Inner Surfer Girl

I am curious about what you mean. Do you feel this way because it is unclear to you what you are supposed to do? Do you know what to do but choose not to do it? Are you doing what you are supposed to do but think that somehow there is a "right" way and a "wrong" way? I personally find what I am supposed to do to follow my program is simple (but not necessarily easy). What can you do to gain more confidence? Do you have a counselor or therapist you can talk to? Getting upset with yourself when you are doing your best can't be helpful. What can we do to help? I am follow everything to the T! I'm two months post op and down 63 Ibs from pre op and post op I go to the gym 6 days a week but like Saturday I went out to eat out and what I thought was a very small portion I ate. I guess wasn't because I got that feeling that I had over ate. Yesterday I ate a small amount of garlic bread and two fried calamari and felt horrible right after It went in my mouth. I didn't get sick from it but knowing I shouldn't of had it made me upset and then I thought great I'm stretching my sleeve an it ruined the rest of my day. One or two bad choice doesn't sound like "constant" to me. That said, just the idea of garlic bread and fried calamari sounds like it would make me sick. At least now you know why it isn't such a good choice. That wouldn't count as following my program to a T, but I don't know what your program instructions are. A big part of the post-op journey is relearning how to eat with our new stomachs (like an infant, toddler, etc.). That includes making mistakes every once in a while. Try not to be too hard on yourself, but it may be a good idea to slow down and think about your food choices before you put something in your mouth. If one poor food choice ruins your day, talking with a therapist would be a really good idea.

This sounds like a serious issue that you need to work with your bariatric team to solve.

Our bodies are complex systems, not simple machines. Until you are getting enough nutrition: protein, Water, Vitamins & minerals, and calories (fats & carbs), your body is not going to easily give up the extra weight.

For me, the energy came after surgery, after I started eating more nutritious foods, exercising, etc. Immediately after surgery while I was still healing my energy level was still low. Be patient. It will come.

I gave up chewing gum many, many years ago. That is one of those habits that I am so glad I don't have.

The deal breaker for me was whether or not I could give up my diet pop habit. I felt such a sense of accomplishment and of hope after I successfully weaned myself off of carbonation and caffeine. That is when I really started to believe I could do this!

How far out are you after surgery?

My energy level has been increasing, especially now that I am able to exercise more often and more intensely. I think a combination of healthy eating, exercise, sleeping well, and abstaining from caffeine for the most part since before surgery have had a big influence on my increase in energy. The weight loss hasn't hurt either!

So far, I have had the chance to educate some folks about my experience with WLS and to encourage a few folks to explore the possibility. I have also been able to share some of what I have learned with a couple of friends who aren't pursuing WLS but are trying to lose weight.

I used to love to ride my bike when I was in high school a very long time ago. Riding a bike is definitely something I am looking forward to. I would think a good bike shop could help you find the right bike for what you want to do and that would be comfortable and the right fit.

I am curious about what you mean. Do you feel this way because it is unclear to you what you are supposed to do? Do you know what to do but choose not to do it? Are you doing what you are supposed to do but think that somehow there is a "right" way and a "wrong" way? I personally find what I am supposed to do to follow my program is simple (but not necessarily easy). What can you do to gain more confidence? Do you have a counselor or therapist you can talk to? Getting upset with yourself when you are doing your best can't be helpful. What can we do to help?

No, and have had no desire to do so. I didn't have a puree phase (transitioned from full liquids to soft). When I was on soft foods I ate refried Beans with melted cheese. When I was cleared for it I had the beans with either ground taco meat or chicken.

@@Queen of Crop is a lovely woman who is part of the BariatricPal community. She is a veteran and has written a book about her experience.

This is a great strategy. When I was newly sleeved I only weighed at doctors appointments. Now that I am further out I try not to weigh more than once a week.

This is awesome. Any chance we might see you on Project Runway someday?

Just how experienced is your surgeon anyway? His recommendation is so far from anything I have heard I am really curious.

You do know that you are responding to a post from 2010, right?I know this is from 2010 but I wanted to put my 2 cents in. I did hcg 3 times. Each with injections and 42 days. Followed thru with each phase. Lost 50 pounds each time. Only to regain. Now 7 years later and 60 pounds heavier, I realize I need more. Am in preop diet stage. Soon as I lose last 8 pounds, I can schedule surgery. Aiming for april. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App Welcome aboard and best of luck with your surgery.

It sounds like you know what to do. As to carbs, I don't avoid all carbs, just starches and added sugars. A good complex carb like oatmeal should be fine. A hug protein oatmeal would be even better. As to advice about stalls, my best advice is to Embrace the Stall! and read this for some ideas: http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall I do but I don't know what I am doing I never posted "big numbers" like others except for the first 2-3 weeks post-op. For example, fruits wise, someone told me that I should not be eating bananas. Had no idea about this. Also don't see it in the packet I was given. Also, Snacks wise. I hate Greek Yogurt. So I have Wheat Thins multigrain crackers with Peanut Butter or hummus or string cheese. Or I have nuts. Today I cut up celery and also have carrots that I can have with the peanut butter or hummus. I am trying to plan to munch on that (or some grapes that I bought at the grocery store last night) rather than going for Doritoes or Cookies while I work. But I would really LOVE some new ideas for healthy snacks. Am I better off eating a PBJ sandwich as a small meal than eating the snacks if the snacks are going to be as bad as Doritoes/cookies and keep me from grazing? I also haven't been tracking my protein. Just been focusing on eating a lot of high protein foods in general. It sounds like you need to get away from the idea that every meal or snack needs a bread or cracker. You can eat peanut butter, hummus or string cheese plain or with a non-starchy vegetable. I personally don't avoid bananas but am aware they are higher in sugar/carbs. This might be more important for someone with DS. Whatever you do, focus on protein first and tracking your protein so you KNOW you are reaching your protein target. If you eat protein first, then non-starchy vegetable, then you may or may not have room for whole fruits. There shouldn't be much room left for breads and crackers. Since you don't like Greek yogurt do you like cottage cheese?

