Edge13

I'm just over 16 months out from bypass, and I still can't eat white meat chicken, or any dryer meats like pork chops, or steak, without hurling. The great thing is I still don't miss them. I can eat bacon though, but it can't be crisp.

People have been mostly supportive, but they definitely do treat me differently since the surgery. A lot of stuff gets said behind your back that doesn't match up to the smiles to your face. It is what it is🤷🏾‍♂️. I did this for my health, not other people's approval. I'm happy. The weight loss shrink they make you see was pretty spot on about this. Just as an aside, I think it's totally different for guys vs. girls. If I fire back at shade thrown my way, it's seen a lot differently than if a woman fired back. Stupid societal norms. The way I see it, it's not normal to let some guy a few years out from losing at beer pong in his fraternity, cut me open and redo my stomach. So, if I can break THAT norm, to heck with the rest of them. I'll just enjoy the new lease on life.

Congrats bro! I still couldn't get into running. For my cardio, I fell in love with the rowing machine. It's my moment of Zen (almost) every day.

Diabetes. Saw how that story ended a few times. Didn't want to live it. Day after surgery they told me to stop all diabetes medication. Been good since. No heartburn, and no CPAP, are great bonuses.

I'm 13 months out, and still can't do white meat chicken, or pork too good. Processed meat is just fine. Eggs were tricky. Early on after liquid diet, they made me sick, unless I scrambled them a certain way. Now they're staple, and in one day I may have them scrambled, omelette, and boiled, at different times.

I'm a guy, 13 months post bypass, and honestly I only count calories, and protein. I try to keep it under 1500 cals, and always try to hit the 90g of protein the dietician wants me at. Carbs work themselves out, because I may want that muffin, but if it's 300 calories of pure carbs, that's a fifth of my daily count, and it does nothing for actually feeling full, so I may eat half, or less, and add a protein.🤷🏾‍♂️

Almost a year out, and I still can't eat white meat chicken. At all. Or turkey. It will not go down. Eggs were weird... initially they were ok, then they weren't, and now they're good again. Hopefully they stay good, because it's an easy, versatile protein. Rice... two spoons, ok. Two spoons and one grain, 🤢. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I deleted all of those apps from my phone after surgery. Every single one. Now, almost a year out, I've got one of them back, because it's for coffee. Good observation. I tell people about this all the time.

Absolutely. It's still worth it, imo. I've seen seen 3 unique cases all go through this process, from unbelievably healthy aside from weight, to scooter bound. By the time the one year check in came around, all were living a better life. Write your concerns down. Ask your doctor. I asked sooo many questions. Ask to sit in on a post op recheck for another group, if they'll allow it. I suggest the 6 month one. Listen to their experience. It's the most honest info you'll get. Good luck.

Yes! Faith No More shirt with Jim still in the picture lol. All the weird one offs, like Ugly Kid Joe and Faster Pussycat. Plus clothes just looked different back then. I have a denim hoodie from the 90's, and the younger crowd I work with are always asking where to get Bugle Boy 😂 Honestly, new clothes hasn't been too exciting. Seeing all the old stuff that I barely used is where the fun is. Glad I tossed them in the attic... OH! NSV! I can use the pull down stairs for the attic again!

Thank you, that was aces👍🏾

Under my account, it lists me as pre-op. I am very post-op, but see no way to change it. Is there a way? Thanks.

If your last paragraph there was reworded as follows, does it ring true to you? "This is a very long post to ask myself; I’m doing the right thing, right? I am being rational and making sense. I know I can lose the weight, but keeping it off is constantly clawing and if I slip now just a little, the lose/gain cycle could catch up, and I'm so tired of it." If it does ring true, you pretty much answered yourself. If there's any doubt, you absolutely need to deal with that.

It's the snacks that will get ya. Calorie wise, the other stuff doesn't seem bad at all.

I took my glasses, my phone, my Kindle to read (I read all night lol), a charger for both, my CPAP machine, deodorant, toothpaste/brush, and bluetooth earbuds. I wore slip on shoes, light sweatpants, and a button up shirt, because I knew they'd have me walking the halls that night. The hospital did end up providing toiletries, so I took those for nothing.

I'm 9 months out and do about 6 oz of moka pot coffee a day. For me, it curbs my appetite in a big way.

I track broadly. If something is 240 calories, my mind registers it as 300. Around 900 calories I just go with shakes, or fruits until the next day. I weigh daily, same time in the morning, and decide whether to analyze the prior days nutrition based on that number.🤷🏾‍♂️

I make the peanut butter "cookies". Peanut butter, an egg, and sweetener (I use honey, and only half the called for amount). Google any 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe. Easy to just grab one or two as a snack. Satisfies the craving, and the craving goes away eventually.

Fluids in the weeks after surgery. 6 oz water, 2 oz protein shake, an hour.

I think around then I baked cheese on parchment to make "nachos", then had them with sour cream, guac, and a very small bit of very mild salsa.

I really want a nice car, but have settled for just researching them lol. It's a compromise my logic and emotions can agree on.

Early on cravings might occupy your mind. I'm going to my 6 month next Monday. It gets easier, and more routine. Right now, my best advice to you is occupy your mind with something else. I used to throw my headphones on, water bottle in one hand, protein shake in the other, and go walking. If it's too early for that, reading is great, or binge a series, or play an involved video game. Anything to not think about food, and just get your 6 and 2 in.

I had bad sweet tooth cravings, but was able to get through it by eating oatmeal with some honey, or the banana fake ice cream. After about 3 months post surgery, the craving went away. Edit to add, even if you fill a cup with the sugar free whipped topping and put it in the freezer, it settles down to a sort of ice cream consistency. Just enough to get you by without hurting anything.

I didn't really consider the surgery until I had a health issue beyond obesity. Once I became diabetic, it was a no-brainer, and all fear was gone, because I've seen the bad ending with diabetes a couple times. Whatever happened on the table, I'd rather face WLS than diabetes. That I got to stay home for 6 weeks, play video games, and save on groceries, just helped seal the deal. 🤷🏽‍♂️ I do wish I had done the surgery sooner in life, when I was well, as you are now. The decade, and more, prior to the surgery would have been so much different. Best of luck to you.

2 months might be too early for a protein bar, but a protein shake will have you feeling great through the day. Maybe have a string cheese, or some cottage cheese for snacks.