MandoGetsSleeved

For those on the fence about surgery…it’s been a wild and crazy year, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Thank you to everyone here for the motivation and tips. I still have 20-30 lbs to go but man am I proud of my progress. From a 22 to a 10!

Hi, I just experienced something very similar last week after eating a fatty meat (Brisket). Pretty much immediately after eating, I had stomach cramps and an immediate urge to go to the restroom. That went on for two days at which point I KNEW it wasn't dumping. Pain was pretty knarly and I ended up in the ER when my docs office didn't have an appointment. One CT later and I was diagnosed with colitis. UGH - 8 days of bathrooms and antibiotics, I'm MUCH better. I was able to get some additional bloodwork done and see my surgeon's PA - She said while it wasn't "normal" to have an episode of colitis, the fatty food may have well set it off and that I shouldn't be overly concerned at this point as long as the pain was gone now, I don't have any addtional espisodes, and to expect my digestive system to get back to normal over the next week or so.
If you aren't feeling better soon, definitely do what you need to do to have additional testing done.

So the pain became a little more intense and my doctors office didn't call back so I decided to go to the ER. Good news... Bad News... Good News, I can probably eat Brisket again (hey, I'm trying to be positive here!). Bad news, it's Colitis - Apparently I have a severe infection (2 antibiotics for 7 days) and get to see a new kind of doc. Honestly, I was hoping for this to be a simple gallbladder kind of deal.
On a positive note, I've got no doubt I'll lose the remaining 10lbs with this issue! :)

For those on the fence about surgery…it’s been a wild and crazy year, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Thank you to everyone here for the motivation and tips. I still have 20-30 lbs to go but man am I proud of my progress. From a 22 to a 10!

So the pain became a little more intense and my doctors office didn't call back so I decided to go to the ER. Good news... Bad News... Good News, I can probably eat Brisket again (hey, I'm trying to be positive here!). Bad news, it's Colitis - Apparently I have a severe infection (2 antibiotics for 7 days) and get to see a new kind of doc. Honestly, I was hoping for this to be a simple gallbladder kind of deal.
On a positive note, I've got no doubt I'll lose the remaining 10lbs with this issue! :)

I swear I had a near death experience this afternoon with two small pieces of Brisket. Just whining, but oh damn, I won’t be having that again for awhile. What the heck? I’ve had it since sleeve, but WHEW, this time the new stomach said “oh hell no” and my entire digestive system began its revolt. It’s best I don’t go into details.

just for those of you new to the tool. It’s great, works like a champ if you work the program. But whew, every once in a while you get a harsh reminder that sometimes foods you used to love will bite you back!

OK, so yesterday I was just whining about the pain in my stomach - Today, it STILL hurts. Stomach feels like a rock is in there. Nothing seems to be blocked, not getting any burning in my chest - Not throwing up. Just an intense pain in my middle abdomen. NEVER had this happen before. Of course I'm googling at 3am and still not coming up with anything. I'll give this another 24 hours, but geesh, might have to call the doc if I don't get some relief.

I swear I had a near death experience this afternoon with two small pieces of Brisket. Just whining, but oh damn, I won’t be having that again for awhile. What the heck? I’ve had it since sleeve, but WHEW, this time the new stomach said “oh hell no” and my entire digestive system began its revolt. It’s best I don’t go into details.

just for those of you new to the tool. It’s great, works like a champ if you work the program. But whew, every once in a while you get a harsh reminder that sometimes foods you used to love will bite you back!

I swear I had a near death experience this afternoon with two small pieces of Brisket. Just whining, but oh damn, I won’t be having that again for awhile. What the heck? I’ve had it since sleeve, but WHEW, this time the new stomach said “oh hell no” and my entire digestive system began its revolt. It’s best I don’t go into details.

just for those of you new to the tool. It’s great, works like a champ if you work the program. But whew, every once in a while you get a harsh reminder that sometimes foods you used to love will bite you back!

