2ndSpring

Hi everyone!
I'm about 10 weeks post-op and live on Long Island. I would love to join your meetup and get to know everyone. this is such a friendly and supportive group - Have room for 1 more?

the first week is almost impossible to meet everything. Your stomach is still swollen and inflamed and there just isn't enough room. You wind up having to choose between fluids and Protein. Pick fluids. You don't want to get dehydrated. In week 2, things will calm down and you'll start to be able to meet your Protein requirement.
I wish I knew that, I made myself crazy that first week trying to meet my protein goal and I wound up dehydrated and needed an IV - not fun.
You're doing great, keep up the good work. (and eww, get rid of the sludge drink haha)

My NUT only stressed the 60g for the first 2 months while I was healing and losing rapidly. I'm 10 weeks out now and at my 2 month checkup last week, she told me I didn't need to worry and that around 45g was enough. This is a level I can achieve easily through 3 meals of whole foods.
I've been a pescetarian for 25 years (no meat or chicken, but I eat fish). For most of that time, I ate a lot of healthy grains and vegetables. The grains were, by far, the predominant food on my plate. I would eat meals such as a quinoa stir fry, or millet cakes with a side of veggies. I believe that the high grain diet affected my health (clogged arteries) and led me to obesity because of increased cravings.
Researchers still haven't figured out the ideal diet for humans. The advice we've been following for the past 50 years (low fat, healthy grains) has been pretty much debunked. Saturated fat is making a comeback. There is still so much that hasn't been figured out yet. So don't be worried about not being in the mainstream. There is no hard scientific evidence that the mainstream is correct.
Based on what I've researched on recent studies and my own experiences, I plan to eat 3 meals a day with an optional snack. At each meal, I will eat a protein (egg, bean or fish), a vegetable or fruit, a starchy vegetable and I will cook with olive oil, coconut oil, butter or avocado oil. I am going to avoid grains forever and I am going to hold off on the starchy vegetables until I'm a little further down the road.
Best of luck and I am sure you will do fabulously!!!!!!

the first week is almost impossible to meet everything. Your stomach is still swollen and inflamed and there just isn't enough room. You wind up having to choose between fluids and Protein. Pick fluids. You don't want to get dehydrated. In week 2, things will calm down and you'll start to be able to meet your Protein requirement.
I wish I knew that, I made myself crazy that first week trying to meet my protein goal and I wound up dehydrated and needed an IV - not fun.
You're doing great, keep up the good work. (and eww, get rid of the sludge drink haha)

My plan is to initially have 60 grams of Protein.
But my Drs plan later is Beans and veggies too.
Look at the book " a pound of cure" by Dr Mathew Weiner or look at his YouTube videos. He has many YouTube videos explaining numerous topics
He has great success with that way of eating - a lot of Beans , veggies , raw nuts.
I asked about fruit and the carbs and sugar in it. He said there are studies that people that have bowls of fruit on their counters , eat fruit etc.. Are more lean than those that don't .
I can't tell you how much or how often.
All I know is we probably all had the surgery because we had a hard time losing without it. I don't think we all need the same prescription.
I think if carbs are a trigger food for you then avoid them.
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Hi Kip,
Everyone seems to have different instructions for both pre-op and post-op. But the one commonality is that pre-op is pretty Spartan in order to shrink your liver in preparation for surgery. Low fat and low carb. Olive oil is very healthy and is a great addition post-op, but unless it was approved by your surgeon, I'd hold off while you are in pre-op.
You are so lucky you are allowed to eat solid food!! My pre-op was mostly Protein shakes.
Best wishes

My surgery date is also Dec 22nd! I started pre-op on Thurs and failed miserably because I wasn't prepared. After picking up a variety of approved "Clear liquids," and having a better plan, Fri was a breeze. Even though it's all liquids, having a schedule/menu might help. Also, everytime you drink what you're supposed to, remember to be super proud and praise yourself for sticking with it. Don't let your mind get flooded with negative thoughts. You got this!
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Hi Kip,
Everyone seems to have different instructions for both pre-op and post-op. But the one commonality is that pre-op is pretty Spartan in order to shrink your liver in preparation for surgery. Low fat and low carb. Olive oil is very healthy and is a great addition post-op, but unless it was approved by your surgeon, I'd hold off while you are in pre-op.
You are so lucky you are allowed to eat solid food!! My pre-op was mostly Protein shakes.
Best wishes

