Squeek2000

I use LoseIt! Premium.
It is going to be on sale on the 24th to 28th for $20 a year.
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Black-Friday-Cyber-Monday-Fitness-Sales-2016-42744320

I can't agree with @@suzzzzz enough on this...SO MUCH of getting through this initial post-op period has been the mental challenge, and things like not being able to eat tons of food needs to be framed as a positive, not a negative. We, all of us, knew going into this that our portions were going to be drastically reduced and to continue to see that as an undesirable thing is just self-destructive, IMO.
The holidays, for me, are going to be the first time in years that I WON'T gain weight, that I'll be able to pass up the candy/cake/eggnog parade and be satisfied. I've got a tool that will help me control my body's response to seeing all those carbohydrate nightmares and will help me stay on the track I need to be on. Embrace this!

I am not much of a cook either. However, I have found a Lot of quick nutritious foods at Traders Joe's. Also, there is a forum on this site that has great easy meal ideas! Good luck

.

There's a guy that did a You Tube video that to me gives a pretty clear picture of why not to drink and eat at the same time......My disclaimer is I haven't actually "listened" to what he said as I watched it with no sound turned on......I just like the demo he does at about 2 minutes into the video.

When we write things on forums, it isn't just the original poster, or the responders who read it. I betcha there will be many lurkers who will read this thread and it's good that they can see various points of view. My remarks are targeted at those people who are trying to understand this surgery and if it is a good idea for them. It's a freaking scary proposition to have part of your stomach removed!
My personal experience as a sleever can be summarized like this:
Preop - Terrified and anxious, I had to get short term medication to make it through the last week before surgery. The word "hot mess" comes to mind. It wasn't because I didn't want to be sleeved, it was because I had such a fear of the operation, such a fear of failing AGAIN (I was a failed band patient and there is no feeling of failure like failing after bariatric surgery) First weeks post op were very miserable and I was still fat. Struggle to get in enough Water, exhausted, anti-social, diarrea all that stuff. I never regretted it though because I knew this often happened and I just had to "muscle through it" Introducing solid food was another awful experience. I felt like I had to do it perfectly right since I was so desperate to succeed. I feared damaging my sleeve, I felt sick to my stomach, everything tasted weird, Water tasted like it had metal in it.... and I was still fat. The next few months were surreal. I didn't feel like myself and I can't even articulate why. While I got the hang of eating properly, it was disorienting for food to taste bad, to eat so little, to have food restrictions, eating FELT LIKE A CHORE. Then, I had an "ah ha" moment - this is the window of opportunity to change my relationship with food. Food is not recreation, it's nutrtion - novel concept for me! I often felt I would be happier just not eating, but I realized that is another form of disordered eating, so I took on the approach that food is like medicine - follow my surgeons and NUTs directions and take it on faith it would get better. Still fat, but down alot. By 3-4 months out, people were noticing the weight loss, I was feeling more myself emotionally, I was not as naseaous, I could tolerate a wider variety of food and it started tasting normal. I was in a good workout routine and loving that I could do more. Yes, still fat, but not nearly AS fat. I started thinking that amazing things MIGHT be possible. At around 8-9 months my appetite returned, my weight loss slowed and I was still about 40# from goal. I made a conscious decision to evaluate what was important to me and I got my butt back on track with good steady losses. At 14 months I made my goal of losing 150#. I could wear cute clothes, people didn't recognize me, I could eat pretty much anything (exceptions are rich ice cream gives me cramps and spicy food can irritate my tummy a bit) I am nearly 5 years post op and living a good life as a normal sized, active woman with a loving boyfriend. I am living a day to day life that I could only dream of. Many people dont know I had surgery - I eat small portions of very normal food. My kids are shocked when they see my before pix... but they tell me I changed inside too, not just the weight loss. I wear makeup, I love to dress up, go out, social butterfly all that. Life is pretty damn good and I am thankful for the help of the sleeve to get me here.

