The Greater Fool

Welcome to the forums. I'm not one to give advice on pre-op diets because I completely mucked mine up. First, unless things have changed because of the years that have passed or the novel Corona virus, pre-op tests are typically only good for 6 months. I assume you are in contact with your medical team and you/they have addressed this if only to determine it's not an issue. Back to your actual question. You didn't indicate how long until surgery and how long you've been doing your protein shake + exercise plan. So, do the math. You've lost 3 pounds in x days. You have y days until surgery. so at the current rate can you lose the necessary weight in the days remaining. So (3/x) * y = weight you are likely to lose by surgery date. Hows that number look? I'm guessing not good. If the math says you'll get there, or even within a pound or two, then keep doing what your doing. You can always literally starve yourself the last day or so to drop temporary weight quickly. I wouldn't be able to do this. Fortunately you're not me. Hopefully, this will be the last time you have to worry about losing weight fast. Keep doing what you're doing, nothing jumps out at me. Folks may come along with new fangled 'set point' stuff, or some new kelp program, maybe those will help. A lot of words for not much help. It's what I do. Good Luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. A lot of worries there. Take a breath. Just reading between the lines, it seems like you're worried that you won't like the new you. How do you feel about the current you? Now this is gonna seem like a weird thing to say, but... It's said that WLS makes good relationships better and bad relationships worse. You have a relationship with yourself. That voice in your head. Are you abusive about aspects of your life? Do you constantly belittle your outlook or feelings? Do you second guess every decision you make? Do you put yourself down? The voice in your head is going to go to town when you get the VSG. In my opinion, a therapist will help you through this journey. I don't say this often or lightly. You need to learn to deal with the negative voices in your head and work through the one or two issues that may come up. Start learning to like the old you and improve the relationship before things get out of control with surgery. The beginning of addictive habits now will only get worse. Get help. Get more help. Here's the thing. You don't have to have surgery. You know this because you cancelled 5 years ago. Look at why you cancelled: What has changed? Is it enough to have a surgery you believe you will be unhappy with? If your current food/drink lifestyle is that important to you then perhaps surgery isn't the thing for you. If those meals with a glass of wine is something you can't give up, then don't give them up. You will resent yourself for doing it. This is another place therapy will help. Really. People in an attempt to help you get past your issues will share with you how they had similar issues and they got past them. I had a different form of the issues you describe. I knew there would be extra skin. There was extra skin. There is extra skin. I honestly wasn't worried how others would feel about it. I can't control that. I was focused on what I could do about it. I had a abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) that literally killed me and I decided more surgeries would be ill advised. I live with what's left. I have OCD and was a binge eater. I was worried I would go back to binge eating not how I could incorporate it into my new lifestyle. I wanted to change my habits, which amazingly, I did. For you, with the sleeve, you will be able to eat or drink anything you want. ANYTHING. But not as much as you want. Since you can't eat much, you need to make healthy choices. Wow, this post went in a completely different direction than I expected. Good luck, but don't count just on luck. Get help. If you need it it will help. If you don't need it it will help. Tek

I thought I'd add a couple thoughts... You probably made the right decision 3 years ago. Whether you did or didn't, here you are now, again with a decision before you. Just because it was not the right time for you then does not mean that your choice was wrong. It certainly does not mean it was ignorant. Calling it ignorant may be wrong. Perhaps ignorant. As you say, you were not prepared to make the commitment required. You were in a different place. You were clever enough to grasp that 3 years ago you weren't ready. Sure you may have failed to do it yourself, as do 95% of people. Something in you needed the final effort. This time around it *IS* different. Obviously, you're three years further down the road. You are, in fact, in a very different place. You now have your sister's up close and personal experience. You've seen the commitment that is required. You've had 3 more years of learning. You also understand more clearly what is expected of you. What your goals actually mean and require. You've been mentally preparing for how you would cope with the issues your sister has been dealing with. You now grasp the actual commitment you are making. Your decision 3 years ago was a good decision. Here we are 3 years later. You've continued to learn and to grow. What you decided then takes nothing away from your decision now, rather it's all part of the same journey. It was a big decision then. It continues to be a big decision now. Don't belittle your process. Now your are revisiting the choice to have WLS. As before you will consider everything. You may choose to have surgery or you may not. It will be your choice and it will be the right choice for you now. We will be here for your either way. Good luck again, Tek

