So I had a question and was curious what all of your thoughts were on it:

As a Firefighter/EMT we cannot always plan our meals exactly. Just the other day I missed what would be my lunch time, because of a actual structure fire. My concern is what is going to happen if I miss my meal and I do heavy physical activity such as fighting a fire or trying to extricate someone from a car accident? Will I pass out or what? Also are there any firefighters or emts out there who have had to deal with this issue? And not the 2 week post op. I'm talking 6 months, 1 year, and so on.

Just keep drinking a lot of water. You might get weak if you skip a meal. You would have to ask the

bariatric doctor about the situation. Also, you probably should have a protein bar on you and a

bottle of water just in case you do get weak.

You learn what you need to eat and get into a groove as to when to eat it. As long as you are conscience of your constraints, i.e. needing to perform at a second's notice, you'll be fine.

As a somewhat competive runner, I was able to keep my body fueled just fine. I was able to run 6 miles daily and up to 18 miles through the hills on the weekends. It took some training to get my nurtition just right, but once you figure it out, you'll be fine. There are lots of us sleeve athletes on here, so just keep reading and asking questions.

Hi hose dragger-

I'm a paramedic firefighter and I was sleeved about seven months ago. I work at a pretty busy station and i have not had any problems with energy levels while at work. I keep a Protein bar and Water bottle in the rig with me. If I eat every three or four hours I don't have any problems. Good luck!

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So I had a question and was curious what all of your thoughts were on it:

As a Firefighter/EMT we cannot always plan our meals exactly. Just the other day I missed what would be my lunch time' date=' because of a actual structure fire. My concern is what is going to happen if I miss my meal and I do heavy physical activity such as fighting a fire or trying to extricate someone from a car accident? Will I pass out or what? Also are there any firefighters or emts out there who have had to deal with this issue? And not the 2 week post op. I'm talking 6 months, 1 year, and so on.[/quote']

My husband is an EMT and he never leaves the house without a little cooler. He usually has PB&J and always a shaker with Protein powder in it that he can add Water to. He also takes bananas so he can get potassium if he's on a long call. He said he's lost without his cooler. It goes straight in his rig so he's never without it on a call.

I am in New York City train operator and have similar questions being underground, being without a microwave or refrigerator, etc. I am scheduled to have the sleeve in May, and I was concerned as to how I would handle the job. Good suggestions; thanks.

Everyone's best bet is to carry a few protein bars at all times. They wrk great for those missed meals! You'd be surprised how full you get on one:)

I appreciate all the advice. My roommate who is also an EMT brought up a good point when she asked me that.

She is concerned as well as my fiance, that having the sleeve surgery will restrict how much I can take in and function as a FF.

I am also curious do you have to do the Protein shakes, Vitamins and other stuff for the rest of your life? Or as you loose weight you can cut back on these kinds of things?

Premier makes awesome packaged RTD protein drinks and I often have a package of crackers in the glove box for when my carbs are running low. Don't overthink it. It really is quite easy to adapt. You have to remember ... *normal* people do this all the time.

I pack an insulated lunch bag every morning with a couple of diff cheese sticks, a peeled boiled egg in a baggie, a rtd premier or mm shake and a yogurt. I boil eggs on the weekend and leave them in the shells in a bowl in the fridge. I log all this into mfp in the morning before i leave. I sometimes add a grape isopure to swig on the drive home. Its not hard if everything is ready to grab out, toss in and go! I have bits of this throughout the main part of the day and enjoy a nice dinner once home.

Awesome thanks ever body!

Does anyone regret getting the surgery? Like wishing that they could have lost the weight on their own?

I DID lose the weight on my own prior to surgery. I just couldn't maintain that diet lifestyle.

I DID lose the weight on my own after the surgery. I worked my @$$ off and ate the right foods. The sleeve helps me maintain that lifestyle.

If you or anyone thinks VSG is an easy ticket to weight loss, I have bad news for you ...

Only regret is not doing it sooner.