NightPilgrim

Sure - there are loads of different types but just to share an example of a decent one with you:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0101RZR7M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(Please don't be put off by the fact that it says its for post-pregnancy!! It still really does the job for anyone and is a good example of what to look for - you can get ones specifically for men by typing "abdominal binder for men" into Amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=abdominal+binder+for+men&sprefix=abdominal+binder%2Caps%2C1000&crid=2IX1H9G3OKQLF

An abdominal binder - absolutely essential!!!
Would buy two - one for day and one for night. They really help in keeping your abdominal muscles together after they've been cut from the surgery. They also help to reduce the swelling around the incisions. This means less pain, more mobility and faster recovery. Mine were literally lifesavers and I wore them every day for at least the first month.
Everyone getting surgery should get at least one.
Good luck!!

Definitely!! It was recommended to me by my surgeon whilst I was in hospital, and it was a lifesaver.
Firstly, my abdominal muscles - which had just been cut open - were less painful when i was wearing the binder. It was easier to stand and walk when everything was being held in by the binder. It pulls the muscles in, allowing them to knit together more easily - so you heal faster. If you have a big belly, the weight of it can put pressure on the stitches, which is painful. The binder takes all that away. I was able to do much much more standing and walking when wearing my binder, than without it. I genuinely really noticed the difference.
Secondly, the pressure from the binder prevents Fluid from pooling around your incisions, which can be problematic and require draining (according to my surgeon)
Literally I wore my binders every day for at least a month. I slept in a regular velcro one over a clean t-shirt, and I had more of a "body girdle" for daytime which I wore under my clothes.

Sure - there are loads of different types but just to share an example of a decent one with you:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0101RZR7M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(Please don't be put off by the fact that it says its for post-pregnancy!! It still really does the job for anyone and is a good example of what to look for - you can get ones specifically for men by typing "abdominal binder for men" into Amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=abdominal+binder+for+men&sprefix=abdominal+binder%2Caps%2C1000&crid=2IX1H9G3OKQLF

An abdominal binder - absolutely essential!!!
Would buy two - one for day and one for night. They really help in keeping your abdominal muscles together after they've been cut from the surgery. They also help to reduce the swelling around the incisions. This means less pain, more mobility and faster recovery. Mine were literally lifesavers and I wore them every day for at least the first month.
Everyone getting surgery should get at least one.
Good luck!!

Amazing congrats!! Could you post your meal plan and exercise regime? I'm feeling stuck and need inspiration...

