AfitRN2015

Sounds like everyone is doing well. I'm on day 13 of my 14 day pre-op liver reduction diet and almost had a meal yesterday. Thanks to this blog and everyone's support I held strong and stuck to the plan. I have to be at the hospital at 0530 Monday and I am so ready to be on the other side of this surgery. I'm not nervous just excited to begin the next phase of this journey and so thankful for Bariatricpal and the wisdom of those who have already done this.

I am 3 months post-op and am tired of focusing on how much I have not lost. I’ve been eating 80-100 g of Protein, drinking at least 70 ounces Water, staying under 1000 calories and am active. I started at very high weight and expected to lose more than 45 lbs my first 3 months, but I am tired of focusing on what I have not lost instead of what I have gained. I am so grateful for my sleeve and my chance to live a healthier life. This is my ode to losing weight more slowly than expected and the benefits:
More time to develop healthy eating habits before maintenance Skin has more time to catch up (more time to lotion!) Shifting focus to NSVs like sitting in booths and chairs with arms Less chance of gallstones Opportunity to practice loving kindness towards myself and being grateful for any positive change Chance to manage expectations – if it wasn’t for WLS, I’d be thrilled with my loss, so why not be thrilled now? Practice focusing on my own wins and not comparing self to others Not having to explain to others since loss isn’t dramatic (yet) Chance to trust the process and not focus on the end (self-care, water/protein/low-carb/active) Redefine success as how I feel, not numbers on scale Understanding this is not a diet, this is my lifestyle now, so what is the rush? Have you had a benefit to a stall or slower than expected losing?

@@Inner Surfer Girl and @@Babbs, I knew you would both get it. For the rest your comments have definite merit. Yes, if you dislike the shakes you have tried and want feedback on new ones to sample, ask away. The people I am referring to are the ones who say, I just can't drink another shake. That to me sounds like won't or don't want to.
Anyone who has a physical or medical reason that they cannot do something is a whole different situation, but those people are not whining they are just sharing.
We all know the ones I am talking about and yeah maybe my post was a bit harsh but I am not one to sugarcoat things. I want to be nice but lets get real here. Some of the posts here are insane with what they say. Just today I responded to a post where someone complained that if they share they cheated they get yelled at here. Well do you want a support group that "supports" you into repeating your bad habits??? Really?
I for one am looking for the advice of the long termers and I read their posts religiously and I don't want sugar coating myself. I want real talk about how to succeed here not placating so my feelings don't get hurt.
Thank you to Babbs, Miss Mac, InnerSurfergirl and others who keep it real.

For the most part I agree. But in my experience, it does take some experimenting. For instance, it took me at least four different brands of Protein Shakes before I found one that I liked. I still drank the nasty ones on my search - but it was hard. Now, even though I'm three months out I still drink my Unjury shake every day because I love them! And the chewable vitamins literally made me throw up. Vitamins aren't much good if you puke them up! But I found nutrametrix, which is a powder form of Vitamin you mix with Water. It tastes like orange juice. That's why these forums are so important. Even if you do get on here and complain, someone may have the insight that will make your life easier. A new Protein Shake to try, a water flavoring, a new exercise routine, etc. I hope my experiences help make this journey a little easier for someone, as others' experiences have for me.

Years ago I moved from Michigan to Georgia. It was my decision and I was tired of being cold. I knew going in that summers in Georgia would be hot. I made up my mind then that I would not allow myself to complain about the heat. I could comment on it, observe it, remark on it, but NEVER complain about it.

ill ay this, many people look at themselves as victims. they aren't fat they are big, or plump or whatever, or its my metabolism, its my ( insert ailment , syndrome, etc)
When you dont take responsibility for who you are and what you do, it becomes very easy to simply blame everything as too hard, too this or too that.
Now the only saving grace here is when you do own up and make the choice within yourself to grab the reins and pull yourself out of this negative victim hole, you look back and want to slap yourself for being so blinded the whole time. Unfortunately i see a lot of posts by people where you can tell they will never see the truth in front of them, and they are already on that slope to failure. So many successful people on here that truly inspire, like Alex, lipstick lady, cowgirl, babbs,etc ( no offense to those i didn't list.) these people have such confidence about their future because they have taken ahold of their issues with both hands and willed themselves to be successful.

