6 hours ago, Twism44 said:

Would love to know if this works???

Also....Can you be more descriptive re: 'Pouch Reset'? Thanks!

The pouch reset plan: You start with liquids and progress to solid foods just like you do after bariatric surgery.

Only my opinion,

The pouch reset will not shrink your stomach. It is a way to get back to healthy habits. Some find liquids, shakes, and soft foods too restrictive.

You can get back on track by eating your bariatric real food plan. Log your food, hydrate and exercise.

9 hours ago, BQT said:

What amount do you think you will strive for to be your “new normal” for the rest of your life?

five years out,

My maintenance calorie range is 1200 to 1400 calories. I eat mainly clean/healthy. I indulge within reason. Calories/carbs look different when I’m distance running (1500 to 2000+ depending on the event)

I keep my weight in the 130’s - When I have a slight weight gain, I go back to bariatric weight loss calories. (1000 to1100) to work it off.

1 hour ago, theexfatgirl said:

This surgery has become overwhelming! I can’t find anything to eat, and each day I’m cooking 2 meals! One for me and one for my family. I run a business and really don’t have time. This has become too much for me. Can you share some meal ideas that me and my family can eat. Also I don’t meal prep past 2 days. After 2 days I throw it out. I have wasted so much money on food it’s ridiculous.

36 minutes ago, theexfatgirl said:

What types of food do you keep on hand? The meatballs are a great idea.

6 minutes ago, theexfatgirl said:

Well I’m just 7 weeks out so I can’t eat everything. My family eats Pasta and things of that nature that I can’t eat. It’s not even a question if I’m going to make them change their diets with me. I have kids ages 2-17.

Some tips for cooking for the family. (low to no cooking) link below

Any meal can be frozen into small portions– freeze leftovers, take them to work and microwave them. No cook meals at home when you are busy.

Chicken/beef fajitas you omit the tortilla = Family can have the tortilla. buy a bag of frozen john souls chicken strips – Microwaveable peppers and onions.

Frozen turkey meatballs, spaghetti sauce with a can of diced tomatoes, microwavable zucchini noodles. – Family can have Pasta and garlic bread.

You and the family can have any Protein with vegetables – Let your family have bread or a precooked microwavable side dish.

Sunday meal prep –

Cook enough Proteins for you and the family for the week. Freeze in family portion sizes. (some items you can freeze others keep in the refrigerator)

Precut up veggies place them in freezer bags – (some items you can freeze others keep in the refrigerator)

Precook rice and pasta for the family– place in freezer bags and put them in the freezer. Or Buy precooked microwavable, veggies, pasta, rice, and side dishes.

BUMP - Any low to no cooking ideas? keep posting your goto easy meals.

9 hours ago, chayarg said:

Hi,

how many calories/protiens/carbs/fats are you eating and what stage are you up to. I'm not sure where to be at. I'm 5'2" and weigh 183 still want to lose 45 lbs and get to normal bmi. (I'm 2.4 years after surgery)

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I agree with @AZhiker Years out, things look different. Best advice is from your dietician.

Only my two cents, Finding personal weight loss calories and macros:

to start, I set my calories in my food log app to 1200 - 1300. After two weeks, I dialed my calories down by 100. My body started losing weight.

Find a range that works for you (Dial calories up or down by 100)

12 hours ago, chayarg said:

Hi, I want to start logging my foods to get away from my terrible eating habits. Which app is best to use that works well on Samsung phone?

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Myfitness pal has been my tried and true. It doesn’t take much effort to log. My foods and recipes have been stored in this app for years.

23 minutes ago, trm said:

I am almost 3 years post OP and have started gaining weight. Over the past 4 months I have gained about 15 lbs. I know I am doing some things wrong. Not prepping, eating on the go and more carbs. Should I go back to Protein Shakes? Any suggestions on how to get back on track. snack and meal prep suggestions if you have any as well. Thank you!

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15lbs is not a large gain. You got this.

Some options to try,

Personally, I wouldn’t go back to shakes to rest. You will feel more satisfied with real food. Go back to bariatric basics. Follow your plan and log your food in an app like my fitness pal. stay within your weight loss calories/macros.

• Get temptation foods out of the house go grocery shopping
• Real sugar and extra carbs make you crave them more. They cause hunger Detox off them
• When you deny cravings, you want them more - Keep healthy low-Calorie options for sweet/salty on hand
• Eat dense Protein (not soft foods) with other items on your plan. Allow yourself to eat as much veggies as you want to satisfy hunger.
• Join the December weight loss challenge for motivation.

3 hours ago, BayougirlMrsS said:

See.... the b***h in me would have touched his beer-belly and asked..... Should you be working in your conditions? Or i would have asked when was his baby due.... hehehehe.... i really would have

You are hilarious and twisted. Love it.

4 minutes ago, JessLess said:

I would have gotten him thrown out of the gym. Sorry that happened to you.

I've experience worse things in life.

He just caught me off guard. I left the gym thinking, did that just happen? Weird moment.

