GeTnBackuP

I keep getting pop-ups for this sites store (Bariatric Pal Store) and decided to check it out. Im covered for immediate post-op eating phases but wanted to know if any of you have eaten their foods for either quick grabs (Protein Chips) or even meal time foods in a pinch (Cereal or dinner Entree options). It's not something I would ever eat on a full time basis but the Protein Snacks sound great to stash at work or the gym bag 'just in case'!

Sound off.....

On 10/3/2017 at 1:59 PM, OutsideMatchInside said:

I used to use MCT oil prior to surgery for energy. Post-op I have so much energy I do not need it.

I have an almost full bottle I purchased after surgery that I have not used once I think.

The first 6 months you should follow your bariatric plan. The stages and foods allowed are a prescription for healing and to lessen complications, after you are healed at 6 months you can do what you want.

I used a Keto calculator to create my macros, and I followed them very closely for a long time.

A lot of the things that people that are not WLS patients do with keto are not necessary for WLS patients. The whole first year I had no physical hunger so I didn't have to do a lot of the popular tricks that people do. Like the whole purpose of bulletproof coffee is to extend your fast in the morning so you even up intermittent fasting, at least how it was originally intended by the Bulletproof guy Dave Aspey (been a fan of his for years). It is easy to fast for extended periods post-op WLS with no hunger. People online really bastardize the whole bulletproof coffee thing.

If you are used to low carbing, life post-op WLS is not really much of a change at all. The only difference is smaller portions and you have to eat more often. A person that is used to being Keto adapted and knows what to expect has the advantage in the WLS world. It made most of it pretty easy for me, I wasn't whining about missing crackers and other crap I didn't eat before anyway.

Bariatriceating is always trying to sell their BS shakes so I am not sure they are the best source.

Their NO NO List is

I used heavy cream in my coffee when I struggled to keep my calories up.

Unlimited bacon as a no no is only because I don't have the room and can't meet my Protein goals with it.

I only use FULL FAT everything. The rest of it is fake and has additional carbs.

Their ratios on how to eat are not Keto at all, they have carbs almost equal to Protein and that is not keto whatsoever. I hate that website so much, ugh.

Anyway...

I set my macros goals by setting my protein goal first. My protein goal has been 120 grams a day, at first post-op it was 90, then I raised it to 120. My protein goal is based on my muscle mass.

Here are my keto goals as they progressed.

2 months Post-Op

4 months Post-Op

This is my current bare minimum calories for the day. I can lose like this but I can lose eating more calories also. This is my baseline to function without being dizzy or tired.

Hi @OutsideMatchInside - what app or program are you using to get those fancy smancy pie charts on your intake macros? Thank you in advance ....:)

1 hour ago, Bary said:

First off,, Congratulations on your amazing numbers I can't imagine the pride you must feel.. I can see myself doing much of the same things you are doing. Have you found any good books about the Keto diet? I would like to learn as much as I possibly can before I have to start eating solid foods again.

TIA - Bear

Yes, me too- Id love to find Keto books and how they relate to a WLS Post-Op eating plan but apparently there are none. Considering the success of @blizair09 and the many others here that follow this type of eating philosophy, I will be following them and learning and soaking it all in. I am really enjoying this website and all of the knowledge here, it definitely makes me feel more secure that I wont totally blow it when I start eating solid foods again!

23 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

Ok, so a bougie is something (metal? Plastic?) shaped like a hot dog. They run it down into the stomach (via the esophagus) during the operation. Then they use a nifty tool that cuts, cauterizes, and staples, all at the same time, to separate the "keep" vs. "don't keep" part of the stomach.

The bougie is inside the "keep part" and gives something firm to make the cut against, while also making the sleeve the correct size.

The bougie is removed when the cuts are complete.

40 is a size measurement, and French is style I guess.

I can totally visualize this with your excellent description! Very interesting! Thank you!

I asked about the bougie and Im getting a 40 French. I LOVE IT, I laughed so hard, my doc is cool...so happy about that!!

