Inner Surfer Girl

It is crazy how much the people who we love can wound us and uplift us with their words. Enjoy the warm thoughts and keep laughing when he says hurtful things.

My advice: Follow your program. Track your food. Make sure you get at least 64 oz of Fluid a day. Make sure you reach your Protein target each day. Eat protein first. Avoid added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am not a veteran or near maintenance, but I just wanted to say congratulations! It must be so exciting to be in the last leg before maintenance. I was going to suggest that you find a NUT to talk about a good maintenance food plan. I am sure there are some folks here who can give you some help. I am not a veteran or near maintenance, but I just wanted to say congratulations! It must be so exciting to be in the last leg before maintenance. I was going to suggest that you find a NUT to talk about a good maintenance food plan. I am sure there are some folks here who can give you some help.

I drink infused water all the time.

My surgeon really wanted us to get our protein right away. They gave us the undiluted ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates in the hospital as soon as we were cleared for liquids (right after the leak test).

You definitely need to get your calories up. That is why Protein shakes are useful so that we can get enough nutrition until we can eat enough food. What is your protein target? Are you able to get in all of your protein with food? Are you able to get in at least 64 oz of Fluid? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I didn't advance my diet. Anecdotally, of the people in my one week post-op follow-up nutrition class, the people who were following the food program were doing great. The people who had started trying food off of the program early were miserable. I don't know if they were miserable before they decided to eat off plan or not, but it made an impression on me.

I am over a year post-op from getting the sleeve. The worst parts off the experience for me? Probably waiting so long to decide to get the surgery, the pre-op uncertainty/anxiety, the little bit of gas pain in my shoulder post-op and some post-op constipation, and not being able to get in the pool for four weeks post-op. In other words, not much.

I have a small kitchenette (no oven or stove) so I use a lot of gadgets. Mostly: microwave, toaster oven, crock pot, and of course my food scale. I have an egg cooker, panini press/grill, electric skillet, and rice cooker that I use less often, mostly because of lack of counter space. The rice cooker is great for steaming vegetables, fish, etc.

Hopefully, they are spending more time appreciating your lovely face than they are your lovely arse. At least at work anyway! As to stripping...there are all kinds! Congratulations, on your weight loss. Edited because your lovely face is also lovely.

It does help to be honest with ourselves. Good for you in writing about what you are feeling. It really does help. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I think some people use Medifast for their pre-op/supervised diet. As to using it long-term, post-surgery I don't know that you would want to. One concern is that with the bypass you have malabsorption so you wouldn't be getting all of the nutrition from the Medifast which is already minimal. Plus, it isn't cheap. Definitely talk to your surgeon before doing this.

I don't know of any specific issues because I am older. I would like think that being older/wiser/more experienced in life has helped me in my recovery and progress.

As a country it is a disgrace how we neglect our veterans and their families when it comes to mental health. Please make sure you take care of yourself. Even if he only hurts you emotionally, that is not acceptable. Sending prayers.

This looks really good.

This is so great to hear. Thank you for the update!

If he is that controlling and is not following his treatment plan and "flips" over the idea of treatment or counseling, the least of your worries is your weight loss. Are you safe? Does he go beyond controlling behavior? Does he hurt you? I definitely recommend that you talk to a professional.

I don't know that 100 grams is necessarily "too much". My protein target is 100 grams. We don't store protein so we need as much as our body uses. Any excess will be converted to energy and stored, and since the liver stores that energy first, maybe the surgeon is just being overly conservative about protein pre-op so that doesn't happen.

I was told that I could swim after the incisions were completely closed up with no holes. It was about four weeks. Definitely talk to your surgeon.

It is possible. Almost everyone loses a lot of Water weight when they start a new diet. In addition, you are burning all the energy stored in your liver (the reason for the pre-op diet). There is a reason every commercial diet advertised on TV advertises that if you follow their diet you can lose up to twenty pounds in two weeks. Everything that goes into this rapid weight loss will balance out when you hit a stall about three weeks after surgery.

Are you sure their portions are off? Years ago I had a roommate who worked at a fast food restaurant and they were obsessive about portions. She was very well trained. If she picked up grated cheese with her fingers it was the exact amount.

I wouldn't think it would matter. For my pre-op diet, the only thing my surgeon was concerned about was that I didn't have any starches or sugars. Protein and fats were not limited. As a matter of fact he encouraged us to eat a lot of protein.

This is a great question for your surgeon or NUT. My first week was clears, but my surgeon allowed a couple of exceptions (namely premier protein and a couple of ProtiDiet soups). I also used the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates undiluted. They are clear.

Chocolate Protein shakes, chocolate Protein Bars (Quest double chocolate), chocolate protein pudding, adding cocoa powder to my oatmeal, and chocolate Calcium chews. If all else fails, a small piece of dark chocolate.

First, it sounds like you need more Fluid. 50-64 oz isn't a minimum of 64 oz. You need at least 64 oz. How much protein are you getting in every day? What is your protein target? Are you exercising? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall