IveGotThePower

Well, I love smoothies and my kitchen looks like a science lab because of all of the extras I add like chia seeds, ground up oatmeal, liquid stevia, supplements, etc. I buy these 16 oz clear plastic cups with lids and get large smoothie straws from Amazon. You can actually make smoothies ahead of time, freeze them and pull them out of the fridge an hour before you want to drink them. However, they aren't quite as good to some people, so you might try it and see if it works for you. I also use insulated bubba cup and yetti cups with plastic lids (hubby drilled large holes for the smoothie straws). They are different sizes. I think 20 oz and 32 oz. I use berries and almond milk as my base, then add protein powder and more stuff depending on what I'm in the mood for. And I sip on them for a few hours in the morning then convert to water or water with a tea bag. Yes, cold brewing is a thing. You can add stevia if you want also.

Have you tried Sweet Leaf liquid? It is a natural sweetener and the only one that does not cause me digestive discomfort. My nutritionist recommended it. This is the only one she approves.

I was back to work on day 6 but I have a desk job.

I apologize if anything I have posted was taken as a put down. I will say that my tone is the exact same one I have taken with myself and yes, many of us are straight shooters. We are very passionate about this. We have gone through it and we post because we want to help others. We have tried so many things just like you for years and we do empathize with your struggles. I assure you, our intent is good and we truly want you to succeed.

Just one more thing. Fruit seems like a healthy food. But look up the number of carbs in them. A banana has 27 carbs! On a low carb Keto diet, they suggest approximately 20 grams of carbs PER DAY. Even now, I am surprised sometimes at the carb count in seemingly "healthy" foods. My nutritionist told me that cutting out the fruit was something to consider to keep loosing. We have all had to re learn what "healthy" is for us. Start reading labels for everything you eat. I spend extra time in the grocery store reading labels every time I go. It is an eye opener. I am glad you posted here and are interacting. Don't give up. You will get lots of advice for what works for each person. Find what works for you.

I'd be hungry if I ate what you are eating too. We all have different carb tolerances. Mine is quite low. When you eat carbs your insulin goes up, then you get hungry when it goes down. Low carb keeps it from spiking. I strongly recommend you start doing research and learning about low carb foods and recipes. You will have to experiment to see how low you have to go to help with the hunger. I have been experimenting for over 2 years and am at a point where I basically do high qualilty proteins (chicken, fish, beef and veggies (a lot of greens), and some berries. I did a lot of cheese, milk, greek yogurt (watch the sugar here, plain is better) in the beginning. Now more meat and low carb veggies. Lots of eggs and egg dishes also. You can do this and enjoy it. But you have to try different foods until you find what you Love. I also recommend you check out Paleo and Keto (DietDoctor) and the book The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung.

THANK YOU! So, it's not just me. It's like they totally missed the point even though we threw it right out there in front of them. I've been so open about it, but these reactions make me question whether it's a waste of time. Sometimes I think, just smile and say "fruits and vegetables" or something simple that they can process. And no, I do't believe for a second that I could have skipped surgery and done this myself either. Not ever.

Starting to do some research on enzymes. From what little I know at this point, they help break down food for better absorption. Clearly this sounds like it could be helpful to a person who wants to absorb the most nutrients from their food. Anyone have any experience with enzymes?

My NUT told me that it is better to get our nutrition from our foods. Which I know to be true. This is because our bodies recognize, metabolize and absorb the nutrients better. So, now we are told to take bariatric vitamins for life because we don't absorb vitamins as well. However, I think the jury is still out on how safe/effective synthetic vitamins are. Now I am seeing natural vitamins and minerals out there and wonder if anyone has tried these and what your experience has been. This will be the topic of my next NUT meeting since the fake sugars in the chewables I am taking give me heartburn or gas and we're in this for the long haul, so I want the best quality I can get.

THANK YOU Alex! I anticipate these numbers every year. Very interesting stuff!

I'm just over 2 years out and it appears that I am getting a 2nd wave of much needed hair regrowth. And it's about an inch long and looks like it might be coming in wavy or curly. Time will tell. My original hair has always been super fine and straight, so this is a little different. Anybody have a totally different texture of hair regrowth?

It still feels like wls is this big secret. I have met so so few people outside of my program who have any idea what it is and how it works. And it is sad to me when I see someone who is clearly being greatly impacted by their weight in a negative way. A person who might benefit like I did. That is one of the reasons why I am open about my surgery and my journey. Wish there was a better understanding in general so more people could benefit.

I agree with you. I know higher fat, moderate protein, low carb helps y my satiety. I think we have to learn what our own carb sensitivity is. As I continue to experiment, I find a good amount of healthy fats makes my brain work better too. No brain fog when I'm doing more healthy fats. With the satiety being more under control it is easier to do intermittent fasting. I basically stop eating 8 hours after I start eating each day. It is helping me to sleep better too.

