learn2cook

Congratulations on your surgiversary! My elderly aunt says you “look strong like ox.”

Real meaningful weight loss is a head game. It tests our resilience and adaptability. Most of us don’t know we have so many emotional areas to work upon in order to reach our goals. I’m with ShoppGirl, and I too didn’t realize how much I was emotionally eating. There’s nothing to finesse. Just be you and ask good questions because you are curious about finding real long term health.

Also, three hours a week is only 1/2 hour a day. That’s a stroll around a parking lot or a park, marching in your house, dancing, or a bike ride. It could even be broken into 3 ten minute strolls per day. Just getting up from the couch to move during TV commercials would qualify.

I use the free Lose It app for food, and track Water on the free Fitbit app. I usually can keep track of water with my 32oz bottle (.95 liter) two fill ups and I am done. I find Vitamins wherever they are available because supplies are so variable now.

On 12/09/2021 at 18:31, cheryl o said:

thats what i want to know. Today i had a cup of chicken Soup, and ate too fast, had chest pain, and threw it up. Im gonna be 6 weeks post op, had RNY and the most structure food ive eaten is just chicken Soup and 1egg. That pain in my chest, thats not dumping correct? Im still doing yogurt and Protein Drinks daily. im terrified of solid food and feel "safe " this way. Oh, and im loosing hair, started at 3 weeks post op

Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah, what you had sounds like restriction or not chewing enough. I had RNY and hiatal hernia repair. I’ve read on here it takes longer to heal and it was true for me. I do dump too, mostly from sugar, or sugar/fat combo and it feels worse that getting food stuck. Food stuck hurts badly and the first time took 6 hours to resolve. Dumping is like Ms. Sss said, like shaking cold and hot sweats and stuff coming out both ends. I got dizzy and heard ringing in my ears like my whole body went into shock. There was definite heart racing too. The tiredness afterward is like after having a baby. Christmas at the in-laws should be interesting.

Give yourself time to adjust to food. It took me four months to get off ground meat. Now I can eat steak. You will get there.

There were 2 friends of mine that this happened to, both had healthy, successful babies. Follow your plans from docs, try to get them to team up. Both friends were discouraged from gaining weight during pregnancy and took extra prenatal supplements. Everyone turned out fine. They also were encouraged to eat more veggies and fruits than most of us. You’ve got this. Congratulations!

I agree with you. food is fuel and a chance for good health. That’s a new way of thinking for most of us. I’m finding weight loss (15 months in it now) seems more of a head game. I spoke up for myself at work because now I truly feel I have power and deserve to express my goals and want to work in a team. After that, the weight fell off my body like I’m going on a down elevator. I didn’t need food to express myself. I have personal autonomy. That’s how my relationship with food has changed.

Thanks @MiniBypassDude I didn’t even know what a MBP was supposed to be and I was pleasantly surprised! My favorite parts of your posts were “start loving yourself,” “forgive yourself,” and “you are worth it.” Honestly this WLS journey really really teaches those important lessons. Thank you for giving back important information and being honest. Congratulations on your healthier life!

I use hand weights and Velcro leg cuffs. I also have a weighted vest hoola hoop and I use a yoga bolster to get full range of motion. I also have a couple of large stretch bands to work inner muscles, and indoor bike. The bike was the big investment but worth every penny of stress release it provides! I go to an in person yoga class that helps with core/balance and it costs more than going to the gym. I think you will get value in whatever you choose as long as you use it. You are worth it.

If it’s true hunger check out @lizonaplane ‘s posts. She worked through this with her program.

The other option is you are still learning your hunger/satisfaction signals. Notice I didn’t say full. Satisfied is the sensation we are aiming for. It’s ok to be empty. You can be empty in your stomach and that may be the new sensation. You won’t die of being empty. You may find it clarifies your thoughts and allows you to move easier. Each person experiences hunger and satisfied differently. Speak to your team and go to the follow up support meetings, ask the bariatric psychologist.

I use the free version of loose it. But this info is good to know.

Yeah!

On 12/04/2021 at 10:50, LadyH said:

So many different takes on caloric needs after this surgery. Makes me nervous.

So, if there’s an apocalyptic event and none of us can eat when the food is available, do we just starve? Same if you get cancer or some other wasting disease? Age alone can do that to a person. What if the supply chain completely breaks down and there are no bari Vitamins, or, they’re $300 per bottle? Do we just die?

