DavidOso

I get up, pee(hey, water is heavy!), and then weigh myself on a digital scale every morning. The numbers don't lie. I also set little goals(9 lbs until xxx lost). The first place I really noticed loss was in my face. Then my baggy clothes got even baggier, my pants got longer(not as much ass to hold them up!)until I could fit into the next size down. Rinse and Repeat until goal is met. There will come a time, not too long from now, when you see someone you haven't seen in a while. They will do a double take, and maybe raise their eyebrows. Trust me, you will get a serious case of the grins! Keep up the good work.

I also had a "more useless than tits on a bull" nut. Just tracking my intake made a huge difference for me. I needed her sign off and got it. Post op only went to the 1 month follow up with the nut. Did all the other follow ups, and they were pleased as punch at my results. The nutrition doctor was good, and made some good changes based on blood work at the 6 month mark. (decreased or eliminated some supplements) As to voice, I've been a Bass since 7th grade. I have lost my very lowest notes but my range has shifted up into solid Baritone range. My breath control is much better with longer phrases and tone is cleaner and clearer. Win,Win...

The clothes are fine, give them away to someone who isn't TOO SMALL for them. I actually straddle two size shirts now. the cotton, button up is a size larger, the kinda stretchy the next size(or two!)down. It's complicated trying to organize my closet. But if it is too big...out it goes, even the favorite(expensive)leather jacket. Congrats.

@@breg, you asked a question. Everyone that responded has experienced Day 12, and knows how they felt, what stage they were in and how that intake responded to their bodies. Everyone is different, but there are many similarities. The post op dietary instructions are medically based on thousands of procedures. You may choose at any point to do things your own way, but there can be anything from mild discomfort up through death if guidelines are not followed. This is a vast treasure house of knowledge you have tapped into. Most people are willing to share their experience up to the point in the process that they are now. And many have questions for people that are farther along than they are. I hope you continue to ask questions, listen to the answers, and then make your own choices...here as well as in all other aspects of your life. I truly wish you the best with your new gift... the rest of your life.

My nut. told me to get my protein from real food as soon as I was able. I know shakes can be a drag by this point, but I would spend my calories on greek yogurt, soft cheese, egg whites, fat free refried beans or put the last three together and you are eating a tex-mex omelet! Many bars can have boatloads of sugar, which can cause some pretty nasty...err...umm...issues.

All normal. I used a 1 cup pyrex measuring cup and a medicine cup (either from your doctor or the top of a cough medicine bottle) next to me to sip, sip, sip. Make sure you track your fluid intake so you can gauge your increases. You really need to get up and walk a little bit, often. This will help the gas work through you. The gas is actually air that they pump into you to inflate your stomach so they could work on it. I know, that wasn't in the brochure!

200 lbs lost on Palm Sunday morning! I'll shake a palm at that. I feel wonderful, with SOOOO much more energy. I will say percentage wise, the last 15-20 lbs have seemed to have a bigger impact on how I look and feel than most of the other 80-90. And like @@Dub says, I was bitching about the 2- 3 gal. jugs of water I was lugging into the house the other day(only 50 lbs) when I realized how much I used to lug around daily as my "normal". I shut up pretty quickly.

Sorry, didn't seem to be taking post. I don't like the sound of my voice that much!

One of my rules for myself is that I never do ANYTHING else when I eat something. I portion it, write it down, eat it sitting at a table-really being present in the moment. then, and only then, do I do something else. I used to love popcorn and a movie, but I could mindlessly polish off the bucket 'o corn. I could probably drink a quart of Water over the course of a 2 1/2 hour movie, that I will mindlessly do. My biggest thrill at the movie theater now is that I FIT in the seats!

