7 Bites_Jen

Yes, when done incorrectly it can cause immeasurable harm! That's why it's SO important to focus on the positive as much as possible - especially with kids. The rules are in place, and my daughter knows them, but we don't harp on them either. Fact is, the junk isn't in the house so if she goes to the fridge and gets an apple or a piece of cheese it's not a big deal. It's also important to TALK to your children and EXPLAIN to them why these changes are happening. Kids are more intelligent and responsive than a lot of parents give them credit for. Telling them what food addiction is and how it's impacted your own life is especially important - so is being an example! It's important that the transition is done in a very loving supportive manner.

Oh my goodness I LOVE this!!!

Good luck to you and your sweet daughter. When you find your surgeon, I strongly encourage you to visit with a doctor here in the states that will be willing to take her after-care on - that is so important especially in the first few months.

It was actually her endocrinologist that ordered it - we've been going through some serious blood work for her so we've been told to eliminate everything except whole foods (meats, veg, fruits, dairy) from her diet for now. The hardest thing is when people "feel sorry" for her and try to give her things anyway. If it hadn't been for the doctor telling us to do these things, I probably wouldn't either just because it goes a teeny bit against my parenting philosophy. But I also know that my daughter's health is at stake and she's gotten to a point NOW where she's beginning to understand more. I do try to encourage her and support her positively rather than focus on the negative, and I think that's helped a lot.