A bougie is some sort of measuring device the surgeons use to cut and hem out new pouches and the 40 French apparently is one of the sizes of the pouch. I have NO CLUE how they do all this laparoscopically but there ya go!!!

Disclosure: this is my very rough, truly uneducated explanation, I’m a pre-op newbie and am hoping a better, more wizened explanation will follow [emoji851]

Well, it's a start alright... the finish has yet to come. But I'll document my sleeve story here in the hopes that it'll help others.
Surgery to lose weight? Peh!! That's for weaklings... I would never mutilate my body.... why take the easy way out... in short, wls was a remote concept to me. Honestly, it just never was on my radar, that's all.
But like many here I struggled.. and it was a constant battle in the back of my head. I've been everywhere on the spectrum from "a real woman has curves, damn it" to " this is a social construct; it's todays world that makes me feel bad about who I am... I mean look at norms from 50-60 years ago" to "I don't have to be thin/normal/etc, I have brains to prove myself... I will never be one to rely on how I look to get ahead".... you name it, I've probably been there.
I'm going on 40... years of this... and dieting... and gaining... and dieting... and checking out the newest fad... and shopping based on what fits... not what I like.... years of focusing on the 'content' vs the 'packaging', coupled with a very low idea of self-worth rooted in childhood... well, for one reason or the other we all end up in the same spot.
Last summer my family and I were at the beach; There I am, sitting at the beach and I just can't stop judging people. Nevermind the fact that I lost 20 pounds and gained 19,5 back... So technically I have still lost weight compared to same time last year; I am just sitting here, in the shade and I can't stop myself from passing judgment on everybody... Bad posture, wrong choice of bathing suit... Omg!! What was she thinking?!?!? I would kill to have the body of most of the women who unknowingly are subject to my internal rantings but there you have it. And then I caught myself... sort of saw myself from a different perspective. Is this really who I want to be? This constantly bitter, unhappy person who blames everyone and everything but neglects to take responsibility? And it was there the first seeds of change had been sewn. Althought wls was still a long ways off from being even an idea.
I came to the US 20 years ago... It's not easy being the 'outsider', less so when you're a parent. At times it feels like everybody knows each other; even worse everybody likes each other... everybody but you. And this even though we all started being soccer moms and dads at the same time. Granted, sometimes you'll have your neighbors who know each other and naturally gravitate toward each other... or those parents whose kids are besties in school and who automatically click.
Some days a parent will say hi... good morning... how're ya doing? And those days are good days because for the next 60 minutes of a game you re-live that moment when you were part of the in-crowd. On other days your good morning will be ignored.. sometimes on purpose. And those days you put on a brave face for your kids because no kid likes their parents to be the outsider. Some days it gets so bad, so lonely, that I feel like exploding... i feel like asking "guys... what is it? Is it because i'm fat? Wear glasses? Have an accent? All of the above? I see these posts for parents with tips on how to deal with socially awkward teenagers... or how to boost their kids' confidence and I gulp them up looking for a glimpse on what it could be I'm doing wrong. It is a sad state of affairs when you're diving into teen advise columns but you're almost 40.
I have two amazing kids... and I know how easily effected kids are by how they view their parents. All parents are an embarassment to their kids in one way or another but what all of this led to, what I realized was that unless I accept myself, unless I am OK with myself and unless I respect and love myself I couldn't possibly expect others to show me the same. And this sense of personal responsibility was the second seed toward change. You see, as much as it seems from the above that I am doing this so that others will love me, I have come to realize that I am doing this for me... and only me.
Then, in January my husband's friend comes to visit.. and I don't recognize him... seriously, different human being. I felt like on candid camera where they do a switcheroo, you know? And he tells me about how he got sleeved... and he is patient with me and talks to me, explains, shows, guides me and before I know it I know that this is what I want. I just do, it makes sense, it all clicks, falls into place... damn in, I want it and I want it now!!!
I talk to 3 different surgeons even though I have to pay for consults... one can't even be bothered to look me in the eyes... he's Mr super busy and important... you know, like a factory assembly line, you're just a number, not a human being. The second is nice...patient, knowledgeable but his staff is not well organized. Then I went to see my friend's surgeon. Staff and surgeon... good call; I clicked and knew I had found my surgeon. Of course I did my research, I read reviews, reached out to people but first impressions are so important.
My insurance requires 6 months of documented visits. I was ready to have the surgery; I was excited; I didn't want to wait.. I even considered doing this out of pocket but thankfully cooler heads prevailed. I still think 6 months is too long but I'm halfway there.
I am hopeful to have a surgery date in september for my sleeve.
I still do my homework, I day-dream and I make lists, I fantasize about shopping sprees (which will be fun now, not torture... right guys?) but I'm not in laland in terms of expectation. I think I have a pretty solid grasp on the difficulties ahead. I'm going to therapy to prepare mentally.

