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Hey, there. I found BariatricPal by way of the Big Book of Roux en Y. I am currently pre-op and in the process of determining if I want to commit to this extreme change in lifestyle. My surgery date is set for July 7, pending approval of insurance and pre-ops. As of right now, I am 90% sure that I want the surgery.

I have an an all-or-nothing type personality, but I'm not the type to push the envelope or take risks. When I commit to a diet and exercise, I give it my all; unfortunately, as proven by the many diets I have failed, my all isn't good enough. As far as a healthy lifestyle goes, I am either "on" or "off," but my biggest problem is that when I'm off, my eating habits are extreme - my diet consists of fast food, ice cream and pastries. I think the reason for the extreme off behavior is that I haven't found a good enough tangible reason to NOT go to extremes. "Tangible" is the key word there - yes, I may be shortening my life and yes, I may be missing out on a better quality of life, but those reasons are so hypothetical when most days I'm tired and hungry after a long day at work and I want something that is convenient and tastes good; uh, what do you know, there's McDonalds, perfect, won't even have any dishes to do! - unfortunately, at that point in time the fast tasty food is much more tangible than trying to live healthy.

The surgery will give me the very tangible reason I need stop acting out on impulse desires. For me, knowing I'm going to get sick and run the risk of a rupture is much more tangible than the thought that maybe I'll live longer and maybe I'll have a better quality of life. I am a cautiously optimistic person by nature.

I welcome any thoughts anyone may have about me, my reasons for the journey and/or the journey.

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Welcome aboard! I am a pre op. I've officially been on this journey for nearly a year, with several unofficial years of research and consideration before that.

I've completed nearly all my insurance requirements including six months of classes. Now I'm just waiting for final approval and the last pre op appointments. The closer I get to surgery the more positive I am that this is the right course for me.

The only change has been in my choice of surgery. I went into this 100% positive I wanted the sleeve. But now, I'm leaning towards the bypass, only saving final determination until I can discuss it with the surgeon.

However you found your way here I'm sure you'll find many friends who are on the same path, working towards the same goal. So again, welcome!

Edited by The Candidate

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The best thing you can do for yourself is commit to eating better before your surgery. You should also start logging what you eat get some kind of app that allows you to log your food. Start moving and don't stop! You will find that you can still eat some of your food down falls after surgery with no consequences so I found an independent counselor who worked with Bariatric patients outside of the program I went thru to work on what lead me to fall off the wagon & eat wrong.

I wish you the best of luck this has been the best thing I have ever done for myself, and it is definitely only going to continue. Because after this tool there are no more highs & lows of the diet roller coaster offers you don't want to mess up this chance you have given yourself.

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Thank you, The Candidate and InspirationMySon. I appreciate that you reached out to me with your thoughts. It's nice to feel like I'm part of the group!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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