RSifers

Your diet can be hard after weight loss surgery. You have to give up most junk food and monitor every bite that goes in your mouth. Although many patients have smaller appetites and fill up faster on less food, you can still struggle to make the dietary changes. You can be tempted to slip up, especially when food is around. And that is can be problem with family.
Family food dynamics before surgery might have been a lot easier. You ate the same food, went out together, and did not think much about which foods came into the house. After surgery, you have no choice but to restrict your diet. That is why family diet dynamics change after weight loss surgery.
Food Can Strain Your Family Dynamics
You can have the most loving family in the world, but they may not be your best dieting buddies. They may still want to buy their favorite foods, store them at home, and eat them when they want – even if it means eating them in front of you. These are some of the risks.
Caving in to these off-limit foods – and derailing your weight loss.
Becoming angry at your loved one(s) – and letting food hurt your relationship.
Banning all non-WLS foods from your home – and causing your loved one to be resentful.

How can you avoid these losing situations?
Everyone Needs to Compromise
The answer is compromise. You just went through a life-changing surgery because you struggled with obesity – and food – for years. You are on a strict diet, and cannot afford to have your hard work undone because your family continues to tempt you with high-calorie food. On the other hand, members of your family may feel that they have the right to eat whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want.
You can all compromise and come up with some new household rules. The following suggestions might work for your household, or you can come up with the rules that are best for your situation.
Family members are permitted to eat fast food meals inside the house, but cannot store leftovers.
Family members can keep certain wrapped Snacks at home only if they keep them hidden from you and eat them outside the house, such as at school or work.
Everyone must wrap up and put away leftover foods so that you are not tempted to grab them
Everyone must respect your need to have your kitchen scale, measuring cups and spoons, and storage containers handy and available, not shoved deep into a back closet.

Family Members of All Ages Contribute to the Diet Dynamics
Your weight loss surgery affects everyone in your household in a different way, and everyone from young children to teenagers to your spouse contributes to the household’s diet dynamics. Modify your approach to be appropriate for each family member.
Young children – They do not necessarily understand your weight loss surgery or the reasons behind it, and they are unlikely to fully understand why the household’s diet is changing. Luckily, young children are likely to eat what you offer. Offer them the same healthy foods – lean Proteins, fruits, vegetables, and nutritious starches – that you make for yourself, and you may be surprised how well they accept them, especially when you are cheerful and positive about it. In addition to serving healthy foods at home and in sack lunches, you can pack a treat for lunch so that they can enjoy it and you are not tempted to eat it.
Teenagers – Teenagers want to be independent. On principle, many of them automatically seem to reject anything that you do. The truth is, though, that they often just don’t want their friends to think that they’re different. If you have teenaged children, keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand and serve healthy foods at meal times. You may be surprised at just how often they choose to “sneak in” the healthy choice instead of opting for junk food! Don’t make a big deal out of it, or the teens will go right back to choosing junk foods. To further allow teens their sense of independence,
An important consideration with teenagers is that they may have their own weight concerns. They may already be overweight, or they may worry that they will one day struggle with their weight just like you did. That’s why it’s important now to allow them to develop healthy eating habits without putting pressure or rigid restrictions on them.
Spouse – You spouse is happiest when you are happy. You would do anything for your spouse. So why can weight loss surgery – which you went through to help you become healthier, happier, and a more capable person – lead to so much tension? Your spouse might not completely support your surgery, especially if he or she has never had a serious weight problem. Also, your spouse may be jealous of your resolve and new lifestyle.
On top of everything else, your spouse might be afraid that of losing the foods that he or she loves, either because you won’t allow them or because he or she eventually will need to accept and confront his or her own weight problem.
You need to have serious discussions of all of these issues and come to an agreement, just like you do in all other parts of your relationship. Let your spouse know that you aren’t changing as a person, but that you are becoming healthier. Let your spouse know that becoming thinner and more energetic will only deepen your love. And, discuss the food. Is your spouse willing to eat what you eat? Are there some treats that your spouse can eat in front of you that you are confident that you will not eat?
Family Meals Post-Weight Loss Surgery
You can have pleasant, healthy family meals even after weight loss surgery. One way is to prepare and eat your own food, while serving the rest of your family what they normally eat. You can all eat together. Even though you are eating less, you will take as long to eat as they will because you need to focus on chewing thoroughly and eating slowly. These are some other suggestions for family meals.
If you’re the one who makes the meals, you don’t have to make two every night. Once a week, cook your own food and refrigerate or freeze single-serving portions. Eat those at family meals, and cook for your family as usual.
Have a salad bar or other serve-yourself-style meal, such as a burger bar or Pasta bar. Include WLS-friendly options as well as everyone’s favorites. Everyone can choose what they want to eat. For example, at a pasta bar, you serve yourself spaghetti squash, grilled chicken, Tomato sauce, and salad, while others might choose spaghetti, meat sauce, and breadsticks.
Have a family treat night – can you decide that for one night, they can order in or eat junk, and you will stick to your diet? You might even be able to schedule your family’s treat night on an evening when you work late or you go out with friends so you don’t have to be around the tempting foods.
Make something that’s healthy for everyone, and just serve yourself a little less or skip the starch. You have learned to love lean proteins and veggies, and your family can, too.