I read some interesting comments today and I wanted to make something really clear.
Out of all these people around the globe that are on this website, there are going to be some of us that have found post op, that this surgery was the wrong decision.
If you want this website to be honest and truthful, a source of good solid information for people considering surgery and a source of support for people post op, then everyone's experiences should be welcome.
The reason's I think this surgery was wrong for me has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my post op complications!
And as for comments about people who regret their surgeries and have complications because:
• "houses were dirty"
• "they didn't follow instructions"
• "they haven't seen the great results yet"
• "they are just negative people and negative people are more vocal
So, just let me tell you this, some of us simply made a mistake.
We thought this was a good plan, we took advice, did our research, attended the seminars and weigh ins (in my case, two years attending).
We met our surgeons, we discussed our pre existing conditions, we spoke to our family and friends.
I myself have a counsellor, did CBT counselling for the entire two years pre op and am deemed emotionally and mentally sound. (just as an aside, my NHS CBT counsellor did not agree with this surgery).
I checked with my pain mgt team about the efficacy of my medications post op.
And it was still a mistake!
And so what?
It happens. And people like me should be able to explain these things without others trying to negate our admission of this mistake by offering excuses as to why we are unhappy with our decision.
I could have floated onto a cloud, had magical unicorns lick away my stomach, and woke up in paradise fully healed, sipping a cocktail in the sun and I would still tell you that this was a mistake for ME. And for many of my friends.
It doesn't matter how many years post op I get, I will consider this a mistake.
My house is not dirty, I followed instructions to the letter, I consider my bariatric discharge booklet my life guideline and I never variate.
I keep in touch with anyone and everyone in my medical care stream that might be helpful.
And complications happened. And yes, to many of us in our bariatric system. But again, it was not the complications that disturb us.
We all have different reasons for regretting it.
Most of us feel that we were misinformed, which doesn't help. My neighbour regrets her bypass because of her now permanent diarrhea and no improvement in her diabetes. She tells me that she has to think about food most of the day just to keep herself fed (choosing the right foods so as not to vomit), and she could have simply dieted harder if she had known she would have to think of food all day. She is three years post op and she still struggles with dehydration. Her hair never grew back after the initial drop out.
I myself am only 9 weeks post op and have had complications so I can't know what my future holds.
I miss eating quickly and simply in a way that doesn't have to be well thought out.
I want to be able to eat a full salad, maybe even with dressings, without worrying about which component might not agree with me.
I want to be able to eat any kind of meat I want cooked how I want in the quantity I want.
I want to drink beverages with my meals.
I miss a morning coffee or afternoon tea. I miss ice tea. (I know other people can drink it but I can't now).
I don't want to have to plan my food day meticulously or be different from others around me eating.
I want my medications to work again in the way they did pre op to control my fibromyalgia symptoms.
And I have definitely seen weightloss results. As I was lying there starving to death for seven weeks, I have lost all but 20lbs of my expected and required excess weight to satisfy my healthcare team. ( I am still only getting around 500 cals a day in, but have constant diarrhea so who knows how much stays in).
I now look "normal" except for the grey pallor in my skin and the nappy I now have to wear because of fecal incontinence (my IBS-d was totally controlled before surgery).
I am six dress sizes smaller but can only leave my house if I don't eat anything and wear adult protection in case of Water causing an "accident". Or in case I become faint from lack of food and fall.
So I do actually feel that had I read a forum entry like this, I might have thought twice.
And that's a good thing. If people are scared, that's okay. Let them hear more than just "don't worry, I was fine, you will be too!" Because maybe they won't!
So this is not about complications, it's about people.
One size does not fit all. Some of us should have simply accepted our weight, or worked harder to diet it off. Had I taken in only 300 to 500 calories a day for 9 weeks pre op, I would have lost all this weight anyway.
If you are happy, well done! If you are dead set on going ahead, ignore this. If you are a high BMI person (think 600lb life), God bless you, this may save your life, if you are a food addict, I feel your pain.
You will still have to diet post op! You will still have to exercise.
If you are undecided, then simply take a breath, think about it, really examine your food issues. Could you do more to lose weight? Could you move a bit more and eat a bit less?
Anyway, I am where I am and I plan to make the best of what I have left. And I intend to keep making sure that pre op people have a good think and post op people like me have someone they can talk to.
Thanks to everyone who is supporting me.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So, here are a few things I wish I had known before I had my surgery (I was sleeved 5/23/16):
The gas...oh my goodness, the gas. It hurts, it stinks, and sometimes you can't trust a fart. Lovely.
