2ndSpring

@@Treadmillwalker, what timing!! I just watched a youtube video this morning about reduced calories leading to increased longevity. As part of the video, they explored intermittent fasting and reduction of meal frequency. They also talked about the trap of maintaining blood glucose levels through frequent meals. They published a quote (I didn't catch who said it) "We live on 1/4 of the food we eat and our doctors live on the other 3/4" Very interesting topic.

I am out and about this morning. (Neither rain nor sleet nor ... shall stop me from getting gray roots covered!). Main roads are slushy but fine. Side streets are a mess but it is raining now so should get washed away soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't worry about these few short weeks. They suck - - but it is for a good reason and you can get through anything when when you know it is temporary. After a few days, your body will settle down a bit and adapt. It doesn't get easy, but you wont be so on edge. The key for me was to let go and roll with it. And don't worry... post-surgery is totally different. Just keep reminding yourself that your goal is to reduce your surgery risks and make the procedure easy for the surgeon. You got this.

I have done a lot of research on this topic and agree with @Bufflehead. There is scant scientific evidence that Calcium supplementation is of benefit to the human body. My cardiologist is against it because there have been some preliminary studies that question its link to atherosclerosis and after discussing with my surgeon, he was ok with me not taking it. (to be fair, I had the sleeve and his opinion may have been different for RNY or other surgery, I do not know) @@Aggiemae, the link you provided gives evidence of the importance of calcium to muscle contraction (and i assume cow muscle is the same as human?). But it does not cite any correlation to calcium levels absorbed for this purpose as a result of supplementation - and that is a concern, that not all of the supplement is absorbed by the bones or excreted and winds up elsewhere where it can cause harm. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/calcium_supplements_may_damage_the_heart

Are you giving each muscle group a day off between strength training sessions? If you are strength training the same muscle groups on consecutive days, you may not be giving your muscles time to repair.

This book is so helpful now that I am post-surgery. I have had the book for years and I was never able to fully overcome the food addiction. I probably needed more intensive support. But now that I have this wonderful new tool thanks to surgery, I have really been able to incorporate a lot of the lessons into everyday life. In my food journal, I review one of the lessons each day (like mantras) and that helps me have them at the tip of my tongue when needed. For example: today I reminded myself that I can't have it both ways - I can eat what I want or I can be thinner. I also still review my "advantages" every day - it helps remind me why I have chosen to change my life. If you haven't ordered it yet, I recommend the paperback version. Each day is a new lesson and there is work space to write down your thoughts/responses. Enjoy!

Hi Laney, thanks! I wish I did this 10 years ago. Congrats on 56 pounds, that's awesome. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone.

I had to take a business trip about 10 days post surgery and the PA told me to stop at least once every hour and walk around for a while. She said it is because surgery patients have an increased risk of blood clots for about 30 days and need to keep the blood circulating.

Hi everyone! I'm about 10 weeks post-op and live on Long Island. I would love to join your meetup and get to know everyone. this is such a friendly and supportive group - Have room for 1 more?

the first week is almost impossible to meet everything. Your stomach is still swollen and inflamed and there just isn't enough room. You wind up having to choose between fluids and Protein. Pick fluids. You don't want to get dehydrated. In week 2, things will calm down and you'll start to be able to meet your protein requirement. I wish I knew that, I made myself crazy that first week trying to meet my protein goal and I wound up dehydrated and needed an IV - not fun. You're doing great, keep up the good work. (and eww, get rid of the sludge drink haha)

My NUT only stressed the 60g for the first 2 months while I was healing and losing rapidly. I'm 10 weeks out now and at my 2 month checkup last week, she told me I didn't need to worry and that around 45g was enough. This is a level I can achieve easily through 3 meals of whole foods. I've been a pescetarian for 25 years (no meat or chicken, but I eat fish). For most of that time, I ate a lot of healthy grains and vegetables. The grains were, by far, the predominant food on my plate. I would eat meals such as a quinoa stir fry, or millet cakes with a side of veggies. I believe that the high grain diet affected my health (clogged arteries) and led me to obesity because of increased cravings. Researchers still haven't figured out the ideal diet for humans. The advice we've been following for the past 50 years (low fat, healthy grains) has been pretty much debunked. Saturated fat is making a comeback. There is still so much that hasn't been figured out yet. So don't be worried about not being in the mainstream. There is no hard scientific evidence that the mainstream is correct. Based on what I've researched on recent studies and my own experiences, I plan to eat 3 meals a day with an optional snack. At each meal, I will eat a protein (egg, bean or fish), a vegetable or fruit, a starchy vegetable and I will cook with olive oil, coconut oil, butter or avocado oil. I am going to avoid grains forever and I am going to hold off on the starchy vegetables until I'm a little further down the road. Best of luck and I am sure you will do fabulously!!!!!!