While most of us knew all about the physical side of Weight Loss Surgery, many people have no idea about the emotional ride they're about to face. This article discusses all aspects of the "emotional roller coaster" from the moment you first decide on having bariatric surgery all the way up to the maintenance phase of your weight loss. It's a wild ride baby! When was the last time you were on a roller coaster? If you’re like me, it’s been a while. In fact, the last time I was on a roller coaster I was 310 lbs and could barely fit into the seat. The restraint almost didn't go around my tummy. I was squeezed in like Cinderella’s step-sister’s foot must have tried to squeeze into that tiny shoe. Yep. I was Drizella’s foot and the coaster seat was the glass slipper. I’m sure it was a comical, if not sad and pathetic site, for those around me. It was embarrassing to me, to say the very least. But I laughed it off and went on, as I tended to do. That roller coaster was a wild ride. It had huge climbs, steep drops, loop-de-loops, sharp turns, and at one point it feels like you’re lying on your side. Honestly, it’s a wonder I stayed in the coaster even with the restraint!! The end of the ride was abrupt - it felt like my insides were coming out of my mouth when it stopped short back at the beginning of the track. When it was over, I felt accomplished, in a way. I’d survived that coaster ride, wild and uncomfortable as it was. Many people don’t realize that life before, during, and after weight loss surgery becomes a roller-coaster ride of it’s own. It has the huge climbs of elation and joy and excitement, the steep drops into anxiety and depression, and the loop-de-loops, sharp turns, and lying on your side moments of uncertainty, worry, and fear. Here are some of the emotional dealings that will occur before, during, and after surgery that you might not know. 1. Pre-Surgery Elation. This happens when you are finally approved for surgery. It’s going to be a reality! You are going to get a brand new lease on life! The period of life where you are having to go through diet after diet is finally coming to an end! You might tell everyone you know or you might decide to keep your secret to yourself. Regardless, you are excited and ready to go! 2. Pre-Surgery Blues. This is when you realize that you are going to have to say good-bye to one of your best friends ... Food. You come to the realization that there are some favorites that you are just not going to be able to eat anymore. Depression sets in slightly, and you might even go on a food bender - similar to what an addict might do. At this point you might even question your decision to go through surgery. 3. Day of Surgery. You’re going to be going through a myriad of emotions during this time. You’ll feel excitement, anxiety, apprehension, and impatience all at the same time. You’ll be worried because, after all, it is a major surgery you’re about to go through. But at the same time, you’ll be excited at what’s about to happen. When you wake up from anesthesia, you might be scared, especially if you’re having a rough transition out of anesthesia. You might be a little confused, wondering where you are. When your body settles down a bit and you remember where you are and what just happened, you might feel a little concerned. "Did everything go okay?" "Is this going to work?" "Did I just make the biggest mistake in my life?" On the other hand, you might wake up beautifully, singing the praises of your surgeon and his/her team, excited to begin your new life. These feelings and emotions will likely cycle throughout the day as you’re getting used to the idea of what just happened and your body relaxes and comes out of shock from surgery. 4. Going Home. When you’re finally released to go home, you’ll either be excited or scared. Thoughts might rush your brain like “will I be able to do this on my own?” and anxiety might set in again. You might, again, question your decision to undergo surgery, especially once the monotony of the liquid diet phases set in. The first few days might be easy, and the next might be excruciating. You’ll be in some discomfort because of incisions and if the surgeon inflated your abdomen with gas prior to surgery (commonly done in laparoscopic surgeries), and this might heighten your doubts and anxieties. You might begin to worry about issues such as leaks, slippage, or staples coming loose. 5.The first few months. You will be going through a mourning period at some point, and for some that occurs during the first few months after surgery. You no longer are able to lean on food for emotional support, so you might feel sad. You might even go through a type of “withdraw” from food, similar to what an addict might be going through their first few days in rehab. You’ll be able to eat more some days than others, and that will lead you to worry if your surgery is working or if there’s something wrong. Some days you’ll be jealous of watching everyone around you eat foods that you once loved. Others, you’ll be glad you can’t/don’t eat those things anymore. By the time you've finished all of your phases and are on to real food, you’ll be relieved and excited, and likely worried and anxious as well. Whereas before, you were relying on liquids for sustenance, now you’re on your own and have to rely on figuring your food choices out for yourself. 6. The losing phase. From the moment you leave the hospital until you reach your goal you are considered to be in the losing phase of surgery. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to call the losing phase the time period from month 3 (about the time you transition into full solids) to the point where you reach your goal. There will be many frustrations, joys, and concerns in the months ahead. Some days you’ll forget everything you were taught about nutrition and make yourself sick on something you shouldn't have eaten. Other days you’ll be 100% on track. You’ll have moments of pride and joy, and moments of shame and weakness. You’ll revel in finding out you can eat something as simple as asparagus and despair over not being able to eat rice pilaf. You’ll finally reach your “groove” point sometime during month four or five, and things begin to go well. You’ll reach a stall or two (or five ...) and wonder if you’re doing something wrong or if you've messed up your new tummy. You’ll marvel over losing 10 lbs in one week. You’ll wonder why you only lost 2 lbs the next week. When your loss starts to slow down, you’ll worry that you’re not exercising enough, that you’re eating too much or too little, or worry that your surgery is beginning to fail. You’ll relax more when you are consistently losing, even if it has gone down to 1-2 lbs a week. 7. The maintenance phase. When you reach your goal weight, you will have reached what is called “maintenance”. This is the final stage that you will likely be in for the rest of your life. Here, you will change your diet slightly in order to not lose or gain any more weight. You will get frustrated a time or two - especially the first time you gain a few pounds. You will marvel at what you've lost, but are concerned with the way your body looks now. You will have loose skin, which may cause body image issues. If you’re single, you might notice more possible suitors paying more attention to you. You might fall from one addiction (food) into another (sex). You might also be tempted into other addictive substances or habits such as alcohol, cigarettes, shopping, or pornography. Alternatively, you may look back at your loss, as meaningful and inspirational. You might revel in the way your life has changed and be happier than you have ever been and be ready to branch out and help others succeed in their bariatric surgery journeys. Tips on Riding the Roller Coaster Knowing that these emotions are possible doesn't mean they will happen for everyone, and doesn't mean you can’t get through them. The following tips will help you stay on the road to success and prevent you from falling off the wagon and into an abyss of self-doubt and depression: 1. Support. This is the number one most important thing for WLS patients. Even more important than food is support. Support can be found at home, through friends and family, in a hospital or surgery center support group, or even online forums such as Bariatric Pal. 2. Stick to the plan. As tempting as it might be to veer off and eat something you’re not supposed to, stick with your doctor or nutritionist’s eating plan as closely as possible. This will ensure that you continue to lose steadily, decrease the length and amount of stalls you’ll experience, and will speed up the healing process. 3. Vitamins. It sounds very cliche, but remember to take your vitamins! Focus on Iron and B Complex vitamins especially.A vitamin deficiency can result in depression, physical weakness, and poor sleep habits. 4. Speaking of sleep ... Make sure you’re getting plenty of it! At least 8 hours a day for an adult! Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and (you guessed it!) depression! 5. Remember that “this too shall pass” ... These stages of emotional turmoil certainly won’t last forever. You’ll get over them as quickly as they overcame you. And keep in mind that each stage after surgery only lasts a short time in the grand scheme of things. Most eating phases last, at most, a month. After which you’re on to the next phase. 6. Keep a plan handy. Know that you will likely feel some unpleasant emotions or feelings and plan for them. Know what you’re going to do when you get upset, depressed, feel head hunger, or even feel physical pain from surgery. Have a list of friends to call at the drop of a hat, have a bottle of water ready to sip on at all times, or have your doctor’s phone number on speed dial. Know that these feelings will likely happen at some point in time, and be ready to deal with them when they do. 7. Remember that everything you’re going through is completely normal and OKAY. It’s important and helpful to know that everyone goes through a stall at some point. Everyone has pain during the first couple of weeks after surgery. Everyone eats something they shouldn't at some point. Whatever it is you’re going through - someone else has likely gone through it! 8. Finally, DON’T GIVE UP! Remember that this is a journey. As the old saying goes, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” There will be ups and downs on this wild roller-coaster ride. There will be twists and turns and loop-de-loops and there will be many moments when you feel like you’re laying over on your side. But, in the end, it will all be worth it. Your health, your life, and YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