One of my rules for myself is that I never do ANYTHING else when I eat something. I portion it, write it down, eat it sitting at a table-really being present in the moment. then, and only then, do I do something else. I used to love popcorn and a movie, but I could mindlessly polish off the bucket 'o corn. I could probably drink a quart of water over the course of a 2 1/2 hour movie, that I will mindlessly do. My biggest thrill at the movie theater now is that I FIT in the seats. One of my rules for myself is that I never do ANYTHING else when I eat something. I portion it, write it down, eat it sitting at a table-really being present in the moment. then, and only then, do I do something else. I used to love popcorn and a movie, but I could mindlessly polish off the bucket 'o corn. I could probably drink a quart of water over the course of a 2 1/2 hour movie, that I will mindlessly do. My biggest thrill at the movie theater now is that I FIT in the seats. One of my rules for myself is that I never do ANYTHING else when I eat something. I portion it, write it down, eat it sitting at a table-really being present in the moment. then, and only then, do I do something else. I used to love popcorn and a movie, but I could mindlessly polish off the bucket 'o corn. I could probably drink a quart of water over the course of a 2 1/2 hour movie, that I will mindlessly do. My biggest thrill at the movie theater now is that I FIT in the seats! One of my rules for myself is that I never do ANYTHING else when I eat something. I portion it, write it down, eat it sitting at a table-really being present in the moment. then, and only then, do I do something else. I used to love popcorn and a movie, but I could mindlessly polish off the bucket 'o corn. I could probably drink a quart of water over the course of a 2 1/2 hour movie, that I will mindlessly do. My biggest thrill at the movie theater now is that I FIT in the seats!

I just celebrated 200 lbs. lost in 9 months. Same as Kinda Familiar, quite healthy, just fat (with apnea). The sleeve was the right choice for me. I have heard that amazingly fast changes can be made with diabetes for people that have the bypass. The pressure on my CPAP has been reduced by half. I followed the guide lines to a letter post op, no issues. My sense of taste and smell has changed. Just had some of a Hot Cross Bun for Lent, been eating them my whole life, and really like them. I remember them being "yummier". Did not trip my trigger, didn't WANT to finish it, so I didn't. That would NEVER have happened before. I agree with other people that I wish I had done this sooner, but in all actuality it happened at JUST the right time, when I was ready. Ask lots of questions, but follow your heart, it rarely lies.

My journey started when I admitted to myself that dieting and willpower would not be enough. The journey started when I sought out medical options. I know most people don't start counting there...but that is when it began for me. A year of hoops, fighting with the insurance, I actually gained weight. My surgeon put me on a 5 1/2 week liquid diet. If I didn't loose 25-30 lbs in 4 weeks, surgery would be cancelled because I WAS NOT COMMITTED ENOUGH!!! I made it, loosing even more by sleeve day. Now, that is where I count from on my weight loss. There are so many "firsts". First chewed food...BLISS, first day at the gym (water aerobics) and ME getting into a bathing suit, making it through a 60 minute class! The first clothes I got too SMALL for. The first 100 lbs. lost. Your count down to a goal is a good thing. Once you reach a goal, celebrate it, share it. Then determine what is your next goal and focus on achieving it. Best of luck on your surgery.

As a chef, the trick to cooking game (or very lean meat) is hot and fast to medium rare for steaks and burgers OR low and slow for roasts, leg meat, and tougher cuts. A braise (baked with moisture-bottle of beer, couple cups of wine, or stock) will give you that "fall off the bone" tender. I'm 8 months post sleeve and have had venison and buffalo mini (2.5 oz) burgers with no issues. The corned beef for St. Pat's was more of a problem for me, BECAUSE of the fat! I say Get Your Game On...

This morning the scale had some good news...190 lbs lost. 10 lbs till 200! But wait...26 lbs till I break into the 200's!! BUT WAIT...30 lbs. till I'm at the 2/3 of the way there mark. SHAZZAM!!! I usually play little mind games on myself as I count down to the next "little" goal i.e. I won't start the countdown to 200 lost until I'm 9 lbs. away. "I'm NOT paying $10.00 for that!!! Oh, is that ONLY $9.99? I'll take TWO." Ya' know what I mean? So food treats are off the table, and I don't want to buy clothes that I can only wear for a month or two...So how do you reward yourself now?

I think your idea is a good one, may I offer several suggestions? My salt alarm went off reading your recipe. Tuna-salty, olives with their brine- really salty, soy-super salty!!! My taste buds changed quite a bit post op so this would be a salt bomb for me. Here are my suggestions. Stir fry the carrots and beans in a little olive oil until al dente/tender-crisp. Remove from pan. Add a little more olive oil to the pan, saute a minced clove of garlic 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes, the drained liquid from the tuna(flavor- I know, salty), and a splash(1-2 t.)balsamic vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will tell your tongue that it is salty! Balsamic vinegar with tomatoes will give you a meatier flavor. Cook that down a bit, then add the tuna and veggies, just to warm through. Finally, add the cheeses to the top. The heat will soften the cheeses but not really melt them. There will be little bits of soft cheese in every bite. Great job on creating something for everyone in the family!

