Bufflehead

What do you eat for Breakfast? In weight loss mode, I eat chicken breast or grilled shrimp for breakfast. Snacks? Protein shakes dinner? Protein + a green veggie. Some of my favorites for protein are: turkey meatballs with sriracha ketchup, sauteed scallops with Moroccan spice blend, small lamb chop. I also use a lot of canned sardines and the flavored tuna and salmon packets. Any kind of fish is really good if you fork-mix it with your favorite sauce (and possibly some avocado or chopped spinach or kale) and bake it in the oven with an egg on top. Scrambled cheesy egg is another favorite protein. Then I add a green veggie on the side, such as roasted broccoli, cauliflower with smoked paprika, or grilled asparagus. I hit the Trader Joe's frozen food aisle hard! Also what powders or shakes you guys drink? Syntrax nectar (chocolate truffle and Cappuccino flavors), Syntrax Matrix, unjury (chocolate splendor flavor). Chike (iced coffee and chocolate bliss flavors but really they are all good). I mix my shakes with unsweetened vanilla cashew milk or the unsweetened vanilla cashew/almond blend.

Good grief no, I don't regret it. I have my life back. The only things that cause me any discomfort in eating are bread with yeast and carbonated things. I did love me some bread and champagne back in the day but I can tell you I love my life now 100x more than bread or champagne. There may be a few things that disagree with you post-op, but not many. Truthfully though, if you aren't willing to adopt a healthy way of eating (95% of the time) for the rest of your life, this surgery likely won't help you. The surgery will help you get to that healthy way of eating but you have to want that and be willing to maintain it. It's not magic, it takes work.

No, I think that sounds like a great and healthy solution. Enjoy!

I was given a max of 800 calories per day for the first six months and no eating back calories. I was usually between 650 and 775. After six months I bumped that up to 1100 calories per day max and aimed to land between 1000 and 1100 calories. I did not eat back calories burned from exercise ever. I did fine at both calorie levels. I lost a little slower after about the first 9 months, but I attribute that to being smaller and closer to goal weight, not the calorie level itself.

Don't be like me! Let me tell you how my mindset tends to work on vacation: *eats dinner of steak and broccoli* small voice inside head: you don't know how many ounces of steak you just ate. What if there was a lot of butter on the broccoli? You probably completely blew your plan. Since you've already blown it, you might as well order some caramel cheesecake for dessert. *ponders menu with offerings of chicken breast, grilled shrimp, hamburgers, and pot pies* small voice inside head: you don't know how many calories are in any of those choices. You might as well skip past the chicken and the grilled shrimp and just order a pot pie instead, they are all probably very similar in nutrition anyway. *thinks about a long plane flight with crappy food* small voice inside head: oh no! You are going to starve to death on the plane! Ignore the shop where you can buy Jerky and Quest bars, go to the Starbucks and get a frappucino and a cookie. Then go to the shop and walk past the jerky and the Quest bars and buy a packet of Oreo Cookies. This is a much better plan than either bringing Snacks with you or buying healthy stuff. Besides, we are on vacation, who cares ??!?!?! Seriously I really really struggle with vacations, to the point where I sometimes avoid travel if I don't feel like I will stay on plan.

@@northcountyr1 cruciferous veggies are things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.

When I was three months out, I was still on soft foods (have to be able to cut easily with a fork), and ate according to the directions from my bariatric team: --3 small meals per day --no grains, starchy veggies, sweets, tropical fruits, or liquid calories other than Protein shakes --minimum of 75 grams of protein per day --no Snacks other than Protein Shakes So that basically meant lots of: meat, fish (especially tuna, salmon, sardine, shrimp, scallops, mackerel), eggs (every day!), avocado, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried Beans, lentils, small amounts of nut butters. Those were the mainstays of my diet. After six months I was allowed regular texture foods and added in green veggies such as asparagus, green beans, and broccoli, as well as some fruit like apples and strawberries. I still had the same dietary restrictions in terms of no grains, starchy veggies, sweets, liquid calories etc. until I completed weight loss phase. I stuck with the program and finished up 200 lbs lighter and at goal, so I think the plan my team gave me worked well for me