YEEEESSS!!!!

This week we go Back to Basics again to talk about Full Liquids! Are you about to undergo surgery? Have you JUST gotten out of the hospital? If so, this is the episode for you!

Nope! I followed your recipe exactly!

I wish we could give standing ovations on forums, LOL! GREAT article!! This is something we can ALL learn from!

I do think this information is important to anyone who is researching each procedure. I do NOT believe it was anyone's intention to disparage the band at all - in fact, one of the articles was PRO lap-band. We all chose our surgeries for a purpose - and I think we all have a bit of a bias toward our own surgeries. This was good information - don't turn something like this into something it wasn't. ALL surgeries have their benefits, and ALL surgeries have their downfalls.

Those are really interesting stats - and a little surprising! I would have expected Texas (my home state) to be one of the top states - obesity is everywhere around here. I have to wonder if there is a correlation between obesity and income? It looks like the top income states are the least obese and the lowest income states are the most obese ... My mom and I are working with the county to educate those on food stamps and other government assistance on diet and nutrition. I think this is something each state should consider implementing!

Hmmm ... Good question! I might have to ask my hubby on that one, LOL!!

I JUST wrote an article about this right before I saw this post! We've had to lay down some pretty heavy ground rules with my daughter (10). She fought it for a while but when she realized these things were NOT negotiable, she gave in. I had to also talk to her school and let them know she is on a very strict diet (Dr. ordered) and that she is to only eat what I send her. While I can't guarantee that she isn't getting anything at school, one or two things at school aren't the end of the world. You also need to talk to her friends parents and explain the situation to them. Also talk to YOUR family and explain it to them. If they can't be supportive of what you're trying to do, you'll have to limit visitation with them. It is a HARD struggle, but you HAVE to be strong and remember first and foremost YOU ARE HER PARENT. Not her friends' parents. Not your family. Not the school. Stick to your guns and stay true and if you have to, get a doctor's note. Be loving and supportive too!

