Jeffrey Stern

Greensleevie you bore me...

Well Ms. Greensleevie

I didn't want to go the route of name calling...however you started it. Immature??? really The very reason people start the name calling is they have NO ARGUMENT to defend. And because I won't join your "pity party" you feel threatened by my MATURE attitude towards my life long commitment to be healthy. Just because you are a failure doesn't mean everyone else must follow your weak and IMMATURE attitude. GROW UP !!!

I didn't have this surgery on a whim. This was a decision with my doctor and then a year long process with the hospital performing the surgery. Surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists ( to make sure I was mentally prepared) to venture into this new lifestyle. And post surgery I have a 5yr program to follow with the same. I have my first post surgery meeting with the nutritionist on Aug 11th, then the nurse practitioner Aug. 22th, then another nurse practitioner Nov. 3rd, then the same day with a social worker, and then to end the year another nutritionist on Nov. 10th where I will get the schedule for the next year...so you see for the next 5yrs I am good...by that time I should be well on my way to having a healthy life. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I WANT !!! Like I said before it took a good kick in the pants to get here. And I ain't gonnna screw it up. Sorry I won't be joining your pity party this time.

If you are in addiction like you say...than doesn't AA say you must admit you have a problem before you can get help. I admit I HAD a problem...now I got help... so sue me.

So my dear if I fail and I won't....it's because I didn't take this surgery seriously. Just like you !!! your weak... and you are looking for other people to join your Debbie Downer pity party. I really don't understand why it's so difficult for you to GET THIS !! oh wait your a loser.

Jack Canfield (Jack Canfield is an American author, motivational speaker, seminar leader, corporate trainer, and entrepreneur). said quote: "success depends on getting good at saying no without feeling guilt. You cannot go ahead with your own goals if you are always saying yes to someone elses projects. YOU CAN ONLY GET AHEAD WITH YOUR DESIRED LIFESTYLE IF YOU ARE FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT WILL PRODUCE THAT LIFESTYLE." end quote. this was given in the many pages of information from the Toronto Western Hospital were I had my surgery.

You see they don't want me to fail either. I'll take a rain check on your negative attitude. Be Healthy and Prosper

Well to all those who are saying how easy it is to so called "slide down the slippery slope" or hit "those rocks in the road" and us newbies who "have the tiger by the tail" and every other idiom out there all say that you obviously weren't mentally ready to engage in this new world of self awareness.

Again...having surgery which ever method you decide to have..lap band, sleeve, or bypass... THIS IS NOT MAGIC SURGERY. It does not give you the permission to go out after words to the nearest buffet or fast food place or buy a family size bag of potato chips, and think OOHHH boy I had some magic surgery now I can eat anything I want (not to mention the unmentionable...exercise) . NO NO NO. So you need to decide am I going to be successful at this or not.

If you are making excuses like "nobody is validating me any more" ... you're becoming healthier ..are you doing this for them or yourself? I'm going to try eating more sugar...why? I personally have type 2 diabetes and got so tired of taking large amounts of insulin everyday. I can't drink alcohol any more... boo hoo...maybe you have another issue to deal with?? What's an occasional splurge ? really? Cut out carbs all together.. again I made a decision to not eat carbs/ gluten anymore. There are so many subs to replace all the bread, rice, and Pasta you crave. Try some.

Any one of your Nuts out there will tell you if your putting more calories in your body than your burning your doing something wrong. SO NO SLIDDERS !

So if all you who have been out for 3 or 4 or 5 yrs plus have just forgotten why you had the surgery to begin with. Maybe you need a second so called "HONEYMOON" a few of you mention all the failures out there...what about all the successes !!! which I will be one of...It's not BULLSHIT...

Obesity is manageable. Some of us need extra help such as the surgery of your choice...but healthy eating is a close second option. So make all the excuses you want. That's what they are EXCUSES. Nobody has a gun to your head saying eat that junk.. it was all your decision. So hate me all you want I will talk to you in 3 or 4 or 5 yrs from now and still be on my "HONEYMOON".

