plane224

That's funny! I've a fellow bypass friend who literally make a concoction each and every morning- she's a school teacher and said it lasts her to lunch.
She uses one Premier Protein shake, a scoop of unflavored Protein, an equal amount of coffee to the premier shake, squirts in some SF Torini syrup- whatever her mood fancies that day- some SF FF sweet cream Coffemate and tons of ice. shakes it up and keeps it on her desk and drinks all morning.
That's a lot of work for a cuppa but a bariatric gal has to do what she has to do.
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1) You should not eat tacos at 3 weeks out. 2) You should not eat even the filling from a taco at 3 weeks out. 3) You should not eat taco shells, whether hard or soft, at 3 weeks out.

I myself like at-home workout DVDs. It is a lot easier, more convenient, I don't have the drive to and from the gym, I can do it even if my husband is out and I am home with my daughter, I don't have the monthly membership fees that I wasn't using, and nobody else to worry about.
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I had joined gyms in the past but really didn't know what to do. This time, the gym recommended their personal trainers--with the new membership you get a few free sessions. This really helped me to figure out what to do at the gym and made such a difference. They created a card for me with the different exercises to do and how many reps to do and it is kept in their card file that I can access anytime. I haven't even looked at it in a couple of years now! But I also walk/run outside, do zumba, treadmill, and I have some home equipment that I like to use: jump rope, hula hoop, kettle bell, bands, etc. Frankly, I have the best luck with just being outside walking/hiking that sort of thing. I keep meaning to do some bike riding but that still scares me and frankly, I haven't really ridden a bike since they required helmets so not sure how I feel about that. Find something you love to do--dance class? karate? anything! Best of luck.

Generally I walked up and down my driveway. It is very steep and the exercise is more like hill walking or climbing stairs. Uses two different sets of muscles. It was easy and right out my front door.
My problem was the YMCA was a 30 minute drive from my home and it was almost a waste to go that far just for exercise.
Also I hate exercise for exercise sake. I would rather do manual labor. So for each of the first two years after surgery, I moved 100,000 pounds of gravel by hand along with around 60,000 pounds of concrete blocks. I like to build things.

I have 4 young kids and a handsome husband as well My husband has of course been saying he will support me whatever I need, but I've felt he is not fully grasping what that will mean, lol! He agreed to come to a support group meeting with me next week which I think will go a long way. Maybe you're hubby will be up for attending one or two with you? When is your surgery? I'm scheduled for Oct 10th! Also just nervous about coming home to 4 crazy kids and a ver busy house! My husband can keep them alive, but the house not so much.
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I have been cooking daily for my family of 5. It was much harder during the preop stage with a normal stomach. I am post op day 6 and on full liquids. I am no longer struggling to make some buffalo wings and Mac and cheese, but then to warm up my broth on the side. I am ready to chew again and I'm sure cooking my old favorite food for others will be even easier then.

Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

I worried about that as well. Make meals for your family and if you need to purée. Eat your meal at the same time as your family eats. I also now 3 months in eat out with no problems. Just have an appetizer instead of a meal. And take home what I don't eat. My husband puts my little plate on the table and see's my weight loss as a healthy solution to our relationship. Because now I feel good and have energy. I cook one meal and make sure I eat my Protein first.
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My kids are grown, so it is only my husband. He has been cooking his own meals (I'm only 2 weeks out) He is doing well in the kitchen.

the first couple of weeks I had cooked food for the family to put in the freezer so I didn't have to fool with any of that.
now I just fix our normal meal, I eat a little of the veg, I eat the Protein and I skip any Pasta or bread that we are having. If I make something like spag and meat sauce, I just have the meat sauce with veg. Last night the kids had mac n cheese, with ground meat (turkey breast and ground sirloin) and green Beans. I had some of the meat mixture with cheddar cheese melted like a wee ground meat burger. everyone was happy/ once I was on solid foods it doesn't bother me to fix other things for them and eat what is appropriate for me.
so, once I was out a ways from surgery it really hasn't affected anything at all.

