TakingABreak

I have found that taking good progress pictures helps you along the way. MyFitnessPal gives you the option to take progress pictures and I am always amazed when I look at my starting picture. I am 61lbs down, but I am still carrying it in my face. I can't wait to loose more of my double chin!

I have a ninja and had the worst time during the puree phase. It seemed like everything turned out either over liquid-y or not enough. Maybe I just gave up too easily. I was only on it for a week so I concentrated on soup and protein shakes. I have a Vitamix and I love their recipes on their website. Almost all their soups are smooth and would work for that phase. I particularly recommend the squash soup! And you don't have to have a Vitamix to use their recipes, any blender would do the trick. I premade these soups and froze them until I reached my pureed phase, and I didn't have to cook the whole time.

My program requires 60-90 grams of protein per day. 64 ounces of water (or non caloric liquid). It can be very difficult to get your liquid in, so keep in mind that you can always add some type of flavor to make it easier to drink. It is common for WLS patients to develop nausea to plain water after surgery. I recommend crystal light, caffeine free tea, Stur drops, or even fruit infused water. Stay away from the following foods: white breads, pasta, fried food, caloric beverages, carbonation, alcohol (for min. 6 months), and foods with processed and refined sugar. Getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-7 days per week. Vitamins- I attached a guide that lists what the ASMBS recommends for a daily intake. I achieve this by taking a bariatric vitamin and I also supplement extra Vitamin D/Calcium and biotin. Also, my program is BIG about only eating 3 meals a day, with 1 snack if needed. So it is important to eat your protein first, then your non-starchy vegetable, and if you have room... a fruit OR starch can be incorporated 1 time daily. I eat approximately a 1/2 cup per meal, sometimes a up to a cup if it is soup. BariLifeVitaminGuidesm.pdf

You may want to read the posts in my recent post. There was a lot of good ideas and thoughts about this topic.

I'm staying positive that I will rise above the 60%. According to that resource there is only a 20% chance I'll reach the goal that my doctor and I put in place. *fingers crossed* We make our own destiny!

it is very confusing, I agree. I don't know if I you can on the mobile app. I had to go on the website to change my info.

My energy started returning approximately week 4-5. It was when I transitioned into soft foods. Where are you in the food progression stages?

I do feel like a lot of people talk about things on here, not related to WLS, but you are right about whether or not it is well perceived and if people can help on here.

I'm sorry! Your info still says PreOp.

I have found that the group I belong to on Facebook is super helpful and supportive. I think the difference is that the group I belong to has all people who are getting surgery in 2018. There aren't some of the vets that you experience on here. Now, I use both Facebook and here because I appreciate a lot of their advice, but their approach needs some work. Not to say that you guys are sensitive, but I know I was hyper sensitive about stuff prior to surgery. Now that I am post op, I perceive things differently now. I hope you guys stick it out and stay here. We need all types of people with different compassion levels.

Cooking at home can be a hassle, but I'm cooking for other people than just myself so I don't get left with as much leftovers as when I go out to eat. I like the suggestion on what to say to a waiter or waitress.

I eat Halo Top ice cream at least once or twice a week. Usually less than a serving. I don't feel guilty at all eating Halo Top and it satisfies my sweet tooth. For anyone who is going to guilt me, sorry not sorry!

Hang in there because as you progress with the food stages, this will go away. I am 7 weeks post op and on a normal diet. I don't get hungry unless its meal time, and even then, I have to make a conscious effort to eat. As you eat food with more "residue" you will feel satisfied longer and hunger will subside.

I always Google restaurant menus now. Even if its somewhere I frequented before surgery. I find that the choices I make now are DEF not the ones I made before. So its like everywhere has a new menu for me.

I'm not worried about too large of portions, because I've got really good self control right now. I guess it is mostly about the cost relation to what you eat. I do take left overs, but it has to be something that is rewarmed well. I guess I just see the cost value of food a lot different when you can only eat 1/16th of a meal. And to your point about drawing attention, it is much more noticeable when you eat out. At home I only plate what I can finish. So that is another reason I don't like to eat out. I think we are all relatively on the same page. I just find it more annoying that most. *shrugs*

Thank you for all the encouraging words! I'm so glad I did this

I doubt I’ll get away with implementing “leggings” day but a girl could only dream!

Thanks@tuckersmom I’m 5’4, HW: 332, SW: 294, CW: 275 I had gastric bypass. I still have a long way to go. I’d like to loose another 100lbs minimum. I’m so short that ideally I should be at 130ish. That’s a lot of weight to loose. I’m setting a goal of 180lbs for now. We’ll see!

Prior to my preop diet I started doing meal replacement shakes. However, I don’t recommend it. You get sick of protein shakes so quickly after surgery, you don’t want to speed up the process. I used MyFitnessPal and logged everything I ate. I got all my protein in to prepare for post op. It also made me realize what it would take, food wise, to meet my protein goals. You have to choose wisely.

Glad you are posting to hold yourself accountable! You’ve got this!

Me too 100%

In the few months before surgery I fit in all my favorite foods from all my favorite restaurants. But I will say that I promised myself not to think of it as a food funeral because one day I’d eat these things again, but in moderation. All I know now is my taste buds have changed tremendously. I don’t crave hardly anything anymore. I don’t think of food in between meals. Now, this could change but I don’t miss the things I loved before.

I feel the same way 80% of the time. I seriously struggle to grocery shop because there are times that all food just makes me nauseous. It seems like it’s going away now, but I had this severe problem about 4 weeks post op. I didn’t eat much of anything for several days. I still struggle with food choices, nothing sounds good. When something finally does taste good, it’s only a few momentary bites and I’m full. There is ZERO comfort in food any longer.

@1Mila You can follow me on here by clicking on my profile. That way you can see when I post on certain topics. I also have an Instagram- ashley_lynn_ash. I will say that, I don't post on social media about my journey. I have decided to keep my decision for WLS very private. However, I do belong to a closed group, private FB support group that is great. You can always friend me there and I can send you an invite. Feel free to message me on Instagram or here, whatever works! I did the same thing as you, I cut out caffeine and soda early on and I'm so thankful that I did. There is no way I could have dealt with those addictions, as well as, food at the same time. So you are doing the right thing! After WLS sometimes your body has an intolerance to straight water. Its has to do with the texture of water (according to my surgeon), so I would start searching now for something to add to your water. Obviously, something that is calorie free. I started drinking caffeine free fruit teas with liquid stevia. However, some people do crystal light or other water additives. There is also an app you can download on your phone called WaterLogged. On that note, another apps that are great to use is Baritastic and MyFitnessPal. I started extra biotin (10,000u per day) 3 months before my WLS. I don't know if it will help for hair loss, but I did it anyway. I take Bariatric Fusion vitamins. I compared the values to what the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) recommends for daily vitamins. I uploaded a document that shows what they recommend. It is through a different vitamin company, but information is information! Bariatric Fusion checks all the boxes, except for slightly low on the Vitamin D. Bariatric Fusion is fairly cheap as well. I take 4 pills per day and a monthly supply costs me $27.99. So I take an extra supplement of Vitamin D/Calcium from Caltrate and I take biotin. It doesn't matter which bariatric vitamin you take, it will NEVER have enough biotin. BariLifeVitaminGuidesm.pdf