lizonaplane

I agree. I've gotten so much out of this group as I prepare for surgery. It's been such a slow process but this group keeps me focused.

What about string cheese or other cheeses? Fruit (frozen berries are great year round) and Greek Yogurt? Other veggies like red/orange/yellow bell peppers cut in slices with tzatziki or just plain? Roasted veggies? There's a crunchy snack called "bada bean" something or other which is flavored roasted broad beans I've just discovered that I'm really into; they're high in protein and fiber. Roasted chickpeas (although if hummus doesn't work, those might not either)? Pork rinds? Protein chips? Cherry tomatoes?

That does sound good!

I guess I wouldn't make a very good project manager (I've always known this!). I just plod away, one foot in front of the other, head down, being a worker bee. I'm trying to think of Mini Goals. Here's what I can come up with: 1) BMI under 40 (225lb) 2) Onederland 3) Fitting in "straight" sizes 4) Under my lowest adult weight of 179 5) BMI under 30 (169lb) 6) BMI in the healthy range 141lbs (stretch goal)

Have you considered keeping a food log? Maybe there is some food you used to tolerate before surgery that you don't tolerate anymore. Do you feel the symptoms every day all day? There are lots of anti-nausea meds you could try, although some cause drowsiness, so can't be taken when you want to drive/work. I had IBS for years that turned out to be related to a medication I was taking. I stopped eating so many foods, got scared to do so many things, and then after my medications changed, it resolved. Tummy troubles are terrible. I hope you can figure out a solution!

This is very helpful, the details of your stay in the hospital and your recovery so far. I know it varies so much person to person, but a first hand account is nice to read. Thanks!

I don't have a surgery date yet... I think I will get a date in the next few weeks. I have the last Nutrition Class (required by my insurance) on Jun 4 and I think they can schedule me after that, but I may have a few more hoops to jump through first... I'm getting a little tired of it.

Oh, that's rough. There are some good podcasts, but I don't think they substitute for therapy. Maybe try "Reverse the Relapse"? It's a podcast from Australia. Or BariAftercare. That one is weird because there are two weekly shows and one is on the podcast feed and the other is on her website, and I haven't made it to her website yet, so I'm only ever hearing half the show! Good luck, and keep us posted!!

I don't have a goal outfit; I just want to be in "normal" sizes. Of course, about 7 years ago I briefly fit into non-plus sizes after losing 100 lbs, and I couldn't figure out my style; there was just too much to chose from! But now I'd be happy to have that problem again. Like others here have said, what's more important to me is to be able to do more without feeling uncomfortable. I want to take exercise classes in public! It's not so much that I'm embarrassed of being fat in public, but I'm embarrassed that I can't keep up. I want to go hiking with my fit friends and not worry about how much I'm slowing them down. (Although I'll still probably slow them down when heights are involved because I'm scared of falling;)

I have been preparing for surgery since January, and my surgery won't be until July or August. Although waiting has been really hard, I will say that I've taken the time to start eating the types of foods I will need to eat for the long term after surgery - not the post-op liquid diet, but the long term healthy diet of lower carbs, higher protein, lots of veggies, low sugar. Some people have food funerals and gain weight prior to surgery, but I am working really hard to lose weight and it's been great for me so far; I'm realizing that it's not that hard. The only time I crave junk is when I see TV commercials, and I rarely watch TV, so it's not really an issue. Any weight I lose now is weight I don't have to lose after surgery!

I called the surgery center at the end of January and I'm being told I will have my surgery end of July or August... I have the last insurance required nutrition class June 4th, and I will still need to see my PCP, and I'm not sure exactly when I'll have a date. It's really been slooooowwwww. But I've taken the time to lose some weight, so that's good!

I'm sorry this happened. I hope you don't get denied for this! I would just say to be extremely dedicated to tracking every day and eating really "clean" through your next weigh in so you can show them you can lose all the weight you gained and more. I find I'm less hungry when I eat high protein/low carb and lots of veggies and that's how I've lost weight as I prepare for surgery. I also haven't been weighed yet at the office due to COVID so I don't know how their scale is different than mine, but I know that will affect it because I won't be weighing in first thing in the morning completely naked! I hope it works out for you!!!

I have that problem sometimes when I take my 15 or so nighttime meds now, but I take them all in one swallow... I can't imagine what will happen after my surgery. I am not looking forward to that! I hope it gets better for you!

