SlieveMishAmy

I set mine at just over a normal BMI; it's the weight I was during college, at my lowest adult weight. But I do have intermediate goals: first is to lose 100 pounds. The next is to get under 200--still a very long way off. But I'll just see what happens as time goes by--the real goal is to be healthier. Everything else is just gravy (and how silly is it that so many expressions involve food? ). I'd express what I really want, after better health, as feeling better and looking better. The number is less important.

Just wondering how everyone chose their goal weight. For now mine is 197, because that is the number that makes me "overweight" instead of "obese" on the BMI scale. However, I hope to lose more than that. When I was younger I typically weighed around 165, which back then was a size 11/12 on me. Not sure if I dare make a goal smaller than that, it doesn't feel like it can become a reality. But then I haven't been under 200 in 18 years, and I see that number getting closer and closer, so I remain hopeful!

Just stay the course! You are doing fabulously! And when you go in, remember its only about 45 minutes and you're changing your life in a positive, long term way. Take a lot of slow deep breaths while they get you ready. I find (surgery pro here) that if I have a song (ear worm) in my head that makes me calm, or for me scriptural verses, I breeze through the surgery getting ready. You will do well, and we'll all be here on the "other side"

@newlifebegins2017
http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/whole-chicken-in-a-slow-cooker/
Cannot recommend this highly enough. I always set it for 6 hours no matter the size of chicken. You can tone down the spice rub if you want, but it's actually very slight. I don't bother grilling it at the end to crisp the skin. (Right now we're not going to be using the skin anyway). I make it regularly and added the broth and veg and chicken to a small bowl of brown rice or similar. But made it today on Day 3 of Purees, pulled a tiny bit of chicken (it's so soft and tearable done this way), one chunk of carrot and the juices and pureed them and it was the first time I actually wanted more of anything since my op. Whoever made this recipe up is a genuis. At the moment I'm not eating the other veg - onion & celery - as I don't want to take chances. Of course once you have picked the chicken you can chuck the bones back in and get a superb stock. And THIS is my fave recipe for that http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Chicken_Broth
My Mum had Gastric Bypass almost a year ago and when I made the Chicken in Slow Cooker for her she got so much wellness out of it. Good luck!! I wonder what other peoples faves are.

Yes, me. Tolerating it fine and refuse to eat fake food like 0% crap. It's old science to think that fat free products are the way. Although I'm sure some people will have tolerance problems. I AM going to give up sugar though.

Yes, me. Tolerating it fine and refuse to eat fake food like 0% crap. It's old science to think that fat free products are the way. Although I'm sure some people will have tolerance problems. I AM going to give up sugar though.

I'm loving 1 scrambled egg with a tiny pat of butter, cotttage cheese, really good chicken broth for collagen, Protein Shake made with great quality whey Protein and coconut Water. Hummus didn't go down well for me. The BEST has been a slow cooked chicken puréed with a chunk of carrot and the juices - absolute heaven. If you have a slow cooker I can give you the recipe.

Yes, me. Tolerating it fine and refuse to eat fake food like 0% crap. It's old science to think that fat free products are the way. Although I'm sure some people will have tolerance problems. I AM going to give up sugar though.

Yes, me. Tolerating it fine and refuse to eat fake food like 0% crap. It's old science to think that fat free products are the way. Although I'm sure some people will have tolerance problems. I AM going to give up sugar though.

Yes, me. Tolerating it fine and refuse to eat fake food like 0% crap. It's old science to think that fat free products are the way. Although I'm sure some people will have tolerance problems. I AM going to give up sugar though.

I'm loving 1 scrambled egg with a tiny pat of butter, cotttage cheese, really good chicken broth for collagen, Protein Shake made with great quality whey Protein and coconut Water. Hummus didn't go down well for me. The BEST has been a slow cooked chicken puréed with a chunk of carrot and the juices - absolute heaven. If you have a slow cooker I can give you the recipe.

Sleeved on 12th and feeling very back to normal now but somehow better I'm so proud that I've done this for myself and now can drive again and walk the dogs again and have such clarity about how my life should be instead of constantly being solid citizen, want more trips away, more nights out, and making life work for me not just my teen and ex-husband.

http://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric-surgery-diet/puree-diet-after-bariatric-surgery
Also found this website really useful for ideas. I'll shut up now.

@newlifebegins2017
http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/whole-chicken-in-a-slow-cooker/
Cannot recommend this highly enough. I always set it for 6 hours no matter the size of chicken. You can tone down the spice rub if you want, but it's actually very slight. I don't bother grilling it at the end to crisp the skin. (Right now we're not going to be using the skin anyway). I make it regularly and added the broth and veg and chicken to a small bowl of brown rice or similar. But made it today on Day 3 of Purees, pulled a tiny bit of chicken (it's so soft and tearable done this way), one chunk of carrot and the juices and pureed them and it was the first time I actually wanted more of anything since my op. Whoever made this recipe up is a genuis. At the moment I'm not eating the other veg - onion & celery - as I don't want to take chances. Of course once you have picked the chicken you can chuck the bones back in and get a superb stock. And THIS is my fave recipe for that http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Chicken_Broth
My Mum had Gastric Bypass almost a year ago and when I made the Chicken in Slow Cooker for her she got so much wellness out of it. Good luck!! I wonder what other peoples faves are.

