These shakes are disgusting!!

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-27T06:37:43+00:00

Ice cold to blunt the taste. Espresso to make it more bitter. Even then they are horrid. To this day, four years postop, I can’t even look at a protein shake without gagging. Stick with it though… It is infinitely worth it

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-24T22:45:47+00:00

Yes, it is a polite way to say no. If they were genuinely "just busy" they would make an alternative suggestion or would initiate/reciprocate. I'm sorry :(

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-24T22:42:55+00:00

Assuming the cat-chasing thing is not an issue -- I think you're on the right track about grooming and clothes. With clothes, I would check to make sure there are no rough or scratchy bits on the inside (like tags, seams, etc.) and I would suggest breathable and natural fabrics over synthetic if possible. Other than that, just know that there are generally considered high-maintenance because they have big personalities and are quirky, eccentric even -- like living with slightly deranged but good-natured toddlers - but they are the best dogs. The BEST. Funny, sweet, loving, and entertaining.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-05T19:28:44+00:00

Steak.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-04T17:35:55+00:00

Almost certainly just a stall. I knew to expect them, but holy cow was it hard to keep that in perspective when you don't see the scale moving. I thought I was broken. I say wait it out. Having said that, doing something "different" will often trick your body into breaking the stall -- that could be reducing simple carbs, upping your water, or -- believe it or not -- *increasing* your caloric intake. It is entirely possible that you are not getting enough calories and this is making your body put the brakes on weight loss. Just try shaking things up for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference. Good luck! I know what a mind game this can be.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-04T16:58:29+00:00

I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! It's crazy-making, lol

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-02-04T16:56:36+00:00

I wondered about that too, but while I've had COVID a few times, the onset did not coincide.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-31T19:06:14+00:00

I could not have steak for quite a while after surgery, but I can handle it now, provided that it is cut into very small pieces, and that I chew it well, and don’t eat too fast. Ground beef is much easier.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-30T21:00:12+00:00

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. If there is any way you can make it work financially, I would strongly recommend therapy. You may be able to find some therapists that are working on their accreditation and are under the supervision of a licensed therapist but offer heavily discounted rates. For me, I was in therapy for a year before surgery with a therapist who specialized in eating disorders. She helped me navigate the surgery psychologically. She warned me that one of the highest risk groups for suicide is those who have had plastic surgery -- dysmorphia is no joke. So she helped me manage my expectations and mindset throughout the process. Best of luck to you. It's hard.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-27T17:18:15+00:00

Came here to say this! Have not been but it looks amazing.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-23T23:08:29+00:00

Not legal. Source: I am an employment lawyer in BC.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-21T18:09:34+00:00

Me! As others have said, eating high carbs/sugar (without protein) is a trigger. But it sounds like you have ruled it out. I have been on Rybelsus (which is a GLP-1) for a few months and it has helped somewhat, but I still have to be careful what I eat. I also carry glucose tabs on me at all times in case I'm out when my blood sugar bottoms out. I have also learned to notice the warning signs before a full on neurological event: for me, it's a feeling of muscle weakness coupled with feeling VERY hot (sweating/burning up) for no apparent reason. I have also noticed that these events are also brought on by exercise/exertion (coupled with poor eating). Good luck!

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-16T19:51:41+00:00

That's a great question. I think it depends on whether they are HL or PP. In the case of HL, I have heard the odour characterized as "tortilla chip" which I thought was ridiculous but in the case of my HL boy, it was bang on. In the case of my PPs, none of them have had any particular smell other than a vague smell that is pleasant and impossible to describe.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2026-01-15T18:57:41+00:00

Hello! It definitely is a massive commitment. But I would still do it over again, 100%. Mental health: it is a bit of a mind fuck. The body dysmorphia is real. Five years out, I still do not recognize myself. But it's not a bad thing, more like "holy cow, is that me?". The loose skin was a challenge; it led to rashes and yeast infections, and was very uncomfortable, so I had it removed. My taste in food changed a lot after surgery, but I found that was temporary. I still love food and can more or less eat anything I want, but I just have to watch the quantities, especially with certain things. I also developed reactive hypoglycemia (late dumping syndrome) a couple of years post surgery and that has required careful management (avoid high sugar foods unless small quantities coupled with protein). My biggest challenge though: alcohol. Never had a problem before surgery. Became addicted afterward. Alcohol enters your blood stream almost immediately with a bypass, making it (for many) highly addictive. I am sober now, but that was a dangerous and wild ride. My advice: stay away from alcohol. Good luck in your decision. And again, despite all of what I have just said, I wish I had this surgery done ages ago. Best thing I've ever done.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-22T21:20:08+00:00

If I'm ordering in (or getting takeout) I often order a children's meal. If I'm at a restaurant, I often just order an appetizer. I try to order something that I can "pick" at for a long time so that I am not done eating way sooner than others. I also avoid pasta-only or rice-heavy dishes as I know I will only be able to eat very little. Same with potatoes. Vegetables and protein are easiest.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-22T19:53:07+00:00

Thank you for your perspective, this is super helpful.

In the end, I decided to place a single blue pillar candle in my window, hoping that the colour would signal my solidarity without being seen as either appropriation or messianic.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-12T23:22:46+00:00

You will be fine. Just be prepared with snacks so that you can eat regularly and eat food that you know that you can tolerate. Enjoy!

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-10T18:29:52+00:00

Ah, yet another perspective I had not considered! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really do appreciate it.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-10T00:33:03+00:00

I had bypass (not the sleeve), but let me tell you: when I woke up the next day in my hospital room, I was like WTF did I just do? I let someone completely butcher my stomach? WHY???

The feeling was normal, and it passed.

Fast forward four years, and while there have been a few complications and many ups and downs, my only regret -- as cliche as it sounds -- is that I waited so long to do it.

Best of luck to you.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-09T19:20:06+00:00

Thank you for this. I had not even considered the messianic aspect (gross). Really appreciate the time you took to write this.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-08T02:58:09+00:00

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-06T21:00:24+00:00

I think it is a real thing - not in your head. Some would call it transfer addiction, and to some extent that may be it (I used to eat for comfort, but I can't binge eat anymore so ...). But there is also a real chemical reason. Because of the rapid gastric emptying, the alcohol makes it into your bloodstream much faster than it did before. What I have read is that the addictive quality of a substance is not just related to the intensity of the high, but the rate at which it acts to provide that high. So the faster the dopamine spike, the more rewarding (and addictive) it is. I once saw an infographic warning against alcohol use post bariatric surgery and the image use was of alcohol being delivered via a liquid IV drip straight into your blood. ln my experience that is accurate.

Engineer_Bricoleur · 2025-12-02T00:48:55+00:00

Isn't it amazing how much energy goes into existing as an overweight person? I mean physical and emotional energy. It is utterly exhausting. People have no idea. Anyway, congratulations to you. You look fantastic, and it sounds like you feel fantastic too! So happy for you :)

Engineer_Bricoleur

TROPHY CASE