npolleck

We've got a thread for inspiration, I wanted to start one to keep us laughing! Feel free to add anything that makes your heart smile!

Well, my time is finally here!! Going to bed, up at 3, hospital at 5, surgery at 7!
HW-451
SW-317
GW-185
Halfway there!!

Day 5 and feeling GREAT! I’m telling you, the gas pain sucks but once you get past that...woo-hoo! I’m not hungry at ALL though. So trying my best to get my Water and Protein in. One tip, my NUT suggested Unjury unflavored Protein Powder so I got a sample pack of that at first. It’s ok, but a lot of powder to mix in for just 10 grams of protein? No bueno. I found another brand at GNC. GENEPRO. It’s fantastic! I used it during my pre-op and it’s saving me during post op (since I can’t drink as much broth as I could before.) There are 30 g of protein in just one scoop AND the scoop is 3 x smaller than many others! It mixes great in a little lukewarm water, then I just add it to my broth or juice. Getting that much protein in a serving during the early post op days is wonderful!!

Hello, I was asked to introduce myself here. I'm GreatGoddess, I'm not ready to tell my real name. I had the gastric sleeve done August 15, 2017. My heaviest weight was 398lbs. When I saw the surgeon in January of 2017 I was 396lbs. When I had surgery I was down to 326lbs. I now weigh 174lbs. My surgeon is Dr. Wanda Good and she and her team are absolutely amazing. She's in the city of Pasco, Washington. I travel 90 miles to see her. It's all worth it. I've listened to everything she's said to me and what the dietitian has to tell me and I've done as I was told. I'm very involved in my menu planning and I do all my cooking. Exercise is a little hard at this time because I live in a basement and it's freezing. Plus I'm poor and cannot afford a gym membership nor do I have a way there.
I've been over weight most of my life and it had gotten to the point where I thought I was going to have a heart attack just going up the stairs to make a meal for me and the parents. One of my doctors was very concerned about me and kept asking me about WLS. When I finally told yes I would like to have it but can't afford to go over the mountains to see the surgeon and everything, he asked me what was wrong with the surgeon in town. I had no idea there was someone in town. When I got to meet with Dr. Good I found out she was moving at the end of the month to Pasco which is 90miles away from me. However, it was still closer and far more cheaper in gas than Seattle. So I stuck with her. I'm so glad I did. I'm now in a size 14 and still losing weight.
I'm an artist, I draw fantasy art, fairies, elves, dragons, occasional mermaid or unicorn. Now that my arms are lighter I want to get back to painting. In May I've signed up for a 5k walk. I'm going from being a recluse to wanting to be out and about and making friends. I'm even going down to L.A. to see my cousin and her husband in April. It's like life has opened up for me. It feels good.

Starting my pre-op diet on Monday! No foods just liquids but I have Protein Shakes, broth, Protein Water and sugar free Jello on deck.

I'm kind of looking forward to it. I've been feeling so bloated and crappy lately.

Only two weeks to go until surgery!!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

March 20th sleeve surgery date!

Now that March is here I only have about 12 days and I’m more nervous than excited, but no looking back now!

Summer vacation is a highlight of the year. It could be your chance to spend time with friends or family and get away from the stresses of your daily routine. While you may be looking forward to your vacation, keep in mind that it offers opportunities for weight loss success and backsliding. Here is a checklist that can help weight loss surgery pre-op and post-op patients stay on track during vacation.


Essentials to Pack
After packing your clothes and toiletries, make sure you pack some items that will make your plan easier to follow.
Protein foods – such as Protein Chips and Protein Cookies for Snacks.
Protein Bars and Shakes.
Workout clothes and good shoes.
Your headphones and your playlists if you normally listen to music while working out.
Portion Control aids, such as compact Portion Control Rings.
Planning for Exercise
Myth: You cannot exercise well when you are on vacation away from home.
Fact: Your vacation may offer many opportunities to get active.
It is true that you will be out of your regular routine and will have to work in activity a little differently than at home. Excuses end here. While on vacation, you can:
Walk to explore the town or beach.
Use your hotel’s fitness center or pool.
Take a surfing, kayaking, or other class – many tourist destinations have them.
You do not have to work out alone, although that works, too. Ask your travel companions to join you on hikes or walks to explore, or hang out with any kids in your group – you are sure to burn quite a few calories if you swim with them or join in their games of volleyball or tag.
Hotel Breakfasts – Starting the Day off Right
Hotel breakfasts can range from the simple to the expansive and are often all-you-can-eat. Change it to, “all-you-should-eat,” and you’re already making progress towards starting the day off right. Go right past the doughnuts, muffins, waffle-making machine, and danishes. You can look for some better options and helpful modifications if your hotel has a continental Breakfast.
Fat-free yogurt.
Fresh fruit.
Unsweetened whole-grain Cereal or plain oatmeal.
Ham instead of bacon.
Hard-boiled egg whites.
If you are not sure that your hotel will have healthy breakfast options, just bring your own. You can easily pack enough Protein Bars and Protein Shakes for breakfast. Protein Oatmeal is another option since you can make it with hot Water from the hotel.
Restaurants 101: Review
Eating out on vacation is not much different than eating out while at home. You probably already know the rules: the goal is to get some protein and Fiber, without too many calories or grams of carbohydrates. Simple? Maybe. It can be easier in the U.S. if you are familiar with menus, but you can probably do okay in foreign countries with even a small amount of communication.
Look for:
Grilled or plain baked fish, shrimp, or chicken. Take the skin off yourself if necessary.
Cooked vegetables without sauce.
Salads with dressing on the side.
If the menu does not include foods you can eat, do not be shy about asking. Be clear about what you need. You can ask for a plain piece of chicken or fish with some steamed or grilled vegetables or a side salad. Or, you can point to a menu item and ask for it without sauce and with vegetables instead of the standard sides such as potatoes or rice.
No matter what the restaurant serves, you can always eat less, chew more times, and bring your own snacks.
Tracking Tools
Vacation can be an escape from technology and daily routine, but spending a few minutes of each day to track your food and activity can keep you from straying from your plan. Use your favorite app or, if you are going to be completely offline, take an old-fashioned notebook and a pen to jot notes each day.
First and foremost, enjoy your summer vacation! Recharge and recover…and if you can, stay healthy during it. You will feel even better when you get back and gain confidence that you can stick to your plan no matter where you are.