I didn't until blended foods, but I think a drop or two to test the waters wouldn't hurt...Well actually it MIGHT. Now, at 7 months post op, I put hot sauce ON my hot sauce. I may not eat much, but it sure tastes good!!!

Why lie? Truth has a way of showing its' face one way or another. Be PROUD of what you are doing(saving your life!). You don't have to go into details..."I just had bariactric surgery and I have changed my eating habits." Answer any questions that are in your comfort zone. No questions...they can google "bariactric" in between sets! You are still pre op, so how you wrap your head around this can and will change as you get closer to surgery and after. Mine certainly did. I don't advertise, but I also don't lie. I have a group of people who will come up to me and whisper in my ear,"How many pounds lost now?" (I will supply pounds lost, usually NOT current weight!) I reply in a conversational tone. Not really worried if anyone overhears. Sometimes it starts a conversation like, "I've been thinking about doing something like this, can you tell me about it?" or "My niece just had surgery and she is struggling, any ideas?" THIS IS A GIFT, and the best gifts are shared! As far as what to eat...when in doubt of what there will be for me to eat, I bring my own. I know calories, grams of protein, and portion size--the big three. It makes food tracking much easier for the day and I don't risk over "eyeballing" a portion. Good Luck.

for me, i wouldn't say it is a transfer addiction, i just am taking pride in myself for the first time in years. I like to dress well, and i NOW look good doing it. i am still closet shopping(90%). i have shopped ebay for a sports coat/blazer and a winter coat. didn't spend much and they will not last long as i continue to loose. when i reach my goal, that may be a whole new kettle of fish, batman!

congrats on getting to this point! i'm 52 and 6 months post sleeve. as of this morning, i've lost 174 lbs. you will find moving forward that carbs are a well armed, very cunning enemy. pre op a big bowl of good pasta was my CRACK. post op, i haven't touched it . don't have the desire for it. i would advise you to cut WAY back on carbs, increase your protein, and embrace water(or 0 calorie, non-carbonated bevs,). your nut will probably advise the same thing. that is the reader's digest version of your post op food plan(diet is a nasty 4 letter word!). good luck. this has saved my life.

i'm 6 mo, 7 days post op. 171 lost this morning. 4 x a week aerobics(1 zumba), then i walk the track straightaways and jog(JOG!!!) the curves 1-1.5 miles. if it goes in my mouth, it is weighed/measured and tracked in a journal. training for a 5 K may 1 st! ME...IN...A...RACE!!!

what exactly is a liquid reset? what do you do? how long? how does it work? after the "reset", do you go back to full foods or start over with blended stage? i'm 6 months post op and have hit a HUGE STALL. it is becoming quite frustrating. (did i mention it is a HUGE STALL?). i have heard that a liquid reset can help get things back on track.

@@bigbit same shoes here(5x to 2-3 x). i have a closet full of a range of weights/sizes but still need a few items. bought a great black sports coat on e bay for $26, including shipping! why spend more, i'll only be able to wear it 3-ish months. stuff that is too big goes to the thrift store, pretty quickly.

my bmi was 69 @ 515 lbs. i was on a liquid diet pre op for 34 days!!! i lost 35 lbs in 34 days and shrunk my liver. the reason to shrink your liver is that they have to move it to get at your stomach that is BEHIND IT. also the higher your bmi, the greater the risk from the anesthesia(sp?). your surgeon is not the ceo of a protein powder company, so kick backs are not the issue. THIS IS TRULY FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH. this will also be a test for you, how badly do you want this? bad enough to go through food withdrawl to save your life? three weeks of discomfort could mean a whole new lease on life. think long and hard on this. i am very grateful for what i have been given.

515 highest, 480 sleeve day, 350 this morning. that's half people! 69 bmi to 47. i'm averaging about 25 lbs lost per month.

it's kinda like learning to drive stick. clutch, shift, gas, shift, cough, sputter, damn, clutch...weight will FLY OFF,then slow to a halt, without you doing anything differently. keep doing what you are supposed to do, it will all be fine. PROTEIN, FLUID, and FITNESS should be 1, 2, & 3 on your "TO DO " list. i stalled 3 lbs from my HALF WAY mark for a week. frustrating, yes, but i hit it this morning! LIFE. IS. GOOD.