anaxila

I’m about 3.5 years post-surgery, and I don’t follow the Bariatric diet at all. I became very active (swimming, biking, running) after surgery and my food intake was all wrong for my athletic performance and training needs. So I switched over from a Bariatric nutritionist to a sports nutritionist and never felt better. It’s important to balance your macronutrients to fit your activity level, watch your caloric intake, monitor your weight, yadda yadda. But no, you don’t need to eat like a new patient forever.

For comparison's sake, I had two major plastic surgeries.
1) Brachioplasty (arms) and abdominoplasty (belly from hip to hip and up the middle).
2) Thigh lift (inside the leg from knee to groin and then along crease to outside of hip, ) with the completion of a circumferential body (backside, from hip to hip connecting abdominoplasty).
These were done in day surgery (no overnight stay) and cost me $25k all in. However... I live in Wisconsin, about 40 minutes outside of Milwaukee.
Still, I had to pay 100% out of pocket and I cried when I got the estimate because I thought I'd never be able to justify it. But my husband said we'd find a way and he's a miracle worker so it happened. Best money I ever spent.

Do it. If both your doc and the plastic surgeon agree that you're ready, I wouldn't hesitate. I didn't wait the full recommended period post-bypass either, because I had lost all of my excess weight and was in good shape. I haven't regretted it for even a second.

Talk to a dietician. Not a bariatrics specialist: a sports specialist who works with athletes. He or she can help you understand your fat/muscle mix and how you need to fuel yourself for your activities. Switching my allegiance from bariatrics to sports made all the difference to me and was pivotal to understanding what my ideal weight actually was and how to maintain it and an active lifestyle.

You probably need a ton more carbs than you're getting. That's what's so interesting about switching from a bariatrics eater to an athletic eater. Your lack of carbs may be part of the problem.

Do it. If both your doc and the plastic surgeon agree that you're ready, I wouldn't hesitate. I didn't wait the full recommended period post-bypass either, because I had lost all of my excess weight and was in good shape. I haven't regretted it for even a second.

You probably need a ton more carbs than you're getting. That's what's so interesting about switching from a bariatrics eater to an athletic eater. Your lack of carbs may be part of the problem.

Talk to a dietician. Not a bariatrics specialist: a sports specialist who works with athletes. He or she can help you understand your fat/muscle mix and how you need to fuel yourself for your activities. Switching my allegiance from bariatrics to sports made all the difference to me and was pivotal to understanding what my ideal weight actually was and how to maintain it and an active lifestyle.

This is a really difficult topic, and something I struggled with three years ago this month when I was 90 days away from RNY.
The simple truth is that you'll need to tell everyone eventually. It will be obvious when you start losing weight that something is causing it, and since rapid weight loss can be caused by cancer and other serious health problems, it's better if everyone understands that it's a *good* thing when they see it happening.
The key is *how* you do this, not *whether* you do it.
You don't have to shout it from the mountaintop to all and sundry, and you don't have to bare your soul to neighbors and acquaintances that ask how you've done it. Even three years later, while I'm pretty open about everything I've done (I've been on the evening news, for goodness' sake), I still consider the source of the inquiry when deciding how much to share.
The most important element to successfully navigating these conversations is how you approach them. You've made your decision. You've done the research. You've read all the horror stories and wonder stories and come down somewhere in the middle. You've worked with a competent medical team over the course of many months to arrive at this place. Believe in your process, be confident in that decision, and communicate that confidence to those who love you.
My parents were completely blindsided by my decision. My weight was NOT something I was willing to discuss with them, ever. And I could tell my mother was dying to undermine and question me. But I communicated my decision and my reasons and made it clear she was being informed - not consulted - and the moment passed. I would have loved to have more people on my side beforehand, and to be able to communicate my concerns, fears, apprehensions, and take comfort from my loved ones... but I knew it would be counterproductive to ask her to be that person. I relied on this group and my local support group to get me through my own fears, and let everyone else in after the fact.
Hope this helps.

food was always my coping mechanism too. No one could be more surprised than me to learn that exercise is the most unbelievably effective way to burn off the crazy. I know, right? I always thought that exercise was about my body, but it turns out it's actually about my mind. Good luck finding what works best for you!

food was always my coping mechanism too. No one could be more surprised than me to learn that exercise is the most unbelievably effective way to burn off the crazy. I know, right? I always thought that exercise was about my body, but it turns out it's actually about my mind. Good luck finding what works best for you!

food was always my coping mechanism too. No one could be more surprised than me to learn that exercise is the most unbelievably effective way to burn off the crazy. I know, right? I always thought that exercise was about my body, but it turns out it's actually about my mind. Good luck finding what works best for you!

