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Cheat day?

roadtofit

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roadtofit    24

roadtofit
Posted

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on cheat days regarding the post op diet. I'm currently 3 weeks out and have been following the surgeons instructions almost to the letter. But I am at a bit of a stall with weight loss, and was thinking of adding in 1 cheat day a week to get my system going again.

A couple things before comments start flying about this: when I say one cheat day, I mean strictly on saturdays and then back to nothing. It Protein the other 6 days a week.

Also, I don't mean cheating with sugary and fatty junk like ice cream and potato chips, but rather with stuff like a chicken quesadilla with low fat cheese, or maybe a cream based Soup from Panera, rather than broth. Just adding a bit of carb in one day a week but honestly nothing crazy. Also considering skipping the gym on that one day because I've been going every day of the week thus far. Let me know what you guys think!

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jenndogg    23

jenndogg
Posted

Hey I am newly sleeved myself (Jan 11th) and I feel your pain about the weight coming off "slow". I've lost 11 pounds since surgery and have been holding steady for about 1.5 weeks. As far as the "cheat" day I would say careful. If you were 3 months post op I would say no-harm, no-foul, but 3 weeks..... I know it gets hard because we want more, but try to be steadfast and hold on. It will get better :)

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JamieLogical    8,727

JamieLogical
Posted

Are you still in your post-op food stages? If so, then definitely don't "cheat". That's not a diet, it's a prescription and you need to treat it as such to ensure safe healing and recovery.

If you are out of your food stages and back on solid foods, then it's up to you. I would caution that anything high carb is going to kick your body out of ketosis, if you are currently in ketosis. That means you will likely experience headaches and fatigue every time you transition back into ketosis after a cheat day.

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ronniethegreat    50

ronniethegreat
Posted

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on cheat days regarding the post op diet. I'm currently 3 weeks out and have been following the surgeons instructions almost to the letter. But I am at a bit of a stall with weight loss, and was thinking of adding in 1 cheat day a week to get my system going again.

A couple things before comments start flying about this: when I say one cheat day, I mean strictly on saturdays and then back to nothing. It Protein the other 6 days a week.

Also, I don't mean cheating with sugary and fatty junk like ice cream and potato chips, but rather with stuff like a chicken quesadilla with low fat cheese, or maybe a cream based Soup from Panera, rather than broth. Just adding a bit of carb in one day a week but honestly nothing crazy. Also considering skipping the gym on that one day because I've been going every day of the week thus far. Let me know what you guys think!

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Like someone else said, it's a prescription. Your body is recovering, your stomach was cut up and sewn together, it needs time to heal. I reccomend you leave "cheat" days out of it, it'll only make things worse. Once you are on regular food, you can decide how much you care about being healthy.

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Berry78    4,261

Berry78
Posted

solid food in the healing sleeve or pouch could kill you. Follow the plan!

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blizair09    3,250

blizair09
Posted

I concur with @@JamieLogical and @ronniethegreat. That is not a good idea at the current stage of your journey.

Good luck!

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LittleLizzieLilliput    919

LittleLizzieLilliput
Posted

Cheat days once you've gotten past 3 months is fine but before then you need to remember that your stomach has just be violently abused. lol! You are only 3 weeks out, chicken would be a nightmare for you, tortillas would be a nightmare for you. A cheesy cream Soup would probably be the closest to OK.

sugar free pudding, that's a cheat item right now for you. Some mashed potatoes with butter is a cheat right now that's ok. And don't think of it as cheating, be very conscious of it. You are doing this to lose more weight so you want it to be smart about it. Also increase your Water and just walk more.

Finally, you are only 3 weeks out. You don't need to speed up your weight loss. What's happened is your body has gone through a trauma and needs time to heal. You are retaining Water and Fluid in your abdomen in your bodies natural healing process, your metabolism is in shock, your stomach is in shock.

It takes a few more weeks before you will find an equilibrium in your body. Don't rush it. If you follow all the guidelines and allow your body the time it needs to heal (And Protein. Protein protein protein) than the lbs will melt away at a speed that feels slow sometimes but is miraculously fast in retrospect.

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aftermath    13

aftermath
Posted

So that explains the headache today. 100 calories of a chip appears to do more harm than good.

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JamieLogical    8,727

JamieLogical
Posted

So that explains the headache today. 100 calories of a chip appears to do more harm than good.

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Definitely a good idea to read up on ketosis. I think people who have never been on Atkins or South Beach don't understand how it differs from a straight-up low calorie diet. That transition into ketosis is no fun! And the water-weight gain from storing glycogen again is going to upset people who put a lot of stock into what their scale says.

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hermione53    157

hermione53
Posted

I totally get the desire for a cheat day. For me it's a slippery slope straight to my old habits, though, and I'm going to try to stay on the plan as long as I possibly can. Good luck to you!

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Belladonnis    32

Belladonnis
Posted

I was sleeved Jan 9th and I too am in a bit of a stall, but I really don't mind. I think for my body, muscles, skin and over all energy levels the stall is a good thing. I don't want to loose to rapidly. I feel good and I could tell the few weeks before I was light headed and tired. Not so much anymore. The weight will come off!

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aftermath    13

aftermath
Posted

So that explains the headache today. 100 calories of a chip appears to do more harm than good.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Definitely a good idea to read up on ketosis. I think people who have never been on Atkins or South Beach don't understand how it differs from a straight-up low calorie diet. That transition into ketosis is no fun! And the water-weight gain from storing glycogen again is going to upset people who put a lot of stock into what their scale says.

Thank you. The Water retention is actually a noticeable feeling. The result of just one day of substituting just a small amount of calories. No weight gain thankfully. Have this forum to thank.

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Go To Topic Listing POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • LeighaTR

      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?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

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

      2. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      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

        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

        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

      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

        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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