BarbieVSG14

The one thing that's always fascinating to me is how MUCH other people can eat and how little we actually NEED to live on. I mean, I used to eat those massive portions, too! Now it almost makes me sick to watch.
I maintain on 1200 calories at almost 4 years post op. I eat mostly meat, fish, nuts, fruits and veggies. Yup, that's 80% of my diet. I choose to eat that way because one:
I feel great when I limit sugar and simple carbs
And two: I maintain my weight fairly easily sticking to that stuff without having to track, weigh and measure everything because I HATE to!
Oh, the other 20% of what I eat? Yogurt, cheese, whole grains and chocolate. Oh, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
I eat like someone who is mostly health conscious who hasn't had surgery. Except I can only eat around 10 oz of food in a single meal, maybe less.

The one thing that's always fascinating to me is how MUCH other people can eat and how little we actually NEED to live on. I mean, I used to eat those massive portions, too! Now it almost makes me sick to watch.
I maintain on 1200 calories at almost 4 years post op. I eat mostly meat, fish, nuts, fruits and veggies. Yup, that's 80% of my diet. I choose to eat that way because one:
I feel great when I limit sugar and simple carbs
And two: I maintain my weight fairly easily sticking to that stuff without having to track, weigh and measure everything because I HATE to!
Oh, the other 20% of what I eat? Yogurt, cheese, whole grains and chocolate. Oh, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
I eat like someone who is mostly health conscious who hasn't had surgery. Except I can only eat around 10 oz of food in a single meal, maybe less.

I also would wonder if there are some underlying worries hidden in the " will I ever be able to eat a sandwich" Whats a piece of bread? Why such a huge importants over the sandwich that seems to be causing you so much worry? For me my worry about foods were more about being scared of the unknown and the change to come. Now at only 3 months post I could not care less about those foods I was thinking I might miss , now I am like.. a sandwhich? who cares, Ive lost 50lbs lol were as before I was literaly thinking how will I cope not eating abc*Insert my old favs i dont even think about now.

Of course you won't need to eat small portions forever. Of course you'll be able to eat potatoes, Pasta, baked goods and other carbs.
However, do you want to end up like Carnie Wilson? She's the celebrity who regained two-thirds of her weight after having lost 150+ pounds with gastric bypass.
Yes, you can eat larger portions and simple carbs as time passes. But do you value life as a healthy normal-weight person more than the ability to eat the starchy crap that probably fattened you up in the first place?
The choice is yours. Good luck to you.

I focus on nutrition primarily. Everything I choose to eat is because it is healthy and contributes to my overall good nutrition. If you are going to be successful long term you should do your best to make the lifestyle changes that will last. I don’t eat any of the junk foods that I used to. I avoid processed foods and sugar. I have chosen to eat a plant based diet, but many choose to eat low carb.
A treat once in a while will happen, but overall healthy eating is the norm.

The amount of misinformation I see on this forum is staggering. It definitely needs more vets who actually know what they are talking about, and less people who who think they do.

The amount of misinformation I see on this forum is staggering. It definitely needs more vets who actually know what they are talking about, and less people who who think they do.

I tried not logging after goal. I was always way off eyeballing and guessing calories and macronutrients. Started gaining. Logging seriously keeps me on track.
Weight loss has changed at three years out. @SuperKen you are four years out right?
I miss the days of fast weight loss and better surgery restriction. I can gain weight with a few days eating off track. It will take me two months to lose it. I battle myself most day's.
The weight loss is slow but, I'll take it.

Hi sweetie,
If you absolutely feel it's the right thing to do for you, yiu should feel no hard regret.
I had an abortion almost 25 years ago. Married, 2 toddlers. I felt is wasn't fair to the two we already had and were barely affording. Still married to the same man, and those two toddlers are amazing, successful, kind and responsible adults.
No regrets. We did what we thought was right for our situation. That being that would have been really knows no different, as opposed to the living, breathing wonderful humans I raised.
Hugs to you.

Let's try this. What are you eating? If you are eating lean Protein and veggies, then the amount really shouldn't matter.
I haven't thrown up, dumped, or found a food I couldn't eat at almost 4 years out. This surgery isn't supposed to be a diversion from food, but a reset for food and your life. Eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time, drink lots of Water, and move more, and you'll do just fine. If you are really concerned about how much you can eat, weigh and measure your food so you won't overeat.
The tool itself is really only temporary in the grand scheme of things. Over time it becomes less effective, then it's all on us. Practice good eating habits now and take advantage of the honeymoon period while you can.

