Inner Surfer Girl

My surgeon had is taking extra D3 starting at the very beginning of our WLS journey. Apparently, most people in the US are chronically low on D3. I don't recall what dosage I take. It might be 5,000. I would go by what your PCP and/or surgeon recommends. I take mine in the morning at the same time I take my multi.

I guess it depends on what "eating normally" means. Eating "normally" got me to almost 600 pounds. At 10-days post op my surgeon/NUTS program still had me on full liquids. I didn't progress to soft foods until the third week. What does your NUT advise? Whether or not you care what any of us say, I would highly suggest you care what your NUT and surgeon say. You are in their care. In the first few weeks after surgery eating "healthy" means allowing yourself to heal after major surgery. Following the food stages (texture) helps you to heal with a minimum of complications. So does focusing on getting enough Protein and fluids. I was cleared to get in the pool about 4 weeks post-op, once my incisions had completely closed up. I've been in the pool ever since.

I just read the other responses --- change my answer to "hell no."

Fat is not the issue. Generally speaking, most things that are low fat or fat free, especially if they are processed, have a lot of sugar added to compensate for the reduced fat. For instance, reduced fat Peanut Butter is simply lower fat because it is diluted with sweetener (usually high fructose corn syrup). Without looking at the nutritional content of a Panera smoothie, my guess would be "no".

I avoid added sugars, not all sugars. I just try to keep the sugar content low. I especially avoid high fructose corn syrup. For instance, when looking at a Greek yogurt I aim for a Protein content greater than 10 grams and sugar content of less than 10 grams.

I have taken centrum multi with no issues.

I have read that chicken seems to be hard for most after surgery. I might try to avoid it for a while. Or maybe chicken salad would be better since its not as dry? Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App Maybe. It really depends. You just will have to go slow and try new foods one at a time to see what works for you. Moist is definitely better early out. Dark meat chicken tends to be moister than dry breasts.

Absolutely!

I go to a wellness center and they have people on staff who can help. Is there someone like that available or a personal trainer so you can talk about your specific goals?

I was sleeved and drink right up to the time I eat. I generally wait a little while after eating to drink just because it can be uncomfortable. But, Sleevers have a pyloric valve so we don't have the same issues that bypass people have.

I assume you are having the bypass?

I think we all have this fear pre-op. I know for me, my metabolism pre-op was so wrecked that losing weight by "dieting" was practically impossible. It was a struggle just not to gain. What I have learned is that everything I was taught about conventional dieting was wrong. Pre-op dieting was all about minimizing calories and maximizing bulk and volume. Post-op, it is about maximizing nutrition and minimizing volume. Pre-op, consider weaning yourself off of soda pop (even diet soda can make you retain weight) and caffeine. Just doing that and drinking enough Water may be all you need to do to lose a few pounds. Aim for drinking AT LEAST 64 oz water a day. Focus on eating high Protein low carb. Avoid starches (rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes, corn, etc), added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods. If you are hungry then add extra cruciferous and other non-starchy vegetables and protein. Start tracking your food so you know what you are doing and not guessing. If you follow your program, you will lose weight with WLS. I know it is hard to believe now, but it does work.

The pre-op fear and anxiety was the worst part of the whole process for me. It is the uncertainty. I couldn't have asked for a better surgery, recovery, and results so far. I have zero regrets other than allowing that fear and uncertainty keep me from not doing it sooner.

Everything I have seen about Shakeology leads me to believe it is: 1) not bariatric friendly/too high in carbs and 2) really overpriced.

Pre-op, I had several required classes and was given a binder with most of the program information. My last pre-op class, about two weeks pre-op went into the most detail. My one week follow-up post-op class had more detail about the post-op diet plan. Do you have any more classes or appointments scheduled before your surgery date? If so, that is a good time to ask about your post-op plan. If not, you may want to give your NUT a call for clarification.

Congratulations! I love your post. For me, it is the opportunity to do more things. I have been on disability due to my obesity so now that I am regaining my mobility, I am no longer completely housebound and trapped. I can also sit behind a computer again, although I try to limit the time I am completely sedentary. I swim, I take classes, I take photographs, I write, I am starting to take road trips and travel, I am becoming more engaged in my community, and I am starting to job hunt in order to return to the workforce. I think it is awesome that you have chosen health over drinking and partying. I do agree with the poster who mentioned education though. You are at a perfect time in your life to dream big. Actually, we are all at a perfect time in our lives to dream big! Have you thought about what excites you? About your passion? Maybe it is exercise-related? Maybe you have the talent to design athletic shoes? Program video games? The sky is the limit! You have an awesome future in front of you.

Definitely quit smoking. Nicotine can seriously inhibit healing and can wreck havoc on your digestive track. Not to mention that smoking is not healthy for you or the people around you. Congratulations for choosing to become healthy.

Good for you! Have fun destroying your scale. What worked for me was to only weigh at doctors appointments, especially early out post-op. Now, I weigh no more than once a week. There was a long period of time before surgery when I just didn't want to know what I weighed, and didn't. One of the critical success factors for me during the WLS process is to be rigorously honest with myself and my medical team. That includes my weight. Now, I look forward to stepping on the scale at the doctors office. I don't share the number on the scale with anyone else unless there is a need to know. I put it on my ticker on BariatricPal and have shared the number with a couple of people who were sincerely considering WLS and were obviously suffering with their obesity. I think one of the first steps for me towards WLS was to buy a scale that was rated to handle my weight. Even it had a difficult time recording my weight. Now, when I step on it is simply registers a number.

I was sleeved so don't know about RNY people, but I eat olives all the time. I count them in MyFitnessPal (sodium is high) but generally think of them as a fat.

10 days on CLEAR liquids?? Wow, that's not strict, that's Draconian! YOU are a rock star if you can make it through that.....that's essentially NO nutrition for 10 days? Are you feeling ok? I'm weak and tired on just protein shakes. Now I feel like a wimp!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It's rough. I have learned to hate the smell of broth and today was the first day that I feel fatigued and tired. It seems like almost everybody else is allowed protein shakes 3 days post op, so I may "cheat" with those soon. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900AZ using the BariatricPal App You definitely need protein. Bone broth has more protein than some of the other commercially available broths. You can also get clear protein supplements like Isopure, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. Personally, I would consider some of the Syntrax Nectars clear. Protein is critical for healing and weight loss. Even if you are restricted to clear liquids it is really important that you get enough protein.

I agree that therapy, both pre- and post-op can be extremely helpful. In addition, consider attending bariatric support group meetings. You may also want to consider a recovery group like Overeaters Anonymous. You can find meeting lists, podcasts, and other resources online at OA.org. There are also lots of great books related to food issues. One you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton.

I am very fortunate to live in a rural area with lots of access to farmers markets, roadside stands, Amish stores, and other sources of fresh, locally grown and produced food.

I agree that you can get enough Protein from vegetables IF you are able to eat a large enough quantity of vegetables. Show me how someone newly sleeved can get enough protein from just vegetables and that is great. But, for me, in order to get enough protein. I have to focus on protein. I can't just eat vegetables and assume I am getting enough protein. I am not arguing with eating vegetables, I am arguing with the idea that just eating vegetables is an effective way to get enough protein for someone newly sleeved. Especially since protein is critical for both healing and weight loss.

Just keep sipping!

Look for sales. I bought a lot of mine initially online from drugstore.com (except for the bariatric advantage calcium chews that I got from bariatric choice). I have also bought some of my vitamins at CVS when they have had sales.