SkinnyDown

I was on two oral diabetes meds, and two types of insulin before surgery. I spent a week in the hospital, due to complications, but I was off all diabetes meds and insulin by the time I went home. My A1c is now 6.1 It was 9.2 before surgery.

@@OutsideMatchInside Same here. I told very few people, and have no intention of letting them know now. I got enough bad feedback from some of my family members. I knew after that, to keep the circle very small of people who I really trusted were not going to give me advice, opinions, horror stories, or try to talk me out of it.

I kept getting shuffled around to different NUTs through the entire process. Some were leaving, new one's coming in. So I don't feel I got any solid information or formed a good connection with anyone where nutrition was concerned. The NP is always better for me to talk to, than anyone. I have a new NUT now, who is fresh and new, and tells me, "we don't count carbs" and we want you off all Protein shakes. Well, not counting carbs....that's kind of how I got here to begin with. I count carbs, calories and protein and see how I am doing at the end of the day.

I know that when I had surgery they wanted me to drink 2% milk, because of the lactic acid in it. I have NASH too, and I had a 10 day pre-op liquid diet. All surgeons are different. You weigh over 100 lbs less than I did, when I had surgery, that might be the reason. I'm looking for a good unflavored Protein powder for myself right now. So I'm interested in hearing what others suggest. I am so picky now with tastes and textures of everything. Things I used to LOVE, I hate now, and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. lol Good luck with everything, and welcome!

@@Doubletruble#1 Great question! You have so many good things on your list! I have a list going in my mind.... 2 knee surgeries (as soon as my BMI is below 40, as that is what the surgeon requires. One replacement, the other big bone spur) Whatever plastics my insurance allows. Fix this hernia my surgeon didn't fix because it's so big. Go outside, literally. Unless I have to go to the Dr. or shopping, I rarely leave my home. I'm so self-conscious. I've had horrible issues with OCD, and anxiety in general for many years. I'm hoping losing this weight will eliminate one more thing that keeps me locked inside, like a prisoner. Get a bike. Pink. Start riding around like I'm the wicked witch of the midwest. hehehe Go to Ireland. (It's a lifelong dream. I will be able to walk and bike and paint...which is exactly what I want to spend a lot of time doing. I also don't smoke anymore, 1.5 years ago I stopped. Travel abroad seems like a real possibility) Do even more travelling. I'd love to do Disney and NYC (need to be able to do a lot of walking) Get a dog, FINALLY....because I have wanted one for so many years, and I couldn't get out, and even walk well or long enough to take care of a dog. I want a Boston Terrier, a male, and I'm going to name him Buster! Start singing in public again. I host open mics, and sing online twice a week. But I want to get out in public again, and sing with the kind of confidence I had when I was younger. I was still fat then, but getting bigger and bigger over the years has really taken a toll on my self esteem. Date.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard pretty good things about Julian Bakery, they have a lot of low carb items for sale, wraps, Protein bars. A lot of things made specifically for the Paleo diet, on their website, Including no carb, and low carb breads. If I can tolerate bread, which I haven't tried since surgery, I will order a few loaves from Julian Bakery, and freeze. I want to avoid adding more carbs. And I'd like to have a tiny sandwich, I bet I could maybe eat 1/4th of a whole sandwich. lol This seems a good solution for that.

I think many people's pre-op diet right before surgery, is dependent on how much you weigh. I was on a liquid only diet for 10 days before my surgery. I was 322 lbs the day of surgery. It went by fast, was not an issue for me at all. I doubled up a lot on the Protein shakes, that made me feel very full, and the warm broth was comforting. I think some people have a month of liquids before surgery, and others have little or no pre-op liquid diets, or a mixture of liquids and food. It is all very dependent on the surgeon you have. I actually had some serious complications during my surgery, but I still survived. I spent a week in the hospital after my surgery, but I am doing very well now, 2 months post-op.

