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Everything posted by Aprilgal
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BMI OF 31 AND 35 LB TO LOSE. IS IT WORTH IT?
Aprilgal replied to nssmia's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had horrible GERD and my surgeon explained that the RnY procedure has been used to treat acid reflux in the past successfully. I haven't had one GERD episode since. My quality of life has seriously increased. Secondly, not that I am trying to be negative but I have done the whole I am dieting and being successful this time it is going to stick and nope. I just wish someone had pulled on my coat tails two years ago when I weighed 200lbs. You have to do what is best for you at then end of the day. Congrats for all the hard work (you still have to work with wls you just have a heavy lighting tool the first year) and continued success wherever your path leads. -
Foodies - honestly how bad is it?
Aprilgal replied to Ruth9454's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I agree completely. I am a former chef (went to the cia etc) and even if i hadn't been in the food and bev field - for my family and friends food is a huge huge deal. The pre-op diet and the first month in my opinion was the hardest for me. May i never have to be on a life time pureed diet ( it wasn't that bad - it only lasts a few weeks). You won't know until you have the surgery what your experience will be. Will you have complications (rare), will you not eventually be able to stomach red meat...will you be a slow loser (holla to all the slow losers like me)...will you wake up hungry? You might for a while think i just don't care about food but it will pass for most people. Take up bridge or some other new hobby in the interim. I say all of this because I think expectations pre-surgery aren't talked about enough. We are all special snowflakes. You are going to have to decide whether or not being a foodie trumps being healthy. For me, the fear of becoming diabetic, having to take hypertension medication, etc. Took priority over anything i could put into my mouth, no matter how delicious. Being a foodie doesn't have to stop because of the fact you have a new normal. Your new lifestyle will take some time to, just to but last night i made a Sicilian meatball recipe with sauce over mashed cauliflower. I ate about a 1/4 cup of meatballs and sauce and whatever left of the mashed cauliflower until I am full ( like 1/8th of a cup). It was great. I am a little over six weeks out and should be in the 600-800 calorie range. You may have to be a bit more creative if you aren't used to watching your carb intake, but over time, I believe it does get easier. I regret I didn't have the surgery before my umpteenth yoyo dieting attempt , hich I believed was the 'last time'. I lost 65 pounds and put on 72 pounds over a year and some change. I swear if i could add all the weight i loss together over the years, i am sure it would be around what i weigh currently 238. Good health, whatever you choose. -
Thank you so much for your posts. As a newbie it feels like so many posts are I dropped 35 pounds in 4 weeks. You are an inspiration to the rest of us - the slower losers.
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Hiya! I think we have similar stats - i didn't really lose much weight at all the first few weeks. I gained 10 pounds post surgery from iv fluids. The last two weeks my weight loss has picked up. I also increased my calories recently. I was eating like 450-480 calories a day but am trying to be somewhere in the 600's. I walk 4 miles a day. I want to join the gym soon. Surgery date 4/8 HW: 303 or 304 SW: 262 ( 272 pre liver shrink) CW: 238.8
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how has surgery impacted your hunger?
Aprilgal replied to Zemi's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Currently 6 weeks out. Everyone is different in my surgical group two people woke up hungry. I had bypass. I would say food aversion was the name of the game for me for about four weeks. I occasionally had head hunger but no real hunger. Breakfast: no hunger Lunch: yes hunger ( I walk at least 4 miles in the am so maybe that is why. Dinner: no hunger. Even when I am hungry, it isn't the same at all as before. It isn't a gnawing feeling that won't go away-. It is more like....hmmm I could eat but if I can't that is okay, too. Also, like one bite removes that feeling completely. I still have to consciously remind myself to eat, even with my new hungry feeling once a day. -
Good morning you all! One of my goals was to be in the 230's by the end of the month. This morning I weighed in @ 238.6. I will take it. This month has been Junk Free. I am only 6 weeks out - so to be expected. I have been eating out a bit more recently and have been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been. ( I have stuck to protein/veg all sauces on the side and baked/steamed/stewed). I have walked around 5 miles a day on average. Running wise...I did start from couch to 5k have completed about 3 run/walks - boy oh boy are they tougher than I remember. Also it is hot as heck in NC atm. I think I may have to sign up for a gym this week or next after I check with my pa about weight lifting. I'm pretty excited to sign up for the gym actually and have been waiting to be cleared for weights. Happy Tuesday y'all.
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Just diet and exercise. WOW! Never considered that.
Aprilgal replied to mousecat88's topic in Rants & Raves
Both my parents are thin and never gain weight at all -they eat whatever they want. My mom will plow through a 12 pack of soda and about 3 boxes of cookies on top of 3 meals a day in a day or 2. For years my mom kept telling me she was able to maintain her weight because she is ',active'. I don't know what activity she was talking about exactly - going to work?. Upon retiring she hasn't been 'active' at all (she doesn't exercise unless i drag her along for a walk)- so finally after 50 years my mom is just like - I have a good metabolism. My parents are supportive. I was just so happy to have my mom recognize that it is easy for her to maintain her weight than it has been for me. Even if that sounds petty. -
my gassy experiment
Aprilgal replied to KCgirl061's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Cabbage. I love cabbage. I eat it even though it makes me gassy as heck. I just take enzymes and gas on. -
It took me 10 days to get to my pre-surgery weight due to water retention. You are not alone friend, trust me.
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PLEASE HELP. I’m 2 weeks post op with very little weight loss.
