AZhiker

The bars would be so high in protein with the crickets, mesquite flour (a legume), and cactus seeds that a tiny bit of honey and/or dates, just to hold everything together would probably not be a problem for most. The marketing would be to those wanting a gluten free, high protein, energy bar, not necessarily for bariatric patients. There are so many people who are really into sustainable, eco friendly food sources and crickets tick every box. Besides, they really do taste good and you would never know you were eating them in a bar or cookie. When I raised them, my whole family was cooperative and never flinched at a new cricket recipe. The final test came when I made chimichangas with WHOLE crickets! Everyone ate them and asked for more. That's when I knew my family could survive any zombie apocalypse!

I've seen more than enough ulcers and erosions in WLS patients, even years post -op. Please get checked out. It very well could be an ulcer that is very treatable, but not something you want to progress.

i agree about the fat absorption. I definitely can tell I am not absorbing it all, so it begs the question of fat soluble vitamin absorption as well. However, I am pretty sure that if I ate sugar and carbs, I would absorb a great majority of the calories, because my weight would shoot right up.

I love cricket protein. I used to raise crickets and am actually thinking of making a cricket protein/energy bar of all Arizona ingredients - maybe a "Canyon Bar" or a cookie form "Crookies". I'm thinking of dates, pecans, honey, mesquite flour, cactus seeds, and cricket flour. Crickets have the highest feed to protein conversion of any critter, including fish and poultry. Not even a contest with beef and pork. They are incredibly nutritious and actually taste like pistachio nuts when roasted and made into flour. They are coming onto more and more menus. Think of them as the new sushi. 20 years ago no one would have thought of eating raw fish in America and look how popular it is now. Crickets are coming, folks!!!! Chirp chirp! PS> The Chapul brand cricket bars are really very good. I think they have 4 different flavors.

I have Barretts as well, and a precancerous Barretts polyp to boot. RNY was the only viable option. Best thing I ever did. No more GERD at all. I will have another endo in a couple of months to check the status of things. For me, no sugar was a no brainer. I didn't want to risk dumping, and I just feel so much better without it. No great sacrifice there. Alcohol was also a no brainer, as is coffee and soda. I LOVED my coffee, but I am not going to do anything that will risk the anastomosis or cause damage to the pouch or esophagus. I am a GI nurse and I have seen first hand the amazing damage that alcohol can do the WLS tissues. It's pretty horrifying and for me, not a risk I'm willing to take. With a history of tissue changes (Barretts), I'm keeping it clean for the long haul. Best wishes to you.

I love my super food yoghurt bowl: Nonfat Greek yoghurt, prickly pear juice, protein powder, mixed berries, seed/nut combo (slivered almonds, sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, barrel cactus - like chia). Yum 0h yum. Power smoothie: nonfat milk, nonfat Greek yoghurt, protein powder, prickly pear juice, greens (any combo of beet, turnitp, kale, spinich, arugula, etc), mixed berries. Double yum. Lentil soup with pea protein powder has a lot of protein punch. All three options are "sliders." They go down well and sit well once they are there.

Actually, a lot of literature says that modern bariatric surgery techniques don't really cause all that much malabsorption - unless of course you get the Duodenal switch. The caloric restriction is due to small pouch size and hormonal changes that turn off the appetite switch. We still need to take our vitamins and get tested, but I don't think the caloric malabsorption is all that much. I may be wrong, but that is what I have read.

Eggs did not work for me at all. Refried beans (maybe thinned with broth) were wonderful. Cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt - also wonderful. Pea soup, lentil soup (maybe in blender if needed). Try to stick with protein foods. Potatoes would not be a good choice, IMHO.

