CrowLuv

So, I've reached and actually far surpassed my goal weight, and I'm ecstatic about that! However, I am ashamed to confess that, to put it bluntly, my diet SUCKS. I don't even know when it started to, probably over the 2020 holidays if I had to guess. I've continued to lose weight since then, and that's probably why I haven't felt compelled to make healthy changes to my diet. But believe me, I know how wrong that is. I just haven't wanted to face it head on until now.
The fact is, I know that reaching goal weight is NOT the end of the journey. It's just starting, in fact. I exercise daily, and that's great, but my eating habits are pure garbage. It's hard to admit this. I'm deeply ashamed of it. To have gotten the privilege of having bariatric surgery, and to, due to that privilege, reach the accomplishment of my weight loss goal, only to treat my body like a garbage can, is a huge disservice to myself and to the golden opportunity I was given.
Here's the thing: I don't know where to start. During my weight loss phase I had that down pat, I kept it very simple, which is part of why I don't know what to do with myself now. Being in maintenance, I'm at the point where I don't even know, what do I eat? I do not want to focus on calorie counting anymore (at this point, at least), for personal reasons - I just want to eat healthily. I want to give my body the nutrition it deserves.
But what does that look like at goal weight? Does anyone have any advice or resources I could use to help me with this? I don't mean a calorie counter type thing, I mean more like a basic "these are the foods you should eat" type thing, with ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I don't know where to start - I'm embarrassed about that but not so embarrassed as to not ask for help when I need it...and I really do need it.
If anyone has any ideas or tips to get me started on how to eat healthy at maintenance, I'd be so grateful, thanks in advance!

WHOA that is amazing, you look phenomenal!! CONGRATS!

So I just started my soft foods phase two days ago, so far so good....and then...
Last night, I had a waaaay too realistic dream (nightmare!) that I woke up to the smell of pizza, and next thing I knew I had eaten two slices of supreme-everything-on-it pizza, then suddenly it dawned on me - just as I was eating the last bite - that I had just had my WLS! I felt horrified that I had actually forgotten! I panicked, felt sheer terror, was freaking out, crying, hysterical, the works!
It was legit terrifying but when I woke up and realized it was just a nightmare, I felt so relieved, and then I burst out laughing because holy crap my nightmare wasn't about monsters or the usual scary stuff - but ABOUT PIZZA. ?
Has anyone else had any "oops forgot I had WLS surgery and just ate something I shouldn't" dreams? Maybe it's just me and I'm a total weirdo, but still, I'm laughing about it at least, lol. ?

Hey there @NurseMichael! Just watched the video, liked and subscribed - really enjoyed it. Love your energy and passion, and while I don't know how much I can get out of it at this point in time (only one month post-op), I know it won't be long at all until whatever I learn will be so valuable.
Thank you for doing this, what a great service to the bariatric community!
P.S. Is it bad that I burst out laughing when your mic fell over? ? I'm so glad you didn't edit that out, it made the video even better!

Hey everyone,
So im trying out a new endeavor. I have created a new YouTube channel dedicated to people like us: Baritric surgery patients who now want to be more athletic.
What should i do for a workout? What should I eat for performance? What foods fuel muscle growth? Questions like these and more are what I will try to answer through some simple little videos. Its not bout money or sponsors, its about creating a bariatric fitness community.
I only ask that you guys watch, comment, and maybe give me some suggestions on topics to talk about for future episodes. No one seems to be able to give us good answers on this stuff so I figured I should seek them out myself.
You can check out episode 1 here - https://youtu.be/2NvPVKE_kv0 - and feel free to subscribe to you know when new episodes come out.
and as always...stay Baritric Strong!

