kpay10

One more thing- as Josh said, buy a food scale! You will have to measure portions until you can trust your new tummy to tell you when it's full. I still measure everything because I'm paranoid of over-eating and stretching my stomach. Join My Fitness Pal and get used to logging your food. It's a great way to make sure you are getting all your Protein, while also keeping track of fat, sugar, and carbs, and of course, calories!
Never trust a fart- yes, I've had that happen, too! Luckily, I was at home at the time! LOL

Don't buy your Vitamins in bulk before surgery! I did this without knowing how hard it would be to swallow pills post op. I've had to experiment with several types of chewable Multi Vitamins and Calcium that didn't make me sick post-op. Also, buy some small containers and freezer bags for food storage, since you won't be able to eat but a few ounces at a time post op. Oh, and follow your surgeon/NUT's instructions to the letter! I'm convinced that's why I had zero complications (except for occasional constipation) once I returned home from the hospital.
Good luck!!

Our surgeon/NUT said eat healthy. Period. At 3 months we were told no more shakes, that I was eating too much Protein. We take good Vitamins, lost 60 and 90 lbs each, bloodwork is good, so it is working for us. We eat protein, salads, and add a few things when we want. Keep in mind we are both 67, our only exercise is swimming daily. This regimen would probably not work for younger people but we are making good choices, and have no bread, carbs or sweets in the house because of diabetes. We feel so good!

I have two children, ages 23 and 24. My 24 year old son has never been overweight and is, in fact, naturally skinny. My daughter was chubby from about 2nd to 5th grade and then hit puberty and thinned out. I always was careful with what I fed them and they were both actively involved in sports. Now that they are grown, my daughter watches what she eats, as she has a tendency to gain weight and my son is a vegetarian.

Don't buy your Vitamins in bulk before surgery! I did this without knowing how hard it would be to swallow pills post op. I've had to experiment with several types of chewable Multi Vitamins and Calcium that didn't make me sick post-op. Also, buy some small containers and freezer bags for food storage, since you won't be able to eat but a few ounces at a time post op. Oh, and follow your surgeon/NUT's instructions to the letter! I'm convinced that's why I had zero complications (except for occasional constipation) once I returned home from the hospital.
Good luck!!

Don't buy your Vitamins in bulk before surgery! I did this without knowing how hard it would be to swallow pills post op. I've had to experiment with several types of chewable Multi Vitamins and Calcium that didn't make me sick post-op. Also, buy some small containers and freezer bags for food storage, since you won't be able to eat but a few ounces at a time post op. Oh, and follow your surgeon/NUT's instructions to the letter! I'm convinced that's why I had zero complications (except for occasional constipation) once I returned home from the hospital.
Good luck!!

The one thing that strikes me about this post is the title. 'When can we start eating normally?"
Normally. That's the key word for me. And it's up to all us to re-define what normal is for us. If the new normal closely resembles pre-op, but in smaller portions, then I think that's cause for concern. I'm in @@LipstickLady 's camp where I don't justify my choices. But I don't rationalize it either. I've wasted way too many years rationalizing myself up to almost 400lbs.
Simply put, we need to change more than just the size of our tummys.
Please be well…

I totally agree. KIND OF. My first year I was on plan, on target, on task. I intended to get 100% of the results I could during the "honeymoon" phase. Now that I am just a few pounds from goal and 13 months out, I feel as if I can relax a bit and experiment. My year of good habits has gotten rid of my desire to eat bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes and pizza most of the time, as well as a lot of processed foods and fast food. In fact, many things I loved before are quite repulsive to me now. I never thought that would be my reality, but it is. I am not sure I would be able to say that if I continued to nibble on those things all along, though.
I have gone from a tight 20 to a loose 6/8. I have no freaking intention of ever being larger than an 8 again. If that means I have to be diligent, so be it. I can tell you that my life is SO MUCH better, SO MUCH BETTER, even with my self imposed food restrictions. Before I was always on a failing diet, sweaty, fat, frustrated, uncomfortable, pissy when I needed clothes, pissier when I had to do something that involved heat and people and movement because I was self conscious about my size.
Now I can do ANYTHING physically, I can fit into clothes at any store, I fit into teeny spaces, I get stuck in the corner spot as restaurants because I am the smallest one, when I am hot and sweaty, I am not at all self conscious about it, I can eat in public without being embarrassed... If all that means I have to be diligent about my food choices 99% of the time, so be it. Totally worth it.