It's fine. Do what you have to do to get the food down, just don't overdo it.

It's fine. Do what you have to do to get the food down, just don't overdo it.

I took a 2-week bucket list trip to Peru with my mother (her bucket list, not mine) just 3.5 months after RNY. I was also nervous but everything turned out great. I was really feeling the boost to my energy from shedding early weight, and I didn't have any trouble with the unfamiliar and exotic diet I was consuming. I brought a lot of Protein Bars just in case, and recommend having as much emergency / backup / "just in case" food as possible, just to be on the safe side. You'll have a great time!

Take all the horror stories with a grain of salt, remembering that people who've had a hard time are the ones most in need of support. Those of us with smooth sailing tend to be the quickest to get out of the support cycle, so we are probably underrepresented in the grand scheme of things.
I had gastric bypass in January 2015 when I was 44 years old, 5'4" and 305 lbs. I currently weigh 145, which blows my mind every day. I have run a half marathon, two triathlons, and about four dozen 5Ks, whereas before surgery I couldn't run half a block to catch the bus. I said goodbye to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea. My life is different only in ways that are amazing and wonderful.
I've never dumped, and only threw up a couple of times at the beginning when I ate too fast. It didn't take long to figure out how to avoid that. I never found foods I couldn't tolerate, but then I wasn't eating things that were bad for me anymore so go figure. The worst thing that happened to me was excess skin, which I addressed with two rounds of extensive but routine plastic surgery in November and January this year.
My results may not be typical, but neither are the doom-and-gloom nightmare scenarios. Keep your chin up and take it all with a grain of salt.

Take all the horror stories with a grain of salt, remembering that people who've had a hard time are the ones most in need of support. Those of us with smooth sailing tend to be the quickest to get out of the support cycle, so we are probably underrepresented in the grand scheme of things.
I had gastric bypass in January 2015 when I was 44 years old, 5'4" and 305 lbs. I currently weigh 145, which blows my mind every day. I have run a half marathon, two triathlons, and about four dozen 5Ks, whereas before surgery I couldn't run half a block to catch the bus. I said goodbye to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea. My life is different only in ways that are amazing and wonderful.
I've never dumped, and only threw up a couple of times at the beginning when I ate too fast. It didn't take long to figure out how to avoid that. I never found foods I couldn't tolerate, but then I wasn't eating things that were bad for me anymore so go figure. The worst thing that happened to me was excess skin, which I addressed with two rounds of extensive but routine plastic surgery in November and January this year.
My results may not be typical, but neither are the doom-and-gloom nightmare scenarios. Keep your chin up and take it all with a grain of salt.

Thank you everyone. I just got myself all worked up over things that could happen. Surgery does not really scare me. I had a Breast reduction almost 4 years ago. The only problem I had with that was a small infection from the tape they used to close the incisions. Now I wish would have had the wls back then. Oh well. I do really appreciate all of the kind words and support

Take all the horror stories with a grain of salt, remembering that people who've had a hard time are the ones most in need of support. Those of us with smooth sailing tend to be the quickest to get out of the support cycle, so we are probably underrepresented in the grand scheme of things.
I had gastric bypass in January 2015 when I was 44 years old, 5'4" and 305 lbs. I currently weigh 145, which blows my mind every day. I have run a half marathon, two triathlons, and about four dozen 5Ks, whereas before surgery I couldn't run half a block to catch the bus. I said goodbye to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea. My life is different only in ways that are amazing and wonderful.
I've never dumped, and only threw up a couple of times at the beginning when I ate too fast. It didn't take long to figure out how to avoid that. I never found foods I couldn't tolerate, but then I wasn't eating things that were bad for me anymore so go figure. The worst thing that happened to me was excess skin, which I addressed with two rounds of extensive but routine plastic surgery in November and January this year.
My results may not be typical, but neither are the doom-and-gloom nightmare scenarios. Keep your chin up and take it all with a grain of salt.