Sleeved on 12th and feeling very back to normal now but somehow better I'm so proud that I've done this for myself and now can drive again and walk the dogs again and have such clarity about how my life should be instead of constantly being solid citizen, want more trips away, more nights out, and making life work for me not just my teen and ex-husband.

Sleeved on 12th and feeling very back to normal now but somehow better I'm so proud that I've done this for myself and now can drive again and walk the dogs again and have such clarity about how my life should be instead of constantly being solid citizen, want more trips away, more nights out, and making life work for me not just my teen and ex-husband.

http://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric-surgery-diet/puree-diet-after-bariatric-surgery
Also found this website really useful for ideas. I'll shut up now.

@newlifebegins2017
http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/whole-chicken-in-a-slow-cooker/
Cannot recommend this highly enough. I always set it for 6 hours no matter the size of chicken. You can tone down the spice rub if you want, but it's actually very slight. I don't bother grilling it at the end to crisp the skin. (Right now we're not going to be using the skin anyway). I make it regularly and added the broth and veg and chicken to a small bowl of brown rice or similar. But made it today on Day 3 of Purees, pulled a tiny bit of chicken (it's so soft and tearable done this way), one chunk of carrot and the juices and pureed them and it was the first time I actually wanted more of anything since my op. Whoever made this recipe up is a genuis. At the moment I'm not eating the other veg - onion & celery - as I don't want to take chances. Of course once you have picked the chicken you can chuck the bones back in and get a superb stock. And THIS is my fave recipe for that http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Chicken_Broth
My Mum had Gastric Bypass almost a year ago and when I made the Chicken in Slow Cooker for her she got so much wellness out of it. Good luck!! I wonder what other peoples faves are.

icky! Drug reactions can be nasty at times. I vomited all over the place with the first shot of morphine in the ER for my gall bladder. It killed the terrible pain but I got so dizzy and sweaty and up it all came. Lightweight !
Surgery is Tuesday and my son can pick me up but he has to work the next day. He and his brother will be back on Thursday/Friday so it looks like Im on my own for a day or so....

http://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric-surgery-diet/puree-diet-after-bariatric-surgery
Also found this website really useful for ideas. I'll shut up now.

p.s Bone Broth / stock is absolutely fantastic for collagen which we need for healing post surgery. i took advice from a nutritionist before I went into this and her recommendations have been fantastic. she told me about a broth here in the UK from Osius which is made from all of the chicken including feet and is therefore collagen to the max. i don't know if there is an equivalent in the States but that got me through Phase 1. it was delicious! you could literally serve it at a dinner party.

@newlifebegins2017
http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/whole-chicken-in-a-slow-cooker/
Cannot recommend this highly enough. I always set it for 6 hours no matter the size of chicken. You can tone down the spice rub if you want, but it's actually very slight. I don't bother grilling it at the end to crisp the skin. (Right now we're not going to be using the skin anyway). I make it regularly and added the broth and veg and chicken to a small bowl of brown rice or similar. But made it today on Day 3 of Purees, pulled a tiny bit of chicken (it's so soft and tearable done this way), one chunk of carrot and the juices and pureed them and it was the first time I actually wanted more of anything since my op. Whoever made this recipe up is a genuis. At the moment I'm not eating the other veg - onion & celery - as I don't want to take chances. Of course once you have picked the chicken you can chuck the bones back in and get a superb stock. And THIS is my fave recipe for that http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Chicken_Broth
My Mum had Gastric Bypass almost a year ago and when I made the Chicken in Slow Cooker for her she got so much wellness out of it. Good luck!! I wonder what other peoples faves are.

Anyone who thinks getting half your stomach cut off and pulled out a hole above your belly button and then be told "now get used to eating like that" is EASY can kiss my once fatter ass.

During my group sessions one person said "Look at this surgery as a reset and be careful what foods you reintroduce back into your routine" The person stopped all breads, most carbs and limits sweets to a thin slice at birthdays. I thought this makes sense since we were all given a golden ticket that we should use wisely. My sister is a master baker and pre surgery she would make me sugar free pies and cakes. I asked her not to make me anything post surgery since I didn't want to reintroduce those types of food back into my routine. I'm taking the advice of my group partner and I will try my best to reset what foods I will eat continuing forward. Some people like my sister will bake elaborate pastries only to give them away since she bakes for the love of baking. Some will bake and consume most all that they create. At this stage I hope most of us aren't consumers but givers when it comes to baking goods.

I'm loving 1 scrambled egg with a tiny pat of butter, cotttage cheese, really good chicken broth for collagen, Protein Shake made with great quality whey Protein and coconut Water. Hummus didn't go down well for me. The BEST has been a slow cooked chicken puréed with a chunk of carrot and the juices - absolute heaven. If you have a slow cooker I can give you the recipe.