jbeesauntie

I hate the shower scenes, there is no good reason other than drama to show those poor people in that compromising position. Even when I watch it I always fast forward through the nakedness.

@catwoman7 I don't think that it necessarily gives the wrong impression. If someone is not willing to do the research and figure out options that is bad on them. I'll admit, I did a lot of research before getting WLS and even after having it done, until I joined this WL site, getting more insight from those that have been through it thereby being able to do more research on what people have said, I realized that there is just so much that we don't know. I mean, even the Dr.'s that perform these surgeries really don't know all that they probably should. As for people that are above 300 lbs, when I went to meetings before I had the surgery there were a ton of people in my community that were over 300lbs. Honestly the first orientation that I went to had people that were so morbidly obese that I really thought to myself and was very afraid that I would not be approved for the WLS. At the time I was definitely morbidly obese, but was "small" compared to many of the other people that were at that first meeting. Reading a variety of discussions on this site has had me come to the conclusion that no one at all has all of the answers when it comes to these types of surgeries. As far as "weird issues" goes and facing mental health issues, if it has not already happened it is being taken into serious consideration to classify being obese as a mental illness. What is normal anyways? Hhmmm wrong impressions? Most of us are or were overweight because of our horrible eating habits and I would even argue that if we had a camera following us around all day for days on end along with editing the video to put all of our eating together to possibly make it have that "wow/whoa" factor for ratings, we probably would not be too far off on how those on the show look. Just sayin. Editing is amazing and ridiculous all at the same time! Yes, I agree that showing people half dressed, on the toilet, in the shower is a bit much, but that is what they signed up for. Side note- this is also what I absolutely hated about the show "the Biggest Looser". That is a whole other story (smh). We have to research more and realize TV needs ratings. There might be truth, but also a lot of bull crap along with it and we are all individuals with different experiences including the Dr.'s and nurses that treat us. They too have different outlooks on the do's and the don'ts and their own personal agendas at times. I am grateful for the surgery and for this site that has connected me with so many different people with a vast amount of re-searchable information!

I think it's probably real, but I think it gives a lot of people - including WLS patients - the wrong impression about WLS. First of all, those people weigh over 600 lbs. I've been working with pre-op groups for the last three years - at least one a month. I have NEVER seen anyone nearly that big in any of the groups. Never. I would say most people in those groups are around 250-ish lbs - and there are always a handful that are probably 300-400 or maybe 450 lbs tops. Most surgeons refuse to operate on patients bigger than that, so they go to high-risk specialists like Dr. Now. But people think most bariatric patients start out at that size, because that's all they've seen on TV. I think the show also features people with a lot of weird issues (as opposed to basically normal people who happen to be morbidly obese, like most WLS patients) because it juices the ratings up.
anyway, among the wrong impressions it gives people about bariatric patients: that we all stuff our faces with pizzas all day long, that we all have bizarre mental "issues", that we drop massive amounts of weight every month (I can't even tell you how many new post-ops here on BP and other forums worry themselves sick because they didn't drop 40 lbs the first month. Good Lord. It's because it's very unusual for someone who starts out at 250 or whatever pounds to drop that much weight. I'm pretty sure they have this expectation because they watch "My 600 lb Life").
I also HATE the fact that they show these people in the shower - or sitting on the toilet. What is the point of humiliating these people?
anyway, not a fan. At all. I guess a "pro" is that it's exposed a lot more people to what WLS is all about, but I think it gives them very inaccurate impressions of it, too.

Man, I used to be somewhat addicted to that show. Very sad, and should be an eye opener for all , struggling with WL or not! As for do I think it is real. Yes I do think that it is real. I almost scheduled my surgery with Dr. Now but decided against it, then did more research and 2 years later had the surgery done free of charge through my insurance near my own hometown thank God! He is a bit harsh and I hope that his harshness is only for tv purposes. I also wonder, does he not require each client to do nutrition classes or have a psych eval? I mean, I only hear him require this after he has been very harsh, has made accusations, and has turned someone away due to their 'dishonesty" and/or unready/unwillingness.

