sillykitty

I also find this an extremely judgmental statement. So occasional alcohol consumption = not preserving your health? What about balance and moderation? WLS doesn't mean our lives are filled with NEVER's and CAN'T's. My program is the same. I also am in sales and travel for business nearly every week. Drinking is a big part of the industry and my companies culture. I am also known for liking to drink and having a high tolerance. My first business trip was a week long, and I had about one drink a day. I had beer and Mai Tais (I was in Hawaii). I honestly had no desire to drink, I just did it to be social. After being gone a week, I weighed myself and gained 2 lbs. I was eating fairly healthily and very little, so I can only contribute it to the alcohol and sugar in the mixers. So because I'm not willing to sabotage my weight loss, I'm giving up drinking until I'm at goal (or go on vacation, lol). I'm explaining both my not drinking and my negligible eating on vague stomach problems, so tying them together helps deflect the questions I receive. Call me vain, but vanity is my main motivation. Vanity about how I look in a mirror. I'm single and the fact is a much narrower set of men are attracted to me than would be if I were thinner. But also vanity when I'm not able to hike up a hill or climb a pyramid with my friend. I hate the feeling when I'm completely winded and have to take breaks doing some activity that my fit friends have no problem doing. It's not the physical feeling, but this internal cringe and embarrassment of being fat, and knowing I'm being judged for it. I agree with this as well. Why is being reversible the most important factor for you? At first I considered reversible solutions because I thought, I'm not that big, I don't need/want my stomach removed. But then I started reading and found that the VSG was the right fit, and I do want a lifetime solution, not just a temporary one. You said you want to maintain on your own. Maintenance is the hardest part of weight loss. I think most of us at our weight has been successful at losing, but then we go back up again. I want/need the help to do both, lose and maintain. I'd suggest finding a surgeon to talk through your options with. You'll want a surgeon who is patient and good communicator, so you may have to try a few (my surgeon has no patience and is terribly brusque, for example) I looked at both as well. I eliminated the balloons because of poor reviews. On RealSelf it only has a 50% "I'd do it again" rating vs. 100% for the sleeve and 97% for Bypass. The reviews there and other places also spoke of extreme and constant nausea, so that was a deal breaker. For the Lapband has a 54% "I'd do it again" rating on RealSelf. I also read about all the negatives like erosion, slipping, lack of results. I also have a good friend who had the Lapband many years ago, and still has hers. She says she loves her lapband and has no problems. But I'm with her often and know she has a lot of digestive issues. She may deny it, but I can't help but think they are related to her band. I did go through a period of pretty extreme lightheartedness and general exhaustion weeks 2-3. I got a B12 shot and then I felt almost normal. Not sure if the shot helped, or a coincidence, but I know I'm going to get another shot in a month! At this point I probably couldn't do any kind of sustained physical activity. I'm told it's because of my low cals (300-400). But there are many on this board who are very active soon after surgery including running marathons. You'll just have to give yourself time to heal, then long term you should be able to do everything you could in the past, and even more being lighter and healthier.

No pre op diet required at all. Just no food and a colon cleanse required the day prior to surgery.

I have to say I disagree with all this, @myfanwymoi has come here for help and support. She has had VERY successful weight loss, and is now trying to navigate maintenance. She took the advice to heart about making good choices, and her sundae was a good example of a smart indulgence. WLS vets job isn't to set an example for us newbies, they use the board for help and support as well. Also I don't think @myfanwymoi is completely off base when thinking about a long term diet. There are very few people who will go a lifetime without "bad" foods. It maybe from cravings, or being in situations without good choices. I really think moderation and balance is the key for long term success for me. I'm not going to live a life without cake. I just want to be satisfied with two bites, instead of a whole slice. My long term eating plan has no absolutes, only an emphasis on healthy and low cal.

Exactly the same here. Solid proteins are the only ting that gives me that physically full feeling. But what I'm loving most about this surgery is an almost total lack of hunger. That is making it easier to make good choices. I was at a work event and had several buffet meals. I was able to skip past things I used to love (still love?) and go straight to the lean protein. I just didn't have any real desire to eat, so the chicken was as appealing as the mashed potatoes. I'm really hoping that continues for a looooong while!

This! The 100 lb weight loss has much more of an effect than the sleeve surgery. I drank 3 weeks post op, daily for a week. I found I had no taste for it, and therefore drank slowly and didn't finish my drinks. I never even felt buzzed. But I have a high tolerance, and I'm sure my weight is a big part of that. What it did do is sabotage my wight loss for that week. With the alcohol I averaged 700 cals, but managed to gain 2 lbs that week. So the weight gain has made me swear off drinking until I get near my goal!

I'm 5 weeks post op, and down 27 lbs! Yay! It has been more of a roller coaster than I anticipated. First week was easy, then I had terribly low energy, weak and shaky for two weeks. That coincided with a weight loss stall. Then last week I started losing again but had a lot of nausea of and stomach pain. Hopefully going forward I'll have the best of both worlds, feeling good and rapid weight loss!

I'm usually around 300-400 calories. I love it and am taking advantage of not being hungry, and not forcing myself to eat & take in more calories than my body is telling me to.

I like Trader Joe's Cold Brew Latte Dessert Bars. They are not too sweet and only 40 calories https://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/cold-brew-latte-dessert-bars

Yes, I feel no restrictions from liquids, not from water, protein drinks, jello, yogurt, soup etc. But as soon as I ate meat, chicken, beef, pork, one ounce has me completely full. Are you sure you are feeling stomach hunger vs. head hunger? My first week I thought I was hungry, but then I realized I only felt hunger when triggered. Seeing food, smelling food, commercials etc. Once I eliminate the triggers, I'm nearly 100% hunger free.

