AZhiker

Gonna stick my neck out here, but you are not a carnivore. A lion is a carnivore, with sharp teeth for tearing meat and a short digestive tract. You have grinding teeth and a long digestive tract. If you restrict your carbs even further, you are only going to crave them more. Building your diet around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes is SOOOOOO much healthier. It gives you the fiber you need, as well as the phytonutrients and vitamins that plant sources are so rich with. When you are getting proper nutrition, cravings stop. Of course , sugar is highly addictive and you absolutely must stop it for at least 3 days to get it out of your system and stop the cravings. The best thing I ever did preop was to get rid of the addictive substances - sugar, processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, soda, alcohol, and caffeine. I did not have to deal with any of these after surgery, because they were already gone. recovery is hard enough without dealing with cravings and addictions. This is the time to start building healthy habits that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Worse yet, is getting the surgery, losing the weight, and then gaining it all back because you weren't truly ready to make the lifestyle changes for surgery to be successful. One of the most reliable predictors of long term success is the person who emphatically says, "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" and determines to make all the changes necessary for that to happen. That means not cheating and slipping back into foods that caused the problem in the first place. Some of those foods may be reintroduced in very minimal amounts once maintenance is reached. Until then, they only undermine both the weight loss and the mental changes that need to happen. One of the biggest changes is to make the mental switch from seeing these foods as desirable to seeing them as enemies to your health. This reframing takes a lot of practice and determination, but it has to happen. When you can joyfully choose an apple over a cookie, and not feel deprived, but rather feel empowered, you know you are making the change. The pre-op diet is hard, no doubt, but it is for a very limited time frame. Others may disagree with me, but it is my opinion that if someone can't stick to 2 weeks of preop, they are not ready for the real challenge of a total transformation of eating and living for the rest of one's life.

I totally understand. I can go up to 155 and be within normal weight range, but I FEEL much better at 144. My clothes fit better, I have more energy, and I just feel better in general. I could go below 130 and still be in "normal" range, but I know that is way too thin for ME. 144 is like my perfect spot. My goal was 149, but I truly feel better 5 pounds lighter. The ideal weight will be different for everyone. Use the tools like IF to go a little lower if you want. Monitor all your intake, get all your water, get enough sleep, and be sure to keep exercising. Don't cheat on junk, fast, or processed food. This is the time to truly maximize your new lifestyle changes and pound them into habits. Make the most of every day of this first year! The pounds will come off a lot slower the closer you get to goal, but if you are consistent, you can get there. I could never understand thin people when they would complain that they gained 5 pounds and felt bad. Now I get it. I can physically feel those 5 pounds now, and I know I feel better without them.

This is SOOOOOOO true! Our ancestors developed taste preferences for sweet, salt, and fat. That guided food choices toward fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, coconuts, and any kind of nutrient dense food that would ensure survival, including carbs like taro, sago, corn, rice, yams, etc. The modern food industry has manipulated those ingrained taste preferences to create addictive food that we cannot resist. Sugar triggers the same addictive centers in the brain as cocaine! Any wonder that so many foods contain sugar that aren't even considered sweet foods? Or sweet foods that contain salt? And then add fat and you have the trifecta of addiction - sugar, salt, and fat. And add some caffeine for a super effect. Just realizing the intentional manipulation of processed food is enough to keep me away from it. How about the unresistable smell of french fries when you go past a Burger King? Did you know they actually spray that odor in the air to attract customers? No wonder the obesity epidemic is out of control. Stay strong, friends! Don't give in to these ploys to take your money and give you junk food and obesity in return!

I got "stuck" with the last 15 pounds. Intermittent fasting (IF) did the trick for me. There are lots of posts here on the topic, with good explanations of the variations of IF. Personally, I feel so much better with IF, that it is now a permanent lifestyle change. I do a 16/8 variation that works by fasting until about noon to 1 pm, and then eating all my calories before 8 pm. I do my best to exercise during the fasting state, as the body has already used up its glycogen stores in the liver and muscle, and has no option except to start breaking down fat into ketone bodies. I am NEVER hungry, and have lots of energy and mental clarity in the mornings. IF boosted me down to my goal weight and is a great tool for life.

