Julezie

For what it's worth, here's my "typical" day's menu:
As for carbs, mostly I get them from my shakes, Greek yogurt, and the very limited veggies I'm able to fit in after my Protein. Other doctors and nutritionists give you carb targets, but my doctor just says to limit them as much as possible. If you're not logging your food yet, I'd suggest using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. It helps you keep track of your Protein and fluids, but also can help you figure out if anything is going off track and affecting your weight loss.
Okay, here's an example of my day:
I keep a 2-quart jug and a 24-oz Tervis tumbler (with a handle) both at home and at work. I count my morning Protein shake as a meal, not a Fluid. (30 grams of protein) 30-60 minutes later, I have a cup of coffee. (Count it as a Fluid if you like.) After that, I drink a 24-oz. tumbler of Decaf, sugar-free iced tea, like Crystal Light throughout the morning. (Lots of frequent sips) Then I walk for 40+ minutes. Then it's lunchtime - tuna salad or chicken salad, or leftover protein from dinner. (16-22 grams of protein) and maybe a bite of veggies if there's room. About 45 minutes after lunch, I'll fill another 24-oz tumbler of iced tea and sip that throughout the afternoon, finishing by 30 minutes before my afternoon snack.< /li> At around 4:00 or 4:30, my afternoon snack is usually a Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein) or some leftovers. (This is also a good time to get in some veggies or a V-8 if you're getting enough protein at other times.) Maybe a cup of hot tea in the later afternoon. (Count it as a fluid you like.) Then dinner – again, getting 20-25 grams of protein from lean steak, fish, chicken, or pork, and maybe a bite or two of veggies. Finally, another 24-oz cup of iced tea or Water 30-45 minutes after dinner that I sip throughout the evening. If I'm hungry later, sugar-free Jello or sugar-free popsicles are good. And if I'm short on protein or still hungry, another yogurt or Protein Shake. (I'm not worried about the calories because this menu only provides 700-900 per day.) So that's 70+ grams of protein and 72+ ounces of fluid, with some exercise as well. If you have a regular enough schedule, you can follow it every day. If not, maybe a modified version will work. The big trick is in pre-planning your meals and your fluids, especially if you're going to be away from home or work. In those cases, I always make sure there will be something I can eat, or I bring along a Protein shake or some kind of meat to carry me through. I've also gotten pretty good at restaurant eating. I avoid the bread and salad, order chicken, steak, lamb, fish, or pork, trade in the starch for a second veggie, skip the dessert.... and end up taking half of the meat, and almost all of the veggies home. I know we need to learn to eat "normally", but I'm not there yet – especially when it comes to carbs. When I get to goal weight, I'll work on finding my new low-carb "normal". Hope that helps! Rog

I am back home - the test showed no blockage - no stents needed!!!! I am officially approved for surgery - here comes life #2!

I am only 3 weeks post-op, and I can only handle yogurt (4oz), Protein shakes (sip throughout day), cup of Soup (about 2/3 cup), and once I ate 1 grilled chicken strip. If I try anything else, it does not stay down. Some people have said refried Beans were good, I tried yesterday and it was miserable.
I know I have to be patient, it is getting hard. I agree that eating out is near impossible. I have had to excuse myself and get sick in the bathroom. It is not how I pictured my post op life to be. However on the good side, I am still losing 5 pounds a week and have not yet changed my exercise routine. I figured once I stall, I will pick up the exercise.
I keep reading about those that are 5 1/2 weeks out and eating wonderful things....I can only hope I will be brave enough to try.

Oh, nooooooooooo!
Well, then....what's done is done. Time to start over. Just as a refresher, here are the basic concepts again:
While you are hanging out here for support, you can initiate the following steps that most of our plans have us do for our pre-op preparations.

Drink no calories.

Drink Water until your eyeballs float - 64 - 80+ ounces per day.

Don't eat anything made in a factory. You can do this by shopping the perimeter of the supermarket and avoid the aisle unless you need a spice or paper towels...that kind of stuff.

Eat at least 60 ounces of Protein per day, and at any meal, eat your Protein first - then veg - then fruit.< /span>

Dessert should be something like an apple, not apple pie with two scoops of ice cream.

Avoid sugar, grease, and salt as much as possible. Eating clean will help you discover the real taste of natural food. If it weren't for sugar, grease and salt, McDonald's would have no business. When I gave up candy bars and started eating dark chocolate, I realized that it wasn't the chocolate I missed - it was the sugar.

Try to wean yourself off of soda and diet soda. Most bariatric plans discourage soda pop and anything with bubbles post-op.

Reduce starchy carbs like bread, flour, sugar, rice, noodle, biscuits, white potatoes, macaroni, spaghetti etc.


So what is left to eat? meat, eggs, cheese, Beans, Peanut Butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts, and fresh fruits and non-starchy veggies. You can adjust your current recipes to reduce carbs. The World According to Eggface is a good place to start. Check out the forum here for recipes, also Sparkpeople.com and Myfitnesspal.com.

Many of us use Myfitnesspal.com for logging our food every day. It is really an eye-opener if you are honest with yourself about what you eat.

Weigh and measure your food to accurately acknowledge your actual portion size. There is a scientific principle that says, "You cannot control that which you do not measure."

Exercise where you can. Move your body every day. Don't become part of the sofa.
Hugs for a new start. Now, off you go!

Another sleeve sister! i'm June 23rd. Do we have the same dad? My dad wanted me to lose wieght and I only see him every two years or so he lives on the west coast. I don't think I can tell him either. It would be hard to explain to him. His way of telling me to lose weight was to not eat american food only korean food.< /p>

Keep in touch we have the same surgery date!
I went through a super emotional phase too when I decided to sign to the process and I am concerned where my emotions will take me after I have my surgery. Having lost 62 lbs (with help from weight watchers and phentermine) and gained back 78lbs in a matter of 2-3 years is discouraging. I knew I needed to do something about my weight that would be longer lasting. Keep in touch we all have the similar surgery dates! I'm going June 23rd.

Hey, started my pre-op diet today, and one of the patients families brought in Bagels and can cheese, the junk good drawer was full of chocolate and there was Angel food cake with pick frosting cause it was somebody's birthday!! Aarrrhhhgg.. It was hard, but ya know I didn't touch any of it!!! Woootwooot!! I'm just worried about cravings post-op. But I've day at a time!!! Going in for surgery on the 12th!!!

@@Julezie I was on the preop diet while I worked. I work in an ICU and work nights. I had my shakes for a mid shift meal and a light salad for my dinner.... It is doable. We can have Water at our computer station ONLY if it is covered.

Time passes fast. Do what they tell you to do & don't cheat. The hard part is behind you. You'll be eating real food soon enough. I know it's hard but you can do it. I'm 5 months post op & have lost 108 lbs

I'm June 23rd!

I've been an open heart nurse for 6 years. I just got my surgery date for June 23rd. I'm nervous about starting my pre-op diet in two weeks. I'm also wondering if anyone worked while doing their pre-op diet and how did that go.