Surgery doesn't make it easier to lose weight. It actually makes it more complicated! Protein, carbs, sugar, fat...It's all scientific now. If I don't get my protein, I hold Fluid and don't lose weight. If I eat sugar, I don't lose weight. If I don't get all my Water for the day, I feel hungry, tired, and--you guessed it--I don't lose weight. I even landed in the ER getting 4 bags of fluid and a CT scan to check for complications. And my insurance got a bill for $7,000. After the one they got for $29,000 just a month previous...more on that later...
Mood swings from hell will descend upon you, and you will be powerless over it at first. Now, I am learning that I tend to cry right before a stall breaks. Fat stores hormones that have to go somewhere when the fat goes...extra PMS? Yes, please! NOT. Yes ladies, your period may go completely haywire for a while. FUN...
Speaking of stalls...the weight won't always come off in a predictable pattern. It may not come off as fast as you want it to. If you stick to your plan, you will lose weight, but along the way you will stall. You may not lose anything for a while, even though you're doing everything right. You will get concerned, you may think the surgery isn't working, but if you stick to your plan the weight will come off. On it's own schedule, though, not yours. The human body is incredibly complex and very good at learning how to NOT starve. Some people believe in starvation mode, some don't, but don't test it. You don't want to get sick and malnourished. You may need to exercise more and log your food to make sure you haven't slipped up, but the stall will break. Eventually...
You will become acutely aware that people who know you had the surgery are watching you. Watching what you eat, when you eat it, and how much of it you eat. Watching to see if you lose weight, and if you don't lose weight FAST, everybody has an opinion about whether or not you should have had the surgery and if it will work, and you may hear horror stories about somebody's friend/sister/brother/cousin/coworker who had the surgery and gained all the weight back. Or never lost it at all. Stick to your plan, and remember why you made the decision to have surgery. Be ready to avoid toxic people as necessary. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. So be careful who you tell. If you are married, consider your spouse's feelings. Talk about it. You will need them on your side if at all possible. If they aren't, it could be problematic. Be ready to have hard conversations and make decisions based on those conversations. You may learn things about your relationship that you never knew, which can be good or bad.
You will have regrets. Mostly in the beginning, but be ready to wonder what in the hell you were thinking when you had this surgery. It's hard! There is an overwhelming temptation to believe that this was supposed to be easier. It's not. It's effective, but it's a lot of work and it takes a lot of self-discipline.
People may judge you and say that you took "the easy way out". See the previous paragraph. And then see the second paragraph. You may have to educate a few people. Or tell them to get lost, your choice.
If you didn't already know it, you may find out that you have a serious problem with food. Get that fixed, and do it before you waste a lot of time and heartache. Go to therapy. The surgery will NOT fix your brain. I cannot stress this enough! You will find out that food is the glue that holds our lives together. We Celebrate with it, we mourn with it, we reward ourselves with it, and sometimes our social lives revolve around it. All of that has to change. Food is fuel. Period. You will not enjoy eating out for a while, if ever. The portions are RIDICULOUS, and most of it is nothing you should be eating anyway. "I'll just have a small salad..." No, you won't, not for a while. You won't be able to eat raw vegetables for a long time, and never before your doctor clears it. It's the last step. And it may be never for certain foods. BECAUSE...
Your taste will change. What your stomach can tolerate will (obviously) change for a long time, and maybe forever in some aspects. You may hate what you once loved and love what you once hated. Go with it. And get over your addiction to caffeine, because that has to go, too. Not forever, but your surgeon will have an opinion about when it's okay again.
If you smoke, a reputable surgeon will not do weight loss surgery on you. They will most likely test you for nicotine, so don't cheat, just quit. You won't heal as well and it's just plain bad for you.
You will have no vices for a long time. Because...you can't drink alcohol either! Not for a LONG time. Just look that one up, because I quit drinking a long time ago and I don't even care about this part. Except: you may trade old addictions for new ones. You may need therapy to fix this. If food was a coping mechanism for you, you had better have a plan for new coping skills. BECAUSE...
This is stressful as hell, if you hadn't figured that out. You hair may come out. Be ready. Biotin is rumored to help, but it isn't a sure thing.
You will need to take Vitamins for the rest of your life. Don't be cheap and skimp on this one. You need bariatric vitamins. Deficiencies can set you back in significant ways. It's not worth it. Take your vitamins.
Now. If you're still reading this, you may think I am one hell of a "Negative Nelly". Nope! I am a realist. You should be scared. You should think long and hard before you have weight loss surgery. If you even qualify for surgery, you've cleared a significant obstacle. If your insurance covers it, that's another significant obstacle out of the way. Soooo...If you have a surgeon willing to do it, and you can get insurance to pay for it (or if you can make it happen as self-pay) DO IT. If you still want to have weight loss surgery despite knowing how much it can suck, then you will probably do well. BECAUSE...
IT'S WORTH IT. All of it.

