Inner Surfer Girl

Great advice. I am a huge believer that willpower is a lie. Sometimes, just saying "not right now" is better than "never again". I am also a big believer in HALT: trying not to get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, and realizing when I am in that state that food may not be the right solution (except for the hungry, in which case, healthy food is the solution). One huge revelation for me, that I am still working through, is that I don't have to buy everything at the store at once. I can just buy a few things (mostly fresh food). I don't have to buy enough for an army every time. (I grew up in a family of six people but have been single and living alone for many, many years and still tend to want to shop for an army). I try to visualize myself as a Parisienne who markets frequently. Sometimes that works!

Sip, sip, sip, and get up and walk periodically.

Thank you so much for the update. Glad to hear your are able to fly!

Just follow your program and focus on protein and fluids. 1000 calories is not unreasonable. You are more likely to not lose with too few calories, especially if you aren't getting enough protein.

I just knew your spice drawer would be more of a pantry!

I was watching a documentary about the Holocaust last night. There was one thing I found really interesting that I hadn't heard before and it brought this thread to mind. After the camps were liberated and the prisoners were able to get food, water, shelter, and their other basic needs addressed, it was getting to pick out and wear "real clothes" that made them feel human again. That was a very profound observation to me.

If you are following your program and getting in all of your protein and fluids then you aren't doing anything wrong, except possibly having unrealistic expectations.

I've been thinking about placing an order with Braswell's, but every time I look at their site I can't decide: I will eventually either wind up ordering one thing, or everything they sell. I may be giving mustard for Christmas this year!

Can you add protein to some of your water? Try Syntrax nectar and ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. They are lighter than "protein shakes" so are a bit more refreshing.

Oh dear thank for the info. I'll defiantly try and find another brand. It doesn't seem to be easy to find what I want where I live so I might resort to ordering online.Let's say if down the line I can manage to eat a full chicken breast per day. Would that be enough and there will be no need for the Protein shake? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Do you have carnation Breakfast essentials no sugar added at your local stores?

I guess because it is better to be healthy and fat than to be unhealthy and fat. I was a healthy fat person until I wasn't. I will take healthy and fat over unhealthy and fat any day. Plus, building healthy habits while we are still fat will pay dividends as we lose weight. If we have WLS and do not develop healthy habits, then WLS will likely have very short-term benefits.

I agree, Ensure is terrible for bariatric patients. Too much sugar and not enough Protein. As to how much protein you should be getting, what did your surgeon tell you? My protein target is 100 grams a day. My surgeon's targets range from 80-100 grams Adam depending on your starting BMI. For him, anyone with a starting BMI over 50 and all makes, the target is 100 grams. Women who start out under 50 BMI have a minimum target of 80 grams.

I guess that makes sense for pre-op when you still will want as much volume as possible. Post-op, having a higher protein ratio is critical for being able to get in enough protein for minimal volume.

I drink infused water all the time. Fruit, berries, herbs, ginger, cucumber, etc. all make great infused water. I had strawberry cucumber the other day and it was really good. I like cucumber mint, a lot.

No premier but you are allowed Atkins? That is the complete opposite from my surgeon. It's interesting how instructions can be so different.

I assume you are pre-op? If you have to "nibble" something, then make sure it is something allowed on your diet: sugar-free Popsicle, crushed ice, another Protein shake. If you are allowed non-starchy vegetables then you can "nibble" those. You DO NOT want to risk having your surgeon closing you up without doing the surgery because you couldn't follow your program for the required amount of time. I cannot imagine any "nibble" being worth that. If you are unsure about what is allowed on your pre-op diet, then call your NUT and ask. You CAN do this!

I find that every time I see one I see something different, usually based on where I am on my journey.

Welcome! Congratulations on deciding to take such a big step.

My first week post-op was Clear Liquids, second week full liquids, third week soft, fourth week soft mechanical, etc. It may not make sense to you, but your surgeon's instructions are designed to help you heal and recover. What is your Protein target? Mine is 100 grams, so three premier Proteins got me 90% there. Early out I like premier, GNC Lean shake 25, Syntrax nectar, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate, ProtiDiet creamy chicken and tomato basil Soups. It is hard, but do everything you can to follow your post-op instructions and get in all of your protein and fluids.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and/or even Overeater's Anonymous would be worth exploring.

I was fortunate in that my PCP referred me to an outstanding surgeon/program that has a great track record and is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. The bad news was that my insurance excluded any bariatric surgery.

Congratulations! This is awesome.

You can make friends at the gym. I think you might be surprised by how different your experience will be from your expectations.

Do what you have to do to get in your 80 grams of protein, even if that means eating 10 times a day. The same with fluids. Don't go to sleep at night until you have gotten it all in. It is difficult at first, but if you keep sipping, you can do it.