Had gastric bypass last month and I've been doing really well recovery wise. Warning - there is some TMI in this post, but I really need help...
Background info:
My BMs since surgery have been regular but...flaky? Not liquid diarrhea, but just - kinda powdery. Didn't think much of it since I figured well, I've been eating so much less and, blah blah.
But then, the past couple of days I could "feel" the constipation was oncoming (I've had it my whole life, I know the feeling). I took some stool softeners, no bueno.
Fast forward to last night - I was on the toilet all night off and on, crying out in pain, almost passing out and nauseated and feeling like I was gonna puke. I could "feel" this rock hard huge BM was right there at the edge, and even having to urinate was hell bc it would put pressure on it and I could feel it trying to come out but, it was NOT gonna come out. By 4am, I was close to having husband take me to urgent care bc I knew it was "impacted" in there.
I tried a couple of enemas, as hellish as that was - absolutely no help.
Finally later this morning I managed to pass the monster-brick-hard BM (TMI - this involved my awkward digital breakup attempts, also hell) that has probably been in there this whole time I thought the "flaky" BM's were "normal." ?
And I felt relief, but then next time I tried to go to the bathroom, a couple of hours ago, I can tell there's more, and it hurts. ?
Oh and I did call the doctor (first thing this morning) and he said to take Milk of Magnesia and drink lots of water. Done. But research on this wonderful site has given me all other kinds of good advice regarding routines and products, etc. etc. - . I will be using it.
Where I need guidance/advice:
So, I'm in the "soft/mushy" foods phase of the post-op regimen. I've been continuing with at least 1 Premier Protein shake a day, sometimes two - to help get in enough protein (it's so hard to reach my daily goal!). Then for dinner I've been having one of the following:
Mushed up lowfat cottage cheese - OR - hard boiled egg blended up in my mini-blender with a tiny dollop of lite mayo and mustard - OR - also using my mini-blender, ground up moistened chicken breast with a tiny bit of lite mayo and celery salt (my version of "chicken salad" lol) - OR - watered down and mushed up refried beans with a bit of green salsa.
I'm also meeting/ exceeding my 64oz fluid requirement daily (mostly water, some herbal teas) - and in fact usually surpass that.
Are there any soft foods phase "meals" y'all can recommend that can - along with the other stuff like MOM, Colace, etc. - help prevent constipation or at least not actively contribute to it?
Are my foods listed above not "ideal"? I'm going by doctor's list of recommendations - but admittedly only sticking to a very few of the choices. I try to keep things simple basically.
I've had constipation issues my whole life, even as a young child - and nothing is more terrifying to me honestly - I even had to have a hemorrhoidectomy last year it got so bad - and if this crap continues (ha ha, get it) I know I'll be headed down that road again, which is a nightmare I never wish to repeat. ?
ANY advice on what other soft foods that could help with avoiding constipation I should start including in my diet would be really helpful, thanks so much in advance!

It's way too easy to mindlessly eat something while watching tv. I know because I've recently had some Wheat Thins and found myself just keep sticking my hand in the box to grab more while watching a tv show. I'll have to remind myself not to bring food to the living room or have any on the table beside my chair.

I started watching my favorite shows while using my exercise bike that way you don't even realize you're exercising

Do you have any hobbies you can mindlessly do while you watch? Maybe knitting or go by a hobby store and pick up some basic hobby even if it is meant for a child. That way your hands are busy. You could do a knot blanket, latch hook or something similar. You could even get one of the books where you color mindlessly. I know you cant do that and stare at the screen but its something to have in your hands and distract you a bit. I think once you create a new habit then eventually you wont miss the eating and watching TV.

Of course I understand that one of the main challenges of achieving weight loss goals is changing or eliminating old habits. One of the habits I had since being a child is eating my favorite food or dessert with my favorite tv shows. Now that we are in the season of “Season Premiers” and the return of some of my favorite programs I still have the mindset that I need to have something special to eat while watching. So I have started to put an end time on when I eat to avoid this-I try to finish eating for the day by no later than 7pm. The excitement of watching the programs or movies just isn’t the same without that “special” treat.:(

Good Luck and your Bible verse motto should be "THIS TOO SHALL PASS! " The Benefiber is a Good Idea, should get me some MORE, I actually was using it past its Use By Date, maybe that's why it was not as effective. And maybe I too should look to Chia Seeds as Well. Been over a Year and I'm still Learning- you can pick up very good Tips on Bariatric Pal- but I do Fight the War Also.

I would cut out hard boiled eggs. They can contribute to constipation. My son swears by Ben fibre which they also reccomend in my Bariactric Bible . Hope you’re feeling a bit better now . Bless you , it sounds really painful . Good luck .