I have an incredibly supportive husband who's been with me through thick (and will be with me through thin!!)

And with your support I know I can do this.

Updates will follow!

Oh and I had my pre-op yesterday as well. I ended up asking a whole bunch of things but also whether he had ever “lost” any patients. His answer satisfied me. He was very calm and collected about the whole procedure; I mean he even went into detail warning me about the quirks of the hospital so I don’t get upset the day of. All in all very considerate I’d say.

Phew, what a frikken crazy day! Owners meeting at work- always a blast but we're behind schedule and they didnt let us forget it! Got lots of steps in. I also went to see a therapist on my own, went well, and I will continue to see her for awhile. Obviously I have food issues and this will do nothing but strengthen me for this journey.

Then I saw the surgeon and pre-op nurse. He answered all my questions: I will stay 2-3 days. I need to speak to the anesthesiologist about getting a breathing treatment for my asthmatic bronchitis prior to surgery. I have no gall bladder and there are no special considerations. Post-Op I can continue to take Benadryl and Claritin. I asked about the bougie and Im getting a 40 French. I LOVE IT, I laughed so hard, my doc is cool...so happy about that!!

Surgery is set up for 6AM, Tuesday October 17th. I go to the hospital 7 days prior for a drop-in assessment where I assume I'll sign other misc. consent forms and pay pay pay. Day before I am on "Clear Fast" which is not a cleanse but a nutritional, pre-op drink- 2 the day before and I bring 2 to the hospital for after surgery. I guess those will be my last and first meals on my bariatric adventure.

Oh, I take 4 grams of EPA/DHA Omega-3 supplements everyday from now til the surgery (I'll up that to 4.2 grams which equals a teaspoon).

That's it...I was way more nervous yesterday. I think part of it was I had an insanely busy day at work and my appointment literally was the last one of the day....I had no time to mind f**k myself and it all went great!

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it...if you were here, I'd kiss ya thank you so much for your support!

My NUT told me yesterday the only, ONLY reason people’s hair falls out is because they don’t take their required daily Vitamins. I cannot imagine all of you posting here, after all we learn along our journey to surgery, are not taking proper daily vitamins on top of eating the way we are supposed to. What the heck was she talking about??

This thread is popping all of a sudden lol. Yesterday was my last day at work before the leave. I've been telling everyone I'm going on vacation lol. I know it's weird but I feel like I'm preparing for things to go wrong so I spent all day at work making sure everything was organized for my teammates in case I didn't return. Very Morbid. I just have this big fear of dying on the operating table. My surgery is 2 days away and all I can think about is dying. At least it has replaced my yearning for meat.

I am the 17th of October also [emoji4]

5 hours ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

I used heavy cream in my coffee when I struggled to keep my calories up. I only use FULL FAT everything. The rest of it is fake and has additional carbs.

So I asked my NUT about fat yesterday and she said not to waste the calories on something that has no nutritional value. I was talking about mixing a mashed avocado with tuna instead of using mayo. I dont understand that logic. I understand the Protein thing, I get that, but what about the fat portion. I cannot eat tuna dry and if I dont use mayo why is the avocado just as bad? Do I use greek yogurt instead? Thats fine but I feel like as s a NUT she should have explained that to a newbie...It's comments like that that confuse me. Im trying to swap out the bad fat for the good avocado and I just dont get it....which is sort of what prompted the question about the MCT oil. I know how to eat well, my problem is with Portion Control. That will be taken care of real soon so Im back to what's ok and what's not with a sleeve. Maybe Im just thinking too much- lol, my head is swimming with questions!

