Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Going Back To Work.... Any Suggestions Or Advice From The Vets



Recommended Posts

Hey guys I'm going back to work after three weeks off tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about my eating and getting my Protein in. Just seems like I have so much more control being at home where I have everything I need. Anyway Vets any good suggestions for going back to work? 3 week sleeved!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi andi0120-

Don't overdo it! I was exhausted at the end of my first week back to work. I was working at my normal pace but with so little food that I was using up all my energy reserves.

I also was careful to only eat when I was not rushed. Eating too fast or not paying attention and eating just that little bite too much can be ugly! LOL

Find a routine that works for you for getting all of your Protein, Water and supplements in for the day. Once I found a rhythm that worked,most of the time I was able to reach my daily goals (minimum 60g Protein and 64 oz water). But I had to find the best timing in my work day. Like I found if I didn't get at least 40-48oz of Water in before I left work to go home, I would be nowhere near my water goal for the day. Also, if I didn't get a less dense protein source in for lunch (chili, milk based chowder, yogurt), i couldn't hit my protein goal.

I think the key is to listen to and learn your body and how it's adjusting to this new way of life.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

First off, congrats on your sleeve!! And it looks like you are doing great!

I have a little fridge at my desk. I buy the EAS low carb Protein shakes and store them in my fridge. When I get to work, I start drinking one for my morning Breakfast. They are yummy! I am able to go home for lunch, but if I couldn't, I would probably bring a chicken breast or a lean cuisine or something like that. At 3 weeks, not sure what you can eat yet, but be sure to follow your plan. I also always have a bottle of Water with me in my fridge. I drink about 40-50 oz a day which isn't too hard to do. I also have the lowfat Weight Watchers cheese sticks that I eat sometimes as an afternoon snack. The problem with those is that when I eat one, it makes me hungry for another for some reason, so I usually try to avoid them. Then it is back to home where I have my dinner.

You will do great. It really isn't that difficult. I actually find that working takes my mind off eating anyways so it's all good.

Hope this helps and good luck!! Again, congrats you awesome sleever you! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats on your sleeve!!.. I have to echo what's already been said... Plan your meals and schedule your Fluid intake... I bought a 32oz Water container... and I fill it up once on the way out of the house.. and again after lunch break...

I try to keep high Protein Snacks around and get at least 25-30g of Protein during breakfast....

It was very difficult for me initially because I wasn't used to having to work and think about getting all my food/liquids down..When I plan and stick to my schedule, it's no problem..

But if I get super busy at work and get thrown off, I have a heck of a time trying to get all my Water and meals in...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am going back tomorrow half day and am still on Clear Liquids - 9 days post op tomorrow. I'm exhausted from my Walmart trip today - I hope I survive!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A few things that I found and did when I went back to work were:

You will probably be beat after work. Good idea about going back on a Thursday. That's what I did and by friday afternoon I was SOOOOOO tired. I rested the majority of the weekend. So just don't be disappointed if you go back and realize you can't keep up with the same pace that you used to.

Second, I bring all my food with me. I was the epitome of the opposite of this before surgery, I bought Breakfast at DD, lunch at either a diner or chinese, and then dinner, we typically went out to eat. No wonder I was so unhealthy!! Anyway, I realized 1) I wouldn't be able to get all the Protein in if I didn't bring my own foods and 2) those old places didn't really have anything sleeve friendly. I"m two months out and I still can't find much that I would want to eat there. I usually bring a shake and some greek yogurt and a string cheese. That gets me through the day and then I have a really lean high protein dinner with a little veggies if I have room. I am still having a hard time getting all the fluids in during the workday because I am so preoccupied. But we'll all get there. :-) Hope this helps. It really helps if you have an understanding boss and coworkers too. Cause your feet will probably be dragging for the first week. But the energy will come back!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ive been back 6 days since surgery. Stay hydrated. I noticed my 1st day back i was a little light headed & felt woozy. Emailed my Dr. and was told to stay hydrated and make sure im taking my Protein Shakes. So i take 2 Protein shakes to work, consisting of 30mg each. That does the job for me & pacing yourself. Dont rush into things mistake i made since i stay on my feet all 8hrs and only sitting for 15min breaks & lunch. But everything will eventually fall through. I feel much better now. Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much everyone. I went out and purchased a lunch bag, some healthy Snacks and some elastic waist skirts. I realized while out today that jeans still don't feel so great although they are baggy so I'll go with the elastic waist for awhile. The sleeve requires so much discipline. I love this site you learn so much.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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.

    • Clueless_girl

      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!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      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.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×