STLoser

Now is the time to do the work to change your habits! I’m over two years out and still stay away from bread. Your nutrition needs are high, but once you’re on solids the volume you can take in is low. It takes vigilance and dedication to get in the nutrients you need. My program wanted me to get in 70-80 grams of Protein per day. Protein was, and still is, the priority at meal time. Once I get in my protein I’ll have a small amount of whatever else the meal contains. Now this far out, and at goal, I’ve loosened up and have a bit more carbs but it’s still WAY less than pre op. I’m used to it now, and don’t have the intense cravings anymore that I used to have. I’m happy with healthy nutritious food with the occasional treat thrown in.

If you’re really struggling and breaking plan already I’d strongly suggest contacting your program and scheduling a visit with both the nutritionist as well as the therapist.

It means you are five days post-op and ate half a cookie without any physical discomfort or dumping symptoms. If you feel bad about it perhaps you should not do it again, but that's about it. It doesn't say anything about the future, if you dump, or on what.
I dump on sugar and fats, often pretty easily. I can eat a cookie or a small piece of candy without dumping. Though, I don't find Cookies or candy particularly appealing anymore because on too many occasions one has lead to two or three which then lead to dumping.
Good luck,
Tek

What’s done is done. Ultimately, whether you break your recommended eating plan is up to you. But something to consider is that the staged return to eating a solid diet is there to protect, not stress & aid the healing of your tummy. There are a lot of sutures &/or staples holding your digestive system together. You suffered no ill effects this time but do you want to take the risk it won’t next time?

I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



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We’re only advised to drink what is the recommended intake for everybody - 2litres or 64 ounces a day. More if you reside in a hot climate &/or perspire a lot. Water flushes toxins out your body, aids brain function, improves your skin, takes pressure off your hearts as your blood is easier to pump around your bodies, regulates your body temperature, etc. Our body is 60% water & some organs are more than that. If you feel thirsty, your body is already in a water deficit.
The good news is you don’t just have to drink water. Any liquids count. Just don’t make caffeinated drinks the main source. Your post surgery Protein Shakes, broths, Soups, etc. will all count too. I get my intake from a combination of still water, flat sparkling water (I like the minerally taste as a break from only plain water which sometimes can feel heavy to drink), green tea & extra milk in my rolled oats. Add a squeeze of lemon, lime or other citrus to your water. In the weeks post surgery I doubled the water needed to make my shakes & hydralite (the boost of energy & electrolytes were helpful).
I keep water beside my bed so I drink during the night & in my car (drink when I get in, when I get out & at every red light). I also find it easier to drink from a glass.

I retired from the Navy almost 19 years ago and yesterday I was able to fit into my Dress White and Dress Blue uniforms. A year ago I would not even been able to get them over my shoulders, never mind buttoned up.

I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



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I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



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Yes! It is a totally foreign concept that I could not imagine either! It still amazes me that I'm satisfied when I eat and get full after such a small amount of food, when it felt like I could never get full before.
I never would have been able to feel satisfied or survive on so few calories before I had wls, but the surgery changes everything and it's really no problem now.
Yes, you still have to deal with head hunger and cravings, but even that is easier for me since the surgery.
You will see!

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I never was that into sweets anyway, but after surgery I found them disgusting, especially the shakes. It took everything I had to get them down early on. After about 6 months I was able to tolerate them and now I like the shakes again.
I have never been a big bread or sandwich eater, but especially since surgery I find that I just don't care for bread very much. I can't even explain what it is but I don't enjoy it.
I LOVED speaking Water (like LaCroix) before surgery and drank it all the time. For the first year I was not allowed to have it, but then I could in moderation. I am 16 months post op and I've tried it twice in the last 2 weeks and it does nothing for me now. It even seems to upset my stomach a little now. I'm so surprised by this!
I've always been a bit of a saltaholic too, and now things take a lot more salty to me. It's crazy!
Other than those things, I still like most of the foods I liked before. Now that I can eat more I'm super happy to be able to fit in some veggies, which one always loved.