Offer to go to education classes with her and if her surgeon has support group meetings, offer to go along. The other big thing is to keep any junk food that you may eat (chips, cookies, ice cream, etc) out of the house. The very best thing would be to start eating the healthy foods that she will have to eat. So as she advances her diet over several months, you can be eating the same healthy proteins, veggies, low carbs, etc. Of course, you will not be drinking protein shakes or eating broth for weeks like she will, but being willing to eat her healthy diet down the road will save on shopping, meal planning, food prep, and will avoid a lot of temptation for her.(And be healthier for you, too.) I would give my eye teeth for a spouse who would embrace healthy eating habits.... and maybe even learn to prepare some of those foods!!!!! Let me tell you, it is not a happy feeling when I prepare a really nice healthy meal - like Asian lettuce wraps or eggplant parmesan and hubby takes two bites and then goes to fix himself a peanut butter/jelly sandwich.

I can get a little sick feeling from too much fat, as well. And I still have steatorrhea (unabsorbed fat that comes out in stools - fluffy, light colored, and floatie) Sorry, if TMI.Since I had fatty liver disease prior to surgery and since I don't tolerate it very well, I tend to stick to fat free dairy products, lean meats, skinless poultry. I do use olive oil, coconut oil, and a little butter, some nuts and an occasional avacado. So I get plenty, but not nearly like a pure KETO diet, and I do not use MCT oil like some do. My poor liver would just not like that. Everyone is so different. You gotta figure out what works for you. But low carb (especially refined grains) can be deadly for weight loss. I only use whole grains - unrefined. Simply cooked grains, and rarely at that. Refined grains (anything in flour form - even if they are "good" grains like quinoa, teff, amaranth, millet, sorgham, buckwheat) will absorb much quicker than whole cooked grains. The quicker absorption causes a higher spike in blood sugar and a more vigorous insulin response. Remember that insulin is what makes us fat - it drives the sugar into to cells, and then the extra goes into fat storage. It turns off the fat burning engine. Keeping the carbs low is the only way to keep the blood sugar and insulin levels low. Even when you eat carbs like sweet potato, fruits, or starchy veggies, it is important to have protein along at the same time. Fruit makes a great dessert, but not an appetizer. You want to slow down the carb absorption (and insulin release) as much as possible . This is also why restricted eating time (6-8 hour window each day) is such a powerful tool. It ensures that insulin is low for 16-18 hours, which allows fat to be used as the fuel source instead of glucose. WHEN and HOW you eat is just as important as WHAT you eat.

I feel the same way. But hardly anyone really wants to make the lifestyle changes. Before surgery, my grocery cart was filled with veggies and healthy foods. I really did not eat junk or processed foods. I was trying to make the positive changes - I just couldn't stop eating and ate from emotional origins. But look at the carts from so many MO folks - soda, beer, chips, donuts, sugary cereals. Surgery is not going to fix that. My heart goes out to them, it truly does, but at some point folks have to start helping themselves by education, first of all. The saddest ones are the kids. LIttle fat kids who don't have a chance.

I use unflavored pea protein in soups, and vanilla protein powder in smoothies and yoghurt. It is the only way I can keep my protein up to where it should be.

I would think they would be OK, but you are looking at a lot of calories and zero protein. Maybe 1 or 2 after a meal as dessert.

I was not given numbers except for protein and water. However, The plan is basically to get protein first, then veggies, legumes, seeds/nuts, then a little fruit. No sugar. There really is no room left for starches. You should be full well before the thought of carbs. I still eat very little carbs from grain. I am saving them for maintenance, which is where I am now, but I still only have room for an occassional rice cake and maybe a little quinoa or other whole grain that is cooked. It's hardly worth the effort, though, as I can only eat 1/4 cup and it's hard to cook such a small amount. Bottom line - save the grain carbs for much further down the road - when you actually want to stop losing weight. Focus on protein and healthy veggies, legumes. You will get all the carbs you need from that.

I pressed for bypass since I had acid reflux. Thankfully, that is gone now. I am very glad I had the bypass.

