djay210

During my pre op I did shakes with 1/2 a banana ( was allowed just one a day with banana) and Peanut Butter. That seemed to help

Hi everyone. I'm 10days post op and my mom asked me if I ever got a hungry headache. I was surprised because I tend to get hungry headaches and Migraines. This is just an confirmation that me feeling "hungry" is all in my head. Just thought I would share for those struggling with feeling or trying to differentiate those. "Hunger Pangs"

I'm sorry you're having to deal with the diverticulitis and the pain, unfortunately I do not have an answer for you on that front.
Regarding using straws, my surgeon would like me to stay away from using them, but I have on occasion used one (use to use them all the time pre-surgery). I believe we're to avoid using straws because we suck up so much more air using a straw than when we just drink our beverages. Sometimes I'm so thirsty that a straw seems to help me drink more liquid.

So sorry for your flare up, I have no experience in that area. As for the straw, my nutritionist said 2-3 months but I am better able to get my liquids in with one so I started at 5 weeks out. It didn't cause me any problems. Good luck and I hope you get through your flare up soon!

I would listen to my nutritionist before anyone else. They are the medical professional being paid to monitor your care. I'm pretty sure it was about 6 or 7 mths before I had a drink. I went to a wine tasting with friends. Honestly pizza and beer just doesn't sound like a good idea until you are closer to goal. pizza is too high in carbs & fat and too low in healthy Protein to even be worth it to me.

What does your surgeon and your nutritionist say?

@djay2010 Thank you so much. Your advice has really got me thinking. I feel like my surgery is so far away... just hearing you say "since you are getting closer to your date" has given me butterflies in my stomach!! Maybe it isn't that far ( I have been on this journey since Jan2014) It just feels like I will never get there!
But you are right I need to really give myself a good kick and start this emotional journey as like urself comfort eating has become my thing!!
Thank you again.. would be lovely to stay in touch!! x
@djay2010 Thank you so much. Your advice has really got me thinking. I feel like my surgery is so far away... just hearing you say "since you are getting closer to your date" has given me butterflies in my stomach!! Maybe it isn't that far ( I have been on this journey since Jan2014) It just feels like I will never get there!
But you are right I need to really give myself a good kick and start this emotional journey as like urself comfort eating has become my thing!!
Thank you again.. would be lovely to stay in touch!! x

Great advice!

Just do it. Most people aren't thinking about you and many have been where you are. Seriously just get out of your head and focus on doing what you need to do.

Thanks jeanniereenie, I really needed this today! I have "gym jitters" also, not only that I have issues with crowds! So I tend to stay away from the gym when I know I should be "living" there!

Hello, Jay05
I am six weeks post op and this is some of the things that have helped me with prep.
I would like to suggest that you do some deep soul searching. Ask yourself what is the REAL reason for the WLS, Am I willing to make this lifestyle change for LIFE,(because it is for LIFE) Do I have a strong support system, Am I willing to do the pre op work now? You can even write down your answers.
By the way, this is not just about losing the weight/getting healthier it is changing your mindset towards food! I tell you that is the hardest part for me I struggle the most with emotional eating so yeah it is hard work!
Now, are you willing to challenge yourself right now?
If so, challenge yourself to give up one favorite food or sugary drink for one day. Get thru that day and continue that one day at a time.
For me, I started by giving up chips (I'm a BIG chip head) before I knew it I didn't what them anymore! Do I still crave them from time to time? YES I DO! But as long as I don't put them in my mouth I know I will be OK.
Also since you are getting close to your surgery date start drinking one Protein shake for Breakfast daily (just the shake if you like you can add fruit to it) My NUT had me do this to get me ready for the 2 week pre op diet. Not everybody has to do the 2 week pre op diet. You may not have too. But the Protein shakes help with the liver shrinkage.
I hope this helps some!
Take care and looking forward to seeing on the losing side!

