ZGal

I am almost 2 years out from my surgery. I got down to 163, but I’m back up to 170. I’ve been working out, but I feel like I’m stuck. Any motivational advice? I tried to find diet/portion meal suggestions, but most advice is aimed towards pre-op or immediate post-op. I won’t let myself go back, and I’m so mad I gain ANY weight back in the first place. I know. Few things like slowing down my chewing, or lowering my calorie intake, will help. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated!

Thank you everyone! I don’t want to blame quarantine, but that is the time frame of my weight gain! I love the idea of dancing around (I play “Just Dance” with my stepson)! I appreciate the words of encouragement! I’m so proud of where I am, but I have that creeping fear of going back. So while 7 lbs isn’t a lot, I certainly want my clothing to fit better 😝 I just got off my elliptical; a step in the right direction

I love Premier Protein, but it took me a while to get used to them. Now, I love them!

I can go all day with little desire to snack. I can happily go late into the day on 600 calories. However, no matter what (even eating evenly throughout the day), I find myself eating a lot at night! Does anyone have any helpful tips? I have some, but I’m open to new strategies I don’t want to go backwards AT ALL and this is my downfall right now thank you in advance ❤️

Congrats! Keep it up!

my best day was 111g of protein and 25 net carbs. I start my day with a protein shake (even when I don’t want to!), I eat eggs, shrimp, tuna, beef jerky, and cheese sticks to get in the protein. If I need crunch, I’ll eat cheese crisps by wisps (9g of protein for a small portion). For me, if I’m hungry, I try to get the protein in ASAP I have a food obsession, so I not only meal prep, but snack prep. I have my beef jerky already weighed and labeled. It’s been a tough adjustment, but eating for fuel has helped me too. I could eat popcorn, or I could eat something I NEED to stay healthy.

I can’t do sweets at all. I tried Cheetos the other day and was sick for about an hour vomiting. So I avoid all carbs and sweets if I can. I make sure to chew thoroughly too, so I haven’t had any issue with meats

I’m down 82 lbs and the only downer is that my boobs are pretty much gone I can’t do sweets and I haven’t had a sandwich (white bread) since my surgery. I started doing Beachbody focus t25 which I’m hoping will help tone a bit

I’m 5 months and 17 days from my gastric bypass surgery and I had my 6 month appointment. I am down 82 lbs!!!! I am now under 200lbs! I started at a size 22/2xl or 3xl; I can fit into a size 16 pants and a large shirt now! the last time I was under 200lbs, I felt like I was starving myself and it made me miserable. The last time I lost this much weight was when I had an eating disorder. This surgery is One of the greatest things to happen to me! For folks feeling discouraged or worried, these things pass. My 8yr old son is roughly 70 lbs and I cannot believe I was carrying that around on my bones, joints, feet, etc.,! I’m so grateful that my body is forgiving me for all the food abuse. Here are some thing you may be asking (o just things I felt may be helpful/encouraging): Do I go out to eat? Yes. Sometimes I have just a few bites and take the rest home. My leftover meals can last me 3 days sometimes. I plan ahead too; it’s trickier to spontaneously go out for a meal. I also try not to waste money. I know what I can or can’t eat and how much. I now find myself eying a plate of food I made and putting some back because I KNOW I can’t eat that much. I eat at home more, which is saving $ *yay* Do I go to social events? Yes. I make sure I have water in my hand at all times and chew, anything that I do eat, thoroughly! Do I feel out of place when I’m out with people who are eating and I say “no, thank you”? Nope. My friends and family know I’m trying to lose weight for my health. They don’t know that I had this surgery. My father, who has type 1 diabetes, has actually started to lose weight too (I’m not going to burst his bubble by telling him I have a tool to help me!). I have never had someone get upset or make me feel guilty about not participating in food. I think if I did, I would be more inclined to DEcline even harder because, no one is going to mess up my progress, no one! Do I feel guilty when people don’t know I had surgery and gush about my weight loss? Yeah, I do. I don’t like my weight being a focus, it doesn’t define me. People ask me “what have you been doing?!” But, I’m honest about what I’m doing. Protein, vitamins, water, low carbs, no sugars. I think I feel guilty because I see others struggle with weight and I know their pain, and I have a tool that has helped me tremendously. I have told some people who are in a similar situation that I was in, they can decide what to do with the information, just like I did. Buffets? Yup. I don’t get my $ worth, but I’m not going to have my life choices change my social habits. I exert self control, which is incredibly empowering now that I actually HAVE self control! clothing? I actually never threw out my “skinny” clothes because I wanted them to fit again. I’m almost there and filling in the gap with leggings. My bras don’t fit and are mostly air (my boobs are just nonexistent lol!) so I do need to get some new ones. I wasn’t large chested to start, so I have my down moments about that loss do you miss the foods you can’t eat? No, not really. I thought I would, but if it gave me dumping syndrome, I don’t desire it. My favorite snack was from Target; caramel cashew trail mix! Oh man! I went to target and got them, and felt so sick After eating them. My fiancé called me to say he picked some up (trying to be sweet) and I genuinely said “ya know? That’s ok, it’s better if it’s not in the house”. I don’t want to have a moment of weakness and feel sick, which is empowering the best part is that I know I am the one doing this. No one but me is exercising, no one but me is making me eat healthier, no one but me is track my food intake, no one but me is making sure I’m taking my vitamins. It was such a great feeling to see my doctors so happy with my successes so far. My PCP was thrilled (he is the one who helped me start this journey after my previous PCPs wouldn’t even discuss weight loss surgery) and my bariatric doctor asked me to share what I’ve been doing so others can follow or be encouraged. Share your successes! What are some of the things you do with success that someone may be struggling with? What keeps you on track? Where did you struggle, and how did you handle it?

