atPeace55

How long after your surgery are you talking about 1-2 weeks or months post op? Are you a marathoner normally? Have you been training prior? These are things that need to be taken into consideration. Plus how well and quickly your body bounces back after surgery.

You sound so much better! I'm glad to hear that you are noticing the changing in your body by not getting on the scale! Wonderful!!!

I just tried these at my support group and they were good saw them at Costco not sure how many were in a case. Thanks for the information i'm going to check it out!

Source: Hula Cardio! Have You Tried It?

@ashleyxx - yes it's so much fun I know alot of folks are into Zumba but I would take this case ahead of Zumba any day!

@joatsaint this is not my class I got this image off google. You're funny!

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group 2nd Saturday every Month 10a – 12 noon Lesher Room John Muir Medical Center, Concord 2540 East Street Concord, CA 94520 No Fee to Attend – No Referral Needed Monthly Topic: The 6 Successful Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients Fluid Intake (February) Regular Exercise (March) Vitamins and Supplements (April) I love attending this it keeps me grounded! Attached Thumbnails

What is protein and why is it so important? Protein is an essential part of life and it’s found in almost every part of our bodies. It makes up the enzymes that power many of the chemical reactions in the body and the important hemoglobin that carries oxygen in the blood. Appropriately, bariatric surgery or not, its classical meaning is “first importance.” Indeed, the protein heavy diet prescribed after surgery helps the body heal and regain its former strength. We’ve all had a sensation of being hungry shortly after a big meal. This is usually a result of eating emptier calories in the form of sugars and saturated fats and foods low in protein. Foods that are high in protein, such as chicken, beef and most beans, slow the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine and reduce the blood sugar spikes that can be disruptive to the continuity of our day (and eventually cause insulin secretion problems). The result of eating a diet high in protein is that you will feel full sooner and stay full longer. Protein also has a secondary effect in that it forces your body to work harder to break down and digest the food you’ve eaten. This means that you’ll burn a few additional calories just by eating the right foods. The benefits of eating protein after bariatric surgery are huge. Not all protein is equal though, so check to make sure that what you are eating is a “complete protein,” which means it contains all the amino acids you need. So when planning meals after your surgery, make sure you have plenty of protein. You might find that you are not able to consume enough protein to satisfy your daily requirement in which case you speak to your dietitian about supplementing your diet with appropriate bariatric friendly protein shakes. No two people are the same, so stay in touch with your dietitian who will work to make sure you lose weight safely and receive the appropriate nutrition to remain healthy.

Hey U, Can you give us someone information about yourself and what you have or have not been doing. I hope that all of us who have responded can provide some encouragement.

Stay up all you want because one they but they IV in you you're going to knock out! LOL Congratulations! I have you have speedy and safe recovery.

Congratulations!!! The next part of your journey is coming - much success!!!

I'm definitely not the standard on here or the person you should follow when it comes to eating the right amount of calories, protein or carbs so i'm not at ALL recommending you do what I did, it just worked for me. I did not calorie count at all or count my protein or carb in take. I got these little bowls and plates that I ate out of and that how I ate. I used yum yum dishes that helped me with my portion sizes. I still can not eat or drink alot but these portions bowls are what I used to eat out of and I was full. http://yumyumdish.com/ My water intake I keep a bottle with me most of the time and sipped on through out the day during my first few months though it was hard for me to get enough water in me so my NP suggested that I eat ice chips or make crystal light popsicles so that's what I did. Again by NO means am I advocating that my way is the way to do this - I just learned to listen to my body during my journey. I knew to be successful I needed to control my eating but I was never good at counting calories before but I knew I couldn't eat as much anymore so I took advance of that and just used small portion controlled dishes and I still use them. I know that I have to exercise so I got into the gym but before the gym I just walked in my neighborhood I knew at this point anything I did now would be positive and I would see the result now because of the surgery and it worked for me.