Dear Introversion

I don't think I'm being fooled...thank you. I can barely eat anything without "dumping" if I do. If I eat too fast or too much I get incredible indigestion and start to puke. I think the sleeve gives you a little more room for food than having a bypass and you technically still have a stomach (hence the term "bypass" your intestines aren't being re arranged) I'm just saying. So what you call a "Honeymoon period" has never existed for me.

I have also made a conscious decision to eat a healthier lifestyle... I didn't go through all this just to run to the nearest Burger King or all you can eat buffet. Which I think some recipients of any of the surgeries fool themselves that they can.

So there will never...and I do mean NEVER !!! be a so called slippery slop for me. Why didn't I do that before you ask yourself...because like many bariatric patients we turn to food for comfort and I loved my junk food. I did that. I guess I didn't have the will power. But now as fore-mentioned it's impossible for me to do so.

So some of us need a good kick in the pants.

So the only thing looming for me is a weight loss of 80lbs (to date still more to come) and a smaller waist line and smaller shirt sizes. My type 2 diabetes is back on track. I'm not about to jeopardize that for a hamburger and fries.

I thank you for the Forewarned and forearmed. And I can say Never say never. NEVER !!!!!

Eat healthy and prosper

Hello MsBrown76

I don't know a whole lot about the sleeve...I had the bypass. Having that procedure makes it next to if not impossible for me to over indulge. It is a shame you have gained those 20 - 25 lbs, after all that you've been through. food can be an addiction just like drugs and alcohol. People don't see that because we do need food to survive.

Here's some tough love MsBrown76. STOP IT !!!! LOL LOL Falling off the wagon is a state of mind and you know your doing it ... WHY ?? you work so hard at blaming and belittling yourself...WHY ??? Your sabotaging yourself.... why???

Yes food is like a sin to some of us ( we have all been there).... and we gravitate to medicate for something. But you have done some very positive things for yourself you have had the surgery...that's the first step and on to many other things.

Healthy food does not have to be boring nor tasteless nor a sign of punishment for being heavy. (Notice I didn't say fat) words have dramatic effects on our minds. I also stay away from the word "DIET" because it has come to be a dirty word for food deprivation and again we equate it with punishment for being weight challenged. "Only FAT people DIET" !!!

There are so many blogs and bariatric websites out there now for people like us who need to watch what we eat. Some great healthy alternatives full of flavour and a lot less calories.

A quick story for you... a friend and I had a quick lunch at a fast food court lots of junk food places and the like. I found a bowl of chili (who doesn't like chili a much healthier option) at a Tim Hortons... personally I like Wendys better (but I digress) my friend had Burger King, I so wanted to reach over and take a fry or two, but NO!...I said NO! It was tough but I felt good.

So I don't bore you anymore...keep in mind it's all in the mind and even if I don't know you... I know you have the strength to carry on. This blog has many wonderful people on it who are here to help and all know what you are going through. So keep yourself proud and happy of what you have accomplished those 20 - 25 lbs are a thing of the past and will be a small stumbling block on a road to success . EAT HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS

NO -...YES -

I would say I'm 90 % vegan LOL

I am eating far more vegetables and legumes as well fruit than meat or fish. I also have cut out carbs/ ie bread, rice, Pasta. There are so many more options out there to sub.

Cauliflower seems to be the new veg on the go right now and I find it subs for a lot of carb related recipes. Another veg I use if I feel like pasta is Spaghetti squash it really looks and acts like real pasta.

Here are some websites I found

www.bariatriccookery.com

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.ca/

/www.facebook.com/bariatriceating/

good luck and good health

Here's some tough love people... STOP !!! You've gone through so much (as far as surgery and recovery goes) and why do you want to sabotage that? Yes we are all human and that can be tough. However... please...you MUST make a conscious effort to eat healthy. BE STRONG!! don't let the devil do it I know you can

quick story...out with friend for lunch in a food court not a lot of healthy food options. However I found a bowl of chili at a Tim Hortons...(personally I like Wendy's better they have hot sauce... but I digress) and my friend had Burger King. I so wanted to reach over and grab a french fry...but the good little angel on my shoulder (and not the devil ) said NO Jeffrey you have come too far !

