JKC2016

I cook a bunch of Protein at once and generally have 2-4 choices in my fridge (chicken thighs, roast chicken, fish, seasoned ground turkey...) I also cook up batches of vegetables. At mealtime I mix and match based on my appetite or what gets me good variety. When eating out I choose a salad with protein, no dressing. My treats are plain yogurt with chopped apple, or a bowl of berries. Some nuts and seeds. Lots of different herbs and spices. cheese in moderation.

During my wait I enjoyed preparing and acquiring things. Most of what I bought I used only briefly. Some not at all.
I am very glad I got an AltaHR Fitbit and Aria scale. Those plus logging my food and Water in Myfitnesspal are my fabulous accountability tools.
I bought too many kinds and too much Protein powders. I used only the Syntrax (because it didn't significantly change texture or flavor). I gave away 3 other kinds of Protein Powder and PB2--quite a bit of money. I never used Protein Bars, and only used powders through the purée stage.
I bought lots of gasX strips and only used about 4.
I bought cute little spoons and forks and briefly had fun with them, now they are put away.
I bought a covered ice tray, popsicle forms and 2oz containers and haven't used any of them. My portions aren't that small, and I didn't use popsicles.
I bought protein fortified instant Soup from BariatricPal and they aren't clear enough for liquid stage and aren't tasty enough for purée stage.
I bought a year of Patch MD Vitamins I am using and was happy to have at first, but I could easily have switched to oral 2 months in.
An over the shoulder cape-style heating pad was briefly useful, but I stopped being freezing a month in.
I had lots of smaller clothes, so didn't have to shop, but I was surprised how fast I went through sizes, and less than 5 months in I've found I will be needing smaller sizes than I've ever worn, even at what I thought was a healthy weight for me.
Basic message, try to curb the impulse to shop. What you have will work, and you won't need a lot of anything new for a long time.
I love my results. I make excellent healthy food choices, exercise daily, and just went out in a body hugging tank dress and felt good.
I was low BMI to start, slower weight loss than some, faster than others.

I had a single incision with Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. It's been just over 6 months and I am nearly at goal. I started at a BMI of only 30, so had less to lose. The care was terrific, and follow up via email has been great too.

I did a single incision VSG with Dr Garcia and Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. They pick you up in San Diego and return you to the airport six days later. One night hotel Marriott, 2 night hospital, 2 nights Marriott. The care is more thorough and attentive than in the US. Healing has been really fast. I am 3 weeks post now and back to normal activities. Learning to eat and drink differently takes time and commitment. Lots of research first.


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I did a single incision VSG with Dr Garcia and Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. They pick you up in San Diego and return you to the airport six days later. One night hotel Marriott, 2 night hospital, 2 nights Marriott. The care is more thorough and attentive than in the US. Healing has been really fast. I am 3 weeks post now and back to normal activities. Learning to eat and drink differently takes time and commitment. Lots of research first.


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Excellent experience with Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics. I chose single incision and am very pleased with the results.

I did a single incision VSG with Dr Garcia and Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. They pick you up in San Diego and return you to the airport six days later. One night hotel Marriott, 2 night hospital, 2 nights Marriott. The care is more thorough and attentive than in the US. Healing has been really fast. I am 3 weeks post now and back to normal activities. Learning to eat and drink differently takes time and commitment. Lots of research first.


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had a single incision with Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics. Great experience. It's been just over 6 months and I am nearly at goal. I started at a BMI of only 30, so had less to lose. The care was terrific, and follow up via email has been great too.

My BMI was just a hair under 30 at surgery. Just over four months later I was in normal range. I'm about 10-15 pounds from goal at almost five months post. I think this should be an option for low BMI who have struggled with yo-yo weight or other conditions. I'll know better two years in. For now, I'm delighted.

Lean Protein, veggies, whole grains, lots of Water. Doesn't cost a lot. Buy on sale and freeze in smaller portions. liquid diet isn't healthy or sustainable. Great that you are reaching out after 15 pounds. Do you have a bariatric support group near you? That is super helpful. Reading and posting here is great. Recommit to what works and you will say goodbye to those extra pounds.

Focus on healthy lifetime habits. Whole foods you make yourself are best. Exercise daily. Lots of Water. As soon as you can, get off the Protein powders and bars and eat real food. I had surgery at BMI 30. I am 6 months out and over those months lost an average of 10 pounds per month. I am in the exact center of the healthy weight BMI now, have tons of energy, look great and am super pleased with my progress. Don't worry about speed of loss, focus on how you will live for the rest of your life.