Definitely do your research I live in NorCal and the surgery center that I went through offer a "Free Informational Seminar" weekly and one of the WL Surgeons and the Nurse Practioner headed up the Seminars so I was able to ask lots of questions about provider appproval, different types of WL surgeries, etc. any questions I had they answered. I went a few times and asked lots of questions and the Surgeon who generally hosted I chose to be my surgeon. The surgery is a tool! as Tawnie stated above some folks do workout and some do very little working out it's up to you and what you want to get out of this. This is not a fix all you still have to do the work which is eating right, working out, you're still going to have to deal with your emotions. 90% of this is mental if you haven't already researched and read, your mind is not having surgery so unless you change your mindset about food and exercising - basically creating a new life style you may not be successful in your WL journey. Definitely, continue to come on here and ask questions research and if you can go to a Informational Seminar or WL Support group prior so you can gain real insight the ups and downs I would recommend it.

Congratulations on your weight loss thus far! I like what you said here, "Those thoughts of "what the hell did I do to myself" the first days of surgery are loooooonnngg gone." I felt that way during the first few weeks like what did I do - I messed up!!! But now I definitely have NO REGRETS! Again Congrats Awesome Job!!!

What you're experiencing is a common topic here on VST I read it alot. I'm glad that you have moved on and understand the logical as well as the emotional side of this. I think for this very same reason is why I chose not to weigh myself I didn't buy a scale and would only get my weight from my monthly check in at the WL Center and meeting with my NP and Surgeon, because I had enough stress and I didn't want that to be another one. I didn't weigh myself for the first 12 months (I know some may think i'm insane) but that was my choice - not even when I went to the gym even though I was tempted too. I honestly just enjoyed the journey and went off how my clothes started fitting me - looser and looser, I also listen to all the people around me noticing the difference and giving me compliments. I'm not suggestion that anyone do the same this is just what I did and it helped me I may have stalled here or there but I never knew it because I was "scale free" for the first year! I'm now 21 months post op and I currently have been maintaining my weight which i'm currently at for 5 months now but I do weigh myself weekly sometimes daily and take my measurements monthly but as I stated i'm in my "maintaining my weight" stage of my journey. Good luck to you on this WL journey and I wish you much success!

OMG! I remember the day I cut up my "Big Girl Store" cards the Torrid and Lane Bryant! I remember going to the regular stores and one in particular I went to "Forever 21" and tried on some pants and a blazer and the pants slid up my legs/thighs so smoothly and button and zip without problem I remember just jump up and down in the dressing room in the mirror, screaming (under my breath of course) and tears coming down my face I had made it and it was the best feeling that I have had in a longtime - I will never forget it! Enjoy these milestones! Congratulations girlie and many more to come!!

I'm 21 months post-op and I still can't eat a full meal from a resturant. You can go to any resturant you please but since you are 4 weeks post-op I would recommend the Soups, chowders (if you're not lactose intolerant), seafood (crab always went down nicely for me it soft) you can't go wrong with appetizers. Places like the "Cheesecake Factory" have the "Skinnylicious Menu" or the "Small Plates and Snacks" that are alot smaller plates then the rest of there menu you still will probably not be able to eat it all at this stage but it is cheaper and a lot less to take home. I hope this helps. And Happy Valentine's Day to you enjoy your night! :wub:

I live in California and they are not allow to ask what type of surgery you are having you just give the the Dr. form taking you off for a major surgery that is needed for your health and let them know when you plan to be back and as long as you are off for I believe more than 4 wks you can apply for your state disability My Nurse Practioner filled out off the forms for me and asked how long I wanted to be off to recover I told them and my surgeon signed off on them I made sure HR got their forms informed my manager I having major surgery for my health and my Nurse sent the forms to State Disability. My sure to go over the FLMA law for the state of California know your rights. http://www.paidfamilyleave.org/faqs/

We just had this discussion in my WLS Support group last week as a reminder. You should eat and drink separately because you allow your body to absorb the nutrients of the food you just consumed if you drink while eating you will push the food through fast not allowing absorbsion and it will cause you to be hungry faster. You can drink 30 mins to and 1 hour after you eat but if you have ate something that is a little dry you can take a sip during to help it go down easier but I would say stay away for those dry or tough foods it will make your digesting alot easier. I drink 30 minutes after I eat and it works for me.

Let the Haters Hate! They are my motivaters I know I'm doing things right because they take notice and comment good or bad they notice! Any weight loss is an accomplishment and 65 lbs lost is no small achievement don't let anyone steal your joy during this journey! Some may not realize that they are being critical it's easy to be judgmental then be an encourager....Enjoy your journey it started with you and it will end with you this is your time and don't let anyone intrude on it!