Often I hear or read the following statements:
I can't drink another Protein Shake
I can't drink Water it tastes bad
I can't drink so much water it makes me pee a lot
I want to lose but these spaghettios cost $1 a can and I need cheap lunch
Oh I can't eat that it tastes bad
These Vitamins are gross
Blah, Blah, Blah
Okay, some of these are from my co-workers and some are from BP. Grow up people! The diet industry is an over $1Billion industry, yeah that's billion with a "B". In what world do you diet to lose X pounds and then eat what you want when you are done and not gain it back?? Really? That's rocket science?
If you were told you were going to die and all you had to do was drink 3 Protein shakes a day for say 2 weeks, would that change your attitude? Bet you would find a way to like them then. No one said you have to drink them plain you just have to watch what you add so you don't add sugar or calories. It's called google people.
Yeah water can be boring or maybe even harsh on your tummy. Add something like Mio or fruit to it, it changes the molecular structure as well as the taste. Or you can go ahead and drink diet sodas and pretend they are not a problem, your choice.
Of course the water makes you pee, it is flushing out bad stuff and cleaning your kidneys. It won't do that forever, the body will adjust. Or you can stop drinking and dehydrate your body and keep your weight since you like it so much!
The girls in my office are ALWAYS dieting. None of them need to lose more than maybe 12-20 pounds but they are always trying the next fad diet, taking diet pills intermittently, doing the latest workout videos etc. Then every other day I see them dipping into the ranch dip, eating fried Chik Fil A, eating ramen noodles, eating spaghettios!!, drinking sweet tea. I really don't care what yu eat it is your choice but really?? Do I have to hear you complain about your weight while you are eating that stuff. I actually watched a co-worker eat her tuna for lunch yesterday and then when a co-worker was finishing up, she made a mini sandwich with 2 waffle fries and put pickle slices in the middle. WTH?
I see a ton of complaints about vitamins on here. I take 2 chewable Bariatric Advantage vitamins a day (one in the morning and one at night), I take 2 500 mg Calcium chewables (one morning and one at night), I take sublingual B-12 twice a week. I will gladly do the chewables because for my newly sleeved stomach they absorb better when chewed. They actually taste pretty good to me. I WOULD MUCH RATHER TAKE VITAMINS THAN INJECT MYSELF DAILY WITH VICTOZA FOR MY BLOOD SUGAR!! I knew I was going to have to take vitamins BEFORE I had the surgery so why complain now?
Okay, I feel much better! Thanks for listening, empathizing or just plain laughing! All reactions are welcome! Putting away my soapbox now, carry on!

Adding to the chorus: STAY OFF THE scale.
During the first 6 mths most of us see the doctor often enough that we will be able to monitor our weight. Focus on the program. Make sure you are getting in 60+gms of Protein and 64+ounce of Water every single day. If you are hitting those benchmarks aim for higher. Not only will it help with the weight loss, it will also help with the energy level. If you need to measure something take your measurements (boobs, neck, waist & hips). Lastly learn to savor NSV (non-scale victories). Things like jeans getting loose, seatbealts not as tight, feet no longer swollen, etc.... Take joy in how your body is changing and you won't get discouraged.

What Surfer Girl said, I had to stop stepping on the scale everyday. I was making myself depressed, it was terrible. Just tell yourself the stall WILL end, keep doing what you're doing and realize it's a marathon, not a Sprint

How do you not get discouraged?
What works for me is to stay off the scale and focus on what I am supposed to do: get in my Protein and Water, and exercise.

Slow is not necessarily a bad thing. It gives your skin more time to recover & may lessen the amount of sag you have.

No pre-op diet, and at my 2 week appointment post-op I had lost 34 lbs. I'm 30 years old, male, so it might be easier for me to get rid of some excess weight. Currently I'm at 2 months today post-op and down 58 lbs. I finally have been able to start running again without my knees feeling like they are going to break!
The important thing to remember is this isn't a race to see who loses the most weight. It's a chance for you to start over with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. If it takes some a year or more to hit goal, oh well... that means less skin related issues because they gradually lost weight instead of rapid weight loss and skin removal surgery later. I recommend weights to help with skin issues. It really seems to have helped me.

Ricotta cheese with marinara sauce and melted motts. Deli chicken meat rolled like an enchilada with Beans inside melted cheese and enchilada sauce on top. Chicken, kidney beans, onion and a lil diced pickel and some cheese crumbles with your fav Salad Dressing. Broccoli cheese Soup with diced up ham in it (add a lil flavorless Protein power). Turkey lunch mean rolled up with avocado and bacon. Roast beef rolled up with some provolone Dip it in a lil mayo and horseradish. Make your own sushi without the rice mix a lil crab with mayo and saracha add avocado and cucumber roll in seaweed. Fried egg with a lil sugar free Syrup. Cottage cheese with a lil cool whip and sugar free Jello sprinkled in... There are so many options. Get creative! Good luck!

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback and information. I am so blessed to have found this community. I knew this would be a lifestyle change going in, but I (probably like almost everyone else) am still surprised by how much of one. ???? I am getting in some green veggies and milk products which is where my carbs are coming from now. It is good to hear that this may start to feel more natural over time.

I definitely did NOT cut out carbs to lose all my excess weight. (I'm now 6 pounds below goal.)
Carbs aren't just sweets and breads. Carbs are in milk, yogurt, fruit, green and other colored veggies, whole grain foods, etc. Carbs are necessary for high energy and good nutrition.
I don't understand why people think life after WLS means no carbs or even low carb. I think there's a terrible lack of education about which foods contain carbs and which carb-laden foods are much healthier for us than others.
Now on maintenance, I average around 100 grams of Protein a day and 150-200 grams of carbs a day. But I don't eat slider foods (Cookies, chips, crackers, Desserts, sweets, pastas) often at all. Yes, I have them occasionally, but they're not an everyday item on my menu.

