goblue9280

Check with your surgeon/NUT and make sure you are limiting yourself to the portion size they recommend. I've noticed everyone seems to be on slightly different plans around here. I trust my surgeon, did my research fully and he seems to be a well respected bariatric surgeon in Houston which has one of the best medical centers in the world. Just to show you how different surgeons can be, a summary of his plan that I've followed is: 2-week all liquid pre-op diet with 3-5 Protein shakes per day. Only Clear Liquids the day before surgery. Stage 1: Overnight stay at hospital with clear liquids while in the hospital. Stage 2: Full liquid diet upon discharge up until 1-week post-op appt Stage 3: pureed diet for 1-2 weeks following 1-week post-op appt Stage 4: Soft foods for 1-2 weeks following pureed For the pureed/soft foods stage I was instructed that learning portion control is the most important thing, and I should be getting in 600-700 calories and 60-70g of protein. I need to avoid grazing and eat 3 small meals plus a 1-2 Snacks. I should stop eating when full up until at most a 1/2 cup of food for the first 6 months after surgery. As I get closer to a year out I can work up to 3/4 to 1 cup total per meal.

Congrats on the pre-op diet success, that's not an easy week. You're going to do great tomorrow! You're in my thoughts for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Congrats on the great accomplishment! 59 lbs loss before surgery says a lot about your mental strength. Do you have any comorbidities associated with the weight? If so, how are they doing after the weight loss? For me, that was the final straw. I've been able to lose weight before, 3 years ago I lost around 75 pounds over 6 months... but I've always lost focus and gained it back. Diabetes, HBP, cholesterol, it seemed like every time I went to my PCP I got a new pill to take. Enough was enough, I knew I wouldn't see 40 if I continued the yo-yo dieting. WLS is a drastic measure, but I know it's what I needed. Maybe you could push your surgery out 3-6 months and see how you are doing after some more time? Good luck on your journey whichever way it takes you!

Probably need to do a cost-benefit analysis first. Mid priced hookers might offer a better return on investment though I would avoid low priced hookers as there is too much long-term risk.

We usually buy the JIF natural and looking at the nutritional info, you're looking at 190 calories. 16g fat, 8g carbs and 7g Protein for 2 tablespoons. Maybe when I'm up to 1,000 calories or so a day I might have an apple with a couple tbsp of PB, but right now I'm only eating around 700 calories and I don't think I can justify it.

My BCBS TX plan specifically covers bariatric surgery in the plan with a $5000 co-payment. All I had to do was meet with the surgeon and complete my psych evaluation. Once the surgeon sent in the paperwork, it was quickly approved within a week or two. The surgeon I picked required a couple of things not required by the insurance (thus not covered by the $5000 co-pay) which were a one time NUT class, and an endoscopy. The endoscopy was covered by my insurance minus my yearly deductible.

Here's a post from beachgal I bookmarked that had scans her postop diet info: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/352815-one-week-pur%C3%A9e-or-not/#entry3972802

I had all of these grand plans for an epic last meal before the pre-op diet... a steak dinner, or some Texas bbq, or maybe some buffalo wings. Sadly, in the end my last meal was Taco Bell. It was fitting though as my former self was a fast food junkie, and probably ate Taco Bell 5+ times a week (including breakfast.) No more cheesy gordita crunches for my new (month old) self.

How soon post-op did you guys start trying jerky? I've always been a jerky fan, but I'm sure I have weeks until I can eat it safely.

I'm on soft foods and although I can't have it yet, I'd love a Mediterranean plate... A piece of chicken kabob, some hummus and a 1/4 cup of tabouli would be awesome right now. I'm so boring right now... turkey chili, refried beans and tuna are my staples. Being able to make healthy (flavorful) choices is really the key to keeping this lifelong commitment... so I can't wait until I can introduce more foods.

Depending on your budget, you can't go wrong with a blendtec or vitamix blender. I have a blendtec and it excels at making smoothies, purees and powers through ice.

Very normal. I had bad upper back/shoulder blades pain for the first 3 days post surgery... Like dannie said, it's likely gas pain.