Weight loss surgery changes a lot, from your body and mind to everything else in your life. Family diet dynamics are no different. With all of the other stress surrounding your new lifestyle, the environment surrounding food in your household can become tenser. With some understanding, communication, and compromise, you can keep everyone happy as you stay on track with your weight loss…and your family just might become healthier in the end!

One more time. Cheers to you as well!! God luck !!!!

Best wishes!!! Cheers to you and your successful journey!!!!

BEST WISHES TO YOU AND CHEERS TO YOUR SUCCESSFUL SURGERY, PRAYING THAT ALL IS WELL AND WISHING YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY...MAKE ROOM FOR ME ON THE LOSERS BENCH

Wow! look at all of us going in tomorrow! I am at 7am at Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO. Best Wishes to everyone and see you all on the other side!

Tomorrow is the big day! Feeling excited, nervous, scared...the list goes on and on. I am ready for my metamorphosis and can not stop thinking about how much things will change for myself and my family. This is what I am looking forward to-
1. NO More CPAP! I hate that thing!
1.1- Being able to breathe better
2. Being in more control of my habits, giving up habits and having the sleeve as a tool to build healthier habits
3. Shopping in the regular section for clothing and not being forced to wear ugly prints because of my size
4. Wearing a swimsuit this summer
5. Having self-confidence
6. Living longer and more actively for my kids
7. Not being judged by my size (hopefully, I am sure this happens to everyone though
8. Starting on a fitness journey that will help me complete all of my goals
I want to thank everyone for their wisdom, support and friendship- You guys are amazing individuals:)

Hello All,
I am getting my sleeve Feb 11 at 9 am! I have been lurking here for months, and I have learned so much! I want to say thanks to everyone for sharing and being so open and honest. I was hoping to reach out to someone who has a similar surgery date, or anyone who maybe wants to keep in touch and support each other in what seems to be a potentially difficult first few weeks. I am so proud to be able to soon sit on the loser's bench...
Side question: I have a runny nose, itchy throat, no cough or fever. It came on Friday night and doesn't seem to be getting worse. Mucus is clear (sorry if TMI)...they wouldn't cancel for this, do you think!
Thanks for reading!

Good luck!, mine went great

Tomorrow is the big day! Feeling excited, nervous, scared...the list goes on and on. I am ready for my metamorphosis and can not stop thinking about how much things will change for myself and my family. This is what I am looking forward to-
1. NO More CPAP! I hate that thing!
1.1- Being able to breathe better
2. Being in more control of my habits, giving up habits and having the sleeve as a tool to build healthier habits
3. Shopping in the regular section for clothing and not being forced to wear ugly prints because of my size
4. Wearing a swimsuit this summer
5. Having self-confidence
6. Living longer and more actively for my kids
7. Not being judged by my size (hopefully, I am sure this happens to everyone though
8. Starting on a fitness journey that will help me complete all of my goals
I want to thank everyone for their wisdom, support and friendship- You guys are amazing individuals:)

I've heard nothing but good about dr Alverez! You're gonna do grrreat!!!!

Good luck!!!

Love your whys of having the surgery. It surely is a motivator before your surgery. I was scared too with the surgery..but I made it with flying colors. And loving my sleeve.
Wishing u a speedy recovery. Lots of prayers your way. Keep us posted on. How the surgery went .

Here's to a quick and Uneventful surgery and recovery.
Thinking of you tomorrow!!

