Kaswhy

I am so thankful for the clinic psychologist at the place I had my surgery.

His lesson that he hammers every time he gets the chance is that WLS has 3 major traps:

Trap #1: you will initially lose weight NO MATTER WHAT. You can have the worst habits and diet ever and still lose weight. This is a bad trap as there isn’t negative feedback for unhealthy behaviors.

Trap #2: because of the reduced size of your new digestive tract, you can eat small portions of metabolically disruptive foods (carb-laden and devoid of protein) and be “okay” because it’s only a few bites. Nope,nope,nope! Even in teensy amounts, foods that promote insulin resistance are only going to put you right back into a bad metabolic state over time. Best to avoid them (or save them only for very special occasions) altogether.

Trap #3: You don’t stop becoming a “fat” person just because you lost a bunch of weight.
It’s kind of like being a smoker or an alcoholic. Just because you’re not actively smoking or drinking, it doesn’t mean you can magically pick up smoking or drinking again and not expect difficult consequences. Fat brains stay fat brains for life and we need to be ever-diligent to not fall into any of the “fat” behaviors that got us needing WLS in the first place.

I actually wrote all of these traps down after my sessions with him and I keep them taped to a cork board in my bedroom. I see them every day and try my best each day to keep those lessons close to heart.

This morning I was able to buckle my belt one notch tighter — and it wasn’t uncomfortably tight. It feels like I’m on my way.
I had the sleeve on Oct 21.

I had an epiphany today when I was taking the pics above.
The person in that mirror is pretty much exactly the person I aspired to be. It struck me that I am literally living my best life right now. And while things are never going to be perfect (see my arms in the pic above for example), things right now are d@mn good. I always knew that WLS would be a positive in my life. But I'm not sure how or why, but it finally feels like all the pieces have finally fallen into place for me.
I'd like to thank all the participants on this thread. The support and positive feedback from and for everyone is AMAZING. It feels so rare to find such genuine encouragement now days. You all have played a role in me gaining confidence that I never even fully realized I was lacking. THANK YOU!

Day 27: Most grateful for in my country
I am grateful that the US has American citizens that came from all parts of the world. I love the fact that an "American" can look like anyone, originally be from anywhere, and yet still can really become part of our society. It is the very best of of our country's strengths, IMO. I hope we never lose sight of that...

Hi all!
I am 4 months post sleeve. My tummy still prefers softer Protein. I went to Starbucks and had their Egg Bites. They are delicious! This inspired me to create my own version at home. My version is made in muffin tins and baked since I don't have a Sous Vide cooking device. They turned out so good! And you can add fun stuff to make them even tastier. Recipe follows:

For 5-6 Egg Bites (I eat only one at a time but they store well in the fridge, so I have them for the whole work week), you will need:
6 eggs
1/3 cup half & half (or whole milk)
1/4 cup cheese- I use Gouda, but any kind will do.
Dash of salt & pepper
Add ins: I use green onions, roasted red bell pepper and crisp bacon pieces and cream cheese. (You could also use spinach, kale, green chilies, turkey sausage, the sky is the limit!)
Muffin tin
food processor or blender

Process:
Preheat oven to 325. Spray Pam into 6 muffin tins.
Put the eggs, milk or cream, and cheese in a food processor or blender. Whirl and blend until egg mixture is light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.
Pour mixture into a bowl, and stir in green onion, bell pepper, bacon pieces or any other ad-ins you love.
Spoon mixture into muffin tins, leaving a half inch from the top of each cup.
Super yummy extra: At this point, I add a bit of cream cheese into each cup. I use about the size of a marble of cream cheese. I LOVE how these taste with this extra kick!
Put them in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until semi-firm. Let them cool before popping them out of the cups.

Nutrion (per one egg bite) Protein= 11, Carbs= 2, Calories= 215*
The calories could be cut back (if desired) by using lower fat cheeses and milk and skipping the cream cheese).

