dashofsunshine

My goal with this surgery was obviously to lose weight. But one of the best things that has come of it so far is my development of a more sensible, healthy relationship with food. When I was in high school, I had a 22 BMI - I starved myself every day and worked out two hours a day to stay thin. I was terrified of food. When I was 323 lbs, I was addicted to food. Both were sicknesses. You have to develop a healthy viewpoint. Foods are not "bad" - they are just food. Food is for nourishing your body 90% of the time and for purely enjoying 10% of the time. If you look at eating something you enjoy on a vacation twice a year as a "failure" or "bad", you are going to be miserable for a long time. This is not a diet. It is a way of life. If you eat something higher in fat or carbs or sugar as a treat, that is ok - as long as it remains a TREAT (a treat is something you have once a week, or once a month, etc - not every day). Teach yourself to enjoy healthier foods, enjoy exercising, and enjoy cooking wholesome meals. Make it a lifestyle, and allow yourself a Bloody Mary every once in a while. Food is not the bad guy. Everything in moderation ????

Have you tried unflavored isopure protein powder? I mix it in with whatever I'm eating. Regular yogurt, pimiento cheese (yum), chicken salad, smoothies, you can even bake with it. 26 g of protein in one scoop ????

@@Kmgaustin are you asking just the people who are still early out, or anyone? I'd be happy to tell you what I eat, but I'm on solids, so I wasn't sure if you wanted to know! Lol

Cellucor whey protein. I have tried syntrax nectar, premier protein, unjury, and isopure. Cellucor beats the pants off of ALL of them in terms of flavor. It is amazing stuff. I'm picky about protein drinks (obviously lol) and Cellucor is all I drink now. Good luck!

I am 2.5 months out and have had sushi maybe twice. It's one of our favorite meals (we just don't eat out often). I can eat 3 small pieces (sometimes just two). The rice gives me no problem, but if you don't want it or it gives you issue, just ask them to wrap it without rice ???? seaweed or soy/rice paper wraps the fish up nicely. You will hardly miss the rice. Cheers!

@@mhuntoon I wasn't allowed ANY solids for 6 weeks, so I'm surprised, too. The "air bubble" feeling you are getting is quite common - I struggled with it until about a month out. It happened with everything I ate or drank, and I'm sure it would have been worse for me had I been trying to eat solids. Check with your doctor of course, but I would consider the feeling normal. Don't forget, if you struggle or have pain or discomfort that you don't deem normal or tolerable, go back down a stage (purees) and try again to advance in a few days. Good luck!

If you have to chew, sugar free Popsicles are a good choice. Or ice. My surgeon didn't allow gum, and definitely not a lollipop. Good luck! ????

I was on two weeks of full liquids pre op, and 4 weeks of full liquids post op. So six weeks of chewing nothing, lol. You can do it ???? keep your eye on the prize!

I don't get a signal, either. 2.5 months out and I know how many bites to take - I generally just stop when I reach that amount of bites. I know that I've OVEREATEN when I start burping relentlessly and food comes up - it's awesome, lemme tell ya ???? so I generally try to avoid that. Haha!

Normal ???? mine isn't as bad now that I'm on solids, but it still gurgles a bit. It's just life now! The gurgles let you know that everything is working A-OK in there ????

I was on liquids for a month after surgery, plus two weeks pre op. So it was liquids for 6 weeks. That being said, I am now 2.5 months out and can eat basically anything. I haven't had a problem with anything I've put in my mouth. I generally eat anywhere from 3-5 bites and am full, sometimes less depending upon how heavy or dense what I am eating is. But if I eat more than 5 bites, I'm generally sick as a dog. I tend to cook/order things that are easily re-heated; I learned early on that ordering a $9 salad at a restaurant wasn't going to work well for me because they don't keep well for days in the fridge. I eat chicken, tuna, and on occasion a few bites of steak, and also seafood. Eggs are good, as are veggies (if you have any room - I generally don't. Thank God for vitamins!). When you get further out, try googling bariatric friendly recipes - there are many blogs that I've used ???? I work out probably 3 times a week (trying to up that to every day), get about 45-60 oz of water a day (they say 80 oz but I really struggle with that much!) and 40-50 g of protein a day. I'm down 60 lbs and 2.5 months out. Good luck, hope this helps!

