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

Life just before "Maintenace"



Recommended Posts

Hello I'm Dee, surgery was 3/1/2010. I am now living in maintenance. Before I go into what I know make me a success, I like to say that I am fortunate enough to have at my disposal a nutritionist, Dietitian, Physiatrist, psychologist and a Life coach. Without these 5 incredible people I wouldn't have been able to succeed. They've given me bravado, knowledge, the ability to understand and come to terms with my former self, among a million other pieces of advice to become successful today, etc..

The knowledge I've obtain through them and on my own is the most coveted and valuable thing I have. so, thank you to them for putting up with me, and making me see the errs of my former self, and what I know, and who I am now, and guiding me into genuine good health and good eating habits.

So a lot of the words I say here will probably be more their words more than mine. But its the gift they gave me, that I'd like to share that with others. I know a lot of people don't have these 5 people in place, so if I can give you or their words of wisdom, I will be more than happy to share.

OK Life before 'Maintenance'..wow where to start..first day home. Scary, as much research and people at my disposal, still scary. I couldn't keep ANYTHING down, dumped the first week I was home. If broth actually made it to my stomach, I was ok, normally it didn't, so I'd just wet my lips with it. That was week one, called my surgeon at least 50 times that week. Just for reassurance. I should have been calling my Psychologist!! lol..there's no handbook for fear & insecurities. My Dietitian was probably a very happy person before she met me, I'm sure of it. But she soon started with the NO NONSENSE attitude. I was instructed to adhere to my prescribed "Phase" foods, I had no special needs in that category, so basically shut up and do it. I did..lol..with good results. so I stuck to all my 'Phases" with a good outcome. I bucked and bit at every turn. The final nail in my (old life) coffin was, after the phases were over and it was time to go back to real food, which is where my life (at first) became a nightmare. MAINTENANCE..my dirty word. Oh let me say this before I end this novel..from day one I have had trouble with food upsetting my pouch. I cant just eat anything I want. My pouch is fussy and cranky till this day. Thank you for listening :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good morning Dee! Do you maintain a food log?

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

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 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

    ×