I also had gastric bypass, which means I had to have a colon prep prior to the surgery. My doc wanted all the pipes to be EMPTY, since he would cutting into them. That meant only clear liquids the day before surgery to clear the top, and then the prep to clear out the bottom.

I loved the chocolate Premier Protein preop, but shortly after surgery, I found them to be way too sweet. My taste buds had changed so much - they tasted like chocolate syrup and were just too sickingly sweet. However, a few months later, I was able to tolerate them............ UNTIL I developed an intolerance to whey. A followup scope exam showed early signs of eosinophilic esophagitis, which is an allergic reaction. Since whey was the only real change as far as a new food for me, it was the obvious culprit. My doc also told me that whey can cause problems in some people. I also started to notice a general lactose intolerance. After switching to plant based protein powder and drinks, and staying away from all dairy, my esophagus was completely normal on the next exam.

I have BCBS also, and you have to read the requirements very carefully. They basically require 6 months of monitored weight loss plan, documented every month by the PCP. Failure to be able to lose 10% of body weight, in spite of the supervised program is qualifying for surgery. When I first read the requirements, I thought it said I had to LOSE 10% to qualify - to demonstrate compliance with the program, but that;s not what it really says. I think I stayed about the same weight. I was tipping the 40 BMI, but what really helped me was getting a sleep apnea diagnosis, which lowered the qualifying BMI. BCBS is tricky. Just read those requirements over and over until you understand them thoroughly. As long as your PCP also documents all your weight loss attempts very thoroughly, you should not have a problem. My PCP did an amazing job. She knew how to "play the game" and told me she had never had any of her patients denied WLS.

I am afraid to try any of those "safe" snacks for fear they might trigger sugar cravings. I bought a bunch of bulk dates a few months ago and have them stored in the freezer. If I need a "sweet," I grab a couple of those frozen dates and suck/chew on them. They are amazingly satisfying, completely natural and unprocessed, and have just enough "sweet" to do the trick.

Push the food around on your plate a lot and eat tiny, tiny bites. As long as you LOOK like you're busy eating, no one will care or even notice.

Don't ever suffer because you are afraid of bothering the office. YOU are paying THEM to be your providers of care! They work for YOU! Most people have a scope procedure before having bypass surgery - to check for esophagitis, hiatal hernia, strictures, ulcers, and general anatomy. The procedure is simple. IV sedation, you go to sleep and wake up a short time later. If there is a stricture, the doc will dilate. You cannot recover well if you can't eat, so I hope you call the office soon and get this taken care of. That's what they are there for - to help you. If you don't stand up for yourself, no one else will, so get brave and make the call.

perfectly fine and normal. You will feel a lot more restriction once you start solids.

I was 63 years old when I had surgery and lost 100 pounds in 6 months. I went from a 42 DD to a 34A. Basically "rocks in socks." Pretty ugly, but only without clothes! During the past year, however, my fat seems to have redistributed a bit. My weight is the same, but I seem to be a bit more filled out. I will never have breast surgery, as a well fitting bra works just fine, and I am not out looking for a relationship. Being older, I think, adds a different perspective. I am so happy with who I am and my brand new body that can do all the things I've not been able to do for decades. Being morbidly obese was a lot more funny looking than my new wrinkles and sags, so I'll take skinny and saggy anytime!

Before WLS, I made a list of all the issues I was having. I am now 18 months post op and have thus far maintained my goal weight and normal BMI. I recently found that old list and discovered that ALL the issues have resolved! Amazing! asthma, sinus drainage, sleep apnea, GERD, joint/back/foot pain, fatty liver, pre-diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol/LDL/trigylcerides, elevated inflammatory markers, skin infections, shortness of breath, low energy/endurance, activity intolerance, heat intolerance, shame, and depression. ALL GONE! I can now ride my horse, bike 50 miles, walk, hike, climb 60 flights of stairs, swim, get down on (and off) the floor with my grandkids, wear normal sized cute clothing, sit in any chair, have room to spare in an airplane seat, and just plain LIVE a normal, active life! It has been an amazing journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