Raises hand and says Yes.... One of my main motivations was to look better. I was in a very long marriage and we would go a year with having sex 1-2x's. I thought, if only i could lose the weight he would find me more attractive and life would be great. So in 2009 I got banded, lost 89lbs (100 but to hard to maintain). Went from 232 to 143. But instead of getting better my marriage fell even more apart. He couldn't handle the attention i was getting. And to be honest, it was intoxicating.... i loved it. We divorced in 2017 after 26 years. Fast forward.... 2017, flu/stomach bug = slipped band. Fast forward Aug. 2019 173.5lbs..... Sleeve. Todays weight 144.4
Starting to feel sexy again. Sept. 2019 remarried and feeling great..... bring on 52 years old... i'm ready

Popping in from obscurity! I wish I had commented on this before. I think my personal goal was 170. I’m now almost 1.5 years post op and have been plateaued in the upper 220s (give or take 5 lbs) for about 8 months. I seem to be able to tackle brief regains I’ve pretty easily and get back to this weight, but I have not been able to get beyond 220s. I probably don’t look like I weigh this much, because I’m on the taller side of average height and have always weighed more than I looked like I did. I would still like to make onederland, but because of my struggles with getting there, I’ve just been focused on increasing my weights at the gym and overall fitness so at least I’m accomplishing something. I also know the biggest key is diet and I’m always looking for ways I can clean that up.

So yeah- I’d be happy to hit 199, but I still feel pretty dang fit at my current weight.

I’m 5’1” and while I dream of being out of the overweight category (132), I’ll be content with the 140’s. I’m in the 160’s currently at 14 months out and I have definitely had to clean my eating back up and be mindful of everything I take in. It’s definitely had to realize that this is a marathon and not a race! I also had my BMR tested and it’s at 1400 calories. It was kind of a reality check for me that: “okay.... you are essentially the height of a large child. You NEED to eat like you’re 5’1” for the rest of your life”. 

This post is really for the folks who are considering the sleeve, wondering if it will "work" for them, if they should take the leap...
This post is for the folks who just returned home from surgery or are several weeks out..the people who are starting to feel discouraged...didn't realize it would be so "hard".
And, this post is for the folks that have a bit to go before they reach that goal they set thinking the weight they REALLY want to be is unattainable!
First, the sleeve alone will not "work" for you unless you are willing to WORK with it! It's a tool not a cure. And, yes, it is often hard, especially in the beginning when you are creating new, successful solutions to combat old habits that got you where you used to be stuck. But, the very best things in life come from pushing through the hard moments. If you give up before you get to the top of the mountain, you don't get to enjoy the beautiful view. Trust me, it's spectacular when you get here. DO NOT GIVE UP!
Now, about that goal weight...if you are anything like me, you've lost and gained so many times you've become used to failure. You almost expect it. So maybe you set your goal weight at a number that seemed pretty reasonable. Attainable, even, right? And, perhaps, you told yourself that if you got anywhere near it, you'd be happy because, for goodness sake, it's soooo much better than where you started! It's a definite win! I did that. I let my pre-sleeve experience shape my goal. But that wasn't the number I truly wanted. Initially, I just didn't believe that I could ever get back to my teenage and 20's modeling weight. I mean, I'm a woman in my 50's! That could never happen, right?! So, I shot for 5 pounds over the top of the weight chart for my height.
Guess what happened as I was working my way down the scale, working my program, building strong/healthy eating habits, changing my relationship with food? I hit that goal! Then I shattered it! Then I continued on, logging every morsel of food I put in my body, every darn day!
I'm not even a full year out of surgery. But by working with my sleeve and using this tool to it's fullest potential, I weigh LESS than I did as a slim teenager! I'm 2 sizes smaller than my busiest period as a model in my 20's!
This tool requires sacrifice. But, you are only sacrificing the things that were dragging your body down in the first place. In fact, I look at it as finally showing ourselves the respect we've deserved all along.
You are so worth it. You absolutely deserve be healthy. Life is so much easier mentally and physically when you shed the weight that you are carrying.
It becomes easier every single day! Then the months fly by and it becomes routine. All of a sudden you realize your whole life is brighter, healthier, EASIER!
I put everything into getting where I am right now. I truly believe if you give it everything, the sleeve will give you your life back!
You absolutely deserve this! You are absolutely worth this! Don't let anyone make you feel/think differently!!!!
PS....Log everything every day! That's a game changer. Load an app (I use LOSEIT). Log everything. Never stop logging!
Love to all!