@@winklie Great advice! Congrats on the walking accomplishment, that is very impressive. Having a desk job and then spending most evenings driving kids to various activities, it has been tough to do much walking. I'm only getting in 4k-5k steps per day. One thing I found out too is that my iphone (6s plus) overcounts my steps by 1.5-2 times when I keep it in my pocket. I think it has to do with the bouncing around. Anyhow I fix that by carrying it in my hand when I walk in the afternoon at work. Push-ups and sit-ups are a great place to start for me, but I don't know if I'll be able to do push-ups starting out at my weight. Last time I was able to do more than a pushup or two was when I was south of 300lbs.

Something doesn't add up. I was worried that something was wrong early on because it felt like I could eat more than others. I had no problem with 1/3 to a 1/2 a cup of food at a time, while many others struggled to keep down a tablespoon or two. Searching around, I found it is pretty common to be able to eat with no issues after surgery. However, I don't recall one person claiming to be able to eat close to 2k calories. I don't get an overwhelming full feeling on 1/2 cup of food, but I'm around 700 calories a day and don't feel hungry for most of it. Also, it sounds like they did not give you very good directions with regards to the post-op diet. My plan is very similar to yours... full liquids up until my first post-op appt, then pureed for 1-2 weeks followed by soft foods for 2 weeks. However, I was told no Pasta, rice, bread for I believe 6 months. If it were me, I'd be getting in to see the doctor asap to see if he made the pouch too big and also to get more info from the nutritionist on the recommended diet.

@@toasty @@Dub Thanks guys, appreciate the support and advice. Baby steps for me right now. I've been taking a mid-day walk at work for the past two weeks. Only 20 minutes or so, but it's a start. Hope to dust off my bicycle in the next few weeks when given the green light from my doctor... it'll be good to go riding with the kids again. I'm not sure when I can start weight training, but I already have a bench and a set of powerblock adjustable dumbbells from years ago. So I'm not sure how I will start... either in the gym with a trainer to get me going, or see if I can get a trainer to come to my house and set up an at home program. Regardless, I'm sure I'm a few weeks away from that as I was instructed to wait 6 weeks to lift anything over 10 pounds. One of the main things I was trying to research regarding lean muscle growth after gastric bypass was how to get in enough protein/calories to build the muscle. My lower body is plenty strong, so as long as I can maintain that I should be good. However, I know I need to build muscle mass in my upper body. Not looking to be a body builder, but I'd like some definition and overall better strength.

So seems like I've hit the 3-week stall as my weight has stayed the same since Monday. My surgery was Oct 1st and the first couple weeks, I weighed myself every few days. However, with the scale not moving, I've been stepping on every morning in hopes it will change. Very depressing way to start the day when that number doesn't move. I feel better though, so I'm hopefuly I'm just building back up some Water weight and still losing some of the fat. One other thing I did yesterday is start looking around online for local gym/trainer options for when I'm allowed to start lifting weights. I also went to a few exercise forums to looks for info on how to build muscle post gastric bypass (or when on a calorie restrictive diet.) All that really did was bring up a bunch of topics where meatheads got together to discuss how little respect they have for someone that gets weight loss surgery. Very little useful info out there on how to build muscle after surgery. I want to end up in good shape, not just be a skinny fat guy. I'm hoping my NUT/surgeon has some good advice for when I get to that stage. Anyhow, just needed to vent on those two topics as I'm feeling rather frustrated this morning.

Hello, 35/male from Houston, TX. I've been in Houston for about 8 years now, originally from Michigan. My wife and I met in high school, both went to UofMichigan and have 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) ages 6,7,11 and 13. I had gastric bypass on October 1st after decades of struggles with my weight. I have been doing well thus far. I decided to pay for a VIP membership as a way of giving back to this site. I found this site as I was still deciding on surgery. This site got me through all of my initial questions, got me through the pre-op diet and all my fears regarding surgery. I'm very optimistic that this site will also see me through the 200+ pounds I intend to lose. Safe to say I wouldn't be where I am without this site and all of the great people contributing!