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? There are many ticker generators you can use, but the majority of us use TickerFactory.com or MyFitnessPal.com – Once you create your ticker, embed the code into your signature via your “Settings”
*Adding* liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc… NOTHING CAFFEINATED
When can I have coffee/soda/tea? Decaf coffee is typically OK about 30days post-op. Decaf tea is OK starting with your clear liquid diet. Soda is typically never OK, with the reasons varying from the carbonation causing painful gas to the carbonation stretching your sleeve. Regardless of the reasoning, it's generally a good idea to avoid sodas entirely, or to consume them in extreme moderation.
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
I'm on liquids/purees and I feel no restriction, should I be concerned that my surgery didn't work? Nope! You'll feel your restriction as you start to take in denser foods. In reality, you never want to experience that over stuffed feeling again because that means you've over stuffed your sleeve. There's much debate over whether or not you can stretch your stomach by over stuffing your sleeve, I for one am not trying to prove or disprove the theory. Best to play it safe - when you start to feel full, stop eating.
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is dumping syndrome? Dumping syndrome is what happens when the contents of your stomach are rapidly dumped into your small intestine. It is characterized by cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Most people that complain of dumping syndrome associate the attacks with eating a certain type of food IE sweets, carbs etc.. It generally resolves on it's own once the offending food has left the system.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.
I see a lot of people posting about drains - I don't have any. Should I be concerned? Drains are tubes that are temporarily placed in the abdomen that allow fluids to drain from your abdominal cavity in order to prevent infection. Not every surgeon uses them so if you don't have any, don't worry. It likely means your surgeon saw no need to place them. That being said, it doesn't mean you're immune to infection so you should still be on the lookout for fever or any areas that a red, warm to the touch, painful, swollen, or oozing any green or yellow fluids.

