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Hi all- I'm at 3 months post op from bypass. I don't have any problems with being tempted by anything and I've learned now that if there's something I can like to try, to eat a bite and spit it out. No problems. However, I'm stumped with Thanksgiving. My kids are 19 and 23. This year we have all started working, my son and I both graduate college next semester and my son is about to leave our home. I think this will be our last Thanksgiving together as a family here at the house. I'm hitting pre-empty nest panic fast. I can't have turkey and the kids don't care so much about exactly how traditional it is. My daughter also has lost weight and is watching what she eats. I want to have it somewhat traditional but maybe have things all of us can eat without gorging. I also am just now starting to learn what foods I can and can't eat and there aren't many I can eat but I can eat a bit of potato. Would love to hear plans of others here (pre or post op) and how they're incorporating their diet with their families and traditions.

Your surgery was only a couple weeks after mine was-you are doing awesome on your plan. I was thinking the same thing as you-I can eat a bit more at a time now but still am really limited with what will not cause me pain. I did end up picking up a small turkey today with much less extra on the side then normal-smaller sometimes is a good thing. This year.....sigh...so much people are dealing with. I'm very glad for this support group and even hearing the stress and difficulties everyone is going through right now. I am very sorry to hear the added stress your family has as well. Many thoughts and the very best wishes for a safe and happy holiday for you and your family.

Adding heartfelt wishes for everyone in your family having a speedy recovery. I am so sorry for the stress that you and your family are going through right now.

Gradycat had it spot on; everyone really has a different weight loss and at different times. My first two weeks I was still gaining weight after having gained over 10 lbs from the surgery because of complications and some serious swelling. My first Dr appt, the scale didn't show so much but honestly, I was just so happy by the fourth week to have lost the amazing pregnant stomach and lbs gained that it was a win. I'm 50 and have lost a significant amount since the surgery but it also combined a pre-surgery weight loss of 36 lbs on the program. I didn't exercise for 6 or 7 weeks because of my complications and incisions still re-opening but I did notice I lose weight differently then I ever did before. When I went to see my Dr, they don't go so much by the lbs lost as much as the fat lost and the actual bmi. I'm finding I wear at least a size smaller then I did for my weight previously on diets and my shape is much different then ever before; it could be the age but the Dr did say that the loss will be different in general. I'm 11 weeks now and have lost a total of 86 lbs; almost 50 since the surgery. However, the one thing I've noticed is that my daughter and I are now sharing clothes and she's just under 170 while I'm 40 lbs heavier. I'm actually wearing about a size 16/18 and an 18 in jeans even though I'm still a few lbs off from onederland. My surgeon said that also is normal. We had a sort of 'argument' about my goal weight as they said my bone loss would be significant due to my age and that my size would not be the same. They capped it at 160 at the minimum goal weight while I wanted lower but now I see they were right. Things that never shrunk before; particularly at 200 lbs, are shrinking and I am much healthier. In the end that's what the goal has to be. You are still very close to your surgery; you have to give it time. Two lbs a week is ideal and a good weight loss rate. I am now at around 1 lb a week and really ok with that. Some weeks are even less and I'm ok with that too. When you start feeling better, you will notice a big change in your health and quality of life. Just focus on that and knowing you're going down at the rate your body needs. Sometimes, it's better to be pretty steady and slower for skin control, etc. Exercise will catch up in around 3 weeks to a month for the loss and firmness showing but make sure you stay with your Dr and moderate that so you can continue to lose. I made the mistake previously of exercising too much and lost quick at first then nothing. My trainer said it needs to be gradual for the metabolism to continue to respond. Congrats on your weight loss that you're having-you are really doing great. Hope what I wrote in detail can help out for now.

See if your Dr ok's genepro. It's been a lifesaver for me-30 g protein per scoop and it mixes perfectly with water. I add a bit of zerocal flavor. It's been the best form of protein I've found.

Awesome job!! You deserve to be jumping for joy-just wake him up!