There are several books you may want to look at. I don't know if one book has everything you need. Alex has a Big Book of Gastric Sleeve. I think there is also a Big Book of Weight Loss Surgery and/or Big Book of Bypass. You will need to look and see. I like Eat it Up by Connie Stapleton. There are lots of cookbooks. Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery is one I have. For general eating issues: When food is Love by Geneen Roth. Our own Queen of Crop has a book about her first year's experience.

Hi, Since your post seemed the most detailed I was hoping I could follow up with some questions. I was re-reading the nutrition packet that my surgeon and his nutrition team provided me post-op and it says to avoid butter and margarine. I have read that other DSers have this because our bodies absorb only 20% of fats. I have been using an olive oil dairy free butter by Smart Balance ( I use it only this Sara Lee multi-grain bread that I found that is just 45 calories. Here's the nutrition information: Calories 45, 2%. Total Fat 0.5g, 1%. Sodium 85mg, 3%. Sugars 1g *. Fiber 2g, 10%. Whole Grain 8g. I tend to have bread with eggs in the morning. I also use the bread to make a PBJ sandwich for lunch. The school cafeteria has some really healthy and not too expensive fish/chicken options every day so I tend to have that with steamed veggies for lunch. I also throw a lot of tofu into lean ground meat that I cook, though I just started cooking on Sundays at the beginning of this year. I successfully cut out juices, potatoes, Pasta, and rice from my diet for the most part. I make brown rice once a week at most. Really, the main thing messing me up (I think) is that I am having donuts/muffins that are 300-500 calories a day and also Cookies or the occasional bag of chips (the individual portion size but still) when I am stressed out about assignments or as I am writing papers. I justify this by saying that I "need fuel" since I am in class/studying for about 14 hours a day. In examining the "bad" stuff that I am eating, I could easily estimate it to be the 500-700 calories a day that if I were to cut, would result in 1-1.5 pounds of weight loss a week. And if I continue going to the gym, I am guessing I could up that weight loss to 2 pounds even. That's still not the "big" losses that others on this board seem to achieve but I would be happy with even 1 pound a week! I am hoping it's not too late to re-learn all of this. Ask away. I'll answer what I can based on my knowledge and experience. I am not sure about the fats question. Since I was sleeved I don't have the same fat absorption issues that you might experience. I avoid fried foods, but don't really limit good fats. I use olive oil a lot. If I am going to have butter, then I have butter (life is too short for fake butter). I find that I just don't want as much fats as I would have used previously (a little dab will do it). When it comes to bread, whole grain is best. I don't eat bread very often, but when I do it is good quality whole grain and usually only one piece. (For instance a piece of Avocado toast or an open-faced sandwich). I USUALLY skip the bread entirely and just eat the insides. Life is too short to eat cardboard. If you are like me you just need to go cold turkey from the junk food: muffins, donuts, cookies, potato chips are poison and not fuel. As long as they are in your system, your brain is going to come up for a rationalization for why you HAVE to have them. Look for high-protein alternatives. As to healthy snacks. Pre-portioned packaging is your friend. Either buy individually portioned bags or take the time to portion out bulk items like nuts. My post-swim "treat" is usually a bag of Mr. cheese o's and a V-8. Mr. Cheese O's, Quest Chips, Kay's Naturals or other protein snacks are good substitutions if you HAVE to have a pre-packaged, portable chip or snack. They aren't cheap so it makes it easier for me to ration them. It isn't too late! If you make smart choices 95% of the time you should do great! Plus, the better your nutrition, the easier it will be for you to focus on your studies. I only wish I had known this in grad school.

It sounds like you know what to do. As to carbs, I don't avoid all carbs, just starches and added sugars. A good complex carb like oatmeal should be fine. A hug protein oatmeal would be even better. As to advice about stalls, my best advice is to Embrace the Stall! and read this for some ideas: http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Twyford will be a bit of a culture shock after London. We moved here from Bedford 6 years ago, just down the M1 from Leicestershire. Bali is 3.5 hours away for us so not too bad. I've no history of blood clots thankfully but will probably take some aspirin. If I can do half as well as you in 5.5 months I will be so chuffed. I will take a look at your blog, I need all the help and encouragement I can get. Definitely talk to your surgeon before you take aspirin since it is an NSAID.

Do you have a counselor or therapist? This is a big change physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you have been used to managing your feelings and moods, depression and anxiety with food you have got to learn some new, healthy ways to cope. Please find a counselor or therapist to talk to. See if you can find a bariatric support group and/or 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). Follow your program. In the meantime, try taking a walk and getting some sunshine. I also recommend that you read a book like Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton or When Food is Love by Geneen Roth. You will get through this, and it is ok to cry. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Both your calories and protein are really low. Based on everything I know and my own experience you have got to get in more: protein, calories, and Water. You need least 64 oz of water/fluid a day. Until you can get in the required nutrients, nothing on the scale matters. Your body is fighting back hard.

What is Bali bellie? Is it similar to Montezuma's Revenge?