Operation Quit Smoking - Part Deux, Update:
It's Day 10, babies. After a rough few days of likely nicotine-withdrawal-induced crankiness, I am glad to say that I have remained smoke-free since I said I would (and am noticeably less cranky, so say Mr. & the Kid).
...AND I didn't even succumb when I kept BFF company while she smoked outside after brunch today. Yes, there was a twinge of longing, but the desire to stay on the wagon was stronger. Yay Me!

Hello everyone! I had my VSG done on 11/06. Things are cool so far. I'm just curious did anyone else stare repeatedly/keep going back to the approved foods list their doctor gave them, in hopes it would magically change or hope you'd find something you missed that you could eat? The liquid stage of this is not unbearable but sometimes I'm screaming in my head " if i have to drink one more meal im gonna lose it!" But then i regain myself, drink my shake and continue on haha.
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Hey there! i had my surgery 8/8 and have had the same issue. It does get better with time! I found the if i applied a little pressure to the site before standing/moving/turning, that often helps! I still have a little pain now, but it is definitely more of a dull pain now rather than a "omg what did I break pain." Hope you get to feeling better sooner rather than later!

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Ok, here it goes. I do major prepping for the week on Sunday. After church, I pop over to Spouts for the veggies and soy yogurt. Once home, I make a batch of granola for the week and store in jars.
I shred up the salad basics (finely shredded brussell sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, with Romaine, spinach, kale.) That is BAG ONE. (Avocado and Tomato added before eating.)
Then I make BAG TWO which is the veggie munchie bag. I can add these to the salad, as well. (Peppers, carrots, celery, cucumber.)
BAG THREE has veggies that I can steam or add raw to salad or use as munchies (cauliflower, broccoli, butternut squash, summer squash, green Beans, etc.)
CONTAINER ONE is prepped fresh fruit (citrus, apple/pear, grapes, kiwi, melon, etc.). I use this in the evening as dessert, mixed with yogurt, Protein Powder, and granola.
In my freezer I have frozen berries, prickly pear juice, and banana chunks for my morning green smoothie. (Kale, soy milk, prickly pear juice, berries, Protein powder, piece of banana.)
I have seeds, nuts, and whole grains stored in jars in my pantry.
I usually make a batch of Soup on Sunday as well, for dinner. Last week it was chili. Week before it was lentil. Before that it was split pea. Today it was chicken with veggies and wild rice. I am conceding to some meat product one day a week at most - but only from my own home grown chickens, eggs, or from my neighbor who raises goats. I am trying to model the plant based eating after real world societies where 80-90% may be plant based, but with intermittent animal sources like fish, eggs, wild game. Animal Proteins are also used in these societies for celebrations like holidays or weddings. So I don't have a problem with a little meat on a holiday. From what I have read, an 80% plant based diet has the same effects on longevity, heart disease, and cancer as 100%. So this is what I am attempting. Hopefully my labs will reflect lower cholesterol and less inflammation.
SAMPLE MENU FOR A DAY: (I prefer to skip Breakfast, but have been adding the meal to increase daily calories.)
BREAKFAST: Green smoothie or multigrain (any combo of whole oat, teff, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, sorghum) cooked Cereal with flaxseed, hemp, berries, soy milk (I usually use the cooked cereal breakfast before a training ride).
lunch and afternoon: Legume/grain based soup (pea protein added), rice cake with Peanut Butter, black bean burger, 1/2 apple with almonds, Veggie munchies. Corn tortilla with refried beans/salsa.
DINNER: "Budda" bowl (salad, beans, nuts, whole grain, seeds, tomato, avocado, olives, edamame, cashew "cheese" dressing.) Steamed veggies.
DESSERT: Fruit/yogurt/granola bowl. Dark chocolate covered almonds. Occasionally some popcorn.
That is a LOT of food. My pouch cannot handle any more.