I hadn't heard of the Carnivore diet but you guys are doing great for being on it-it's got to be the healthiest for many health problems. I agree, covid is more worrying then trying to see family and there's some hope in sight for next year being so much better with the vaccines. I think I'm trying to get a new way to appreciate the family and make everyone happy here while still trying to understand what foods are acceptable or not with my new pouch-still really limited with what I can take without pain). We knocked around some ideas to make it more fun and not about food (my husband is from Italy; we lived there until about 4 years ago so this holiday is new to him anyhow). We're Ren Fest enthusiasts; we were going to get our vows renewed this year for our 10th wedding anniversary and had special costumes made up (mine being in much smaller sizes for the weight loss I was expecting). That was cancelled but we still have them and we thought about all of us wearing the historical garb and having some stories to celebrate. Going down in sizes is one aspect that always motivates with weight loss. Not missing the Macy's day parade though 🙂 on. tv if they have some form of it this year. Happy Holidays to your husband and yourself. It sounds like a wonderful and peaceful way to celebrate.

WTG mom!! That sounds awesome to me! I think my kids would love me (and my nagging lol) to this day if every year would have been like that! Honestly, I have a friend who has young kids, is stressed out, disabled to boot and having pressure from her husband to have their family over (despite concerns here for the coming holidays) to have a huge feast in the traditional sense. She wants to have the surgery but can't (for a few reasons) and is over 300 lbs trying to at least bring more healthy eating to the family but gets zero support. I try to tell her to keep it low-key and insist on just family time with the kids. A dinner like yours would go over very well with her kids but she's still giving herself the pressure due to the pressure from family members to go all out. It's just needless; especially this year. Have a very happy holiday with your wonderful family this year :-).

I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm still well into the 'honeymoon' period but worried about this even before the surgery. I think it's really important to be aware that you always need to control what you eat and the surgery alone isn't enough for a lifetime. Posts like this are so motivational and helpful for life. Especially helpful to know that regain will happen, even if just a small amount, in the future years and it just needs to be nipped in the bud. Really so helpful and thank you!

That's some really great suggestions and SO sorry for the long distance with your youngest. I just had a new grandbaby born about 600 miles away; visited for two days (with a lot of stress for safety) and had to leave knowing the in-laws were still there 24/7 with my new little one that I got to name with my daughter. It broke my heart to leave my first grandchild. Had some tears but my kids at home did promise to try their hardest to give me grandchildren and stay near enough. It was even heartfelt and painful for them to say to me-they both just want fur-children lol. I think everything will be closed down-it's limited now as we just shut down Friday here but a local restaurant take-out would be nice. Maybe I can see if a deli would still be open the day before to heat up. I just started a job working with my husband at a local factory but my hours are only 30. He's worked there some years now though and this year they are giving bonuses to have the employees in some depts work the same hours as what your husband is working now too. When he's home, the poor man is sleeping in the recliner. Thank goodness for our furbabies, right?! Hugs and happy holidays to you and your family.

Yep, this is an awesome suggestion. I loved myfitnesspal before the surgery but like baritastic better just for the more user-friendly ways it helps better with the lowered calories and support. Another one for people really serious on their carbs is carb manager. That one is pretty good too. I was seriously planning one day to my hometown a few hours away to have a last meal with their Italian bakery and Buffalo pizza but my surgery was moved up last minute by 6 weeks and didn't have my last meal lol. Still miss the last taste of DiCamillo home baked rolls.

This actually sounds really good! Will look up the protein hot coco.

When I first got my surgery done, I actually had gained over 10 lbs from swelling and the first week kept gaining. But the third week I started losing super fast and I had gotten into the habit of weighing myself every morning in panic first and then in massive relief. Up until a couple weeks ago, it was every morning. I can honestly weigh myself every morning and watch the scale move or not move without problems; I am pretty happy with what i've already lost and gotten to and now just in it for losing at a slow or steady rate but becoming healthier and eating properly. Now, I'm close to 3 months out and maybe once a week. As long as I know I'm eating the right way (just started this stage as before it was just trying to get things down and nutrients met), I'll sort of check it every Fri. When I started the program back in Feb, my daughter (19 yo) also started trying to lose weight and exercise. We are each other's support; she's lost 52 lbs and is 167 now. We made a chart for the both of us with a square per lb lost; it helped her tons. Now we both have our weigh-ins on Friday morning together.