Hello, Jay05
I am six weeks post op and this is some of the things that have helped me with prep.
I would like to suggest that you do some deep soul searching. Ask yourself what is the REAL reason for the WLS, Am I willing to make this lifestyle change for LIFE,(because it is for LIFE) Do I have a strong support system, Am I willing to do the pre op work now? You can even write down your answers.
By the way, this is not just about losing the weight/getting healthier it is changing your mindset towards food! I tell you that is the hardest part for me I struggle the most with emotional eating so yeah it is hard work!
Now, are you willing to challenge yourself right now?
If so, challenge yourself to give up one favorite food or sugary drink for one day. Get thru that day and continue that one day at a time.
For me, I started by giving up chips (I'm a BIG chip head) before I knew it I didn't what them anymore! Do I still crave them from time to time? YES I DO! But as long as I don't put them in my mouth I know I will be OK.
Also since you are getting close to your surgery date start drinking one Protein shake for Breakfast daily (just the shake if you like you can add fruit to it) My NUT had me do this to get me ready for the 2 week pre op diet. Not everybody has to do the 2 week pre op diet. You may not have too. But the Protein shakes help with the liver shrinkage.
I hope this helps some!
Take care and looking forward to seeing on the losing side!

Thanks jeanniereenie, I really needed this today! I have "gym jitters" also, not only that I have issues with crowds! So I tend to stay away from the gym when I know I should be "living" there!

Yes, but.....................I do eat carbs. but they are non-starchy carbs from non-starchy veggies and one serving of non-starchy fruit like berries. One slice of wheat bread is allowed on my plan, but at Breakfast, not dinner. My plan allows for about 150 carbs, but some of that is from two servings of milk or Greek Yogurt. I find that if I go over fifty carbs, I stall.
Still, at 50 carbs, I can eat all of the green veggies and tomatoes I can stand. If I get the mindless nibbles, I will open a can of green Beans and pour them into a bowl. They do a lot less damage than chips. i take thick slices of cucumber and use them to hold bites of tuna salad instaed of using crackers. I have made adjustments, but it's not killing me. As a matter of fact, ditching starchy carbs has made me feel a lot better. So, my taste buds don't like it, Miss Tummy is the boss of me, now
The hardest thing for me to give up is bananas, so I will cut them in thirds and have that 1/3 with breakfast, but not at bedtime. I don't like to sleep on carbs.

Agreed with the 3 week stall...found out about that here and yes everyone has it to some extent.
The one thing I missed somehow was that in my paperwork the NUT said she wanted us getting 48 ounces of Fluid in the first week after surgery. My panic moment came when I couldn't even get 8 ounces the first day. I really thought something was wrong. Then she said work your way UP TO 48 ounces.
I had researched like crazy also but forgot about the temperature of what you drink. I couldn't drink cold for the first week then it was fine.
OMG yeah your underwear is so quick to sag. Your clothes will follow. Goodwill, Old Navy and Walmart will be your best friend until you get to goal weight.
Reward yourself with things NOT food for hitting benchmarks. Take your weight loss in bite size pieces and Celebrate not just when you get to goal.
Absolutely follow your plan, it works. It keeps you on the straight and narrow. It helps you keep yourself accountable and keeps you from sliding back into old habits.
Good luck!!!

Oh my gosh so many things!
1. You will be cold ALL THE TIME. Invest in hoodies.
2. Loose skin happens, it feels bad, but it's NOT the end of the world.
3. Sometimes you experience 'hunger pangs' that mean you are thirsty.
4. Life is going to get so much better because you are going to feel like a new person. (I guess people tell you this, but seriously, it's not easy to comprehend until you're there.)
Good luck!

I agree with all of the other replies!
My NUT had me write a "Goodbye" letter to my favorite/emotional foods. 6 weeks out and have had a difficult time with some of my emotions but I did not fall back to the food.< /p>
Just my little input
Take care!

That being thinner wouldn't equate to happiness. Most of my life I thought that if I just lost weight I would turn into a very happy person.
Haha! Fat was the least of my problems. I had no idea.
It all worked out ok in the end though.

