Ashlegal

*Disclaimer: I am not in any way trying to be an a$$hole. Just offering a different POV*

Bad side effects? Could anything be as bad as the "side effects" diabetes, HBP, heart disease, the extra weight on your joints, the extra weight on your emotional health be?

Think about what any of those issues does to your body, your organs, your quality of life. Then think about what it would be like not having to deal with any of those issues for the rest of your life.

Everyone has different "complaints" (for lack of a better word) about having RNY surgery. They are not actually side effects but more like challenges they have had to overcome since having surgery. Challenges that make it hard to overcome bad habits they were so used to prior to having surgery.

What side effects are you most concerned with or have heard horror stories about? Dumping? Vitamin deficiencies? Bowel problems? hair loss? All of those and many more can be managed easily. And like I asked before, is any side effect worse than the ones you are currently experiencing due to your poor health?

Carbs were my best friend before surgery. I loved them and they were the unhealthiest relationship I have ever been in.

Since surgery, I have attempted carbs twice and both times left me miserable. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E.

I am sure the further out from surgery one person is, the easier carbs are to eat. But at two months, carbs no matter how well chewed, toasted or sauced end up feeling like a lead ball in my new stomach.

Carbs do weird things inside your body. Eating simple carbs, simple sugars help the body release "feel good" hormones that people always want more of. It is a cycle, you eat them, the chemical releases, you want more and it repeats itself.

You have to stop eat carbs cold turkey and work through the "withdrawal" of going off of them. Good luck!

I have had small bites of corn that was grilled, then shucked of the cob. It was pretty soft but only two bites were taken before I felt instantly full and for a long time. My Surgeon says carby veggies are the last thing I should be eating as the one or four bites don't provide any nutrition and are mostly sugar.

There are no "nevers" in life. Even after WLS.

I had a horrible event take place after eating one marinated (in homemade Italian Dressing). It was super soft, I chewed really, really well and yet it somehow became lodged. I was miserable until I violently threw up. I am three days away from being two months post-op, have had very little issue(s) with what I have been eating, trying, cooking and yet that Tomato about killed me.

A FAQ won't keep people from posting questions looking for answers that have already been discussed in great length.

There is a search button that could easily be utilized that would allow many posters to have never needed to make a single post.

And that's the thing; people want to post THEIR questions to talk about THEIR concerns, it is part of the process, it is part of our nature to reach out, feel comforted, feel included, feel as if we belong. It isn't that these people are lazy or dumb; it is that they want to talk, they want to feel less alone and confused about where they are in their journey.

It is important we give people that opportunity.

@@jhammer2

But you should follow your surgeon's plan/orders.

In all fairness plenty of individuals have a pureed stage that lasts upwards of four weeks, they get their Protein in, their calories in, their fluids in and take their Vitamins in with no issues.

You might want to evaluate what you are eating, how you are getting your Protein and being concerned if you are healing properly. The other issue is at two weeks out, you may do more damage by eating foods that could hurt your new stomach. You won't know right away because everything is still healing and you might end up with complications down the road.

My surgeon doesn't let EVERYBODY transition from full liquids to soft Proteins. So, it is best to follow your surgeon's plan. It really, really is.

I was never required a pureed stage. By day ten I was allowed and recommended to start eating soft Proteins. Lean meats, moist chicken, tender turkey, seafood, soft cheeses etc.

I made this minus the cottage cheese; added ricotta instead. I plan to take some to work to share and freeze the rest. I also did add ground beef that I seasoned as if I was making tacos. It resemble a crust-less quiche or frittata, super filling and is mostly protein. I ate my small 1/2 cup portion with a little sour cream and a dash of Tabasco. It was really good!

I find it to taste better than full-fat Best Foods Mayonnaise and I didn't ever think that would be possible. In fact I made some tuna salad with spicy mustard, OO Kraft mayo, celery, green onions, a sprinkle of cheese and just a tiny squeeze of relish. Yummy! I scooped it up with homemade cheesy crisps chips.

The kraft olive oil mayo only has 30 calories per tbsp.

how does it taste in relation to normal mayo? gonna check this out too Thanks BLERD! very helpful going to make use of the crockpot at work !

Are you taking Vitamins?

