bloreorbust

Not if you keep the avocado portion on the small side. The fat from the avocado is a healthy fat, even though it does add calories. I haven't discovered yet how to eat grilled or sauteed chicken breast without a little sauce or fat of some kind.

I had rny, but our dietary requirements are similar enough I think I can help. Avocado: Yes, you can totally have this. However, you will only be able to and rightly shouls only have a couple teaspoons full. There's just not much room in the new tummy if you're getting enough protein in the meal. Avocado can sit a little heavy, too. For me at least. Sweet potatoes: You can haz, but again only a couple teaspoons. Same reasons as above. Again, protein first. Coconut Oil/Olive Oil: Yes. I use both, no problem. However, I cut down all oil called for in recipes to half what is called for (unless baking). Fat is still high calorie, even healthy fat. Agave: The raw variety is better for you, and yes you can have it in very moderate amounts. I go with the rule of half what I would have used before, and also try to keep it as a treat. So I make tea with milk every morning, but I only allow myself sweetener in it on the weekends. Spicey: Yes. I asked my nutritionist about this and they said it was fine. And thank goodness because I am a chili head big time! I actually like food even spicier than I did before. We eat a lot of Indian food at home and it just wouldn't be the same without it. All that said, keep in mind that you either may not like some of this stuff or may have your own intolerances to stuff after surgery. Can you have all these things? Yes. Will you want to? Maybe not. Be prepared for drastic changes in what you like to eat and your food habits.

Absolutely hilarious. And I have totally went ahead and enjoyed things I knew would do this to me so I could cleanse lol.

It needs lube. I make a little guacamole and spread it on each bite. Or cook the chicken in the slow cooker, shred, and mix with some salsa and low fat sour cream.

Oven roasted pulled pork with my homemade pork rub. Went down really well.

That sounds awesome! I have some smoked salmon waiting for such a salad. Dinner for me lately has been blueberry granola and plain greek yogurt. Makes mornings easier lol.

I was able to put down both arm rests at the movie theatre today without a problem. Yay for shrinking!

Stalls are the worst! I'm unfortunately a big time staller. I stopped for about 2 weeks when I was 10 days out of surgery, then after that one broke I lost for 3 weeks and then stalled for 5 weeks! It sucks, but at least we can be certain we will always make it through them. This surgery has definitively put the hope in me to persevere through those times.

I was able to jump up and down like a mad woman through the whole Seattle/SanFran game. This NSV brought to you by Swedish and the Seattle Seahawks NFC Champions.

Maybe a splurge and have a couple chicken wings. Go Hawks!

I cried off and on for days before surgery. Also in my presurgery appointments you can see my blood pressure going higher ans higher heading up to my surgery date. I was consumed with anxiety and worry that I might not make it through it. Then, I woke up from surgery, had my pain meds, and haven't regretted it yet 5 months later. While I have lost weight, I have regained my life as well as hope. I know now that my body can change, and I can do better, so I am spurred on to continue trying to lose weight. I'm not sure there was anything that could have been said to ease me before surgery. I was terribly afraid of leaving my husband alone and wanting more time on this earth with him. What did help me was continually coming here to check on the progress of others and their stories. That lifted me up and focused me (continues to this day actually) on my goal which is a healthier body and a longer life. God bless you and your sister. It's a blessing to have family to care for you.

Sausage stuffed portobello mushroom. It was far tastier than I thought it would be (since surgery I haven't liked sausage much).

Restaurant phad thai is often made with a lot of oil because the noodles are very sticky. I'd try making it at home instead. Checkout the Asian section of your local grocery store for a seasoning mix, or hit any Asian market in your area. It's not tough to make at all, but if you don't have the ingredients on hand to make from scratch it can get pricey. Oh, and if you're making at home try marinating the shrimp for 20 mins or so in some of the seasoning sauce, it will add flavor.

Ditto for me on cheese. When I started planning cheese into my grocery budget it was time to put down the cheese. I had a collection going lol.

This week it is Fage 2% greek yogurt and Wild Harvest blueberry vanilla granola. Last week alternated chocolate protein shake with cottage cheese. Fridays I do bacon, egg, and half a piece of toast with jam as a treat. Hope you get some good ideas. Oatmeal with some protein shake mixed in is a good choice too.