I agree with Denise. For me, it's also redefining what is normal. My new normal means low carb, low sugar, and Protein first. I don't intend to "indulge" in food that is unhealthy because that is what got me here in the first place! In the past, I could diet like a rock star, lose the weight, and then feel that I could have a few "treats" now and then. Once i was at my goal. I'd eat something unhealthy, notice no weight gain, and think it was okay to continue eating "normal" by fitting in the unhealthy foods until I was back to eating junk on a regular basis. Soon, I was back to my original Pre-diet weight, plus another 10 lbs. I didn't go through a risky surgery only to let that happen again!
I have a friend who had Gastric Bypass surgery 10 years ago. She lost all her weight, then began to gradually eat and drink "normal" again. It worked for a few years, but guess what? She is now back to her original size. it's a slippery slope and a gamble that I'm just not willing to risk.

One more thing- as Josh said, buy a food scale! You will have to measure portions until you can trust your new tummy to tell you when it's full. I still measure everything because I'm paranoid of over-eating and stretching my stomach. Join My Fitness Pal and get used to logging your food. It's a great way to make sure you are getting all your Protein, while also keeping track of fat, sugar, and carbs, and of course, calories!
Never trust a fart- yes, I've had that happen, too! Luckily, I was at home at the time! LOL

I agree with Denise. For me, it's also redefining what is normal. My new normal means low carb, low sugar, and Protein first. I don't intend to "indulge" in food that is unhealthy because that is what got me here in the first place! In the past, I could diet like a rock star, lose the weight, and then feel that I could have a few "treats" now and then. Once i was at my goal. I'd eat something unhealthy, notice no weight gain, and think it was okay to continue eating "normal" by fitting in the unhealthy foods until I was back to eating junk on a regular basis. Soon, I was back to my original Pre-diet weight, plus another 10 lbs. I didn't go through a risky surgery only to let that happen again!
I have a friend who had Gastric Bypass surgery 10 years ago. She lost all her weight, then began to gradually eat and drink "normal" again. It worked for a few years, but guess what? She is now back to her original size. it's a slippery slope and a gamble that I'm just not willing to risk.

I'm on MFP. My user name is SleevedLife2014. I LOVE that you can scan almost any food and it's on there!

Has anyone else tried these? The turkey one has:
Protein: 13 grams
Carbs: w grams
Fat: 11 grams
Sodium: 440 mg
170calories
They consist of meat (turkey, ham, or chicken), nuts (peanuts or almonds), and some type of reduced fat cheese. I found them at Target for $1.69 each.
I wouldn't eat them daily, but they're convenient for a quick meal/snack on the run. I paired one today with a hard boiled egg.

Yes. It sounds like gas. That was the worst pain for me and I was miserable, too! I did not find the GAS-X strips helpful. I used chewable gas tablets that my Dr prescribed, but you can get them OTC. That, and walking/laying on my left side/sitting up and changing positions often helped. It was bad for about 5 days, then slowly subsided. Oh, a heating pad helped, too!

Yes. It sounds like gas. That was the worst pain for me and I was miserable, too! I did not find the GAS-X strips helpful. I used chewable gas tablets that my Dr prescribed, but you can get them OTC. That, and walking/laying on my left side/sitting up and changing positions often helped. It was bad for about 5 days, then slowly subsided. Oh, a heating pad helped, too!