Okay, here are my thoughts on the "mental/emotional rollercoaster" aspect of things immediately after sleeve surgery. Not all of these will apply to everyone. --Many people, especially obese people, may have been using food to comfort themselves or blunt their emotions, even without realizing it. When that security blanket is yanked away, it can be tough. --You may (temporarily) lose physical hunger, but still have head hunger or cravings . . . with no way to indulge the cravings. That can be frustrating. --Surgery is scary in and of itself. Then post-op, you feel weak, sore, and very tired. You may be used to taking care of yourself and taking care of others. All of a sudden you aren't quite up to certain tasks and may be relying on other people as well as relinquishing your role as caretaker. This can be stressful and disorienting. --Hormones are stored in our fat cells. When we start flushing out our fat cells so quickly after surgery, we get a rush of hormones straight into the bloodstream. Hormonal overload can make people weepy, ragey, and everywhere in between. --People are creatures of habit. You get used to the way you eat and the amount you eat. All of a sudden, that changes completely. What you eat, the texture of food you eat, how often you eat, why you eat, having to measure your portions and pay attention to eating slowly -- it stops so many habits cold, and that can be stressful. So you add up some/all of these factors and it can be a big adjustment to make, without your usual comfort of your food and your normal habits and self-perception. It can be tough. But it's more of a general struggle than a specific issue that you can work on or prepare for. That's just immediately post op . . . months after surgery, you can be dealing with different issues of self-perception, body image, changes to your relationships with friends and family.

It's normal but your body gets used to it and adjusts, though it may take several months.

I didn't have to do a liquid pre-op diet, but I did have to do 2 weeks of very low calorie and low carb. The first three days were rough but after that my body adjusted and I was fine. I was on liquids for four weeks post-op. People's experiences vary, but I can tell you that for me, I was tired and sore from the surgery, but the lack of solid food or tons of calories was not an issue. My body had plenty of fat reserves to fuel itself, I had no interest in eating anything, and I'm pretty sure that even if I had wanted to eat, the terror of damaging my very injured stomach would have stopped me dead in my tracks. It was an adjustment period but not a huge deal. I live alone and managed to take care of my household just fine without any assistance post-op. Went back to work full time after a couple of weeks. It really wasn't anything to worry about or fear. Good luck!

money

Because your vagus nerve was traumatized during surgery. It often means you ate too much.

Stay off the scale as long as you can, at least 4 weeks IMO.

Vow to get revenge on them by reaching your goal weight and living a fulfilling and active life. You know what they say - "living well is the best revenge." If you respond with positivity and success, they may eventually realize that they were being self-centered and were perhaps uneducated about obesity and weight loss. But don't let the approval (or lack of approval) of other people really affect you. It's really their problem, not yours. Good luck!

Usually what matters is what is in writing. You need to get actual documents from the insurance company that spell out their policies on bariatric surgery. This may be a member benefit handbook or a separate policy statement.

I use Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi's. They are the cheapest high potency vitamin I have found, as well as being the lowest calorie and the lowest carb. They have a very mild taste. I've been using them for over 2 years and my labs have always been great.

Explain the situation to your surgeon's office. It may be that they are willing to give you a waiver when they understand that your primary care doctor is an uneducated idiot. If they won't, they could possibly refer you to another primary care physician who has a better understanding of obesity and its medical treatment. You could have a visit with the new doctor and presumably get your approval.

You can't solve her problems with respect to guilt, sexual issues with her fiance, etc. Your interaction with her doesn't sound like it is making you happy. If I were you, I would dial the contact way back. If she can't respect any boundaries you might implement (don't talk to me about your love life, don't text me sexy pictures, let's only chat once a week, whatever you choose) . . . honestly I would block her from your contacts list and go about trying to find a good woman who is not engaged to someone else and in turmoil about her romantic life. I promise you there are better, healthier relationships waiting out there for you.

I did liquid multi vitamins for the first several weeks after surgery. One dose in the morning, one at night. I used Wellesse brand (you can find it on Amazon, and I think drug stores like CVS and possibly Target and Wal-Mart). Wellesse never gave me the slightest trouble. Good luck!

@@viri87 yogurt would not have been okay on my post-op plan, but plans vary a lot. Best to call your bariatric team and check in with them for guidance. Welcome and good luck!

Agree with most of what James said above, but I would add, if you are a coffee or tea drinker, don't just give that up until your surgeon tells you he or she requires it. Not all US surgeons do, and I believe it is rare for European surgeons to require that. Good luck!

@@laceemouse ice is a yes, and you definitely need something more than an immersion blender for that. Many plans will not allow fruit, especially in a smoothie, which is basically like injecting liquid sugar into your system.

Try changing the temperature of what you are drinking. Particularly if you are focused on cold drinks -- many people find warm drinks easier. Sip on some warm broth, low calorie hot cocoa, or tea. Good luck!

If you don't already, track everything you eat in myfitnesspal to make sure you are in a caloric deficit. Weigh or measure your portions so you are positive about what you are taking in and not guesstimating. Good luck!

You should talk to your insurance carriers and your surgeon's insurance coordinator about the requirements. Some insurance companies gauge your eligibility solely on your starting weight. Others have different requirements. Any reputable surgeon should have a knowledgeable insurance coordinator who can help you figure it out for sure. Good luck!