Hi y'all,
I'm seven weeks out on this rollercoaster. Its had its highs and its lows! I wanted to share some of my personal experiences so far, in case it is of help to anyone.
To start off: I'm around 50% of the way to goal after 7 weeks and numerous inches lost. Which is amazing! But please bear in mind that I was a low BMI patient so I expect to lose slowly as I'm starting off nearer goal than many. I hope that I can make goal, but I know it will be hard work!
It has been hard work so far! Sometimes I kinda miss eating whatever I want all the time, but my overarching emotion is RELIEF that I am freed from the tyranny of overeating and feeling like I need huge portions to be satisfied.
The first month out was tough. While in the hospital, I did experience some pain from the surgical gas, and nausea. But it passed. I walked as much as possible. Best advice anyone gave me in the hospital? In those very early days, "don't trust a fart!". Lol, but she was right. Just putting it out there Once out of the hospital, my incisions (internal an external) did hurt for almost a month - an abdominal binder was a lifesaver. I had a wrap around one for sleeping and a corset like one for under clothes. It hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh. But now they do not hurt any more! Many others (those who have had c-sections for example) didn't find the incision pain that bad, clearly they are more hardcore than me 😉
Days 5-10 after surgery were the worst. I was 'hungry' and sick of broth, jealous of others food. I was still a little in pain and liquid tylenol made me sick. I was mad grouchy and tired from lack of calories. I didn't do much expect sleep and walk a little. I was back at work but working from home. Don't think I was at my most productive 😉 I worked from home for about 2 weeks after surgery, and felt like I needed it. I also experienced some back pain which I think is muscles shifting from weight loss. It feels better now my body is catching up with my weight loss.
I didn't feel any restriction really until I was on solid foods. I was worried about it! And now I feel that restriction with a vengeance! I still get hungry. I feel like I am hungry every 2.5 hours! So I eat pretty regularly. Until recently I was eating a lot of 'protein products' like the Protein pudding and Veg Chili from bariatric pal but felt I should move on to more dense solids to help me be more satisfied.
As per the instructions of my surgeon, I moved onto solids around day 30. Initially, I had to struggle to eat 800 calories. The NUT said she wanted me on 1000 calories by 5 weeks. Now more appetite has kicked in - I could probably eat this relatively easily depending on what food I choose!! And thats a bit scary. So I am being extremely diligent in weighing all my portions and counting calories on MFP. This surgery does not release you from that! Well, for me anyway. I am scared about being on 1000 calories as it has slowed my weight loss down, but I want to be healthy and not screw up my metabolism, so I do what I can to eat a balanced diet at 900- 1000 calories and drink plenty of Water. I havent been exercising more than walking to date, but now that I feel healed and am on higher calories, I will kick it into gear with strength training to tone.
Stalls are a thing. Also I've seen the scale go up. It has gone back down again afterwards, so I try not to be too shocked by that and do not let that discourage me. I don't know the solution for stalls, but Im trying tweaking calories, water and exercise to see about kicking myself out the stall.
I have experienced some acid reflux, which I never had before. Which is a bit of a bummer. I get it to varying degrees after I eat and sometimes when I drink. Should I go to the doctor for this? Tums and Gaviscon don't seem to do much. I have read that acid can make you think you are hungry, and I wonder if thats whats causing my 'hollow' feelings at the moment...? I got to around 1350 calories the other day thanks to some cheese and a cupcake. Most calories I have eaten in a LONG while. First sugar I have had since pre-surgery. I was annoyed with myself, but it isn't the end of the world. It could be that, time of the month, or I am just a damn hungry person!! Given these hungry feelings I do have to employ my willpower not to graze constantly.
One method of doing this is drinking water. So you aren't allowed to drink and eat at the same time. I've found that hard!! Its like a Pavlovian response for me...I am preparing a meal, and I get thirsty. I am super thirsty after I finish the meal, but know I have to wait an hour to drink. (Sometimes I cheat and have a sugar free ice pop after eating as it staves off the thirst). But I make a conscious effort to drink between meals. So when that 'hungry' feeling comes, I go first to drinking water before I snack. That then prohibits me from snacking for an hour!!
My eyes are bigger than my belly. Literally. I have recently been invited over to friends houses for dinner and didnt weigh my portion like I usually do. I also introduced some new foods which I hadnt tried yet - sweetcorn and broccoli. I must have eaten too quickly because DAMN i felt soooo uncomfortable for at least 2 hours afterwards, like I had swallowed a bowling ball. I got the crazy hiccups and was bringing up tons of foam and saliva. It was not pleasant. This has happened a few times since I've been on solids. Obviously I need to work harder at slowing down my eating which was always a problem for me pre-surgery too.
Mentally I'm feeling pretty good. I am happy with the weight I have lost so far and already feel soooo much more confident. I don't hide from pictures or shy away from meeting new people. I havent been drinking alcohol yet so probably get a bit more bored when socializing, but the results make it worthwhile.
So this is my experience so far. Wish me luck for getting the next 50% of my weight off! I have a feeling its going to be slow going. But as long as its going, its good!