Ask him to give you 6-8 weeks for recovery. By then you will be able to incorporate your lifestyle of eating with his and the family. Until then, you will be on your own schedule and probably not too into cooking. However, by 8 weeks you can plan for your dinner along with theirs and be just fine. By then you will have figured out how and what you can eat out together. I'm just 8 weeks out and my husband and I went out to a Mexican food place this past weekend and I got a toastada with Beans and beef and left the hard shell. I could only eat less then 1/2 the goodies, but it sure was good. He ate what he normally does and we had a good time together.

Don't make things more complicated than they need to be. I do exactly what @@Christinamo7 does. If I make a Protein with a starch and a veggie, I eat the Protein and the veggie and skip the starch and let my husband eat it. Most of the time I don't even cook a starch anymore. Better for him anyway
As far as eating out, it's harder early out in the liquid and mushy phases. Once you get to normal food, then it gets much easier. You'll just be taking a lot home. No biggie. lunch and dinner the next day!

My hubby was very supportive he was responsible for meals for about 2 weeks. Lots of grilling! Afterward I prepared meals for the family. I made healthier meal choices for them. Nothing drastic.
Lately the hubby and I have been dating more. He likes to see and be seen. So I've appeased him by suggesting we visit a local jazz club last Tuesday, an amphitheater concert Wednesday, movies Friday, dancing Saturday. He never turned me down. He's loving this... so am I.
The cause-Newfound energy.

Non scale Victory

My favorite one to date has got to be fitting in the booth at our favorite Mexican restaurant without having to move the table closer to my son. Plus, having lots of room between my belly and the table.
The others:
Seeing all the bones in my feet and ankles
Having just 1 chin
My son wrapping his arms around me and getting excited that he can clasp his hands for a "real hug".
All of my rings and bracelets being too big
Buying regular sized clothes from Old Navy
Having my dermatologist not even recognize me until she read my chart, that was an amazing feeling.

Wonderful Bob! I absolutely love this thread. My shouts outs so far:

* tossed all my size 2x - believe me, not even the Goodwill would want them.
* fit into Liz Claiborn 16WP jeans - tossed my 22WP - see above.
* able to go 1 hour vigorously on the treadmill and love doing it.
* rewarded myself w/a Sansun slot radio to keep me going while exercising.
* have more energy than I have had in years.
* vow never to wear black again unless it is lingerie.
* stopped caffeine, diet soda, sugar, flour, but haven't we all!

I am a sleeve to bypass conversion (due to uncontrollable GERD). My surgery was 7/1. PRior to surgery this was a huge concern of mine. My sleeve would tolerate any type of meat: chicken, beef, turkey, pork, fish, shrimp. You name it, I could eat it. I was concerned that that would change with my conversion. So far, I've been quite lucky. I still can eat any type of meat. The only thing so far that I can no longer tolerate is quinoa. I had some the other day and was over the sink throwing up for what seemed like hours. With everything I've gone through, I consider myself very lucky!

@@1Day1Life4Now
Just wanted to be sure as you are giving advice that you understand that it is just as easy to cheat with the bypass. Most people do not get dumping syndrome and even if they do you can eat around the surgery and gain your weight back.
The only solution is to follow the food plan as close as you can, exercise and do not eat small meals all day long.
1 (800) calorie beer is almost as much as I eat in a day. My calorie intake is between 1000 and 1200. I am 22 months post op RNY today. Currently I do not drink anything but Water and maybe milk once per week.
I will enjoy a glass of wine for the first time in August after I am finally finished with narcotics, I am weaning off fentanyl following 3 major surgeries in 9 months. I personally would never consider a drink with that many calories. I worked too hard to get to where I am.