These things keep me up at night.

I assure you all of our relatives and ancestors survived war, famine, and plague or we would not be alive right now. I see my therapist when my thoughts get a little too focused on all the what if’s.

I see WLS as a tune up for my body to keep it running more efficiently. I don’t need 2000kcals to go through a normal day, just 800-1000 of good quality Protein and veg. and lots of Water. If the apocalypse happens, I’ll survive on watery cabbage Soup like my father did during WWII. People adapt mentally (with help from therapists sometimes) and our bodies adapt to almost anything.

You look “maavalous!”

I had an ex boyfriend who had the surgery and his “patches “ cleared up for the most part. Skin removal surgery helped with the rest (like underneath breast area was not underneath anything anymore). His diabetes reversed so his skin tags and Patches really reduced on their own.

I still dislike cooking despite my handle. An one point I broke down and ordered Omaha meats because they are individually wrapped and I don’t have to touch the raw meat too much lol! Now I buy from the butcher section and slow cook on the weekends.

I do enjoy meal prepping for 3-4 days ahead. I like the Boar’s Head deli meats because they are fresh and have no milk to bind the meats (major lactose intolerance). I also roast veggies in the oven for winter prep. Or you can use the Green Giant steamer veggies in the microwave. In summer I eat veggies raw. Epic venison or Buffalo strips are handy. I can boil low fat sausage quickly. Breakfast is now eggs with cheese to get 20 grams of Protein, microwave it in a paper bowl for speed if you need. I like seaweed Snacks too!

Hi @xKirstenx , I was loosing weight with “normal” food, not shakes before the pre-op diet. I lost 73lb, 33 kg. I lost nothing during the pre-op diet! So, don’t beat yourself up about the shake stage. Talk with your dietitian. We found the shakes had too much carb for me. That’s just me.

I agree with gabbykittyvsg about Protein. My usual real food, before and after surgery consists of 60-90 grams of protein per day. I suggest checking in with your bariatric center to review your personal nutrition plan because each person has a different protein/carb/fat goal based upon your gender, height, and build. And congratulations on your big loosing successes!

Sorry, I saw you posted on Sunday and you’ve already lived through the worst of it. It only gets better from here. Like Catwoman I was immensely relieved to be done with the pre-op diet!

Hi LadyH, and fellow teacher. You won’t feel this uncomfortable afterwards. I did teach 5th grade two weeks after surgery. I forgot to eat. I quickly figured out to sip Protein Shakes that first week back while I was teaching to keep my energy up. I took short walks up and down my street. Tomorrow will be the worst part. Try drinking some form of Protein all day at work. My thoughts will be with you to keep calm and carry on.-Meg

A close friend of mine received some vodka for Christmas last year and we experimented with what tasted good with it, V-8 juices?! They are too sweet now. Maybe some concentrated green tea with fresh mint with vodka? Straight whiskey? Maybe look up some old timey drinks from the 1920’s?

I drink so much Water I sometimes flush out electrolytes. Gatorade zero is my friend, lol. I also have had low B12 levels and that is a great place to look. I had had long Covid that sapped my energy but the vaccine thankfully fixed it. I stayed calm and played detective with my body. Some antihistamines turn my mind to mush, and others keep me sharp. Try only one new thing for a week. Keep a record of it to track what works and what doesn’t. I take the New York Times weekly quiz to also test my level of memory and compare results with what I’ve changed. You can be your own scientist too!

What she said ^^^^^. Also, I do work hard to count my Protein and avoid the pitfalls, but my work shows up on my body. Before surgery I did the work and half a pound would be the loss. After surgery AND weight loss work, I see a solid 2-4 lbs difference per week. Yeah, I know next year I’ll be closer to goal and half a pound loss will sound great, but it’s nice taking the down elevator right now. The physical stomach restriction will make the difference in maintenance too!

Hard work pays off, congratulations!

Oh @Heather E , my thoughts are with you! At least you were already making moves to improve your health! Best wishes and keep us posted.-Meg

Congratulations! I really like how you communicated effectively for yourself to get a change to happen in your household! It’s amazing all the things you can do now, Weightloss and beyond.

I still feel hunger after bypass. I feel light headed and weak feeling. I do drink my fluids religiously so I realize it must be hunger. There is no sensation of fullness so I measure everything possible. So, I’m still trying to sense a signal or off switch. I’m glad metformin is helping @lizonaplane!