Critique my meal plan! (this is mostly what I eat, with variations...sometimes I'll have 1oz ezekiel Cereal and milk for Breakfast, sometimes a bit of fruit...dependent on whats around. Some days I can eat all of this and some days, bits will be left from each meal)
Breakfast at home 7am
1/2 Premier Protein shake
At work 9am
1 whole egg
2oz low fat cottage cheese
Snack 11am
2oz deli turkey wafer
1x 2% cheese stick
Lunch 1pm
2.5 - 3 oz Salmon/fish fillet (have been eating bariatric pal veg chilli entree for the last few weeks but trying to move off that)
1oz Green Beans
Snack 4pm
2.7oz tuna
1oz avocado / 1oz light cottage cheese / 1oz light cream cheese
After work 6pm
1/2 premier Protein Shake
Dinner 8pm
2.5-3oz chicken
1oz Spinach
MAYBE 1oz beans sometimes or 1oz roasted sweet potato
Snack 9/ 10pm
1x 4oz greek yogurt
maybe 1x sugar free popsicle

Drinking: 64oz calorie free liquids: water, herbal (caffine free) tea eg mint, arnica, chamomile, crystal light
Exercise: 40 mins walking a day

Hi y'all,
I'm seven weeks out on this rollercoaster. Its had its highs and its lows! I wanted to share some of my personal experiences so far, in case it is of help to anyone.
To start off: I'm around 50% of the way to goal after 7 weeks and numerous inches lost. Which is amazing! But please bear in mind that I was a low BMI patient so I expect to lose slowly as I'm starting off nearer goal than many. I hope that I can make goal, but I know it will be hard work!
It has been hard work so far! Sometimes I kinda miss eating whatever I want all the time, but my overarching emotion is RELIEF that I am freed from the tyranny of overeating and feeling like I need huge portions to be satisfied.
The first month out was tough. While in the hospital, I did experience some pain from the surgical gas, and nausea. But it passed. I walked as much as possible. Best advice anyone gave me in the hospital? In those very early days, "don't trust a fart!". Lol, but she was right. Just putting it out there Once out of the hospital, my incisions (internal an external) did hurt for almost a month - an abdominal binder was a lifesaver. I had a wrap around one for sleeping and a corset like one for under clothes. It hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh. But now they do not hurt any more! Many others (those who have had c-sections for example) didn't find the incision pain that bad, clearly they are more hardcore than me 😉
Days 5-10 after surgery were the worst. I was 'hungry' and sick of broth, jealous of others food. I was still a little in pain and liquid tylenol made me sick. I was mad grouchy and tired from lack of calories. I didn't do much expect sleep and walk a little. I was back at work but working from home. Don't think I was at my most productive 😉 I worked from home for about 2 weeks after surgery, and felt like I needed it. I also experienced some back pain which I think is muscles shifting from weight loss. It feels better now my body is catching up with my weight loss.
I didn't feel any restriction really until I was on solid foods. I was worried about it! And now I feel that restriction with a vengeance! I still get hungry. I feel like I am hungry every 2.5 hours! So I eat pretty regularly. Until recently I was eating a lot of 'protein products' like the Protein pudding and Veg Chili from bariatric pal but felt I should move on to more dense solids to help me be more satisfied.
As per the instructions of my surgeon, I moved onto solids around day 30. Initially, I had to struggle to eat 800 calories. The NUT said she wanted me on 1000 calories by 5 weeks. Now more appetite has kicked in - I could probably eat this relatively easily depending on what food I choose!! And thats a bit scary. So I am being extremely diligent in weighing all my portions and counting calories on MFP. This surgery does not release you from that! Well, for me anyway. I am scared about being on 1000 calories as it has slowed my weight loss down, but I want to be healthy and not screw up my metabolism, so I do what I can to eat a balanced diet at 900- 1000 calories and drink plenty of Water. I havent been exercising more than walking to date, but now that I feel healed and am on higher calories, I will kick it into gear with strength training to tone.
Stalls are a thing. Also I've seen the scale go up. It has gone back down again afterwards, so I try not to be too shocked by that and do not let that discourage me. I don't know the solution for stalls, but Im trying tweaking calories, water and exercise to see about kicking myself out the stall.
I have experienced some acid reflux, which I never had before. Which is a bit of a bummer. I get it to varying degrees after I eat and sometimes when I drink. Should I go to the doctor for this? Tums and Gaviscon don't seem to do much. I have read that acid can make you think you are hungry, and I wonder if thats whats causing my 'hollow' feelings at the moment...? I got to around 1350 calories the other day thanks to some cheese and a cupcake. Most calories I have eaten in a LONG while. First sugar I have had since pre-surgery. I was annoyed with myself, but it isn't the end of the world. It could be that, time of the month, or I am just a damn hungry person!! Given these hungry feelings I do have to employ my willpower not to graze constantly.
One method of doing this is drinking water. So you aren't allowed to drink and eat at the same time. I've found that hard!! Its like a Pavlovian response for me...I am preparing a meal, and I get thirsty. I am super thirsty after I finish the meal, but know I have to wait an hour to drink. (Sometimes I cheat and have a sugar free ice pop after eating as it staves off the thirst). But I make a conscious effort to drink between meals. So when that 'hungry' feeling comes, I go first to drinking water before I snack. That then prohibits me from snacking for an hour!!
My eyes are bigger than my belly. Literally. I have recently been invited over to friends houses for dinner and didnt weigh my portion like I usually do. I also introduced some new foods which I hadnt tried yet - sweetcorn and broccoli. I must have eaten too quickly because DAMN i felt soooo uncomfortable for at least 2 hours afterwards, like I had swallowed a bowling ball. I got the crazy hiccups and was bringing up tons of foam and saliva. It was not pleasant. This has happened a few times since I've been on solids. Obviously I need to work harder at slowing down my eating which was always a problem for me pre-surgery too.
Mentally I'm feeling pretty good. I am happy with the weight I have lost so far and already feel soooo much more confident. I don't hide from pictures or shy away from meeting new people. I havent been drinking alcohol yet so probably get a bit more bored when socializing, but the results make it worthwhile.
So this is my experience so far. Wish me luck for getting the next 50% of my weight off! I have a feeling its going to be slow going. But as long as its going, its good!

