brightly

I feel you. I had surgery a month ago and have only lost 10 lbs. I'm sticking to the diet with no problems, I walk briskly at least 1 hour a day and I'm getting 60-70 g Protein. In a few days, I'll be cleared to lift weights, which may help. My calories are between 600-800. That said, my preop (not the preop diet, but just my usual eating habits) were to use My Fitness Pal (used it for years!) and hit btw 1100-1200 calories a day. Well I didn't lose weight on that-- no problem following it. The dietician at the weight loss center told me I could eat 1800 calories a day and still lose weight. I laughed. Not true. I'd tried everything. I can only conclude from my own and others' experience that the solution to these metabolic issues doesn't have that much to do with calorie restriction. I suspect t has more to do with hormones and carbohydrate metabolism. My surgeon tells me that I will lose the weight. She is not worried I've only lost 10 lbs, for what that's worth. The only thing that has helped me lose in the past was actual, hardcore weight lifting. Heavy weight: deadlifts, etc. ! I was not skinny, and I spent 1 hour in the gym 6 days a week. I worked very hard to be a still overweight person. I never had a problem with carbo loading or junk food. All of this tells me that our metabolisms are complex. Perhaps it is the metabolism that drives eating disorders and not the eating driving the weight gain. The science needs to do better. Until then, I've found that eating protein like crazy, lifting weights (more than cardio), hydrating, and just eating like a normal person (healthy meals) is the only way to lose weight, and I never lose much. Perhaps that will change, but for now, I really really feel your frustration. In my own case, my post op is not too different from my preop diet. Both healthy- both protein and non-strachy vegetable rich. Both pretty low in calories. But I have experienced the serios weight lifting to help some-- and I feel better when i do it-- just be protective of your pelvic floor!

I feel you. I had surgery a month ago and have only lost 10 lbs. I'm sticking to the diet with no problems, I walk briskly at least 1 hour a day and I'm getting 60-70 g Protein. In a few days, I'll be cleared to lift weights, which may help. My calories are between 600-800. That said, my preop (not the preop diet, but just my usual eating habits) were to use My Fitness Pal (used it for years!) and hit btw 1100-1200 calories a day. Well I didn't lose weight on that-- no problem following it. The dietician at the weight loss center told me I could eat 1800 calories a day and still lose weight. I laughed. Not true. I'd tried everything. I can only conclude from my own and others' experience that the solution to these metabolic issues doesn't have that much to do with calorie restriction. I suspect t has more to do with hormones and carbohydrate metabolism. My surgeon tells me that I will lose the weight. She is not worried I've only lost 10 lbs, for what that's worth. The only thing that has helped me lose in the past was actual, hardcore weight lifting. Heavy weight: deadlifts, etc. ! I was not skinny, and I spent 1 hour in the gym 6 days a week. I worked very hard to be a still overweight person. I never had a problem with carbo loading or junk food. All of this tells me that our metabolisms are complex. Perhaps it is the metabolism that drives eating disorders and not the eating driving the weight gain. The science needs to do better. Until then, I've found that eating protein like crazy, lifting weights (more than cardio), hydrating, and just eating like a normal person (healthy meals) is the only way to lose weight, and I never lose much. Perhaps that will change, but for now, I really really feel your frustration. In my own case, my post op is not too different from my preop diet. Both healthy- both protein and non-strachy vegetable rich. Both pretty low in calories. But I have experienced the serios weight lifting to help some-- and I feel better when i do it-- just be protective of your pelvic floor!

It's good that he will be there for you anyway. For many of us, the health problems (heart attack, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, inability to exercise, knee/hip replacement, asthma issues and more) associated with being overweight long-term are so much more extreme than the only medical solution proven to help us get to and stay at a healthy weight. I thought it was a little humorous that he said he could not imagine having 20% of his stomach. I thought—well, he won't have to imagine—he can ask you how it feels, and you will tell him. Also- no one seems to be interested in how it feels health-wise to be overweight. (Perhaps your husband is the positive exception here, but in my experience, most people are quick to talk about the surgery and how horrific the idea is, but not how horrific it is to have a heart attack at a young age, or any other obesity-related health problem. ) Literally no one would say, "Gee, don't you think quadruple bypass surgery is extreme? I can't imagine having my heart surgically altered". But weight loss surgery is a medical necessity for some and a hope of prevention for others. It can be truly life-saving. Not that you need to hear that, because you already know it. But he should probably hear it. It sounds like he might come around in the end, and I wish you both the best. I'm mostly writing this for others whose spouses may need some help understanding the medical nature of the procedure.