I am between 700 and 1,000 being 6 months out. I’m very tall, work out almost every day, get my protein in, and I’m still doing well dropping the weight

My doctor said he had people go back after 2 weeks and others were asking for a note for work so they could take more time, even after 4 weeks. I drive a lot for work, and don’t carry anything heavier than my purse. My dr said as long as I was comfortable driving and not on the pain meds, I would be fine to go back to work. I took 1 week off before going back. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY though I did have to take a couple sick days during the first 2 months because my body was still healing. Best of luck!

Thank you! Best of luck to you too!

I’m so glad to hear that! This is why I posted it keep going strong!

Yes! This is a great read! I made some of this info into stickers and put them in my food journal. Also, the “Baritastic” app is awesome if you don’t have it!

Ask your doctor! They are really the most knowledgeable person & can calm any concerns you have. Best of luck!

Anyone have any luck with reducing pain (I’ve used Tylenol) that’s not an NSAID? I’ve been experiencing hip pain; this is most apparent when using my rowing machine and when I was heavier, but now it bothers me while simply walking. I’m going to my dr next week, but I would love to hear if anyone has any success with anything else until I go to the dr. thank you in advance!

I just ate normally honestly. I would have mini panic attacks worrying about foods I wouldn’t be able to eat anymore (because I’m a food addict). However,post surgery, I don’t miss any of it I have a Boston cream pie in my fridge that I have no desire to touch, I don’t even have a taste for it. I’m thankful for this tool because, clearly, I was losing my battle with food addiction

No one will care. When I go to the gynecologist, I remind myself that there’s no way I’m the worse they’ve seen lol! I didn’t shave mine because after surgery, I didn’t want itchy legs

If your dr’s office is on top of it- you’ll be fine! I even spoke with my dr to ask “what if I don’t get approved?” And he didn’t feel I would have any issue because BcBS is common (it wasn’t like I had a more obscure insurance, ya know?); and he was right! No issue! I do know the stress you’re feeling though- I went through the same feelings!

I has bypass surgery, so it may be a little different. I had to do six months of nutrition counseling, and I needed to get my cardiology approval as soon as my last nutrition appointment happened. My surgery was scheduled about two weeks after my final nutrition appointment, and I was approved a couple days before my actual surgery date. So my entire pre-surgery journey took almost 7 months. I kept a journal on everything, and I would take it with me to all of my appointments and write down what we talked about and any suggestions any of my doctors had. Best of luck!

My personal goal is 90g a day, so if I’m a little over, I’m not worried. Talk to your dr

You’re going to do great! Listen to your doctor and listen to your body! Best of luck!

I kept a journal, which was excellent! Through my experience, this journey was for me and no one else, so I internalized most of the experience. I had gastric bypass in March, and at the time only my fiancé knew that I was going through with it. He was very supportive and for me, it was enough that I was still OK without having to tell my family. I didn’t even really tell my fiancé about what went on during my appointments or my nutrition visit. About two weeks before my surgery I gave him about three really good articles to read about being a partner of somebody who is going through weight loss surgery, and he read them, and he’s been wonderful about it throughout the entire journey. I took a “stay-cation” from work, and bounced back. My son doesn’t even know I had surgery. Since my surgery, I have told my grandmother, and that is the only family member that I have told. I personally have a lot of anxiety about my weight which has roots in the way my family has dealt with my weight all my life. So, I had absolutely no desire to talk about it with them. My family knew that I was on a liquid diet, which I explained was recommended to me by my doctor because I was having health problems, and they did not question it. I personally do not enjoy the positive attention from my family regarding my weight loss, so I don’t even give them the chance to talk about it with me, so there is not an opportunity for them to really question anything. Additionally, my fiancé helps change the topic if they start to try and talk about it lol! If you ever need someone to talk with, you can always message me on here! Best of luck!

Listen to your body, and just be patient. If you’re unable to keep water down/Gatorade down, then you should talk to your doctor immediately! Best of luck!