Critique my meal plan! (this is mostly what I eat, with variations...sometimes I'll have 1oz ezekiel Cereal and milk for Breakfast, sometimes a bit of fruit...dependent on whats around. Some days I can eat all of this and some days, bits will be left from each meal)
Breakfast at home 7am
1/2 Premier Protein shake
At work 9am
1 whole egg
2oz low fat cottage cheese
Snack 11am
2oz deli turkey wafer
1x 2% cheese stick
Lunch 1pm
2.5 - 3 oz Salmon/fish fillet (have been eating bariatric pal veg chilli entree for the last few weeks but trying to move off that)
1oz Green Beans
Snack 4pm
2.7oz tuna
1oz avocado / 1oz light cottage cheese / 1oz light cream cheese
After work 6pm
1/2 premier Protein Shake
Dinner 8pm
2.5-3oz chicken
1oz Spinach
MAYBE 1oz beans sometimes or 1oz roasted sweet potato
Snack 9/ 10pm
1x 4oz greek yogurt
maybe 1x sugar free popsicle

Drinking: 64oz calorie free liquids: water, herbal (caffine free) tea eg mint, arnica, chamomile, crystal light
Exercise: 40 mins walking a day

Hi y'all,
I'm seven weeks out on this rollercoaster. Its had its highs and its lows! I wanted to share some of my personal experiences so far, in case it is of help to anyone.
To start off: I'm around 50% of the way to goal after 7 weeks and numerous inches lost. Which is amazing! But please bear in mind that I was a low BMI patient so I expect to lose slowly as I'm starting off nearer goal than many. I hope that I can make goal, but I know it will be hard work!
It has been hard work so far! Sometimes I kinda miss eating whatever I want all the time, but my overarching emotion is RELIEF that I am freed from the tyranny of overeating and feeling like I need huge portions to be satisfied.
The first month out was tough. While in the hospital, I did experience some pain from the surgical gas, and nausea. But it passed. I walked as much as possible. Best advice anyone gave me in the hospital? In those very early days, "don't trust a fart!". Lol, but she was right. Just putting it out there Once out of the hospital, my incisions (internal an external) did hurt for almost a month - an abdominal binder was a lifesaver. I had a wrap around one for sleeping and a corset like one for under clothes. It hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh. But now they do not hurt any more! Many others (those who have had c-sections for example) didn't find the incision pain that bad, clearly they are more hardcore than me 😉
Days 5-10 after surgery were the worst. I was 'hungry' and sick of broth, jealous of others food. I was still a little in pain and liquid tylenol made me sick. I was mad grouchy and tired from lack of calories. I didn't do much expect sleep and walk a little. I was back at work but working from home. Don't think I was at my most productive 😉 I worked from home for about 2 weeks after surgery, and felt like I needed it. I also experienced some back pain which I think is muscles shifting from weight loss. It feels better now my body is catching up with my weight loss.
I didn't feel any restriction really until I was on solid foods. I was worried about it! And now I feel that restriction with a vengeance! I still get hungry. I feel like I am hungry every 2.5 hours! So I eat pretty regularly. Until recently I was eating a lot of 'protein products' like the Protein pudding and Veg Chili from bariatric pal but felt I should move on to more dense solids to help me be more satisfied.