I got the shot because I requested it. My surgeon was kind of dismissive of it, but prescribed it anyway. Going forward I'm going to have a once a week nasal spray, assuming it is covered by my insurance. I like the shot or nasal spray over oral because I already take enough vitamins and pills that upset my stomach.

My surgeons NUT gave a list of chewables. Included in list is the Trader Joe's brand, Bariatric Advantage, Celebrate Vitamins, and a couple of others I can't recall. I asked about gummies, and was told they aren't complete enough. I'm struggling with the chewables, they make me nauseous, so I looked up gummies. It looks like my NUT was right, not nearly as many vitamins and minerals as the chewables.

This has been much more of a roller coaster than I anticipated. First week I felt great. Then I hit a wall energy wise. Then I was back to almost normal energy but hit a stall and didn't lose nearly as much weight as I wanted my first month. Now after having an iron stomach the whole time, I've been persistently nauseous the last 2 days. It's funny, I'm naturally a positive person, not a worrier, always assume the best. My easy initial recovery reinforced that. But now I realize this will be a much more challenging process than I thought it would be!

I think that is fear mongering by your nurse. I felt no restrictions with liquid, and could certainly drink more than 4oz. But when eating solid protein, I am full after 1 oz. So I'm certain liquids didn't stretch my sleeve.

I was in the exact same situation. I felt great my first week post op, and then I just hit a wall. Even taking out the trash left me shaky and weak. I slowly recovered my energy, and am pretty much back to normal. I received a B12 shot a week ago, I'm not sure if it helped or not. My surgeon believes it is purely due to consuming such low cals.

I felt that way at day 8 as well. I later realized though it was all head hunger. I'd only feel hungry if I saw food, or people eating, or TV commercials. Without the trigger I had no hunger. Can you remove yourself while they are cooking or eating? Go for a walk or a drive maybe? It will be easier when you can eat with them, even purees

We are, we even have the same ticker! So some a few tips on eating with people you whom don't know about the surgery I learned last week. Having only a tiny amount of food on your plate definitely attracts the most attention. Anything shared as well, they will notice you're not eating your share. So have a normal-ish plate of food, take small bites, and move the food around will attract the least attention. Drinks are hard. In my industry drinking is the norm, and I'm known to like to drink, having a high tolerance. So nursing a watery drink was also commented on. I also think that last week's drinking, which was very little compared to normal hurt my weight loss, despite still having low calories. So I'd suggest avoiding drinking if you can at all. If you can't avoid having a drink, definitely try to go low cal, (I was in Hawaii, Mai Tais were a mistake). I'd probably do vodka soda in the future. If the carbonation bother you, you can stir to get rid of the bubbles. Anyone who asked why I wasn't eating I just gave some variation of my tummy is acting up, or I've had some stomach issues lately etc. It's easy for people you see occasionally. I had to go into more details with my boss, whom I ate every meal with. I gave him a vague story about GI surgery, and that it's a prolonged recovery.

I think this is an easier attitude to have if you are in a secure, committed relationship and you're confident your SO will adore you no matter what. Being single is a different story IMO. I'm actually more anxious about getting naked w a new guy when I have excess skin, saggy breasts, then I am now. Now someone who dates me shouldn't be shocked by what I look like naked. If I'm dating wearing shapewear, then no one is going to expect the loose skin, and they'll be in for an unpleasant surprise once I'm naked. So good to hear, that's another big reason I want plastics. To be happy with my body and motivate me to keep it that way!

Just popping in to say I know what you're feeling. I'm 4 weeks post op today, down only 17 lbs, and gained two in the last week. I also wanted a fast start to the weight loss! I was at a work event last week where most meals were family style. Definite a lot of comments by my associates on how I was barely eating (none of them know about the surgery). Uncomfortable having that much attention focused on my plate!

Thanks Fluffy. I wish it was water, my ring is looser than normal. Maybe I lost my weight in my hands, not exactly where I wanted to lol

I will definitely have plastics. A tummy tuck and breast augmentation/lift at the very least, but maybe more depending on how I look when I'm at goal. I didn't go through this to only look better in clothes, I want to be confident naked as well

I'm super discouraged and frustrated right now. I'm exactly 4 weeks post op. I have been out of town for the last week, so hadn't weighed myself. I thought I had broken a stall before I left. But I just weighed myself and I am up 2 lbs My total weight loss in 4 weeks is only 17 lbs. This last week my calories were higher, averaging 700/day, and I was more active than usual. The previous weeks I was averaging 350/day. At 700 calories a day, how the heck do I gain weight?

I'm 4 weeks post op, and have been getting a good part of my protein everyday with whey protein drinks. I've tried several, but Premier Protein Chocolate is the only one I actually kinda like. Well two days in a row I got really nauseous while/after drinking the PP. So I tried a Think Thin Peanut Butter bar yesterday and got the same extreme nauseous feeling. So I'm thinking I have developed an intolerance for whey protein. Has anyone else experienced this? Any alternatives that taste good? (I tried Amazing Grass Organic Plant Based Vegan Protein Superfood Powder, and it was truly vile)

I'm 4 weeks post op and I feel the same way. I'll have head hunger cravings. But then when I eat, it's just meh. Totally take it or leave it attitude. I'm also loving it! I never thought I could eat so few calories and not feel deprived.

Same here!

Their website has a locator feature. Kroger stores are the most prevalent, but I don't think you have any in the NE.