I love Yoplait 100 Calorie Greek Yogurt. The banana Caramel flavor is omg! 12g Protein, 100 calories, 12 carbs. I also eat Activia Light. As my surgeon wants me to do at least one a day, for the Probiotics. 4g protein, 60 calories, 8 carbs. I like Oikos brand, I'm going to have to try that! .

Awww, well maybe someone will show up. Not sure if this counts for something, but I am a HUGE fan of Die Antwoord. (no pun intended). hehehehehe

@@Cunninglinguist Thanks so much, this was helpful, and I believe I'm on the right track! I know I have some issues with getting enough protein in, but I keep working on it. I have no hunger, so it makes it difficult to eat, when I just don't have an appetite. I'm not complaining though....I love that I don't experience hunger the way I did. Woke up to a nice surprise this morning. 2 more lbs, gone. I am also beginning to love my exercising. I'm off to the grocery store, to buy good healthy foods for me! Thanks again for the response, that was very helpful!

That's very kind of you to offer assistance. You are very positive! If you could name 3 things that you did, that were key in helping you lose the 167 lbs, I'd love to know, as I have a lot to lose, myself.

Welcome! Come on in, make yourself at home.

@@Daisee68 That's exactly how I feel. I couldn't have done this without the therapy.

I guess I am "cray cray" as you say, because I spent almost a year in therapy pre-surgery to deal with why I ate, my food addiction issues, and why I got so fat, and remained fat basically my entire life, that I needed surgery. The therapy was my choice. I'm so glad I did it, in fact, still in therapy, working on adjusting to all these changes. I think, and this is my opinion, that a lot of people lie or mislead these psychologists, because I see an awful lot of people on this forum complaining post-surgery, that they are starving, cheating, craving, and wanting all the same food they ate before surgery. In all honesty, people don't get fat because they love food. They overeat for some non-food related reason. They are putting that much food in themselves because they have some underlying issues. When people don't address those issues, they are basically setting themselves up for failure. Once an addict always an addict. I'm just in recovery. I could fall of the wagon anytime, and I'm reminded of that daily. Luckily I have no hunger since my surgery. Hopefully that continues, as it's a great tool. I hope it all goes well for you.

Are you exercising? I do treadmill daily, and was just told to start core strengthening with resistance bands and a stability exercise ball. I'm not sure if that is helping me lose or not. I think because I weighed a lot more to begin with, we bigger people tend to lose faster, as we have a lot more to lose. Even though I'm down 64 lbs, I still have over 130 to lose to get to goal. I guess I'd ask ....when is the last time you lost 20 lbs in 6 weeks? That's still a lot of weight to lose in that amount of time. I'd consult your NUT, and make sure you are recording every thing that goes into your mouth food or liquid, no matter what it is. I'd also log all the exercise you are doing, to show your NUT, too. Are you doing a Protein, Calorie, Carb count at the end of the day?

Congratulations on your success!

Ohhhh I love the look of Dansko's I think I'm going to try them, as well. I really just want to go back to wearing my Doc Martens, but what's a punk rock girl to do with PF? lmao They really offer no support. I can wear them for a night out, but otherwise, it's me and my Crocs. I love that everyone has found different things that help. I love Birkenstock too, so I could totally see investing in a new pair, I haven't had a new pair since the 90's. LOL Ohhhhh that reminds me.... Are your feet shrinking? Shoes I couldn't even wear before, I can now, because my edema is so much better, and I'm only down 63 lbs, I have plenty to go. I wonder if I'll be a whole different shoe size when I reach goal. Anyone else experience this?

I had PF too, and went through all the special inserts with no relief, and finally my Podiatrist said get a pair of Croc clogs. I did, and PF gone. I haven't had a problem ever since. The Crocs go on before I hit the floor. I wear them around the house. I wear other shoes for exercise, and of course when I go out I can wear real shoes, when I get home the Crocs go back on my feet. I won't give up my Crocs, they cured me. They really do offer a great deal of support. Have to get the real thing, not the fake kind.