I have lost the support of two very close friends because our whole relationship was based on our size. They are proud of being big beautiful women and feel changing would take away their identity. When I expressed to them I was pursuing WLS they felt as if I betrayed them. When in fact they betrayed me and didn't accept me for my decision.

I nor you need friends that are not going to love us for our decision to be healthy and comfortable in our own skin.

Beauty is not measured by size. Beauty is measured by how you love yourself and others.

I did have a decent support group but still often times felt myself feeling alone. This journey is not like any other and no matter who you have standing behind you, you still feel as if you are standing alone. It is important that you be patient with yourself, reflect on both the emotional/health reasons for surgery and prepare yourself for the dramatic transformation you are about to embark.

This is all about YOU and you need to only focus on your needs; no one else's are as important and those that love you will come when you feel it is the right time.

@@silkouj

Stay focused! You can do this! Fight through the temptation.

There have been a couple of ladies on here that woke up with incomplete surgeries due to their livers being too big.

That was my biggest fear before going into the operating room.

Last night was weird. Not only was it Halloween but I saw people for the first time in six-seven months. Many of these people did not know I was considering WLS let alone have decided to have RNY.

Over and over again I had to explain my "dramatic weight loss" which I suppose almost fifty pounds in six months is dramatic but not when you have another 100+ to lose. Each time I explained I had decided to utilize a tool to help me control my portions and help me lose significant weight faster than most, I received blank stares. I don't know what is so hard to understand about that explanation but for some, they could not let it go.

Especially a few female friends who were "stunned by how different I looked", I don't look that f*&cking different but they hounded me for more details. I never gave in and I feel that I have offended several of them.

I just don't think it is any of their damn business and instead of trying to get information out of me, I feel they should have accepted my answer, offered some words of encouragement and moved on.

Then there were the males. These are the same guys that previously only viewed me as nothing more than "the girl they work with" or "know from an old girlfriend." Now all of a sudden I have sparked a different interest in them, making them act like their head fell out of their a$$. Annoying. And I'm not good at distracting male attention; I've never before had it!

**End Rant**

The issue with medication to treat panic attacks is that they in their nature are addictive. While they do help they can create bigger problems.

Do you exercise? Have a support group in your area for Overeaters? Ever thought about Yoga? I think you need to tackle this from a physical as well as mental problem. Addressing one area and not the other may not be as effective.

You may also want to find out about getting into therapy to address your anxiety. This is not just about the weight you have put back on. Nope. It is about addressing why you turn to food to cope with the anxiety you feel.

@

Friday night I was up way past my bedtime and felt the urge to eat. I saw I had some baby carrots in a ziploc. I sniffed them, they smelled fine, I took a tiny bite, swallowed and went back for more. Before I knew it I had downed about 5 little baby carrots and immediately knew while they might not cause any problems, they are far too easy to eat.

It is too bad they don't offer any Protein.

You will ultimately need to learn how to prepare food for yourself. It will support the success of your weight loss. Pre-packaged food often comes with loads of calories, hidden sugars, a high fat content and a lot of carbs. Youtube has a plethora of instruction videos, Pinterest has a ton of recipes that take you step-by-step through the recipe and many times local libraries or community colleges will have free or low cost cooking classes. Yes, supporting this decision will take a huge amount of dedication.

Like many people the reason why they are obese is the types of foods they ate. A lot of those food selections were made based on ease, convenience, taste and affordability. It is a habit that needs to be changed or their success will be derailed. It is just the reality of having WLS.

Aside from that pep-talk there are options. Many have already been mentioned but I'd like to add a few.

Deli made chicken salad. You have to be careful as a lot of places use a Miracle Whip type dressing and not a mayo based one. You can always ask before you buy. Many grocers will offer already shredded rotisserie chicken in their Deli's cold case. Making chicken salad is not hard. If you can make tuna, you can make chicken salad.

Hormel canned chili. I have had both Turkey and Vegetarian, as well as regular. It is great with a few sprinkles of cheddar cheese, some sour cream and a splash of Tabasco.

There are frozen meals that cater to high Protein needs. Just pay attention to their carb content.

I used to eat Tomato Soup with a sprinkle of cheese and a slice of Avocado. I also would heat a can of refried Beans with some shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa (smooth no chunks) and even Progresso Light Soups as the veggies/protein in them are super tender.