I swear I had a near death experience this afternoon with two small pieces of Brisket. Just whining, but oh damn, I won’t be having that again for awhile. What the heck? I’ve had it since sleeve, but WHEW, this time the new stomach said “oh hell no” and my entire digestive system began its revolt. It’s best I don’t go into details.

just for those of you new to the tool. It’s great, works like a champ if you work the program. But whew, every once in a while you get a harsh reminder that sometimes foods you used to love will bite you back!

Crossing my legs!

I also do not drink alcohol (I can't stand the taste), but I would be very careful with it from what I've seen on here and on other groups for several reasons: you can get drunk very quickly, especially at first. Alcohol gets absorbed very quickly and your blood alcohol can quickly go over the limit for driving and then for being just drunk to the point where you can't really function. And as you said, you're taking in empty calories and setting yourself up for eating other junky food. Plus there's a risk for cross-addiction. Some people become addicted to alcohol the way they had issues with food before surgery. It's not super common, but it definitely happens. That's not to say you should never drink, but maybe keep it to one small serve occasionally.
I personally have told everyone in my life about my surgery. I just can't lie easily and if people see me losing weight, I knew I'd never be able to lie or even omit the surgery part. Plus, I was so excited to finally be doing it. I was not embarrassed. I felt like I was finally taking control of my life. The reaction I got was extremely positive except for one person I barely knew (I posted on Facebook). She has a whole "fat positive" view of life and has also had some sort of weight loss procedure that did not go well.
I can't say whether you should or should not have the surgery, but I think maybe you should discuss with a bariatric trained therapist to talk about your concerns. Good luck in your decision!

Crossing my legs!

For those on the fence about surgery…it’s been a wild and crazy year, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Thank you to everyone here for the motivation and tips. I still have 20-30 lbs to go but man am I proud of my progress. From a 22 to a 10!

Not sure where you got 900 per day for eternitiy - We're all different and will have different requirements. Yes, there are standards, but I would question ANY physician or nutritionist who made that sort of statement.
Looking at your surgery date - Is this your first stall? If so, it could really be as simple as your body levelling out and you'll pick back up shortly.

You look amazing! Congratulations on your progress! I'm very happy for you!

@Paul.VDH No worries - OK, my 2 cents on "pouch reset" and "counting calories" - Let's look at it logically.... We all know you have to consume less calories than you burn - Otherwise = weight gain. At 10 months out, let's face it, you're bored with the "diet" and ready to venture into new foods. At least I know I was. For me, I simply had to come to a compromise with myself and knock on wood, so far it's working. You can do the pouch reset, and you WILL lose weight by going through the phases again - IF you're doing that to get back on track, then go for it. IF you're doing it to lose 5-10 lbs quickly and then go back to what you're doing today - It's a temp fix. No different than what many of us have done before on previous diets. Use the app to make yourself AWARE of what you're doing to self-sabotage and make realistic modifications from there. If you want something that's "forbidden" (cake, alcohol, fried food, etc.), have it - BUT, in a reasonable quantity - I was just talking to a friend last night who also did the surgery and we were talking about these things - Instead of eating something like it's the last time you will EVER have it again (food funeral?), have a bite or two and then put it up and replace it with something more reasonable if you're still hungry. Example - Last night my husband had country fried steak (one of my all time favorites - can you say comfort food!!) - Rather than have 3-4 ounces of it - I had two bites and was still hungry so I had a Protein Shake. A month or so ago, I would have eaten it until I was stuffed and then swear I wouldn't indulge again (and of course I would!). Drinking... well, again, I told myself that if I was going to fall off the wagon, I should make it worth it and over do it. I'm consciously working on enjoying a glass of wine (vs. a bottle) or a glass of bourbon (vs 1/2 a bottle!).
At just over a year out, I pretty much eat and drink whatever I want. It's been an adjustment, but slowly but surely I'm getting where I want to be. Many days/weeks I don't track. When I find that I'm self-sabotaging (I get on the scale each and every day), I go back to tracking. Seeing it in black and white (both the scale and the tracking) helps me get back on track to maintain and/or lose. I may or may not ever get to my goal weight, but I'll be damned if I'm going back to where I started.