From one stubborn body to another, let me just say I fully emphasize. Keep on going.

I second the Premier shakes, also available at Costco and online. They are premade and much smoother than I've ever been able to mix a powder. Other recommendations: -pill divider/planner for all the vitamins -some water flavoring packets or mixes like Mio (I love their Hawaiian punch) and crystal light -broth mix, or even some homemade if so inclined (those first weeks on all liquids leave you really sick of anything sweet) -maybe a pedometer since walking is the best and only exercise we can do that early -cute pair of slipper socks for the hospital stay maybe? -one of the weight loss surgery guides or books out there would be good (there's threads with titles of them on here)

Naw. Finding humor in your weight loss is always an NSV :-).

I can pull my pants up to my boobs now.

Thank you! I feel MUCH better today. Totally normal actually. Woohoo! On another note, my husband leaves for two months tomorrow to visit family in India. So I'll be grocery shopping by myself just for me for the first time since surgery. I'm not even sure how lol. This should be interesting.

Off my omeprazole for 2 weeks and now I possibly have an ulcer. Yes, it can happen that fast. I'm now on liquids for a couple days to see if my symptoms clear up. If not, I get the scope!

Well, going into it knowing I may never be able to tolerate sweets again, I had to ask myself this: Do I love sweets more than I would love to have a longer and healthier life? Do I love eating large quantities of whatever I want more than being healthy? For me, the answer was that I really wanted to be free from food. As much as I used it to help deal with my emotions (and darn it sometimes I still want to), it also had a control over me that I really didn't like. You know how I feel now? Free. I don't have to use food anymore. It doesn't hold the power over me that it once did. And with every pound I lose, my body feels less my enemy and more my long lost friend. That said, it is hard to figure out how to deal with emotions in a different way than I always have. I haven't figured it out yet, but I'm trying and I have hope. So, find out what makes you consider changing, what you want, where you want to take your life, then ask yourself if gastric bypass surgery is worth it to help you get there.

Hey, even in situations where you "don't have as much to lose", everyone's body handles extra weight differently and sometimes even a smaller amount over that threshold causes serious medical issues as you're experiencing. Try to give them time to come around. Let them see how much work really goes into this whole process. But stay the course. If you think this is right for you, then your family is going to have to accept that one way or another. Tell your wife you're doing this in order to have a longer and healthier life with her and your children. You're tired of suffering with this excess weight and this is the help you need to handle it. Then just don't talk about it anymore for a while. Keep on planning and doing the appointments you need to, but let it all sink in with her for a while. As for your mother who thinks she is a medical professional, point her to the studies and reviews from medical professionals. Those will clearly state the relatively low risk of gastric bypass surgery, and the mountain of evidence that points to the positive effects it has on health. The rate of death is between 1-3% overall for gastric bypass, and even less for surgeon's who have performed more precedures. The rate of complications directly related to surgery is around 10%. I bet those are a lot lower than your current risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death due to the health conditions you currently have. Help her with the information she needs to weigh the risks against the rewards. I wish all the best for you in your journey. You will find support here and a wealth of helpful and caring individuals. Welcome.

1. Enjoy the hospital drugs. Don't let pain get ahead of you during that time as you will need your energy for walking and doing basic stuff. 2. Probiotics, stool softeners, and as much Water as you can get down. It's even more important than eating if you have to make a choice between the two. Don't drink enough water, and not only will you not lose efficiently, but you will have terrible constipation. Stay on top of it. 3. If you are concerned about anything that might have to do with your surgery after you get home from the hospital, call your surgeon's office. It's better to be safe than sorry. Plus you or your insurance will pay them a ridiculous amount of money, so make sure you get all the help you need. 4. Bonus time! Head hunger is real. Real hunger is either nonexistent or feels completely different after surgery. Stop and think before you eat which one it is. Most of the time it will be head hunger. 5. Bonus bonus time! You may learn things about yourself you didn't expect. It may even be disturbing revelations sometimes. Just be kind to yourself and give yourself time to process it all.

Learned new things today. Going through a very rough time suddenly, as soon as I really start to feel the stress I am now craving carbs like crazy. French fries, pasta, potato of any sort. But I'm no longer able to use food to deal with the hard times. So, I have a feeling over the next several weeks there is a lot more to learn.