Take all the horror stories with a grain of salt, remembering that people who've had a hard time are the ones most in need of support. Those of us with smooth sailing tend to be the quickest to get out of the support cycle, so we are probably underrepresented in the grand scheme of things.
I had gastric bypass in January 2015 when I was 44 years old, 5'4" and 305 lbs. I currently weigh 145, which blows my mind every day. I have run a half marathon, two triathlons, and about four dozen 5Ks, whereas before surgery I couldn't run half a block to catch the bus. I said goodbye to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea. My life is different only in ways that are amazing and wonderful.
I've never dumped, and only threw up a couple of times at the beginning when I ate too fast. It didn't take long to figure out how to avoid that. I never found foods I couldn't tolerate, but then I wasn't eating things that were bad for me anymore so go figure. The worst thing that happened to me was excess skin, which I addressed with two rounds of extensive but routine plastic surgery in November and January this year.
My results may not be typical, but neither are the doom-and-gloom nightmare scenarios. Keep your chin up and take it all with a grain of salt.

Well, here's a new one for me. I was unable to donate platelets today because my blood pressure is too low. The woman at the Blood Center said this is the first time in 30 years that she's ever had to defer someone for LOW blood pressure. Considering that 2 years ago my blood pressure was continuing to rise despite the meds I was taking to lower it, I'll call it a victory even though I really wanted to donate today.
I am coming back next week to try donating again, with strict instructions to booze it up the night before, eat a bunch of salty foods, don't exercise that morning, and guzzle two cups of coffee before my appointment. My, how my life has changed. ????

A roundabout victory over high blood pressure! Definitely worth celebrating!

Well, here's a new one for me. I was unable to donate platelets today because my blood pressure is too low. The woman at the Blood Center said this is the first time in 30 years that she's ever had to defer someone for LOW blood pressure. Considering that 2 years ago my blood pressure was continuing to rise despite the meds I was taking to lower it, I'll call it a victory even though I really wanted to donate today.
I am coming back next week to try donating again, with strict instructions to booze it up the night before, eat a bunch of salty foods, don't exercise that morning, and guzzle two cups of coffee before my appointment. My, how my life has changed. ????

Well, here's a new one for me. I was unable to donate platelets today because my blood pressure is too low. The woman at the Blood Center said this is the first time in 30 years that she's ever had to defer someone for LOW blood pressure. Considering that 2 years ago my blood pressure was continuing to rise despite the meds I was taking to lower it, I'll call it a victory even though I really wanted to donate today.
I am coming back next week to try donating again, with strict instructions to booze it up the night before, eat a bunch of salty foods, don't exercise that morning, and guzzle two cups of coffee before my appointment. My, how my life has changed. ????

I don't have a single regret. I don't even regret not doing it sooner, as I don't think I was in the right head space until recently. And trust me, this is a mental game at least as much as a physical one.
I am less than 5.5 months post-surgery, and have lost over 100 pounds. And I'm just three pounds from the mythical place I never thought I'd see again: ONEderland.
In the 5.5 months since surgery...
... I've discovered running. I completed couch-to-5k (thank you, "C25K Free" app!!) and then two 5k races, and have more scheduled every weekend for the next 6 weeks. Before surgery, I couldn't run half a block to catch a bus if my life depended on it. I definitely would've been the first one down in the zombie apocalypse.
... I've discovered bicycling. I rode 25 miles in a benefit event, including up a freeway ramp and across a big high bridge near Lake Michigan. And I did it without stopping. Before surgery, I hadn't been on a bike for 20+ years.
... I've discovered gardening. There was a large area of my property that used to be a garden and I always wanted to reclaim it. But the weeds were waist-high and the one time I tried to clear them out I could only manage a 2-foot square and that was even while sitting on a bucket. Now I'm growing 46 different crops and I have fresh strawberries every morning.
... I've vacationed like a fiend. I planned a big bucket-list vacation for my mom to Peru for 4 months post-surgery, and I conquered Machu Picchu like I was born to do it (see my icon). When I was in China a year ago, I could barley explore any of the Great Wall and mostly sat on a bench while watching others break out.
... I've kicked medical issues to the curb. I've beat diabetes (last A1C was 5.0 with no meds and no monitoring), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. My knees don't hurt. My back doesn't hurt. I don't get headaches anymore.
The past 5.5 months have felt miraculous and magical and transformative on every level. I catch myself getting excited about sneaking carrot sticks into the movie theater for a special treat during the show, and I hardly recognize myself.
So, no... no regrets.