DareMightyThings

On 5/23/2021 at 3:35 AM, Starwarsandcupcakes said:

When I started my 6 months pre-op with the nutritionist I went all in. 1200 calories a day with 60g Protein minimum. For a while during pre-op I was drinking around a gallon of Water on top of other liquids as well. I lost 20lbs the first month and a total of 60lbs including the 15lbs for the 2 week liquid diet right before surgery. I found it much easier to do a complete overhaul than gradually change things because I wouldn’t have stuck with gradual changes. I wrote everything down in a journal the office gave me and tracked with the SparkPeople app as well. I still use SparkPeople to track most days and I’m 9months post VSG to RNY revision.

Girl this is so GOALS ☝Thats what im striving for is to go all in and build those healthy habits early on. Some days are harder but we're getting there lol. And i will def check out that app!

1 hour ago, lmsrny5 said:

I stuck to Premier Protein. I was able to drink 4-5 ounces every 3 hours to get my Protein goal in during the first week. I made sure to drink Clear Liquids between then so I could meet my Fluid goal. I didn’t have a problem. After the first week I could drink 8 oz of Water every hour and drink an entire premier Protein Shake within 30 mins.

I am on pureed/soft stage now. I get about 3-4 oz of food every 3 hours. I can drink an entire water bottle between my meals now. I am mixing it up and not using the shakes now. I am in a stall now- I haven’t lost any weight in a week and actually gained a pound this morning. It’s Water weight but the stall is very annoying!

Wow you are doing really well. Those all seem like appropriate and safe amounts and not too bad either! Yea im sure you probably heard of the 3 week stall that can last a few days to a week maybe it could be that?

9 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

With a measuring cup! Like a quarter cup is 2oz by volume.

Ooohh ok my bad i had a brain fart lol

7 hours ago, SunnyinSC said:

I'm still in pre-surgery phase, waiting to schedule a surgery date at this point. I've been seeing a bariatric therapist for a few months now after initially failing my psyche eval. I have made some choices to start eating better gradually. This hasn't included calorie counting or anything yet. It's just things like choosing not to eat out as often, using smaller plates, or keeping healthier Snacks on hand that I know will still be friendly after surgery. Through therapy I've also been working on cooking more and making sure the meals have a portion of Protein and a good bit of veggies. We're also focusing on addressing the mental desire to overeat, where that stems from, and alternate coping mechanisms. This has all resulted in sort of gradual change that is focusing on improving behaviors, but not in a way that feels like a "diet", and I have lost some weight while doing so. Not nearly as much as I know I'd drop via calorie counting and all, but what I'm doing now feels more sustainable.

Great job! Yea definitely its better to make gradual changes than feel like you are doing a super restricted diet with no wiggle room. Its funny some people do self pay and they can get their surgery in less than 3 months- I wonder if they still have to take nutrition classes or take an eval. Seems they would be in shock with not being able to handle the requirements after surgery. And what was the reason for not passing the evaluation if you dont mind me asking?

7 hours ago, Maisey said:

I thought all the weighing and measuring what a bit "too much" also, blah, blah, blah. What I finally had to come to terms with was that I needed to do something different. Now, having done it for months, it is easier to recognize what a true portion or amount I am eating if I am not at home.

I can't say that I've heard about using volume measurements rather than weight. But Lizonaplane makes a very good point about calorie-dense foods like cheese and sauces. I am a sauce-o-holic. Measuring dressing or any kind of sauce keeps me accountable. It doesn't mean I am totally choosing to not have any, it just means I am not mindlessly bathing my food in it.

I also use a smaller plate and a small salad fork and baby spoons (my old baby spoons have been repurposed at 55 years old). The smaller utensils help me remember to take smaller bites.

This! Yes it does seem like once you get in ths habit of weighing things, you almost already know what a typical portion size is

7 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I weigh all my food. It takes just a few seconds and it really makes a huge difference in your calorie counts. If you're off by one tablespoon (15g) on your Salad Dressing that's 70 calories. An extra oz of cheese is 115 calories. It's adds up so quickly! I also agree with a previous poster about using smaller plates. I have heard though that after surgery we're supposed to be using volume measurements, not weight, because of the size of the stomach. That's going to give me serious anxiety!

How do you measure volume?

5 hours ago, lmsrny5 said:

Me! Each month I removed a bad habit and added a good habit and built on from there. I had 6 months too. I was up to working out 30 mins a day 5 days a week and eating 1,000 calories by 6 months. I lost 45 pounds pre surgery. I am 2 weeks post op today. I spent 1 night in the hospital, had no complications, and on the pureed diet. NO issues. I was cleared to use my elliptical this week and lift up to 20 pounds, so I am easing back into working out. So far 10 mins a day this week but planning to up it to 15 mins next week.

I seriously credit my life style change pre-surgery with my success so far. Go for it! Take it one day at a time and give yourself grace when you’re not perfect.