I know this is not exactly a thing I could not live without after surgery. But at this stage in my journey, there was something I did that I am very glad I did. I made several before pictures in a certain outfit/location/poses so I could do more down the line for comparison. It is VERY cool to have these to pull out when I needed a little reminder of how far I've come. I also started a journal. I wrote about where I was mentally at that moment and how I felt. What my expectations were and what my fears were. I go back and read that sometimes and am very glad I did that as well. The very best to you in your journey.

Hire a HUNKY nurse who dotes on you and enjoy being treated as you should. You may fail. It does happen. But you have a much much better chance of improving so many aspects of your life if you set yourself up for success. Make it your priority. The surgery will help you for about a year, give or take. Then your new habits and what you have learned are what will keep you from gaining. You have to work. But this will be one powerful tool in your toolbox to help you. You probably shouldn't attempt to do things like make dinner for your Husband, clean the house, bring home a paycheck, do laundry .... because you might fail at those too. Maybe he should do those things since I'm sure he would do a much better job...sorry....not sorry..

Jess9395, I shared your thoughts with Hubby and got a super cute grin. We'll have to wait and see what he does at our next movie adventure

I am 27 months out and am still surprised at how people don't get it. Some people have asked me what I do and how I eat because they want to loose weight also. Well of course I can relate and I want to help. But I know that sharing what and how I eat is probably not going to help them, because they are missing the SURGERY part of it along with 2.5 years of vigorous research and help from a Bariatric Registered Dietitian who I still see. I preface everything by telling them that the surgery was a game changer and I could not have done it without surgery and that I still see my Dietitian. But they go right past that part. Like it is inconsequential while the truth is the opposite. Anyone else have this reaction?

Jess9395, you have a good point. And that may be a goal to work towards. But when Hubby has a super large container of movie theater popcorn (that I don't even like), I find myself reaching for a few handfuls of the high sodium, high fat stuff if I don't have a healthier choice on hand. So, baby steps. I have stopped the Quest bars, Halo Top Ice Crean and Bryer's Delights. It seems the more I read and the further out I am, the better my nutrition is. However, quantity is still an issue, but nutrition is pretty good. Congrats on your loss! 135 is FANTASTIC!

The way I see it, if they only offer garbage at an obscene price, I have no problem sneaking healthy food in in my purse. It's our health for goodness sake. I wonder if anybody will bail me out if I go to movie theater jail.

Congratulations on maintaining at that level. Had my 2 year a few weeks ago and my surgeon said most people gain between 10 and 20 between 2 and 5 years out. I consider 10 a win. Thank you for sharing, it's nice to hear from veterans like yourself on how you are doing. I am reading about vitamin deficiencies a few years out and would love to get more information on how people are doing with their lab work at 4/5 years and on.

I had very similar pre surgery tastes, but after a little while, fruit tasted way better to me. I can taste the sugar a lot more now that I don't do processed sugar, so I love pretty much all fruit. It used to taste sour to me. Also, I do nothing low fat, in fact, I feel less brain fog when I keep plenty of healthy fats in my diet. I use avocados, avocado oil, evoo (not for cooking because it breaks down), coconut oil and MCT oil in smoothies. I have read Jason Fung's book the Obesity Code and it makes so much sense to me. I have done a little intermittent fasting 16:8 and am increasing that to 4 days a week, while using the diet doctor website for keto. Never liked soda, but I will do a Zevia which has stevia here and there as a zero calorie treat. But I'm over 26 months out. Probably not a good idea to try that early on. Love the protein bars too. Quest was my favorite and the new Bryer's low carb ice cream, but eventually pretty much stopped those as I found healthier choices (banana ice cream). Lots of chicken and salmon, mussels, clams an shrimp. I do however do a lot of cottage cheese and gouda, cheddar, mazzerella and havarti cheese. Plus I like to try many other cheeses. The very bet to you in your journey.

I'll probably do a few more years and then decide. I do appreciate his excellent work. Just thought it was like a year or two follow up. Maybe I'll switch to every other year then every 3 years or something like that.

I think you're right on the study part. They want to collect long term data. But, I have to pay for that and take time off work. It's one of those things like clothing with a company name and logo printed on them. I think they should pay us for that. We're giving them the data. If there is a problem, sure I can schedule an appointment and follow up. My surgeon doesn't do my blood work, my primary does. Also, my surgeon doesn't help me with my diet, my Registered dietitian does. So, how many people are still actually going to their surgeon 5 years out?

This is a question I have asked myself also. I see that studies show plant based diets are proven to be very healthy and so, I questioned basing my diet on protein. I now do plant based, low carb, but not keto low and healthy fats. I have gained about 5/6 lbs and seem to stay there as long as I don't add processed foods or sugar to my diet. My blood work #s are excellent. I am experimenting with intermittent fasting 8:16, hoping it will help me drop a few more.

25 months out and recently had my 2 year follow up with my surgeon. He said he wants to see me again next year. I asked how many years does he want me to follow up. He said forever. Huh!? Really? No complications. No issues from surgery. Anyone else doing a one year follow up with their surgeon for the rest of their life?