Weight loss is primarily a result of the diet, not the exercise. It is very hard to actually exercise off weight. So of course, you will lose weight with diet alone. However, developing an exercise routine of ANY kind is a lifestyle modification that will greatly benefit you in the long term. First, it builds muscle which burns fuel at a higher metabolic rate than fat, so the more lean body mass you have, means the more calories you can eat later. Second, it is good for you. Improving your cardiovascular health adds years to your life, combats depression by changing brain chemistry, and even helps prevent dementia later on. Third, it is a very empowering activity that you can control. This whole WLS journey has a lot of ups and downs, many of which you have no control over - pain, recovery time, food intolerances, stalls, volume limitations, etc. It can be frustrating and discouraging. Exercise gives you at least one area of your life that you can predict and control and feel successful in. That is really helpful. Every bit of research shows that people who follow the diet plan AND exercise will have the greatest weight loss and will keep it off more successfully. It's something you just have to fit in. The first place to start is by getting a step tracker and getting at least 10,000 steps a day and maybe some wall push ups. Then add some upper body strengthening with weight, then maybe some leg work, then maybe some stretches. Then maybe some alternate cardo like biking or elliptical or stairs. It's up to you, but you need to start SOMETHING if you want to get the most benefit out of this whole process.

My arthritis had gotten so bad from decades of carrying around extra weight. I had one knee replacement about 5 years ago and the other knee was due soon, as it hurt so bad all the time. Doc told me the cartilage was nearly gone. I also had continual lower back pain. But now, after losing over 100 pounds, I HAVE NO JOINT PAIN!!!! NONE!!!!. I have not used an NSAID for 7 months (ever since surgery) and not even a Tylenol. My back pain is GONE and my knees are fine! I can do anything now - including training for a triathelon in October! I am working in a new department where I am on my feet all day long and it is fine! I do 20+ flights of stairs a day, walk at least 10,000 steps, and am starting to bike. Joints are great! You are going to feel soooooo much better! There is no way I would go back to the old way of eating and lose this new life and new body. (It looks kind of funny, to be sure, but it sure does work a lot better than the old one!) No brainer about the trade off: junk food for a triathelon. No contest.

It gets better. Gotta give it more time. I know there was a turning point at about 4 months for me when I could eat a lot more comfortably, The healing process is much longer than most realize.

No sugar for me. Besides making my joints hurt, I do not want to risk dumping syndrome. No alcohol, soda, or coffee, either. I have Barret's esophagitis and do not want to risk any further damage to tissues. I have also seen the incredible damage alcohol can do to the anastamosis after WLS (I am a GI nurse.) After WLS, every bite needs to be as nutritious as possible. We can't hold much volume, and there can be decreased nutritional absorption from what we do eat. We have to eat the healthiest diet possible, with very little room for junk. All my 6 month labs came back really good for the vitamins, protein, and iron, complete blood count, and chemistry, so I know I am doing it right. I do not eat processed foods or anything artificial. No soda or artificial sweeteners. The liver works very hard during rapid weight loss. It doesn't need any more work from processing junk. Refined grains and carbs jack up the insulin levels which result in fat storage, so that is why WLS eating plans are low carb. My carbs come from fruits and vegetables/legumes - very little from grains. So in a nutshell, yes, there are foods you will give up - many for life because they simply are not good for you and will not help with your weight loss and maintenance. BUT..... you will discover so many healthy alternatives that after a while, the crap food doesn't even taste good anymore. My daughter made a gluten free cake today to test out a recipe for a wedding cake. I made a rare exception and had a tiny piece to help her assess texture and taste. It was a good cake, but so nauseatingly sweet I(I have not eaten sugar for 8 months) that I couldn't have taken a second bite if I wanted to. It has no appeal whatsoever. A few frozen grapes is about all the sweetness I can take. Your tastes change as you change your lifestyle. You can't look at these "forbidden" foods as deprivation. You have to reframe your thinking to see them as harmful and to look forward to the amazing payoff of eating healthy choices. Feeling so much energy, wearing small sized clothes, able to exercise without pain or getting winded, walking into a room and being one of the SMALLEST people there instead of the biggest, .... the list goes on and on. Any dietary "sacrifices" need to exchanged for a wonderful new life that awaits. Again.....you have to look at the benefits you GAIN - not the stuff you give up.

What does your plan indicate? I was not allowed to eat any veggies at all until 8 weeks. Then it was soft, mushy ones. At that point I could eat cooked broccoli, but raw is still way to rough of texture for me, even 7 months out.