I'll be following you, clearly you're doing something right

Had my pre-op with the NUT and that was kind of a **** show. I am out of network and my insurance simply isnt covering the surgeons entire program (surgery only) so I KNOW Im missing out on some things he would normally offer through his hospital but I just dont know exactly what (I dont know what I dont know...get it!!) They also changed NUTs on me and this new woman didnt study my case history and called me today to say she'd forgotten to tell me a few things. One being the night-before cleanse! **** show...Tomorrow is my official pre-op with my surgeon and I want to pummel him with questions! Toss your best ones my way

LOL- I guess Ive been Googling the wrong words, here's a new one....

https://www.bariatriceating.com/2017/03/bee-keto-bariatric-plan/

I am cleaning out my cabinet and found a fairly new bottle of MCT Oil (I dont want to throw it out...). In the past, I used it mostly for bulletproof coffee but since I am pre-surgery I am weaning off coffee for a while. I plan on saving this (expensive) stuff and want to know how I would use it post-op, several months out once I start eating again. Can I even use it?

I am soaking in all of the information I can pre-op so I will be prepared for this huge lifestyle change- I know I need to learn a whole new way of thinking towards food and the way I eat and this is the time to do it!

Yes, there are lots of posts and books and websites about this but I cannot find anything specifically about eating Keto post surgery with recipes and direction on how to start making the change, what to expect, what to do and not to do. It's a HUGE change and I want to get it right......thank you!!

https://wellnessmama.com/156155/sous-vide-egg-bites/

I cannot wait to try these....in a few months

22 hours ago, RomAnca said:

Who’s your dr?

Dr. Robert Woodbury, Santa Rosa, California

3 hours ago, kidchick said:

what do you use the papaya tablets for?

There is an enzyme in papaya that helps break up Proteins. I was instructed to chew on a couple if I happen to eat too much Protein and suspect a slight blockage. I have read here that they work pretty quickly. I hope never to have to use them but at least I'll have them on hand!!

I’ve searched high and low for diet guides for pre-op. Surgery is on Thursday, so I’ll have to switch to the clear diet on Monday I guess. My doctor told me to start the pre-op diet 7 days before, but I started a couple days early. Now I feel completely fatigued. I currently don’t meet the BMI for the surgery but qualified due to co-morbidities. Are there any solid foods that I can eat tomorrow to hopefully give me some strength to make the final 3 days?

I just got my surgery date...anyone out there my surgery twin?

Me Me!!! I check in at 5:30am on October 17th, see NUT tomorrow and the surgeon for pre-op visit on Tuesday...excited and a little nervous!!!

Best. Answer. Ever.

Am pre-op (10/17) and this is the exact information I am looking for to educate myself about my soon to be very different life. Thank you!!

I thought a slider was food that “slid” down your throat easy peasy since many experience gag-like symptoms right after surgery. Now I know, especially with my tendencies, it’s something I need to be cautious of. Thanks again!!!

Not an acronym but what is a slider?

I’m probably going overboard but I’d rather have something at home than not especially since I’ll be alone for a day and a half....I also got things that will transition me from phase 1 into phase 2.

Liquid Tylenol, sublingual B12, Multivitamins, papaya tablets, milk of Magnesia or GasX, ginger tea, G2 Gatorade, pill crusher, SF Jello & pudding & popsicles, chicken broth, canned Beans, tuna and chicken for puréed Protein, powdered Peanut Butter, cream of wheat, powdered milk, applesauce, almond milk, all ingredients for the famous ricotta bake. I’ve got a couple books off Amazon and have stocked dry items or made a list for perishables for the recipes I’d like to try. They sound appetizing NOW but from what I’m reading the tastebuds may change...

Wow. I can’t believe how much better I feel!