Vegan burgers
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Weight loss surgery is supposed to be the final answer to obesity. Ideally, you use your sleeve, band or pouch as a tool to help you lose weight, and that tool continues to keep you in check as you maintain goal weight.
But that’s not always the case. Many Weight Loss Surgery patients find that losing weight is easier than maintaining weight loss. You may already have some hint of that if you were a long-time yo-yo dieter before surgery.


So why is it so hard to keep the weight off, and what can you do about it? It can be harder to keep the weight off than lose it in the first place because:
You might gradually be less strict with your food choices as the occasional treat becomes more frequent and bigger.
Your restriction may not feel as, well, restrictive as it did right after surgery.
Your metabolism is slower and you don’t need as many calories as you did before.
You don’t have the motivation that comes from seeing the scale go down as a reward for your good eating habits.

But a little challenge doesn’t have to get you down! After all, you’re a WLS patient, and you’re in it for the long haul! Here are some things to think about as you are losing weight, approaching goal weight, or even working on maintaining your goal weight. This is just Part 1 of the two-part series, so stay tuned for Part 2!
I Hate Counting Calories!
Yes, logging your food can be tedious. Some people even find that counting calories makes them anxious or causes them to fixate on food. Maybe immediately post-op you could skip the calorie counting and still lose weight because you had so much restriction. Maybe, in the beginning, you forced yourself to log foods for a few weeks or months.
What if, when you’re at or near goal weight, you can’t face the thought of counting calories? You still have a few options that can work.
Go back to the meal plan you got from your surgeon or nutritionist and stick to it. If it says ½ cup of oatmeal, it doesn’t matter whether you know how many calories that half-cup contains. You can be certain that if you follow the plan, your total daily calories will add up to the amount in the plan.
Log once a week. This can help you stay on track as you make sure your portion sizes are still working out for you and you are choosing the low-calorie, high-protein foods you think you are.
Focus on another nutrient, such as Protein. If you hit your target grams of protein, stick to small portions, and make sure all of your protein and other foods are the nutritious ones you’re supposed to be eating – think lean Proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats, for starters – you have a good start towards eating the way you should.

Carbs Are the Devil!
Maybe it’s carbs, maybe it’s sugar, maybe it’s pizza, or tacos, or ice cream that you avoid in your weight loss efforts. Whatever it is, there’s a good chance you’re trying to avoid it as you lose weight. Weight loss surgery patients can be tempted to go low-carb, paleo, or sugar-free. That’s fine, as long as you can keep it up long-term.
If you can’t, you’re setting yourself up for a rough time. What happens when you hit goal weight and you flip a mental switch in your head? What if you go from low-carb to letting Cookies, bread, and Pasta back into your diet? What if you go off paleo and find all sorts of processed foods that are delicious and convenient? What happens next time you come face to face with an order of chicken wings and dipping sauce for the table?
You may be better off planning for a diet that will work long term. While you are still losing weight or while you are early in the maintenance phase, take inventory of your feelings. Be honest about what you can and cannot live without, and develop a plan to address it. Then practice!
These are some possible ways to approach your food fears.
Think “healthy, portion-controlled carb” instead of “low-carb.” Aim to get in healthy carbs such as oatmeal, lentils, fruit, sweet potatoes, and yogurt rather than avoiding all carbs.
Consider the good and bad of the paleo diet. While the guidelines to avoid processed foods and refined sugars can’t hurt, it really necessary to avoid nutrient powerhouses such as Beans (think: protein, Fiber, and potassium)? And is it really possible to avoid all processed foods for the rest of your life? What happens if you run short on time? A good strategy may be to get in the habit of reading labels so you develop your ability to choose healthy (or at least, “healthier”) packaged meal helpers.
Make up your mind about trigger foods. Are you the type who can be satisfied with one potato chip when you get a craving? Or are you best off avoiding the chips altogether? Is there a similar substitute, such as kale chips, that can work for you? If you’re not sure, experiment so you know how best to handle cravings.

Maintenance has its share of challenges, but you can overcome them to be able to experience all the joys of hitting that goal weight you dreamed about for so long. Just like you did when you were getting ready for weight loss surgery and losing weight, you can take a carefully planned approach to maintenance that considers your own preferences. Stay tuned to Part 2 of the two-part series!

I was wondering if there are any others out there who are brand new too. So far I think I'm doing great. Haven't vomited at all and have only had a few bouts with nausea. Those were a result of the pain meds completely wearing off while I was sleeping... What a way to wake up. Does anyone have any tips on getting rid of the rest of the gas? I still have some shoulder pain and an occasional sharp pain in my left side (feels like a stitch I sometimes get from running). Also, they recommended Colace to start my bowels back up... But nothing yet... Or since Saturday.... Advice? Thank you in advance:) b
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I have endured many slings and arrows on this forum, so you can check out my posts if you'd like.
Here's what I know:
1. The number one issue early on is preventing ulcers. The sleeve is fairly well healed after 6 weeks and that seems to be the earliest point any doctor suggests a return to alcohol consumption.
2. Transfer addition is the number 2 issue. I think it's very serious for people who were food addicts, not so much for people who became obese for other reasons. My test for addiction syndrome is to ask yourself the question:
" ...after I start [eating/smoking/drinking] the thing I'm addicted too, do I almost mindlessly consume more?"
If this is your mindset, you could be at risk for alcohol transfer addiction.
3. Alcohol has calories that can easily cause obesity along with the slider foods we tend to go to once we get drunk. My advice is to avoid high calorie (sugary) drinks, plan what you're gonna eat after you've had a few, and log it all so you can figure out why your Weightloss failed - if it happens down the road.
Me, I started back slowly after week 7. I followed my guidelines above and since then, I've gone from 225 to 182 (8 lbs below goal).
What you drink and eat matters greatly. You can easily consume thousand of calories in a few hours drinking sweet cocktails and washing down chips!
Like everything, there is no free lunch...