I just packed my first lunch since tomorrow I go back to work! I'm 4 weeks out so mine looks a little different. Tomorrow I'm going to drink a Protein Shake during my commute. For a snack I have 1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese w/ 1 tbs of Protein Powder to add in. For lunch: 1 Light Baby Bell cheese and a hard-boiled egg. Sounds so boring, but I'll get to mix it up in 2 weeks when I graduate to regular food!

For me, I still might have an occasional craving if I'm around the food, however it is now a short-lived and manageable craving. I've cut out sugar and simple carbs for over 3 months now and I'm no longer tempted. Before I was sleeved (4 1/2 weeks ago) if I indulged in my sugar craving I found the taste to be sickeningly sweet. Carbs are another story- I love them, so now I avoid them like the plague.

For me, I still might have an occasional craving if I'm around the food, however it is now a short-lived and manageable craving. I've cut out sugar and simple carbs for over 3 months now and I'm no longer tempted. Before I was sleeved (4 1/2 weeks ago) if I indulged in my sugar craving I found the taste to be sickeningly sweet. Carbs are another story- I love them, so now I avoid them like the plague.

For me, I still might have an occasional craving if I'm around the food, however it is now a short-lived and manageable craving. I've cut out sugar and simple carbs for over 3 months now and I'm no longer tempted. Before I was sleeved (4 1/2 weeks ago) if I indulged in my sugar craving I found the taste to be sickeningly sweet. Carbs are another story- I love them, so now I avoid them like the plague.

For me, I still might have an occasional craving if I'm around the food, however it is now a short-lived and manageable craving. I've cut out sugar and simple carbs for over 3 months now and I'm no longer tempted. Before I was sleeved (4 1/2 weeks ago) if I indulged in my sugar craving I found the taste to be sickeningly sweet. Carbs are another story- I love them, so now I avoid them like the plague.

I'm on soft foods and my favorite right now is the Ricotta cheese Bake from The World According to Eggface. It's amazing! Two great websites I have found for recipes is the Eggface site and Bariatric Eating. They both have tons of recipes!

I've been having some nausea, too, especially after dinner. I didn't take my Vitamins today, either, because I wanted to see how I felt. I'm still nauseous after dinner tonight, though. Wish I knew what this was! My daughter suggested eating lighter in the evening (maybe having my Protein Shake for dinner instead of breakfast). I might try that tomorrow. If it weren't for this nausea I'd be doing great!!

Silly question, but how do you take them with/after a meal when you have to wait 1/2 hour to drink?

Hi Scylla.
I am a little over 2 weeks post op and have lost 7 lbs. I know exactly how you feel! I was on a 1200 calorie diet beginning in November and then the 2 week liquid diet pre op. I lost 51 lbs. pre op and I truly believe that the people who are losing massive amounts in the first few weeks are losing Water weight, which we have already lost. My doctor told me not to worry, as long as I am losing. I <3 him!
By the way, I put away my scale and am now only going to weigh once a week. I'm trusting the process and trying not to compare myself to others, as hard as that is at times!
Good luck!!

I'm almost 5 months out and still drink a Protein shake (at least 24-32oz and 30-40g) every day. It's not a chore...we need fluids anyways so I'm just doing double duty by making it a Protein rich drink. it's what I sip on all morning in between appointments. Every meal or snack I have has protein....chicken, tuna, beef, crab, cheese, deli meat, Greek yogurt, nuts. I try to sneak in some veggies or V8 everyday. I add bananas or peaches or blueberries or apple to my shakes and plain Fage yogurt, so even my fruit involves protein intake. I also add powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored powder to Soups and casseroles and even pancake mix.
Other than knowing what's in my morning drink, I don't track or count anything, so I couldn't tell you how much protein I'm getting. But I do know I can't physically eat any more.
Try different brands/flavors of Protein drinks so you don't burn out. I've currently got Premier chocolate and vanilla, Garden of Life Raw Fit and Raw Vanilla, Syntrax nectar apple, cherry and lemonade, Jay Robb chocolate, piña colada, tropical, and strawberry in my cupboard. I use fruits and PB2 to vary the "base" flavors.