I started putting on weight at a fairly young age. Six, to be exact. It didn't dawn on me until much later in life that this was when my food addiction reared its ugly head - full force. Carbs, sugar, fat ... They all became a staple in my life. I ate three or more servings of favorite foods like pizza, pasta, rice and more. After school, my "snacks" would include two packages of ramen, a full box of mac and cheese, or two min-pizzas. Both parents worked from home, so I had no one home to monitor what I was eating. By the time I was in high school, I was close to 200 lbs. I reached 220 just before I graduated. There is no doubt in my mind that I had a severe food addiction. There is a reason I was so obese I had to resort to weight loss surgery. I see the same addiction rearing it's ugly head in my daughter. And even though WLS has saved my life, I don't want to see her have to go through it herself as an adult. My Food Addicted Child At 10 years old, my daughter is sitting at 117 lbs at 4'6". Right now her BMI is 28. It wouldn't be a concern, except for the fact that my daughter has a food addiction. Every day, I see her peruse the refrigerator and cabinets looking for snacks, and crying - actually being visibly upset - when something she craves is not there. I remember exhibiting the exact behaviors well into adulthood. Even now, I will want something I'm not supposed to eat and not find it in the house - and get very upset over it, being brought to tears. Watching my daughter struggle through this addiction as I have (and still am) is heartbreaking, to say the least. But I also know that we are not alone. Millions of children in the US live with food addiction and obesity. I see it every day in my daughter's friends and classmates. Even my son (6), who is not overweight, has a severe addiction to sugar and carbs. It's a strong addiction, to say the least. Why Are We Addicted Why are we addicted to these things? Well, studies have shown that sugar and carbs (even the complex kind!) have endorphin-causing chemicals in them. We emotionally feel better when we eat these things, sometimes euphoric. This also explains why we often experience withdraw-like symptoms when we stop eating carbs (Atkins, anyone?). This addiction can be stronger in children than in adults. According to Dr. Lisa Merlo, PhD compulsive eating and lack of control when eating are the two most common signs of childhood food addiction. Her article, Exploration of food addiction in pediatric patients: A preliminary investigation, also suggests the link between childhood food addiction and their parents. Which makes perfect sense. My mother is food addicted. I am food addicted, therefore my children are food addicted. How Do We Help Our Kids This has been the biggest struggle for me. Right now, my daughter is on a very strict diet. She feels isolated from her friends, in a way. And it is the hardest thing in the world to watch my child struggle with anything. But it's important in these cases to remember that we are the parents in this situation. 1) The simplest solution, and in some ways the hardest, is just don't not buy the "crap". It's so easy for us to say we're buying chips, crackers, candy and treats "for the kids" and think that our children "need them", when the reality of it is that NO ONE "needs" them. My kids don't like it, but I no longer buy it, unless it's a special occasion - and even then, I try to make it myself rather than buying it packaged. 2) Raise the level of fruits and vegetables in our children's diets. This is SO hard in many ways, especially for those of us with picky eaters. My daughter used to eat salad, carrots, sugar snap peas, broccoli, celery ... Just about any raw veggie she could get her hands on. Now, she won't touch them. In fact, she won't eat anything that comes from the ground unless it's a potato or a banana. So getting the "green stuff" into her is next to impossible. But it can be done. There are some great cookbooks on the market about being sneaky parents and putting veggies in their food where they might not notice it. 3) Be more aware of our kids eating habits. Do they eat when they're hungry? How about when they're bored? Sad? Happy? If they are not only eating when they're hungry, but also eating at other times, there might be a food addiction. Try to help your kids find other outlets when their bored and figure out ways to celebrate successes - and mourn losses - without food. 4) Make rules regarding food. This sounds absolutely ridiculous in many ways, but it is VITAL that a child with a food addiction has rules that they have to adhere to. For example: "The refrigerator is closed after 8 pm", "healthy snacks only between meals", "one dessert per day" etc. These are rules we've implemented in our home, and they work well for us. To us, it is just the same as having rules for video games, playing outside, and homework. 5) Be supportive! Children need a support network just like adults do. We need someone to talk to about our joys and concerns, struggles and successes. So do kids! Even if it's just a bad day at school or a good grade on a test, they deserve to be heard. They also need encouragement now and again. Telling your child, "Hey, I'm proud of the food choice you just made!" can speak volumes! Food addiction is a problem that millions of people live with across the globe. Adults and children alike share this problem and often times it results in severe obesity leading to health problems. In severe cases, weight loss surgery is necessary. But it is possible to help our children beat the food addiction monster and to prevent them from having to deal with the same issues we have as adults. Just remember that love, acceptance, and support are key components to helping our children be successful!

YEEEESSSSS!!! It was SO GOOD!!!

ALL of the above are normal! Nausea and fatigue especially. Be sure to keep drinking your water and trying to get some food in every 2 hours or so (even if it's just a tablespoon, it will help!) I stopped crushing pills fairly early on and switched to sublinguals and chewables where I could, and liquids when I needed, because i couldn't stand the crushed pills!

I am so sorry you're having to deal with that kind of pain level! Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

For right now, I like very flowey clothes that go past my belly. I am a HUGE fan of leggings and long tops!!

