PollyEster

Yeah...no.
He doesn't do surgery anymore, he is more into multi level marketing (pyramid schemes). Some of his earlier videos have a lot of merit but the longer the time has lapsed since he has done surgery and more into MLM and getting rich (his workshops and conferences now focus more on MLM and networking) the less merit he brings.

True.
In the end it's always a question of "how big is the price one has to pay for it". If you can maintain a BMI in the normal range or maybe even in the being-slightly-overweight range rather effortlessly what's the point of trying to white knuckle your way to a BMI of e. g. 21?
If we're being honest we're no longer talking about "health" then. We're talking about "vanity". Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with wanting to lose more weight because of a little vanity but be honest and stop hiding behind the word "health" once a normal weight is reached and it doesn't hurt to be aware of the price one might have to pay for it either. For many patients the decision to lose some more "vanity weight" might boil down to "Do I want a life or a diet and an exercise plan?"
I'm dropping again the term "best weight possible". For some, that might indeed be that BMI of 20. For others it might be the BMI of 27 or 28 or higher, depending on starting BMI and life circumstances.
Usually surgeons and dietitians are more realistic when it comes to goal weight than the patients, e. g.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18201668/

I like his videos, too. He's a bit of a loner in the bariatric field because he pushes a diet that differs quite a lot from what is recommended by other surgeons.

I agree with the others. Most surgeons will give you a goal of around 70% of excess weight loss since statistically, that's where most people are likely to end up. Only about 10-15% make it to a normal BMI. That's not to say you can't - there are plenty of people on here who've done that - but it takes A LOT of work and commitment, and it's also not realistic for most people. I did make it (although I had the year 3 "bounce back" and am now four lbs "overweight"), but to be honest, at the beginning of my journey, even being under 200 lbs was a pipe dream. I would have been ECSTATIC to end up at 199.

I like his older videos, too.
Having "big goals" is nothing wrong or naughty. The problem is how people react when they don't reach them or only reach them partly. So it might not be wrong to set a more moderate goal and adapt as the patient goes along. Surgeons and dietitians got more modest during the years because there is study after study that shows what's the usual outcome after several years for many (though definitely not all) patients is.
If you see yourself as a winner and as successful only if you're maintaining at a BMI 21 or lower forever and feel like a failure when you're only being able to reach and maintain e. g. a BMI of 28 (coming around from maybe a BMI of 50) - maybe that's not really all that pleasant. There is nothing wrong with pursuing lofty goals but I think one should have a plan B if plan A doesn't work out.
Most people on here usually don't believe it in the beginning but: you don't pick a goal weight like a new pair of jeans or the color of your next car.

Amazon or AMAZING?!?! I’ll go with you look amazing!

Scored this today on a rare shopping trip 😍
I'm certain its made with vanity sizing because it was slightly too big

Starting to get pretty chilly for Queensland. Got out my raccoon & wool asymmetrical jumper, wool tube skirt & boots on Saturday to go to Toowoomba on the Great Dividing Range. All toasty warm. It’s my nod to the 80s.

This is a really good look... Silver Screen Siren ❤💃

Monday evening flex,lol!

Wasn’t sure if I should post this on the PS thread or on here, but decided on here in the end.
I particularly like my work out outfit today cuz it makes me look curvier than I really am, lol (colour-blocking is your friend!)
Also wanted to show off the bicep muscles that I have been working to get back since getting a little “loose” due to laziness. They aren’t as fabulous as they used to be a couple months ago, but am working in it....(also i just finished a work out, so they are a little more pumped than usual, lol)
P.S. Btw, I find it highly irritating that muscles disappear so quickly during periods of inactivity. Le Sigh.
P.P.S. That is scar tape under my arm...yeah its pretty nasty...im overdue for a tape change...

I am really missing that social interaction, too... Actually, grieving. Fashion is far more than a fine garment. Here is a lovely note written from leather artisan who made this stunning customized belt for me this past winter. Designed to wear front, side or back. Never had an opportunity to wear it out as yet. ;[ We must go shopping together someday! I adore black. Neutrals. And, a pop of color or pattern once in a while.

you should check out this video.
basically, low-carb, high-protein is good for the initial weight loss phase, but this doctor talks about how he has his patients seek out more of a plant-based diet when they are in the later maintenance phases and restriction is less of an issue or at least try to shift their Protein from pure animal protein to half animal and half plant. to be honest, I find it difficult to meet the protein goals without either a supplement and/or an animal protein every single day, but I am in the early stages post-op and can't eat much.
I personally had been moving toward a more plant-based diet prior to surgery and loathe all of the artificial sweeteners and processed foods that we are forced to rely on post-op. however, I also find that my body doesn't respond well to high-carb meals this early on (I am in week 3 post-op). my plan includes cream of wheat as early as week 2 and oatmeal starting week 3. I have tried both, and even though they seem to go down just fine, they make me extremely tired afterwards and I have to lay down for a while. but I definitely plan on incorporating lots of veggies, Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and even oats, rice, and possibly potatoes later on. these are natural foods and healthier than a steak or burger, and I plan to mostly eliminate red meat forever.

That is really unkind. you've lost weight and gotten healthier. I'm sorry they aren't being more supportive, you have so much to be proud of! be kind to yourself.

Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.

Hi everyone! I have no clue how I didn't know this forum existed until just now! I love sharing my story and learning from others so I thought I would introduce myself.
I'm 11 months post op
Ht: 5'5"
HW:264
SW:260
CW:142.8
I have an Instagram where I post quite often @justinas_journey_vsg

I have my surgery on the 16th of July. Best wishes to you all. I'm so excited and nervous.

Welcome! I am pretty new too. I hae my surgery july 14th. I am very excited! Get ready for your life to be changed!

Hello everyone, my name is Michele. I am scheduled to have my sleeve performed 8/26/20. I am excited to begin this journey and enjoy reading and learning techniques to be successful on my journey with the tool I receive.

Hey All!

I don’t comment much on here but you all have definitely been a big help to be on my journey!! I truly have loved hearing all of your stories, it has been a big motivational help to me. It’s nice to have a community that doesn’t have judgement and everyone can ask questions and share their stories with each other. I’m about 15lbs from goal and about 8 months out from my surgery.
My before picture was from 2018 and probably wasn’t even my heaviest and then right was from yesterday!
I think weight loss surgery is a great tool, but it 100% is all mental the rest of the journey. We have to daily make the right food choices and want to live a better life.

Thanks for all of your support!!

-Karlee

Boring stuff today. Mixed fruit, red and yellow bell pepper. Will get something at the cafeteria today.

Pork souvlaki skewers with homemade tzatziki (not shown) and wedge salads.
I ate all my salad (mine was smaller than these) and 1/2 a skewer (plus 1 tbsp of tzatziki): 223 calories

Thanks! I've definitely been channeling my inner 1950's domestic diva these days... I mean like, oh goody, my big highlight of the week out of this humble household is grocery shopping tomorrow! Yay. And, vacuuming and cleaning the potty in a dress is even more fulfilling. dinner tonight? Grilled BBQ prime rib steak and roasted green Beans with strawberries at hubby's request. Live dangerously, I say! Join us for dinner Silly Kitty here on the exciting southeast coast where we are literally going VIRAL. LOL.

Yesterday’s dinner was Cajun chicken and shrimp Pasta except I just ate the meat. Pic is bfs plate.

Todays meal is Saag Paneer (Spinach purée with cubes of Indian cheese) Didn’t know what to eat it with so I baked some tortillas and ate it like a tostada.

Egg salad wrap