Same. 3 years post-op VSG, and I try to keep my fiber up. Broccoli, sweet peppers, chia seeds. I do use MCT Oil once a week in my coffee and that gets things moving.

I have long suffered from constipation all my life, and like someone mentioned above, a once a week purge with Dulcolax and lots of water, sure gets things going.

Good luck!

And ??I am right there with you. Miralax 2x daily, add Metamucil to no benefit, guess I'm the M.O.M. Kid too- but dontcha just love being smaller, Having more energy and living a happier life into the FUTURE! Guess I'll take THAT as a trade-off.
???

I don't have any advice for this but I will say that almost a year out, there's no preventing constipation for me no matter what I eat. I do a weekly Milk of Magnesia purge.

Some things that may help:
Ducolax stool softener, loads more water, unsweetened apple sauce, loads more water, natural fiber sources, loads more fluid & reduced dairy
Good Luck ?

You could try a couple of canned peach halves (juice, not syrup) in yogurt or cottage cheese. Fresh ripe peaches also work. Just mash them in a protein source like yogurt or cc.

chronic constipation is a pretty common problem among bariatric patients. A lot of us take a capful of Miralax every day. That usually works for me, but I still get backed up once or twice a month. When I do, I just do a night or two of Milk of Magnesia.
other people take magnesium tablets, or stool softeners, or things like Smooth Move Tea. You just have to figure out what works for you and keep on top of it.

Squashes are supposed to be good for this kind of thing as well and soft... maybe prepare some butternut squash, stuff like that that is high in fiber but yet soft.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1881/fruits-and-vegetables/vegetables/squash/

I LOVE Miralax -- you drink it and it works in a day or so. Not a laxative or stimulant so no abdominal pain or cramping just draws water into the intestines and does it naturally.

Had gastric bypass last month and I've been doing really well recovery wise. Warning - there is some TMI in this post, but I really need help...
Background info:
My BMs since surgery have been regular but...flaky? Not liquid diarrhea, but just - kinda powdery. Didn't think much of it since I figured well, I've been eating so much less and, blah blah.
But then, the past couple of days I could "feel" the constipation was oncoming (I've had it my whole life, I know the feeling). I took some stool softeners, no bueno.
Fast forward to last night - I was on the toilet all night off and on, crying out in pain, almost passing out and nauseated and feeling like I was gonna puke. I could "feel" this rock hard huge BM was right there at the edge, and even having to urinate was hell bc it would put pressure on it and I could feel it trying to come out but, it was NOT gonna come out. By 4am, I was close to having husband take me to urgent care bc I knew it was "impacted" in there.
I tried a couple of enemas, as hellish as that was - absolutely no help.
Finally later this morning I managed to pass the monster-brick-hard BM (TMI - this involved my awkward digital breakup attempts, also hell) that has probably been in there this whole time I thought the "flaky" BM's were "normal." ?
And I felt relief, but then next time I tried to go to the bathroom, a couple of hours ago, I can tell there's more, and it hurts. ?
Oh and I did call the doctor (first thing this morning) and he said to take Milk of Magnesia and drink lots of water. Done. But research on this wonderful site has given me all other kinds of good advice regarding routines and products, etc. etc. - . I will be using it.
Where I need guidance/advice:
So, I'm in the "soft/mushy" foods phase of the post-op regimen. I've been continuing with at least 1 Premier Protein shake a day, sometimes two - to help get in enough protein (it's so hard to reach my daily goal!). Then for dinner I've been having one of the following:
Mushed up lowfat cottage cheese - OR - hard boiled egg blended up in my mini-blender with a tiny dollop of lite mayo and mustard - OR - also using my mini-blender, ground up moistened chicken breast with a tiny bit of lite mayo and celery salt (my version of "chicken salad" lol) - OR - watered down and mushed up refried beans with a bit of green salsa.
I'm also meeting/ exceeding my 64oz fluid requirement daily (mostly water, some herbal teas) - and in fact usually surpass that.
Are there any soft foods phase "meals" y'all can recommend that can - along with the other stuff like MOM, Colace, etc. - help prevent constipation or at least not actively contribute to it?
Are my foods listed above not "ideal"? I'm going by doctor's list of recommendations - but admittedly only sticking to a very few of the choices. I try to keep things simple basically.
I've had constipation issues my whole life, even as a young child - and nothing is more terrifying to me honestly - I even had to have a hemorrhoidectomy last year it got so bad - and if this crap continues (ha ha, get it) I know I'll be headed down that road again, which is a nightmare I never wish to repeat. ?
ANY advice on what other soft foods that could help with avoiding constipation I should start including in my diet would be really helpful, thanks so much in advance!