Let's try this. What are you eating? If you are eating lean Protein and veggies, then the amount really shouldn't matter.
I haven't thrown up, dumped, or found a food I couldn't eat at almost 4 years out. This surgery isn't supposed to be a diversion from food, but a reset for food and your life. Eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time, drink lots of Water, and move more, and you'll do just fine. If you are really concerned about how much you can eat, weigh and measure your food so you won't overeat.
The tool itself is really only temporary in the grand scheme of things. Over time it becomes less effective, then it's all on us. Practice good eating habits now and take advantage of the honeymoon period while you can.

My first year of surgery I completed a 5K - This year completed my first full marathon. 26.2
On my 50th birthday, my goal is -Ultra marathon 50K (30 mike) http://saltflats100.com/ltptx3f0eimync5mvtvzhkf276mf66
I agree with the above. Start at a slow pace. I love couch25K. Don't forget to stretch and foam roll. Interval training (Jog 3 mins walk 3 mins repeat) This will build you up to sustained runs.
My pace is improving. I added sprint intervals and strengthening my legs, glutes, abductors, itband and hip flexors with weight lifting. (I also do upper body work)
Suggestions for bariatric runners: (not plugging products)
Running hydration vest. The Water holds tight to your body with less bounce. It has a bite straw to slowly drink water throughout your race. It's better than gulping down a styrofoam cup of water handed to runners along the route. Pockets to hold car keys, cell phone, debit cards and food to fuel your run. Click to see vest examples Running belt for shorter runs: hold car keys, cell phone, debit cards and food to fuel your run. Running belt example Never eat anything new to your system before or on the route. You may be racing to find each porta potty on the route due to an upset stomach. Running gels - Test them out to see if you can tolerate them. They are thick like molasses and sweet. Directions are to drink plenty of water with them. I don't use them. You will reach a point in your running that you will need to fuel you body like an athlete. ( I used a sports medicine dietician) Getting extra calories and carbs in can be interesting with a small stomach On the route foods - This will be trial and error to figure out what works for you. Meal bars. They may sit heavy on your stomach and bog down your run. Check your race event information. My last race handed out fruit and muffins along the route. May sit heavy Don't laugh. Baby food squeeze pouches. The tops twist on and off. Easy to carry no mess. Die hard nutrition runners make their own pureed recipe and use refillable baby food squeeze pouches. Hydration: I use nuun hydration tabs. https://nuunlife.com/

That is pretty fast for anyone that hasn’t been running consistently for a good while. I have been running since June and I still don’t feel comfortable running that fast for 3 miles. I just wouldn’t want anyone to injure themselves. Jogging is running slow..lol

Hi sweetie,
If you absolutely feel it's the right thing to do for you, yiu should feel no hard regret.
I had an abortion almost 25 years ago. Married, 2 toddlers. I felt is wasn't fair to the two we already had and were barely affording. Still married to the same man, and those two toddlers are amazing, successful, kind and responsible adults.
No regrets. We did what we thought was right for our situation. That being that would have been really knows no different, as opposed to the living, breathing wonderful humans I raised.
Hugs to you.

LOL I'm with you on the Trump thing!
Respectfully, I don't believe the partner has to be in the same place mentally as the person having the surgery does as far as diet and exercise. Like I said, it's OUR journey, not theirs. I don't expect the entire world to change for me just because I've chosen to change my lifestyle. Lord knows we aren't living in a very bariatric friendly world, that's for sure! He doesn't formally exercise, I do, and have continually for almost 4 years. It hasn't hindered me in the least. He still eats his processed crap, I make up for that by cooking healthy meals minus the starch with just Protein and veggies ;). I understand that having someone doing it along with us is ideal in a perfect world, but let's be real. The world isn't perfect and the only thing we CAN control is us. This can be completely doable without your partner doing it along with you. I and many others are living proof of that. It's all about how bad we really want it.

