Sai

5 months

@@Sai, if you do get the fat free evap, expect that it may taste a little different the first few times you use it. I remember that. Then again, cream tastes funny to me. My usual before surgery was 2% milk or higher.

kk I'll keep that in mind... And by the way, my 110 lb. mother (never been overweight in her life) only drinks her coffee with evaporated milk as long as I could remember. Now you got me thinking about it. hehe Thanks again <3

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch kk, I'll try to remember that. I tend to go overboard in a lot of things I do. I think when I go shopping this weekend, I'm going to pick up a can of the evaporated milk too. hehe Thank you <3

Pre and post-op, I drank coffee. Every patient is different, every program is different. Thank goodness my tummy and my program welcomed it.

Yup. Me too.

I gave up smoking, alcohol (pretty much) to have this surgery, so you'll take my coffee from my cold, dead hands.

lol exaactly hehehe

Pre and post-op, I drank coffee. Every patient is different, every program is different. Thank goodness my tummy and my program welcomed it.

You know that the general rule is not to drink calories. I've pretty much adhered to it, but occasionally -- rarely, to be accurate -- revel in a glass or two of orange or pineapple juice. I'll buy only a one-pint container of OJ and stretch it over two days. The couple of times a year that I buy a large can of the other, I drink a glass or two and freeze the rest in portions to be used in marinades. If having a little of something wonderful makes it easier to stay the course, I say Yes.

What applies to me and my band may not apply to you and bypass. I can't guess because you've revealed nothing about your surgery history/timeline. Make the correct decision. If you opt for juice, account for it in your food-tracking.

All the best to you. Good night.

One of the hardest rules for me to follow when I had the band, and now the sleeve. I don't think I can ever get used to drinking my coffee black lol. God knows I've tried. I finally got it down to one tablespoon of cream...

Same, 5-6 small meals. A meal can be one string cheese or an ounce of meat/fish with some mustard on it... Etc.

Getting Water in should be your number one priority. Good you are in puree but doesn't matter if you get dehydrated. Keep drinking all day long. Even at 6.5 mths out, I always have Water handy. The more water, the more weightloss too. It helps carry the toxins and fat out of your body.

Right. Just curious how quickly we can drink. Do you sip every few minutes?

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Drank pretty quickly from day 3. My program said as long as you don't "guzzle" it, and there is no pain involved, drink as you wish. I just drink 8 oz at a time. Not really a sipper here.

"In your experience, post-WLS, do you find that you have to maintain that intense focus to the exclusion of all other hobbies? And if so, for how long? Forever? Or have you reached a place where you can (just for example) take up knitting and binge-watch Orange is the New Black without it affecting your meal planning and eating habits?"

Great question. I do have to maintain that intense focus but it's never been to the exclusion of all other hobbies. It's part of my daily reflection. For example, after every meal, I log my foods, drink, Vitamins taken. That takes only a few minutes. At the end of the day, I look at total calories, carbs, if I met at the very least 100% of my RDA nutrient level... Etc. If I did well, I pat myself on the back, and if I don't, I try to make adjustments tomorrow. I also log my exercise, and that also takes a minute or two. Mentally and emotionally it's probably always in the back of my mind, I mean, who are we kidding? hehe However, there is plenty of time for my knitting, my musical instruments, my reading, my work... Etc.

I think once you get a good app or a good way to log everything, you'll get in a natural groove on how to keep yourself accountable without expending a tremendous amount time or energy.

I also have certain behaviors (for lack of a better term) when I feel a weak moment. One is to log into BP or FB, touch base with others, read what others are feeling, how they are dealing with what I'm dealing with... Etc. I find that important to keep myself focused.

My heart breaks for them. I want to hug them.

It's like an alcoholic---just because he is in the 12 step program doesn't mean he knows it all or can control it.

They go to seek advice and help -so do some here.

