AZhiker

I was 63. Best decision I ever made. I have been given my life back! I was so heavy that I was becoming very limited in my mobility. I had to sit at work while charting, I couldn't get up off the floor, I had to stop at least 10 times just to get up our driveway (granted it is 1/4 mile on hill), my back and knees hurt ALL the time. I already had 1 knee replaced and the other was becoming unbearable. Now, after surgery, I am training for my 2nd triathlon, have completed a 50 mile bike race, and am working toward a rim-to-rim (in one day) Grand Canyon hike later this year. My driveway is nothing now - I buzz up it without breaking a sweat. I can get on and off the floor very easily, I climb at least 30 flights of stairs a day, I stand all day at work instead of sitting, my sleep apnea is gone, my BP is normal, my resting pulse is in the mid 40's, my HDL, LDL, and triglycerides are phenomenal, and........... my back and knees don't hurt!!!!!! I have been given a new lease on life and I intend to live it as fully as possible, even with a late start!

If you are adding whole grains, nuts, and seeds, it is probably a bit early for this. There are so many calories in these foods, and probably better to wait until you are closer to maintenance. However, if you are simply eliminating processed foods and cooking your own fresh veggies and eating simply prepared meats, that's great. Whole foods are so much better than anything processed, but like I said, hold off on the grains, nuts, and seeds for a while. The legumes are great options, however.

You are so gorgeous! I also think that juicing may be a good thing for you. It's not usually recommended because of the calories, but in your case, it just may be the answer. It will also add a lot of healthy vitamins and phytonutrients. Greens, carrots, and beets are really good options. They are nutrient dense and taste good when juiced. Don't be afraid to try some REALLY healthy greens - like turnip, beet, radish, kale, broccoli, red cabbage, brussell sprouts. They can be juiced easily and the taste is undetectable when mixed with sweeter foods like carrots and a little apple.

Lap band proved to be so statistically unsuccessful and had so many complications that our surgeons here won't even do it anymore. RNY is completely different. It's not just the restriction that works, it is the hormone and metabolic reset that happens. When the brain/stomach hormonal communications are so damaged from yo-yo dieting, RNY can fix this. Also, with WLS , the metabolism does not bottom out like what happens with a non surgical diet of caloric restriction. I am approaching 1year post op RNY. I don't have a lot of restriction now - there are still some foods that can bother me - like raw salad, but generally I can eat whatever I want. The thing is, I just don't want the bad stuff anymore. I have so much energy and with exercise, I believe I have added some muscle mass. My metabolism is definitely, without a doubt, much higher than it was before surgery. As long as I exercise, eat the right foods, and log everything (I write it all down. My rule is that it must be written before I can eat it. I don't count calories now - just log the food.), I will be able to maintain my healthy weight. Lab band is pure restriction. RNY is much more than that.

Yup. I am 11 months out and still cannot take more than 2 regular swallows at a time. I sip throughout the day to get the minimum of 64 oz. I do better with warm fluids -like herbal teas.

I have also loved this thread. It has been so supportive and so good to "talk" to folks at the same stages throughout the year. I reached my goal at 7 months and have maintained at about 5 pounds below, which feels good. My clothes fit and I am wrinkly, but not gaunt. I,too, am eating more normally than every before. I still have some restriction, but am finding that I need to watch portion control a bit more now. Being able to eat more at a time, however, is really helpful as I step up my exercise. Surprisingly, I still have a little trouble getting in fluids more than a couple of swallows at a time. It is my goal each day to get in 64 oz minimum, and sometimes it is a real push to do so. I have transitioned to a whole foods plant based (WFPB) eating plan now, and have developed lactose intolerance. In fact, it looks like the whey protein started an allergic reaction in my esophagus. So menu planning has become a bit more challenging with no gluten, no dairy, and no animal products. As far as complications, I developed blood clots in my legs after surgery, even with walking right away. I also got an ulcer at the the GJ junction which is being treated now (in spite of no alcohol, NSAIDS, coffee, soda, or anything else that would predispose to an ulcer.) But would I do it again - YOU BET! My life if so full and active now. My family is have a bit of a time getting used to the "new me," but it is the best decision I have ever made for myself! Year two challenges: I anticipate a lot more "head work" as I dig deeper into emotional eating issues and not wanting to stop eating once I start, especially with evening time munching. As the "honeymoon" period ends, I want to be strong and resilient to temptations, having good tools to fall back on - like IF, longer fasts, and exercise goals. Best wishes for all my Feb buddies. I hope you will all post and let us all know how you are doing and what your new goals are.

No.

Start walking (10,000 steps per day) and doing wall pushups at home.

I had to do 6 months of visits with my PCP for insurance approval. At one point I said to her, "Maybe I should just try it again on my own." Her reply, "If you COULD have done it, you WOULD have by now." She was so right, and her words inspired me to continue with the WLS. Yo-yo with weight loss and regain is just deadly - you damage your metabolism more and more each time you do it. That's why most of the Biggest Losers gained it all back. How sad is that? WLS resets everything, cuts off the ghrelin hormone that tells you to eat and eat and eat, and amazingly, does NOT result in a lower metabolism. OK - promise to do two things: 1) Watch the "The Game Changers." It will truly inspire you in your athletic pursuits. Then watch "Forks over Knives." There is so much info out there on WFPB and I am in a wonderland of information and discovery now. I am convinced this is the healthiest way to eat, exercise, maintain weight, lower all the risk factors for cardio vascular disease, and live longer with quality of life to the end. 2) Please, please, please get a copy of "The Obesity Code" by Jason Fung. This will explain so much about what makes us fat. It will give you hope and a greater understanding.