So the 15 pounds a month- that really depends on how much weight that a person still has left to loose for the height they are, age, etc. It also depends on which surgery they got. So a person might be 4 months away from the date of their surgery but if they are still more than 100 pounds overweight, depending on their height 5, 10, or even 15 lbs per month (again depends on the WLS that they chose), is probably not too much to ask. I will say that this was something that bothered me about Dr. Now, I feel like he had the same expectations for which client which is garbage.
Some Dr.'s give goals before they will perform the WLS on anyone, others don't. I was very hesitant because of this and I don't think I would have been able to get the surgery so quickly if there was a special WL goal beforehand. I did inquire about this and the way my Dr.'s looked at it was they could give a goal but many people have a food issue and having to meet some goal is only prolonging a persons journey to health.

So, yeah, "My 600-lb life" is probably fact and no I did not have a WL goal before surgery, although I had one after surgery (I was told that I was loosing too fast, in my research I am loosing at a normal rate for the WL, duodenal switch loop, that I had and I personally think as long as I am healthy and losing weight (not under or over), it is all good.

Side note- I can't stand to watch that show anymore. It seems different than when it first started and I don't like that the journey isn't fully followed or explored the way that it seemed like it was back in the day. I think that there are also different versions with different names as well, which can be why it seems so different. I have always had many motivations for WL, and that show was a big part of it!

I have all but stopped watching this show. I used to watch it to sort of inspire me and keep me on track, but I realized that I just could not watch these people doing some of the things they did. I'm sure that the show edited for drama, but I just couldn't keep watching them shove their faces full of food.
I also had questions about Dr. Now's approach. Why would he wait until AFTER the procedure to get his patients into psychological counseling? It made no sense to me. I also thought he was rather judgemental and harsh, but at the same time, I think if he'd gotten them started in psychological counseling he could have avoided some of these mind games they play with each other.
Rather than all these weight loss journey episodes, maybe he should blend in some "where are they now" episodes. I'd really like to know how successful his patients are in the long-term.

I wouldnt say that I have cheated per se since im not super strict with food anymore after reaching my biggest milestone, but yeah, Ive still lost weight after having a "large" day of food. I think it's my bodies way of saying that I "need" more calories. Still, when I look back over my food journals, my "large" days arent so large but more less structured (since im at home right now) than they should be.

I Make homemade sausage balls with ground turkey and seasonings. I bake them in a mini muffin tin and freeze. Kids love, too.

If you don’t like a lot of “breakfast” foods, or they don’t fit in your plan, no need to eat them for Breakfast. Maybe a quesadilla with fat free cheese and a small, low carb wrap? I really like lox and if you skip the full bagel with it, it’s high Protein, low calorie.

That's basically the only way you're going to stick to this long term: find out what works for you.

This is just my opinion.... the little amount of Bacon/sausage you will be able to eat, won't make that much of a difference. Yes it's high in fat, but you are only eating maybe one-piece... I would eat the meat before i would eat the potatoes..... lots of dr. put there WLS pt on a high fat, low carb diet... Kinda like Keto.
I don't, i stick mostly to portion size. I stick to 1/8 cup of Protein, 1/8 cup veggie 1/8 cup of "other".
Breakfast is coffee and normally a breakfast bar. I like the Special K Pastry Crisps during the weekdays. On Sat/Sun my husband is normally home and i cook. Me: coffee and a 1/4 piece of Daves Good seed bread toasted well. Or one egg (fried), 1/4 piece of bacon and 1/4 piece of toast...(i never finish this).
lunch is tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, left overs from the night before... if not to dry. Chili, baked sweet potato...
dinner is fish, steak, chicken.... with a veggie... Green Beans, baby peas, baked S/potato,

Is it plain eggs like fried, poached, boiled or scrambled you can’t tolerate? I don’t like runny eggs but happily eat scrambled eggs & omelettes. Could you tolerate an omelet with lots of fillings - cheese, mushrooms, spinach, etc. or with a sauce like chilli to change the texture & flavour?
What about mushrooms, a corned beef or vegetable hash, left over meat & vege fritters or fish cakes? (An air fryer will make them crispy without frying them in oil.)
I make tuna/salmon frittata muffins with veges which would work well for breakfast. Five eggs but makes 8-12 half cup muffins. Freezes well too.
I tend to eat plain oatmeal or scrambled eggs for breakfast every day. I enjoy not having to think about what I’m going to eat.