First of all, get back on track. I found it very helpful to remind myself that the food I couldn't have were not out of my life forever - just for a time. Tell yourself, "I can't have this now, but I will have it down the road at the right time." That being said, this is a great time to start retraining your taste buds and your mental attitude toward food. This surgery is supposed to help you get healthier - not just thinner. You have to learn to reframe your thinking - that fast food is NOT your friend, but veggies, fruit, and lean protein ARE your friends - FOR LIFE! This is a lifestyle change, not just a weight loss plan. I am eating healthier now that I ever have in my life, and enjoying every minute of my new food choices and lifestyle! That does NOT include sugar, soda, alcohol, simple carbs, and processed food. And I don't miss those things one bit now, as the good food is so filling and makes me feel so good. There will come the day that you can have a moderate amount of fast food - once in a while, and once you are in maintenance. But by the time that rolls around, you may not even miss it if you have learned to enjoy the better stuff. I remember my first pizza and it was NOT like I remembered - what a disappointment! Same with french fries - just a salty, oily mess that made me sick. Remember that the food industry manipulates our primal taste desires for sweet, salt, and fat. The more they can add these to foods, the more addicted they can make us to a particular product. They even add sugar and salt to foods that don't even need it, but it can trigger the addictive receptors in our brains. If you take a look at your trigger foods, I will bet they all have the deadly trifecta in some combination or another.

Sounds pretty par for the course. I also had to see a nutritionist. Because of some abnormalities on my stress test and subsequent nuclear scan, I ended up having a heart cath. Not fun, but everything was fine and I had surgery without issues.

I make my own cheesy sauce that is great with pasta or veggies like broccoli. I do not use the processed products, as I don't think they taste that good, they are expensive, and I try not to use processed food products as a rule. To make a cheesy like sauce, I soak cashews for 30 to 60 minutes in hot water. Then I put them in the blender with a cooked yellow potato, soy milk, a small avocado, and sometimes some tofu.. Add a good amount of nutritional yeast and some miso paste, pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. The avocado taste does NOT come through, but the fat makes it "creamier." I will admit that the Beyond Beef burgers are pretty tasty. I might have one of those once a month or so, but not often. My protein comes from a wide variety of legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, tofu, tempeh, soy milk/yogurt or Nancy's Oatmilk yogurt which is pretty high in protein. I easily get 60 grams a day. Sometimes I will add a half scoop of protein powder to a smoothie or yogurt bowl.

I have found that WFPB, combined with IF (intermittant fasting - I do 8/16) is the ideal eating plan for me. I can eat as much as I want, never feel hungry, and still keep my weight stabilized. I have plenty of energy and mental sharpness, and although weight loss did not drop my cholesterol at all, WFPB dropped it 70 points withing a few months, along with significant lowernig of my LDL and triglycerides. I feel healthier now than ever before in my life.

Absolutely.

I hope it goes well for you. You will most likely loose a good deal of weight initially. However, my long term keto friends still struggle with weight maintenance over time, Sustainability and nutritional balance can be issues. I know I would never be able to handle the high fat load of a keto plan. I have been on a whole food plant based plan (WFPB) for about 6 months now and doing great, feeling great. Weight is well controlled and I am NEVER hungry. I eat 8-10 servings of nutritionally dense veggies/fruit every day, along with at least 3 servings of legumes/tofu/tempeh, 2 servings of whole grains, and a wide variety of nuts and seeds. I get at least 60 grams of protein daily, All my labs are great. My cholesterol dropped from 235 to 152 and LDL is actually BELOW normal range! Even 100+ pound weight loss did nothing for my cholesterol and high LDL. Interestingly, when looking at populations with the greatest longevity and members over 100 years old, all of them are plant based with very little animal protein. Hmmmmmm. The highest rates of osteoporosis and hip fracture are in populations that consume the most meat and dairy products. Hmmmmmm. Food for thought. Bottom line for me is that WFPB is healthy, sustainable, and affordable. I do triathlons, distance biking and hiking (aiming for a one day, rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike and a 100 mile bike race next year), and I feel great with loads of energy! WFPB allows one to enjoy plenty of healthy carbs that are incredibly satisfying and which provide a lot of energy. I never feel deprived.