Make your own protein smoothies. Milk (or milk substitute), 1 scoop protein powder, fresh greens (spinich, kale), some frozen berries, 1/4 banana, and you are good. Use a blender or Ninja or magic bullet - whatever, and make a delicious, nutritious smoothie. A lot of the protein drinks are meant to be meal replacements. I think all the extra vitamins may be what irritates some people. Making your own smoothie is healthier and less expensive.

Refried beans.

Try some clotrimazole cream OTC. Probably a little fungus there that is really itchy. Use the cream twice a day. Really rub it in and continue for a couple of weeks after the rash is gone. This can be a real problem in the summer when there is more warmth. Once the weight is off, you may never have this problem again.

It's going to get better. It just takes time. You are still healing on the inside. Don't rush the process. I felt like I really turned a corner at about 4 months out. Be patient and it will come.

This woman is very ill, and though she might have given birth to you, she is not a mother. Let her go. Her problems are too big for you to take on. You need to take care of yourself right now and get healthy. WLS creates a lot of emotional vulnerabilities. Get solid and stronger before trying to do anything with that relationship. (Like maybe 2 years from now.) IMHO.

Absolutely normal. I was only eating/drinking 500 cal/day at 2 months. You are still healing, and it is a very difficult transition time. Some days you can eat certain foods, and other days the same foods are just intolerable. Work on eating slowly, and listening to your body. You don't have to force anything at this point. Just get your protein, fluids, and vitamins down and you will be fine.

I thought it might be fun to tell some stories that could have ended in disaster, but that ended up being successful, or at least good learning experiences. I'll start. My husband and I went to an outdoor evening wedding today. Yes, it is Arizona, but it was still chilly. I was FREEZING! I had on a long dress, thick stockings, a scarf, a fleece vest and a long wool coat over that, but I got so cold waiting to go into the reception that my teeth were chattering. I had to actually go into the car and get the heater going so I could warm up. This part of weight loss is definitely NOT pleasant - in fact it is downright miserable. But then we got into the reception and meal. Wouldn't you know, there was not a single thing I could eat except some limpish salad greens that were slightly bitter and not real fresh. I cannot eat gluten or dairy. These are not uncommon problems, and the the venue actually had gluten free options - but they all had cheese and milk or butter! And the delicious looking stuffed acorn squash vegetarian dish had wheat! And to boot, I forgot to bring the protein drink I had set out to take! So i nibbled the bad tasting, dry salad greens until I just couldn't do it anymore. There was no tea or decaf coffee, but I did get the kitchen to bring me a cup of plain hot water to sip. By the time we got home I was really, really hungry. But...... on the way home, I planned out a quick meal from some left overs and popped that into the microwave right away. I did eat a spoon full of peanut butter while I was waiting for the meal to heat up. But I managed to stay on plan - at least all the food I ate were "plan" foods - not just raiding the pantry for whatever I could grab. I feel the end result was a success, but a very high risk situation, for sure. What I learned for next time: TAKE THE PROTEIN DRINK, AND a baggie of apple slices/nuts, AND a protein bar. I mistakenly thought there were be SOMETHING I could eat, but didn't fully plan on NOTHING to eat. All three of the items (drink, apple/nut baggie, and protein bar) could have fit in my purse. The evening would have been more enjoyable and I would not have been so ravenous when I got home. AND I would not have eaten later that I would have liked. Unfortunately, there is nothing I could have done about being so cold. There were girls in short dresses and bare legs, and I was bundled up like an Eskimo. I read that this will pass in 18-24 months. I sure hope so.

Have some Zofran to take prior to pain meds.

Please read "The Obesity Code" by Dr. Jason Fung. He will give you a much better understanding that obesity and weight loss is much more than "Eat less, move more" and that "all calories are the same."

Your post op diet will focus on fluids and protein. Then low carb veggies, then fruit and more starchy veggies. Finally some grain based carbs, which are best left until maintenance. I guess you could say it is a high protein, low carb paln, but not the enormously high fat of the strict keto diet. You will definitely be burning fat, but it will be your own!