I never used shakes or bars or fake sweeteners. In the early stages I used unsweetened Protein powders in Soups, and as soon as possible I transitioned to real food. Super happy with my choice and I'm now right in the center of the normal abMI chart. For liquids, drink Water. No need to use any sweeteners if you don't wish to.

The last pounds are a mother. I don't care, they suck. It took months to get to my initial goal. Enough that I finally just got happy and it was totally anticlimactic. Years later, when I lost baby weight and a little regain, I set my goal 10 pounds lower, out of the overweight range. It took 14 months to lose 26 pounds. No joke. I unintentionally got smaller than my goal, my body set it's goal even lower than mine - I just slowly kept dropping. But it was an agonizing process.

The usual stall buster logic prevails here. Increase or decrease calories, do vigorous workouts, increase Water - just shake the first few pounds loose. Usually more will follow.

Good luck, and have patience. It's tough.

Cheri

I mix my fruit with yogurt. And I'm not as strict with carbs as many are. Berries are high Fiber and most are low glycemic.

I'm loving the progressive workouts in Jillian Michaels' 90-Day Body Revolution. I'm on day 50 today and loving my level of fitness and muscle definition. The 35 min per day in my own living room is working perfectly for me. If you weren't very active, I recommend starting with her 30 Day Shred first to get ready. And use her modifications and go at your own pace. Try eBay for better prices.

Vegetables and fruit are carbs too, and we need a wide range for optimum health. I do fairly balanced macros. 40% carbs, 30% each Protein and fat. Most of my carbs are veggies and fruit, but I eat whole grains too. When I tried cutting out all grains it led to cravings and trouble. We are each so different. Experiment and you will find what works for you.

Vegetables and fruit are carbs too, and we need a wide range for optimum health. I do fairly balanced macros. 40% carbs, 30% each Protein and fat. Most of my carbs are veggies and fruit, but I eat whole grains too. When I tried cutting out all grains it led to cravings and trouble. We are each so different. Experiment and you will find what works for you.

I just responded and I don't see my post. The basics were--easy recovery, very limited nausea and pain. If you go forward, likely you will be up and active quickly. We are all different, no guarantees. Best of wishes!

Vegetables and fruit are carbs too, and we need a wide range for optimum health. I do fairly balanced macros. 40% carbs, 30% each Protein and fat. Most of my carbs are veggies and fruit, but I eat whole grains too. When I tried cutting out all grains it led to cravings and trouble. We are each so different. Experiment and you will find what works for you.

Try topping your fish with something moist. Salsa, sour cream or yogurt, stewed veggies. Goes down much easier. Yum.

The sooner you get away from Protein Shakes and bars and on to real foods the better. Following your doctor recommendations, incorporate tuna, salmon, ground turkey or chicken. Mix or blend in plain Greek yogurt and spices you enjoy. Beans, eggs, cheese sticks, jerky--there are so many tasty and quick ways to eat Protein. The trouble with powders and bars is they limit your intake of nutrients and they are sweet and encourage thinking about other sweets.

4-5 mos out I could drink as much Water as I wanted. Just keep drinking water and you will be right back to it soon. I found very warm water easier to drink than cold or room temp for awhile. Water has been my only beverage since leaving the liquid phase.

Whole grains are fine. I make my own muesli with many whole grains rolled Cereal, bran, flax, millet, seeds and nuts. I cook 1/3 cup of that and 2/3c Water in the microwave 3.5 mins. Then I stir in 1/2c cottage cheese and some fresh berries or sliced fruit. Delicious and filling and hits a wide range of nutritional needs.

I'm now over 6 months out and eating 1500-1600 calories per day and still losing. I do 35 mins a day of circuit training DVD (I'm on day 47 of Jillian Michaels' 90-Day Body Revolution). Great muscle definition and energy. More food, more Water, more exercise is my advice.

I'm loving the progressive workouts in Jillian Michaels' 90-Day Body Revolution. I'm on day 50 today and loving my level of fitness and muscle definition. The 35 min per day in my own living room is working perfectly for me. If you weren't very active, I recommend starting with her 30 Day Shred first to get ready. And use her modifications and go at your own pace. Try eBay for better prices.