Its funny you posted this. I spent my lunch today cutting out a new dress, which will be the first thing I have sewn since surgery. I chose a very basic sheath dress as I need interview/work clothes for fall. I am excited to be able to cut a pattern that I 1. haven't had to add to the pattern so it will be big enough and 2. don't have to cut the largest size on the multisize pattern.
I have been sewing since I was about 7 years old so its not new to me. I have taken in a few things this summer. Mostly things that were simple and just required following the seams to take them in. Sadly, several things that I made in the past years and didn't fit right now are too big so I lost out on ever wearing them! I also have a HUGE stash of fabric that I bought for projects that never got made so I've been saving it for when I am closer to my goal. My office mate just asked me if I would make her a dress for an upcoming event. I might get to sew my first Vogue pattern! I have never really fit into Vogue, but she definitely does!
I am always willing to chat about sewing, etc.
pam

There really isn't a lot you can do. I started looking into this because I was concerned about my oldest boy. He is 27 and has to be about 350. I asked him to go with me to the seminar and to consider doing it with me but he has a lot of anxiety about the idea of surgery and wants to give losing another shot the old fashioned way.
I'm devastated because I know what he sounds like when he sleeps and he seriously falls asleep constantly during the day. So so worried about his health.
I am really hoping that after watching me yo yo all these years and then seeing the positive change in my life post surgery he will give it more consideration.
BTW my surgery is tomorrow.... Whoooo!!!!!
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@@nprcowboy First of all - you should not worry about disappointing anyone! This is a difficult journey and no one is perfect! I'm sorry you've had such a rough time emotionally. Maybe a different medication would help your mental health while not causing weight gain. There's so many different meds and combinations. In the meantime, hopefully you are in therapy to deal with your depression and emotional state. In terms of weight loss and your sleeve - it's still there - and will be ready to help you. Try going back to basics - cut out Pasta, bread, rice, sweets, soda, etc. Once you detox from carbs - you'll feel much better all around. High Protein, low carbs - focusing on Protein first. Try adding a little exercise - release those endorphins. Stay strong - you can do this!!!

I have been thinking about this and some of my thoughts may help you as they have helped me. I began to realize that I have punished myself for years with my weight. The message was that I didn't deserve to loose weight or have a flattering image. It takes some time to learn to love yourself. My daughter had the weight loss surgery done a year ago, and I watched her as she lost and began to get her old self back. I thought I could do it myself, so I started dieting with the help of a nutritionist. She suggested a small plate, sitting down and eating without other disturbances so I could concentrate on eating alone, and eating a plate with 1/4 Protein, 1/4 fruit, and 1/2 vegies. I lost 30 pounds, down from an all time high of 215. Time passed, and I concentrated less and less on loving myself enough to be healthy for me, and I began to gain the weight back. I went back up to 200. The depression was self hate and the message was one of failure. I wallowed in this for a bit, and then I decided that Portion Control was the important thing here. I had gastric sleeve done 8/15/16, and now am working through those first few weeks of new stomach syndrome.
The thing I am learning is that I can never again go back to the depression. Depression is like a light on your dash board that is bright red. It is a message that you are failing yourself. It is a call to action. My daughter says that she sees this as a reset. You have to reset your way of thinking about yourself. Concentrate on loving yourself. This does not mean to feed yourself with forbidden foods. Think about the way that you feed a child. If it would not be good for a baby, it certainly does not need to go into my mouth. See restricting as a form of self love. People gain weight on some antidepressants, but some like Welbutrin actually have the side effect of weight loss. See your doctor. The person that prescribed something that makes you gain weight is not your friend.
You can do it. Sit back and think about what you have already done. What an amazing thing you have done already. I think all you really need to do is to develop a plan to reset your weight loss. Go back to basics. See that Dr. that has done you wrong and straighten them out. You need people surrounding you with help and love. You might need a make-over. You do deserve to loose the weight. Remember that the depression is nothing more than a message. Get the message, and do something about changing your direction. Once you change the direction, you will move toward happiness and go back to your just after surgery diet. You know that works for you. Keep your eye on the prize!

I love this post! I've been keeping a list actually.
1. Take a surfing lesson
2. Take a dance class.
3. Go paddle boarding in hawaii.
4. Shop with girlfriends
5. Not feel like my belly has a life of its own!
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Size 10 baby!!
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Be Happy !!!

My goal is to be able to run. I want to be able to do marathons with my boyfriend. That's my number 1. But I have some of the same as you like;
-never having to switch chairs because I can't fit
-being able to to walk a distance without huffing and puffing
-Fitting into my old clothes
- Being able to look in the mirror and be happy with what I see.
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