I have spent a lifetime avoiding cameras and have crafted principled opposition to personal pictures of any public sort. For me, this has not changed. Of course, this site is about weight and weight loss. Pictures are a natural part of measuring and sharing our success. WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR SUCCESS. The dramatic outward changes that only pictures can reveal... well, as the saying goes: "A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS." For many people sharing before and after (or during!) pictures is a rite of passage. Congratulations on your success! As I know everyone is interested in my opinions on pictures and can't live without knowing... well tough... I'm not telling! I don't want this to sound weird or stalkerish, but you are looking good. Keep it up. Good luck, Tek

What the everlasting ******** are you trying to ********** accomplish!!!! Welcome to the forums. I'd just go to Walmart or Target or whatever your preferred store is. They will have all sorts of options that do what you want in the price range you want that have the appearance you prefer. It's really all about you and your preferences. But know this, if you make a bad choice your whole program will fail. For me, it has to have Mickey doing the pointing, or it's simply not going to work. Good Luck, Tek

Congratulations. You reminded me of something when all those years ago when as a pre-op I was working to put together documentation of my situation. I needed 5 consecutive years of documented Morbid Obesity. Now this was beyond ridiculous that weighing 600+ pounds I had to "prove" it. Like 600+ pounds happened overnight. They said pictures would work. Like I hadn't been avoiding cameras for... well... forever. And doctor files? Like I hadn't been trained for years that Doctors were to be avoided because, to them, I had one problem and one solution: "Morbidly Obese" and "Lose weight." But, I had been to the Doc for one reason or another for which medications were a 'short term' mitigation, so our final hope was that the Doc made some sort of notation that would help. As it turned out, I had Doc visits in each of the last 5 years. There was hope. But, I couldn't fit on their scales, even if they wanted to weigh me. Hope was dying. We got the file copies. As it turned out on each appointment the Doctor noted I was "Super Morbidly Obese". After staring at the notes for a few moments we both started laughing maniacally and gasped that this was the first time I was glad to be described as "Super Morbidly Obese." Since about September 2004 it has not described me since. Funny how all this flips reality in unusual ways. True story Tek

I hope you don't mind, I had RNY back in April 2003. I was 6'2" (now 6'1") and weighed almost precisely 320 pounds, give or take 300 pounds. It took me 11 months to cross from 3-- to 2--. At about this time I was walking several miles a day when I thought I'd experimenting with how running felt. Running felt good and over the next few months I was eventually running 90+ miles a week. In October 2004 I ran my first marathon. I actually got to having lost too much weight, eventually getting to about 180 pounds, which was far to thin. One year later after my fifth marathon I abruptly stopped running and gained up over then back down to 240 which is a fine weight for me. During the period I was binge running we worked and failed to keep me from losing too much. My base plan is 3 meals of 3oz protein + 1oz veggies. This was increased to 6 meals a day and I was still losing too much weight. We added two protein drinks and dropped one meal (to 5). I was a binge eater pre-op but with this plan I was unhappy because I felt like I was eating all day. What a weird flip of attitude. Ultimately, once I stopped binge running, getting to and maintaining an appropriate balance between my plan and my weight seemed to work itself out. Most people seem to lose restriction with time. My restriction now is not much different than just after surgery. I didn't overeat (much) in the first 18 months. Even when I did increase food to support my binge running I increased the number of meals not the meal composition or size. I don't know if my restriction remains because I was just so focused on compliance, or if there was something unique about how my pouch was created or constructed, or if I was just lucky. I just know my restriction is still in play and I still don't push it much. In the first 6 months you almost can't not lose weight. I focused on staying as on plan as possible during this period because staying on plan with the positive reinforcement of losing weight is powerful magic. Now, all these years later I still have the positively reinforced mentality that plan = good weight. Perhaps this was my luck. Good luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. Good luck this time around. I won't tell my wife about the 'baribabes' thing. Tek