Also, be sure you are eating enough. Working out twice a day burns a lot of calories and we don't eat much. Your body could be in starvation mode. Just talk to your nutritionist ????

Your body will fluctuate. It's all part of being a human being. Get your water in, get your protein in, and keep working out. If you gain 10 or 15 lbs, come back and talk to us ???? otherwise, keep on keeping on ????

I had four weeks on liquids post op, and 2 weeks all liquids pre op. So six weeks of liquids total, straight. Just follow your doctor's plan ???? you got this.

I have literally tried it all. I started with several flavors of syntrax nectar, and did fine with that pre op, but post op it made me sick as a dog. Tried unjury, same deal. The clear isopure drinks were SO foul to me. I was drinking Premier (choking it down, because I'm picky about the way protein shakes taste...), and then I found Cellucor whey protein. You have to order it online, but let me tell you...it is the best. Tasting. Stuff. Ever. My favorites are the s'mores, red velvet, and mint chocolate chip, but I have yet to try a flavor that I didn't like from them. I'm frankly amazed that I have finally found a protein powder that I like and can stomach. Good luck!

I struggled with the pre-op diet. I had two weeks of only liquids, no food whatsoever. I only lost like 6 lbs. I'm two months one week post op now and am down 60 lbs. Get your mind right and get determined and you will do awesome things ???? good luck!

I am 2 months one week post op. I do 500-600 calories a day, 40-60 G protein, and less than 20 carbs a day. Also at least 80 oz of water a day. Down 60 lbs. I hope this helps! ????

Hi guys! Just checking in on everyone! I haven't been on in a while. I'm 2 months and 5 days out and down 58 lbs. I haven't had any issues with any foods that I have eaten (I've tried almost everything - all meats, dairy, carbs and even a piece of candy went down fine, haha). Back in the gym also! How is everyone else doing?!

Hi guys! Just checking in on everyone! I haven't been on in a while. I'm 2 months and 5 days out and down 58 lbs. I haven't had any issues with any foods that I have eaten (I've tried almost everything - all meats, dairy, carbs and even a piece of candy went down fine, haha). Back in the gym also! How is everyone else doing?!

Oh geez, sorry guys! Hopefully it will work this time!!!

Hi guys! I haven't been on here in a while so I thought I would update! I'm 2 months and 6 days post op, down 60 lbs. I'm attaching a photo (sorry, it has my Instagram handle on it to keep those silly wrap people from stealing my transformation photos! Lol). I hope everyone is doing awesome!!!! KEEP AT IT AND DON'T GIVE UP! ❤️

Yep. I notice all the time now. I would occasionally take a picture of a meal that my husband had made us for dinner - looking back at those now, I can't help thinking "my God, no wonder I got fat!!" Also, portion sizes in restaurants are completely out of control. It's weird that I actually prefer tapas places now when two months ago I would see a tapas restaurant and think "it must be so hard and expensive to fill up in one of those places!"

I'm 3 weeks out and I have some random pains, especially on my right side, where they took my stomach out. But nothing is terrible and remember, if you had a leak or anything, you would be SICK - like, vomiting and high fever and horrible stomach pains, etc. It is always good to check with your surgeon about pain but remember guys: major internal surgery. It will take us a while to heal completely. Nerves are re-connecting (which can be painful), muscles that were cut through are healing, body is reacting to change - it will be a while before we feel completely normal and without pain. I would check with your surgeon and then try not to worry! ❤️

I'm 3 weeks post op and down 40 lbs, and my stall started four days ago. Still not moving this morning. I've also had two days (not in a row) where I was up like 5 lbs or something crazy and then two days later I'd be back down. Trying not to let it phase me! The last 3 days I have done horribly with liquids and protein (I usually do great but I just went back to work and it's a bit harder!) so I think that probably has something to do with the stall, too ???? good luck everyone!!!

I had these weird pains for almost two weeks, not sure if they are what you're describing, but it happened almost every time I took a sip of anything...it was like a building sharp pain in my belly and it got worse and worse over about 5 seconds, then slowly went away....I asked my doctor about it and he said its gas (because we all unknowingly take in air when we drink) and that it will get better as time goes on, he also said to try and be aware when you are sipping and try not to take in any air. I'm now 3 weeks out and I burp a lot but no more horrible pains! Seriously, the first week was the worst, they were so painful I thought I was dying ???? it will get better! EVERYTHING gets better! Just give it some time ????