biginjapan

Raw vegetables: I don't think they cause flare-ups for me, but some definitely add to the pain or rectal urgency, especially gassy ones (broccoli, Beans, etc.) or fibrous ones (apple skins, lettuce, etc.). I also seemed to have developed some allergies to raw veggies and some fruit (with a skin - cherries, carrots, apples, etc.) in the last couple of years.
Cereal: I was a cereal eater all my life, but it was clear that eating it (with milk) virtually every morning was contributing to going to the toilet 10-20 times every morning before heading off to work. I don't really miss it, but that's because there really isn't much cereal here in Japan - about 5 or 6 choices at the supermarket, all for kids, except All-Bran flakes (which is what I ate). But the box is so small you only get 3 bowls out it anyway. Same thing with bread - all there is here is white, sweet, Wonder-bread-type bread - no whole wheat or other grains or other kinds of bread. It's not bad, but I just prefer more variety. And only bread - no rolls, Buns, etc. While Japanese enjoy a hamburger at McDonald's, it's impossible to find hamburger buns to make your own. They do something called "hamburger steak" here - I guess, in a way, they've been doing a kind of low-carb meal for ages (although the burger is covered in sauce, probably made with sugar).
You should definitely come to Japan - it's a great place to visit!

With less than a week until my operation, I thought I would focus on the three big weight loss goals that I would like to achieve, in a Japanese way.

Today is Setsubun, an old Japanese holiday that used to mark the change of seasons. It involves wearing a mask to scare children and throwing dried Beans or peanuts around (and out of) the house to get rid of bad spirits (and encourage good ones to come in). However, this holiday often includes getting a Daruma doll. In Japan, when one has a wish or goal they would like to complete, they get a Daruma doll, which is a small, hollow, wooden doll, usually painted in red, with the eyes blank. You fill in one eye when you make your wish, and then when that wish/goal comes to pass, you can fill in the other eye. These dolls are a symbol of perseverance and good luck, and are popular all over Japan. I happened to visit the centre of Daruma-doll production (Takasaki, Gunma), where I picked out a few of them. I thought they would make great visual reminders of the goals I want to achieve.

The three goals are: hitting onederland, losing 100 pounds, and achieving goal weight.

What are (or were) your three big goals?

I don't like Water in my shakes, except for Syntrax Nectars.< /p>
Usually I make my shakes with low calorie/unsweetened soy or almond milk (gives the shake a richer taste). My two favourite shakes at the moment are:
a - 1-2c. almond and/or soy milk, 1/2 banana (optional), 1 scoop Syntrax chocolate powder, 2 tbsp PB2 Peanut Butter powder, 1 tbsp chia seed powder.
b - 1-2c. almond and/or soy milk, 1/2 cup frozen berries, 1 scoop Syntrax vanilla powder, 1 tbsp chia seed powder. To make it really thick, like a milkshake, I'll use a small block of fresh tofu.
@sleevinpops: I love the idea of using SF jello/pudding powder to add variety to the shakes, but they're not an option for me in Japan (nor anything even remotely resembling Fairlife). However, I hope to pick up at least a few boxes of a variety of flavours when I'm in the States next week.

I just started my 6 months about 2 weeks ago. I have my first nut appointment at the end of February. I have Crohn's disease, colitis, and I'm also lactose intolerant. I had my gallbladder removed 10 years ago, so no worries about that. Yay! I live in Massachusetts and I'm excited for this journey and to join this community! Any suggestions for soy Protein shakes would be greatly appreciated!
Sent from my LG-V410 using the BariatricPal App

I bought the isolate zero carb vanilla and low carb chocolate. I have been experimenting with different flavors by adding sugar free Jello (0.75 grams per 8 oz shake). Got some great concoctions! Cheesecake, Peanut Butter cup, butterscotch, white chocolate, even splitting the 0.75 portion between combined flavors just to keep it interesting! So far I have gotten some really good flavors. I am mixing with just cold Water, but you can also do this with low fat milk (I use FairLife) A friend of mine runs a shake shop, so gonna get some ideas from him and will post. All are high Protein and 0 sugar, LOW CARBS!
Just another suggestion, Add 4 cubes of ice, blend for a minute and you've got a smoothie! Blend for 2 minutes with ice, then freeze, you have a great dessert!
I'd love to hear other recipes as well!
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Phenomenal! I hope I look this good in 6 months!