That's exciting! Good luck! Happy "new" Birthday!

You go girl!......I'm four days out and just keep thinking how much more I am going to enjoy this summer.

Tomorrow is the big day! Feeling excited, nervous, scared...the list goes on and on. I am ready for my metamorphosis and can not stop thinking about how much things will change for myself and my family. This is what I am looking forward to-
1. NO More CPAP! I hate that thing!
1.1- Being able to breathe better
2. Being in more control of my habits, giving up habits and having the sleeve as a tool to build healthier habits
3. Shopping in the regular section for clothing and not being forced to wear ugly prints because of my size
4. Wearing a swimsuit this summer
5. Having self-confidence
6. Living longer and more actively for my kids
7. Not being judged by my size (hopefully, I am sure this happens to everyone though
8. Starting on a fitness journey that will help me complete all of my goals
I want to thank everyone for their wisdom, support and friendship- You guys are amazing individuals:)

Tomorrow is the big day! Feeling excited, nervous, scared...the list goes on and on. I am ready for my metamorphosis and can not stop thinking about how much things will change for myself and my family. This is what I am looking forward to-
1. NO More CPAP! I hate that thing!
1.1- Being able to breathe better
2. Being in more control of my habits, giving up habits and having the sleeve as a tool to build healthier habits
3. Shopping in the regular section for clothing and not being forced to wear ugly prints because of my size
4. Wearing a swimsuit this summer
5. Having self-confidence
6. Living longer and more actively for my kids
7. Not being judged by my size (hopefully, I am sure this happens to everyone though
8. Starting on a fitness journey that will help me complete all of my goals
I want to thank everyone for their wisdom, support and friendship- You guys are amazing individuals:)

Good luck tomorrow on your surgery we will be rooting for you...I am hoping to have my surgery in April maybe by then I will see more of the light to a better me....once again good luck on your journey

Wow! look at all of us going in tomorrow! I am at 7am at Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO. Best Wishes to everyone and see you all on the other side!

Wendy's. Wendy, that red headed bitch. Lol

After the finale of the biggest loser, I heard many say how much older the winner looked after her weight loss. This is a huge concern for me. I know there is no way of knowing how my skin will react, but I hate the thought that I'll have a wrinkly face/neck/arms/legs. My thighs are horrific now. I can't imagine how they'll look after the weight loss. I'm seriously thinking that I'm going to have skin rolls hanging over my knees from my thighs after I lose the weight.
Anyone worry about the unchangable and unpredictable results of the surgery? I'm already staring at 40, and don't want to look like I aged 20 years instead of one.
Not much for you to say, it would just be nice to know that I'm not the only one obsessed and crazy.

My is Monday as well i praying the weekend goes by fast!!!!! Good luck Monday!!!!

Surgery is Monday February 10th.... yay!!! ( excited/nervous/anxious)
Went in this morning... got my pre-admitting and pre-op testing done... and all I have to do now is get through the next two days. Saturday soft foods...then Sunday Clear Liquids and the dreaded bowel prep.... Still can't believe that I got approved so fast! About 2 days after my consult the surgery coordinator was calling me with a date. No waiting...no frustrating appeals...no "extra hoops" to jump through.... BCBS got straight to the point and said yes!
I truly thank God for this.. .I have been riding the weight loss roller coaster for many, many years... I pray that everything goes smoothly and I can finally get this "extra person" off of me and out of my life. I have a little over 100 lbs to lose and I am going to dedicate the next year to reconditioning my mind, body and spirit so that I can utilize my tool CORRECTLY...and not abuse it...
Eating less with the restriction of the Sleeve.... DOES NOT mean, eating smaller slices of cake, Cookies and candy bars. What it does mean is having to make better choices to "fuel" my mind and body since my space is limited. Filling up with the good stuff... and reaping all the benefits from the inside out. A healthy body starts within!
At any rate.. I hope the weekend zooms by...then again I'm nervous...just a whole lot of emotions going through my mind right now. Ready to be on the recovering end of this... ASAP
Best to all of you getting sleeved Monday and next week....looking forward to all of the progress and before and after pics!

Mine is on my ankle..so I am pretty sure it will stay looking the same....but good question for those who might have one on the stomach or something.

My SO has two full sleeves of tattoos and lost 130 pounds. They still look good. Probably depends on where you have them and where the weight comes off.