Airstream88

I have BC/BS and I am doing my 6 monthly weigh-in appointments with my NUT. It's an hour class with others pursuing WLS.

My NUT calls them mini-meals and we are to have 4 - 5 of them a day, every 3 - 4 hours apart. She has us working towards that now pre-surgery so we will be ready for our new eating pattern post-surgery.

I should have clarified that my NUT was talking about the long term - a year or more out from surgery, not in the year right after. Of course, it is always Protein first, then veggies, then grains (to include things like brown rice, farro, multi-grain bread, etc).

I recently attended my first NUT class in preparation for WLS in the fall. In this class she talked about how to layer foods to keep feeling full and the blood sugar from spiking. For example: 2 slices of a whole wheat skinny roll or WW bread, grilled chicken breast, slice of avocado, lettuce and tomato. The multi-grain bread and chicken take longer to digest, thus keeping you feeling satisfied longer. Other carbs like crackers, chips, etc digest more quickly leaving you hungry. The meal plan I am to follow to prepare me for after surgery is 65 - 90g Protein spread out over 4 - 5 mini meals a day 3 - 4 hours apart. At each meal, I should have either a serving of whole grain carb or handful of fruit to go along with the protein plus non-starchy veggies in any amount. 3 healthy fats, such as nuts, nut butters or olive oil are also allowed. The biggest rule is no snacking between meals. Eating between disrupts the digestion cycle and keeps your stomach from emptying fully between meals.

Hi! I am just starting the WLS journey but have attended some nutritional classes as part of my supervised weight loss requirement for the insurance company. My NUT is having me work towards the following eating plan in preparation for surgery. 4 - 5 mini meals every 3 - 4 hours apart. Each one must have a lean Protein to total ~90g daily. In addition, I can have 2 fruits, 3 healthy fats (including nuts, olive oil), 3 or more non-starch veggies, and 2 starches total to fill out each meal. The rule is to NOT eat between the meals. No grazing. If I find that I get ravenous between the meals, I can add more protein and non-starch veggies. She says that if I eventually follow this plan, cravings for sugar and bread will eventually decrease.

I plan on taking at least 4 weeks. I work for a private firm but we have Short Term disability and I don't have to use any personal leave for it to take effect. I'm sure I could go back sooner but I'm afraid that I won't be able to perform at a high level while I'm adjusting to the new calorie levels, etc.

My NUT said that stalls are generally caused by not eating enough Protein. She said once the body uses up the protein stores in the liver and kidneys, it will slow the metabolism down because it thinks its in starvation mode. You are training for a 5K. Could it be your are not eating enough to support your level of activity? Note: I have not had my WLS yet. This is just what I learned from my NUT.

Haven't had my WLS surgery yet but you need to remember that just because there are only 5 small incisions on the outside, there is a major incision on the inside that needs to heal properly before you can perform heavy lifting, twisting, bending over, etc. You don't want to go back too soon and cause issues that may cause you to have to take off more time in the future. Does your employer cover you for Short Term Disability? Surgery of this magnitude should be covered.

BariatricFoodie.com has lots of recipes, for all phases I think. There are all sorts of tricks to make Protein shakes taste better and also reviews of new protein powders. I am still working through the pre-surgery requirements but I ordered some Protein Drink mixes from AmBari on the basis of a bariatricfoodie.com review. They are definitely better than tolerable - no chalky or grainy texture. If you only add 4 ounces of Water it makes a pudding like consistency, 8 ounces - milk like consistency (not thick at all).

Maybe this is the time to change that Sunday rest and eat, eat, eat tradition to something more healthy for everyone in your family. Maybe go for a walk, ride bikes, etc. I know I am going to have to change our Sunday junk food & football tradition next Fall since I should be sleeved by then.

I'm just starting the journey but wanted to start trying out the Protein drinks because I have had trouble drinking these in the past. I found reviews for AmBari Protein Drinks on the BariatricFoodie blog. I ordered the sample box and really liked the chocolate ones (I haven't tried the others yet). Mixed with 8 oz of Water, it was not thick but more of a chocolate milk consistency. If you only put in 4 oz. of water, it's supposed to be pudding consistency. Their website is http://www.ambarinutrition.com/

Had my first pre-op consultation with the NUT and she said not getting enough Protein is one thing that can cause a stall. She explained that you have to feed your muscles, skin and bones (the parts of you that you aren't trying to lose) and if your body uses up the reserves in your kidneys and liver, it will believe it's starving and start slowing down its metabolism to counteract that.

