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Bariatric Surgery Do's And Don'ts



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I am doing the pre surgery don't with the eating everything in sight because I am afraid I won't be able to eat it again smh

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I am doing the pre surgery don't with the eating everything in sight because I am afraid I won't be able to eat it again smh

I think the most interesting part to me is my feelings toward what used to be my favorite foods... I'm 3 months post op now and have found so many changes in likes and dislikes... For instance... I love fish now and it used to be I didn't care for any of it other than shrimp!!! I'm constantły aware of which food choices to make and Im pretty good at making the right ones... I'm really thankful when I want an old favorite that may not be the best choice... that I can eat very little of it... Try not to worry too much about whether or not you'll be able to eat your favorites ever again... Focus on what you're doing now... It's too hard to predict how your body will manage different foods down the road... Pay attention to your body and what it's telling you... You'll be fine!!!

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Thank you for sharing. Good bless you :-)

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DO take the time to work on the reasons you had an unhealthy relationship with food before surgery. Surgery is awesome and amazing and will help you lose weight, BUT you also have to work on what goes on on the inside as well. That is what will keep the weight off in the long-run.

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hello im sabrina im new here not sure im posting in thr right spot but i have so many questions on this surgery im a big female myself n not happy bout it i have tryed to change my weight it isnt that easy to do i came to find out so here is wat i have to ask n say hope to get feed back thanks

i have been lookin into this alot i have always been heavy but i have gained alot since 2009 after i had my gallbladder taken out im not happy with myself or my weight i have tryed to loose its not easy i have 2 beautiful lil boys to live for i lost my father due to him being over 700 pounds he was 36 years old i dont want that to be me one day i refuse to go that far im 330 pounds now i wana be at least 150 is the surgery really worth doing

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Hi Sabrina. After much research and talking to successful bariatric patients I had VSG November 2013. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. My health has improved tremendously, I feel great, look great and feel more confident than ever. Often people see me and don't recognize me. Bariatric surgery is worth the changes and sacrifices if you're going to own the process. There were criterion I had to meet for my insurance company (e.g. 7 consecutive months of weigh-ins, blood work, visiting several specialists). From my December 2012 orientation to my surgery date I was completely focused on fulfilling the requirements. I followed the directions given at each appointment. At my monthly weigh-ins I was able to meet with a nutritionist who gave me steps to help ease me into my new life (e.g. not drinking within 30 mins of eating, suggestions of Protein brands and Vitamins, etc.) Remember the surgery is to our stomach not our brain. My surgeon and I discussed weight and BMI goals at my 4 month appointment. He's surprised at how far ahead of statistics I am but he sees my determination.

Since November 2013 I've lost 80 lbs. with 30 to go. Take your Vitamins (order samples from various companies in advance). My worst day was the day after surgery. Four to five times per week I'm on the treadmill 35-40 minutes. Success has come without me counting calories. I eat until I'm satisfied which is usually after 2-4 bites. Ensure you intake the amount of Protein and Water recommended. There are so many forms of protein that you don't have to get bored. The bottom line is "How bad do you want your new life?" Don't let anything or anyone stop you from making this tool work for you. It's imperative that you know you've found what works for you and be brave enough to work it.

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a fantastic summary of the do's & don'ts - I was just approved yesterday by my insurance. It all turned "real" at that moment I read that email!

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Very well said Irene.You have mentioned some very valuable instructions which are like a great inspiration for people like us who are contemplating of going under the knife.I am trying to gather all the information that I can before taking the decision.You sound like a great motivator whose words are going to be of great help for me in the future.

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There is so much to know about the sleeve. I'm glad to find this forum. I am in the first steps of getting the sleeve. Had first Dr. visit 6/30/14. It went well . Very informitive, I really like the people at weight management office. all are great and compationate people. even the lab tech was helpful. I will be seeing the physical person this monday then wt mgnt team tues. I am sick of being a fat lady. I have been heavy ever sence my father died. and the skinny sister always b chn about the fat little sister. I don't want to unload here but I have to get somethings off my chest.I hope to be able to have the sugery late sept or early oct.

I've tried other wt loss scams. nothing really worked. I always gained it all back pluss some more. I want a real lifestyle change. I hpoe to find it here.

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I'm about 8 days from surgery and one approach I recommend as a DO:

DO take small steps to changing your lifestyle weeks or months before surgery.

I began my journey in Jan 2014 and every few weeks I changed something in my lifestyle to improve my health:

  • Began walking
  • Stopped drinking diet sodas
  • Minimized eating carbs
  • Changed from high fat to lower fat Proteins
  • Quit smoking
  • Began going to the gym
  • Cut my net calories to 1700 per day
  • Later cut my net calories to 1300 per day
  • Stopped caffeine
  • Quit alcohol

I introduced these changes slowly over a 6 month period. It's important (and my bariatric psychologist agreed) to not attempt all these changes at once. It's too much change too fast. But introduce them slowly.

I gave myself treats along the way. For example, I calculated how much I saved from quitting smoking and bought some home decor and other goodies.

Now that I've started the pre-op shakes 'n liquids diet, it's not nearly as difficult as it would have been had I not made these changes. I'm not saying it's easy-peasy, but it's not the end of the world.

I'm going into surgery almost 65 lbs lighter than when I started my journey in January and can't wait to be sleeved so I can lose another 75+.

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

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      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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