Inner Surfer Girl

I think we all have this fear pre-op. I know for me, my metabolism pre-op was so wrecked that losing weight by "dieting" was practically impossible. It was a struggle just not to gain. What I have learned is that everything I was taught about conventional dieting was wrong. Pre-op dieting was all about minimizing calories and maximizing bulk and volume. Post-op, it is about maximizing nutrition and minimizing volume. Pre-op, consider weaning yourself off of soda pop (even diet soda can make you retain weight) and caffeine. Just doing that and drinking enough Water may be all you need to do to lose a few pounds. Aim for drinking AT LEAST 64 oz water a day. Focus on eating high Protein low carb. Avoid starches (rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes, corn, etc), added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods. If you are hungry then add extra cruciferous and other non-starchy vegetables and protein. Start tracking your food so you know what you are doing and not guessing. If you follow your program, you will lose weight with WLS. I know it is hard to believe now, but it does work.

The pre-op fear and anxiety was the worst part of the whole process for me. It is the uncertainty. I couldn't have asked for a better surgery, recovery, and results so far. I have zero regrets other than allowing that fear and uncertainty keep me from not doing it sooner.

Everything I have seen about Shakeology leads me to believe it is: 1) not bariatric friendly/too high in carbs and 2) really overpriced.

Pre-op, I had several required classes and was given a binder with most of the program information. My last pre-op class, about two weeks pre-op went into the most detail. My one week follow-up post-op class had more detail about the post-op diet plan. Do you have any more classes or appointments scheduled before your surgery date? If so, that is a good time to ask about your post-op plan. If not, you may want to give your NUT a call for clarification.

Congratulations! I love your post. For me, it is the opportunity to do more things. I have been on disability due to my obesity so now that I am regaining my mobility, I am no longer completely housebound and trapped. I can also sit behind a computer again, although I try to limit the time I am completely sedentary. I swim, I take classes, I take photographs, I write, I am starting to take road trips and travel, I am becoming more engaged in my community, and I am starting to job hunt in order to return to the workforce. I think it is awesome that you have chosen health over drinking and partying. I do agree with the poster who mentioned education though. You are at a perfect time in your life to dream big. Actually, we are all at a perfect time in our lives to dream big! Have you thought about what excites you? About your passion? Maybe it is exercise-related? Maybe you have the talent to design athletic shoes? Program video games? The sky is the limit! You have an awesome future in front of you.

Definitely quit smoking. Nicotine can seriously inhibit healing and can wreck havoc on your digestive track. Not to mention that smoking is not healthy for you or the people around you. Congratulations for choosing to become healthy.

Good for you! Have fun destroying your scale. What worked for me was to only weigh at doctors appointments, especially early out post-op. Now, I weigh no more than once a week. There was a long period of time before surgery when I just didn't want to know what I weighed, and didn't. One of the critical success factors for me during the WLS process is to be rigorously honest with myself and my medical team. That includes my weight. Now, I look forward to stepping on the scale at the doctors office. I don't share the number on the scale with anyone else unless there is a need to know. I put it on my ticker on BariatricPal and have shared the number with a couple of people who were sincerely considering WLS and were obviously suffering with their obesity. I think one of the first steps for me towards WLS was to buy a scale that was rated to handle my weight. Even it had a difficult time recording my weight. Now, when I step on it is simply registers a number.

I was sleeved so don't know about RNY people, but I eat olives all the time. I count them in MyFitnessPal (sodium is high) but generally think of them as a fat.

10 days on CLEAR liquids?? Wow, that's not strict, that's Draconian! YOU are a rock star if you can make it through that.....that's essentially NO nutrition for 10 days? Are you feeling ok? I'm weak and tired on just protein shakes. Now I feel like a wimp!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It's rough. I have learned to hate the smell of broth and today was the first day that I feel fatigued and tired. It seems like almost everybody else is allowed protein shakes 3 days post op, so I may "cheat" with those soon. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900AZ using the BariatricPal App You definitely need protein. Bone broth has more protein than some of the other commercially available broths. You can also get clear protein supplements like Isopure, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. Personally, I would consider some of the Syntrax Nectars clear. Protein is critical for healing and weight loss. Even if you are restricted to clear liquids it is really important that you get enough protein.