I, too, wished I would have known about the surgery years ago. I knew about the hair loss, but it is done now and the hair looks fine. I assume it is growing in, as it doesn't appear to be as less as it was, but as long as no more falls out (other than the normal shedding), it is fine as it is. My Hair loss lasted about 2 months.
I wish I would have figured out that meals/snacks don't last very long in my system. I need to eat at least every 3 hours or I am in trouble. Fall-to-the-floor trouble. The thing is, I don't necessarily FEEL hungry (tummy hungry) at that point, I just get extremely weak and faint-feeling. I will always be diabetic, just in remission. It reminds me it is still part of me when I feel this way. But on the whole, I am ecstatic I had the surgery.

Even before surgery our weight fluctuates daily, some days we have more Water retention, some days less etc. It is o different now. I can't help myself I weigh every day sometimes and every other day sometimes but sunday morning is my official weight for the week. I try not to get too obsessive with a sale I wouldn't dare get on before.
Good luck and try to create a stress-free relationship with that darned scale...
Oh! And even when the scale doesn't move you are still losing inches so take your measurements if you haven't already and redo them weekly or bi-weekly etc.

This is a link to an article that was shared by another BP friend earlier this week. Good information to keep in mind.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ways-avoid-weight-gain-after-bariatric-surgery/

I used to be like that then one day I just didn't care...most people at the gym aren't looking at you as much as you think they are..and if they are who knows what they are thinking!
I was watching someone train the other day and all I was thinking about was how much fun the boxing looked...get out of your own head and do for you!

I am so very sorry. And don't EVEN get me going on the so called Affordable Care Act.
I am in Texas. Medicare pays for surgery and my AARP supplemental insurance picks up the rest as long as Medicare covers some of it. I think it is beyond stupid not to cover surgery if it is medically necessary. I will be praying things can be worked out for you.
BTW, is that dollar amount you mentioned what you pay through the ACA? If so, all I can say is Yikes!

You are not a wacko! Everyone goes through mourning their favorite foods before having weight loss surgery assuming they will never again get to eat that food. In fact, most of us had food funerals.
For me spaghetti was my favorite all time food since I was a child. I ate as much Pasta as I could. The night before I started my liquid diet, I had the best spaghetti dinner ever thinking I would never again get to eat it.
Well, the reality is that is simply not true. You can eat anything you want or your new stomach tolerates, just in much smaller quantity and not as frequently.
The weird thing is, your tastes will change and those things you once craved won't be nearly as appealing. For example I have gas spaghetti twice since I had my surgery. I really don't care for it any longer. I have pizza every few weeks. I love pizza! I can eat it with no problem. When I have it I always eat thin crust pizza and can only eat a small piece and I am full. Even when I have a craving for ice cream, I have a few spoonfuls and I am full and satisfied.
My nutritionist has taught me that if you learn good habits, indulging once in a while won't hurt you.
You will learn and love to eat good Protein and good carbs. Your body will feel best when you do that. 2 bites of Protein for every one bite of good carbs is what I have been taught. I actually crave good meats like chicken, steak, pork and vegetables. I can no longer stand fried, greasy fast food. It tastes horrible!
If you stick to the food plan there is nothing you can't indulge in once in a while but you will find that most of it, you don't even care for any longer. Even that pizza, it's ok but I would much rather have some good protein, veggies and fruit.< /p>
You just wait and see! Follow the plan and you sill be successful and not worry so much about the foods you used to love. For now, have that food funeral!
By the way, I had bypass and have lost 111lbs in 8.5 months. I have 34 left to go. I eat for fuel only. Food no longer rules my life.
Good luck on your upcoming surgery! I wish you a safe and speedy recovery!

Same opinion here. Get your clear fluids in before you worry about your Protein. My first protein was an Isopure clear Protein Drink on day 4. Day 5 I did an isopure and later in the day a Premier Protein shake. Take very small sips and wait before taking another sip. You need to learn how your new stomach is going to feel. If you feel full or stuck then it's time to stop. You still have a lot of swelling. It will get better.
Also...bubbles are bad. Try not to swallow bubbles. The bubbles can be difficult to burp out with all that swelling and can cause some pain and or discomfort.