Woo hoo I had my sleeve today and doing great [emoji2][emoji2][emoji2] been up walking the nurses station non stop. There was excruciating gas pain for the first few hours after surgery but now it's like a dull pain in my chest, neck and shoulder, been burping too which they said helps with the pain(seems too) no actual gas from the other end!!!!

I had sashimi at about 4 weeks. I'm a full year out and still find sushi rice is not my friend. It expands a lot once in the stomach and puts a quick end to a good meal. I love a sushi place that does a version of palapala. That's tuna and avocado chunks in a rice wine vinegar sauce (usually served as an appetizer.) The amount is meal sized for a sleever, and there is no rice to bog down a great tasting Protein source!!
Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That must be really disappointing! I'm going to Tijuana for mine, but I've built in some extra time into my trip just in case something like this would happen pre- or post-op.
My liver shrinking diet is exactly what Berry78 has described - 2 meals of lean Protein and non-starchy veggies, plus 2-3 Protein drinks a day (no dairy). My nut wants me to stay over 1200 calories a day to prevent my body from going into starvation mode. My calories have ranged between 800-1400 a day, but I've still lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks (not, that that's a goal at all). Anyway, I'm sure if you stick to something similar, it won't be so hard to go back to a liquid diet (I'm assuming that's what you were on).

Thanks everyone! I tried it once I got to soft foods, and I was very happy haha. tuna sashimi is my favorite, and I was able to eat it with no problems!

Holy smokes! Great minds work the same, I guess!
Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

Here's the thing....You are an adult. You have no responsibility to tell him. You can tell only the people you want to. Also, it is really NO ONE'S business!! I understand family is important but if you do this surgery you do this for YOU not anyone else and you need NO ONE else's approval. Even if they notice the rapid weight loss you don't need to tell them you had surgery. That is a personal decision you made. If someone asks how you are losing weight so fast (which they really shouldn't but everyone feels they have a right to comment on other's looks) you don't have to tell them. You can just say you have been working out and watching what you eat. You owe them nothing. You owe it to yourself to only give out that information to those you want to if you feel someone will break you down mentally if they knew. This si the time to focus on yourself and buckle down! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

I don't know if I'm anxious about how I'll feel about being thin(ner) but I am worried about the social aspects of it, such as people being nicer to me, guys flirting (instead of running away), etc. I've mostly been overweight most of my life; obesity is relatively new for me (about 8 years I guess). That said, when I was on the high end of the BMI overweight scale, nothing ever happened. But when I dipped to the low end of overweight or even into normal weight, I got noticed a lot more. Not just by guys, by everyone. It always kind of annoyed me, since I was still the same person, only with or without a little more padding, but it's amazing how differently people treat you. I've read articles from people who have lost a lot of weight and this is something that bothers them as well (to the point of depression) - as it was something they were not expecting.

Good luck everyone! Mine is a week from today. I'm having mine done in Tijuana so no pre-admission testing for me. That said, I'm hoping everything checks out fine when I arrive south of the border!

I don't know if I'm anxious about how I'll feel about being thin(ner) but I am worried about the social aspects of it, such as people being nicer to me, guys flirting (instead of running away), etc. I've mostly been overweight most of my life; obesity is relatively new for me (about 8 years I guess). That said, when I was on the high end of the BMI overweight scale, nothing ever happened. But when I dipped to the low end of overweight or even into normal weight, I got noticed a lot more. Not just by guys, by everyone. It always kind of annoyed me, since I was still the same person, only with or without a little more padding, but it's amazing how differently people treat you. I've read articles from people who have lost a lot of weight and this is something that bothers them as well (to the point of depression) - as it was something they were not expecting.

@Hoping052017: My surgery is a week from today! I leave Japan on Saturday for L.A., where I'll spend a few days recovering from jetlag and doing a little sightseeing and shopping (while on liquids only for the final days before surgery).
My favourite "terms" are not mine - these are medical terms that my gastroenterologist(s) have used. I just remember hearing (or seeing) them for the first time and thinking - that's me!
As for dairy, although I'm not lactose intolerant (I think), I cut out drinking milk a few years ago when I experimented with going gluten free (for Cereal, which was cut from my life). Although I was amazingly free of any problems, that only lasted a month. However, I never went back to drinking milk (or eating cereal). Now my only dairy really comes from yogurt or cheese, which I thought didn't give me problems, but I guess they did since I'm having no issues now. We'll see how things go once I'm post-op. (I've already bought cheese in anticipation). I'll be gutted if I can't handle cheese, since that seems to be a common item for most people pre-op due to its Protein content.
Our stats are really similar - we're even the same weight at this very moment! I'm an inch taller than you though.