4 hours ago, JRT Mom said:

I read your post and was shocked, but then I saw your legs--DANG! It's obvious you've been working your a$$ off--literally! Great job!

Oops-I read your thread title and thought maybe I shouldn't have commented on your legs, but I can't not-they are amazing.

So

Seriously, who are these people that freely make comments about your body

one of them is me!

Wow! you are one.😉

Most of us get these random comments from people. I just haven’t had one in a LONG time. It happened much more when I was in weight loss phase.

after 80 pounds down, I walked by a secretary sitting at her desk. She reached out and gabbed my thigh and said “you are so little” We don’t even BBQ together and she was latched on to my leg *laughing*

4 hours ago, AJ Tylo said:

I agree as a guy you should have lit his ass up! Now that would have been funny - The gym seems to be a place guys think they can get laid? never worked out for me but they troll the area looking.

This world has lost its mind

I’m lucky that my gym is family friendly. Not many gym creepers. I don’t think this guy was hitting on me. He was straight up ready to tell me how to diet and workout.

Some time I'm clueless when it comes to men. Love to hear a guys perspective on things.

55 minutes ago, Cheeseburgh said:

Is it just me? I like having a flat butt. I was always flat chested which was fine with me, but I always had a butt regardless of my weight. 110 and up. I was very self conscious of it and was pleasantly surprised when I lost it!

Love that people are comfortable in their skin and rock fantastic clothing. I'm also ok with my flat butt. I’ve always been self-conscious about my chest. I’m working on not giving a damn *lol*

5 minutes ago, GreenTealael said:

He. Touched. You?

So. So. Sorry 😔

Crazy, right?

Never touch a woman with PTSD (15 years working in a mens prison) I was ready to toss him to the ground.

Wow, I just got manslained. *laughing*

First time I’ve worn one of my half marathon shirts to the gym. (race to robbie creek elevation half marathon) I’m feeling like a bad ass and thought no one could kill my vibe today. A racquetball player in his late 50’s and a substantial beer belly. walked up to me in the weight room. He had no idea that i was obese five years ago.

He said, I can help you lose your mid-section” He tapped my midsection with his hand. I backed up, “oh hell no!” you didn’t just touch me. I told him “I’m working with patty” (she’s a trainer) He gave me a back handed compliment “you are all muscle and making the guys look bad.” What a dumb ass, some people give me motivation to work hard at the gym.

On 12/4/2019 at 9:51 PM, Arabesque said:

Mother: You’re too thin.

Me: I’ve been this weight before & it wasn’t an issue then.

Mother: You need to stop losing weight.

Me: I weigh more than you did when you were in your 20s & I’m 3inches shorter. And I’m in maintenance.

Mother: You don’t look like you any more.

Me: I look like me just not as fat.

Mother: I don’t know what to cook for you when you visit anymore.

Me: Cook the same meals you always did. I just don’t eat as much.

Mother: I don’t know who you look like anymore.

Me: I still look like me just not as fat.

And so it goes on.

My mother has been supportive through out the process but this last month these conversations have been on a loop. Am I being overly sensitive that they are bothering me so much or am I justified to be fed up.
Anyone else facing these sorts of comments from their loved ones?

edit repost

On 12/4/2019 at 9:51 PM, Arabesque said:

Mother: You’re too thin.

Me: I’ve been this weight before & it wasn’t an issue then.

Mother: You need to stop losing weight.

Me: I weigh more than you did when you were in your 20s & I’m 3inches shorter. And I’m in maintenance.

Mother: You don’t look like you any more.

Me: I look like me just not as fat.

Mother: I don’t know what to cook for you when you visit anymore.

Me: Cook the same meals you always did. I just don’t eat as much.

Mother: I don’t know who you look like anymore.

Me: I still look like me just not as fat.

And so it goes on.

My mother has been supportive through out the process but this last month these conversations have been on a loop. Am I being overly sensitive that they are bothering me so much or am I justified to be fed up.
Anyone else facing these sorts of comments from their loved ones?

Some people don’t realize how much these comments mess with our heads. You are adjusting to a smaller size/appearacnce. Most mean well, they are adjusting to our rapid change. Over time they will get used to your weight loss. Comments and compliments stop. life becomes normal.

I look at before and after photos. All of them look younger to me.

On 12/4/2019 at 9:51 PM, Arabesque said:

Mother: You’re too thin.

Me: I’ve been this weight before & it wasn’t an issue then.

Mother: You need to stop losing weight.

Me: I weigh more than you did when you were in your 20s & I’m 3inches shorter. And I’m in maintenance.

Mother: You don’t look like you any more.

Me: I look like me just not as fat.

Mother: I don’t know what to cook for you when you visit anymore.

Me: Cook the same meals you always did. I just don’t eat as much.

Mother: I don’t know who you look like anymore.

Me: I still look like me just not as fat.

And so it goes on.

My mother has been supportive through out the process but this last month these conversations have been on a loop. Am I being overly sensitive that they are bothering me so much or am I justified to be fed up.
Anyone else facing these sorts of comments from their loved ones?

