Every few month or so......

[tinman]

a new wave of sleevers comes on here. Names I don't recognize, places I've never heard of and emotions all over the place. For all of the diversity and divergent personalities, it seems that a few ideas about what these new sleevers are going through are all common and the questions seem to follow a common theme.

Why do I still feel like cheating?

Did I do permanent damage to my sleeve when I ate a sugar cube during my "puree phase".

Will my NUT and/or surgeon still like me if I don't hit their goal?

How do I tell family and friends how I lost this weight?

OMG....I'm exactly 21 days post op and the scale stopped moving. Will it ever start moving again? Did I do something wrong?

Why is my mind playing tricks on me by making me crave sweets. I thought this was supposed to cure my cravings.....


I'm sure I could print three or four pages of notes, concerns, and musing from the newly sleeved. So, I usually print a post that addresses these and other questions about once every few months. These are my opinions and mine alone. They work for me and have worked for many on here. However, there lots and lots of folks on here who have been very successful post op and did not do it like I did. Their ways are just as relevant as mine....if not more so. If you are interested in my theories and applications, please go to my profile, click the tab that says "recent posts" and you'll find about 13 full pages of the rantings of a formerly morbidly obese man who has been there, done that, and ate that.

So, for all of you who are less than two months post op. Let me give you nickels worth of free advice. There are no rules concerning post op sleeved life. Each of us is very individual and as such, our bodies all require differing levels of hydration, nutrition, exercise, and vitamins to operate at peak efficiency. So, why is it that you NUT and or Surgeon is hell bent on placing you on a food plan that is nothing more than a diet at it's best, and really a torture session in reality? I'll tell you why. It's because they do not know any better.

Did you have frank discussions and constructive criticism with your surgeon detailing your thoughts on his surgical technique, bed side manner and overall competency? Uh....I'm betting you didn't. Why?

Because in order to have an intelligent conversation with anyone about anything, there has to be a common frame of reference.

In other words, you both have to have a shared experience. Whether that experience comprised of opposite view points, or common practices. It's impossible to discuss surgical techniques with your surgeon because you are not a surgeon.

Well....guess what. They cannot have a conversation with you about your post op nutrition, hydration and weight loss unless they too have been through what you are going through. Now, before everyone jumps my ass about what I just typed, please take note. I am not advocating that all new sleevers should question their Surgeon regarding post op care and maintenance. I am advocating that new sleevers need to take control of their post op nutrition, hydration and exercise as quickly as possible and tailor their post op lifestyle to maximize this amazing, miraculous, and game changing procedure. A Surgeon...and especially a NIT...err....NUT cannot possibly know what they are talking about in regards to nutrition. Know how I know? Look at all of the very successful sleevers on here who lost weight doing it their way and not the NIT's way. I am not advocating my way. I'm advocating for your way.

So, new sleevers. Take heed.

There is no such thing as cheating with the sleeve.

Once your sleeve is about 4-5 weeks old, you absolutely cannot harm it. It won't blow up, leak out of your belly button or vaporize into thin air. You will live with it for the rest of your life.

Tell your NIT and Surgeon to kiss your formerly prodigious ass if they do anything more than thank you for your business and that's that.

You tell your family and friends you lost your weight the old fashioned way. Portion control and exercise. That's the God's Honest Gospel Truth. If pressed, tell them about the tool you purchased to help you. Folks understand tools, they do not understand crutches.

You will stall at three weeks. Period. No stopping it and the quicker you start messing around with your calorie, protein and hydration, the sooner you will bust that stall and never stall again.

And last but not least, the sleeve is a tool. Not a cure. The sleeve will not re-wire your brain or make you magically, mentally, different. If you think it will, then you need the check up from the neck up. It's ok to crave. It's ok to feed the crave. It's ok to eat carbs every day. It is NOT ok to over eat. The sleeve is a tool to prevent over eating. Period. Nothing more.

So in conclusion...Here is good old Tinman's mantra.

You are not on a diet

Since you are not on a diet, you cannot be failing at a diet.

This is not a race. You will be sleeved for the rest of your life. Please take the time to learn how to use the sleeve effectively. No one becomes proficient with a tool the first time they use it. You won't either. But, don't ignore it. Use it.

Carbs are our friends...not our enemies

Eat as much protein as your itty, bitty, pinkie toe sized sleeve will let you. Preferable no less than 80 grams a day.

Drink no less than 64 oz of WATER, not sports drinks, not tea, not coffee, not beer, not soda, a day. Preferably over 100 oz during the summer and when you are exercising. Dehydration can cause a stall too.

And, last but not least....you must never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever over eat........EVER.

[DebbieD]

Words of wisdom!

[MELR]

I did not stall at 3 weeks. I'm still losing steadily.

Although I don't agree with everything you said, I agree it was conveyed succinctly and humorously. The one caveat I would add is for people who have rare complications.

Thanks for the post. As always, very interesting.

Have a good day!

[tookayo]

Great post something to think about on our journey to good health.

[bikrchk]

LOVE IT! And I had the rare and fortunate experience that my Bariatric Coordinator Nurse, (the person I interfaced with most preop and post op) is A WLS patient, R\Y 13 years ago. It really helped to have a medical perspective from someone who has lived in a post WLS body for 10+ years. Same advice from her... You are not on a "diet". You get to behave like a thin person now. Get your protein, water and vitamins and NEVER over eat!

[sociologist]

Thanks:-)

[Angella67]

Great post, as usual! I started following your advice about 3 weeks out and have had nothing but success since. Thanks again for sharing your words of wisdom!

[denise.jordan39]

I agree. My real success started happening when I relaxed and started enjoying this journey! Some need the super structure, others don't. We all know our own bodies and minds. Do whatever you need to be successful.

[Suega]

Dead on, to the point, and its matches my thought process and actions through this journey! I've had steady weight loss since Oct 1st, no stalls. I eat chocolate and a few other starchy carbs in very small amounts, but as a rule I eat over 70 grams of protein a day, I don't drink with my meals , and I never, ever, ever, over eat! I know a stall will happen at somepoint. I accept that and will move on.

[Lee6Lee]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I weighed in with my personal physician, first weigh-in since surgery, and have lost 24 pounds. My blood pressure is great..113 over something. She wants me to eat protein and water. I can't live like that. I had a slice of a donut along with my breakfast this morning. It was about the thickness of two quarters. I was so satisfied and happy. I'm full and no deprivation. Anyway, I do appreciate what Tinman had to say. I needed it!

[Little Verbena]

Tinman's post are like granola... I little rough around the edges, but good for you.