Gluten-free living is running rampant across America these days. In this article, we explore the top 5 myths about going "g-free" and who should - and doesn't have to - live this dietary lifestyle. It’s no secret that one of the most prominent diets-of-the-moment is the gluten free diet. Millions have jumped on the gluten free bandwagon, including many bariatric patients. Some sing the praises of the diet, claiming the health benefits are intensive. Others claim the diet is a fad and there is absolutely no nutritional benefit to eating this way. Here we will discuss some of the myths and truths of the gluten-free diet, and how it can affect someone with WLS. Myth #1: A Gluten-Free diet is a very healthy way to eat. FALSE: There are just as many UNhealthy gluten-free foods on the market as there are healthy ones. A trip down the gluten free aisle of any supermarket will prove that - cookies, cakes, pretzels, pastas, chips … There are as many gluten free choices in junk food as you can possibly imagine. And here’s the biggest problem with that: many gluten-free products have added sugar and/or fat to compensate to make the texture and/or flavor more palatable. It's also important to note that gluten free does NOT mean organic or GMO free, so if these are concerns for you, be sure to check for organic, non-gmo labels. Myth #2: Only people with celiac disease should follow a gluten-free diet FALSE: While celiac disease is the #1 cause for going gluten free, it’s not the only reason. There are millions of people that share a gluten sensitivity or intolerance that would greatly benefit from removing gluten from their diets. This can be characterized by bloating, digestive issues, rashes, migraines, and other health issues. The only way to be sure if you have a sensitivity or not is to undergo an elimination diet which completely removes gluten for a time period. After a period of time (generally a month or more) gluten is slowly reintroduced into the diet with notes made on any reaction that occurs. Myth #3: EVERYONE can benefit from a gluten free diet. FALSE: If you DON’T have celiac or an intolerance, there really is no health benefit to removing gluten from your diet. It won’t HURT you, to be sure, but it won’t necessarily HELP you either. Myth #4: You can’t go gluten-free without buying expensive products at your health food store. FALSE: It’s actually quite simple to eliminate gluten from your diet without having to buy anything special. Focusing your diet on fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy will automatically put you on the right track. It’s also possible to find several breakfast cereals, snack crackers, and other items in your regular grocery store for not a huge amount of money - just be sure to read labels! Myth #5: Gluten is only found in wheat items, and if you eat corn, oats, or rice, you’re safe. FALSE: Many items made with corn, oats, and rice DO contain wheat or wheat by-products (such as dextrose). This is used to improve texture in many products. Additionally, some oat and corn products do contain gluten! It’s very important that if you’re going completely gluten free that you read labels. Of course you know to look for items such as wheat, but it’s also very important to look for other ingredients you might not think of. Dextrose, barley, rye, dextrin, vegetable protein, etc. For a full list of ingredients to avoid, do a google search - there are a multitude of great sites with this information. The simplest solution is to look for items that are labeled “gluten-free” right off the bat. While a gluten-free diet isn’t for everyone, there are still many people that benefit from it. Studies are showing that some WLS patients, especially sleevers, begin to show signs of gluten intolerance after surgery (along with lactose intolerance). If you think you might be gluten intolerant, try a gluten free diet for a time, then re-introduce wheat products slowly to check for a reaction. If you think you might have celiac disease, check with your doctor - they can run extensive tests to find out if you are. Symptoms of gluten intolerance include weight gain, bloating, depression, skin conditions, digestive issues, and a myriad of other ailments. Celiac disease is characterized by similar conditions, and also includes canker sores, numbness in extremities, and joint pain. . Sources of this article include Web MD, Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis, Go Gluten Free magazine, and various online websites. For a complete list of sources, contact the author at Admin@7BitesShow.com

Something to consider would be your medical history rather than the full records. The history should be 1-3 pages with just a compiled list of all of your past diagnosis, etc.

Sounds like you're right on track! You should be able to eat close to 1/2 c of food about now, and it looks like that's about where you're at! Good job!

How completely wonderful!!! What a great feeling!

I think I was about 6 weeks out when I was okay'd for it.

Oh, girl, I'm close to two years and there are times that I'm a burping machine!! LOL

Oh yes - I've had it both ways - ON THE SAME DAY!!! As your body adjusts and gets used to the new foods it'll stabilize