That's interesting. I'm sure it could happen to anyone. When I had a colonoscopy years ago, they had a hard time getting my blood pressure up after the procedure. I was only there a few extra hours, but no one expected it. At the time I had very low BP all the time (now it's normal). I'm glad you're recovered now. Are they asking you do to any extra check ups?

Why could you only take one at a time every few hours?

Yeah, I don't have an option to not take my pills after surgery; the surgeon said just not to take a few that might be affected by the surgery, but I've actually already stopped those for other reasons. I was taking a medication for nightmares that is actually a blood pressure medication and he said I would need to stop that for a bit, but I decided to see what it was like to stop taking it, and I haven't noticed any difference in my nightmares (blood pressure has always been fine). I was also taking metformin for weight loss (still don't have diabetes) and he said I would need to stop taking that, but my doctor never refilled my script for that, so I haven't been on that for a while anyway. I'm losing weight now and I wasn't when I was on it.

That happens to me if I'm a bit dehydrated, but I haven't had surgery yet, so I'm not sure.

I thought about it, but both the surgeon and my psychopharmacologist were surge, and my psychopharmacologist is who I took as my second opinion. And anyway, I haven't had any episodes of reflux since I changed my diet. I stopped taking omeprazole and I haven't even needed any tums or anything.

Oh no! I haven't gotten sunburned while in the pool (I mean, on vacation, our pool is indoors and dreary), but I only swim about half an hour. I don't think most people are even conscious about other people when they are out and about... I know when I am driving I don't notice what the cyclists look like, just want to be careful not to hit them! And when I'm walking, I'm just checking that they don't hit me...

My surgery center said no patches or gummies, but I know many people here use them and have good results. One thing is if you have sensitive skin, it's possible to get a rash from the adhesive. Maybe someone else here has had good results and will respond. I'm just responding mostly to "upvote" your post!

I have heard that a lot of people's tastes change after surgery, so I was told not to stock up on anything, because even if you like it now, you might hate it after surgery. I bought an assortment to have around after surgery, so I can try different things, like different flavors of bone broth, flavored low sugar drinks, protein water, different types of protein shakes, etc.

I think the type of pill makes a big difference in weight gain. Pills that have several different levels of hormones throughout the month may be worse, and are also worse if you have migraines or PMDD. At least that was what I was told. I've been taking birth control pills continuous cycling (I don't take the sugar pills) for more than a decade so I never get my period at all because I would get terrible mood issues (I have bipolar disorder), migraines, nausea, cramps, etc when I got my period. I am so terrified of having to stop the pill for surgery. I am considering getting an IUD when I stop the pill. I'm not at risk of pregnancy because I don't have sex, but I hate having my period.

I did online dating a lot many years ago. I got one very good relationship out of it. We eventually stopped dating, but we're still very close (I'm visiting him this weekend - it's complicated). After that guy and I broke up I met another guy and we went out for about a month until he broke up with me because he wasn't attracted to my body type - and that was after I had just lost 100 lbs. I was devastated. Of course, we're still friends, and I met some wonderful people through him. I don't know where people meet if not online. I work from home, I don't go to religious services, and I'm no longer in college. I'm definitely not going to hang out in bars, since I don't drink and I can't hear a darned thing in loud places. Maybe after I lose weight if I'm feeling secure enough I'll try online dating again, but I still am very picky. I am happy with my complicated relationship with my ex-boyfriend (the one I'm visiting) except that he doesn't like to travel and that's my passion.

Good luck! I agree with @catwoman7 Back to basics. You can do it!

If you can eat nuts, those are great, unless you would eat too many of them. I buy pistachios in the shell so it takes longer to eat them. You can buy individual small packs. Also, you can buy protein drinks that don't have to be refrigerated until they are opened. Same with protein water. So you would only have to keep the open one in the cooler. Also, you can stop at places like 7-11 and they have cheese and eggs and protein drinks all available (I'm pre-surgery still, but when I travel I stop there for my breakfast protein drink). You can also keep some meat snacks (like cured sausages) at room temp. Tomatoes can stay out for a few days if they're not sliced, so grape or cherry tomatoes would work (not sure if you can eat those yet?). Maybe protein chips? I haven't tried those, but I know some people like them.