Status Update 4/10/2014

As of today, 4/10/2014, I have made significant progress towards my 100 Pound Goal!:

I have lost exactly 64 Pounds.

My brother is now wearing all of my pants... I am a size down and all of MY pants, belts, etc do not fit me any more! My shirts went down from a 3XL to a 2XL and I look way different! :)

This life change has been one that takes a toll on you - it's not easy... but it's definitely worth it. I have moved into the "real food" phase, and have been learning as I go through this process.

I hope to upload some recipes, etc. soon and get this blog back "up and running" - I apologize for the inactivity! I have had a lot of life things going on right now (School, work, Masonic studies, prepping for a move, and more.)

The hardest thing so far has been my changes in taste! EVERYTHING (aside from sweet tea and pasta) I don't like any more! :( But, I'm alive and feeling good! :)

Status Update: 2/27/2014

As of today, 2/27/2014, I have reached my goal!:

FIFTY pounds lost (50.2 to be exact!)

Feeling pretty good about this difficult life change at this point :)

I am now down from a 3XL shirt to a 2XL... and man, does that make me happy!

Next goal: 100 Pounds Lost!

Update / Tips / Etc. - 2/14/14

Well, it's been a while since I posted a status update! Happy Valentines day, you gorgeous individuals :D

As of last night (I know, I know... "Weigh in the morning because you're heavier at night" and all that weird science) - But,

I've lost a total of 40 lbs so far!

My surgeon placed me on a puréed diet for SIX WEEKS (whereas most only have it for 2 weeks or so) - and thus I have been adapting.

Some good tips for those of you on the "Liquid enough to run through the prongs of a fork" diet:

1.) If you make buttermilk gravy extremely watery... mix it in with mashed potatoes to make a runny paste - it tastes JUST like taters' and gravy - because it is - it's just got a really really weird consistency.

2.) Do not overstep your "food boundaries" (this applies to even things like water) - yes, by the end of your diet you can have 1 cup of food over your meal duration... however, last night I caused myself to throw up because I drank water (from a bottle) - 4 drinks, back to back (a proper drink and not a sip from a cap like you did in the hospital)... Just simply that much liquid (which really isn't much if it's just one "swig") caused severe discomfort, and caused me to puke. - And this is exactly a month AFTER surgery. Be CAREFUL with your food and water.

3.) Remind yourself that it's all only temporary. This has been keeping me surviving so far. - Tell yourself "I know that garlic [whatever] smells so good" or "Man... I really really wish I could have some of that chicken" - and then you get depressed because you're stuck on some paste diet while everyone around you is eating delicious fried chicken and crap like that.

^ Just remember... It'll only be a short time before you're back into "Real food" (albeit you're limited to one cup of paste or one piece of chicken, etc) but you WILL GET THERE. Know that you are not alone!! Haha.


Another useful tip is to find other people that have had the surgery (and there are forums dedicated to COMMUNICATING with people that have had this experience, such as myself). That site is:

http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/

Check it out! You register - and list information such as:

1.) Surgery Date?
2.) Where?
3.) Which Surgery?
4.) Starting Weight?
5.) Current Weight?
6.) Goal Weight?

It may seem "nosy" - but as you're posting in the introduction section and getting replies in seconds... You will see people that have had the sleeve, gastric bypass, the band, etc. - and how they've progressed. I've seen someone that said "Surgery Date: 12/17/13" "Surgery: Sleeve" and their starting weight (almost 400) was TWO HUNDRED pounds! - 200lb loss in months!

This is a real ego booster because you know that if they can do it, so can you. - you can get support, ask for recipes, get answers to questions before or after your surgery, etc. - all from people that were obese, and now - not! It really helps to have a FREE support site. Definitely worth checking out.

That's all for today! I have to get back on my Statistics college course (and all of the other ones... -sigh-)

Feel free to add me on ThinnerTimesForum - "Bob707" is my username.

Have a great day everyone!

My Progress (21 Days: Liquid Diet + Surgery)

As of today, 1/22/2014...

I have lost exactly 30 pounds.

30 Pounds in one month - I never would have expected...

(Tomorrow Phase 2 Puréed Diet Begins)

I know that I should have (and should be) drinking way more protein drinks - but... man! 10 days liquid diet, then the surgery, then 10 days of post-op liquid diet (2 more days of that) - and now I'm here...

21 days... 30 pounds.

Only one thing I can say!: WOO HOO! :P

New Tips & Info For: "Liquid Diet" Phase

If you're like me, you CANNOT stand the protein drinks that are currently on the market.

I have tried a few... and they are as follows (With color coding to tell which ones I liked): Green = Liked, Yellow = "Somewhat Liked" and Red = "Disliked Greatly" :) I know, I'm brilliant!

