BLERDgirl

Soup, herbal tea, kefir (yogurt drink), Protein shakes, Protein drinks. This is the start of doing the mental work toward changing your relationship with food. YES, it's a pain, yes, the urge to chew is strong. Get your water/fluid in anyway possible; plain, herbal tea, crystal light, diluted apple juice. JUST DO IT. If you get dehydrated you run the risk of ending up in the hospital. I remember wanting to toss my shakes out the window. It sucks, but months from now it will be a distant memory. Finish out the liquid phase according to schedule.

Can you tolerate whey isolates? If not then I would look into vegan shakes/powders. There are loads of them out there, but taste varies. You wll have to learn by trial and error what you like/dislike.

I don't get sucked in, I get angry. Most of them make no sense at all and I hate that they are targeting people desperate to change their lives. Even more annoying is the fact that they will applaud anyone using one of thee programs, but many times that same person will say that WLS is "cheating".

That may be the diagnosis. I was dx'd with osteo in my left knee years ago. A few years before my WLS I was also told I had very slight indications of it in my right knee as well. This past summer (~6 -8 months post-op) I was having a lot of knee pain. After a few visits to the ortho, it was discovered that the osteoarthritis is now actually worse in the right knee. I am under doctors orders to avoid the treadmill and and high impact activities. I did the long term, no steroidal injections over the summer as well. My knees don't hurt anymore, I just can't do high impact workouts.

oops. cat took a walk across the keyboard.

I haven't tried it yet, but a friend recommended using it to make a faux pizza crust.

Not a single one. I was 414 at my highest weight, 412 day of surgery. Walked in recovery, tolerated all foods. No pain, gas, vomiting or nausea. Incisions heeled fine. Zero complaints.

Not really because the body will typically just pee it out. My doctor did my leak test before I woke up in recovery. Leaks & complications are rare. I had the easiest time ever with this surgery. I've had a full hysterectomy, eye surgery and knee surgery. This was by far my easiest surgical experience.

I'd add some snacks with healthy fats in it to that mix. I find that helps me stave off hunger a lot easier. cheese stick, single serving packs of nuts (pistachios, almonds or cashews are my fav), even a hard boiled egg. That tiny bit of fat goes a long way towards helping me fill satisfied. That's the point. You have to learn new habits and change your relationship with food. That's the biggest tool you have against regaining.

I'm sorry where did I say it was easy? No one is laying blame. Meal planning is in fact a tool I use religiously to combat the urge to over eat.

Start with ortho and go from there. Sometimes even having the surgery can't undo the strain we put our limbs under for so many years.

We have plenty of fat reserves, we will not pass out from lack of food. The biggest issue is actually fluids. If you aren't a Water drinker, start practicing now. Being put under really isn't that bad. Personally speaking that propofol sleep is some of the best sleeping I ever had! Here's a helpful post.

You called? 15 months out, no pre-op diet, 116 lbs down and still losing. It's hard work but it's happening.

It's not a stock answer. It's the simple truth. For most of us food will always be a battle. I plan my food each and every day or I will nibble myself to death. I drink Water when I want chocolate. I go for a walk if it gets too bad. This surgery gave me a huge boost, but I still have to work at it every day. Sometimes I have to look at my food log and reflect on what I am eating. Processed carbs will trigger the hunger response in many. Eating food that fill me up but don't satiate is an exercise in frustration. And yes, unless you provide specifics of what a typical food day is like, how you do with your water and exercise, etc... all you can get is a general answer. No one is trying to be snarky, but a general question can really only be answered with a general response.

Other than the Biotin and the multi I'm not sure what's in the others. My Vitamins and supplements were based on my bloodwork. I was told what I needed and what strength and purchased them myself at CVS & Target.

It depends on you body. I had no issues with lettuce and still don't. However Before surgery I probably had lettuce or some other raw veg every day. If you can't eat it now, give it time. Try it again in another 3 mths and see how things work out for you.

Stop eating. Plan your meals and stick to it.

What's a typical eating day like for you? Do you exercise? I know it sounds counter -productive, but upping your calories may actually jumpstart your weight loss. If you give your body too few calories it can be just as bad as too many.

I'd disagree as well. It slows down because your body does adjust, however if you establish good eating & exercising habits you will still lose. It's just that the first year is the real "honeymoon" phase where weight lose is pretty easy. My rough guestimate would be you go from losing 5 -10 lbs a month to more like 3 -5 lbs a month and stalls may occur more frequently.

Are you on a PPI? The acid many sleevers get can sometimes feel very similar to hunger pains. Being able to drink a lot is not a bad thing as long as your are drinking the right things.

I'm on their username Milaxx. I think it's easier to set up on the desktop version.

@@adrinanna - No. I just made a list of what I needed to do. Part of it was easy because my program is one of the ones that provides a comprehensive handbook. With that in hand I went out and purchased my Vitamins and supplements. I spent a week sampling and tasting Protein drinks/shakes/powders. I then though about what I needed to do to prep my home. I live alone so this was important since I value my independence. I bought herbal tea, decaf coffee, vegetable broth, kefir, almond milk and other groceries I would need for post op life. I did all my laundry & I cleaned my house. Before I left for the hospital I put fresh linens on my bed. I moved my cats food and litter to make it easy to take care of her without lifting. I didn't have a pre-op diet, but I cut back on my eating, and increase my protein. I also practice eating slowly and separating my eating from drinking. I exercised each day and increased my walking. I even went so far as to get my locs freshly washed and retwisted the week of my surgery. I did boring stuff like paid my bills for the month. I made sure the hospital had my advance medical directive and my family had copies of it. I made arrangements for rides to and from the hospital and who would be notified once I was out of surgery. I literally sat down and wrote out what I need to do and then checked them off as I did them. It was immensely reassuring. I felt calm and confident going into surgery.

Yes, I made my list and checked things off as I went along. Day of surgery I said a quick prayer and was good to go.

Why?

For the most part people are trying to be helpful. Those that have been around long enough see this scenario posted many times. You learn to take what you need from these boards and leave the rest.