I had IBS when I was younger, but it eventually developed into ulcerative colitis by the time I hit 30. I've been on meds (Pentasa) to help control it, which really helps, but I reduce the recommended dosage since it produces intense hunger cravings for me (not a normal side effect). Anyway, I'm used to going to the bathroom 10-30 times a day when I have a flare-up (which is pretty much always, just different intensities). Two of my favourite, very well-known terms are "rectal urgency" and "explosive diarrhea."
So I've been on my pre-op diet for 2 weeks now, which allows for 2-3 Protein shakes plus 2 small meals a day, and is very high Protein, low carb (fats fall where they may). No alcohol, no dairy, no simple carbs of any kind (carbs from non-starchy veggies are ok). I have to say it has made a bigger difference in my life than any of the meds I have ever taken. I am now passing almost normal stools (still a little soft) and have no urgent need to go to the toilet multiple times a day. No cramping, no pain. Have you tried a similar diet? I'm wondering if something like that might help.
Because of my UC, I've chosen sleeve since it does not mess around with the intestines, which is important to me. I've done some research on the effects of WLS on patients with UC or Crohn's (sorry, did not check for IBS in general) and generally speaking sleeve has a better effect on the symptoms of these patients, especially those with UC.
In any event, I'll also be curious as to how the sleeve will impact me post-op. I'll keep you updated.

@bayougirlmrsc Thanks for posting this. I'm sticking around. This place was my "go-to" before my surgery. You were one of the first people to speak to me here on BP. I saw you taking some 'crap' from certain people not too long ago, crap you didn't deserve. I'm glad you didn't leave.

This actually happened to me. I was walking in a Walgreens and at the back of the store they have the wall of security mirrors. I looked up and couldn't find me. Took me a second to remember how mirrors worked.

I haven't had surgery yet. I'm 5'2" and 265. Scheduled for 2/18 in Tijuana.
I've always made light of having the opposite of anorexia... I do NOT see a fat person in the mirror! I see an average sized woman and no double chin, and I love myself! It's not until I see pictures of me that I'm like "whoaaaaaa who IS that?!" I do NOT recognize myself, it's depressing as all hell! I'm hoping the weight loss brings me back to "normal"!
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I just woke up one day a couple weeks ago and just knew! I have no idea where the idea came from.... I WAS thinking about being embarrassed to go to a family reunion.
I never thought about or knew anything about the surgery before (not for 20 years, anyway).
Still debating between bypass and sleeve.
Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

I've more or less been comfortable being overweight my whole adult life, around 220 at 5'2". I've been fortunate to "carry well" and not have any other medical complications due to being obese. I went up to 250, then 270 last year. I'll be 40 in a few weeks and I could feel my body just giving up on me. My limbs get numb, I can't sleep, cant breathe, can't bend over, huff & puff going up the stairs of my house. I failed at all my efforts for healthy eating and I exercising.
Then one day my darling 5 year old son and I were cuddling. He hugs me, grabs my back fat roll & ask me straight up, "why are you so fat?" And I knew I REALLY had to do something. I cried.
Next thing I know a coworker confided in me she went to Mexico for surgery. I had considered gastric bypass about 10 years ago after a childhood friend got it, but it felt too extreme. This seemed doable. I did the research. I got the money, and now I'm headed to Tijuana on 2/17.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm not sure exercise is so critical for weight loss, but I know it's critical for health. I can exercise vigorously for a week and lose ounces but track Protein and Water and meet my goals there, which makes the scale move.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Pre-made shakes are unavailable for me here in Japan so I have to make all my own shakes. So far my favourite brand is Syntrax - I have their unflavoured, chocolate, and vanilla Protein powders, as well as various flavours of nectar (roadside lemonade, green apple, pink grapefruit, very berry) - they taste great, like regular juice. I also add PB2 Peanut Butter powder to my chocolate shakes for a little added flavour and protein. Except for the Nectars, I mix all my shakes with low-fat soy or unsweetened almond milk so they have a richer flavour (I'm not allowed any dairy at the moment). I also have some unflavoured Isopure but I haven't tried it yet (I'm saving it for post-op).

I'm having my sleeve done a week after you! Good luck!
From what I've read on these forums, the most important thing to worry about in the week post-op is to keep your fluids up and try to get as much in as you can. Don't worry about Protein so much in the first week - some people can't tolerate it all. The main thing is to not get dehydrated and end up back in the hospital.