I haven't had WLS yet. When people talk about "Slime" is it similar to the mouth-watering feeling I get that tells me I'm about to vomit?

Inner Surfer Girl - You are so right! Thanks for the tips! I have already started making changes. Except for 1 Coke on Sat/Sun each, I only drink unsweetened tea and Water. I'm going to have to get some decaf tea and give up those weekend sodas soon. Then getting rid of the starchy veggies are next. I've never been much of a veggie eater - as a kid I only ate potatoes, celery, tomatoes, sauerkraut, corn, kale and lettuce. I'm a little better now - I like asparagus, brocollini and green Beans if they are sauteed in Olive Oil with lemon and salt. I just need to motivate myself to actually make them! Thanks so much for your support!

I'm just at the beginning of my journey and I was wondering if anyone's surgeon rejected them for the Sleeve? Mine says my BMI (50+), weight (385) and age (53) indicates to him I should get the Bypass. He says if I lose 50 - 60 pounds in the next 6 months that he will reconsider. If I could lose 50 - 60 pounds, I wouldn't be wanting this surgery!

Proud2BMe - I am not looking for a miracle cure. I'm just unsuccessful at losing weight. I get bored with dieting and tend to grab what's easy and accessible. I'm not a binge eater. I've gained about an average 8 pounds or so per year since I got out of high school. Each time I've attempted to diet, I would lose about 30 pounds, get bored and gain it back + another 5 more. I would say my problem is that I never feel full unless I eat a very, very large amount of food. So in looking at WLS, especially the sleeve, I see a tool that would help me with portion control by restricting the amount and types of food I can eat at one sitting. My surgeon wants me to lose this weight prior to any pre-op diet. I can do it if I put my mind to it but it will be a challenge.

Congratulations! I am new to this journey but not to leg injuries. I just wanted to say you can continue to work out with your trainer while rehabbing your knee. I was training 2x a week with a personal trainer when I ruptured my achilles tendon. After getting the cast off, I did my rehab stuff with the P/T and then worked out with the trainer doing core and upper body (arms, shoulders, etc). Instead of standing she had me do stuff while sitting on a low table.

I'm just starting the pre-approval process - first appointment is on 1/11. I don't plan to shout it from the rooftops but if someone asks, I will tell them. I've already told the people close to me that I am pursuing this surgery and so far everyone has been supportive or at least not said anything negative.

At the seminar I attended, the surgeon said for larger or patients with many co-morbities, they will start with the sleeve because it is a simpler surgery and has less complications than the Bypass surgery. Then once you loose some weight and you are healthier, they may do the Bypass. But nowadays many people do so well on the sleeve, they end up not needing the bypass.

Have you tried looking at the Meetup groups in your area? In the MD/DC area there seems to be a group for every interest, hobby, etc - I'm sure its the same in your area. That way you can find groups that do things that aren't food related. In Baltimore, for example, there are groups for hiking, different age groups, Volunteer groups, Business groups, Board games groups, Language groups, Meditation groups, tech, etc.

I'm new here and in the same situation. I was totally against any type of surgical intervention but if I don't get this weight off, I will be needing to have my knees replaced and I figure that surgery is more radical than having 3/4's of my stomach removed. I wish I had investigated this earlier in the year so I could have started the 6 mos. supervised diet requirement and be closer to the surgery. Now I will have to wait until mid-June/July next year. My initial consultation appointment is in January 2016 but I'm going to try to get an appointment with the NUT this month to start the 6 mos diet ASAP.

The surgeon/hospital program I am using in Maryland estimates 2.25 days in the hospital.

I believe that someone having any type of surgery should always have someone who knows them waiting for them at the hospital to be their advocate. This belief comes from personal experience as both patient and advocate. No one goes into surgery expecting the worse but what if something goes wrong and a timely decision is needed? Also when you have been under anesthetic and are on pain meds, you are not up to advocating for yourself. Your advocate may not need to be there all day, but should be there at least until you are back up to your room. After advocating for my Mom and ex-husband, I thought I could do it for myself when I had wrist surgery. I came out of the surgery very nauseous from the anesthetic and the pain meds and ended up barfing every 10 minutes. They handed me a barf bag and sent me home. My husband was with me but didn't insist that they keep me there until I stopped barfing which I would have insisted on if I would have had my wits about me.