I am only 9 months out but may also have a healthy perspective. First of all, the surgery is on your stomach, not on your head or your heart. Many of us may not realize it but we have been stuffing our feelings with food. I have lost 91 lbs and still have about 40 more to go. It is coming off much more slowly now, but what am I doing to ensure that I NEVER GO BACK? I'm going to a therapist, going to Overeaters Anonymous, reading lots of very helpful self help books (don't have time to read? Listen on audible on your way to and from work or when running errands or cleaning house), I am journaling nearly daily while sipping on my morning coffee/protein shake. I still need to step up my exercise (if I want to make it to my personal goal, as far as my surgeon is concerned I'm already a big success). So if you have to do all that, then why do the surgery? Because it is a radical step to take care of yourself, which is something that most of us had not been doing very well pre-op, because let's be honest, if we had we never would have gotten to be morbidly obese. Also there is in fact a "honeymoon period" for the first 3-6 months. When you're losing a pound a day, you feel good about yourself. You are NOT hungry at all, and you actually start craving healthy foods. You feel like hey, I really CAN do this. During that time (ideally you start pre-op), you really start working on your issues, exercising, setting boundaries and taking care of yourself in many other ways. Here's a hint: it is NOT about the food. It's that you have to work on meeting your own needs in healthy ways. You have to make the changes in all areas of your life to set yourself up for long term success. That in my opinion is the difference between those who are successful long term and those who are not. At least that is what I've heard from those who have had "revisions" (aka second surgeries). Reading and participating in bariatric pal is also immensely helpful in learning to accept others and yourself. I was self pay and it was worth EVERY PENNY! Good luck and take care of you

At 4 years out (in July) I have a little different take. I was able to lose hundreds of pounds over the years, 50 -100 pounds at a time starting when I went over the 200 mark at about age 12. As my surgeon put it, I dieted myself right up to 321 pounds and he assured me that I would eventually diet myself to 400. He explained the addictions and the heredity and many other factors that lead to this in some of us. I was on depression medication and blood pressure medication, had severe sleep apnea and was a miserable human being who made many excuses to not go to events because (although I would have never admitted it to anyone) I was afraid of the sitting accomodations, how people would look at me, what I would wear, etc. My life was literally passing by while I sat on the sidelines too miserable to participate. For 10 years after my brother had successful surgery, I still said it was the "easy way out" and I had proved I could do it and I would do it again! HOW STUPID I WAS!! While I proclaimed this and damaged my body, I could have taken "the easy way out" (which I do not agree with by the way) and participated in 10 more years of my life than I did! This surgery changed my life!!! Think about it... when you are looking at needing to lose 100-150 pounds, you feel defeated right from the beginning and it makes you discouraged just thinking about it. Since I had the surgery and went from a size 26 to a size 6 I now go in 5 pound increments. It is a lot easier to look at losing that 5 pounds than it was 150! Don't get me wrong, there is nothing easy about this and at about 2 years out, the struggle is real! You better have learned a lot on the journey because all those old feelings and habits come back to haunt you and you find yourself battling all your old demons. My one saving grace is that I refuse to go back to that miserable person I was who couldn't do anything. I am very active now and I have to exercise DAILY to maintain my weight even though I rarely ever eat anything unhealthy. I will continue to do that because it is worth it!! As someone said, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I would do it all over and do it much sooner!