Pre-op is totally different than post-op so don't worry. Very few people sail easily through pre-op. It is a constant struggle because you are detoxing, fighting habits, fighting cravings, and hungry all the time - grumpiness and headaches too. You are doing great. Just keep telling yourself that it is temporary and that you can do anything for a few weeks.
Can you hide the Protein powder? I made my own broth and add unflavored Protein Powder. I was allowed Protein pudding also - a box of sugar free, fat free instant pudding mix with 2 scoops of unflavored Protein Powder added in.
Keep up the good work!!

She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny.
She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

You can do this! Oh how I remember! Im 11 weeks out and my darlz, its all gonna be worth it. Try a different shake mate meaning a different brand. I could only stomach the chocolate Optifast but I had to put lots of ice in it- goes down better really cold. Keep the bigger picture in your head - you can do this! Who cares if your grumpy because soon enough your going to be the happiest you have ever been!
You got this!
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She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny.
She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

Very thought provoking and well presented. I am with you 100% regarding the chemical effects of food on the brain and how it is similar across addictions. Your argument for transference makes a lot of sense. But personally, I would not want to take a drug prophylactically solely based on an increased statistical risk within the full population of WLS patients.

Frankie gave some excellent advice, so I just want to add that including your 3 week pre-op, you've lost 55 pounds in 4 months, that's awesome!!!!!

ooohh, that is the equivalent of a big red button waiting to be pushed or a mystery box just sitting there waiting to be opened. i wouldn't be able to resist.

Frankie gave some excellent advice, so I just want to add that including your 3 week pre-op, you've lost 55 pounds in 4 months, that's awesome!!!!!

Great information!! I knew about the grow/sleep/fall out cycle but didn't know all of these details. Thanks for researching and sharing.

She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny.
She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

That first week was really rough. Everything hurts, your insides are still swollen and tender so you can't drink your liquids, it is hard to bend over or reach, and it hurts to sit up or roll over in bed. I promise that it gets better a little every day. Day 7 for me was a huge turning point where all of a sudden, I just felt better.
Focus on your liquids for now and take your pain meds, they will let you walk around which helps the healing process.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll be feeling better in a few days.

She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny.
She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

That first week was really rough. Everything hurts, your insides are still swollen and tender so you can't drink your liquids, it is hard to bend over or reach, and it hurts to sit up or roll over in bed. I promise that it gets better a little every day. Day 7 for me was a huge turning point where all of a sudden, I just felt better.
Focus on your liquids for now and take your pain meds, they will let you walk around which helps the healing process.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll be feeling better in a few days.

1) I had a 5lb or less lifting restriction for 4 weeks.
4) The #1 way to steer clear of complications is to pick a surgeon with a lot of experience and good stats. You can help by following your doctors pre-op diet to shrink your liver. My surgeon told me that his job is so much easier when we do our job. Then follow the post-op diet to the letter to prevent messing up your staple line.
6) yes, definitely

She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny.
She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

Wow, you look amazing for only 2 months out. You can see those curves coming through.
I'm "doing the deed" tomorrow and am a little nervous and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. But seeing the results like yours makes me feel confident in my decision. Everyone asked me why I didn't want to wait until after the holidays for the surgery, and I kept saying why wait another month when I could be down 20-30 pounds by then. I've been fat long enough and have definitely ate my share of Christmas Cookies. lol

My nutritionist said all liquids count toward daily intake especially in the first few months when it is hard to get the volume in. So milk, Soup, shakes, tea all counted. I use a variety of Water flavor enhancers, and I do like Water, but it is still a challenge to drink all the water, even after a year.
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