I was shopping at costco today and walked up to a display of down vest type jackets. There was a woman looking at them as well. As I was digging through the pile she said “Oh, I already looked-they’re out of smalls in all colors”. Even two years post op it surprised and delighted me to have a stranger look at me and assess me as a size small. It made my day 😊

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of my sleeve surgery. I am so glad I did this, and wish I'd done it years ago! It hasn't been without struggles, and I had hiatal hernia surgery in June 2021 because my sleeve had "slipped" up into my chest cavity. Still... all is good, I am SO MUCH BETTER since having the hernia repair, and I have kept all my weight off. I am just happy, and want to say to those with doubts... YOU CAN DO THIS!!

@Paul.VDH No worries - OK, my 2 cents on "pouch reset" and "counting calories" - Let's look at it logically.... We all know you have to consume less calories than you burn - Otherwise = weight gain. At 10 months out, let's face it, you're bored with the "diet" and ready to venture into new foods. At least I know I was. For me, I simply had to come to a compromise with myself and knock on wood, so far it's working. You can do the pouch reset, and you WILL lose weight by going through the phases again - IF you're doing that to get back on track, then go for it. IF you're doing it to lose 5-10 lbs quickly and then go back to what you're doing today - It's a temp fix. No different than what many of us have done before on previous diets. Use the app to make yourself AWARE of what you're doing to self-sabotage and make realistic modifications from there. If you want something that's "forbidden" (cake, alcohol, fried food, etc.), have it - BUT, in a reasonable quantity - I was just talking to a friend last night who also did the surgery and we were talking about these things - Instead of eating something like it's the last time you will EVER have it again (food funeral?), have a bite or two and then put it up and replace it with something more reasonable if you're still hungry. Example - Last night my husband had country fried steak (one of my all time favorites - can you say comfort food!!) - Rather than have 3-4 ounces of it - I had two bites and was still hungry so I had a Protein Shake. A month or so ago, I would have eaten it until I was stuffed and then swear I wouldn't indulge again (and of course I would!). Drinking... well, again, I told myself that if I was going to fall off the wagon, I should make it worth it and over do it. I'm consciously working on enjoying a glass of wine (vs. a bottle) or a glass of bourbon (vs 1/2 a bottle!).
At just over a year out, I pretty much eat and drink whatever I want. It's been an adjustment, but slowly but surely I'm getting where I want to be. Many days/weeks I don't track. When I find that I'm self-sabotaging (I get on the scale each and every day), I go back to tracking. Seeing it in black and white (both the scale and the tracking) helps me get back on track to maintain and/or lose. I may or may not ever get to my goal weight, but I'll be damned if I'm going back to where I started.

@Paul.VDH I'd also like to add - Please don't be ashamed on this forum - It's a journey - We all make mistakes, some of us get complacent, some of us get plain ole lazy (ME!), but we just have to keep on trying. Using the app is one way to hold yourself accountable without feeling the "shame" of sharing it with the world. I know if I stop tracking, I start snacking (It's easy to convince myself that everything is good...).

Hi Paul - Going to "sort of" agree with some of the other posters - 10 ounces would make a lot of us sleevers pretty miserable so I am definitely going to suggest a couple of apps for you - I use "Baritastic" and "Lose It" (both free). They are super convenient and allow you track your food. What I would suggest trying is to do NOTHING different for about a week or two. Weigh yourself and if no loss, try and reduce the caloric intake by 100 calories per day for another week. Since you'll be tracking, it may be as simple as cutting out an ounce from the 10oz per meal.
1200 calories per day doesn't sound like a lot for a man, but as you noted, we're all different and you may aborb calories differently and require less. Substituting "heavy" foods that stick in your stomach may also help with keeping you fuller for longer. I also try and make sure that whenever I'm feeling snacky, I drink Water first.

Been a while. Things are good. Fittest ive ever been in my life. Still struggle with body image some days. Important to remind ourselves once in a while how far weve come. Hard work pays off. Hope everyone is well.

365lbs to 253lbs

Still can’t believe it’s me in both pictures! I’m literally less than half the person I was before and feel better than ever! 16 months post op ❤️
SW 268
CW 125