melhealthy

Hi Everyone...here from Pittsburgh. Just finished all of my pre-op testing, etc, and just got my surgery date of Feb 24th. Looking forward to sharing my experience and learning from everyone else.

Following gastric bypass, doctors generally recommend 60g to 80g of Protein for the gals and 80g to 100g for the guys. The average adult has about a trillion cells in the body. Every single one of those cells contain Protein. Remove all of the Water from your body and 75% of what's left is protein. So why is the recommended protein higher following the surgery?
Protein is used extensively to repair and replace damaged tissue. Carbs are king when it comes to energy. On a regular diet, about 60% of your body's energy requirement is met by carbs. But when you're on a low carb diet, your body will metabolize protein for energy. It is common to read posts from folks who are struggling to get in their doctor's recommended protein. And in the same post learn that they are suffering from low energy. No carbs + no protein = no energy. Protein is a key player in fighting off bacterial and viral infections. Protein will help minimize lean muscle wasting during rapid weight loss. Protein will help reduce hair loss. Terry has commented on the concern of possible kidney damage related to protein intake. The question of what, if any, association exists between protein and osteoporosis remains to be answered. This link - http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/155/7/636.long - is to a 2001 paper published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Although quite technical in places, it highlights the conflicting results of various research studies. This link - http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/osteoporosis/protein-osteoporosis-prevention_5826-1.html - is to a 2011 study at Johns Hopkins which is much less technical but again stresses that results are inconclusive. And finally this link - www.who.int/.../public_health_nut8.pdf - is a study published by the World Health Organization and concludes that "...evidence of adverse consequences [from dietary protein] is lacking."
At the moment, perhaps the best we can do is follow our doctor's recommendation as closely as we possibly can.

I do the same as you. I weigh weekly on Wednesday because that was my surgery day. I am 7 months out and the value of having those documented in my notebook is I can see patterns. I had scale 'issues' several years ago where I was obsessing and even getting on multiple times in a day. It was way out od hand and the scale was dictating my feelings and lufe. My then fiance took it away and said no more scales. I am now 17 years married to that wonderful man and swore when I started this journey I wouldn't let the scake define me or the progress I make. I weigh faithfully on wednesday. Some weeks it goes dow sometimes ir stays the same but ultimately it is just one measurement I use for my success.
Moral of the story is whatever you decide in terms of how often you weigh yourself, just make sure it is a healthy relationship with the scale. You own it not the other way around.

My surgeon said weekly but I honestly can't stick to it. I like to weigh every morning just to see where I am at. I find it helps me stay on track to know where I am at. I think it is fine as long as you dont obsess about it! I am 8 months out and down 135 total; 98 from surgery. Good luck to you!

I think the most important thing to remember is that it's all about choice... You can go to McDonald's or probably anywhere and make a healthy choice... You can make an unhealthy one at home just a well!!! I believe the original concern was whether or not one could ever eat at a restaurant again... Of course you can... Part of the choice is keeping in mind the hierarchy of foods... Protein... Veggies... Fruit... I've personally found it's not nearly as easy as it sounds to make the wrong choice as many foods don't settle well anymore... My doctor told me... and yes... I realize every doctor might say something different... That it's important not to rob yourself of things you really like... Such as... one morning at work they were serving biscuits and gravy... my favorite... However... I went for cottage cheese and fruit and ONE piece of sausage... My doctor thought that was a great compromise... I don't do it everyday... It's protein... but I ate extra fat as well... I don't do things perfectly but I'm working hard on it and the weight is coming off... I've appreciated coming here for the support and would hate to see another leave because of serious critism...

My nut told me to put my scale in the trunk of my car!! I had RNY on nov 18.. With 3 stalls I was weighing everyday! Making. Me nutso...lol
Much happier now.. 19" off.. Feeling great and down 51# at the ripe old age of 64 ????

Hi everyone! So I'm 2 years post op and have lost a total of 110lbs with 20 more I'd really like to lose. That last 20 doesn't want to budge as easy though! ???? Anyway, tonight for supper I made a low carb spinach lasagna which was amazing and a regular lasagna for the family with garlic knot rolls. I thought I'd have a half of the roll, well it seemed to go down so easy I thought I would have the other half. And they were BIG rolls too!! Ummmm big mistake!!! I got up from the table and told my husband I needed to lay down a few minutes before cleaning the kitchen. That few minutes was more like 30 seconds and I hit the bathroom and got so sick!!! I vomited, heart was racing, face was red, broke out into a cold sweat...I felt like I'd been hit by a big truck!!! I tell you all that for this reason. I had gotten discouraged and felt like I could eat healthy or pretty much what I want now and that my pouch was simply just done. That it had served its purpose and didn't work anymore. Well tonight I found out otherwise!!! While it was a horrible experience, it lifted a weight off my shoulders too because I realized that my body just cannot handle certain foods and that it's up to me to monitor and choose carefully what I put in my body! With that being said, I'm determined to get this 20 lbs left off!! Protein here I come and if the bread basket is passed my way, I will remember tonight's terrible experience and pass with a smile. Dumping syndrome sucks with a capital S! But it did give perspective and power over bad choices which I thought I was losing. So thankful my "pouch" had the final say tonight and reminded me that just because it looks good doesn't mean it is! Good luck to all who read this and we do have the power and strength to win this battle over food and weight!! Hang in there!!!

