Inner Surfer Girl

Do you have access to powdered milk? If so, you can use it to up your protein in other foods. Also, bone broth has some protein.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I hope you are able to put together a good support team in your new home. There is a reason the 12-step program for alcoholics also works for food addicts. You may want to explore AA and/or OA, or find a good counselor or therapist. Best of luck and thanks again for sharing your story.

I stopped at Taco Bell on the way home from my first op appointment and got refried beans. They had never tasted so good or lasted so long before!

I only weigh at the Doctors office. I went for my one month post-op appointment yesterday and that was the first time I ever remember being eager to get on a scale and being happy with the results. Unfortunately, I have read too many posts by people who are just out of surgery and agonizing over the number in the scale. Not weighing every day is great for my sanity.

You have lost weight. Last time I checked, seven pounds doesn't equal zero pounds. You are going in the right direction. There are so many variables that go into the rate you lose weight. Our bodies are complex systems, not simple machines. Right after surgery, your body is healing and adapting to the trauma of surgery. What I know (from my surgeon and subsequent experience and observation) is that the most important thing to maximize healing and weight loss is to get in all of your Protein and fluids. Are you reaching your protein and Fluid goals daily?

Weaning off Diet Coke was hard but not as hard as if I just went cold turkey after surgery.

That has got to be frustrating. I had to face a long wait and uncertainty about when I could have my surgery, too. The waiting is hard but by the time my surgery was scheduled I was more than ready. To prepare myself while I was waiting I: Weaned myself off of caffeine and pop Drank 64 oz. Water a day Exercised 60 minutes a day Focused on eating more Protein and reducing carbs Learned as much as I could about the surgery and the lifestyle changes Tried to continue to work on my food addiction and emotional eating issues and gathered supplies I would need as well as sampling Protein shakes in preparation for the surgery I wish I could say the wait wasn't frustrating but by focusing on what I could do, it helped. Best of luck with your journey. You won't regret it.

In addition to my post above, if you don't have access to protein supplements, you will have to focus on high-protein foods: yogurt, soft cheeses, milk, meat, seafood/fish, beans, etc.

A NUT is a nutritionist. Here in the US, most bariatric surgeon's have a nutritionist on staff. Here is a link to a post-op diet/nutrition guidelines that looks similar to the one I have although it's not my surgeon: http://www.upmc.com/Services/bariatrics/approach/post-surgery/diet/Pages/default.aspx I hope this helps.

I got some nice appetizer spoons on a sale site (haven't yet found appetizer forks but I'm still on soft foods so use a spoon most of the time) and that has helped take smaller bites. I feel better using it than I would a toddler spoons and forks but some people use those.

Do you have a Nut? My surgeon's office provided a detailed post-op food plan and by the 5th week I am on a soft/mechanical diet (soft foods, plus fish and ground/moist meats). I have called and met with my NUT for questions and clarification and she has been very helpful. I do have to slow down and put some thought into what I plan to eat but the guidelines are pretty clear. As long as I meet my Protein and Water goals and only eat what is on my approved list I feel confident and haven't felt deprived.

Does your surgeon's office have an insurance coordinator? If so, make an appointment to sit down and go over all the costs. I went the self pay route because my insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery and they were pretty clear about the line-by-line costs. Plus, with insurance, they are going to pay a significant portion of your costs in the space between your deductible and your maximum out of pocket.

I am doing great and couldn't wish for a better surgery and recovery experience. Learning as much as I could pre-op really made a big difference in how prepared I was for the surgery and aftermath. The worst part by far was the anticipation and taking that leap into the unknown.

Welcome to the site and best of luck with your surgery. You can learn a great deal from this site by reading and asking questions. My first question for you. Can you define older? I am 50 and was sleeved April 20 of this year. I know there are people on this site in just about any age group. I haven't yet seen any pre-teens, but that's about it.

As long as you are able to get in your protein and water I wouldn't worry about it.

Pinterest, Bariatric Foodie

I need to revise this: according to my Drs. Visit today, the don't allow Tramadol in the first six weeks, so if you are in that timeframe you may want to stick with Tylenol.

I don't know about behavioral disorders but I know my surgeon wanted me to make sure I had an appointment with my PCP soon after surgery to make sure my meds were balanced and updated.

Sending hugs and prayers your way.

Have a great time! All I can say from what you posted is that it seems like you will get a chance to do lots of walking and eat some great fresh seafood. I can't wait to be able to take a long walk on the beach. Be sure a post some pictures.

Actually, your NUT sounds very helpful. This early out you don't need a calorie goal. If you reach your protein and water goal then you will be in the best place to recover from surgery and lose weight.

If you have recently lost insurance and are in the US you shouldn't have to wait for open enrollment to get your own insurance through Obamacare. Have you explored what insurance is available to you? Some states require insurance companies to cover WLS, others do not. You won't know your options until you do the research. Don't give up. It may take longer than you had hoped but there are other options.

The only thing I was focused on when I started soft foods (and as I advance each stage) is getting in my protein and water. The numbers on the scale are none of my business right now.

I am not s smoker but live in a state with a lot of smokers and know my surgeon will not operate on someone who is not nicotine free (including second-hand smoke). Also, he said if he goes in and the liver is too big he will not complete the surgery. There are very good reasons for the pre-op requirements.

It will be worth it.