As per the instructions of my surgeon, I moved onto solids around day 30. Initially, I had to struggle to eat 800 calories. The NUT said she wanted me on 1000 calories by 5 weeks. Now more appetite has kicked in - I could probably eat this relatively easily depending on what food I choose!! And thats a bit scary. So I am being extremely diligent in weighing all my portions and counting calories on MFP. This surgery does not release you from that! Well, for me anyway. I am scared about being on 1000 calories as it has slowed my weight loss down, but I want to be healthy and not screw up my metabolism, so I do what I can to eat a balanced diet at 900- 1000 calories and drink plenty of Water. I havent been exercising more than walking to date, but now that I feel healed and am on higher calories, I will kick it into gear with strength training to tone.
Stalls are a thing. Also I've seen the scale go up. It has gone back down again afterwards, so I try not to be too shocked by that and do not let that discourage me. I don't know the solution for stalls, but Im trying tweaking calories, water and exercise to see about kicking myself out the stall.
I have experienced some acid reflux, which I never had before. Which is a bit of a bummer. I get it to varying degrees after I eat and sometimes when I drink. Should I go to the doctor for this? Tums and Gaviscon don't seem to do much. I have read that acid can make you think you are hungry, and I wonder if thats whats causing my 'hollow' feelings at the moment...? I got to around 1350 calories the other day thanks to some cheese and a cupcake. Most calories I have eaten in a LONG while. First sugar I have had since pre-surgery. I was annoyed with myself, but it isn't the end of the world. It could be that, time of the month, or I am just a damn hungry person!! Given these hungry feelings I do have to employ my willpower not to graze constantly.
One method of doing this is drinking water. So you aren't allowed to drink and eat at the same time. I've found that hard!! Its like a Pavlovian response for me...I am preparing a meal, and I get thirsty. I am super thirsty after I finish the meal, but know I have to wait an hour to drink. (Sometimes I cheat and have a sugar free ice pop after eating as it staves off the thirst). But I make a conscious effort to drink between meals. So when that 'hungry' feeling comes, I go first to drinking water before I snack. That then prohibits me from snacking for an hour!!
My eyes are bigger than my belly. Literally. I have recently been invited over to friends houses for dinner and didnt weigh my portion like I usually do. I also introduced some new foods which I hadnt tried yet - sweetcorn and broccoli. I must have eaten too quickly because DAMN i felt soooo uncomfortable for at least 2 hours afterwards, like I had swallowed a bowling ball. I got the crazy hiccups and was bringing up tons of foam and saliva. It was not pleasant. This has happened a few times since I've been on solids. Obviously I need to work harder at slowing down my eating which was always a problem for me pre-surgery too.
Mentally I'm feeling pretty good. I am happy with the weight I have lost so far and already feel soooo much more confident. I don't hide from pictures or shy away from meeting new people. I havent been drinking alcohol yet so probably get a bit more bored when socializing, but the results make it worthwhile.
So this is my experience so far. Wish me luck for getting the next 50% of my weight off! I have a feeling its going to be slow going. But as long as its going, its good!