You look amazing!! Keep up the great work!!

5'4"
Starting weight 297
VSG on 7/31/19
Surgery wt: 266
CW 221
GW 135

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I had NEVER "competed" in athletic events as an adult until after WLS. Yes, I was walking a lot and hiking, but I had not actually swum laps or ridden a bike in decades. Then a friend talked me into a sprint triathlon (swim 400 m, bike 14,2 miles, run/walk 5K). I thought, "I can do that now, " so I registered. I got a bike that suited me and started swimming. Oh my goodness, it was hard. I discovered my old shoulder injuries prevented me from a freestyle stroke, so I did my best with breast stroke. My ortho forbids me to run on my knee replacement, so I walk fast. It was a lot of work, but the fact that I had committed to someone and had registered, made me stick with it. When I finished, and got my participation medal, I was in tears - it was such a milestone moment. I have committed to another one in March - same distances, but now I have a lot more baseline training under my belt and I am working to perfect my breast stroke, learn to speed walk, and am working on my biking efficiency. I only want to better my own time - not beat anyone else, like that is even possible! I also am registered for the 50 mile bike race/ride in 10 days. Again, I might have given up if I had not already paid and made the commitment - and... I want another participation medal!
So I think those paying registrations (especially if they go to a worthy cause) help to keep me on track with regular training. It would me so easy to skip a riding day, but I can't do that with a 50 mile event coming up.
I also want to hike the 830 mile AZ trail, and have several friends who also want to do that . So we are marking our calendars for which segments we will do first. Next October we have committed to 2 northern segments that include the Grand Canyon - down and up in one day. (No medal, but I will definitely buy an "I did it" T-shirt! So I will need to get in a lot of hiking miles before that really BIG event! No room for failure - failure means a very expensive evacuation! Again, it is about built in accountability - making a commitment and having fun with people you know,

This is my day 2 after surgery on Oct 21. I’m finding that it’s hard to swallow pills, but it was hard for me before anyway.
I’m in some pain, but not unbearable. I also have chosen not to take any narcotics—they don’t agree with me.
I’m on a high Protein full liquid diet for the next ten days and those days can’t go by fast enough. It turns out that I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners, which seem to be in all the pre-made Protein Drinks I purchased.
I’m trying to keep in mind my goals for having the surgery. That this stage is temporary — and that the long term goals are worth it!

This is my day 2 after surgery on Oct 21. I’m finding that it’s hard to swallow pills, but it was hard for me before anyway.
I’m in some pain, but not unbearable. I also have chosen not to take any narcotics—they don’t agree with me.
I’m on a high Protein full liquid diet for the next ten days and those days can’t go by fast enough. It turns out that I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners, which seem to be in all the pre-made Protein Drinks I purchased.
I’m trying to keep in mind my goals for having the surgery. That this stage is temporary — and that the long term goals are worth it!

It's my go to vinaigrette (I make 1L batches of the stuff).
I think I've posted the recipe a couple times already on this thread, but here it is again anyway
1 tbsp = 6 cals, 0.2g Protein, 0.3g NET carbs, 0.6g fat
*NOTE 1: the label below for chicken broth mix reads "15g (1 tsp) chicken broth mix", but go by the 15g (which is actually 3 tsps)
*NOTE 2: often I squeeze some fresh lemon on top of the entire salad for more "freshness"

Just had my gastric sleeve on Oct 21.

