une nouvelle vie

My surgeon had me start them 1 week after surgery, but it seems like the more I read he introduced them about a week before most other people get to start them with other doctors.

Oh how I feel you. My BMI was around the same as yours when I first saw the surgeon. He wanted me to be at a 60 BMI as well. That was in mid February. I was going to have to lose about 85 pounds. I figured it would take me all year. I got there mid June and had my surgery at the end of June and I promise you I was not hungry all the time. Sometimes I was, but most of the time I was satisfied. First thing I want to say is that just because it worked for me doesn't mean it is the "right" way or the only way. I'm not telling you to do this, just sharing. If you want to know more information, please feel free to send me a message. My nutritionist at the surgeon's office put me on a program that had me using 3 Meal Replacement shakes a day and eating two sensible dinners of Protein and green vegetables. I cut out dairy, starch and sugar. They didn't insist on a certain kind of shake, they just wanted one that had at least 10g of protein and was low in carbs and sugar. I found one that tasted prettty good when I doctored it up and drank them 3 times a day most days, only 2 times a day on some days. I ate mostly turkey, chicken, and fish as far as protein goes because (as a true volume eater) I could have more of them than I could something with more calories. 4oz of tilapia is about 100 calories. 4oz of chicken or turkey breast is about 110 or 120. I'd steam some broccoli or I'd roast some Brussels sprouts or some other veggie and I'd be good. Now, some things I did "wrong" according to my nutritionist (though she never knew I did them): I was told that in between meals and shakes I could only have something like a sugar free popsicle or SF Jello or a dill pickle but only 1 or two a day. I kept myself from gorging and feeling deprived by eating those things when I felt hungry and I didn't limit it to only once or twice a day. One thing I kept on hand AT ALL TIMES was hard boiled eggs. One large hard boiled egg has about 78 calories and 6 grams of protein with nearly zero carbs. I didn't eat the whole egg though. Instead I ate only the egg whites. One hard boiled egg white has 17 calories and 3.6g of protein. I'd peel 2 of those and eat them and feel satisfied. I'd throw the yolk outside at night for the raccoons to eat. The raccoons and stray cats around my house have a gorgeous coat but probably high cholesterol I also made a veggie Soup with a mishmash of vegetables that would only be about 35 calories or so a cup and that helped a lot. You CAN do this. If I can do it, I have to believe it can be done by anyone who wants it. It may take you longer to get your surgery than what you want but in the meantime you'll be developing better habits. I know I did. I learned to live without fast food and pizza delivery and I learned what foods were better choices. Slowly I started being satisfied on less as well because when I get simple carbs I'm like a shark on a feeding frenzy and I cut those out. Please believe in yourself. You can do it. (Jeez this got long. Sorry about that, all)

I'm 5'5" and my starting weight was 446 pounds when I first saw the surgeon. I was expecting him to say the bypass but he thought the sleeve would be best for me. I dropped 85 pounds before my surgery through diet and exercise so my surgery weight was around 360 so don't assume the bypass would be the choice. It'll all depend on your surgeon. I'd say to be 100% candid with the surgeon and tell them HOW you eat. Volume eating? Grazing? Carbs? What's your downfall? That may affect the choice. Good luck.

This for me, exactly.

Thanks for the heads up!

I was looking at fitbit and at the UP by Jawbone. I'm still undecided. I'll have to look at the One as well.

I sure hope so because that's about where I started out earlier in the year. I was 446 pounds when I started a diet the first day I saw the surgeon. I had my surgery 4 months later, 85 pounds lighter from my dieting, and I'm hoping I can make this work. To give myself the best chance I've decided to not just work on what goes in me, but what's already here - in my head. I've got books to read and I'm going to do support groups in person and online, and I'm going to see a therapist who has some experience with weight loss patients. I truly believe that nobody gets as big as I was without having some issues to work out and I intend to do my best to work them out. I also think that at my size I was nearly disabled and not really living so we may (just maybe) have that advantage over someone a lot smaller. We know what it's like to have our weight REALLY affect our lives in big ways so we have to protect this sleeve we've been given so we can't ever go back to that way of living. Good luck. I know we can do it!

