Leia

My experience with weight watchers over the years has not been a good one. I've heard they've recently improved somethings about the plan itself, but personally I'm still never going back. I think those meetings colored the way I view my body in a negative way from an early age (I attended with my mom in middle school). It was the start of my yo-yo dieting. I think group support can be a really good thing but I feel like weight watchers doesn't offer it up in a healthy way. I would suggest finding a post surgery support group or something instead if you can find one.

Wow!!!! Awesome!! Thank you for sharing! Congratulations and happy anniversary!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!! Good for you! Its going to be amazing! Happy healing!!! ❤️ See you on the other side! Cheering you on!!!

This stuff makes me furious. I've spoken up in the past when people make those sorts of comments to me or in my hearing (usually online, where they don't know my own struggles and body type) but sometimes in person too. In situations where they've decided I'm one of the "good ones" because they know me, they see me trying. Where as they see any one that is larger and, heaven forbid, looks happy, and they assume that person is too happy, too comfortable, and that makes them uncomfortable. Not that they want to see the strangers trying either, half of the the time it seems these comments are about an obese person eating a salad, or at the gym. They want us to change, but out of sight so they dont have to see it. I usually try to explain that they dont understand all the science, that its more complicated then they think, that they cant make assumptions about people like that. Sometimes I even try to explain skinny privilege. It never works. They dont want to change their minds, so they dont. Mean while I've gotten more and more angry and sick of it. I think as it is an issue at work for you, talking to HR might be the best move...if you trust your HR person/people to not be part of the problem... And depending on the situation calling your co-workers out would probably at least make you feel guilt free. Something as simple as "That you'd talk about ____ like this is really disappointing." It might not endear you to them, but with people who are that casually nasty? No big loss.

I think I'm ready for the Holidays...but its hard to be sure until I'm at the parties, events, family gatherings.... staring at the left overs, or dodging loudly intoxicated family members. Its going to be a combination of avoiding questions (I've kept my surgery mostly to my self), avoiding drinking and making sure I've brought something I can eat..in case everything else is out of bounds. Has anyone found recipes that they love for the holidays? I'd love to be able to make Pumpkin Pie, gingerbread, Stuffing, basically any of the old carb-tastic favorites...only less carb-tastic... I hate how Splenda, Stevia, Truvia..so forth tastes but know I really need to keep avoiding high sugar content. . Anyone have wizard level kitchen tips?

Ooo!! Those look kind of fantastic! Thank you for the links!!!! I'm going to save both of these to my recipes.

Thank you!!! Almost half of it is from before surgery, so I am not 'seeing it' as much as I should. The family that is in the know though says they see it. I'm hoping that the extended family at gatherings wont. . or will put it up to one of my many ups and downs. Might be naive of me. I don't like fibbing, but I also dont want to spend Thanksgiving defending my choices.... or talking about my weight. Those recipes sound amazing! Especially the green beans and cauliflower stuffing!!!!! I'd say they qualify for 'Wizard level!" Have you tried the pumpkin pie with a protein drink? I'm wondering if it would come out too sweet or not. . ..I might have to experiment before the holiday. And feed it to EVERYONE ELSE of course.

Thank you!!! I'm going to go take a look and start saving recipes to try asap!!

I've been plopping an herbal tea bag in my massive water bottle and drinking that. It seems to hit my stomach a little less hard than just the plain water. I also do hot tea and water down the occasional protein water. I hate how sweet they are in their 'pure' form. I like Hint a lot, but it seems to hit my stomach pretty hard still.

Does anyone know of a protein shake (not powder if I can help it) that has less than 3g sugar and no artificial sweetener? I love the Nugo slim bars because they fit this criteria, but they aren't nearly as easy to get down. Barring that, is anyone managing to get the 60g of protein a day with out protein shakes? 20 grams of protein a meal seems practically impossible right now.

I'm wondering what people are doing for exercise? What are your favorite classes, work outs, videos? Do you hike, walk, swim, dance? I have been taking my self for walks and swimming a little. The idea of bouncing a lot (running, aerobics... so forth) does not sound pleasant for my tummy, and I'm nervous to try sit ups or crunches and things. Looking for more idea's, especially as the weather gets cool. Thanks!

Thanks! I'll look into them!

Ooo! I hope so, if you find some let me know! I'll keep a look out too

My Nut has told me not to have any carbonated (natural or not) drinks...and I really miss Kombucha! I love sauerkraut though... I don't think I've ever tried Kimchi. I might do some research, thanks for the ideas!

We're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place huh? I just cant figure how to get 60g a protein in by the end of the day with out one of the shakes. Eventually, fingers crossed, that will change. I wish Nugo Slim made a shake like their bars. ...or that Premier Protein could just leave the sweetener at that 1g of natural sugar. I want all the healthy gut flora, dang it!

thanks! I'll look them up...and skipping bits sounds like a great idea. So many of those videos are just waaaay too high intensity for me so far.

Uurg, well that kinda kills my dependence on Premier Protein shakes. They have been the only reason I'm getting to or close to my protein goals so far. I dont like how sweet they are anyway, but its so hard to find shakes that don't have artificial sweeteners. On the other hand, I have IBS, and chronic inflammation...and if getting completely off this stuff would help clear that up, I've got to try.

I've just been taking long walks or water walking with arm exercises. . the gym is out of my price range too. Some of the parks around us have equipment that's free to use, but so far I've only 'played' on them a little. Being out in the open like that is really intimidating.

Thanks, it has been hard getting my water in, I wondered if that was part of it.

I'm just over 6 weeks post op and still feeling nauseated almost all the time. Is this pretty normal?

I felt/feel exactly the same way. I kept it from everyone but my bestie, mom, and Grandma until after Surgery. My sister and her boyfriend guessed. I'd not wanted to tell my sister because she would have tried to talk me out of it. As it is she thinks it was a mistake, luckily she doesn't lecture me about it or anything though. Now a handful of friends are in the loop, but I'm still not sharing with everyone. I don't want to deal with the people who may think it's an easy way out (HAH!). I don't need their negatively, I still see enough of that in the media. Ultimately this is your choice, and avoiding less educated opinions about it seems not only normal but probably safer. It's a stressful, emotional journey and choosing to tell only people you know will support you in a healthy, caring, sympathetic way is smart.

I'm wondering how often everyone is weighing them selves? I waited a week to look (this morning) after my surgery. I found the number exciting, but I know it wont always be this substantial. . . Does getting on the scale daily/weekly/ect get anyone down? Or do you find it motivating? Is there a sweet spot frequency wise?

Water post op has a tendency to feel like lead hitting your tummy. Maybe try crystal light in your water. It strangely does change the texture of the water, can’t quite explain it, in any event, it makes it more manageable to drink. Good luck! Thank you both for the suggestion, I'll give crystal light a go. If that doesn't work, I might just be drinking bone broth for everything :/

My 2nd week post op I was doing MUCH better with water, it wasn't upsetting my stomach almost at all. ..but last week and this week (3rd and 4th) I'm back to feeling super gross drinking. Has anyone else had this? Its so weird to me that water upsets my stomach, I used to LOVE drinking water...now the only things not bugging it seem to be keifer and bone broth.