K33

I can relate to wanting to throw in the towel. But I recognize that feeling discouraged is an emotional trigger that sends me down the path of overeating. When I can identify that happening, it helps me slow down before taking the next bite. An instructor for an overcoming compulsive eating class at Kaiser once said, "I wasn't happy or satisfied with my food choices at lunch, but I had eaten enough and was full. But, NOT being satisfied or happy was not a good reason to keep eating." That always stuck with me. I am 62 and hope to be sleeved this summer.

From my experience reading these boards, I've read again and again not to compare your progress with anyone else's. It only sets you up for failure. Someone will always be "faster" than you, and you will always be "faster" than someone else, so it is all relative. I only speak from my experience on the boards because I am preop and scheduled to get my surgery date July 2013. My dietician reminds me that eating protein first acts kinda like a plug to the stomach to make you feel fuller longer. I also use FitPal to log all my food. It shows how much protein I'm getting, etc. I wish you good luck. I am 62 and hope to have VSG this summer.

I tried for one year to meet my pre-op goal wt following 1200 calorie recommendations given to me by my bariatric dietitian. When I look back over my past, I realized that I gained weight whenever I ate wheat dairy or sugar. Forgetting that I had food sensitivities years ago, I decided to read JJ virgins book. Let me be clear, she did not invent this food plan. This is a sensitivity food plan for those who may have food allergies developed by the Mayo Clinic. So I bought some pea and rice protein powder to fulfill my protein requirements. I feel so much better eliminating wheat dairy eggs corn soy and sugar. the protein drink satisfy my hunger. However, my bariatric program frowns upon protein drinks severely. During my psych eval I mentioned that I would like help in creating a post op food plan that does not include these foods I realize my stomach hurts after eating, or makes me sleepy, or even depressed. I was told to bring back a 2 weeks food diary. And truth be told, I'm not really sure why? I felt judged for eating this way instead of the 1200 Cal way. She wants to talk to my surgeon to make sure surgery d oesmt create more harm than good. At first I didn't mind the delay, but I realized I met my pre-op goal wt and now I'm in a funny holding pattern. Of course no one here has the answers to why the dietitian wants this, and so I will follow up with her this week. My program is extremely against protein shakes. Yet, the shakes and combination of my elimination diet help me drop 5 pounds very quickly and easily that I could not lose in one year. HAVEany of you discovered food allergies that made a post op diet. more difficult?

I am venting a bit here. But my medical plan or its bariatric depth comes down heavy handed about every aspect of surgery and post op I feel treated like a child. And the Org has different locations with different requirements and guidelines Makes me wonder I felt we are subjects in a long term study to show which protocol is most successful. No haters please. Just needed to get this off of my (42 H) chest:-*

I picked up a book recommended by my Bari psych, "50 ways to soothe yourself without food" by Susan Albers

Using J J Virgin's book, which is an anti inflammatory food plan, I was able to lose my last 5 pounds in 10 days and feel clear headed.

What are DOMS?

My Nut told me to eat lunch or dinner doods at brkgst to break up the monotony. I like warm turkey meatballs, personally.

I read that the part of the stomach that kills bacteria is missing so therefore we are more vulnerable

Hi there, I, too, am in the process of deciding on surgery through food training. I get close to achieving goal weight, and then eat poorly. Without restriction, the 1200 calorie food plan is challenging. I have to give myself permission "not to be ready" yet. It's been almost a year since I attending my first orientation. Maybe I would do better to say "I am still deciding and in food training" than to say "I just can't lost the last 5 pounds." Hope you do well this Monday.

Check with your surgeon regarding her opinion about taking milk thistle for your liver. I thought it was an excellent idea, but when my surgeon found out, he told me to stop.

I am pre op and hope what you are saying is true. I am struggling with my last 5 pounds to reach my surgery goal. Every time I get close, I switch up my food plan. I guess you can figure out happens next.

I often hear the phrase, the sleeve is just a tool. What the heck does that mean? Is it a tool because you have to put protein in it first? Or is it a tool because you cannot eat the volumes that you used to?? Is it harder to maintain at your goal weight than it is at your Pre op wt? Sometimes I pat myself on the back, at least I'm not gaining weight so I sort of think of it as losing. I am pre op

Kristina, how far and long is walking your b*** off?

The way I understood it, they ask you to bring the C PAP machine into the hospital, so that when you're coming out of anaesthesia, they put the C PAP machine on you for safety

I can relate to what everyone is saying. This week is the third time in 1 year that I have moved to within 4 pounds of my pre op goal weight. After about 4 weeks of my pre op diet plan, I am so bored with my food I want to scream. So I go and buy a cookie. I suppose my issue is that I cannot even imagine being thinner , having more energy, being able to bend over and tie my shoes without puffomg. So, on this side of weight surgery, all I see is eating protein until ot comes shooting out my ears And, it's on this type of day, that I ask myself, "What are you thinking. Having your stomach removed? " I can trace my weight gain to 1996 when I first started taking anti depressants I am still on them, and probably will still be on them post up. And, unfortunately the research does not show what happens to people who are post op and taking anti depressants. Will I be taking them forever and 1 day?

Jay Robb.

Another great tool is Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, sometimes referred to as "tapping." It's benefit lies in self-administration, rather than requiring a counselor to help. Having a counselor + EFT is a winning combination! I took a workshop where the teacher had us "tap" to reduce craving for our favorite but restricted food. Believe it or not, I left for the day without taking my foil wrapped piece of chocolate with me.

I feel your pain around Girl Scout Cookies. I opened a box while I was driving home thinking I can stop at 3 cookies (I already KNEW I couldn't stop at just ONE!) Before I knew it, after my 15 minute drive, there were 8 cookies LEFT! I too gave away the rest.

Oh, please don't feel disappointed. In a few months eating 'slow carb', you will be back at 145. You helped me see that vigilance is important. For me, I feel bad about myself for being fat, and I hope that when and if I have some regain or bounce back (which is expected), I don't want to feel bad about myself for losing ONLY 90 # instead of 100#. Keep your chin up and everything in perspective.

By accident, I did not eat dinner until 930 p.m. tonight. It was well balanced meal. And of course I am NOT craving any extra food or sweets. It may not work all the time, but it was a relief tonight. I too struggle with after dinner cravings and eating a snack right before bed.

*glutamine

I tried glue to mean again and it is having a more positive effect. I'm taking 2000 milligrams a day. Although I still think about sweet treats, I can at least think clearly long enough to have fruit instead

I am pre op and after reading these boards have realized I get a runny nose when I am full, too.

Sittin' here myself, looking at the sunny day from indoors. Can't get mobilized to put on my shoes and take a walk. Read your post and realized I , too, am having a bit of the blues. No particular reason. The carbs have been calling my name for weeks now. Sort of wonder what I was thinking in trying to drop 5 pounds in December. There is always January. I am beginning to wonder if I am afraid to lose 5 pounds. I know that when I had a deadline, such as in my insurance runs out and I would have to self-pay, I was much more motivated. Afraid of having to pay myself helped me, but so did the spring/summer seasons of fresh fruits and veggies. Well, I'm going to stop analyzing and at least go put on my socks as a start. :-)