Wow that is amazing! Yea you definitely set yourself up for success by making those healthy habits a part of your routine before even having surgery. How did you feel doing the liquid diet post op if you dont mind me asking? Was it intimidating?

1 hour ago, Maisey said:

I made dietary changes gradually as I feel that method is more sustainable. But you know yourself best in that regard. I immediately started using a food tracking app (I use LoseIt) and paying attention to portion sizes and macros. I also started weighing food. I went into my preparation classes with a closed mind and bad attitude. I swore I was never going to weigh/measure/track food. And yet, here I am, doing just that 😜. While there was not a tremendous amount I learned about nutrition, I really did learn how to change and more importantly, to sustain the changes. I'm still a work in progress but I am making progress and it will always require attention and effort from me. I also started gradually walking--even if it was only 5 min. I wanted to lay the groundwork for it becoming a habit. In hindsight, I wish I had also incorporated eating slowly and waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink. I thought those 2 things would be easy to do. In fact, they have been, and still are, difficult for me and have caused my only real physical discomfort from surgery.

I never use to weigh food either LOL and i thought it was a little OCD. But I do sometimes weigh things when and if its calorie dense or like meat. I like to be sure i that i get the right portions of those. Maybe as i get closer to surgery i will track more/ be more precise.

3 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I am still doing the nutrition classes and jumping through insurance hoops (the classes are a joke!). I have cut out diet soda/carbonation, significantly reduced carbs (not Keto, just reduced carbs), counting calories (about 1400 a day), increased exercise, cut sweets dramatically, and I'm trying to eat more slowly and not drink 30 minutes after meals. I'm doing well with everything except eating slowly.

I have lost 32 lbs in 4 months and I find I'm less hungry and don't crave sweets now that I'm eating fewer carbs and sweets. I used to be addicted to diet soda but I tried one a month ago and it didn't even taste good. fruit and vegetables were always something I ate plenty of but now they taste even better! I'm eating more Protein and I think that helps me stay more full.

I figure any weight I lose now is weight I don't have to lose after surgery. And if I get used to living the lifestyle now, it will be much better than throwing "food funerals"!

I am happy to hear that im not alone in the insurance/ diet classes phase! Good job you for trying to reduce carbs and sweets its hard! My nutritionist wants me to lose about 25 - 30 lbs by month 4 so thats why i feel that i have to hurry up and clean up my diet ASAP. Also my insurance says I cant gain any weight which is a little nervewrecking. The only way i know that ill not gain weight and reach that 30lb weightloss is starting my diet full force. Mainly protien, mainly vegetables, and gold carbs like brown rice, oatmeal etc..

I might be mistaken but dang girl that seems like alot of weight that dropped off in such short time. Im proud of you !!!

Hey there! So after meeting with the nutritionist for the first time, she gave me tips and recommendations for cleaning up my diet pre surgery. Just to clarify I am not pre op- just pre surgery in the 6 months insurance approval process. My question is....did anyone strictly change their diet right away after the nutritionists suggestions or did it take you a while to clean up your diet before pre op?

Hey just wanted to say welcome! I dont know much about which is better but good job on trying to make a positive chage in your life!

Hey guys just wanted to update things. So last time i posted i was barely beginning the insurance process...Well sort of still am. I had my new patient consultation, met with my dietician, and just today had my psych evaluation. It went easier than expected! I just tried to be honest and it was more of a conversation than a test. The whole thing lasted about 35 min. The main thing they would hold off on surgery for is if you have an untreated mental health disorder or if you binge eat..... Which lets face it if youre obese that has probably happened a few times...But we all know thats not who we are! Lol Now im continuing on my journey with 5 more nutrition classes left as well as pre surgery testing. What were u guys experiences with the evaluation and how fast did your insurance approval process seem to take? ?

Wow that is all amazing input from you guys. I know for a fact that i would rather be at a healthy weight and look older than to be unhealthy and suffer from obesity related ilnesses. I guess i just needed to have it all put into perspective and yes if i really need it i can choose to get a filler and BOOM gone

Hi everyone, this is my very first time posting after reading so many of your posts. I am currently at the very beginning process of getting weightloss surgery and its the worst knowing that i have 6 months to go. I am 24 years old and I have been overweight since i could tie my shoes. Ive always been in the 250lb- 280lb range. But, recently after the birth of my 3rd baby i currently weight 316lbs. My body has been through it. But im still fairly young so i dont know how my skin will look once i (hopefully) reach my goal weight of 135lb- 140lb. Ive heard horror stories of people who have lost massive amounts of weight ( i need to lose about 170 ) and looking OLD as a result. Mainly their face loses all volume and those unsightly smile lines become super intense. My question to everyone is: if you already had the surgery and lost all the weight, does your face still look full and youthful or do you think weightloss has aged you?