I'm almost a year out and have lost 100lbs. I don't cut out carbs, but it's almost habit to get Protein in first and carbs if I have room. I've found that I can't tolerate certain foods, carbs included. But, without even thinking I'm always looking for protein first. Once you have your protein, you're usually too full for carbs. It becomes habit. Eventually, you won't even have to think about it. That's the goal, lifestyle change. I was a carbohydrate addict before. Now, protein is primary, carbs are an afterthought.

You will eventually get use to eating no carbs.. You are scared & worried now because you are farely new but once time goes on you won't even miss it. Like everyone on here says eat your Protein first and then worry about the rest. In almost 3 yrs out and I eat no carbs unless is on a special occasion or it's because I'm mixing in my Protein Shake. Yes I still do Protein Shakes. I actually do it when I have to reset my body because sometimes my body stall n I start from day one to remind myself the proper way of waiting. This takes time. But at the end is worth it.

As a rule, ESPECIALLY in the honeymoon phase of WLS ( up to 18 months post surgery) you will still probably lose weight eating a few carbs. But as early out as you are, you should be eating protien and veggies, leaving little room for carbs (bread, crackers, etc). Protien is most important right now becuase you have such little real estate in your tummy, you gotta eat what counts. Those carbs from white stuff gives you no nutritional value right now.
Another thing about a WLS person eating carbs is that it can be a slippery slope. Sure, you can't eat very much right now, but the sleeve relaxes after a while, and a few crackers turn into a box (these are also considered slider foods because more can be eaten) I don't know about you, but I could easily polish off a box of Cookies once I get going. That's why I choose to stay away. They also make me crave more carbs and sugar, and the next thing you know, you're stalled or gaining. No thanks!
You will have plenty of time to introduce a few carbs the closer you get to goal and then maintenance. For now take advantage of this ever so important time when you're able to lose weight easily and minimize the carbs and get your protien and veggies first! After all, we all didn't get fat eating chicken and broccoli, did we?

For me, the pre-op was way worse than post-op, as far as the liquid diet goes. With pre-op, I was still soooooo hungry all the time, where the week after surgery, I did feel FULL after just 1/3 cup of a Protein Shake. I was also way more cranky during my pre-op diet, as well as nervous for the upcoming surgery.

I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time. As I'm sure you would concede everyone's experience is different. Unfortunately you can't know beforehand exactly what yours will be. You just have to weigh risk versus benefit and make that leap of faith.
My experience was completely different. The 2 week pre op diet was a challenge but nothing I couldn't handle. My surgery and recovery were textbook... pain, yes but again nothing unexpected. I followed my surgeons protocol for reintroducing foods and have had no issues. At 7 months out I am now down 78 lbs and feel better than I have in years.
I'm a happy camper and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
I hope that as the weeks and months pass you'll be feeling better. There's nothing like seeing the weight drop off to make the world seem like a happier place ☺️

When I decided to take this journey I made myself positive affirmations that I read frequently through-out the day to keep my mind in a positive place. This is a BIG change and as with anything we can focus on the positive or the negative - it is totally our choices which we are going to focus on.
I'll be 4 weeks out from surgery on Monday and I am doing really good with everything. I am getting in my 60 grams of Protein and 60 ounces of Fluid each day. I am walking each morning and evening and I really love and look forward to those walks each day. I'm not having any hunger or any cravings for food. My family still eats in front of me (hubby loves whataburger) but it doesn't bother me at all. This was my choice to have surgery and I don't expect anyone around me to change their food habits because of me.
I have had some cranky times. I had really bad Constipation the first week and I am still sore and tire easily. I have slept in the recliner almost every night since surgery because I can't comfortable in bed, but last night I was able to sleep in bed all night! Yay!
If anyone is looking for an easy way out this is not the easy way out, but after a lifetime of losing and gaining weight I'm ready to focus on being healthy and happy and focusing on everything I have to be thankful for.

WOW sounds like you are having a tough time of it. I had a very different experience post op. I have had no issues with drinking, and on average I am consuming 80-100 oz a day. I was a big Water drinker pre surgery and just continued post. I am only week 4 post op, so haven't gotten to the food piece yet. My surgeon doesn't allow soft foods till weeks 5-8, and then normal foods after that. I have noticed a difference in switching to full liquids last week, I definitely fill up faster.
I love how I feel, so I would never want to go back to the way I was before. I hope you find a place that you are more at peace with the choice you made, and more comfortable with your new life style

Speaking as someone who had disordered eating, you can gain without eating big meals. Nibbling or grazing all day will pack on lbs as will only eating one big meal a day if it's the wrong foods.
I would recommend holding off adding any foods/ meals until after you talk to your nutritionist. The liquid phase is only temporary and if you recently had surgery a little fatigue is to be expected. I would also discuss adding a PPI like Prilosec or Zantac because yes, gas does masquerade as hunger.
This is your opportunity to completely change your relationship with food. Listen to your medical team.

2010 vs 2015

Hit 101 pound loss today! Woot woot! ???????????? (surgery March 10).