Here are some articles that might help him understand the science, including the fact that it isn't fully understood yet and is multifactorial. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unexpected-clues-emerge-about-why-diets-fail/
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/7/16587316/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss-lap-band ... let me know if you need more articles. There is the other thing : people in societal groups that are favored (dudes, thin people, youth, the wealthy, the physically well etc...without getting too far into the politics of this) don't have to see things from a non-favored person's perspective (women, overweight people, people over 40, poor people, the infirm, etc...) because they are the recipients of most of society's advantages. In short, they are not forced to understand the other side. We are forced to, so we end up seeing things from both perspectives—the dominat, favored one because it is forced in our faces every day and our own because it is our reality in the face of that. Thin/fit people who love us need to aspire to a true medical understanding of the issue. (it would be great if dudes would likewise attempt to form a more educated understanding of women's historical struggle but let's not get too ambitious) Granted, this seems difficult, even for some of our own physicians, but we must reach for it, or we will never see it realized. Thin people also have to understand that obesity is a medical issue that has causes that are genetic, metabolic, hormonal, environmental. So perhaps giving him some articles to read might help. If they don't-- his resistance is not really about that. Good luck with this and keep us posted. We are with you!

I’m currently doing the pre-op diet and reading these remarks makes me really sad but great fun for my team. I’m not getting this kind of run around and would be very angry if this was the case. I hope things get better for you guys!

I had something similar happen...I have a hard time with Protein Shakes, and was just told to do protein waters instead, but not adjust the calories. Honestly, my dietician seems pretty useless. Thankfully, I was able to find some protein shakes that were tolerable, because I could not function on 500 calories a day!

YES! I have been on a liquid diet for 12 days now, and pho broth has been the tastiest thing I've eaten since starting. I definitely recommend it!
I'm def looking forward to moving out of the liquid stage. It will be the best refried Beans and cottage cheese I've ever eaten! LOL

It's good that he will be there for you anyway. For many of us, the health problems (heart attack, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, inability to exercise, knee/hip replacement, asthma issues and more) associated with being overweight long-term are so much more extreme than the only medical solution proven to help us get to and stay at a healthy weight. I thought it was a little humorous that he said he could not imagine having 20% of his stomach. I thought—well, he won't have to imagine—he can ask you how it feels, and you will tell him. Also- no one seems to be interested in how it feels health-wise to be overweight. (Perhaps your husband is the positive exception here, but in my experience, most people are quick to talk about the surgery and how horrific the idea is, but not how horrific it is to have a heart attack at a young age, or any other obesity-related health problem. ) Literally no one would say, "Gee, don't you think quadruple bypass surgery is extreme? I can't imagine having my heart surgically altered". But weight loss surgery is a medical necessity for some and a hope of prevention for others. It can be truly life-saving. Not that you need to hear that, because you already know it. But he should probably hear it. It sounds like he might come around in the end, and I wish you both the best. I'm mostly writing this for others whose spouses may need some help understanding the medical nature of the procedure.

Here are some articles that might help him understand the science, including the fact that it isn't fully understood yet and is multifactorial. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unexpected-clues-emerge-about-why-diets-fail/
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/7/16587316/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss-lap-band ... let me know if you need more articles. There is the other thing : people in societal groups that are favored (dudes, thin people, youth, the wealthy, the physically well etc...without getting too far into the politics of this) don't have to see things from a non-favored person's perspective (women, overweight people, people over 40, poor people, the infirm, etc...) because they are the recipients of most of society's advantages. In short, they are not forced to understand the other side. We are forced to, so we end up seeing things from both perspectives—the dominat, favored one because it is forced in our faces every day and our own because it is our reality in the face of that. Thin/fit people who love us need to aspire to a true medical understanding of the issue. (it would be great if dudes would likewise attempt to form a more educated understanding of women's historical struggle but let's not get too ambitious) Granted, this seems difficult, even for some of our own physicians, but we must reach for it, or we will never see it realized. Thin people also have to understand that obesity is a medical issue that has causes that are genetic, metabolic, hormonal, environmental. So perhaps giving him some articles to read might help. If they don't-- his resistance is not really about that. Good luck with this and keep us posted. We are with you!

Pho broth is a brilliant idea, thank you!

I have been on a clear liquid diet since July 5. Tomorrow I get to start FULL liquids and I am here for it! If I never eat another bowl of broth again in my life, it will be too soon! On the plus side I have lost 27 pounds.
HW: 283
SW: 235
CW: 217

I really don't have to sip at all. I can take a regular size drink as long as I don't gulp it down.

RANCH DRESSING SEASONING:
Never knew about it before. Now I sprinkle it on my 2 cups vegetables per day. Lifesaver. Thought anyone who agrees would dig this video:

I hope you are all feeling better and doing great post-surgery. And @AmandaFilm, please tell us what's been going on with your recovery. I hope you feel better too!