Thank you I can't wait to work out

Thanks for the advice. I have force my Water intake and I do see a huge difference. I feel like I can exercise now. I went walking for and almost an hour at an intense pace and felt great afterwards. Now I've just got to stay motivated.

Every afternoon since my op in October, I've come home and fallen asleep on the sofa. I was always tired. And then I started exercising, just lightly three times a week and my energy level has just shot up!! I have more energy for everything and don't nap anymore. Weird hey?

Thank you. Keep up the great work yourself....it's a journey.

Wow, your BMI has come down a lot. I started at a 44.4 BMI and I'm down to a 27.46 BMI now. I'm getting closer to a normal. BMI also.
Glad to hear your appointment went well. I'm sure your labs will be fine!

Thank you. My appointment went well, BMI now 26.6, I came from almost 40 BMI, yay!! I get my lab results tomorrow.

Hi everyone,
5'5"
Hw- 268.5
Cw- 165
Surgery date 4-15-13
9 months post op
Lost 103.5 pounds
Goal weight - 145

Congrats! You look fantastic!

Just want people to know, this is a process, and not only is there light at the end of the tunnel, but there is a other side of the tunnel...

You look wonderful. You are so inspiring.

You look amazing! Way to go on losing 103 lbs!

You look amazing!

Congrats! Isn't it the best feeling ever??!! I was so excited when I was able to shop in stores outside of Lane Bryant and the plus size department! I am 9 months post op today and I bought a pair of jeans in a size 8 the other day! I couldn't believe it! I went to 4 different stores to see if it was just a fluke that I could fit in The Limited size 8 jeans and it WASNT! I was able to fit in an 8 in 3 out of 4 stores and a 10 in the one store but hey I started this journey 9 months ago wearing a tight size 24! It's amazing!!
Congrats again, smaller sizes are in your future, it's just the beginning!! Enjoy

Hi everyone,
5'5"
Hw- 268.5
Cw- 165
Surgery date 4-15-13
9 months post op
Lost 103.5 pounds
Goal weight - 145

Hi everyone,
5'5"
Hw- 268.5
Cw- 165
Surgery date 4-15-13
9 months post op
Lost 103.5 pounds
Goal weight - 145

Congrats! Isn't it the best feeling ever??!! I was so excited when I was able to shop in stores outside of Lane Bryant and the plus size department! I am 9 months post op today and I bought a pair of jeans in a size 8 the other day! I couldn't believe it! I went to 4 different stores to see if it was just a fluke that I could fit in The Limited size 8 jeans and it WASNT! I was able to fit in an 8 in 3 out of 4 stores and a 10 in the one store but hey I started this journey 9 months ago wearing a tight size 24! It's amazing!!
Congrats again, smaller sizes are in your future, it's just the beginning!! Enjoy

I am excited and a little nervous, this week I have all of my appointments except my sleep study. (EGD, the start of my 1 month nutritional visit, Psych eval) I am getting closer. I found out that the surgeon can remove my gallbladder during the RNY procedure. I will keep you posted

It definitely is frustrating when the scale doesn't move as quickly as we would like. Just continue to get your required Protein in and your Water and you will see the numbers drop. I was told Protein and water intake are the keys to success. In regards to weighing I weigh everyday. I find it keeps me in line. I made a chart when I had the surgery and I log my weight once a week. I will do that for the first year. I am 9 months post op and having my weight history from the day I had surgery is very helpful as I can see my trends. I also use myfitness pal and log my food intake daily. I started that my first week also and my main reason in tracking is to keep track of my protein intake, and check sugar content and carbs. I've noticed as long as I keep my protein high, get my water in and limit carbs to under 60 a day the scale moves. I am exercising most weeks and started a 5k training program when I was 2 months post up. I completed the training program in September and since then have run 9 races. I think that has helped me too! Just keep following your plan, add your exercise and check you weight at least once a week so you can tweek your program if need to and you will be shocked at your numbers!