Everyone's said pretty much what I would be thinking. I can't even fathom a Dr saying they don't recommend the surgery for someone who will be hitting 40 in four years with a lifetime fighting obesity. Many co-morbidities don't show up until after age 45-50 and then it's too late (take it from one who knows). That a Dr would say that is just too much. The type of surgery is completely up to you and are Dr. Many people find the highest risks determining their surgery is heart conditions (ruling out bypass) and, more commonly, heartburn or gerd (giving more importance to the after-effect risk in the sleeve) but that is between you and what your medical professional determine. I did have gerd stage 3 which kind of made it almost a no-brainer and I am very happy with my decision as the surgery took care of almost all of my very serious and [one] life-threatening co-morbidity that didn't show up until a couple years ago (age 48). I was very scared to have the surgery but knew it could mean life-threatening problems in the next 5 years, so I did it and am very, very happy with having my life back. You should be fine under insurance with just your bmi-no other co-morbidities are necessary to qualify. It's a very big decision but you are correct in the instinct that you can have a much better life and healthier future with either surgery.

Look at you!!!! You look just wonderful and I know you feel so skinny! You did awesome work for real-you should be proud. You go! I've learned there's some bias with the surgery as well but WTH! I'm 50 and proud of how much better I feel now! I do go on my normal media outlet with support of family and friends and keep only people I know well on it but get tons of support. However, they can get sick of seeing this old girl's photos everytime I've lost 20 lbs or get new sizes lol. For their sanity my cute pets are posted mostly instead lol. I also have friends who are still close to my beginning weight with really bad health problems that won't have the surgery who I want to be sensitive to. Like many of the members here, I'm a bit older and had many health problems for the long term dieting and obesity that my life revolved around. My largest fear was the NAFLD stage 2 that prompted me to go ahead with the surgery. They said I had maybe 5 years before a liver transplant and would hit NASH. I had liver biopsies and fibroids with labs constantly. It was scary for my family and myself. Now, I'm down 86 lbs (starting weight was just under 300 lbs) and getting close to my hundred lb loss too (ONEDERLAND!!!). I feel awesome and better, last labs and fibroid showed I am down to stage 1 with reversal showing! Man, I could care less what people thought; I plastered my saggy but skinny butt all over for my friends and family to see and all my neighbors have really been so supportive for how I look now lol. You avoided all this by getting to where you are at and it was an awesome decision for you. This surgery adds years and gives your family a much longer time with you. You did amazing!!

Everyone is different-no matter the surgery. My age, body type, meds needed and other conditions will always be a factor. It sounds like you are doing really well with what you are eating and drinking. I was wondering if you can ask your fitness expert about your exercise? I love my exercise and always have but was told by my trainer at the WL clinic that I was overdoing it. This can seem strange and I was really confused but she had me to alternate some of my exercises and how much I was doing daily in order for my body to respond more then up it as I go. She said your body can stall as it gets used to the exercise and it did help me. I also do something now that helps with my bike where I go as hard as I can for about 2 minutes then back down for the next minute or so and back up again (the time is up to you; as long as you are pushing for some time then easing off then pushing, etc). You also have thyroid problems, I'm not familiar with that but it would definitely cause me to ask my Dr again (with a bit more insistence) if there can be a corrolation to your not having lost anything since week 1 and 2 of your surgery. If you are being monitored by your surgeon for post-op care, this is something that should have already been addressed by them for the lack of any forward movement. The week 3 and 4 stall and even other ones can definitely occur but some weight loss should have been showing up even at a slower rate. In the end, and as always, talk with your Dr and after care providers. If they say it's fine, I would get persistent. And then don't worry, your body will get there. Hang in there.

I'm so glad things are looking better for you. It will be much better soon honestly. I had complications after the surgery with some effects like you are having. There was a lot more pain for me and I couldn't have any kind of pain meds for the complications with the anesthesia. They did give me my anti-nausea and tylenol with limits. I was in the hospital just shy a week with a lot of violent vomiting-forget the shakes and drinks! But they just said to take more and used it as an incentive for me to leave that blasted place :-). By God, I took that stuff down, threw up and took more down just to go home! I was fortunate to not have any problems with bowel movements because I wasn't allowed any pain meds; most of those happen with the meds you take. I still have a ton of my meds sitting in my cupboard (9 weeks post-op now). It was painful and even at home. I was told it would be fine going up and down the stairs constantly but when I got there and had to do it, it was difficult. I was lucky my husband went out to the furniture store while I was in the hospital, opened some credit and there were recliner sofas in the house for me delivered the day after surgery as a nice surprise and man were they life-savers! But for real, one day in the next week or two (everyone is different) you will wake up with energy and the pain will be like nothing for you. You'll start really losing and it will have been well worth it! Hugs during your recovery. I already feel skinny and great; even after the really hellacious first few weeks after the surgery. I even still throw up occasionally and still getting used to what I can try to eat (with some not so nice moments when it's wrong) but I feel just like a new person already.

Man, you guys are so lucky for not having been soda drinkers! That was my largest addiction (coke zero and diet ginger ale). I've pretty much evened out now on many things for taste coming back and bits of head hunger but I think the killer right now for me is when I see a commercial or show with a nice big glass of cold soda-forget the food! lol. That's my craving these days. I really do live on genepro mixed with my water and a few drops of sugar free water flavor. I take protein but I found after my labs that my body wasn't taking all the protein I was eating and the surgeon said to try to add more of the genepro for now because our bodies will never take in what everything we take down now. The genepro gives me some filler with my water and it's the best I've found for all the protein needed. Never could take coffee with the gerd I still have but I wish I could for the shift I work!

Yep, just keep on eating as healthy as you can. My surgery dates were wonky too; it was postponed and then postponed again and I was set to wait another two extra months but they called one day and said to start my 2 week liver shrink diet pronto-surgery in 13 days. I lost about 42 lbs total before the surgery on the program and I'm very glad I did. I'm close to 90 lbs down at 9 weeks post op because I lost some before hand and it really helps with motivation, feeling good and prepping for the your post-op diet. Get as much down as you can with the help of your NUT right now. You will lose fast after and you want your body a bit more adjusted for that. Ask also if you should be starting the bariatric vitamins, it can help pre-surgery if that's the way your Dr goes. I was told it would be hard for some people to take them after the surgery for size etc but was really unprepared for how difficult it was. My Dr and NUT both helped in getting the correct chews before-hand to prepare me for after. Exercise as much as you can! I missed that aspect. I had some minor complications and had to give up on my bike and core exercises until just these last two weeks and boy I did miss them even though the motivation was zero until recently. It really helps to get those habits in and get your body ready for the rapid weight loss after.

I am now close to 3 months post-op from the bypass. I had some complications just after; one being that two of my incisions were opened 2 days post op in the hospital. I also had a lot of bruising and swelling from passing out (apparently) the day after surgery and then vomiting violently due to some sort of reaction to the anesthesia. I had to stay in the hospital 6 days and even then fought to go home. Because of all this, my stomach was not only black/purple and I looked 6 months pregnant for about 2 weeks after the surgery, gained a lot of weight and had problems with gas pain for the delayed recovery. My husband and I had to add a silver kind of sulfur inside two of the incisions and stop the bleeding, put antiseptic inside of them and stuff gauze all the way inside each open incision. With all this, after about week 3, I was feeling like a new person. Like all of the sudden, I woke up and the swelling went down, the gas pain was gone and the incisions were starting to heal. It did take about 6 weeks for the sharp pains from the incisions to completely stop the sort of knife feeling and for them to really close up pretty good but I had some extreme scenarios with that. Keep moving! It's so hard just after surgery, no matter which one you get. But do everything your Dr says, even if you are really struggling and just keep moving to get the gas through. It does get better and you'll be past this part of the surgery. Hugs to all of you.