1.) "Atkins Advantage" - 15 Grams of protein if you drink one of these. They come in a large variety of flavors, such as: Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Kiwi, Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee, and more. Sadly, they (to me) did not taste good at ALL... aside from the "Caramel Cafe" flavor (which is made with some real coffee, but you need to avoid caffeine after surgery due to dehydration issues)...

2.) "Premier Protein" - This one has 30 grams of protein (DOUBLE the Atkins - I had to try it.)... The Chocolate is... "Okay" - It is extremely thick (so if you plan to just "chug it and get it over with" like I wanted to PRE-Surgery... It won't work. Haha) but for double the protein, it's good to check out. Definitely tastes better than the Atkins.

3.) "GNC Brand Pro-Performance AMP Protein Powder" - 60 Grams of protein for 12 Oz. of water. - This kind tasted the best for me pre-surgery, and it is much more watery than the others so it's easier to "Down" quickly pre-surgery (since you cannot drink fast after surgery). It has an aftertaste of old chocolate milk... But that's better than the aftertaste of the other drinks! - Would definitely advise trying this. Lots of protein, easy to sip, and it doesn't taste horrible (although after surgery my tastes changed completely and I did not like it any more [at all]) - but it would be a good idea to try chocolate, vanilla, etc and see what you like pre and post-surgery.

4.) "NutiBiotic Organic Rice Protein Powder" - 15 Grams of protein per "Heaping Tablespoon". This brand was suggested to me by my surgeon, Dr. Simchuk, when I told him that the liquid diet "SUCKED." - He claimed that this powder was "Tasteless" and that I should check it out. - My mother picked some up for me the other day and i have to say: It is tasteless! It can make broth, etc a little gritty - but it will add 12 grams of protein to a cup of broth and you will [barely] taste the difference. From someone that CANNOT STAND the protein diet - I would definitely suggest trying it. It advertises itself as: "100% Organic. No Pesticides Used. No Preservatives. Kosher Certified. Vegan." and more... But who cares? It's tasteless protein stuff! Woohoo!

In regards to #3 above - that is a good thing I want to remind people... Your tastes will change after this surgery! I was definitely afraid of that... I can't imagine what it will be like if I wind up disliking Fettuccine Alfredo and sweet tea! However, don't worry... From someone that has had the surgery and is now going into phase 2 of the diet (Puréed diet) - I tasted a baby-spoon half-full of mashed potatoes that were reduced to... mushes... and I enjoyed it just as much as before - the only taste changes I've noticed (so far) - is that onions now smell 10x as good after having 0 real food and some of the protein drinks started to suck! Haha.

Another suggestion would be: Don't underestimate the power of broth! :)

I really, really dislike protein drinks in general (thank goodness for this new tasteless powder!) - So broth has been getting me SOME protein - and making me still feel human! Getting some flavor in your diet - whether it be chicken broth, veggie soup broth, or whatever that may be - will make you feel like you're actually eating "Food" rather than the protein liquid. - Just remember: Don't drink too fast! I made that mistake like 20 minutes ago and it was 60% of the way to a "Curl up and die" moment! :P

Best of luck to all of you doing (or thinking of doing) this procedure! It is definitely challenging... but remember:

Nothing worth doing is easy.

-Rob

And It Begins!

My surgery (1/14/14) was a success. My surgeon claimed that the operation went exceptionally well - my insides are healthy, and allowed me to leave 2 days after the surgery (Stayed one more day due to an unfavorable reaction to morphine, but I'm alright!)


I managed to lose 12.4 pounds just on the 10 day liquid diet pre-surgery (although I have to admit I was drinking 1-2 protein drinks per day... when you are supposed to have 6 protein drinks to equal the required 80-100 grams of protein an adult male needs!)

It's been a tough and sore beginning... But this is going to be worth it!

-Robert

Here We Go...

Hello world! My name is Robert, and this blog is going to be my hub for story-sharing!

I am a 19 year old college student, and decided that (due to my weight, my exhaustion, and many other things ranging from asthma to Sleep Apnea) it was time to do something about it. I decided to look into the Sleeve, because it appeared to be the most successful (and worked for my mother and grandmother as well).

My starting weight is 381.2 Pounds, and my surgery is January 14th. The operation I am getting (as you can tell by the title of this blog) is the: "Sleeve Gastrectomy", also known as the "Vertical Sleeve" or just "Sleeve" - in this procedure, the surgeon essentially removes all but 8-10% of your stomach (Well, the original stomach is in there - just not used), stitching the remaining bit it into a small little pouch that resembles a banana.

I will be posting my health progress, my achievements, some goals, and maybe even some "Post-Sleeve" recipes that not only help me, but also any of you that have had, will have, or are in the starting process of beginning this process.

Again - I'm Robert - and this is my journey. :)


Starting Weight: 381.2 lbs
Starting Picture: (Posting Shortly!)