multivitamin and at least 1200 - 1500 Mgs of Calcium a day.