learn2cook

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!

I had some Gatorade zero to balance electrolytes and or banana, and some small amount of magnesium, like milk of magnesia, and a calcium chew or milk. I used to be a serious runner and it alleviated cramps like Charlie horses. I have 2 prunes and a calcium chew when I’ve overdone exercise. Basically you are restoring potassium and calcium. The magnesium relaxes muscle (and most of us need a little boost in the other uses). It should take about an hour to half a day to feel the effects.

Congratulations on your surgery and I hope you continue to have a peaceful recovery ❤️‍?!

I would try a three pronged approach. Obviously start with your surgeon. Ask for a referral to a bariatric therapist for some back up. I would also meet more regularly with the bariatric dietitian for hands on real tactics to feeling full. I would be tempted to go back to WW as well for group chat and accountability. I had to get a new hobby of crochet to keep my hands busy and give warm clothing to the homeless shelter to “feel full.” You will find your fullness and feel comfortable in your body too.

I expected to gain a pound or two. Just you what you need to do to get back on track; walk, drink water, track your food. You will be right back on the loosing side in no time. Remember some of holiday foods have higher sodium contents and be patient with yourself while you flush that sodium out with water. Remember the good feeling of being with loved ones and keep moving forward to your goals. You can do this!

I pack several days worth of food prepped just for me in little 2 and 4 oz. containers. I like eating the same thing over and over. I make sure to put some kind of sauce on the protein to keep it moist. Most meats tend to dry out the longer you have them unless they are tightly sealed. Of course everyone’s taste changes. I only prep three days ahead.

Congratulations!

Your #2 resonated with me, “ give yourself permission to succeed rather than FAIL.” Yep, I’ve been there. Thanks for your honesty and keeping things real.

Not only is this a great celebration for you but it is encouragement for the rest of us. Congratulations and thank you!

Gage makes a lactose free yogurt I can tolerate. All Cabot Hill Fam cheeses from Vermont are also lactose free. Cabot hill makes a 50% lite cheddar that tastes good. Watch out for deli meats because they are all made with a milk binder except Boar’s Head meats. Be careful with any “worsted “ meats too. I just had shakes and Fage yogurt during the mushy phase because everything mushy has lactose. Ground meat phase will come soon and get better, sorry.

Congratulations ??

Congratulations on 4 years of healthy living!

My program recommended College low salt/ low fat broths. I like the chicken bone broth but I think any broth will do. After surgery make sure it’s Ls/LF because the fat content can bother healing tummies. Drinking warm drinks helps many after surgery.

I’m going through a “get back to plan” moment too. I’m just focusing on one day at a time. I started by making sure I drank my water. If I drank my water I was on plan. Then I refocused on protein and measuring. Then if I could do that, I was on plan. Lastly, I had to track my food intake. If I was tracking I was on plan. It took about a week to resort myself but it’s working. I realized I was just tired of the healthy lifestyle I had been following for a solid year. I went to yoga and meditated about my intentions and checked in with myself. The Halloween candy seriously made my knees hurt and caused my asthma to wheeze again. The struggle is real. I’m just getting through this lifetime of healthy choices moment by moment, day by day. It’s a little overwhelming to think farther than that. You will get back to plan when you are ready. Start with one thing.

Your body language says so much; the before looks like “do I have to do this?” And, after looks like Super Woman! Your work has paid off!

There’s a lot going on here. I agree with the posters above. I would also talk with a dietitian and knowledgeable pharmacist. They would know more about medication/vitamin interactions and the brain. I had bypass so our vitamin requirements have us separate the daily vitamin and extra sublingual B vitamins (all B’s together) and calcium citrate w/D chews. I would talk with professional med/vitamin/food people and explain your depression as a symptom. I would also bring this up with whoever prescribed your depression medication because they should also be updated on blood/brain barrier interactions with vitamins. Many people on this forum and on YouTube have difficulty finding their balance emotionally after loosing significant weight. You are not alone, this is a known side affect. There is an emotional effect, but also a brain chemical effect. Please keep us updated on your progress. I love how you are curious and fighting for your health by asking good questions.