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I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was able to climb the ladder to help my husband hang Christmas lights on the house. I used to be more than 100 pounds over the weight limit for that ladder and now I'm 100 pounds UNDER. Also, I couldn't physically climb a ladder even if I wanted to because my stomach was so big it got in the way.



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I dunno, its weird...i still love food, but its not so much about actually eating it anymore...i really just enjoy cooking it, plating it, planning to cook it, looking at pictures of it, smelling it, watching others eat it. And - don't judge me - I absolutely LOOOOOVE reading restaurant menus in their entirety. I probably spend more time perusing the menu than I do actually eating. Not sure if this is some weird mental issue, but i seem to be functioning well in society so its all good. LOLOLOLzzzzzzz.

I was shocked at how much energy I had when I was only consuming 500/600cal in the beginning, and how well I feel on under 1000cal a day currently (5mo out). I can’t tell you the how or why, but I can tell you it works! I can see where you are coming from, I would have been hangry or dizzy before surgery if I only had 500cal in a day. But, now I feel like a million bucks & hope I never feel the need for more. You may just have to experience it. :)

Oh and yes, nutrient dense, Protein rich foods & Vitamins are key. 🥦🥕

you'll likely be eating more than 1000 kcal/day long term. That's really just during the weight loss phase. How much you'll need to maintain your weight depends on individual factors, and it's different for everyone. I can maintain my weight if I stay in the 1500-1700 range - and if I stay pretty active (exercising 5+ days a week), I can push that up to about 1900 kcal/day.

I can't wait to find out!

Yes! It is a totally foreign concept that I could not imagine either! It still amazes me that I'm satisfied when I eat and get full after such a small amount of food, when it felt like I could never get full before.
I never would have been able to feel satisfied or survive on so few calories before I had wls, but the surgery changes everything and it's really no problem now.
Yes, you still have to deal with head hunger and cravings, but even that is easier for me since the surgery.
You will see!

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I know for me, at 50 years old and 16 months out from my surgery, I'm up to around 1300 calories a day. Now I don't get that much all the time, but it's what my plan says I should have. Some days it's just hard to eat that much. For the first year I hardly ever got up to 1000. I also never felt unsatisfied with my food and I wasn't hungry for the first 6 months.
I weighed 393 at my highest and I'm sure I ate around 3000 calories most days. You'll be amazed how different it is after surgery though.
I deal with a lot more cravings and head hunger in the last few months , but I am still losing weight. It's has slowed to about 5 pounds a month, but I'm getting close to my goal so I am very happy.

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It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

You've lost 31.8% of your excess weight in 7 weeks. 1/3 of your excess weight in less than 2 months.
I lost about 13% of my excess weight in my first 2 months. I made it to goal and past goal, and am still at a normal BMI.
You've convinced yourself you are not doing well when, in fact, you are doing extraordinarily well.
Get off the scale. It's the devil.
Continued success and good luck.
Tek

I lost at about the same rate and ended up losing 100% of my excess weight. As long as you stick to your program, stay active, and your overall weight trend is down, you're golden!

I’m a slowish loser (around 21 lbs in 7 weeks since surgery) and even though it is frustrating at times I’m trying to stay positive. I wanted to share my recent thoughts around the subject. No matter whether I lose only a pound in a week it is still one pound gone hopefully forever from my body. I also kind of like the idea of losing slowly as it gives my mind and body time to adjust to the loss, and for some reason, I believe the pounds are more likely to stay off when I shed them slowly. Naturally, it took me decades to pile on the weight so there is no way it will be gone in a few months. And finally despite how quickly or slowly I’m losing I would never regret the surgery because without it I would probably have gained at least as much weight as I have now lost. The weekend is approaching so have a great one!

Well, I WAS looking forward to enjoying exercise, but I somehow think I may just be a slug no matter what size I am. I am looking forward to being able to move easily around spaces and not have to plan out my route depending on where chairs/tables/etc are (like when you get seated at the back of a restaurant).
And of course, I am looking forward to wearing "normal" sized clothes!