Today is the day..On my way to the hospital now, my nerves are getting the best of me..I will let everyone know how it goes🧡❤🙏

For real! My session with the dietician also consisted of her just reading through the packet to me, and her being unable to answer any specific questions. I'm pescatarian, and don't consume much dairy, so the only animal Proteins I eat are fish/seafood and some eggs. She had no idea about recommendations for non-dairy Protein Shakes, and no ideas about customizing the puree/soft foods phases to be things that weren't all ricotta, cottage cheese, and yogurt. This is a major university bariatric center. Asking about plant-based alternatives shouldn't be so befuddling. I'd love some specific recommendations and recipes, but yeah, if you can't do that, give me the info to do it, myself, and don't charge me hundreds of dollars for a service you aren't really providing.

The thing that cracks me up about this process, is that these programs seem to all assume/are designed as though all overweight people have become that way because they/we all love eating Cheetos dipped in melted chocolate and drinking Big Gulps full of queso-topped Coke Slurpees with fluffernutter chasers. Some of us—perhaps even many of us—eat normal savory, natural foods like chicken and vegetables, don't eat out, and don't love drinking melted ice cream on the sly, and try to avoid chemicals in their foods. I do wish there was some kind of accommodation for these eating patterns. We can be fat people too! Unless I have it all wrong, and we are meant to train ourselves to crave a good melted ice cream chug and a handful of s'more dip as we learn "better eating habits" after surgery. I just find it funny.

Today is day 6 on the pre-op diet and I'm feeling lightheaded -no energy. I'm drinking the Protein Shakes and sipping just the liquids from Soup, also a sugar free pudding. Like brightly --I'm not really a sweets person. So it seems like a lot of sweet stuff is on the list of pre-op options. Starting Monday it will be Clear Liquids only, surgery is Thursday.

PREOP liquid diet UPDATE:
So I spent all day on this issue. I found some solutions on my own. The problems were:
1. I can't tolerate the Premiere Protein Shakes (or any other shakes) because the Calcium is too high and I have high calcium already (probably hyperparathyroidism- still having labs). 2. I don't have much of a sweet tooth so shakes all day isn't fun for me—its a bit barfy. 3. I want to control how sweet the Protein liquid is, so maybe I can keep it down. 4. I want it to taste real, like something healthy, not like junk food or candy. I want a savory option also.
Ok. So here is what I found, but it involves a DIY approach. I'm going to try Forager cashew milk (I've had it- it tastes like cashews and is not sweet- it tastes healthy in a good way) plus Isopure Protein Powder (zero carbs, zero sugar), plus a sugar free Monin Syrup, because I can use just a small amount so it is gently sweet, not vomitaciously so. (like all prepared shakes, for some reason).
This accomplishes the protein in a prepared shake with lower carbs and fat and much much lower calcium, and will taste natural. I'll try this when it comes in the mail tomorrow. I'm going to use 1.25 scoops of powder, probably a tbsp of Monin Almond Syrup, and 4 oz. of Forager Cashew Milk, unsweetened with a ton of ice in the blender. I may throw in some nutmeg and a pinch of salt.

It will be
150 calories 31g protein 2g fat 2g carbs 8% calcium 0% Vitamin C For now, I will grind up my Multivitamin and put it in there until I have to stop taking Vitamins 10 days before surgery. My surgery is on the 28th, so very soon.

I've also been trying Brodo bone broths for savory protein and liquids- they are great, but too expensive. Good to know about though.

I've also sprinked a bit of Ranch powder on some celery and asperagus (I'm allowed 2 cups veggies and 2 tbsp fat free dressing a day-- so I'm doing that-- it's pretty good, and I'm not even a Ranch person)

I'll try this smoothie recipe tomorrow. I hope it helps someone else who might have hyperparathyroidism. Obviously, check with your surgeon on this before doing it.

I’ve been in the hospital since Sunday and they ran some tests. So they conducted a endoscopy and stated I have stricture. They opened/stretched my stomach out some. It’s the day after and I still can’t keep my liquids down. I feel horrible. I’m having sharp pains now under my breast. I really need some answers. Did any of you have elevated Lipase levels? Mines is through the roof. It’s 567. I appreciate all of your input and suggestions.

I am so sorry you're going through this. I really hope the hospital has consulted with your surgeon and they are working together to find a solution for you.
Do you have anyone there who can be an advocate for you? Not only are you likely dealing with discrimination due to your body size, but also medical racism. I really hope your healthcare team is listening to you and doing everything they can.

Hi I’m home now . Spent one night at standford hospital and now back home. I feel sick, can’t really get out of bed without screaming and I’m sooo hungry. My stomach is growling and Water plus shakes are not helping. Any ideas’ ?

My Surgery is Monday July 26th! I am doing it down in TJ with dr. verboonen.

BRIGHTLY! You preach it! That post should be printed and sent to every dietician who works for a Bariatric Surgeon!!! Thank you for doing the research for us. I'm an English teacher and I tell you, that is one very well written essay!
Thank you for writing it and saying what many of us may not have had been able to say quite so eloquently.
My surgery on July 22. I think that's 3 of us on the same day.