California Guy

After my surgery for four weeks on the liquid or puree diet, I was consuming 800 to 1100 calories per day.

I tell family, friends, co-workers, anyone that I had WLS. I don't see anything wrong with it. I still lost weight by eating less, eating healthier foods, and increased activity. The WLS is a smart way to gain an advantage in this journey. Hopefully, my example can help someone considering WLS. Some people may judge but I don't worry too much about what others think.

I just passed my intermediate goal weight of 208 lbs. I'm celebrating this milestone today. My final goal weight is set at a realistic 190 lbs. The intermediate goal of 208 pounds is significant since that is my lowest weight in over 20 years. Also, with a BMI under 30, it is the weight I am no longer obese. I am classified as overweight. Results came so fast. I weighed 300 lbs. at the beginning of the year. It has only been 2 1/2 months since my revision SADI-S surgery. I cleaned out my closet since I couldn't wear any of my clothes anymore. Finding nutritious food I love to eat has made this so easy. Nearly all my meals have been prepared at home. I created a set of original recipes. Today's lunch was ground turkey meat tacos. Dinner will be stir fry cashew chicken. Two factors that motivated me to make these changes are resolved with my weight loss. My blood pressure is now always at a healthy level. Pain in my hip joint has diminished by over 90%.

My liquid diet included shakes, sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt and milk.

Try premixed punch sold at GNC or on Amazon. Isopure. They have several flavors. I did a 2 week liquid diet with Isopure and no shakes.

In 2013 I requested a DS. My surgeon explained he does the surgery in two parts. He does the VSG first and we see if that produces the desired results. If not, the revision surgery is available. My two surgeries were almost 7 years apart. VSG produced good results by 1 year post OP then I regained weight. I believe my insurance required 5 years between weight loss surgeries. Usually the revision surgery needs to be medically necessary due to high BMI, acid reflux or comorbidities.

Turkey sausage to serve with scrambled eggs.

The potassium is good for you. I try to have one banana along with other fruit everyday. With such a strict liquid diet, low in sugar, I found I was light headed at times. From the research I did and from discussions with my doctor, I believe one of the factors was low sugar. I simply eat more fruit now to get natural sugars which are much better for you than added sugars. Other factors I attribute the lightheadedness to were the dosage of blood pressure medicine, my body's reaction to rapid weight loss, low food intake during the restrictive diet phases, and dehydration from not drinking enough water. I corrected my diet and halved my blood pressure medicine. I am feeling much better and get excellent pressure readings everyday. I had one of these machines. I ended up taking it back. It was a bit of trouble to get the bananas in the freezer just when they were over-ripe.

Follow your diet and you'll resume your excellent weight loss soon. It is science. Your calorie deficit will result in weight loss. Just be sure to get all your protein so your body won't consume muscle. Here are some things I ate during that stage: eggs, melted low fat cheese or string cheese, mashed potatoes, bananas, peanut butter, applesauce, lean ground meats like turkey, and cooked carrots. Homemade slow cooker turkey chili was a daily staple for a while.

I had Premier Protein shakes, sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt and milk. Get ready for amazing results!

I always wanted to be able to find clothes at any store in the mall.

No, I wasn't hungry at all. I had my sleeve done 7 years ago. Just did the revision to modified DS this year. The liquid diet reset my stomach and I was surprised to feel full with such small portions.

Modified DS has worked well for me. For me, bowel movements are different from prior to surgery. I'd say they are sporadic. I can have many in one day then none for a couple of days. I haven't had any lack of control. Having VSG surgery, losing weight and regaining was a lesson for me. Now this time around after the revision, I'm taking the nutrition plan seriously. I'm eating healthy foods all day at the right portions. I've never followed a diet plan so carefully before without having some junk food time to time. From the research I did prior to selecting this procedure, I read the modified DS is offered as a procedure that reduces dumping syndrome and diarrhea because you keep the pylorus (opening from stomach). Surgeons claim it has a lower degree of GI side-effects and resolves irritable bowel syndrome. Research your options and ask your surgeon all the questions you have. Good luck with your journey!

The seminar should be a toned down sales presentation for the medical procedures available. Everyone involved is either a caregiver, patient in need of WLS, or a patient that successfully went through the process. I've been through three "first" consultations. Once with a family member, once for myself, and once for a revision. Doctors are always very considerate.

I had a sleeve done in 2013. I lost significant weight then re-gained most back. This year I got the SADI-S modified DS. Between the surgery and changing my diet, I've lost 87 lbs. this year. I'm happy with my decision and expect to lose more weight this year and keep it off.

My gallbladder was removed as a preventative measure before getting my duodenal switch in May. From the research I've done, a common complication from getting the duodenal switch is gallstones. This complication is common for patients with rapid weight loss or restrictive diets. If you take the gallbladder out before gallstones develop, you save a lot of pain and drama. I didn't have gallstones but I did have an unhealthy gallbladder and a restricted common bile duct. Fortunately, They resolved the bile duct issue in a separate procedure after the gall bladder removal and before the duodenal switch surgery. These surgeries and a hiatal hernia repair were all done in the same week. I'm feeling great. I recovered quickly. I've lost weight at a rapid pace, 86 lbs. this year so far.

I believe the amount of incision pain mostly depends on what they have to extract. In my case, they took out my gallbladder and the surgeon said he had to cut one larger incision to take it out. This was the one incision that hurt the most and for the longest time. They cut muscle tissue so it takes a while to heal. All in all, I didn't have much pain and only took pain medicine at home one time. Within 5 days post op, I had no discomfort.

I was told to drink 4 protein shakes per day for my liquid diet. I also had sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt, and milk. While the total calories were not a lot, I got plenty of protein and nutrition. I never felt weak. With the liquid diet I lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks and 15 lbs. more by 2 weeks after surgery.

This will give you more options. Remember the puree diet includes everything in the liquid diet so you still have the option to continue consuming those things you like in your liquid diet. I did liquids only for 10 days post op.

Check the stats on patients with the sleeve that regain their weight. I went that route first and regained. This year I had a modified DS (SADI-S) done. I've had amazing results. Stats on keeping the weight off with this surgery are very good.

I am getting all my protein from natural foods. I eat plenty of turkey and chicken. I have eggs 3 - 4 times a week. I have cereal with milk the other days. I snack on yogurt daily.

I told everyone in my family and everyone I'm close to at work. I don't mind sharing with others.

I had shakes, sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, soup broth, gatorade, yogurt and milk.

I had eggs, melted cheese or string cheese, mashed potatoes, bananas, Peanut Butter, applesauce, lean ground meats like turkey, and cooked carrots.

Normally, I don't take any pain medication. I have a high tolerance for pain. I was prescribed Tylenol with Codeine. I only took one dose once I got home. I did great with no pain medication the rest of the time.