Put a note on the fridge..... YOUR NOT HUNGRY... JUST BORED...
its hard to find things when eggs are not an option. But i understand.... i'm one of the crazy people that HATES!!!! Tomatoes....
Do you like avocados?

On balance I am eating much healthier during coronabs but the scale doesnt reflect it.

@MeowAMR thank you so much—great perspectives! Appreciate the feedback and encouragement 🙂.

at 6 weeks turkey bacon or turkey sausage should be tolerated. You have to see how your body tolerates it as far as weight loss.
Before corona bs started I was eating a large breakfast a few days a week coming out of a 14 hour IF. 2 egg, 2 bacon, half a potato of home fries. Call it 600-700 calories. I have since replaced this with 2 hardboiled egg, 1 cup fruit, 1 slice of cheese. My weight hasnt budged despite this being a much more healthy option.

Hi! I had my surgery on 2/27/20. I usually have greek yogurt for breakfast with a piece of turkey bacon or real turkey breakfast sausage... no problems. I have loss 30 lbs since surgery.. all together 48 lbs counting 2 week pre surgery diet. I too was over 300 lbs.

i'm just curious as to why no meats for breakfast? Did he say why? I wasn't told that for either SX... Not the band or the sleeve. I eat bacon in quench. and i eat less than half a piece on the weekends.
#1... sleeved 8/28/19... i averaged 2lbs per week. This is a revision for me, SW was 173.5, today im holding at 129 which is where i have been for about a month. I found that sometimes i would go a week or so at the same and then BAM.... loss... 2-3lbs..
#2... i do eat bacon and sausage and i eat ham and cheese roll-up sometimes for lunch.
#3.. i wouldn't call it cheating. I call it a blip... Everyone has "blips".... it's all about recognizing them and stopping them. But i can also tell you the people that are just starting out eating chips, ice cream, candy from the beginning are the same that in a few years that will be on here saying....... My WLS didn't work..... I've seen it a thousand times..... I've been here since 2009...
Start off correct.... and if your dr. says no bacon... he must have a reason. I don't like cottage cheese either.. yuck... I know you said NO eggs (most everything has eggs) or bananas.... how about oatmeal? I avoid pancakes and waffles... as they are not really good for you. How about Peanut Butter? How about pears? i eat them a lot. i also eat mandarins from a cup or can... I sometimes eat with ricotta cheese. I eat regular yogurt... not fat free, not low fat as i just don't like them. I love the Liberte' brand.... you have to look hard for them as they are not in every store... we have them in Krogers where i live. They are the best i ever ate....

I think bacon is ok, but not every day. You're going to have to choose what kind of post op person you wanna be. Are you a person who is going to be super strict and a stick to everything your doctor says or a in moderation person. So based off of that you'll get different answers coming from a strict diet person and a moderation person. I'm a in moderation person (although my doctor did tell me regardless of what I eat I will lose no matter what in the first 6months). I do not restrict myself and will eat anything in moderation. For the most part I eat healthy and what I should be eating. But do I have bacon once every two weeks yes. Do I eat chocolate once a week yep... have I ate chips yep! But its all in moderation and knowing you have the will power to control yourself and not binge eat.

I would make eggs your main focus when you're eating breakfast and have 1 piece of bacon. Or make bacon and put some bits mixed in with your egg. Same goes with sausage and ham. Moderation is the key. I'm 8months out and have always lost and never gained. By 2months 2wks post op I was 32lbs down (started at 261lbs), but like someone else mentioned a lot of factors play into how much and how fast ppl lose. I stalled around the same time as you and for almost 3wks it was very discouraging. You still have a long way to go... as do I, hang in there the weight will come off!!