The following words are not intended to make you feel worse but to help you focus on what is important.

The pre-op phase is critical to not just getting the surgery done but to all that surgery will require from you.

It is a challenge to re-program your brain and the way it responds to food. It is a challenge to allow your liver to shrink for surgery to be completed safely. It is a challenge to get you adjusted to the diet immediately post-op. It is a challenge to make you accountable for the decision(s) you have made.

Not losing enough prior to your surgical date can lead to an incomplete surgery. Gaining weight prior to your surgical date can postpone your surgery and in some cases give your insurance the platform to deny you surgery.

You owe it to yourself, your health, your future to give this entire journey all you have to offer. It does NOT get easier when surgery is complete. It will remain a challenge to eat what is on your surgeon's plan. Six months later if habits have not been changed you could ultimately derail your weight loss.

You have already done the hard part by making the decision to have WLS. The rest is all about supporting that decision and making it a success.

Isn't that a great feeling when you are caught by surprise on your weight loss?!

The other day I noticed my shoe needed tied. I would normally sit down and need a place to prop my foot to comfortably tie my shoe. Not this time! I bent down and was able to tie it with no strain, issues or discomfort. I was kinda blown away!

Congrats!

You can always make cheese crisps as the vessel for whatever dips you decide to eat/make.

http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2011/07/looking-for-a-little-crunch.html

Someone brought this to my party last night, I ate it with a couple of Wheat Thins and dipped a few carrots in it.

I don't have the nutritional values but I imagine it is low carb and not horribly caloric. You could always use reduced fat cheeses.

PRINT

When all the scabs were gone, I asked my PCP if I could start putting lotion on the area and of course I could. So I would mix a little of this:

https://www.mederma.com/products/advanced-scar-gel

In with an all over cocoa butter lotion.

http://www.niveausa.com/products/body-care/cocoa-butter-lotion

I am just about eight weeks post op and the look of my scars are minimal.

I used to HATE milk and Greek Yogurt. Loathe. Gag on the idea of having either.

Now I drink Fairlife Milk twice (sometimes 3) times a day. I get a little panicked if it is late in the evening and I pour my four ounces in a frosty mug only to realize I don't have enough for my morning cup. I have one time at around 9 p.m. in my p.j.'s, house shoes and hair a fuss, rushed to the nearest convenience store to buy three of the little 11.5 ounce bottles.

Not all Greek Yogurt I enjoy. I don't really like the Dannon Light and Fit Greek (or regular) it is too chemical tasting. It leaves a weird taste in my mouth. I do LOVE the Triple Zero Oikos, Chobani Simply 100 and the Yoplait Greek 100. Yum!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch

I went with Red. I actually had a friend beg me to sell her the Snow White. I couldn't say no as it would otherwise go on used and take up space in my place.

My party starts in about an hour. I'm just not feeling up to partying, I kind of just wanna get my PJ's on and curl up on the couch.

I haven't been hungry in two days, have consumed very little outside of fluids and Vitamins. I'm trying to get myself pumped for tonight but it feels like a lost cause.

You'll someday eat another sandwich or a bowl of Cereal or a scoop of ice cream or a burger with fries.

You will only say goodbye to the way you eat them NOW. Your ideas about eating your favorite foods will change and you will discover alternatives that not only are healthy but you'll like them more than their previous counterparts.

Maybe it will be a high Protein Cereal with some unsweetened almond milk or a sandwich made with "carbless" bread or a a lettuce wrap burger with crispy baked green Beans. The idea is to not take away your favorites but to make them better and to help secure your weight loss success.

Last night I was craving Thai food. I searched a few recipes and discovered one that sounded satisfying. It was a deconstructed version of Pad Thai. It had all the flavors, textures and smells of my previous love but had all the health benefits of something much better.

It can be tricky and the further out you get, the easier to eat past favorites grows. You have to reprogram your brain to think of foods differently. You'll find new favorite foods and won't miss the old ones.

I use the Ziploc Vacuum sealer bags for clothes and throw in dryer sheets. I've had a ton of luck with anything I have stored not getting holes, stink, wet or wrinkled.