BLERDgirl

I was told never to work out on an empty stomach but both my nutritionist and my the trainer I had at the time. Protein fuels your workout and causes your body to burn fat instead. So by eating a light snack or protein shake at least 30 minutes before a workout you have more energy to fuel your workout. It's the same reason why athletes carb load before working out. Eating protein post workout also aides in your recovery and again cause the body to burn fat instead of muscle. So for me if I am working out in the morning, a protein shake will do. I make a large one and have half before and half afterwards. When I work out in the afternoon and evening I don't eat beforehand if I have been eating well all day. I will have an ounce of nuts post workout. I find especially post workout, I get the shakes if I don't have something handy and will often lead to me hitting a drive through and getting something unhealthy because I am ravenous.

Walk, walk, walk. Also as mentioned raise your arms up as if you were lifting dumb bells.

I had the sleeve. Sleeve is the popular WLS at the moment. For me the slower weight loss was preferable because I wanted to minimize excess skin. I was also not interested in malabsorption or "re-wiring" my internal plumbing and dumping syndrome was NOT something I wanted risk. I was also not interested in having a foreign body in my body and to be honest, the negative stories I heard about slippage and the like turned me off the lap band. No I would not do a single thing differently. I have had a very pleasant surgical and post-op experience. My advice to you would be to research the 2 surgeries a bit more. There is some mental work you have to do regardless of which procedure you choose. If you are tempted to eat sweets, deal with that. Otherwise it will always be a temptation no matter what surgery you choose. Remember the old adage; WLS is a tool, not a magic wand. People have found ways to eat and regain with all of these surgeries. You have to be committed to doing the work.

I never had reflux prior to surgery. Post-op my doctor's protocal is to start pts. on 20 mgs omeprazole day 1 in the hospital. The first 2 mths I was fine, but about 6 - 8 weeks in when I was cleared to eat whatever I could tolerate, I started having problems. It wasn't bad, but I did have to increase my omeprazole to 40mgs a day. That lasted until month 5. I now no longer need a daily dose. I occasionally get a little acid, but it's fairly mild and managed with chewable tums. So overall my reflux wasn't bad at all.

@@trulyamazingtoo - Ask you nutritionist what's the best course for you. I would say set a minimum goal and try to stick with that, but don't eat until you a ill.

I didn't have a preop diet. I think I lose maybe 2 lbs (purely unitentionally) prior to surgery.

It's entirely possible to do this without any artificial foods. I am allergic to artificial sweetners, stevia and food dyes to name just a few. I did best buying unflavored protein powders.

I try to switch up my workouts and my workout times. I am somewhat limited to what I can do because of my knees, but I once a week I take Water aerobics in the evenings, 4 days a week I go in the morning. Since my gym is a chain I go to different gyms to get different instructors/styles. Once a month I do a 90 minute African Dance class, 3 afternoons a week I do a kettle ball work out at home. I also just took my bike in for service. I plan to bike ride as the weather gets nicer. I'm trying to do a variety of exercises at differnt times of the day. I am told this confuses the muscles so they don't get used to the same thing every day at the same time.

I try to bookend my workouts with protein. If I am working out in the morning I have a pre-gym protein shake. When I workout in the after noon I often have 1 ounce of nuts. Usually almonds or pistachios. It helps with my energy level and keeps me from starving. Otherwise I will eat anything that moves.

to answer your question why post here. . .because I damn well call. . .done? Whatever floats your boat. Seem like an enormous waste of space and time. But heaven forbid you not exercise your right to flounce.

@ - Now is the time ot explore healthier food options. Look up other methds of getting healthy proteins. Definitely things other than chicken nuggets

I'm all for people making informed decisions about their health. I certainly don't feel like anyone should feel obligated to have WLS. Personally WLS surgery was just another step in my journey to better health. However, why post here? As far as I can tell no one here knows you in real life. If you are taking an alternative route why are you still posting on a bariatric site? Shouldn't you be on a wellness site that can give you tips on exercise and diet? I'm sorry you had such an unplesant medical experience. Thankfully my program didn't make me feel as if I was a lab rat. They were and still are very personable and kind. Whatever your journey is, I wish you well.