I have made a conscious decision to stay away from carbs/gluten and of course sugar (especially if you have type 2 diabetes like me) . That means NO NO NO Pasta, rice, and bread unless it's gluten free. There are so many options out there now to sub for all that. Not to mention blogs and websites dedicated to cooking for bariatric patients. You would be amazed how cauliflower has subbed for so many recipes for example. And tastes great really

So PLEASE !! even if I don't know you...I respect you for having gone through the same physical anguish I have and don't F**K it up. Here are a couple of recipes...try and good health

Cauliflower Fried Rice-like

Ingredients
1 small head cauliflower
2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more if serving with eggs
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 scallions, thinly sliced at an angle (separate white bottoms and green tops)
1 cup frozen peas, defrosted and drained
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Two 1-inch pieces fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound Chinese barbecue pork, diced (optional)
4 eggs (optional)

Preparation
1. Halve the cauliflower through the stem. Cut out and discard the tough,
leafy parts and cut the head into florets. Rinse in cold Water and dry.

2. Working in batches (do not overcrowd the bowl, fill it only about halfway),
add the florets to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until it resembles rice,
about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Set aside for immediate use or store, covered,
in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

3. In a large nonstick pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot.
Add the carrots and the white bottoms of the scallions. Season with salt and pepper and cook,
stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the peas, garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the cauliflower rice and stir to combine.

5. Add sesame oil and soy sauce and continue to cook, stirring to combine,
about 2 minutes (do not overcook or cauliflower will become mushy).
If using pork, add it to the pan, and toss to heat through. Taste to correct seasoning;
add salt and pepper if necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with remaining green scallions.

6. If serving with eggs, in the same pan that you cooked the rice,
add about two teaspoons of olive oil and heat over medium until warm.
Add eggs, one at a time, keeping them separate. Cook until whites are set and yolks are to your liking,
about 5 to 6 minutes. Serve egg on top of rice.

Sticky Cauliflower

1-2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups unflavored soy or almond milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 large cauliflower crown, broken into florets
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup maple Syrup (low sugar/or fake syrup low sugar)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. sriracha
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
2 scallions, chopped
toasted sesame seeds
cooked rice, for serving
Instructions

Preheat oven to 450° (preheating is crucial here, so don't skip it).
Use about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to coat the bottom of a large roasting pan or oven-safe skillet.
Stir milk, flour, salt and baking powder together in small bowl.
Dip cauliflower florets in mixture to coat, shaking off any excess batter. Arrange in a single layer in roasting pan or skillet.
Bake 10 minutes.
While cauliflower bakes, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and Sriracha in a small saucepan.
Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir cornstarch and water together in a small container until cornstarch is fully dissolved.
Add to soy sauce mixture and stir to blend. Remove from heat.
Remove cauliflower from oven and flip. Lightly brush florets with remaining tablespoon of oil.
Return to oven and bake 5 minutes more, until they begin to sizzle and lightly crisp.
Remove from oven and pour sauce over florets.
Return to oven and bake 3-4 minutes more, just until sauce becomes very sticky and coasts florets.
Serve over rice (optional) and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.
Notes

You can also skip the rice and serve the cauliflower as a wing-style appetizer.

Well my friend Liltwidget... I am pretty cool... ask any of my friends...LOL I had bypass for the same reason my type 2 D was out of control; and I was taking far too much insulin and metformin.

I won't lie I have had a couple of issues with dumping and it's not fun. It's just a learning process don't eat fast and too much at once.

