bigmamaAfrica

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
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This is not a matter of "n00bs" against "vets". I would still like to know what exactly is considered vet wisdom on this board.
First surgery was March 2001 (see my signature). I'm over 15 years out in the end with all ups and downs, so beg your pardon that I'm not automatically considering someone who is only 12 months out a veteran.
I've seen quite a few people reaching "goal" and I've seen quite a few of them regain a good portion or all of the weight later on. Do users lose vet status once they regain a few pounds and are no longer at goal weight? I've also seen a lot of arrogance around various boards during the years, only to watch people fall from grace later on. I'm talking about 5 years out or more here.
I also disagree with having to be at goal weight to be considered a "veteran". Not only people at goal weight have valuable insights to offer. You can learn a lot of things from people who are not as successful as someone who reached "goal weight". Of course you won't see much "non-successful vets" posting out there - they're feeling too much like failures and they're ashamed of it.
Not me.
I never considered these things not being supportive. I only doubt the "wisdom" in advice like "follow your program".
The wisdom starts where the common sense ("follow your program") stops working.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm only an expert on me.

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"jenn1", i just opened this thread today and i havent gone through all the replies but i wanted to say i think both Vets and Newbies can learn from each other, being a Vet doesnt make you the most knowledgeable nor does being a Newbi give you examption from doing your homework and not being babied.
I was sleeved end of March I live in Africa, I don't have a NUT or a regimented program. I'm on the site looking for topics and tips to help me navigate this process. I value anyone who gives advice and shares their experience without judgement be you new or vet.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think if someone is actually going thru a program, their NUT, and surgeon will have told them what they can or cannot eat. Instead of getting in a heated argument the only way to "support" that person is say ask ur dr.
Some post don't deserve a response.
Questions about insurance or experiences or recipes etc I get.....but I haven't had my first NUT visit and I kinda have an idea about what to expect my first couple of months after surgery.
Because of previous post and people writing about their experiences.
Support forums shouldn't be about u telling me yes u can have a soda or no u can't have bacon. I should already know that.
So I think it is enabling with a dash of confrontation. Let their Drs deal with the headache.
I see so many post go unanswered with real legit questions but the ones asking about bacon get all the attention.
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@@ssflbelle
The newbies are just as valued as the vet's. When I need a high. They remind me of the honeymoon phase. Some days the reminder of the basics of bariatric life keeps me on track.

This site and all its members have been a part of my journey since it began over a year ago. The people who seek justification for not following instructions bother me, especially when they get offended when reminded that eating an entire pizza the day after surgery might be a bad idea. But I also remember how crazy and confused the early days were and how reading about others' experiences gave me a notion of what I needed to do. This site, and its honestly, have been a blessing for me. Many are at their most vulnerable when seeking advice and hence the emotional over-reactions. One does get a sense,. however, of when a topic will be heading the wrong way and then you can just switch to the next one. I am definitely a fan of keeping things real.

@Dub I want you to know this isn't directed at you. You have been amazing.
I have to be honest.....Even confrontational (see what I did there)
The pointing fingers that its ALL the Newbies or its ALL the vets is ridiculous. People need to be accountable for their part of the decline on the site.
I see the that the majority of members are here to help and want to succeed.

Former smoker here! I tried quitting several times with different aids and each time failed, the day before my surgery I quit cold turkey mostly due to fear. I didn't want any complications I don't handle sick well. I didn't miss it in the beginning due to the healing part it kept me busy just thinking about my Protein and Water intake each day . I'm now 8 months post op and less then 20 pounds to goal. I miss it a lot and think about that inhale a lot. But my life has completely changed, I'm not as social any more so I'm not around smokers anymore, I'm so busy with my home, grandkids, and my workouts that my mind stays off the urge for the most part. Also I was able to buy all new clothes with all the money I save now ($280 a month) !! Good luck to you!
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I wasn't aware that there was some specific prohibition or restriction on carbs for people who have had a gastric sleeve. Could you please provide some basis for this assertion that people who have been sleeved cannot eat carbs or have to severely restrict their carb intake?
My understanding is that there is a slow introduction of solid foods following the surgery in order to allow your stomach to recover. After that point, what you eat and don't eat is really up to you. Some people might choose a carb restricted diet because that is easier for them to lose weight or keep it off.
The challenge of life post-sleeve is to find a healthier way of eating, never eating carbs again or replacing real food with frankenfood that has fewer calories is not necessarily a long-term or sustainable solution. I think that eating pancakes topped with some butter and real maple Syrup would be a perfectly acceptable once in a while meal for anyone sleeved or otherwise.

@@Oak Park Lorena
you are 2 years out. Your plan may look different than someone who is new to weight loss mode.
My dieticians plan was to add carbohydrates after I lost 75% of my weight. Carbohydrates were added to slow down weight loss or stop it to maintain my weight.
"I think that eating pancakes topped with some butter and real maple Syrup would be a perfectly acceptable once in a while meal for anyone sleeved or otherwise"
It's all about choices and being healthy. No one is forcing you to do anything. The only one who has to be happy with your results is you.
Here is what a bariatric plate looks like after 75% weight loss.

@@OutsideMatchInside
Everyone's plan and choices are different. I encourage following what ever plan is given by your medical professionals.
I think its important to learn how to fuel your body to be healthy. Whatever that looks like for each of us.