Aprilgal replied to GastricGal's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am a newbie, as well. I am heading into my 7th week. I hope what I am about to say will help in some way. Weight loss surgery is a life-changing. I think that it requires a considerable adjustment period. For me, the first month was the hardest. My emotions ran wild in regards to my expectations. The fear of failing circulated continuously in my head, fueled by other people's loss - which I read about on the sight as well as people in my surgical group...many of which hadn't even been following their program but had lost more weight than I had. For many of us wls is our last resort after trying and failing at dieting over and over again. Over time your expectations will change. Seven pounds is a lot to lose in the first two weeks. Everyone's body is different. Now that I am on real foods And have been able to up my water intake I am losing more weight...it might be the same for u. Hitting hydration, protein, moving those bowels and moving that body...is what makes a difference for me and it took me a while to settle into a pattern of what works for me - still settling in tbh. If you lose 3.5 pounds a week, which equals 14 pounds per month times 3 equals 42 pounds - it isn't the short term weight loss picture it is the long term. I highly recommend using my fitness pal or Fitbit to track your weight so you can visually see how much weight you have lost. Set mini goals for yourself. Personally, at this point, I would be thrilled to lose 3.5 pounds each week. Like more experienced members have said - this process takes work, more so for some I think and less so for others due to genetics pre existing conditions etc. Congrats. I think you are doing great. -
North Carolina Bariatric Patients
Aprilgal replied to BrDaSellers's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Yes! There are a few of us. If you search "North Carolina". You will find a thread. I live in Raleigh and am 4 weeks out. -
I would say bring a husband or a friend along in the beginning. It really depends on the individual. Some people feel right as rain post surgery. Some people don't. I fell right in the middle...it took me a week and a half to two weeks before i was able to walk my pitbull mix on my own.
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No weight loss since surgery!
Aprilgal replied to Taranurse 1's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I use genepro. I purchase it on the bariatricpal website. -
Amazing results and life style changes you all. Highest Weight: 303 pounds Surgical approval weight: 272 Weight at surgery: 262 Current Weight: 245 So...27 pounds lost. I had surgery (bypass) four weeks ago. I think I may be on the slower side weight loss wise. I log everything, exercise and try to meet my hydration and protein goals. I plan on using my cardio in two more weeks and adding weight lifting if I get clearance.
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Feeling like this didn’t work....
Aprilgal replied to KimB7811's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I would suggest messaging your nutritionist with your concerns because every program is different. If you already have done so. My only advice as a newbie is to stick to your program. I measure all of my foods because my body doesn't always give me a 'your full' signal. Perhaps because my surgery was just 4 weeks ago and I am still healing. -
I hope your surgery goes well!
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Hey all! I just found this thread. Thanks for starting it. I had gastric bypass surgery on April 8th. I loved reading through and hearing about everyone's success. I am just at the start of my journey but things have been going well.
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Late as usual. Hey y'all! Happy May. So here are my stats >>> Surgery: April 8th, 2019 Weight at surgery: 262 Current weight (as of may 1st): 247.6 End of May Goal weight: enter the 230's. I will even take 239.9😊 My hopes for this month are to stay consistent, stay accountable, and stay active. I will continue to log my food and vitamins in MFP everyday. I would like to increase my 'step goal' number to 12k every day on my Fitbit. I would like to start from couch potato to 5k by the end of the month. I would like to shave two minutes off my walking mile. I would like to meditate 3 days a week.
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Weighing in at the doctor's office
Aprilgal replied to IWuzaFatDuck's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I weigh in my clothes at home....so no doctors office surprises. Also, my home scale is +1.5#'s more than my doctors. I rarely feel upset when I weigh in. -
Nice!
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Hi! I am doing well - thank you so much for asking. I am still dealing with a bit of energy drain but a-ok besides that. How are you? I lived in the front as a toddler, then Brooklyn (ft. Greene/clinton hills/boerum hill/park slope). I have friends who lived in Astoria and Jackson Heights. My ex is from New Hyde, LI. I had my surgery at Duke Regional Hospital with Dr. Yoo Where did you have your procedure?
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Harris Teeter has a special 'red' SF popsicle...raspberry - strawberry - cherry. Love love love. I'm not three months out but cherry is my fave.
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Can I start my purée stage a day early??
Aprilgal replied to LoLo130's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Three women in my surgical group did and they said it was a-ok. -
I am a native new yorker, too. Hiya Everyone! I currently reside in Raleigh, NC and I had surgery 4.8.2019 (bypass).
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Starting WLS journey as a vegan
Aprilgal replied to Hellosweetie's topic in Vegetarian or Vegan Eating
Hi! I am not vegan...i would say that you might want to check out vegan athlete blogs. A lot of those writers talk about protein consumption and being vegan. I believe a lot of protein powders are veg but aren't vegan...vega is good - I'm not sure what your nut will think or if they have a unflavored variety. My nut recommends Ripple due to its protein amount - non dairy mixer for protein shakes. You could make veggie broth (pre surgery) and add protein to it. I didn't drink any broth. Just water and protein shakes during my liquid phase. Once you are out of liquids you can't have any meat alternatives till week 5, such as veggie burgers but that is just my nut's opinion. You can have tofu in the soft pureed food stage. Wild sprouts has a high protein tofu. I made a lentil soup and pureed it with high protein tofu. You can do smoothies with silken tofu, too. After week 5 or 6 you should totally be good. You can have meat subs and I think I will make my own seitan (wheat gluten). I got the thumbs up by nut etc. I am not a medical expert I just think being vegan or vegetarian requires a little more research and logging everything to make sure you hit ur protein goals. Good luck. I hope your nut will learn from you and change her mind.