No one is perfect and yes they might need justification but maybe that is their coping mechanism that they are working thru. Let's hope they are successful with whatever coping mechanisms work for them (instead of food)

Addicts tend to use self-pity to make excuses for their behavior, to justify it, to rationalize it... So that's why I refuse to give anybody more reasons to play the victim role. They'll use that victim role to justify their actions. Making excuses for them, not calling out their coping mechanisms = being an enabler. They will flourish in self-pity, and we already know self-pity is extremely toxic. I wouldn't add to it. Addicts need straight answers to know the consequences of their actions. For example, if you eat solid food on post-op day 3, you can hurt yourself. Should you eat that? No, you shouldn't. Can you? Of course you can, but you shouldn't. Not being argumentative here, just stating my opinion.

Haha

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Hi

I had my three months blood work and my cholesterol (Ld l) is 244. I was shocked and am very concerned. I see my family doctor tomorrow and the dietician next week. My blood work had 6 abnormalities. Anyone experience anything like this ?

SW 109 kilograms

CW 87 kilograms

GW 70 kilograms

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I just got another blood test too. my ldl went up a bit too, but my ratio was below 2, which puts me in the lowest risk category. I was relieved. How is your ratio?

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@@TexasguyEP Congratulations! I know you can't wait for the date!

One of the most exciting days of my life. Lol

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I started when I was cleared for all foods, week 5 for me.

Nutrition is the most important consideration. However, if I don't count calories, I still overeat.

Writing down everything keeps me from grazing. I'm certain I could eat an entire side of salmon one nibble at a time if I didn't use calorie counting for accountability.

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Oh me too. I log everything, every bite, every drink, every daily exercise, daily weight, every calorie, every carb, every gram of fat, salt, potassium, nutrients... Etc. It's actually a nice hobby lol.

All about accountability and discipline for me.

@@OutsideMatchInside Yeah, I agree. Nutrition is the best focal point.

I don't know how you all lose weight below 800 calories... When I go under 1K for a long period of time, I completely stall out. At 800 calories, I lost 2 lbs in a month, if that. Over 1K, I'm assured 1-2 lbs. loss/week consistently.

I feel rather lonely here. lol

Having said that, I know all of our bodies are different though.

I have Soup all the time. I count the clear soup as part of my liquids. I asked my surgeon about the drinking rule, and she said that soup is allowed and not to worry about it, unless it causes me nausea (which it doesn't). Every program is different but mine encourages healthy Soups.

Between 1000-1200 calories/day, I'm post-op 4 months. My surgeon/program encouraged me to get to that calorie range beginning at wk 5. I burn ~300-500 calorie each day through exercise.

Good luck to you, I was scared and excited too. Strange combination but it's perfectly normal.

I threw up once in 4 months post-op so it's definitely uncommon for me. As far as having small portions and how it has affected me... I still have "Big eyes" and when I sit down I think "Oh I could eat all of this, I'm so hungry!" and get a familiar fear of scarfing it all down, and then after a few ounces, I feel very satisfied. It's a relief to me.

No lotions, potions, wraps, or any of that stuff will firm skin that has been stretched out due to being obese and losing large amounts of weight. Some will give the appearance of it temporarily, but nothing permanent. Surgery is really the only option for those really bad areas.

Strength and resistance training can definitely help in areas where you can fill out the skin with some muscle, giving it a firmer appearance, but some just won't snap back. I am a good example. I've done okay with my arms using strength training, but my pannus area will definitely need surgery to remove. I'm on the fence about it right now. Good shape wear can do wonders

You look great, @@Babbs

I went in for a band adjustment, hopefully finding a doctor who knew what he was doing, and instead he suggested for me to get a revision to a sleeve after studying my recent history of problems finding my sweetspot. He never brought up RNY. I'm happy with the sleeve. I think if he did offer the RNY vs sleeve, I'd go for the sleeve. I read Dr. V's book on gastric sleeve (good book), and he said in his experience, of all WLS, the sleeve is the most natural and has the least complications.

I am 32 days out and I really want to eat pickles. Dill pickles are all I can think about. Is this normal? I don't think I can have raw veggies until ten weeks from now.

I am not even hungry per se, I just miss the taste. I hope I get over these cravings for foods I can't have.

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I think craving salty things is normal when you are on a low carb diet. On low carb diets, we lose a lot of salt so I believe it's recommended to have a higher amount of salt intake. I eat pickles all the time but not until I was cleared for all foods (week 5 in my program)... But yeah, I'd say it's normal. ^^