Eating Righ After Surgery

[johnsons13 359]

I had my surgery in April and I"m so disappointed I've only lost 45 pounds. No, I'm not always eating right or staying within my 500 calorie Iimit. I have an unhealthy relationship with food and I've been so angry because I can't and don't enjoy eating at all anymore. I have to cook my food separate from my families and things don't taste as good as they used to. Has anyone else been through this and how did you get past it?

[Healthy_life 1,437]

1 hour ago, johnsons13 said:

I had my surgery in April and I"m so disappointed I've only lost 45 pounds. No, I'm not always eating right or staying within my 500 calorie Iimit. I have an unhealthy relationship with food and I've been so angry because I can't and don't enjoy eating at all anymore. I have to cook my food separate from my families and things don't taste as good as they used to. Has anyone else been through this and how did you get past it?

500 calorie limit at six months out from surgery?????? Am I getting this wrong? I can see 500 in the first stages after healing from surgery, You should be at higher calories at this point. Contact your surgeon's office dietician to check calories and diet instructions.

You may find more food enjoyment with increased calories and trying new bariatric recipes and real food (you should be off shakes by now)(shakes never make me feel full or satisfied)

Nutrition can still be flavorful. Google bariatric recipes. Log your food to insure the calories and macros total to fit you plan at the end of the day.

I use myfitnesspal - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myfitnesspal.android&hl=en_US

My dieticians recipe site for food ideas: http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

• chicken fajitas - Make some up without the tortilla.
• Bariatric pizza recipes
• sugar free pumpkin pie parfait

If you are cooking for your family. They can eat what you eat. Example chicken fajitas let them have the tortilla. Nothing wrong with our families learning to eat healthy. Kids take on what we model to them.

Side note: This is not talking about your situation at home. I have my own opinion on cooking separately for family members. Especially if it's foods that will temp you and derail your program.

I would not cook for anyone that can't be supportive. I would set out Cereal and milk, lunch meat and bread, frozen dinners for them to microwave. If they want a home cooked meal it will be healthy.

Ok off my soap box.

I would love to hear back if your office increases your calories. I also want to know how you feel about your food world after trying new foods and recipes.

Edited October 13, 2018 by skinnylife

[Healthy_life 1,437]

If this is right after surgery and first stages. 500 calories while you heal will increase over time. liquid, puree, soft food stages are rough. Things get better as you get to real foods.

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

@skinnylife I am pretty sure that @johnsons13 means 500 calories in her diet now, 6 months post surgery. I’d be struggling with that too!

@johnsons13 do check with your surgeon. My surgeon tracks all his patients’ eating and in general the vast majority are 800-1000 12 to 18 months after surgery - 800 gives you room for some great food choices.

I too had an unhealthy relationship with food. I didn’t eat for hunger, but for stress, anxiety, loneliness, habit. I ate rubbish till stuffed. I ate when I wasn’t enjoying the taste any more.

Now I eat tasty. Healthy. I have used the 10 months since surgery to fight so hard to change my habits - but only because I saw a elative lose loads of weight post a bypass - and then put it all back on by eating the same as before. I an so so stoked to be smaller, it really helps motivate me to stay on track. Most days! I have bad days too but they are fewer than they were.

One thought. Do you track your food? An app like Myfitnesspal (and there are others) is a great way to log your weight each day, and your food intake. You can seriously stay on top of the food choices, see the effect they have. You can chat with others in the communities like baribabes. You can get great tips on eating options there and here in bariatricpal.

One thing - change your eating and your tastes change. I still want to eat when I am stressed but get comfort from watermelon now (who’d’ve thought!!!) instead of chocolate and crisps! But it does take a bit of time, any sticking to your eating plan more and more consistently...

[Matt Z 4,138]

If you all are only eating 500 calories, 6+ months post op... you aren't eating enough calories...

[johnsons13 359]

Yes, I'm 6 months post op on solid foods and my calories are at 500 a day. But my doctor said no more than 700 since I've been struggling. My dietician is aware and she's gotten onto me for going over. I am always full with my 500 a day limit, but I continue eating for unhealthy reasons; boredom, stress, wanting to prove I'll enjoy it, etc. I've got bariastic app on my phone which is like a MyFitnessPal but for bariatric patients with a bunch of bells and whistles. I log for about a week then I get tired of it or forget a day then just justify why not to for a few days to a week.

But like I said earlier, I get to move up calories once I reach my goal weight to start my maintaining calories.

[jultrim18 132]

Life just sucks for me now 😂 sure I lost 40lb since surgery, but I miss food!!! So Much!!! My cravings never ever went away