Thank you all for your responses and feedback, very helpful! 😊

I guess I am the exception, but I was not told to not eat bacon or sausage; I pretty regularly have 1 turkey sausage link with my breakfast. It only has 4 grams of Protein, but 4 grams for 35 calories is a pretty big protein hit. I try for about 15 grams (or more) of protein per meal/snack. You could try a link or 2 of turkey sausage and some cream of wheat with some plain Protein Powder added to get a higher protein breakfast.
By the way, I also make various dishes using Italian style turkey sausages; turkey chili, Cajun style sausage and Beans with cauliflower rice, or a Tomato and sausage crumble over spaghetti squash with some parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
I am 2 months post sleeve. I have lost 23 pounds since surgery, and 33 pounds including the 3 weeks of pre surgery diet. I am happy with my weight loss, it is not the huge numbers some people have, but I look at an average of 3 pounds a week as a good rate.
I have not "cheated" since the surgery, but the rules from my team are pretty loose; hit your protein goals, hit your fluid goals, and then fill in (if you can) with fruits and vegetables.

1. I had the Loop Duodenal Switch surgery, but it involves a sleeved stomach... I lost 23 pounds the first month. And I generally lose between 3-4 pounds a week with a rare exception for slightly more, though sometimes under. I'm unsure monthly, since it's only been two and a half months since my surgery...
2. No. I'm not allowed to have bacon per my surgeons guidelines, for now. I can't have sausage via my nutritionists guidelines. And although I CAN have ham, I don't eat it for breakfast. I'm having it for easter lunch though...
3. I haven't cheated once since my surgery. I did this surgery for a reason, why the hell would I destroy that for some momentary satisfaction that will make me feel so much worse after the fact? My family hasn't changed their diet. They still eat pizza, popcorn, cake, Cookies, ice cream, etc. But I have the willpower to say no, I'm not going to destroy how far I've come because I want something that'll make me feel like crap about myself after the fact. I've lost 114 pounds in the last 10 months since I started my weight loss journey. Fifty pounds of that since my surgery and sixty-four prior to the surgery. I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and I won't destroy that. So no, I haven't cheated.
Yes, there are times that it's really hard, but you just have to remind yourself that you are doing this for a reason! My reason was because I wanted to watch my nieces grow up. And, last week I found out my sister is pregnant again, so now I have ANOTHER reason to keep pushing to lose this weight and get myself healthier. I admit, it's a struggle at times, but it'll be WORTH it in the end!

I had RNY rather than VSG, but 22 lbs down is about where I was at that point, and I also started out at over 300 lbs.
there are so many factors that influence your rate of weight loss, and most of them are out of your control (age, gender, metabolic rate, starting BMI). The only thing you DO have a lot of control over is commitment to your clinic's plan.
At almost five years out, I can't eat a lot in the way of fatty meat like bacon and sausage because it makes me feel like crap. I can have a piece now and then, but that's about it. I don't think I ate anything like that the first year or so post-op. I usually ate Greek yogurt for breakfast - but I know you said you're tired of that.
some people eat non-breakfast foods for breakfast, like chicken breast or deli turkey slices with a cheese stick or something along those lines.

My surgery was 2/26.
I have eaten sausage and ham a bunch of times. Didn't really think I was cheating. Heck I had a small bowl of sausage and peppers last night.

I've lost about 35 so far but I'm a guy so its different.

Hi all,

I am 6 weeks post op and I am having a really hard time with Breakfast. Per my surgeons guidelines, he recommends avoiding bacon, sausage (even chicken), ham etc. but my issue is that I hate eggs! So I am tired of having Protein Shakes and yogurt for breakfast. I also don’t want to eat chicken or seafood every morning. I’ve had some bacon and I’m wondering if I am “cheating” and messing myself up.

I hit a stall at 3 weeks, had my menstrual, and went up! It finally broke last week and I lost what I gained but it just doesn’t feel like I’ve made any progress in weeks! I’ve lost 22 pounds since surgery on 2/24 and with my 2 months coming up I feel like I should have lost at least 30 since my starting weight was over 300 pounds! Here are my questions:

1. For those who’ve had a VSG what was your average weekly and/or monthly weight loss after the first month?
2. Do you eat bacon, sausage, or ham for breakfast?
3. Have you cheated and still lost?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give because I am going crazy!

@MsMocie while I appreciate your response, the added sarcasm isn’t necessary. Especially since this is a forum for support. And while I didn’t mention a list of all the foods I don’t like, with the exception of eggs, (especially with bananas) so I don’t know why you mentioned them, I don’t like cottage cheese or tuna.