Critique my meal plan! (this is mostly what I eat, with variations...sometimes I'll have 1oz ezekiel Cereal and milk for Breakfast, sometimes a bit of fruit...dependent on whats around. Some days I can eat all of this and some days, bits will be left from each meal)
Breakfast at home 7am
1/2 Premier Protein shake
At work 9am
1 whole egg
2oz low fat cottage cheese
Snack 11am
2oz deli turkey wafer
1x 2% cheese stick
Lunch 1pm
2.5 - 3 oz Salmon/fish fillet (have been eating bariatric pal veg chilli entree for the last few weeks but trying to move off that)
1oz Green Beans
Snack 4pm
2.7oz tuna
1oz avocado / 1oz light cottage cheese / 1oz light cream cheese
After work 6pm
1/2 premier Protein Shake
Dinner 8pm
2.5-3oz chicken
1oz Spinach
MAYBE 1oz beans sometimes or 1oz roasted sweet potato
Snack 9/ 10pm
1x 4oz greek yogurt
maybe 1x sugar free popsicle

Drinking: 64oz calorie free liquids: water, herbal (caffine free) tea eg mint, arnica, chamomile, crystal light
Exercise: 40 mins walking a day

Hi y'all,
I'm seven weeks out on this rollercoaster. Its had its highs and its lows! I wanted to share some of my personal experiences so far, in case it is of help to anyone.
To start off: I'm around 50% of the way to goal after 7 weeks and numerous inches lost. Which is amazing! But please bear in mind that I was a low BMI patient so I expect to lose slowly as I'm starting off nearer goal than many. I hope that I can make goal, but I know it will be hard work!
It has been hard work so far! Sometimes I kinda miss eating whatever I want all the time, but my overarching emotion is RELIEF that I am freed from the tyranny of overeating and feeling like I need huge portions to be satisfied.
The first month out was tough. While in the hospital, I did experience some pain from the surgical gas, and nausea. But it passed. I walked as much as possible. Best advice anyone gave me in the hospital? In those very early days, "don't trust a fart!". Lol, but she was right. Just putting it out there Once out of the hospital, my incisions (internal an external) did hurt for almost a month - an abdominal binder was a lifesaver. I had a wrap around one for sleeping and a corset like one for under clothes. It hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh. But now they do not hurt any more! Many others (those who have had c-sections for example) didn't find the incision pain that bad, clearly they are more hardcore than me 😉
Days 5-10 after surgery were the worst. I was 'hungry' and sick of broth, jealous of others food. I was still a little in pain and liquid tylenol made me sick. I was mad grouchy and tired from lack of calories. I didn't do much expect sleep and walk a little. I was back at work but working from home. Don't think I was at my most productive 😉 I worked from home for about 2 weeks after surgery, and felt like I needed it. I also experienced some back pain which I think is muscles shifting from weight loss. It feels better now my body is catching up with my weight loss.
I didn't feel any restriction really until I was on solid foods. I was worried about it! And now I feel that restriction with a vengeance! I still get hungry. I feel like I am hungry every 2.5 hours! So I eat pretty regularly. Until recently I was eating a lot of 'protein products' like the Protein pudding and Veg Chili from bariatric pal but felt I should move on to more dense solids to help me be more satisfied.