It's easy to get upset at the offending partner when they make comments like that, but honestly take it from someone who's been married for 30 years, it all comes from a place of insecurity and fear of the unknown....for both of you. You need to help her understand that your journey to a healthier you is only going to make you a happier, more fulfilled person, which in turn should make her happy, too. Try to reassure her how important her love and support will mean to you as embark on this new chapter of your lives. After all, change is a normal, contstant part of life, and the strongest relationships can adapt.
As far as her not being willing to change her lifestyle, you can't control what she does, only how you react to it. YOU are choosing to do this, not her. Find another support system if need be. As long as she can at least emotionally support you, there's no need for her to change her activity and eating habits if she doesn't want to. My husband didn't, and I did just fine. You will too if you REALLY want to. She may also surprise you and come around.

I also believe that if you have a crappy relationship pre op, you'll have a crappier relationship post op as the bariatric patient becomes happier and more secure with themselves, hence the divorce rate post op. Stronger relationships are able to adapt and work though the inevitable changes.

LOL I'm with you on the Trump thing!
Respectfully, I don't believe the partner has to be in the same place mentally as the person having the surgery does as far as diet and exercise. Like I said, it's OUR journey, not theirs. I don't expect the entire world to change for me just because I've chosen to change my lifestyle. Lord knows we aren't living in a very bariatric friendly world, that's for sure! He doesn't formally exercise, I do, and have continually for almost 4 years. It hasn't hindered me in the least. He still eats his processed crap, I make up for that by cooking healthy meals minus the starch with just Protein and veggies ;). I understand that having someone doing it along with us is ideal in a perfect world, but let's be real. The world isn't perfect and the only thing we CAN control is us. This can be completely doable without your partner doing it along with you. I and many others are living proof of that. It's all about how bad we really want it.

It's easy to get upset at the offending partner when they make comments like that, but honestly take it from someone who's been married for 30 years, it all comes from a place of insecurity and fear of the unknown....for both of you. You need to help her understand that your journey to a healthier you is only going to make you a happier, more fulfilled person, which in turn should make her happy, too. Try to reassure her how important her love and support will mean to you as embark on this new chapter of your lives. After all, change is a normal, contstant part of life, and the strongest relationships can adapt.
As far as her not being willing to change her lifestyle, you can't control what she does, only how you react to it. YOU are choosing to do this, not her. Find another support system if need be. As long as she can at least emotionally support you, there's no need for her to change her activity and eating habits if she doesn't want to. My husband didn't, and I did just fine. You will too if you REALLY want to. She may also surprise you and come around.

I also believe that if you have a crappy relationship pre op, you'll have a crappier relationship post op as the bariatric patient becomes happier and more secure with themselves, hence the divorce rate post op. Stronger relationships are able to adapt and work though the inevitable changes.

Absolutely. But if it's meant to be, they will figure out a way to work it out.
This relationship stuff is hard!

I make the dinner for the both of us! I just leave out the starch. He's used to Protein and a veggie for dinner. That's how it's been for the last 4 years. But he still eats his sweets and Snacks. I find healthier options. See? Compromise

I also believe that if you have a crappy relationship pre op, you'll have a crappier relationship post op as the bariatric patient becomes happier and more secure with themselves, hence the divorce rate post op. Stronger relationships are able to adapt and work though the inevitable changes.

This. The only real concern with lack of exercise regarding these surgeries is the alarming loss of muscle that can happen.
I always say if you want to be thin, eat healthy. If you want to be fit? Exercise and eat healthy.
You really don't have to kill yourself with exercise, either. Any little bit helps.

LOL I'm with you on the Trump thing!
Respectfully, I don't believe the partner has to be in the same place mentally as the person having the surgery does as far as diet and exercise. Like I said, it's OUR journey, not theirs. I don't expect the entire world to change for me just because I've chosen to change my lifestyle. Lord knows we aren't living in a very bariatric friendly world, that's for sure! He doesn't formally exercise, I do, and have continually for almost 4 years. It hasn't hindered me in the least. He still eats his processed crap, I make up for that by cooking healthy meals minus the starch with just Protein and veggies ;). I understand that having someone doing it along with us is ideal in a perfect world, but let's be real. The world isn't perfect and the only thing we CAN control is us. This can be completely doable without your partner doing it along with you. I and many others are living proof of that. It's all about how bad we really want it.