Meryline

In the beginning, focus on getting your Protein in. There will be no room for carbs until later. I'm 7.5 months out and I usually stay under 100g carbs, but I also eat 120g+ of protein at this point.
Right after surgery it was low fat and low sugar. Under 15g of fat and 8g of sugar per 100g. That was for the first 6 weeks, after that, everything was fair game.

I love food, and I still love meal prep, because of the convenience during the week. I just go to my freezer or fridge, pick out 2-3 meals that I heat up during the day. I also of course eat Breakfast (oats) and cook a fresh warm meal.
I do have some staples that I use a lot, but I'm venturing out more and more. And I always try to figure out how to get the most amount of Protein into my meal lol

I so want to get back to running. I actually miss it, even though I hate running.
I want to compete, do triathlons, half marathons, even 5k again, but my neurosurgeon has said no. I hope it's not a ban for life, but it's a ban for now.
For now, I do Nordic walking. I have even done a half marathon Nordic walking competition, and it was so much fun.

I'm trying to change my height, but it's not letting me.
I'm 1cm taller than what it's set at.

OMG surgery twin, that is so freaking awesome! Congratulations!!!!

I love food, and I still love meal prep, because of the convenience during the week. I just go to my freezer or fridge, pick out 2-3 meals that I heat up during the day. I also of course eat Breakfast (oats) and cook a fresh warm meal.
I do have some staples that I use a lot, but I'm venturing out more and more. And I always try to figure out how to get the most amount of Protein into my meal lol

Yaaaas, this girl has now lost a 2 month old horse. 8 month and 2 days since starting my pre op diet, and 7.5 months since surgery.
I'm only a freaking Chihuahua from goal.

I love food, and I still love meal prep, because of the convenience during the week. I just go to my freezer or fridge, pick out 2-3 meals that I heat up during the day. I also of course eat Breakfast (oats) and cook a fresh warm meal.
I do have some staples that I use a lot, but I'm venturing out more and more. And I always try to figure out how to get the most amount of Protein into my meal lol

My first year of surgery I completed a 5K - This year completed my first full marathon. 26.2
On my 50th birthday, my goal is -Ultra marathon 50K (30 mike) http://saltflats100.com/ltptx3f0eimync5mvtvzhkf276mf66
I agree with the above. Start at a slow pace. I love couch25K. Don't forget to stretch and foam roll. Interval training (Jog 3 mins walk 3 mins repeat) This will build you up to sustained runs.
My pace is improving. I added sprint intervals and strengthening my legs, glutes, abductors, itband and hip flexors with weight lifting. (I also do upper body work)
Suggestions for bariatric runners: (not plugging products)
Running hydration vest. The Water holds tight to your body with less bounce. It has a bite straw to slowly drink water throughout your race. It's better than gulping down a styrofoam cup of water handed to runners along the route. Pockets to hold car keys, cell phone, debit cards and food to fuel your run. Click to see vest examples Running belt for shorter runs: hold car keys, cell phone, debit cards and food to fuel your run. Running belt example Never eat anything new to your system before or on the route. You may be racing to find each porta potty on the route due to an upset stomach. Running gels - Test them out to see if you can tolerate them. They are thick like molasses and sweet. Directions are to drink plenty of water with them. I don't use them. You will reach a point in your running that you will need to fuel you body like an athlete. ( I used a sports medicine dietician) Getting extra calories and carbs in can be interesting with a small stomach On the route foods - This will be trial and error to figure out what works for you. Meal bars. They may sit heavy on your stomach and bog down your run. Check your race event information. My last race handed out fruit and muffins along the route. May sit heavy Don't laugh. Baby food squeeze pouches. The tops twist on and off. Easy to carry no mess. Die hard nutrition runners make their own pureed recipe and use refillable baby food squeeze pouches. Hydration: I use nuun hydration tabs. https://nuunlife.com/

I so want to get back to running. I actually miss it, even though I hate running.
I want to compete, do triathlons, half marathons, even 5k again, but my neurosurgeon has said no. I hope it's not a ban for life, but it's a ban for now.
For now, I do Nordic walking. I have even done a half marathon Nordic walking competition, and it was so much fun.

There seems to be a lot of people interested in putting on running shoes after surgery. I did some research to see what might be the best way to tackle this endeavor.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23790819/
Alright, so I created this chart based on the recommendations in the article. This seems like it could be a very reasonable progression.. a bariatric couch to 5k, if you will. In approximately 7 months, a person following this plan can go from walking 2/3 of a mile at 2mph to running over 3 miles straight.
The chart above shows a 10% progression (and indicates the quickest we should advance. More slowly is fine). Time allotted is 20 minutes. A 5 minute warmup and 10 minute cool down are not included.
Walking or running should be undertaken every other day, and if you are sore the day after running, then go back to the previous week's plan. The goal is to have a pain free experience (especially joint pain. A bit of muscle soreness is to be expected).
Once we reach 5k at 7mph, then we can work up either speed or distance, gradually, from there.
And, as mentioned, weight lifting is also a great thing to start to go along with the running. Weights can be super simple. Twice a week go to the gym. Do 12 reps on each machine, trying to make sure to work each main muscle group. Start at the lightest weight. Each week increase the weight one level (usually 5-10lbs). The first few weeks will feel like a joke. And it should be. Make it fun, make it a habit.. and you won't mind going back.