No problem! It is open to anyone! Even if you had surgery elsewhere. I got a copy of the schedule today when I saw the nutritionist so I'll try to scan it when I get home and post it! Thank you! That's good to know. They were the only one I couldn't find the dates and times online for their support group. Just an FYI for anyone in Columbus: I checked with both Mount Carmel and OSU and they both report that their groups are open to anyone as well. Mount Carmel wants you to register if you're going to go by calling 614-234-LIFE but no registration is needed by OSU. The dates and times and locations are online: Mount Carmel: https://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/body.cfm?id=950&action=list&limit_eventTitle=Bariatric%20Surgery%20Support%20Group&crawl=false OSU: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/center_for_wellness_prevention/comprehensive_weight_management/bariatric_surgery/support_groups/Pages/index.aspx

I hear you. I was three weeks post op as of Monday and I've been at the same weight for one week. I'm weighing and measuring nad documenting everything I eat and I'm almost always between 400-500 calories a day yet no weight loss. My Protein is 60-80g a day and I'm drinking between 50-64oz of Water a day. I'm hoping that when my doc releases me to go to the gym at the end of the week that'll help SOMETHING. I'll hang in there and you do too!

He was recently taken to task by congress a week or so ago for his dubious weight loss claims and advice. He's a borderline quack these days.

In the top right hand corner you see your name and to the right of that there is a little gear? Click that gear and then select "My Tickers" and create one. Once you create one you can add it to your signature and it'll appear when you post

That is so nice of you! I appreciate it.

Positive thoughts! Be well and check in when you can.

Thank you for this. It reminds me of this cool picture I just found..

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as well. I'm 3 weeks out as of today and ready to swim. My surgeon cleared me I could at the end of this week. We're waiting a few extra days since one of my incisions was a little iffy.

The thought of it all is overwhelmnig sometimes. To know you have SO much to lose is daunting. I'm 43 and tried so many things and kept thinking I'd have time to change it. I'm 3 weeks out from my surgery and I feel like myself. I'm lucky that I've had no complications and you should stay positive that you won't either. Make a list of things you want to do after surgery. Not just the big ones like travel or be 150 pounds. Little ones like fitting in an airplane seat or more room between you and the steering wheel. Focus on those little goals you can knock off one at a time. Know that you're doing this for you so you can not just live longer, but to live better. Hang in there!

I'm only 3 weeks out so I'm not the person you're really looking for, but I'm wondering if instead of thinking of foods we can't have anynore we should look at those foods we really like (like your Crab Nachos) and try to find ways to reproduce them but in a healthier way. Find ways to change them up so that they can be healthier for us.

Great job!

You're only 3 days out and you want to eat whole foods? Obviously you can do what you choose but I would say absolutely not. I say this as someone who cheated one time. The night before I started my puree diet I had 2 ounces of baby food fruit because I wanted to taste something. You are 3 days out. Your staples aren't even close to healing. They've only just started and you could very well cause yourself major complications. Drink some broth or sit outside in the sun and talk with your mom to pass the time. Whole foods are going to bring you problems, in my opinion.

@#9grammy They didn't specify why, but my surgeon's office also said no Flintstone Vitamins too.

Look at you go!

I am only 3 weeks out from surgery so take my suggestion with that in mind but I am using this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G8VK1QS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It is unflavored so I just mix it with some Crystal Light or even into food.

I love their broccoli slaw. SO many things you can do with it.

I'll be following this thread as well since I will be 3 weeks out tomorrow and starting my vitamins soon. The sheet my surgeon gave me said to avoid gummy vitamins, but said I'd be using liquid or chewable for at least the first 3 months.