I agree that therapy, both pre- and post-op can be extremely helpful. In addition, consider attending bariatric support group meetings. You may also want to consider a recovery group like Overeaters Anonymous. You can find meeting lists, podcasts, and other resources online at OA.org. There are also lots of great books related to food issues. One you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton.

I am very fortunate to live in a rural area with lots of access to farmers markets, roadside stands, Amish stores, and other sources of fresh, locally grown and produced food.

I agree that you can get enough Protein from vegetables IF you are able to eat a large enough quantity of vegetables. Show me how someone newly sleeved can get enough protein from just vegetables and that is great. But, for me, in order to get enough protein. I have to focus on protein. I can't just eat vegetables and assume I am getting enough protein. I am not arguing with eating vegetables, I am arguing with the idea that just eating vegetables is an effective way to get enough protein for someone newly sleeved. Especially since protein is critical for both healing and weight loss.

Just keep sipping!

Look for sales. I bought a lot of mine initially online from drugstore.com (except for the bariatric advantage calcium chews that I got from bariatric choice). I have also bought some of my vitamins at CVS when they have had sales.

Everyone is different. Some people get sick eating a lot of sugar, some people don't. Personally, sugary foods (like cake) don't really appeal to me any more. I am over a year out and have had a small cupcake, an occasional cookie, etc. but it isn't really something I crave. For me, once I got sugar and starches out of my system, I really haven't craved them. If I do eat sugar though, the cravings can come back.

I am so sorry to hear that you had to go through this again. Any idea why you were not able to lose weight with the first sleeve? What are you doing differently now?I'm not sure the doctor really didn't know him self WHY it failed. He said about 10 percent of people that get the sleeve it does not work because of boby dynamics The second time around I told him I wanted to see pictures for reasurance. If I was not a surgical tech I would have taught he did nothing to me. Some people say it depends on how aggressive the surgeon is. So he said I would probably only lose 20 more pounds 30 would be over achieving Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App Other than solely relying on the sleeve, the post-op food plan is critical. What plan did you follow before? What plan are you following now? Have you changed anything? What is your post-op food plan? Are you tracking your food? What is your Protein target? Are you getting at least that much protein every day? Are you getting AT LEAST 64 oz of Fluid every day? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods? Are you exercising? Are you practicing mindful eating? Eating slowly, taking small bites, and chewing thoroughly? I am curious and wish you all the best this time around.

Other than plain Water and soda, what have you tried? Have you tried different temperatures? Have you tried water enhancers, infusions, teas, etc? What Protein supplements have you tried? Have you tried clear protein supplements like Isopure, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, Syntrax nectar, etc?

I might throw something out there about Doritos and cheese dip or something, just to make my weekend more entertaining! Actually, I'm going to a beer fest tomorrow...gasp. Mostly I'm hoping for one of those little taster glasses...that's about my speed with beer right now I don't drink or smoke...(I know how boring)....But how about some chocolate?...or home baked bread?? haha A home baked blueberry scone! My member name here should be "BlueberrySconeFanatic" instead of Shelterdog...I've developed SUCH a craving for them. But in keeping with my new, virtuous lifestyle, I've been putting blueberries in my oatmeal and pretending it's a scone. Hahahaha, it's not working but I'm trying!! Chocolate covered blueberry scones all around! Add some cocoa powder to your oatmeal! For Breakfast today, I added WonderSlim dark chocolate Protein pudding powder and PB2 to my oatmeal to up the protein. Yum.

You do not deserve to be treated in this manner. I highly recommend some couples counseling. He does not have permission to abuse you: verbally or physically, EVER. If this is how he behaves under stress then either he needs help right now and/or you are better off without him.

I agree, but I have always lived alone as an adult. My grandmother was the opposite. She always cooked for an army, even when it was just she and my grandfather. She had a very difficult time once she was alone.

I love cottage cheese. I started a thread on here a while back that has a lot of suggestions. My favorites: Plain Plain with crushed black pepper Plain with picante sauce Plain with sliced ripe tomato and crushed black pepper Plain with ripe tomato, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, feta, peppers (sort of like a Greek salad) Dress it like a salad Make it like a dip. I have a good Greek herb mix that I mix in Etc, etc

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight, you will experience stalls. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and fluctuations. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks out. Don't be upset if you stall about now. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

In reality, unless you are housebound, sometimes it just makes sense to eat out. Wendy's Chili is a great choice for fast food.

I think that has a lot to do with it.