@@Anna Nim I've got no good reason why WLS allows some people to keep the weight off. It's obvious why it doesn't work for a lot of people.....they don't follow the rules, they go back to old eating habits, they basically don't make the necessary lifestyle changes. But why can some people do these things? How are previously fat folks who were never successful losing (and keeping off) weight through traditional diets "magically" able to succeed with WLS? Why couldn't they log their food and eat more Protein and make better choices and not use food as an emotional crutch before surgery? I seriously don't know.
For me, I think it was because surgery allowed me a second chance at finally doing things right. The strict diet and sleeve restriction in the beginning allowed me to lose more weight than any diet ever has. I became a thin person for the first time in my life. I was given a "get out of jail free" card and it was up to me whether I wanted to put in the work to stay out of jail or did I want to make the same mistakes that landed me there in the first place. I chose the former. And let me tell you, the psychological aspect far outweighs the physical aspect of surgery when it comes to long term success. But I knew that going into this so I was prepared. When life started slamming me with stress, I sought the help of a therapist rather than turning back to my old comfort buddies, food and alcohol.
The statistics of how many people lost how much weight or regained X number of pounds has absolutely nothing to do with me.....or you. You can do whatever you want with your sleeve. The choices that determine success or failure are yours. But you have to commit to serious change....including giving up the carbs..... and if you aren't ready or mentally prepared to do that then no, surgery is not the answer for your weight problems.

I am not an old timer but the way surgery helps if you follow the plan is, you learn to eat again like a baby. It gives you a chance to start over and teach yourself to eat health. Learning to eat like this is easy after surgery. It is all, mapped out for you. When you haven't had solid food in weeks, a bite of baked fish tastes like heaven. Now baked fish is your new fav. This is totally a mental game.
The hunger most people battle is head hunger. Once you heal you can eat almost anything, the fear and anxiety of eating something that will make you sick lessens. Yes hunger comes bsck but the level of hunger from a tiny tummy compared to a normal one is like comparing a kitten to a Lion. There are some other issues like a lot of people confuse acid or digestion in their intestines with hunger. If you eat 4-6 small meals a day it is basically impossible to be hungry. This is how eating Protein every time you eat and having a high Protein goal helps.
Why not just save your own money while working on you food issues instead of borrowing from your dad. That seems like hel, having to justify your life choices.
I know someone who had bypass and is 3.5 years out from surgery. They have regained and can't get it off because they never learned to eat right and didn't follow their plan. They followed a fad diet plan and now they are lost and unable to make a change.

Approaching three years- work the plan - watch what you eat and stay away from carbs and sugar 108 lost and holding

WLS is only a tool. I realized last night that I am going through a break up with the greatest "love of my life" - food. I will NEVER be able to eat the way I did before. I was a binger, until the last year leading up to the surgery. I could stop at three fast food places on the way home and eat it all in one sitting. I would forego dates or nights with my boyfriend, just to be with my food. I was in a real relationship with food. Now I know I can't do that because in order to fuel my body, I need Protein first. I'm sure I'll be full after a few bites of Protein and veggies. It is an emotional ride, I am aware, but it's the best tool I could have used.
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One of the (many) reasons to get enough Protein is because of your set point. That is why my surgeon bases Protein requirements for life on starting BMI. My biggest question is whether or not you are getting enough protein. Minimizing calories, only eating plant-based, or whole foods, etc. won't really make that big of an impact if you aren't getting enough protein.
I have come to believe this is true whether or not you choose to have surgery.
On retrospect, this is probably one of the main reasons I got so large in the first place.

This. Even though my dad offered to help, I have moved heaven and earth to find alternate funding. He means well, but he can be a micromanager when it comes to my weight.
Maybe consider talking to a counselor together and make sure you have a written agreement in place with expectations and boundaries spelled out.
Is this a gift? A bribe? A tool for control? You may want to explore these questions.