Love me some hummus right now... have a little every day, but I try not to go overboard as I know the store bought ones have a decent amount of fat/oil. I haven't had any issues, started with sabra classic and the thickness was fine for me in the pureed stage. Kroger had some tubs of Tribe Swirl on sal for $1.99 last week, so I picked up a roasted red pepper, a salsa and a siracha. The texture seems a bit thinner than the sabra, but the taste is great. My wife buys a edamame hummus (it's green) that I tried, and enjoyed it as well. It had some sesame seeds on top, so I just avoided those. I assume the spinach/artichoke is pretty soft in the hummus? I'd probably try it slowly and make sure it agrees.

I had my surgery on Oct 1st and I was absolutely terrified of going under... it was my biggest fear. Like you, I'd never had surgery with general anesthesia. I was worried that I would wake up during the surgery or even worse, never wake up. I had an awful time sleeping the night before. My stomach was in knots all the way to the hospital at 5am, and then waiting to go back for prep. My wife stayed with me all the way until they rolled me to the operating room. When she broke off to go to the waiting room, I had tears, I was a mess. I got to the operating room and I'm sure they saw the fear in my eyes. They had me get on the table, strapped my arms out to form a T, and put some monitors on. The anesthesiologist (who was not the one that came by and met me an hour earlier) never said anything to me until she said "I'm giving you some medicine now" at the same time the nurse had a mask over my mouth and said to breath... and that was all I remember. Next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room, completely at ease. I know where you are... before surgery, I laid my fear out on here just like you. It definitely helped to get everything out, and it was awesome to read the responses from everyone that it would be ok. Knowing where you are, I understand there isn't much I can say to put your mind at ease. You are going to be scared, and that's ok, but don't cancel your surgery over it. Roll with the fear and I promise you'll be laughing about it the week after surgery.

I always like cream of wheat as a kid with plenty of brown sugar. Has anyone tried the splenda brown sugar substitute... is it any good?

One other thing I was thinking off. If you go the mountain bike route, check with your local bike shop on which bikes have a lockout on the front shock. Many do, and this will allow you to ride the bike like a rigid until your weight comes down and then you can use the front shock as intended.

What is your budget for a bike? A few years ago, I went out and bought a bike to start riding for weight loss. I went to a bunch of bike forums for suggestions. Most will have a forum called "clydesdales" for big and tall guys/girls. They can set you down the right path. A couple recommendations, don't go cheap. You are not going to find a bike that will last at walmart. If going the mountain bike route, look for a fully rigid bike, i.e. one that doesn't have any shocks. Keeping your wheels/spokes well maintained is a must. At our size, we'll put a wheel out of true or bust spokes rather easily. If you have the budget for an upgrade on a bike, buying a beefer wheelset is probably the first thing you'll want to do and maybe a brake upgrade. I ended up getting a redline D440 mountain bike after some recommendations a few years ago. It's a fully rigid mountain bike, cro-moly steel frame that has held up well... but I haven't used it in 2 years. Hoping once cleared, I'll start riding again.

Hasn't been an issue for me. Been eating a lot of the goya refried black Beans and they are super soft out of the microwave. They also purée really well which takes care of the skin.

I was pureeing the beans and chili, but my surgeon has moved me to soft foods already so now I just chew them very well. When I moved to purée, first thing I went out and bought were some cans of refried beans... Added a little water and a slash of hot sauce and they were the most amazing thing ever!

I'm just over 2 weeks out and I've been on a pretty regular schedule. My daily diet is usually something like this: Breakfast - premier Protein shake lunch (noon to 1) - 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Beans or chili with a tablespoon of reduced fat shredded cheese. Snack - half a yogurt dinner - 1/3 to 1/2 cup beans or chili, or tuna salad Snack - other half of yogurt or another serving of beans I buy little disposable tasting spoons from Kroger and use those to eat. I will also add a tablespoon or so of hummus to a meal/snack when I feel like it. I get a bit of hunger/craving every now and then but it's nothing like the hunger is have while dieting pre-surgery. I also find I stay satiated longer than I ever did pre surgery.