As per the instructions of my surgeon, I moved onto solids around day 30. Initially, I had to struggle to eat 800 calories. The NUT said she wanted me on 1000 calories by 5 weeks. Now more appetite has kicked in - I could probably eat this relatively easily depending on what food I choose!! And thats a bit scary. So I am being extremely diligent in weighing all my portions and counting calories on MFP. This surgery does not release you from that! Well, for me anyway. I am scared about being on 1000 calories as it has slowed my weight loss down, but I want to be healthy and not screw up my metabolism, so I do what I can to eat a balanced diet at 900- 1000 calories and drink plenty of Water. I havent been exercising more than walking to date, but now that I feel healed and am on higher calories, I will kick it into gear with strength training to tone.
Stalls are a thing. Also I've seen the scale go up. It has gone back down again afterwards, so I try not to be too shocked by that and do not let that discourage me. I don't know the solution for stalls, but Im trying tweaking calories, water and exercise to see about kicking myself out the stall.
I have experienced some acid reflux, which I never had before. Which is a bit of a bummer. I get it to varying degrees after I eat and sometimes when I drink. Should I go to the doctor for this? Tums and Gaviscon don't seem to do much. I have read that acid can make you think you are hungry, and I wonder if thats whats causing my 'hollow' feelings at the moment...? I got to around 1350 calories the other day thanks to some cheese and a cupcake. Most calories I have eaten in a LONG while. First sugar I have had since pre-surgery. I was annoyed with myself, but it isn't the end of the world. It could be that, time of the month, or I am just a damn hungry person!! Given these hungry feelings I do have to employ my willpower not to graze constantly.
One method of doing this is drinking water. So you aren't allowed to drink and eat at the same time. I've found that hard!! Its like a Pavlovian response for me...I am preparing a meal, and I get thirsty. I am super thirsty after I finish the meal, but know I have to wait an hour to drink. (Sometimes I cheat and have a sugar free ice pop after eating as it staves off the thirst). But I make a conscious effort to drink between meals. So when that 'hungry' feeling comes, I go first to drinking water before I snack. That then prohibits me from snacking for an hour!!
My eyes are bigger than my belly. Literally. I have recently been invited over to friends houses for dinner and didnt weigh my portion like I usually do. I also introduced some new foods which I hadnt tried yet - sweetcorn and broccoli. I must have eaten too quickly because DAMN i felt soooo uncomfortable for at least 2 hours afterwards, like I had swallowed a bowling ball. I got the crazy hiccups and was bringing up tons of foam and saliva. It was not pleasant. This has happened a few times since I've been on solids. Obviously I need to work harder at slowing down my eating which was always a problem for me pre-surgery too.
Mentally I'm feeling pretty good. I am happy with the weight I have lost so far and already feel soooo much more confident. I don't hide from pictures or shy away from meeting new people. I havent been drinking alcohol yet so probably get a bit more bored when socializing, but the results make it worthwhile.
So this is my experience so far. Wish me luck for getting the next 50% of my weight off! I have a feeling its going to be slow going. But as long as its going, its good!