I was sleeved March 1st - I have hit 2 stalls but am trucking along. I just hit the 50lb lost mark so i am happy about that!

Thanks all for your feedback. It's very helpful to know this is somewhat normal. I'll keep going as-is until I meet with my Nut for modifications. I sure look forward to this passing soon as it's affecting my sunny disposition.
To answer your question Christinamo7 about frequency of eating, I've put it all in a spreadsheet so I can stay on track with my food and Water. I have the standard 3 meals per day plus Protein for Snacks between meals and Water intake. I feel like I'm constantly putting something in my mouth these days, i.e. food, water, foot etc.
Thanks again ; )

One of my favorite quotes is fro Benjamin Franklin.
"To whom thy secrets thou doest tell, to him thy freedom thou doest sell."

In less than a month that I've been a member of this group, I have already noticed some major differences in the requirements Frein surgical teams. For example, my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet at all. But there is another surgeon in his office that does. There are some surgeons that require a post-op Atkins diet for life while others will allow the patient to eventually incorporate carbs. I had to meet a NUT last week that wasn't my regular NUT, due to a scheduling issue and I noticed that both NUTs, even though they are from the same office/team, they both had very different ideas and expectations. My NUT pushed Protein powders and bars. The other NUT was against those and only wanted patients to get Protein from food sources.

You are welcome Mr Pirate ! I still have a read of the boards most days and I do see silly things being posted. It's hard to keep telling people don't do this as some people just won't listen. I did not get much help from my surgeon although he was a lovely man, no nut here and VSG still quite unusual in UK . So Bariatric Pal was a real find, and I hope other newbies will do as I did, read up take the advice offered and if it doubt or disagreement say nowt. ( this is a Yorkshire word meaning say nothing)
All the best to you

Well here we go again. So you ate a couple bites of bacon shortly after surgery. The best idea? No....lol...even I waited 2.5 weeks for some bacon. It didn't kill you, you haven't developed a leak, and you are still on the losing track, however slowly that may be.
It's unfortunate that your Dr regrets giving you the conversion but the fact remains that he did.
Here's my advice on this matter:
Do not put up with disrespect from your Dr. Yes, he's right about the bacon but this is the deal - you pay him for his services. He is not God, does not know everything, and quite frankly is crazy as hell to ask you to stay on Clear Liquids that long. If he cannot speak to you respectfully, no matter what dumb thing you did, then replace him. Immediately.
Don't eat bacon yet. Wait a little longer.
Don't let anyone, whether a medical professional or a member of an internet forum, tell you how YOUR body will react to any situation. You know yourself, you know your body, and hopefully after the bacon incident you will know that you need to use your best judgment.
Oh and PS: it isn't actual hunger you are feeling. You probably don't believe that. So go ahead and think what you'd like until you figure this thing out. But it isn't hunger. It's your head. I say this because I've been there. Back in the day I even went so far as to tell some members of this group that they didn't even know what they were talking about..lol. Well they were right. I wan't hungry. My head and my emotions wanted food.
You'll be ok. Just open your mind to the fact that there are many bridges you will be crossing post op. You think you know them all but you don't. A whole new world of self-discovery is waiting for you.

I regularly use unjury Protein Powders which were recommended to me by a friend. After reading most of the reviews of each of the products I was interested in, and learning about the difference between whey Protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, I decided to give Unjury try and have been using them since about 6 months prior to my surgery. Fortunately, my taste for the Unjury shakes did not change after surgery, but I know it does for some. In fact, my NUT recommended not to get too stocked up on any particular Protein powder before surgery just in case my tastes for such did change.
I have been quite impressed with the flavor and quality of the vanilla, chocolate Splendor, and the chicken flavored mixes. Both taste great and mix up easily. I've been using the chocolate Splendor mixed with milk for my Breakfast and the chicken flavor mixed with some chicken bouillon for my lunch. You just have to watch the Water temperature when preparing the Chicken flavor otherwise the whey will clump. It doesn’t change the taste, just the texture which can be weird. Both are quite filling and satisfying. I have tried the strawberry Sorbet mixed with lemonade also, and liked the taste okay, but rarely use it; need to work on the amounts mixed together to fine tune the beverage to better suit my taste for strawberry Lemonade. I've also tried the Unflavored powder mixed with milk when I ran out of the chocolate. The milk still tasted like milk, and it was okay, but I did not like it as well as I do the Chocolate Splendor or vanilla mixed with milk.
Most of my protein beverages are just shaken up; I do not use a blender or make them frozen for simplicity and time sake, and the fact that I use them more at work than at home.
Some of my favorite flavor combinations are:
Vanilla Protein Powder, SF Sunrise Orange drink (it’s like an orange Dreamsicle) ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor PP ,4 oz. brewed coffee, chilled, 4 oz. skim milk Chocolate Splendor PP, 8 oz. skim milk, 1 or 2 servings PB2 ½ serving Vanilla PP, ½ serving Chocolate Splendor, 8 oz. skim milk Chicken PP with less than a serving of chicken bouillon mixed with 8-10 oz. Water at 140 degs. A great option when you’re tired of all the sweet stuff. If you are looking for a high quality, great tasting, satisfying protein powder that is better than anything you will find in the stores, then this is the product you want to purchase. You can't go wrong, especially since you can return the product if you aren't pleased with it.

Someone ate bacon a week post op?????

I honestly don't avoid anything