AK37

For now, I'm just trying to look at food as weight loss medicine. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

The nutritionist told me to find something to replace my cooking hobby lol Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have tried cooking some things since surgery, most things are too rich and end up in the bin. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm an excellent cook, I make most of my food from scratch. I even make my own vanilla extract and condiments like mustards. I actually threw away all of my baking ingredients and took up playing video games as a hobby to replace my cooking hobby before surgery. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

Preparing for surgery, I went on many diets. I did >50% raw fruits and vegetables, my doctor said my potassium levels were high and not to eat ANY fruits or vegetables. Then I was told the bloodwork had a mistake and not to worry about my potassium, but no fruit but vegetables were okay. Then it was a zero carb diet. After surgery, it was the high protein, low crab, sugar free diet we are all familiar with. Deciding to get surgery was a hard decision for me, I have phobias about needles and being cut. Surgery was also very painful because I couldn't take any painkillers after surgery. It's a big deal and I don't want to mess things up. I don't want to do the things that got me to this weight. I don't want to eat the wrong foods. Texture stages aside, my new stomach can't tolerate some foods, like artificial sweeteners. So, protein drinks are out. I have a lot of food on my “off limit” list with few foods I feel safe eating. Fruit I can handle great but I see it as "empty calories" because it doesn't help me reach my protien goal and feel guilty when I eat it. Anyway, long story short, I was eating one can of tuna a day and drinking tea with a little raw sugar. I was taking in under 300 calories and 40 grams of protein a day, and at week 5 I regained 4 pounds. I went to my doctor (who is a bariatric surgeon) and she told that I'm literally starving and that's why I'm gaining weight. After talking with her she said my eating disorder from when I was a teenager is reemerging and I have orthorexic behavior. She told me I need to have 100 grams of protein and 1,000 calories a day. She said she doesn't usually advise her patients to eat sugar, but she wants me to eat more sugar... and add bacon, cheese, crackers, and as much fruit as I want in my diet. She also told me to count my protein but to NOT count the calories in my fruit. I have so much anxiety about taking in too many calories and not reaching my goal weight. I worry I'm going to mess everything up.

Protein Pudding 1 packet instant sugar-free pudding mix 2 scoops unflavored protein powder 2 cups Fairlife Fat-Free Milk Blend ingredients together then chill. Enjoy! Total: 76 grams of protein 520 calories I couldn't taste the Isopure protein powder, it tastes like regular pudding and is easier for me to consume than protein shakes. I wouldn't use flavored protein powder because it would make it too sweet. You can use regular milk (not Fairlife) but it will have a bit less protein, the pudding will not set with soy milk. You can freeze this in molds to make pudding pops.

100-400, lately around 300

I requested liquid meds if available in the hospital. My surgeon wrote me a Rx for a liquid antacid but my insurance didn't cover it and it was over $3000 a month, so my boyfriend picked up some OTC Prilosec instead. I went to my one-week follow-up appointment today and my doctor prescribed me a stronger antiacid, that combined with eating 1/3 cup cottage cheese (my first phase 2 food) has helped my hunger problem.

I had surgery 6 days ago and feel the same, hungry (not just "head hunger", real tummy growling empty stomach hunger) and worried the surgery won't work for me. I hope the introduction of solid foods will change that though because I feel hardly any restriction when taking in fluids. Tomorrow I have my one-week follow-up where they will bring let me start phase 2 of my diet. There's a noodle-less lasagna recipe I've been dreaming about. I can't wait!

Getting ready to be gutted like a fish lol I hope all goes well!

Best of luck to you, newmebithebypass. For myself, I'm trying to commit to a lifestyle change. All my baking helped put me where I am today. Getting surgery is a one-shot deal and I want to give myself the best chance at success.

I saw myself keeping the chocolate chips to bake cookies to give away, I know I wouldn't be able to resist eating some. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been an avid baker and cook my whole life. This morning I went through my kitchen a gathered all of my baking ingredients and sweets; tons of chocolate chips, sugars, lard, shortening, condensed milk, etc and put it all in a storage bin. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it so I put it out of sight in the basement. Just now, I threw it all out. It was liberating. I remember years ago I burned my ex's love letters that I had held on to for years, after that I was able to finally move on. It felt good getting rid of that food myself, like an alcoholic clearing out their liquor cabinet on the path to a new start.

For those who have had bariatric surgery: If you could give just one piece of advice to help someone to lose the most weight after bariatric surgery, what would it be?

I found out this morning my insurance approved my vsg surgery. I just got a call from the surgeon's office, I see the surgeon on July 10th then my surgery will be 2-3 weeks after that. I'm so excited!