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Trying to change before surgery. Help



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@shalterDog64 I'm glad to see your here!

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Thanks! I hope we can help you figure out how to get a head start on your surgery :)

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Did you change anything before the surgery?

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Not really. I had an easy 3 day pre-op diet. I had a headache from no caffeine for one day but it passed. I am now allowed one cup of coffee with caffeine per day but haven't added it back. Your taste buds change. Every taste and smell is amplified. I can't stand sweet (used to love it) so finding Protein shakes I can handle has been hard.

So you changed most of your behavior after the surgery because of how it changed you?

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@@ShelterDog64 I love Mountain Dew. That's my biggest problem. I have only 2 cans a day. One in the morning and one at night. I was looking for a councilor for eating disorders. I've died 3 times and I've had 38 surgeries so far. While I was in the nursing home for a year they wouldn't feed me for 6 months and I starved. I panic when I get hungry. I'm learning to calm down.

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I hated being hungry too, that's why I was never a successful dieter. It's also why I chose to have 85% of my stomach removed. Even when I do feel a little hungry a couple of ounces fills me up.

Try to get off the soda, I was never a fan anyway. It all tastes like chemicals to me. I guess I always wanted to eat healthy but I was always too hungry. I really feel like now I can do it.

That person surviving on junk isn't going to keep the weight off, plenty of people who have WLS gain the weight back. We always have to eat the healthy, Protein rich foods first. For life!

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Did you change anything before the surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not really. I had an easy 3 day pre-op diet. I had a headache from no caffeine for one day but it passed. I am now allowed one cup of coffee with caffeine per day but haven't added it back. Your taste buds change. Every taste and smell is amplified. I can't stand sweet (used to love it) so finding Protein shakes I can handle has been hard.

So you changed most of your behavior after the surgery because of how it changed you?

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For me, yes. I would say I always tried to eat healthy before. I just ate too much and too many carbs. I have never liked soda often, but I would clean my plate at dinner and go back for more. We rarely had fast food but we sure did eat out every now and then, and those portions are huge. If I ate a bowl of somewhat healthy Cereal I ate twice the serving size. I wouldn't just eat an apple, I would eat an apple with way too much cheese. I ate nuts but the handful, good for you but I had way too much. I could easily eat a whole avocado, stuff like that.

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Did you change anything before the surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not really. I had an easy 3 day pre-op diet. I had a headache from no caffeine for one day but it passed. I am now allowed one cup of coffee with caffeine per day but haven't added it back. Your taste buds change. Every taste and smell is amplified. I can't stand sweet (used to love it) so finding Protein shakes I can handle has been hard.

So you changed most of your behavior after the surgery because of how it changed you?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For me, yes. I would say I always tried to eat healthy before. I just ate too much and too many carbs. I have never liked soda often, but I would clean my plate at dinner and go back for more. We rarely had fast food but we sure did eat out every now and then, and those portions are huge. If I ate a bowl of somewhat healthy Cereal I ate twice the serving size. I wouldn't just eat an apple, I would eat an apple with way too much cheese. I ate nuts but the handful, good for you but I had way too much. I could easily eat a whole avocado, stuff like that.

This is SO me before surgery. I love to cook and I love to eat what I cook! I have always cooked healthy, high quality food for my family, I raised 2 boys and didn't want them to eat much food from boxes and cans. We've only used organic dairy and meat for years and I barely shopped the aisles of the grocery, mostly the edges. But I can make a carrot cake that would make you cry, and I loved to bake bread and make homemade Pasta and on and on...and I ate like a teenaged boy right along with them :) My portions were ridiculous, looking back! Well, and all those carbs :)

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Where do you live? I'm in Arizona. I know a girl that lost 250 pounds and she eats junk just in smaller portions.

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That is not remotely typical. She likely won the genetic lottery. She did not have the "fat" gene...those people are typical a small minority in the results curve. Most of us will always have to be vigilant to lose as much as we want and keep it off in the long term. Not to say I'll never be able to have a handful of popcorn but I know I won't be able to include junk as part of my regular diet

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Where do you live? I'm in Arizona. I know a girl that lost 250 pounds and she eats junk just in smaller portions.

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Too bad she's not going to keep it off.

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@@ShelterDog64 I love Mountain Dew. That's my biggest problem. I have only 2 cans a day. One in the morning and one at night. I was looking for a councilor for eating disorders. I've died 3 times and I've had 38 surgeries so far. While I was in the nursing home for a year they wouldn't feed me for 6 months and I starved. I panic when I get hungry. I'm learning to calm down.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hated being hungry too, that's why I was never a successful dieter. It's also why I chose to have 85% of my stomach removed. Even when I do feel a little hungry a couple of ounces fills me up.

Try to get off the soda, I was never a fan anyway. It all tastes like chemicals to me. I guess I always wanted to eat healthy but I was always too hungry. I really feel like now I can do it.

That person surviving on junk isn't going to keep the weight off, plenty of people who have WLS gain the weight back. We always have to eat the healthy, Protein rich foods first. For life!

I'm a junk food junkie, but I'm trying. I love ice cream and I could eat it 3 times a day. I have taken to eating clean and removing 2 foods from my diet. It's hard eating food because I'm not used to eating real food but again I'm trying. I guess I have to try harder. This is helping me, because I realize I'm not the only one struggling.

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I have 3 1/2 months to turn it around so, I will make a change I'm tired of not living!

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Yes!! ^^^^ THIS ^^^^ is the attitude that will make you a success at this!

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At first for me it was also hard but it became easier in the house when I go grocery shopping I get healthy stuff I stay clear of "the candy, chip and soda isle" whats not in the house you can't see and won't eat and i'll go reward myself with a Decaf coffee from starbucks or something that I do like and am able to have i replaced my soda with crystal light lemonade and pink lemonade and all the other flavors which taste amazing! I get high Protein foods, low carbs, sugar free pudding and Jello and popsicles, things that still taste great! It makes you not miss the other stuff as much and if you are a drive thru fast food eater like me, every time I would wanna go I would stand my ground and whatever money I knew id be spending there I put to the side and set a goal of a none food related item I wanna buy and when I save enough I reward myself with my goal, it stops me from going thru the lines but also shows me how much I actually use to go thru them/want to go thru them! The amount of money I use to spend at these places is crazy to just be putting that junk in your body! you have to find something that will work for you just give it time you will figure it out and change, your body will start to not crave things just do it at your own pace, reward yourself for it with things you like and know even if you mess up here and there your still doing a great job! Most of it is head hunger and craving it goes away! The sooner you learn this before surgery the better you will be for you pre op diet and of course after surgery

Edited by OhHeyMarina

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I've cheated a few times because I let boredom take over. Thankfully, the cheats were so small, that I haven't gained any weight; I'm still losing weight. I noticed that food just does not taste the same. It's not as enjoyable as it used to be, and I'm glad.

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I made all the necessary changes in advance and I am so grateful! The key was to make a list of the specific habits, choose one at a time and give myself two weeks to change the habit. It made me confident I'd be successful post op. And 1 change at a time is way less intimidating.

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Don't make anything cauliflower. I tried to make cauliflower pizza and OMG!!! It's horrible. I can't get the smell out of my nose or the house. I'm terrified I can't change. They said get Baritastic Surgery for dummies.

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Cauliflower is the hot food right now. I feel like I see it everywhere.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

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      3. Doughgurl

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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