As far as exercise goes, my doc said to work toward 10,000 steps a day with a step tracker. I started walking within hours of surgery and was up to 10,000 steps by day 7 post op. I gradually added stair climbing and wall pushups. Then some leg exercises and very light weights for upper body. I worked up to walking 5K at least 3 times a week, and then got a bicycle. I finished a sprint triathlon (400 meter swim, 14 mile bike, 5K run/walk) 8 months after my surgery. Then I finished a 50 mile bike race a month later. I am currently training for another tri in March and the ultimate of ultimates - a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, which will be 24 miles of all down and then all up. I currently ride my bike twice a week (30 and 16 miles), do 5 mile hill hikes twice a week, Elliptical machine twice a week. Daily routine includes pushups/arms/upper body weights, leg routine, 30 flights of stairs, stretches, and of course at least 10,000 steps. (At this writing I actually have over 19,000 steps today so far.) All of these numbers will greatly increase as the year progresses. I want to do a 100 mile bike race in November and will be gradually working up to at least 80 mile rides before then. The GC hike will be in October and by then I should be doing 70 flights of stairs/day, and working up to 20 mile day hikes. I am focused more on endurance events, but do the weights to keep muscle strength and tone. I am amazed at how fun and enjoyable it has been to see my body changing, becoming more fit, and able to meet all new challenges. My resting heart rate is now in the low 40's. I have no pain, stiffness, or soreness, even after long workouts. Once you are healed - GO FOR IT! There is no stopping you!!!! Be very careful to follow all recommendations for weight lifting. Do not cheat on this. You do NOT want to go back for hernia surgery, which will lay you up even longer and has its own set of complications. To your second question - bariatric surgery is the perfect answer for us who have yo-yo dieted for much of our lives. Doing so has wrecked our metabolisms and short circuited to stomach-hormone-brain connections that tell us when we are hungry and when we are full. Remember the contestants on "The BIggest Loser?" Most of them gained all their weight back, and with slower metabolisms as a result of the weight loss. They could not sustain, because they had to eat so much less. What is really neat about bariatric surgery is that the metabolism gets a change to reset. Your body gets a chance for a complete "do-over." You will lose the weight and finally have the best chance possible at keeping it off for good. WLS is only a tool - and the lifestyle modification is up to you, but it is a powerful new start to a new life for many of us. Personally, I feel better now than I did 30 years ago! I am more active, have less pain, and have eliminated every co-morbidity. I am determined that I WILL NEVER GO BACK. This is my chance for a new life, and I am grabbing it by the horns and not letting go. Sorry for the long reply. I wish you the best in whatever decision you make. For me, there was no yo-yo left. I just couldn't do it anymore. Maybe being a bit older (63) gives me a different perspective - I knew surgery was my last shot. Best decision I ever made. One of the biggest challenges for me was to find a way to eat enough calories to sustain my exercise without losing any more weight. With a small pouch and volume restrictions, I've had to change some things. I found a hydration/nutrition system that works for me during long rides or hikes. I also have moved to a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet which provides more carbs and a lot more energy, without compromising protein. I feel like Wonder Woman since starting on it! Watch "The Game Changers" on Netflix if you want to see how some world class athletes are dealing with nutrition.

The keto diet is very high in fat, and that can be a problem for WLS patients. The poor old liver is already stressed from processing all the body fat breakdown, and adding even more fat can be rough. Fat malabsorption is also a very real issue for some people after surgery and having a lot of extra dietary fat running through the system can have it's own set of issues. I'm not trying to discourage you, but be prepared that your body is going to be in a completely different mode after surgery, and you may not tolerate a lot of fat. Because of the rapid weight loss and caloric restriction, you will automatically be producing lots of ketones. Some folks even end up needing their gall bladders removed after WLS, and I have to wonder if this is related to the poor liver simply not being able to handle the rapid fat breakdown.

Totally disagree with the ncbi on this one. 100 calories of sugar is going to result in a very different response in your body than 100 calories of oil.

One has to be prepared, willing, and ready, not just for weight loss, but for a total lifestyle change. The weight WILL come off. HOW much comes off does depend a bit on genetics and compliance, as first degree relatives who have had successful weight loss procedures are a strong indicator of success in the patient. However, the long term compliance is up to the patient. If someone starts slipping back into old habits (gradually, and hardly noticeable at first), they will regain. I am baffled by folks who say they regained 50 or 100 pounds and seem to think it all just popped back on over night. That doesn't happen. It happens pound by pound. If someone is weighing daily or weekly, regain cannot be a surprise. WLS is only a tool - the hard work of lifestyle change is up to the patient. That means acquiring new taste buds for healthy foods, giving up the junk food that caused the problem in the first place, learning portion control, being consistent with tracking, getting on board with exercise, and rewiring the brain to see activities other than food to be gratifying and sustaining. One study showed that a determined mindset from the get-go: "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" to be predictive of success. These individuals are willing to do whatever it takes to lose and maintain. When I see posts from newbies wondering when they can start drinking alcohol, asking about cheat foods, talking about the simple carbs they are eating, and stating they are months out from surgery and still haven't started exercising, I can't help but wonder if they will be the regainers. One must be determined to do everything possible to be successful - not continue to peek around the edges to see where they can still get away with unhealthy foods or habits. Bottom line - you WILL lose weight with surgery. What you do with that gift is up to you.

Can hardly believe last year and all the positive changes from WLS. Sure am looking forward to 2020!

Watch some motivational YouTubes, read a new book on weight loss (Bariatric Mindset Success by Kristin Lloyd is a good place to start for making changes in the mental department, and for finding motivation). Get moving! Set some small exercise goals for just this week and get going. Make out a menu for the week, buy the food, and prep it.