How has your family changed since your WLS?

[NWJill 119]

I start my pre-op diet this week and I know that this will change a lot regarding how I feed my family. I am just wondering what other changes you have seen in your family since having surgery? Has your family's eating, exercise, activities changed? I have a young son at home and I am trying to prepare my husband and my son and would love to hear if anyone experienced anything unexpected in this area.

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[LittleBill 2,231]

I see the spammer has replied.

We are empty nesters, so we had no children to worry about. Mrs LittleBill has been extremely supportive, and made a lot of the same changes to her diet that I did when I started the 3 month program before surgery. She is very sensitive to gluten, and has been for many years, so we were already used to reading labels, cooking a little differently, etc.

During the times of my most restrictive diet - immediately pre and post op - she pretty much fended for herself. She said she would not make me cook for her while I was on liquids or stuff like that.

I have come to the point where I am back on solid food again. We are cooking for both of us again, and both of us cook. We have been able to keep some of our favorite meals, while others have gone by the wayside. We have always been interested in trying new things to eat, so we're having some fun with that. Bariatric friendly and gluten free have significant overlap in some ways.

It is easier without the kids at home, but we raised our three with the philosophy that we would put good food on the table. If they were not willing to eat it, there was always another meal coming eventually. It worked out pretty well for the most part.

Edited December 13, 2016 by LittleBill

[cat17 57]

I'm only a month post-op, but totally psyched that my five year old son ate salmon with me last night!! I'm hoping to evolve our diets as I move through the stages.

[DeletedMember 715]

Our dinners have not changed radically. We always pretty much served lean Proteins, veggies and a carb for dinner. I just no longer eat the carb and have smaller portions.

As far as activities, that's a bit more of a challenge. My daughter has embraced it and loves going to the gym, going on more walks, etc. my wife struggles more as her primary "date" activity she suggests is a nice dinner out which I do not prefer. I indulge her of course, and can always find something on the menu that's appropriate, but would just prefer to prepare myself own food.

My hope is that one day she embraces more activities as "dates". Any suggestions??

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[RJC5197 282]

We too are empty nesters. We have really separated most of our meal prep and eating.

My wife has made some small diet changes, but in general, does not follow the same healthy eating plan, so we pretty much make our own food. We do go out together a couple nights a week to break it up, but she refuses to eat lower carb or fat meals, like I do.

I also plan my meals out multiple days ahead, and shop for them, so not to stray from my plan.

Also, my tastes have changed some, and I now really enjoy spicy foods and some weird concoctions, to enhance nutrition and flavor. Most time my chili and other foods I make in larger batches, is not to my wife's liking.

But it is working well for us.

[NWJill 119]

My husband is a home body so I can see "activity" dates may be hard for him, I think of things like going for a walk up on the waterfront in Seattle near where I live or a family bike ride on trails down by the river. With my son that is an aspect I am looking forward to, I am dying to be more active with him. We live in the Pacific Northwest and there are so many beautiful outdoor options that I hope to do more of.

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[Vinasu 621]

I've got two kids, 11 and 7. I have always gone out of my way to make certain they get healthy foods and healthy portion sizes. It was hell for me growing up fat, and I do not want the same for them. Therfore, our diet overall did not really change. I cut out carbs from dinner, but they have them Breakfast and lunch (which I make for them).

I've always told my kids they must participate in a sport. I don't care which, but they must be active. Both of them do Tae Kwon Do and love it, so since I was always at the dojang with them, I joined up. I love it, and they love having me in class.

When we go out to eat, my husband and I look for things we can split. He changes his order to accommodate me, and I really appreciate it. We go out a lot more for sushi than we used to because sashimi is always a great choice for me.

I hate coffee and licorice, so now when someone brings home a treat, it's mocha or tiramisu or something else I won't touch. Mostly, though, when they need something special, my husband will drive them to the frozen yogurt shop or the patisserie. They're careful not to bring temptation into the house.

My husband and kids used to go out a lot without me. Now, I'm always with them. This winter we've gone skiing, to the trampoline park, hiking, ice skating, and biking. Last year, I couldn't have done any of those things. My family is so happy that I'm a full participant in their lives now.

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[Treadmillwalker 486]

My husband, who is not overweight, is awesome!! We have a food scale, measuring cups, and measuring spoons. He is weighing and measuring our food. I work in a professional position and I can do my job from anywhere via computer, cell phone, WebEx, Facetime, etc. Therefore, I pick and chose which days I go in the office or work remotely. He is so supportive and if I say I'm going into the office he will measure out my food and put it in containers and into my bag. He knows one of the things I have struggled with in the past was sips, bites, nibbles, and tastes. Since he is dishing up the food I am no longer eating an extra spoonful, sampling a taste, licking the spoon, etc.

My husband also plans what he is going to eat in front of me. So if he wants a cookie he knows that would be hard for me to watch. He quietly takes his cookie and goes into another room or waits until I'm in the shower, etc. I can smell on Sunday morning that he made toast, and I'm fine as long as I'm busy and not watching him eat it. I walk downstairs and he has a bowl of FF yogurt with blueberries ready for me. I love my husband.

[Odie 249]

My husband, who is not overweight, is awesome!! We have a food scale, measuring cups, and measuring spoons. He is weighing and measuring our food. I work in a professional position and I can do my job from anywhere via computer, cell phone, WebEx, Facetime, etc. Therefore, I pick and chose which days I go in the office or work remotely. He is so supportive and if I say I'm going into the office he will measure out my food and put it in containers and into my bag. He knows one of the things I have struggled with in the past was sips, bites, nibbles, and tastes. Since he is dishing up the food I am no longer eating an extra spoonful, sampling a taste, licking the spoon, etc.

My husband also plans what he is going to eat in front of me. So if he wants a cookie he knows that would be hard for me to watch. He quietly takes his cookie and goes into another room or waits until I'm in the shower, etc. I can smell on Sunday morning that he made toast, and I'm fine as long as I'm busy and not watching him eat it. I walk downstairs and he has a bowl of FF yogurt with blueberries ready for me. I love my husband.

I love your husband too!!

[NWJill 119]

Does your husband provide training to others? lol actually I can't complain, mine is pretty supportive, he is diabetic and lost over 100 pounds on his own, so we do a lot with making sure to give each other what we need to support...unfortunately we can sometime sabotage each other too however

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[Treadmillwalker 486]

@@Odie and @NJJill, we are all very fortunate.

Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

@@NWJill

Dinners have been great. I love to cook. I just don't eat carbs. I will make chicken fajita's. The family has the tortllias..I don't

My kids are older. They have picked up better eating and physical activity habits.

My husband and I now ride bikes to a coffee shop on Sundays when the weather is good. He has done a few 5Ks with me.

He not obsessed with nutrition and the gym like I am. It's good to have my own interests in life.

[rolosmom7 740]

No kids yet, so it's easier. Everything used to be around Pasta. Now it's meat and a veggie. Either on the grill or in the crock pot.

Other than that I don't make meals. I have greek yogurt and a p3 for Breakfast and snack, and my work has fresh Soups daily, salad bar, etc. They'll even make you sushi. So chicken salad and such is easily accessible.

We save a ton of money not eating out 4 or 5 days a week.