Critique my meal plan! (this is mostly what I eat, with variations...sometimes I'll have 1oz ezekiel Cereal and milk for Breakfast, sometimes a bit of fruit...dependent on whats around. Some days I can eat all of this and some days, bits will be left from each meal)
Breakfast at home 7am
1/2 Premier Protein shake
At work 9am
1 whole egg
2oz low fat cottage cheese
Snack 11am
2oz deli turkey wafer
1x 2% cheese stick
Lunch 1pm
2.5 - 3 oz Salmon/fish fillet (have been eating bariatric pal veg chilli entree for the last few weeks but trying to move off that)
1oz Green Beans
Snack 4pm
2.7oz tuna
1oz avocado / 1oz light cottage cheese / 1oz light cream cheese
After work 6pm
1/2 premier Protein Shake
Dinner 8pm
2.5-3oz chicken
1oz Spinach
MAYBE 1oz beans sometimes or 1oz roasted sweet potato
Snack 9/ 10pm
1x 4oz greek yogurt
maybe 1x sugar free popsicle

Drinking: 64oz calorie free liquids: water, herbal (caffine free) tea eg mint, arnica, chamomile, crystal light
Exercise: 40 mins walking a day

I currently have a BMI of 30 and am scheduled for sleeving on April 21st. Would love to know what kind of results I can expect when starting with a lower BMI. I've heard stuff about slower weight loss but would love to hear about experiences straight from the horses mouth, as it were....
I'm self funding in Mexico. Yes, I'm having thoughts about whether I am crazy to be doing this to myself but I have struggled with weight my whole life, been on every diet under the sun and am so excited at the prospect of actually being able to lose weight and maybe... stopping the future gain so I don't end up in a worse situation than I'm currently in...
I know it's maybe a slightly unusual case but I hope to hear from some people!
Thanks!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok, so during the first 6 months, as long as you are staying on plan, I give you permission to completely ignore the upward fluctuations on the scale. As you weigh each day, you will find that for every two pounds that go down, it will jump up 1-3 pounds before that.
Weight loss is a dance... two steps forward, one step back. It's just how the body works!
I agree with Matches. I didn't weigh myself prior to surgery, so gained a ton without realizing it. I now weigh every day. This is good during the weight loss phase. During maintenance, weekly might be enough.
I record my weight each Monday, but I write down the lowest # I saw on the scale that week, rather than just what happens to be the Monday #. By doing it this way, I can actually see that for all the jumping up and down of the scale, the loss is pretty linear right now at 6.5 weeks postop.

You're right! Will get the crazy back in the can. Onwards and upwards...

Lol! Please remind me of this if I get all crazy. I can see it happening. Stuff it back in. You're doing great!

If you want to lose 1/2 a pound just go urinate. That is 8 ounces...
Like seriously part of weighing yourself everyday is so you can learn that your body flucuates all the time and use the scale as a tool, not absolute law.

I have this one. It is accurate. It is always within a pound or 2 of my DEXA scans. It balances itself and works on uneven floors. It rocks. Before this scale I had a scale I could step off of and back on and the numbers would be different every time.
http://a.co/dRh56dM

I see what you're saying....
I've never weighed myself before and frankly have always been a bit 'head in the sand' about the workings of my body... so guess it could be good to start a new habit...
I'm self pay so unlikely to have the regular doc's appointments to track progress
So i guess the next question is.....anyone have any recommendations for good scales? ??

I'm curious as to what people think...
Background: 10 days post op. Want to lose 50 pounds to be at my (personal) goal.
I was planning on getting a scale to weigh myself, browsing Amazon for the best one...
And then I thought...maybe the scale will actually be counter productive?
Ive seen so many people on here freak out when the scale doesn't move for a day or a week that the mere process of weighing ones self seems to become an obsession upon which they hang all of their self esteem and motivation.
I don't want to get like this. I've been REALLY hung up on the scale in the past and have become beyond discouraged if it hasn't moved etc.
Obviously, I want to keep track of my progress so I know if I need to adjust my diet or lifestyle, but I don't want to become a slave to the scale. I'm measuring inches and seeing changes in my clothes fit. Is this enough?
As a side note, I have bought a KITCHEN scale to weigh my food. I am totally down with that.
I just want to live a new, healthy life, keep ploughing onwards and upwards...
Would love to know peoples thoughts and experiences!

I never weighed myself before WLS surgery. It allowed me to get morbidly obese and stay that way.
I'm trying to make different habits. I weigh myself every day, or every other day. I only count one day a week though.
It has helped me learn more about how my body works. There are a lot of fluctuations in weight. My weight can be 5 pounds different from when I went to bed to when I wake up.
I say if you didn't weigh yourself before, do something different and weigh yourself. A good way to disconnect yourself from the scale is to weight yourself all the time. If you are tracking your food and doing the right thing you know you didn't gain 3 pounds of fat from one day to the next.
I think a scale is a great tool, and I think not weighing yourself often is a recipe for regain. It is a lot easier to catch regain if you are weighing yourself all the time instead of not weighting and catching it at 20 pounds instead of 5.

I can see myself getting hung up on the numbers. I will weigh myself anyway but I will also take my measurements as well and try not to become obsessed as to it becoming counter productive. I don't wanna be the person freaking out over the three week stall or three month stall. This is about health for me and not just vanity. I'll need to remind myself of that no doubt.

24601-Just wanted to say I love your username. Les Miserables is my favorite musical.
Congratulations on your WLS! I am scheduled to be sleeved 8/15/16.

Great progress - low bmi here - sleeved in August 2015- started at 188- now 127

Not really. I mean, they knew the meds I was on and I guess I would think if they were worried they would have said something. I don't have another appointment until pre-op appt. 6 days before surgery.

I use Biotin still at a year out of surgery.

What does your surgeon/NUT think?