You may need to eat out after WLS, because Americans eat out a lot. Some estimates put one-quarter of Americans eating fast food on a given day, before counting food from casual and upscale restaurants. A total of about 1 in 3 calories come from foods that are eaten away from home, such as prepared foods and restaurant foods.


With restaurants, fast food, and other prepared foods being such a big part of our culture, you may not be able to, or even want to, stop eating out. That is okay, even after WLS. You will just need to be a savvy customer to be sure that wherever you are, you get a meal that fits into your meal plan. Take heart: it is almost always possible.
The Trouble with Eating Out
Research has been clear on the differences between eating out and preparing food at home. Restaurant meals tend to be bigger and higher in calories. Beyond that, they are higher in sodium and saturated fat, and lower in Fiber.
That does not bode well for weight loss, but you are not doomed. Most restaurants are willing and able to accommodate you. You may be pleasantly surprised at the choices.
Do Your Homework (Or Procrastinate)
Most restaurants have their menus posted online. Many have their nutritional facts online. Check before you go to the restaurant, and decide on your meal before you get there. When it comes time to order, you need not browse the menu for temptations.
Or Procrastinate
It is not always possible to check beforehand, and that is okay. Just keep your goal in mind:
Some lean Protein, such as eggs, chicken, or fish.
A vegetable.
A small amount of a healthy starch and/or healthy fat.
Build that meal from the items you see on the menu.
The Customer Is Always Right
If you need another expression to drive home the point, what about, “He who pays the piper calls the tune?” You are perfectly entitled to ask for no sauce, dressing on the side, or no bun.
A surprising number of joints allow substitutions or modifications for no extra cost, although some may charge. The cost is usually minimal, and worth it. Examples include getting grilled instead of fried chicken or fish, or swapping a side salad or steamed vegetables for a side of rice, Pasta, or potatoes.
Best Bets for Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
You can go to a restaurant with some ideas of what they might have for each meal, and search for those.
Breakfast
Eggs: in an omelet or scrambled. Look for egg whites if you can, and choose vegetable toppings. cheese and turkey can also be good additions. Skip bacon and other fatty meats in your eggs.
Oatmeal: plain, regular or steel-cut, without add-ons such as dried fruit or brown sugar. Nuts are okay. Steer clear of granola.
Breakfast sandwich: English muffin (you can eat half) with egg and/or cheese and/or ham – no bacon, sausage, croissant, or biscuit.
Create a meal from sides or add-ons, such as cottage cheese, an egg, fresh fruit, or turkey sausage.
Lunch
Green salad with any of grilled chicken, cheese, nuts, vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers, and light dressing. Skip regular dressing (or order it on the side), croutons and chow mein noodles, and dried fruit.
Chicken, fish, turkey breast, a veggie burger patty, a hamburger patty, or taco beef. Skip the bread, tortilla, bun, or taco shell, and steer away from breaded and fried.
Side salad, carrot sticks, yogurt, or sliced apples.
Dinner
Shrimp cocktail or broth-based Soup for starters. Avoid dips, chips, bread and breadsticks, and fried starters.
Grilled, baked, or roasted plain chicken or fish. Avoid fried choices, fatty meats, and creamy or buttery sauces.
Steamed vegetables or a side salad. Avoid fries, pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes.
The Final Filter: You
No matter what lands on your plate or your to-go box, the ultimate decision about what goes into your mouth is made by…you. You can turn a potentially disastrous order into a not-so-bad or even good meal with some smart choices.
Decide how much you will eat and pack away the rest before you take your first bite.
Scoop out the filling from sandwiches and burritos, while leaving the bread and tortillas.
Eat the Proteins and vegetables from your plate, while leaving the fries and fatty sauces.
Scrape off any breading and eat only the chicken or fish inside.
Weight loss surgery is to help you lose weight, but it is also to help you live a better life. If the good life for you includes eating out, you can do it. Just be careful. Keep your weight loss surgery diet plan in mind as you order and eat, and you can lose weight as you live your normal life.