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Choose the path that fits today. We’ll take you to the most useful discussions.
- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
Everything posted by Sunnyway
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What do non-cooks eat in the 4th month?
They seem to have only 11- 16 g protein per package. That's less than is found in a protein shake.
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What do non-cooks eat in the 4th month?
There are many bariatric cookbooks available on Amazon and elsewhere, including some on meal prep, Instant Pots, and Air Fryers. Here are some I've collected.
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Information Vs. Support
I'm a fan of Matthew Weiner, MD, and his website & videos. I've been following A Pound of Cure philosophy since I began going to my bariatric clinic. I've lost over 50 lbs pre-op. I think his nutritional advice is better than my clinic's. For example, my clinic didn't want me to eat fruit! Can you imagine 8 months without fruit? I'm not totally following his food plan, but am inching my way through the the stations. My vegan friend has shared some of her favorite recipes so many of my meals are animal protein-free. I've cut out sugar, flour, rice, potatoes, pasta, and processed foods. I'm still dependent upon artificial sweeteners, but once I've graduated from protein drinks I'm going to work harder on that. My RNY to RNY revision is just three weeks away now!
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Anyone's primary doctor was against the operation?
Your doctor is way behind the times on WLS. What other out-of-date ideas does he have? You may want to find a new primary care physician. If not, you could refer him to some reading material. .
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Your taste affected now.
Yes, this is quite common, but usually temporary.
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Sleeve to Bypass 7 months post-op...still can't eat chicken/beef
It took almost a year before I could comfortably eat meat and some other foods like spaghetti noodles, chinese food, etc. It's normal. You may need to add unflavored protein powder to your food if you are not meeting your protein goals. Do discuss with your dietitian.
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Liquid diet
Protein shakes and powders for protein goals. There are MANY brands, so experiment. Drink 3-4 a day or as your clinician prescribed. Sugar-free popsicles and sugar-free jello for treats. Broth for variety and flavor. Protein water if you need additional protein. Water, water, water. Drink 64 oz a day or more. You can add flavor packets to your water, such as Snapple, Wylers, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Crystal Light. (I buy them at the dollar store.) The first week is the hardest because you are feeling withdrawal symptoms. The second week is easier.
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Question
To break a stall you may have to heat MORE. It's counter-intuitive, but your metabolism may have gone into "starvation mode" hanging on to as much as possible. You may still lose inches during a stall and your body will eventually catch up. To speed up the process, try increasing your daily calorie consumption to 1000-1200 for a couple of weeks and see what happens.
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Change in taste ?
Yes, your sense of taste should return to normal in time, but some things will still taste different because your new eating habits will make your taste buds satisfied with healthier foods and the old unhealthy foods won't be as attractive or triggering.
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Sudden low energy at night
Try a snack in the evening that includes dairy and fruit, such as 1/4-1/2 C fat-free greek yogurt or cottage cheese with some berries. I find that that gives me an energy boost and eliminates pre-bedtime craving.
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This surgery is bullshit...
Your surgery did work. By your own description, you are not working. You must weigh, measure, and log your intake and follow your nutritionist's and doctor's direction. The surgery does not work on its own, it takes the patient's efforts to make it work. I recommend that you read some books about WLS and get some bariatric cookbooks and meal-planning books..or you can do your own thing and continue to complain that the surgery is not working. Suggested books:
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Dehydration?
Next time empty your bottle to carry it through security. Once past security, refill the bottle for carrying onto the plane.
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Do you still do 6 meals a day?
I usually have 1/2 to 3/4 c fat-free greek yogurt or fat-free cottage cheese with some 1/4 c fresh or frozen berries and a little artificial sweetener. It's a quick light breakfast but contains protein and fiber and is satisfying. With a good breakfast I'm not tempted to snack during the day. Other days I have oatmeal cooked in the microwave (1/2 c rolled oats, 1 c water) with some chia or flax seeds and chopped pecans or almonds. Nuke for 3 minutes and serve with fat-free milk or plant-milk. A little cinnamon and artificial sweetener make this a sweet treat that is filling and helps keep me regular. There is lots of fiber in the oatmeal, seeds, and nuts. Do not use instant oatmeal--it's full of sugar.
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RNY to RNY revision.
I'm at 266 right now, pre-surgery. I'm optimistic having read your status at 2.5 months. I'm hoping to break 200 after the revision. I haven't seen "onederland" since college. I dare not even dream of a lower target weight. I have done so well pre-surgery that people are asking why I want to go ahead with the revision. I was stalled for 10 weeks and thought I had bottomed out. However, this week I have just dropped a few pounds. I still don't have a surgery date, but that may be due to the rise in COVID cases In my area.
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Do you still do 6 meals a day?
No, only some doctors suggest six meals a day. The majority do not. I recommend you a book or two about WLS, for example these:
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Increase appetite
I think you need to talk to your bariatric surgeon. Many do prescribe appetite suppressant medication.
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Vitamins
You need a high dose Multi-Vitamin such as Bariatric Pal's One-a-Day (or double "normal" one-a-day vitamins), sub-lingual Vitamin B12, D3, and 1500 mg Calcium Citrate. If your dietitian gave you other directions, follow them.
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I'm struggling
Broth is a low calorie liquid that helps you meet your fluid requirements. It's protein value is irrelevant. It's just one more thing to help you achieve your desired outcome. As for supplements, you need a high dose multi-vitamin such as Bariatric Pal's One-a-Day (or double "normal" one-a-day vitamins), sub-lingual vitamin B12, D3, and 1500 mg Calcium Citrate. If your dietitian gave you other directions, follow them. For pain, you can take Tylenol. Exhaustion on Day 4 is totally normal. Relax, take it one day at a time. You've got this!
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Possibility of non-reversible complications?
If you eat a well balanced diet and take the prescribed vitamins and minerals you should have no deficiency as you age. My plan calls for 1500 mg calcium citrate which protects from bone loss. It is important to take calcium citrate, not other forms of calcium. I had my RNY 30 years ago, and while it was not entirely successful (so I'm leading up to revision at age 73), the surgery had no long term negative effects on me. Indeed, I credit it for avoiding Type II Diabetes, which many of my overweight friends now have.
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Omg
There are lots of bariatric cookbooks available on Amazon and elsewhere, even some for InstantPot and AirFryers. Some of them are specifically meal prep guidelines and recipes. You are smart to be thinking ahead. Here are some of the cookbooks I've obtained:
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Ruined my tool
Recording honestly what you consume on an app like Baritastic helps to keep one on track. If you binge, you must still record every morsel that crosses your lips. Binging and purging is a serious medical issue. Be sure that your therapist is qualified for that condition. Have you read "Never Purge Again" by Glenn Livinston? You may find that helpful. You also might benefit from reading a book or two about WLS.
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Weirdest None-Scale-Victory - I'll go first
I've had to sew up the side seams of my underwear and swimwear because they are too big and I don't want to buy new ones at this stage of my journey.
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RNY to RNY revision.
I also will be having RNY revision very soon, but my original RNY was done 30 years ago. Over 10 years I regained all I had lost. Both my pouch and anastomasis stretched. We won't lose as much following revision, but It will get us closer to "normal" BMI. There has been much progress in the technique and protocol since even 2010 so I'm optimistic.
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Little struggles
Tiny sips of water while eating may help you. Tiny sips are not the same as "drinking while eating". The reason for the rule is to prevent washing the food through the pouch faster than it should be moving thus preventing you from feeling satisfied.
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Stomach noises
Stomach or intestine rumbling is not a sign of hunger. It's merely food slowly moving through your system. Don't use it as a cue to eat.