Had gastric bypass last month and I've been doing really well recovery wise. Warning - there is some TMI in this post, but I really need help...
Background info:
My BMs since surgery have been regular but...flaky? Not liquid diarrhea, but just - kinda powdery. Didn't think much of it since I figured well, I've been eating so much less and, blah blah.
But then, the past couple of days I could "feel" the constipation was oncoming (I've had it my whole life, I know the feeling). I took some stool softeners, no bueno.
Fast forward to last night - I was on the toilet all night off and on, crying out in pain, almost passing out and nauseated and feeling like I was gonna puke. I could "feel" this rock hard huge BM was right there at the edge, and even having to urinate was hell bc it would put pressure on it and I could feel it trying to come out but, it was NOT gonna come out. By 4am, I was close to having husband take me to urgent care bc I knew it was "impacted" in there.
I tried a couple of enemas, as hellish as that was - absolutely no help.
Finally later this morning I managed to pass the monster-brick-hard BM (TMI - this involved my awkward digital breakup attempts, also hell) that has probably been in there this whole time I thought the "flaky" BM's were "normal." ?
And I felt relief, but then next time I tried to go to the bathroom, a couple of hours ago, I can tell there's more, and it hurts. ?
Oh and I did call the doctor (first thing this morning) and he said to take Milk of Magnesia and drink lots of water. Done. But research on this wonderful site has given me all other kinds of good advice regarding routines and products, etc. etc. - . I will be using it.
Where I need guidance/advice:
So, I'm in the "soft/mushy" foods phase of the post-op regimen. I've been continuing with at least 1 Premier Protein shake a day, sometimes two - to help get in enough protein (it's so hard to reach my daily goal!). Then for dinner I've been having one of the following:
Mushed up lowfat cottage cheese - OR - hard boiled egg blended up in my mini-blender with a tiny dollop of lite mayo and mustard - OR - also using my mini-blender, ground up moistened chicken breast with a tiny bit of lite mayo and celery salt (my version of "chicken salad" lol) - OR - watered down and mushed up refried beans with a bit of green salsa.
I'm also meeting/ exceeding my 64oz fluid requirement daily (mostly water, some herbal teas) - and in fact usually surpass that.
Are there any soft foods phase "meals" y'all can recommend that can - along with the other stuff like MOM, Colace, etc. - help prevent constipation or at least not actively contribute to it?
Are my foods listed above not "ideal"? I'm going by doctor's list of recommendations - but admittedly only sticking to a very few of the choices. I try to keep things simple basically.
I've had constipation issues my whole life, even as a young child - and nothing is more terrifying to me honestly - I even had to have a hemorrhoidectomy last year it got so bad - and if this crap continues (ha ha, get it) I know I'll be headed down that road again, which is a nightmare I never wish to repeat. ?
ANY advice on what other soft foods that could help with avoiding constipation I should start including in my diet would be really helpful, thanks so much in advance!

Woo hoo! A new milestone! My first soft foods day was Thursday. I had about 2oz of lowfat cottage cheese and it was divine lol. So weird that it felt like "enough" -- bc I love cottage cheese and used to just eat a big bowl of it. It's very exciting to realize that after just a few bites, I actually feel not just satiated, but not "yearning" for more, if that makes sense? It's a totally new feeling for me.
I'd recommend you set a timer 30 minutes after your last fluid before you eat, then after eating set a timer for another 30 minutes before you have liquids again. Rinse and repeat.
Best of luck!!!

I too use my timer too! I find it’s a great tool