tamg26k

Best of luck!!! You got this!!!

Sounds delicious! I make a version of this with Greek yogurt and either spicy southwestern mustard or hot wing sauce and put in on chicken. Tastes delicious and makes it easier to eat.

Best of luck!!! You got this!!!

Congrats!!! Truly inspiring!!!

The decision for surgery is personal for all of us. What is right for one may not be right for the other. I chose RNY because I thought it would give me the best results based on the amount of weight I needed to loose. Whichever surgery you choose will be the right one for you. Best of luck!

I usually exercise in the late afternoons during the week and in the morning on weekends. I'm excited, I just rejoined a gym today!

I read every food label! It sometimes takes me over an hour to grocery shop for just 5 items. I rarely go out to eat anymore. Absolutely no soda No more wine! I used to love a nice glass of red wine every now and then No pasta- I'm Italian!! These are just a few changes post-op. I don't feel like I'm missing anything either! Best of luck!!

Way to go! Keep up the awesome work!!

Congrats! Glad you are feeling good!

Speaking of boots. I also bought my first pair of Uggs last week. Even though they are the short boots I didn't think I would be able to wear those prior to surgery. Baby steps!!

Best of luck...You will do great!!!! Remember: walk,walk,walk! As soon as you are able after surgery, it really helps get rid of the pain from the gas! Can't wait to hear how you are doing!!!

I was a vegetarian for about 15 years but introduced meat back in my diet about 2 years ago. I found that being a vegetarian I was only getting about 10-20 grams of Protein a day. I started out on the shakes and powders but gradually got off of those for no reason at all. This was the reason for my lack of protein. I was pretty lazy in that department. Some other foods that are good TVP (textured vegetable protein) edemame Eggbeaters refried Beans tofu soy These are just some of the things I ate early on when I became vegetarian. I found, later on, that my food choices were not the best and changed my diet. Best of luck!!

Are you pre-op or post-op? Everyone has different taste buds and different brands, same flavor can taste pretty different. As far as the type of Protein that I use - I only use a whey isolate protein. It is the purest form of whey protein and you get the most "bang for your buck" nutritionally. You should be able to find a GNC. They have plenty and the workers should be pretty knowledgeable. They should also be able to offer a few samples so you can try before you buy. In the pre-op stage I stuck to ready to drink shakes. I bought Premier Protein Shakes in chocolate and they were delicious without being too high in fat, calories, or carbs. They can be bought at costco if you are a member. Best of luck!!

I am about 4 months post op RNY and rarely, it ever have Snacks in between my meals. Getting the Protein in daily does get better and easier. Even though I am completely on solid foods at this point I usually have protein pudding in the morning for Breakfast. I had 3 scoops of Protein Powder to instant sugar-free pudding made with skim milk. I can get 5 or 6 breakfasts out of one box and should have about 16 grams of protein per serving. I focus on first getting my Water in daily, then my Vitamins, then protein. I do try to get about 60-70 grams in daily from 3 meals and find that if I do this, I get a sufficient amount of calories in daily. Every program is a bit different. I live by the "I'll figure out what works best for me" plan and it has worked so far. Best of luck!!

My weight loss was a bit slower at the beginning but once I hit the 4-5 week mark the weight started coming off pretty quickly. The above poster is correct- make sure you are getting enough calories in daily. For me, my focus is on Water then Vitamins then Protein. I also make sure I get about 70 grams of protein in daily. I also watch my carbs closely. I know there are other discussions about eating too few carbs, but this has worked for me. At meals I focus on protein and eat a few edamame. The only fruit I eat at this point are berries - blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries. No potatoes, no rice, no oats no wheat of any kind, no sugar, etc. A normal meal is about 2-3 oz of meat (turkey, chicken, or pork) A sauce made from Greek Yogurt with either spicy mustard or wing sauce, etc. (Nothing with added sugar) A few edamame A couple of spoonfuls of cottage cheese A few berries This plan has worked really well for me. I figured I needed to be really strict for the first 6 months since this is the fastest period for weight loss. Now, 4 months post-op, I usually loose (I think because I only weigh myself every 3 weeks) about 2-3 lbs. per week. Best of luck!

Excellent job! I also had RNY surgery in July and have lost about 86 lbs. so far! Keep up the great work...inspiring!!!

I started a different topic somewhat similar to this a few weeks ago asking how often everyone does a follow up with the surgery office, if they are really necessary, or if I can just switch to my PCP. I paid out of pocket for surgery and my insurance will not cover follow up visits with the surgeon, Each visit will could be cost as much as $500-$600 including blood work. I've had the 3 month with the blood test but am questioning if I need to continue with the surgeon. I will continue to have all of the blood work done but with my PCP.

ME! Unfortunately I live in St Louis and rarely make it out to Colorado. I've done a few trails in Breckenridge and hiked the Continental Divide - all amazing. Hiking in Colorado is a bit different than Missouri. A 3 mile hike was harder than 15 in Missouri. Our highest elevation is about 1700 feet.

@@hillgirly I would love to attend a support group meeting. I think I might try to go to the next one in November.

My program didn't offer mini gastric bypass. I would have chose RNY either way. Are there a lot of stats on mini gastric bypass?

I would be cautious about consuming so much Protein at one time. I don't think your body will absorb that much at once and you might be just wasting calories. I would stick to about 25-30 grams per shake, Just my opinion. I would also stick to a whey protein. I usually get some type of whey isolate Protein Powder. I switched to a powder so I can add it to different foods. I pretty much just use it now in sugar free pudding. I will add about 3 scoops to instant sugar free pudding mix and divide it into about 5 or 6 meals with about 20 grams of protein. I think there is a bit more variety with powders as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either as long as you are getting the correct form of protein. Best of luck!!!

It's been hit and miss for me with sugar free foods. I use sugar free flavorings for my Water sometimes, but about 1/10 of the normal amount. I also use sugar free Toriani syrups mixed with my Protein powder to enhance the flavoring. I tried sugar free popsicles during the first month but found them sickeningly sweet and had to get rid of them. Almost the same with some Protein Bars, I find some to be really sweet and can hardly get one down. My go-to sugar free item is pudding. I mix it with Protein Powder for Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I have cut sugar completely from my diet and haven't missed it at all I'm trying to get off of the artificial sweeteners too! Best of luck!!

You hit the nail on the head! Whichever option you choose, a healthier eating habit is a must for success. WLS is just a tool for us to get started on the right path. I am no expert on Gastric Sleeve nor am I an expert on RNY. I can give you experience. I had a really high starting BMI. I ultimately chose RNY over sleeve because of the malabsorption aspect. My cravings for "bad stuff" - sweets, high fats, fried foods, etc are gone. I have yet to experience dumping either. You can be really successful at either surgery if you put in the work. Best of luck!

@@hillgirly Nothing but good things to say about the office. I almost attended a seminar with Dr. Ricks but got Dr. Scott instead. Have you attended any support group meetings?

Best of luck! There are lots of similarities in our stories. I can say, that this was the best decision I have ever made. It's been life changing so far. Not so much my weight loss, but the fact that something "clicked" and I get it now. It's been a lifestyle change for me these last 3 months. Even though I am still very much overweight, I am really healthy. It doesn't feel like I'm "dieting" anymore. I am confident that this is a change that I can do forever...as in lifestyle change. Best of luck!!!