However the odds are in your favor. I've lost 70 lbs in two months. My sugar levels are terrific and my doc is doing cartwheels for that. That's pretty damn good. So hold your head high and laugh at all those sleeves (chickens) as you lose weight much faster.

good luck not cluck... I just made that up LOL LOL

here are a couple of websites and blogs for recipes

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diet/pureedentreesalads.cfm#blended vegetables

www.bariatriccookery.com

/www.facebook.com/bariatriceating/

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.ca/

good luck

Your welcome gailkindo

You will do just great.. it's all so scary before than poof it's all over with and your saying to yourself what was I so afraid. Look at the number of people on this blog. We all have gone through the same thing and come out better for it. Unfortunately we were all given the short end of the stick... our weight issues. However we all have also made firm decisions to fight the challenges we have been given.

It's a new life and a new you... go forth and be healthy !

Hi gailkindo

Your having gastric sleeve I don't see a date if you've had or having. I had Gastric bypass (some say it's more painful because they are rearranging my intestines.) Regardless it's surgery and there will be discomfort. I was given Oxycontin to take home with me after 2days in the hospital and I only needed it for a few days after...then extra strength tylenol did the job of keeping the pain away. Make sure you have all the info you need from your doc and Meds that will help you through the pain. I won't lie to you the only time I felt excruciating pain was when I was coming out of anesthesia but they soon took care of that.

you will be fine and I know your a big girl LOL

Good luck and remember this is the beginning of a new you

Hi skyeyes9520

Good luck on the pureed food...or baby food as I called it.

speaking of..try some baby food it has come along way. I found a veg and brown rice that was pretty good (just watch for hidden sugars) and try to find a high Protein content.

If that's not appealing for fruit: you should cook 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fruit with 2 tsp of Water. for a couple of minutes(straw, blue raspberry or peaches) or I lived on unsweetened apple sauce w/ cinnamon sprinkled on for flavour. Remember NO fibrous fruit eg. oranges or pineapples.

I think you can have cream of wheat, oatmeal (if instant no more than 10 grms of sugar) or a cold Cereal soaked in milk 'till it's mushy. Don't for get yogurt ( NO fruit bottom or chunky anything sugar and fat free) sugar free Jello ( I cheated with low fat cool whip ) you can't have jello without coolwhip...right. Sugar free pudding for another treat.

You should be okay with low fat cottage cheese. Try as well a poached egg.

For more purred stuff;Hummus is easy and quick...here are some recipes for Veggies >>1/3 cup of veg with 3 teaspoons of veg broth ( any veg into the food processor and blend for 2minutes it must be fine...remember baby food.

meat and fish ( ground beef and a soft fish like cod or salmon ) 1/2 cup cooked meat/fish in 4 tablespoons of broth or water. Blend until smooth. NO CHUNKS !! One last hint...use spices and herbs (they are your best friends) to make your food tastier.

One last hint make a more than you need to eat that meal and buy some little containers or even use ice cube trays to portion out your food and freeze it.It makes life so easy

here are a couple of sites for recipe ideas. I hope this helps

www.bariatriccookery.com

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diet/pureedentreesalads.cfm#blended vegetables

Good luck and good health

Hi Tobittl

The pain is very normal...my goodness according to your surgery date your not even a week out. Did they not give you any pain meds ?. Any way just make your incision is clean and one trick you might try... well two . Try rolling to what ever side your getting up from sit up sideways... don't try sitting straight up. And if you have to cough put a pillow over stomach and press gently to hold your stomach , or just to feel good.

feel better soon

Hi northstar9148...

here are some ideas I hope will help you. I don't know what brand you buy but...Buy a brand (any no name brand is fine at your local wal-mart or health food store even a big supermarket should carry Protein powders. Buy a brand that is whey (milk) or soy. I think if you buy a vanilla (there is other flavours as well) flavoured brand you will have more options for shakes. Less than 5 grams of Carbs and 20 to 30 grams of protein and NO sugar.

here's one recipe

strawberry banana Protein Shake

1 scoop Protein Powder

1/2 cup skim milk, almond milk or cashew milk.

1/2 cup plain low fat yogurt

4 whole strawberries (frozen if want) or blueberry, raspberry

2 inch piece of banana

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 package sweetener (optional)

Throw into blender and blend until smooth....delicious

you can also replace the berries with peaches or even use coco powder (plain no sugar powder not hot choc mix)

try using flavourings and extracts orange, root beer, maple, for baking ...DO NOT use juice, honey or sugar for flavour.

try this site for more recipes

www.bariatriccookery.com

good luck

No Protein Shakes ...that's odd??

Oh boy ....I was on the Opti-fast diet for 3 weeks prior to my surgery. I'm lucky I'm not in prison. LOL !! How is anyone ready to go from eating solid food to liquid meals and not feel like ... well you can imagine.

I was told my taste buds would change.. it's all hormonal (apparently). Spices become your friends use them a lot and experiment. Fresh herbs as well ...I use basil a lot and fresh parsley, onions and garlic as well ginger for stir frys. Low salt soy sauce and rice, balsamic vinagers for salads. I have found some great bloggers and websites for Bariatric cooking to give me ideas.

www.bariatriccookery.com

https://www.facebook.com/bariatriceating/

I had gastric bypass. My weight ballooned after the loss of my dog and I got depressed. I was up to 325 lbs. never been that big before. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 yrs ago and it went out of control. Sugar levels in the high teens and 20's. sleep apnea soon followed arthritis in my knees and ankles, high blood pressure, high cholesterol all added to the list of health issues. My medicine chest looked like a pharmacy.

Soon after my surgery my sugar levels improved ( my doctor was doing cartwheels) and no more insulin. Arthritis gone... I can walk for miles without pain. And everything else has improved. No more sleep apnea and the stupid machine.

My surgery went great no issues. I was given Oxycontin for the pain to take home only needed it for a few days. Then Tylenol was good enough. I guess the worst thing I can say is I have been constipated a couple of times.

This certainly has been the best thing I have ever done...

I can't say it enough...Carbs are the devils work. Stay away from them (just my opinion) there are lots of different options available at your local health food stores. A lot of the big box stores are carrying stuff as well.. since everyone is afraid of carbs/gluten. Just make sure you read your labels...can't stress that enough either. If your eating Protein Bars for example watch out for the sugar content, nothing over 10 gr.

been under many times for various reasons. I got a little teary eyed when I went under for my bypass surgery..I think more for the thought of ...this is the beginning of a new life...and I was right.

you'll do great and good luck !!

Walk and walk as much as you can it will help with the gas the bowels and keep you healthy. and drink as much Water as you can again good for the bowels and gas

good luck it's just the beginning of a new you!!

Hey good luck and I know you will be so happy with the new you.

about the flavoured popsicles it's not really about the flavours...you just can't eat any foods with fibrous content hence the oranges and pineapples. and make sure they're sugar free.

You'll be on a basic liquid diet post surgery. Lots of broth (chicken, vegetable and beef) Tomato Soup. NO Soups with anything in it like noodles or chunks of anything. Yogurt low fat and sugar no fruit on the bottom or mixed in plain only. sugar free Jello (cheated a little and bought some low fat cool whip topping...can't have jello without topping) juice is fine try to find a low sugar brand and mix half and half with Water don't drink it straight. Sugar free Popsicle or make your own with those packets of water sugar free flavourings. To zip up those broth soups try adding some spices...curry into the chicken or Italian into the veg some chili (not too much) into the Tomato you get the drift.

good luck

Hey Oscar T ...try eating fruit with a higher sugar content. Berries ( blue, raspberry, strawberry) they are also high in Fiber and anti-oxidants, mangoes and cherries and some apples all have a little higher sugar (good sugar not to worry ) than bananas.

solids by day four? wow that's brutal ! I'm into my end of my 2nd month I didn't start solids until week 5.

I do eat melba toast from time to time with Soup or saltine crackers (just a couple). Me personally just no carbs/gluten.