Inner Surfer Girl

I guess because it is better to be healthy and fat than to be unhealthy and fat. I was a healthy fat person until I wasn't. I will take healthy and fat over unhealthy and fat any day. Plus, building healthy habits while we are still fat will pay dividends as we lose weight. If we have WLS and do not develop healthy habits, then WLS will likely have very short-term benefits.

I agree, Ensure is terrible for bariatric patients. Too much sugar and not enough Protein. As to how much protein you should be getting, what did your surgeon tell you? My protein target is 100 grams a day. My surgeon's targets range from 80-100 grams Adam depending on your starting BMI. For him, anyone with a starting BMI over 50 and all makes, the target is 100 grams. Women who start out under 50 BMI have a minimum target of 80 grams.

I guess that makes sense for pre-op when you still will want as much volume as possible. Post-op, having a higher protein ratio is critical for being able to get in enough protein for minimal volume.

I drink infused water all the time. Fruit, berries, herbs, ginger, cucumber, etc. all make great infused water. I had strawberry cucumber the other day and it was really good. I like cucumber mint, a lot.

No premier but you are allowed Atkins? That is the complete opposite from my surgeon. It's interesting how instructions can be so different.

I assume you are pre-op? If you have to "nibble" something, then make sure it is something allowed on your diet: sugar-free Popsicle, crushed ice, another Protein shake. If you are allowed non-starchy vegetables then you can "nibble" those. You DO NOT want to risk having your surgeon closing you up without doing the surgery because you couldn't follow your program for the required amount of time. I cannot imagine any "nibble" being worth that. If you are unsure about what is allowed on your pre-op diet, then call your NUT and ask. You CAN do this!

I find that every time I see one I see something different, usually based on where I am on my journey.

Welcome! Congratulations on deciding to take such a big step.

My first week post-op was Clear Liquids, second week full liquids, third week soft, fourth week soft mechanical, etc. It may not make sense to you, but your surgeon's instructions are designed to help you heal and recover. What is your Protein target? Mine is 100 grams, so three premier Proteins got me 90% there. Early out I like premier, GNC Lean shake 25, Syntrax nectar, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate, ProtiDiet creamy chicken and tomato basil Soups. It is hard, but do everything you can to follow your post-op instructions and get in all of your protein and fluids.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and/or even Overeater's Anonymous would be worth exploring.

I was fortunate in that my PCP referred me to an outstanding surgeon/program that has a great track record and is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. The bad news was that my insurance excluded any bariatric surgery.

Congratulations! This is awesome.

You can make friends at the gym. I think you might be surprised by how different your experience will be from your expectations.

Do what you have to do to get in your 80 grams of protein, even if that means eating 10 times a day. The same with fluids. Don't go to sleep at night until you have gotten it all in. It is difficult at first, but if you keep sipping, you can do it.

You are definitely not eating enough. You HAVE to get in your protein and stay hydrated.

Oh, yeah. You need to eat more and make sure you treat your protein target as a minimum and not a maximum. Dr. Weiss is my surgeon, too and he is where I learned how important protein is in this process. It sounds counterintuitive, but it really works.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. We all stall periodically, and most of us stall about three weeks or so after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise when cleared (even just walking a little bit every day to start will help). Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I have a picture I took of the bulletin board at my surgeon's office that has tips for keeping our metabolism revved. I'll see if I can find it. In the meantime, off the top of my head: exercise, getting enough sleep, fidgeting, eating frequent small meals, staying hydrated will all help.

Love the swans. I am so looking you up whenever I get to England. I would love to tramp up hill and dale with you in Wellies and jeans.

I know my fat is and was, in large part, a physical barrier to avoid unwanted attention. I agree that therapy and counseling is really helpful. Attractiveness is so much more than physical looks. I know plenty of "pretty" people I find unattractive, usually due to their attitude, personality, how they treat other people, etc. and others who may not be conventionally "pretty" who are downright beautiful, usually because they are genuine, confident, kind, caring, generous, open, and honest. P.S., drunks at nightclubs are not the best judges of character, attractiveness, or anything else. I would be wary of putting too much stock in anything someone says at a club (positive or negative).

So, you are eating 1-2 oz and then an hour or two later you feel nauseous? That doesn't sound like the food is making you nauseus. Are you staying hydrated? If you are only eating 1-2 oz, then in an hour or two you should be eating again. Early out I needed to be eating (Protein shakes, etc.) or drinking fluids just about all the time to get in all of my protein. Have you talked to your surgeon and/or NUT about your concerns? Are you taking a PPI? Are you taking anti nausea meds?

"Feel the fear and do it anyway." As others have mentioned this is a common fear. But, it is actually more common to enjoy going. Do you have a YMCA or Wellness Center associated with a hospital near you? I would recommend either of those kinds of facilities if they are available. Personally, my primary requirement is can indoor pool. Swimming is a great exercise. Group exercise classes are great, whether they are on land or in the water: Water aerobics, Zumba, yoga, tai chi, dance classes, etc. They are all exercise. Maybe even invite your husband to take a yoga class or a ballroom, salsa, or country-western line dancing class with you. As a bonus, most Ys and Wellness Centers that I have belonged to have child care available.

Yeah!

Cut out caffeine and carbonation, drink lots of water, and drink protein shakes. Be sure and keep your protein up.

I didn't have a puree phase, but I ate (and still eat) a lot of geek yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, refried Beans, chili, Protein pudding, etc. Everything tastes better with melted cheese on top (except maybe the Greek yogurt). A lot of folks like The World According to Eggface's ricotta bake. It wasn't one of my favorites. What does your NUT suggest?