Welcome to the forums. There is a reason there are literally zillions of different brands of vitamins out there. The reason isn't that one of them is best. The reason is that everyone puts a different emphasis on what aspects are important. Basically, you need to decide what is important to you. Maybe it needs to be chewable. Or natural. Or one multivitamin. Or shaped like cute animals. Or just that right shade of beige. Or by that company that that RomCom star likes. Or because the cute clerk at the vitamin store recommends it. Some people don't even do vitamins. Others take toxic levels of them. As with all things, do your research, figure out what matters to you, narrow it down to a few dozen options, then do what makes sense. Good luck, Tek

I'd also be careful with temperature. Cold or hot might cause a spasm, plus a fresh surgery might be sensitive to temperature more than usual. Good luck, Tek

pu-ree noun 1. a smooth, creamy substance made of liquidized or crushed fruit of vegetables. Learn something new every day. My Doc said just throw the food (protein + veggies, either together or separately) in a blender and push the button. Never occurred to me it originally only applied to fruits/veggies. Now I have to be clear about including protein in the future. I always considered it a process rather than being veggie/fruit specific.

Welcome to the forums. So, this procedure makes an overly large pouch, presumably stretched, small again. Don't really have any experience and I doubt my opinion would matter much as I don't find myself in the position of needing the procedure. Mostly I'm here to say "Hello." Hello. My assumption is you are having this procedure done sooner rather than later, so look forward to your report on your experience. Good luck, Tek

Any protein you like can be pureed. In my 6 weeks of puree I did Mongolian BBQ, Thia chicken, Chicken Alfredo (very light on alfreado), Prime rib. Measure and grind. Whatever you like. The would is your oyster. Don't puree the oyster, that doesn't sound good. Good luck, Tek

Here I thought your surgeon was extra sexxxxy.

Welcome to the forums. I don't satisfy any of your requirements for, well, anything. Just wanted to say "hello." Hello Enjoy the ride. Tek

I don't remember my tastes changing. But I'm old and forget things. Well, obviously, I don't do sugar or overmuch fat as I dump. I have moderately severe OCD so one manifestation is that if one is good ten is better. So, for me, it was about ending the binging. My favorites were proteins so I could keep most of my favorites post-op. But, folks do report taste changes, which is why completely understanding our food plans is so important. When everything you thought you liked tastes like crap what are you going to eat? If you know why your plan is your plan you will be able to identify other foods that are on your plan. Good luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. Advice... Research all the surgical options. Make sure you understand them completely, the good, the bad, the complications, the eating plan, horror stories, and make sure you know everything there is to know. This knowledge is necessary so that you may make an informed choice about which surgery you want. Understand the food plan. Not just what you are supposed to eat and drink but WHY. Thus, if you are in a unusual place you will be able to confidently make a food choice that is on plan. Can you honestly stay on the food plan for the rest of your life? Now the the part about actually DOING stuff related to surgery. Insurance: In IRL you have government insurance (HSE?), so it's not as bad as USA. Here is something about HSE & WLS. Tests: You will be having surgery so your Doc is going to want to run all sorts test to ensure you live through surgery. Docs are such sticklers about keeping patients alive. You can't get out of the test, so just do them as quickly as you can. Surgery is going to hurt, but you'll be asleep. When you wake and likely for a week or more you will be in pain. Not only that but you will likely have trouble eating and drinking. Don't panic. This too shall pass. Now is fun times. You have to learn to eat again. No, you don't get it. You have to learn the mechanics of eating again. You must take small bites and chew it beyond reason. As simple as this sounds you'll do it wrong and it may hurt. Keep working at it, you'll get it. You have to be consistent about your plan. Your tastes may change which is why before surgery you learned every thing about your plan so that now you can figure out things you like and things you don't and the whole while you will stay on plan. Exercise. Yeah I know, I hate exercise for it's own sake. But if you're like me you can just increase your activity. I enjoy people watching so I would go places where I could walk around and people watch. It got to where I was walking 5-10 miles. If you enjoy exercise then do that. Go find your scale and lose it. Scales are evil. You don't need a scale to tell you how you are doing. So many people are doing great on their plan, then the scale doesn't change for 2-3 weeks. They panic and want to change their plan so they can 'kick start' the weight loss. Read that again. They are doing great but the scale caused them to want to abandon their successful plan. Oh, your relationships. Even without telling anyone you are upsetting the balance in your relationships. The good relationships will likely get better and the bad ones worse. Don't worry about it, you did this for you, not them. Now we're to the fun stuff. As you lose you will need to buy new clothes. Then more new clothes. You will start participating in life, doing things you weren't able to before. Pre-op I made a list of 50 things I wanted to do after surgery, then crossed them off as I did them. Little things like fitting in a theater seat. Big things like achieving a normal BMI. You'll learn that some of these things are not that interesting after all. And there are other things you never thought of that are oh so very cool. Good luck, Tek

Arabesque there is only room for one curmudgeons around here. Now, what am I supposed to say when you've hit all my standard stuff... OH, I got it. trinityjacobs get rid of the scale. It will lie to you. If you are on plan, you don't need a number on a scale. Look how you feel now about it. Worse, scales sometimes tell the truth. In this case it MAY be telling you that you are not staying on plan. Put the scale away, you can weigh at your Docs. Good luck, Tek

It may not be your Doc's practice to prescribe or discuss post-op meds until... post-op. He may want to have a sense of what happened during the surgery, and also see how your feel after. Good luck, Tek

Before I say anything, you absolutely need to focus on staying on plan. So... There are plenty of post-op plans that include pureed food starting the day of surgery. So eating mashed potatoes will probably not end the world. No matter what you do, you will lose weight for a few months. By time what you eat matters to your weight loss you'll have already built all your new habits. Once you stop losing weight it's too late to do it right. Stay on your plan. Do it right. Now. You really can do it. Good luck, Tek

Medications don't cause dumping, unless they've been loaded with sugar. Doesn't mean they won't make you sick though. Remember, all medication have intended effects and side, unintended effects. Any medication decision at 1 week post-op, or really for the near future, should include your Doc. You and your Doc are intimate with your health situation, while we are just random interweb voices. Good luck, Tek

So, you're back to dieting? The reality of dieting and diet failure hasn't changed. Perhaps you should consider returning to your post-op plan. Our post-op plans are intended to be lifelong, sustainable plans. Consistency and sustainability is the path to health, happiness, and weight maintenance. Good luck, Tek

It's been a minute since 1974. Times change. Science advances. First, you don't HAVE to tell Dad anything. You're an adult, more or less, so it's your choice who you tell what. You know your Dad. You know if telling him is a good idea or not. *IF* you choose to tell your Dad, you even know how you should do it. You have more experience in this that we do. Trust yourself. Trust Dad if it makes sense to do so. Good luck,

Surgery is harder on some of us than others. It may just take you a bit longer to get past the pain. I would make sure I am doing small sips, room temperature or perhaps slightly warmer water. Cold or hot could cause a shock to your fresh surgery and cause pain in a variety of ways. Experiment a bit with temperatures, see if it gets you anywhere. Your Doc will get you through it. Tek

Here at The Greater Fool Laboratories, we are here to serve and support you. If you carefully package this taco salad and send it on to The Greater Fool Laboratories we will ensure that it makes it over to the appropriate forum. Thank you for supporting TGFL. Tek