You just want to make better food choices. Protein and Water are key. You drank 6 oz of apple juice. That's pretty much pure sugar. It may count towards your Fluid goals, but it's not going to hlep with your protein.When we don't meet out protin goals our bodies start taking it from other sources. This is when we start to lose hair excessively. For most of us it's hard to eat solid foods. Our healing tummies can't handle things like shrimp. What source of dietary recommendation dod you nutritionist give you?

I just mean some people go 3 weeks with little to no weight loss. You just have to keep in mind this is not a quick fix. This is for the long haul. Be patient, give your body time to adjust. The weight loss will happen.

@@lovinlora78 - You need to check with your insurance company to see what they will cover. Issues such as being sick afterwards and the like vary from person to person. I had none, some people have a rough few days post op, some a month. Others still are back to normal until 3 mths post-op. My advice is to locate a seminar in your area and attend. The staff there will be better qualified to answer your questions. Additionally once you check your insurance, I would suggest speaking with at least 2 different programs/surgeons. So far I don't have any saggy skin, but there are more jiggly bits than there used to be. I'll wait until I am closer to goal before I worry about that. I have dredlocs. Recently I have noticed a little thinning around my temples, but so far no dramatic hair loss. I also have really good skin and again, so far I don't look older or more wrinkled. Just remember this is a tool, not a magic wand. It will help jumpstart your weight loss. You will have to put in the work of changing eating habits and exercising. These are the only things that will make this a lifelong success.

You have not failed. That may be your natural body shape.

@@Theresa H - Perfectly normal. However your sleeve still can only hold so much. Hopefully at 16mths you have put into place new eating habits and behaviors that will assist you in not regaining.

@@Tanya Gif - It varies greatly. Some people lose nothing initially. Others lose massive amounts. Do not compare yourself to others. Follow your program. Focus on getting in your protein, drinking fluids/water and walking and/or exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Better yet, step away from the scale. Instead take your measurements. Then retake them once a month. There will be times the scale doesn't move. NSV (non -scale victories) will be your saving grace

It depends on the insurance company. You may still need a sleep study, nutrition class and psych eval. The program itself may also have it's own set of protocols.

@@LumpySpacePrincess - Your therapist is okay with you taking an appetite suppressant? I would explain to them that your are still having these issues with your condition even though the surgery has helped you lose weight. I am just concerned that using appetite suppressants with an ED might be a slippery slop for you.

Honestly I'm not seeing any scolding or lecturing. I sometimes wonder if some of the newer folks think they are the absolute only person who has felt this way. My advice? Do a search on the forums. I can assure you, you are not. We are trying to give honest and practical advice, not hand hold and coddle. No one is trying to hurt feelings, but we are trying to give realistic advice. FYI - For sleeves the weight loss is not as super fast as bypass patients, so whoever gave you that info is incorrect. Bottom line; relax and enjoy the journey.

I do fruit like that in the summer. I just have a regular nutra bullet so it needs to sit in the freezer for a bit to firm back up. I plan to upgrade to a nicer popsicle mold this summer and play with new fruit combinations.

@@Peace Love & Sleeve - Your sleeve is tight? What does that mean? Can you get a second opinion?

Adding to the chorus; you've done more these past few weeks than you ever have in a very long time. Secondly, STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALE. It will only make you crazy. Your doctor hasn't cleared you to exercise, but are you walking for at least 30 minutes a day? Are you getting all your water/fluids in? Hitting your protein goals? Relax and stay the course, this is not a race, this is a lifelong challenge.

@@CanyonBaby _ I use Isopure Unflavored. It mixes well with water (but looks cloudy). I've also used it with diluted apple juice, grapefruit juice, coffee, tea, yogurt and soup. It can be mixed with hot or cold. 26 gms or whey isolate, with no added sugars or colorings. I've mixed it in a shaker bottle and in the nutra bullet. It blends well with no gritty after taste.