I had the band and lost about 80 pounds. I had many problems with it and had to have it removed. I was careful to maintain my eating and Portion Control. After 6 months of maintaining, the weight SHOT back up. I went to the doctor in tears. I was gaining as fast as I had lost. I had already seen forks over knives, food matters, food inc, fat, sick and nearly dead. I had given up all processed foods. I only consumed whole foods (well I cooked them, but nothing from a box; I chopped and prepared everything). He said if I was really eating the way I said I was that he didn't know what to tell me (so basically he was pretty sure I was lying; I wasnt). I still eat that way but I've gained all my weight back. I'm looking into getting the sleeve.
What I've learned is that when you have the surgery it changes your set point. It's a hormonal change that causes your body to lower the weight it thinks you should be. In some people, like myself, it switches back. They (doctors) don't know why. I've had my band removed and still eat whole foods, low carb, and under 1000 calories and my weight won't budge in the right direction. I'm hoping the surgery will change my set point again and without that blasted band I'll do better physically.
Why am I having another surgery when I know I may gain it back even if I'm perfect with my choices? Because I'll take three years being able to sit in normal chairs without fear and dread, 3 years of being able to find clothes, 3 years of time with my family that I may not have if I don't fix my weight. I'll take that. I'll have a surgery to buy 3 more years. And I'll work my as off to make it last forever. But if it doesnt, I'll still be happy with however long I get.

I had posted this in the Lap band section. This is my story.
​
I was sleeved almost 5 years ago. I love it. But I my weight was climbing back up. I was up to 203 from 172. I was having nightmares about my weight coming back. ( started out 298 pounds) I notice some people would look at my belly before making eye contact, like before. Well my wife came back from her check up in Feb and was told her cholesterol was 345. Her Cardiologist ( from India ) told her she was a heart beat away from a heart attack or stroke & needed to go on a vegetarian diet. Well our daughter told us to watch "FORKS over KNIVES" made in 2011. It saved her friends life. So we watched it on Netflix. We were stunned. First thing you think of is "why is this information not getting out to us?"
You are taught If you put good stuff in your body, the body will fix itself. The problem was we did not know what the good stuff was.
My wife got up & we cleaned everything bad out of our kitchen & went to the store. ( No gimmicks to buy.)
We went back to the Cardiologist 2 months later. He told my wife was in STAGE #2 of Heart disease. We told him we were following the Forks over Knives way of eating. He stated this, "THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WILL CURE YOURSELF." Then he wanted to take blood work to see the changes.
RESULTS: Wife Numbers WAS 345 New 171 Cholesterol, Her BAD cholesterol was 233 New 71, Lost 25 pounds.
Mine: 190 old New 134 weight was 203 now 175.
If your cholesterol is below 150 you are heart attack & stroke proof. The doctor took my wife off her meds!
Two friends are doing this after I gave them the movie to watch. The are losing weight & both were taken off there diabetic meds. IT CURED THERE DIABETIC PROBLEM. There blood work will be done this month.
This is a healthy lifestyle to eat. You eat all you want. No counting. No worrying about anything. Just eat the healthy stuff as much as you want.
​There is a second DVD on Netflix "PlantPure Nation". The doctors go to a town in NC and put volunteers on the Whole Plant Base food for 20 days. The results of blood work in 20 days will surprise you. The body fixes itself fast. This is information that should be taught in school.

@triplethreat. We've all been there! One day you'll reread this post and smile. You may have "gotten" to 78 without the surgery, but that doesn't mean you'd be healthy or even truly living. I'm not sure where you started or where you're at now, but the level of health and energy I have now have made it all worth it. I was 53 and had a BMI of 33 when I was sleeved. High blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnea on a 200 pound body was eventually going to take its toll. I'm 54.and one year out now with a BMI of 23! I run or hike almost daily, wear cute clothes and am happier than ever. I don't obsess about my weight anymore, so I have time to live!

Finally! Got some greek yoghurt down and it made such a difference! And got a shower, washed my hair! Cleaned the bathroom and did the dishes. Drain wound healing lovely. Phew! Once the gout stops hurting so bad, life might go on!
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