Some people don’t realize how much these comments mess with our heads. You are adjusting to a smaller size/appearacnce. Most mean well, they are adjusting to our rapid change. Over time people will get used to your weight loss. Comments and compliments stop. life becomes normal.

I look at before and after photos. All of them look younger to me.

½ cup of crab ceviche No leftovers.

Loving green

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11 hours ago, StrongButterfly said:

For people who are post op, what activities or things do you do to cope during stressful times, boredom, moments of wanting to snack, etc? In other words, what are your coping mechanisms that you use now since you can no longer turn to food? Someone said they learned to knit. I've heard others say they journal, turn to something physical like taking a walk.

Thanks in advance

Fantastic advice above.

None of us get to avoid stress and major life issues (Family/friend’s passing away, Illness, divorce, financial difficulties. etc.) Be prepared and develop a plan.

@FluffyChix post on doing the headwork is a great resource.

17 hours ago, dee0128 said:

Hi everyone, I'm still adjusting to VSG surgery and will be one month post op this week. I've been having major sugar cravings since doing the low carb high Protein lifestyle. I've even had slip ups since graduating to phase 2 where I can have soft mushy foods and I've eaten sweets. Does anyone have suggestions for fighting these sugar cravings? I don't want to set myself back after coming this far on this journey. The cravings have only gotten worse since it's almost my time of the month and have been hitting the gym more often. They hit at night when it's time to rest.

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Hi Dee,

One month out and its hard to navigate your new food world. It will get better with real food stage. Practice becomes habit. Hang in there.

Some suggestions and things to think about.

Make sure the options any of us give you fit your plan and food stage: Read the back of food labels. log your food in an app and stay within your weight loss calories/macros

Most instructions are to eliminate real sugar. For many of us, when you consume real sugar, processed food, and extra carbs you crave them more (they cause hunger) detox off them and buy healthy options for sweet and salty. (get temptation out of the house)

• Dannon lite and fit Greek yogurt
• Small amount of fresh fruit.
• Strawberries dipped in Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup.
• sugar free Protein products are a good solution. (more bang for your buck) Just because it’s a sugar free product. It does not mean its calorie and carbohydrate free. Not all protein bars/shakes/cookies etc. are created equal. Some are glorified candy bars. Read food label’s. I personally like Quest bars because of the calories/macros.
• Sugar free candy has sugar alcohols. Test them on your new stomach. They can cause you to dump.
• Protein Powder added to sugar free pudding

Maintaining. this was two meals.

7 oz of meatloaf. (Ground turkey, egg, hemp hearts, Tomato sauce and seasoning) 2.2 oz 50/50 salad mix and 2 marinated artichoke hearts. Consumed all of it.

Why do I still see a larger woman? Today i woke up at 141.4.... Loose size 6 slacks and i still feel not thin enough. What is wrong with my brain???? Most people would love to be a size 6..... I still see size 10-12.... I know, i should be grateful that i'm not the size 20+ i use to be.....

On days that I didn't see myself as smaller, I put on my size 24 pair of jeans and looked in the mirror. Hilarious to see them falling off. Size six is great, right? Enjoy it.

Seeing yourself correctly takes time. Its a strange experience.

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7 hours ago, tal said:

Hey everyone! I am currently 5 months post op and I am loving this new life. I get told everyday how good I'm looking and how I lost a lot of weight I just don't really see it I guess yet🤷‍♀️ I am however having issues with my vitamins and I'm lacking motivation hard with exercising! What Vitamins can you keep down? Like I think my biggest thing are the MULTIVITAMINS. I get sick every time so I end up not taking my Vitamins which is horrible and I don't want to do that.

What gets you motivated to workout?? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

@tal

70 lost in five months is fantastic. 65 pounds to go. You never know where exercise can take you. Be open to the possibilities. find what you enjoy and be consistent. Use it as “me time” and self care. (Don't let anyone interrupt) It’s another way to develop healthy habits. You can use it to replace stress/emotional eating and process life’s issues. Start slow and build up.

What gets you motivated to workout?? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

• Exercise is a choice. The next the next seven month are going to go by if you workout or not. Decide where you want to be in your first year.
• Some days I need perspective, not motivation. A cancer patient with three months to live would gladly trade places for our weight loss struggles.
• If you workout during the winter, what could your body look like by summer?
• Motivation to exercise can be hard, bariatrics is hard and being obese is hard. Choose your hard.
• Exercise will compliment your weight loss. For many of us, the last 20lbs are difficult to lose.
• Each month’s choices are the next month’s body.
• Weightlifting (gym or home) can help fill the loose skin a bit.
• If it’s important to you, you will find a way to get it in. If it’s not you will find excuses

1 hour ago, LJGoose said:

Slept for about 3-4 hours can’t sleep anymore! Lol I go in in a few hours! Excited, pumped, and nervous! Long road to get here! 😁

Give yourself time to heal and rest. See you on the weight loss side.