I always use lemon juice in my tuna and chicken salad. I'm not quite 2 months post-op. I've experienced no problems here.

Sorry if I missed it, but I don't know if anyone addressed the real reason you aren't supposed to have carbonated drinks. It's not because you're going to get gas per se, it's because it will stretch your pouch. When your pouch gets stretched you will need more food to satisfy your hunger. That's why over time you could eat more and more. The more food you eat, and soda you drink, the bigger your stomach gets, the more food it takes to satiate you. I'm with Djmohr on this one. Everyone should know the off limits food and beverages going into bariatric surgery, and if your bariatric center failed to tell you, they made a huge mistake. I can't imagine drinking diet soda at this point, anyway. It has to be sickeningly sweet, like all other drinks I try with artificial sugar in them. Yuck.

I did almost a year of therapy pre-op to deal with food addiction issues, and dug deep to figure out why I got fat. I had to go back very far, since I've been big since I was about 5 years old. If you can, I suggest therapy. It's really the key to finding out why all the eating happened in the first place. I couldn't agree more! To specifically answer your question, honestly...I don't experience hunger like I did pre-surgery. I have to remind myself to eat. I don't have any real cravings either. It's an odd sensation, just not feeling hungry, or having to force yourself to eat. As far as missing out...every time I step on my scale and it shows me a lower number, and every time I can go into my closet and wear something comfortably I haven't in years, or every time I finish my exercising and pushed myself a little bit further, I lose even more interest in what I used to crave so badly. My tastes have changed, I can't handle sugary tasting things, the stuff I loved after sweets most, are meats, and cheese, I can still have those, and the other carby things I used to like, I don't have room for after I get my Protein and veggies in. I hope this has helped. I wish you luck!

I told my immediate family, and even that was sketchy. A few of my family members were not happy with my decision, for various reasons. I told my closest friends. People I trusted not to judge me, try to stop me, or tell others. The rest of the people I know, extended family, and acquaintances, think I had more colon surgery. As I had a colon resection done a year and a half before my bypass surgery. The only exception I make at this point, is I tell new men I meet, fairly soon, that I had surgery. None have cared yet. I just don't believe in starting anything new based on lies, or lies of omission. In my opinion, you don't have to explain yourself to anyone. You owe no one any explanation, or reasoning of what you are doing. You are allowed to choose who you feel safest to tell, who you trust, and who you know won't discourage you. If anyone questions the weight loss, you can attribute that to eating less, and exercising more. Simple as that. Change the subject, move on to something new. Best of luck to you!

I use full fat mayo, it has no carbs. Check your low fat mayo's sometimes instead of fat they add sugar which means more carbs, to make it taste better. I use everything sparingly now, but fat does not make you fat. Carbs make you fat. They always have and they still will after surgery if you eat too many of them.

I agree, give it a week, you'll be feeling a whole lot better! Congratulations. Rest up, and get your fluids in!

@@Karlnjax I understand what you are going through. I have some family members who were dead set against me having surgery. I had to think about that. This was about me and my health, and getting healthier. This wasn't about me becoming a certain size. I have no clue what that is even about, I've been big my entire life. Either they were scared, because they knew someone, who knew someone, who had complications or death (possibly from surgery) but no solid confirmations. Or, as one of my nephews quite bluntly told me, I would not be the same person. I guess he likes his fat auntie. I have no idea what that was about, nor did I let it stop me. I do know this....within a week of surgery, I was taken off 2 oral diabetic medications and 2 different insulins I was taking daily. Now that's a huge health plus, that I didn't even bargain on that soon. My blood sugars are now normal, stabilized, and I haven't felt this good in such a long time. Do not let people discourage you. People worry for the wrong reasons. Death from surgery? How about death from being seriously overweight? People just don't think, and tend to get selfish about this stuff, and how it will affect them. You have friends here, who will help you, and encourage you. And we are all for you, getting healthy!