Everyone has different preferences with protein supplements. I use chocolate Premier Protein shakes as a back up if I can't get a lunch at work, travelling, etc. I use the ON vanilla powder in my smoothies and yoghurt power bowls. And I use unflavored Nutrisumma pea protein in soups/savory dishes.

Refried beans, yoghurt, cottage cheese. Go really slow with the meats - like 1 ounce at a time. I tried cod - liked it, but ate a little too much and got sick. Cannot eat it now at all. Same with some other foods that just didn't go down well. Believe it or not, the easiest meat to eat was calf liver. So smooth and soft - a real slider, and milder tasting than beef liver. Sprouts has it in the frozen meat freezer, in 4 ounce pre packaged, sealed portions. I break off half of that - so a 2 ounce portion. I coat it with just a dusting of gluten free flour and then pan sautee with some onions in a little olive oil until just tender.

I do not eat artificial sweetners, colors, flavors, so I knew I wouldn't be eating jello, popsicles, Crystal Lite, or those little sweet protein packet thingies. I brought my own broth (gluten free) and protein supplements. Turns out the hospital had some delicious broth that was gluten free, so that was fine, but I'm glad I had my own protein with me. The best tip I have is to call ahead and ask if the department has those firm little pillows that patients use to splint their incisions. Cardiac patients use these, and often the hospital volunteers make them. If not, find a small sized, very firm pillow. Hold it against your tummy when you cough or get out of bed, or walk. It helped me soooooo much! even riding in the car, as our road has a lot of bumps. It was my best friend for at least 2 weeks.

Many of us had the same feelings. I cried all the way through pre-op, wondering if I should get off the stretcher and leave the hospital! This decision is huge and definitely takes courage, but for me, one the best I've ever made. I have a brand new body and I am loving it every single day, with all the things I can do now. OK, so you have to commit to a new, healthy lifestyle! For sure! No shortcuts there. You have to reframe your thinking so that you see the new changes as part of your new, healthy life - not as deprivation.Yes, you have to give up the crap - but you get so much more in return. I started making these changes long before surgery, but have solidified them since surgery. I think a great motivator is starting to get the weight off and once you can start enjoying new things (like smaller clothing sizes, activities that you couldn't do before, etc.) it becomes easier and easier to embrace the healthy changes, because the payoff is so great. For me, those changes are: no wheat (I have been gluten free for years already), but now do not eat refined grains - only whole cooked grains. No sugar and no soda of any kind. No juice. These were biggies, but I feel SOOOOOO much better without sugar. It's not even a temptation anymore. No coffee or alcohol because I don't want to risk any irritation (I already have Barrett's esophagus with a pre-cancerous polyp removed, and as a GI nurse, I've seen the really ugly side of WLS patients who start drinking again.) No processed foods, period. If it comes in a box, it's not for me. Lots more veggies, low carbs, higher protein. Intermittant fasting is a very powerful weight loss and maintenance tool to use later on in the journey, Lots of exercise. For me this started out by getting 10,000 steps a day. (My step tracker never leaves my wrist and is my best little buddy.) Gradually, I've added a lot of other exercise components, and they get more fun and more motivating as I see strength and muscle definition increasing. This is a journey. You start out with baby steps and commit to follow the plan. Do not cheat. Don't let your mind even go there. Some people look for ways to flirt with forbidden foods or ways to game the system. This is a recipe for failure. Your determination to be successful is the greatest predictor of ultimate success in this venture. Develop some mantras to get you through the temptations.: "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" "IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT!" "I CAN'T HAVE THAT NOW, BUT I WILL HAVE IT LATER, DOWN THE ROAD." You can do this. Learn from the mistakes of others and be motivated to avoid their pit falls. The fact that your mom lost weight successfully is a good predictor of success for you. You just have to make sure you take your vitamins and keep on top of the nutrition.

Soups are so great early on (and later too.) I found that adding pea protein to the soup gives it a great flavor as well as increasing the protein. I use a whey protein in smoothies and yoghurt, but the pea protein is much better in more savory dishes like soup.