My main goal for having WLS was not initially weight loss, it was to prevent another back surgery. Yes, the goal of the surgery was WL, but that wasn't the reason for the surgery, if that makes sense.
And I managed that. I prevented another back surgery.
Along with the weight loss came a stronger and fitter body what has gone hiking all of fall, has been working out without aches and pains, feeling amazing, being able to go into my closet and knot that everything I put on will fit (or be too big), going into a store and seeing something cute, and know that they'll have a big enough size to fit me. (Unless they are sold out, but not because they don't make the item that big).
So many amazing things has happened since having this surgery. Just that fact that I can walk 12 flights of stairs without getting winded, that I'll walk up escalators, that hiking up a mountain makes me feel alive, that I can't wait to move my body. It's the best thing I have ever done for myself.

My main goal for having WLS was not initially weight loss, it was to prevent another back surgery. Yes, the goal of the surgery was WL, but that wasn't the reason for the surgery, if that makes sense.
And I managed that. I prevented another back surgery.
Along with the weight loss came a stronger and fitter body what has gone hiking all of fall, has been working out without aches and pains, feeling amazing, being able to go into my closet and knot that everything I put on will fit (or be too big), going into a store and seeing something cute, and know that they'll have a big enough size to fit me. (Unless they are sold out, but not because they don't make the item that big).
So many amazing things has happened since having this surgery. Just that fact that I can walk 12 flights of stairs without getting winded, that I'll walk up escalators, that hiking up a mountain makes me feel alive, that I can't wait to move my body. It's the best thing I have ever done for myself.

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

Here is my tip, granted I'm only 7.5 months out, but I attend a monthly support group with 10 year plus veterans.
Stay on top of your supplements. Take your Vitamins, get tested every 3 months in the beginning, then every 6, and the vet in my group go about 3 times in 2 years. They still take their vitamins, just as they did in the beginning. You have to stay on top of it.
I think it's something people forget over time.

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

I drink cold tea mostly. Water is too hard on my stomach. It's tea made from tea bags, meant for cold water. No sugar or anything. It's common for people to experience water to be too hard. If water is giving you problems, try something sugar free, water it out, but it will give you a little taste and it might help you get more fluids down.

It's not a joke. Dehydration will land you in the hospital way before starvation will. And no need to take breaks (except to eat and wait 30min) from the sip sip sip, just keep sip sip sip all day. Carry that bottle with you, and before you know it, you'll get it down.
I'm 7.5 months out at this point and get about 80-100oz of Water most days, and then there is the Protein Shakes and warm tea, coffee on top of that. You'll be able to take larger sips soon. You drink up until you eat and then wait 30min after you are done, and then you keep drinking.

It's not a joke. Dehydration will land you in the hospital way before starvation will. And no need to take breaks (except to eat and wait 30min) from the sip sip sip, just keep sip sip sip all day. Carry that bottle with you, and before you know it, you'll get it down.
I'm 7.5 months out at this point and get about 80-100oz of Water most days, and then there is the Protein Shakes and warm tea, coffee on top of that. You'll be able to take larger sips soon. You drink up until you eat and then wait 30min after you are done, and then you keep drinking.

It's not a joke. Dehydration will land you in the hospital way before starvation will. And no need to take breaks (except to eat and wait 30min) from the sip sip sip, just keep sip sip sip all day. Carry that bottle with you, and before you know it, you'll get it down.
I'm 7.5 months out at this point and get about 80-100oz of Water most days, and then there is the Protein Shakes and warm tea, coffee on top of that. You'll be able to take larger sips soon. You drink up until you eat and then wait 30min after you are done, and then you keep drinking.

It's not a joke. Dehydration will land you in the hospital way before starvation will. And no need to take breaks (except to eat and wait 30min) from the sip sip sip, just keep sip sip sip all day. Carry that bottle with you, and before you know it, you'll get it down.
I'm 7.5 months out at this point and get about 80-100oz of Water most days, and then there is the Protein Shakes and warm tea, coffee on top of that. You'll be able to take larger sips soon. You drink up until you eat and then wait 30min after you are done, and then you keep drinking.

I drink cold tea mostly. Water is too hard on my stomach. It's tea made from tea bags, meant for cold water. No sugar or anything. It's common for people to experience water to be too hard. If water is giving you problems, try something sugar free, water it out, but it will give you a little taste and it might help you get more fluids down.

It's not a joke. Dehydration will land you in the hospital way before starvation will. And no need to take breaks (except to eat and wait 30min) from the sip sip sip, just keep sip sip sip all day. Carry that bottle with you, and before you know it, you'll get it down.
I'm 7.5 months out at this point and get about 80-100oz of Water most days, and then there is the Protein Shakes and warm tea, coffee on top of that. You'll be able to take larger sips soon. You drink up until you eat and then wait 30min after you are done, and then you keep drinking.

Another mini update, now that I’m on pureeds I feel a lot better and with the fuel I’m getting from food it’s easier for me to get up and get out of the house to go hit the gym. And with this energy I’m finding joy in things i used to do! I’m going to a concert tomorrow with my best friend and I’m starting to paint and draw again

After RNY surgery, you are required to take many Vitamins for the rest of your life. This is because you body no longer synthesizes vitamins from food. That part of your stomach has been cut away, so this daily requirement is extremely important. Vitamin chemistry is important for absorption. Calcium supplements should be calcium citrate. There are also different chemistries of B12. I use the sublingual B12 and was told to use methylcobalamin. You cannot use a time-release version of B12. If you are taking Iron supplements, it must be ferrous sulfate for the best absorption. gummy vitamins are not absorbed properly and should be avoided.
It is important to put a 2 hour separation between the vitamins that contain iron and those that contain calcium. So in my case I found that what works best for me is to take the iron supplements just before bedtime. I put my vitamins in a weekly pill container. I have one container for the morning and one for the night. And I use a very small glass bowl for my calcium supplements. I put my calciums in the bowl in the morning and take them throughout the day. If I am up and about I put my calciums in a ziplock bag and carry them with me.