Hi Kip, Everyone seems to have different instructions for both pre-op and post-op. But the one commonality is that pre-op is pretty spartan in order to shrink your liver in preparation for surgery. Low fat and low carb. Olive oil is very healthy and is a great addition post-op, but unless it was approved by your surgeon, I'd hold off while you are in pre-op. You are so lucky you are allowed to eat solid food!! My pre-op was mostly Protein shakes. Best wishes

Pre-op is totally different than post-op so don't worry. Very few people sail easily through pre-op. It is a constant struggle because you are detoxing, fighting habits, fighting cravings, and hungry all the time - grumpiness and headaches too. You are doing great. Just keep telling yourself that it is temporary and that you can do anything for a few weeks. Can you hide the Protein powder? I made my own broth and add unflavored Protein Powder. I was allowed protein pudding also - a box of sugar free, fat free instant pudding mix with 2 scoops of unflavored protein powder added in. Keep up the good work!!

Very thought provoking and well presented. I am with you 100% regarding the chemical effects of food on the brain and how it is similar across addictions. Your argument for transference makes a lot of sense. But personally, I would not want to take a drug prophylactically solely based on an increased statistical risk within the full population of WLS patients.

Hi Hayley, Good timing! @@BettyG just posted a great article a few days ago. She explains the hows and whys and what to expect. the good news is that if it happens, it is just temporary. Here is the link: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/384412-post-surgery-hair-loss-explained/ Good luck with your surgery.

Frankie gave some excellent advice, so I just want to add that including your 3 week pre-op, you've lost 55 pounds in 4 months, that's awesome!!!!!

Great information!! I knew about the grow/sleep/fall out cycle but didn't know all of these details. Thanks for researching and sharing.

You look great! a 3 week cruise.. I am very envious. You should be very proud for sticking to your guns and saying no to the Pasta.

She must have been a real winner to tick you off so bad. I have found all of your posts to be lighthearted and funny. She has no business giving out medical advice based on what she hears being said to most patients... what if you had co-morbidities like kidney, liver or heart issues? I agree that you should tell the NP and maybe the surgeon too. She is a liability risk to their practice.

1) I had a 5lb or less lifting restriction for 4 weeks. 4) The #1 way to steer clear of complications is to pick a surgeon with a lot of experience and good stats. You can help by following your doctors pre-op diet to shrink your liver. My surgeon told me that his job is so much easier when we do our job. Then follow the post-op diet to the letter to prevent messing up your staple line. 6) yes, definitely

congrats, that is big milestone on your journey!

All liquids count towards your minimum, including Protein shakes. I like hot tea, iced tea, herbal tea, Water with lemon, starbucks passion tea without any sweetener (it is tart).

ooohh, that is the equivalent of a big red button waiting to be pushed or a mystery box just sitting there waiting to be opened. i wouldn't be able to resist.

I researched all of the bariatric practices in my area and narrowed it down to 3 well regarded, experienced practices with good records. Then I went to each of their info seminars to get a gut feeling. I made an appointment with my top pick and they laid out all of the next steps from there. they gave me a list of all of the other doctors I would need to see for clearances based on my medical history (gastro, pulmonary, psych, nutritionist, cardio, sleep study, endocrine). After all that was done, all of that info was forwarded to my primary and he made the final clearance. It takes a while and you may have additional hurdles depending on your insurance company. Good luck

I prefer to use net carbs since my goal is just to stay low-carb for weight loss and appetite suppression. People with other goals may have different tracking needs.