It does suck. It reminds me of having a newborn baby. So relentless, where you barely finish and have to start again.
Plus, I dislike artificial sweeteners so I find the liquid part even worse, because the Protein Shakes are so blech.
My liquid diet allows me to eat high Protein, low sugar greek yogurt though, which I think makes a difference.
I also find that Syntrax's Decaf Cappuccino flavor does a lot to kill the bad taste of the Protein Shake, so I start with that in the am. In the afternoon I find Syntrax Cookies and cream pretty bearable. Then in the evening I "treat" myself to chicken broth as my clear liquid and an Icelandic yogurt as my protein, and it feels quite normal getting to eat with a spoon. (Plus the hot Soup feels pretty good on my stomach.)
Add 20-25 more ounces of water/clear liquid and it all evens out.
I just hope by the time soft foods come around I'll be able to swallow without feeling gas pains. 😃
Good luck!

I have found that many things on the liquid diet (protein shakes, Jello, sugar free ice pops) all ran on sweet side of things, which got old pretty quick. I found that chicken broth was a lifesaver. A little salty treat for "dinner". Try to break up the sweet and salty and it should help you out.
Its temporary and you will get through it. Just remember why you are doing this.

This is Day 1 for me. I'm still in the hospital hoping to go home. My nurse told me I had to drink 2 bottles of Water before I went home...so I'm struggling with that. For Breakfast I'm having broth. They just gave me Tylenol via IV. So the pain is bearable. Now I am getting ready to walk the halls to help with this gas. I am definitely feeling better today.

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May I vent for a second?,
I’m nearly two months post-op from gastric sleeve surgery. I’m now 40 pounds lighter from when I started this journey at 278 lbs. I look amazing. But in the inside I feel like $#|%. I may be one of few people who Love and Regret my decision at the same time. I finally understand what some of y’all meant when you say you have to be mentally prepared and mentally strong. BOY!!!! I miss being able to eat at my own leisure without worrying if my body will accept it...or wondering if I’ll feel horrible afterward. I thought I knew everything there was to know abt bariatric surgery...but just like a first time parent finds out, boy was I wrong. I realize that for me it’s very difficult to separate myself from my love of food. For me, it’s very comparable to a drug addiction. Of course, I can’t physically eat as much as I want/used to but I long for normalcy! I miss the old me. Am I wrong for feeling this way? I dwell on this feeling everyday. Is there anyone else who feels the same? Is this normal? Honestly, I’m starting to feel some sort of self-doubt which I know can lead me back to bad habits. But I have to be honest with myself and at least acknowledge my thoughts, feelings and actions.
I’m also struggling severely from having to cut certain people off. A few of my close family members, who are also over-weight, have started treating me differently. They constantly mention the fact that I had surgery. And say that I’ve changed...duh!!!! Ya don’t say????!? They say I’m always wanting to be seen, and the truth is that I have more energy to go out and try new things. I can now walk around the room instead of hiding in one spot for hours. They’ve since started delving deep into my personal life with the malicious intent to “discover” something else unflattering about me since weight is no longer a major concern. It hurts me deeply because my intentions currently do not align with my reality. I pictured pure happiness and laughter with my loved ones and friends...and now they’ve turned on me. I pray the good Lord blesses me with new and supportive people in my life who actually accept me as I am, as a person who wants to do better. My struggle with my loved ones make me regret my decision tremendously. I’m not sure what to do.

has anybody tried carbonated drinks after surgery? if so how long after surgery did you wait to try and was it successful? i LOVE seltzer Water and can’t wait to have it again lol

This is my day 2 after surgery on Oct 21. I’m finding that it’s hard to swallow pills, but it was hard for me before anyway.
I’m in some pain, but not unbearable. I also have chosen not to take any narcotics—they don’t agree with me.
I’m on a high Protein full liquid diet for the next ten days and those days can’t go by fast enough. It turns out that I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners, which seem to be in all the pre-made Protein Drinks I purchased.
I’m trying to keep in mind my goals for having the surgery. That this stage is temporary — and that the long term goals are worth it!