You are so right. It is more than just how we see ourselves, but also how we see others. There is a HUGE difference between being a member of the "outsider fat tribe" and the "normal tribe." Not only has our personal perspective changed, but others have, too. If you walk into a room of people you don't know, you are now automatically included in the "Normal Tribe." Any obese people in the room see you this way, also, when in fact, we most likely still feel like members of the "fat tribe." The fat tribe members will assume you are judging them, because that is how WE felt when we were fat. It's so weird. I've had patients tell me I couldn't relate to their obesity, since I am thin. Then I tell them I lost 110 pounds and that I really CAN relate, and they just don't know what to do with that, either, because now my success demands a response that many of them, unfortunately, are not willing or ready to make. I've heard all the "reasons" - genetics, slow metabolism, thyroid, can't exercise, etc, etc. - the same ones I used to use to explain my obesity. It is sooooooo strange to navigate this shift in how we think and how others think about us, and then having to reconfigure our responses to others' shifted views. The good thing, is that it gets better with time. Things really do start to feel more normal, the longer out I am from surgery. It's a matter of learning how to live in what feels like a new world with reverse polarity!

Hurray!!!!! Good for you!!!!! This is the attitude that will make you successful! I am soooooooo proud of you and and your determination. You did not let that bit of chocolate get the best of you - you nailed it!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!!

You do not NEED this - you want it. Big difference. Use this experience to learn a really, really important lesson that you will need for the rest of your life. You are not depriving yourself by denying chocolate - you are helping yourself achieve the greatest goal of your life.

I guess my question to you is, "Are you really willing to do whatever it takes to get the weight off and keep it off?" If so, then follow your doctor's instructions to the tee. If you start making little exceptions now, you are starting a pattern of compromise that will undermine your success. I am not trying to be mean, but realistically, and honestly, it is all those little bites and nibbles that got us in trouble in the first place. This is the time to make the radical lifestyle and mental changes it will take to be successful in the long run. If you read posts from folks who struggle with regain, it almost always goes back to little slips that become more and more frequent. I include myself, as I've gained back 4 pounds, and I know it is from excusing small slips and justifying needless nibbles. If you want to get the weight off quickly, you must make the determination that you will not cheat - at all. You have 67 pounds to lose and you could do this in well under a year - 6 months even, if you stick to the plan. Don't flirt with temptation. Tell yourself, "It's just not worth it," and get your mind on something else. You can also tell yourself, "I can't have that now - later I will be able to eat that again, but not now." And most importantly, tell yourself, "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" And that starts right now. Research tells that people with a very fixed determination are the ones who are successful in their long term weight loss. Your journey is starting now, and right now is the time to start retraining your thought patterns and reframing your attitudes toward food. Every day is another step toward your goal. Make every day count!

You may need to be scoped. Scans don't always tell the true story. I imagine you are on omeprazole or something similar? And you are avoiding coffee, alcohol, soda, and trying to sleep with your head/upper body elevated? I think if you can elevate the head of your bed, you will find the gas bubble problem to be better. Are you breathing through your mouth? Do you need a different mask? (BTW, after losing weight, I do not need to use my CPAP anymore! It is great!) I developed an ulcer 6 months after my surgery - for no reason. The doctor said it might have been a stitch that didn't heal well, I was on omeprazole for 4-5 months. A follow up scope showed that everything is now healed and doing fine, but I did buy a bed with an adjustable frame so I can easily elevate the head. Best thing I ever did (besides surgery!) The weight loss and head elevation completely resolved my gastritis and GERD. Even the Barretts esophagus resolved, which is amazing. Hang in there. Only good things to come for you! A year from now this will all be behind you and you will be a new person with most of these health issues resolved. PS: It could be that the pressure setting of your CPAP is too high. Have you talked to your sleep doctor? As I lost weight, my pressures were adjusted, until I didn't even need it anymore.