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I carry my weight pretty well, so at a BMI of 35.5 ish, I look like I'm overweight, but not like I'm legitimately obese. This means I'm getting all sorts of well intentioned flack from my friends and family - several of whom have insisted I watch this show.
I was snowed in the last couple of days (not literally, we dodged the big stuff - but snow days none the less!). I took advantage of this surprise free time by binge watching a couple seasons of 'My 600 lb Life'. The first season which follows the patients for several years seems to be the most helpful, but that could be because I am so worried about keeping the benefits long term!
My take away from what I've seen (season 1, 5 and part of 2) is that compliance is the key, and by compliance I mean measuring portion sizes to assure true calorie tracking. I'm not worried about slipping up because I'm eating a diet of fast food and sugary drinks - I've avoided those pitfalls most of my life. I'm worried about tripping up in small ways, like consistently having a little too much chicken breast, or allowing too many complex carbs back into my diet.
I'm scheduled for my RNY 3/29 and right now I'm struggling with "food funerals" but by this morning's weigh-in, I haven't gained any weight as I tend to keep my calories balanced out on average for the week. Last week I said goodbye to perogies (I'm from the Cleveland area - these are our staples). The week before it was a fish and chips, and the week before that it was this amazing roasted eggplant soup that sounds healthy but is made with heavy cream... and uhm... a few creme sticks from my favorite local donut shop. It sounds like I have a horrible diet but all of the above funerals are treats I allowed every couple of months, if that often. Fish and chips and perogies are something I don't even eat annually, the creme sticks show up three or four times a year for work birthdays, but the eggplant soup is something I have more often, probably monthly (just looked - ate that 10 times in 2016).
One thing I haven't seen on the show, is alcohol. Maybe they have that in the seasons I've missed, but I thought there would be patients who drank too many sugary mixed drinks. I think I will be able to resist all the typical temptations like fast food and Mac and Cheese, but I'll struggle more with red wine and margaritas. Currently I have margaritas monthly if that, but never? sob 
As a lightweight, if you've watched My 600lb.. what are your thoughts?
5'4" 49yrs at surgery date
SW - 206 CW - 128
M1 - 20lb M2 - 9 lb M3 - 7 lb M4 - 7 lb M5 - 7 lb M6 - 6 lb M7 - 4 lb M8 - 1 lb M9 - 2 lb M10 - 4 lb M11 - 0lb M12 - 3lb M13 - 0 lb M14 - 2 lb M15 - 0 lb M16 - 3 lb
I appreciate the great advice!
I came down with a nasty bug (literally - Lyme Disease) in January and that ate up my bank of Paid Time Off (PTO) that I'd been saving for WLS. I won't get let go if I take unpaid leave, but it will be a financial burden. I am also leaving this job to start another 30 days after my surgery so I'd like to come in and continue to tie up loose ends.
About two years ago the hospital system where I work updated a few older employee policies to include "sleeping at work" as an offense that could be punished by termination. We think this was probably to discourage clinical staff from napping in plain sight of patients and or their family who might not appreciate said staff member might be working double shifts etc... but it's become a bit of a joke for us none the less. My surgeon told me that if I come back "early" I'll probably need to nap, so I should build in a good plan for where I could sneak this in without getting "caught" 
5'4" 49yrs at surgery date
SW - 206 CW - 128
M1 - 20lb M2 - 9 lb M3 - 7 lb M4 - 7 lb M5 - 7 lb M6 - 6 lb M7 - 4 lb M8 - 1 lb M9 - 2 lb M10 - 4 lb M11 - 0lb M12 - 3lb M13 - 0 lb M14 - 2 lb M15 - 0 lb M16 - 3 lb
Hi guys,
MENU: (DS Maintenance Mode)
Pre-B - 2 protein coffees (60g), bullet proof with coconut oil
B - Greek yogurt w/blueberries and almonds
S - peanuts
L - protein shake (30g)
S - popcorn
D - Popeye's cajun fish, coleslaw and buttered biscuit
S - CarbSmart ice cream
VITES:
morning batch: done
calcium batches:
iron: stopped
evening batch: done
heme iron: pending
MILES:
stairs
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
WARNING TO SELF AND TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN!!! AVOID 'BAD' CARBS AT ALL COSTS!!! THEY ARE ADDICTING!! THEY WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS DURING THE LOSING STAGE (and you won't even notice)!! THEY WILL MAKE THE SCALE GO UP AFTER THE HONEYMOON PERIOD IS OVER.
Success in Maintenance starts with GOOD CHOICES during the Honeymoon Period.
I feel I need to repeat this: I am a FIRM believer in Good Whey Protein Drinks!!!!! It is sooooo much harder to do Maintenance without them!
Afternoon LWs!!!
8+years
Breakfast:
Protein: Matrix Mint Cookie 35g
Snack: Nuts, Cheese, Berries
Lunch: Scrambled Eggs and Bacon bites
Snack: Greek Yogurt with cherries
Protein: Matrix Mint Cookie 35g
Dinner:
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
I've been able to lose weight in the past, but it always comes back and I end up heavier than when I started. Making it even worse, it takes years before I make my next successsful attempt to lose weight. (BMI=37)
My husband thinks I should just eat less. It reminds me of people who told me to just drink less (I've been sober 10+ years now - best decision I ever made). I can't just eat less and stick with it long-term.
Like you, I started getting physical problems because of my weight. I can no longer do exercises I enjoy so my weight is climbing even faster. First it was joints, then blood pressure, then heart attack.
Life after surgery won't be perfect (taking vitamins, small meals, doctor visits, etc. for life), but at least I'll have an active life outside my house.
It would be easier if family/friends agreed with me, but past experience reminds me that I'm responsible for my health (not friends) and I'm the one that lives with the consequences of my decisions.
Looking forward to seeing more answers from people that had the surgery years ago.
I had 2 c-sections and I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair about 10 years before RNY. I was back to work in 2 weeks after the tummy tuck, I even went roller skating with the drains still attached. BUT....the RNY was rough. I did not have any complications, I walked like crazy. I rode my bicycle at 20% effort for 5 miles in the first week. BUT...I was always tired. I was exhausted. I needed 1 or 2 naps per day. The other surguries did not involve such small amounts of food. They did not involve major organs of the body. So, if you able, I would try to take more time off work. It is so hard to try to eat and drink. It takes forever to get a little food down or to drink your water, it is a full time job. Best of luck to you.
Age 61 5'4" Consult-6/2/15: 238 SW-8/4/15: 210 CW:145 (6/30/18) M1-16#, M2-17#, M3-14#, M4-10#, M5-6#, M6-5#, M7-1#, M8 -3# Range 133-138 DexaScan 4/16/17 19% body fat---- 2016 wt avg 142-146, 2017, wt. avg 132-136, 2018 avg weight 144-146 bounce back is real.
I'm soooooo excited for you!!!! Unless it's a financial burden I wouldn't ru**** I guess it depends on your employer too. If you start back to early will they let you take time off? I know it was at least 3 weeks before I felt like myself again and had some strength.
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
WARNING TO SELF AND TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN!!! AVOID 'BAD' CARBS AT ALL COSTS!!! THEY ARE ADDICTING!! THEY WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS DURING THE LOSING STAGE (and you won't even notice)!! THEY WILL MAKE THE SCALE GO UP AFTER THE HONEYMOON PERIOD IS OVER.
Success in Maintenance starts with GOOD CHOICES during the Honeymoon Period.
I feel I need to repeat this: I am a FIRM believer in Good Whey Protein Drinks!!!!! It is sooooo much harder to do Maintenance without them!
Last week I was so excited that Friday was BUT a LOOOONG Weekend it was! DD was out of state Coaching and we had to get the boys to school, day care, basketball etc. Very tiring. She finally got home late last night
8+years
Breakfast:
Protein: Matrix Mint Cookie 35g
Snack: Nuts, Cheese, Berries
Lunch: Scrambled Eggs and Bacon bites
Snack: Nature Valley Nut Crunch Bar
Protein: Matrix Mint Cookie 35g
Dinner:
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
Wishing you all the best. I was lucky and able to go back to work 1/2 days after 2 weeks. I worked 1/2 days for a week and then went back full days after that. Try to give yourself some time to heal and rest if you need it. Good luck!
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
I had my final meeting with my surgeon today. The nurse who took my vitals and reviewed my prescriptions asked if I had questions. I told her I was anxious to be able to get back to work ASAP after my RNY (wed the 29th). She said I should plan on 30 days but if I was doing well the surgeon would probably let m return after three weeks. Next I saw the Nurse practitioner - she reviewed the surgical details and asked if I had questions. I told her the same thing and she said "Probably ten days after". I didn't ask the surgeon. I'm feeling like the person who is shopping for the answer that they WANT rather than the answer that they NEED.
None the less, I'm planning to sneak back in on Monday after the surgery. I work at the same location as my roommate, so I don't need to drive in, and it's a desk job. If I get too tired she can run me back to the apt early :)
Today I weighed in at 207 which is FOUR POUNDS heavier than I was last week, but I'm mostly blaming the high sodium levels from yesterday's pizza!
5'4" 49yrs at surgery date
SW - 206 CW - 128
M1 - 20lb M2 - 9 lb M3 - 7 lb M4 - 7 lb M5 - 7 lb M6 - 6 lb M7 - 4 lb M8 - 1 lb M9 - 2 lb M10 - 4 lb M11 - 0lb M12 - 3lb M13 - 0 lb M14 - 2 lb M15 - 0 lb M16 - 3 lb
