lizonaplane

This was my first time going on a foreign vacation and not gaining 5-10 lbs. I was in Mexico and tries rosca and concha because I'd never had them before, and I ate parts of tortillas at most meals (I mean... how can you avoid it!?). I can see that the sweets are definitely a slider food for me - even though I was stuffed after dinner I tried them and ate more than I planned. I lost about 2 lbs in 5 days! I still have a LOT of restriction, but I am going to have to be careful when that stops.

I eat them for months after the "expiration" date. They're fine. I could never finish them otherwise. I don't recall posting sandwich thins... could you remind me?

It is very different from surgery center to surgery center. The best person to ask is the scheduler or NP at the surgery center. They will tell you what you need to do, including appointments, when to stop taking certain medications, special soaps to wash will before surgery, etc.

My plan said it was okay to have "planned" snacks, but NO grazing. So, don't take all morning to eat your breakfast because you will be able to eat more if you eat it over more than 30-60 minutes as it will pass through your stomach. Personally, I am hungry all the time but I can't eat much at once, so I have to have snacks between my meals. Also, for exercise, consider swimming or weight training/exercise bands. They may not hurt your hips like walking. If you are not someone who can eat "just a little" sweets, probably the best thing to do is cut them out completely. I don't have a problem with artificial sugar, but some people find it makes their sugar cravings worse. For me, it can satisfy my sweet tooth (like sugar free hot cocoa - swiss miss with high protein milk instead of water). For high protein snacks, you have the right direction with Greek Yogurt (although many brands have lots of added sugar, so try to find ones with no added sugar), but what about cheese, or deli meat (I like deli meat with hummus on it). Hard boiled eggs are also good with hummus. I like adding some heated up frozen strawberries (no sugar added) and some chia seeds to my Light and Fit Greek Yogurt .

I'm so sorry for all you've been through! That all sounds so awful... You're not a failure but it sounds like you might be in crisis mode. Are you safe? I see that you're seeking counseling, but I have some "practical" advice as I also spend a lot of time in hotels: 1) go to a grocery store to buy things like deli meat, cheese, fruit/veg already cut up 2) to avoid sweet cravings, there are two schools of thought: you can give it up completely which makes cravings less, or you can try to limit what you eat per day, like make a game out of it, or don't keep it in your room. Some people have to give up artificial sweeteners too, but I haven't found this to be the case for me 3) Try to track your eating on something like MyFitnessPal, so you can see what you're eating and when Good luck and keep us posted!

I did not get a specific instruction as to how much to drink in a certain time period - I was just told to try to get to 64 oz per day. I found it easier to do by keeping a bottle of fluid in my hand or right next to me helped me keep it in mind, but some people like to set a timer. I did not like water after surgery, so I use flavor packets and drink tea and coffee. You're doing fine!

Welcome, and congratulations on starting this process . We all are a little scared (or very scared) of dying on the table. But death and severe complications are very rare. It's common to gain weight before the two week pre-op diet; it's called "food funerals". Plus, you were dealing with the holidays! I will say that after surgery, it's way too easy to eat "slider" foods like chips and sweets, even when you're too full for protein. Do you think your mobility will be restored after losing weight? If not, you might try to find some sorts of exercises that work with your limitations because exercising is good for keeping the weight off long term. You could work with a physical trainer to get some ideas that are designed for your body. Good Luck!

I took two weeks off, but I worked from home for another 4 weeks. I normally travel for work, so I had to not travel because of the lifting.

I love the Bolt house ranch!

I like these. But the container is soooo big. I used to eat the whole one as a meal, but I can't imagine I'd ever finish it plus protein now

I've lost 35 lbs since surgery and almost 85 lbs overall. I can walk faster and fit in an airplane seat better, but I don't feel "good." I don't have more energy and I'm hungry all the time and I'm uncomfortable every time I eat. I'm always afraid I'm going to throw up because I'm nauseous a lot. I always had plenty of energy, but now I'm weak and dizzy all the time. I can't even lift a suitcase into the overhead. I'm sort of wishing I hadn't had this surgery. Maybe because I had such high expectations?

I have not had to make any changes in my meds for bipolar disorder so far, but we'll see. One thing I've been told is that extended release drugs may not work as well, and my surgeon suggested sleeve over bypass because sometime bypass makes meds a little screwy, although the second opinion I got said she didn't think it would be an issue (she still recommended sleeve, but she would have ordered an endoscopy to check on reflux, which my surgeon didn't do). Good luck!

Our surgery center dieticians were also focused on low-fat everything, but I am not about to eat diet cheese. When I asked why low fat was necessary, and what it had to do with weight loss surgery, she just said it was because low-fat was generally healthier, especially low saturated fat. Well, there's much debate about that, so I told her I was going to continue to eat cheese, because my life would be sad without cheese. As you said, it has to be sustainable. Plus... if the mayo is fat free, why does it only have to be 1 tsp? One thing I did learn later is that if you have a lot of fat intake as you are losing weight rapidly, it can increase your chances of having gallbladder issues. I'm trying to keep low fat where I can, but still eat CHEESE! Did your surgery center not have a dietician of their own? If not, I'd ask them for a recommendation for a dietician familiar with WLS patients. Not that you will necessarily have a better outcome, but maybe!

I am 3.5 months out and I have eaten a little bit of rice a few times, and sweets a number of times. I don't think you will ruin your surgery, but it's not the best in terms of getting your protein and vegetables in. That's what should be the focus. I had heard that rice and noodles would swell and make me uncomfortable as would bread... I haven't had any issues. I just try to limit it because I want to limit carbs. Actually, for me, rice and bread and sweets seem easy to eat. I just try not to. I understand how hard it must be to stop eating a food you grew up eating. My amigovio is from Bogota and he has switched to cauliflower rice, but it's not for everyone. When I go to Mexican or other LATAM restaurants I tend to just eat the beans (I never liked rice much anyway, so I always did that). Don't beat yourself up. Just see if it helps to stop completely so you don't crave it, or if it's better to just have a little occasionally.

My program didn't have any guidelines on fat or carbs, other than to limit saturated fats and to eat whole grains. Well, I eat a lot of cheese and dairy, so I am not great on the saturated fat! I don't eat a lot of whole grains because after I eat a few ounces of protein and a little bit of veggies, I'm completely stuffed. I do eat a fair amount of beans and nuts, both of which have carbs. I also eat fruit, which is high in carbs... but fruit is like the best thing ever! I just looked at MyFitnessPal and for two days ago (yesterday was an aberration; I ate EVERYTHING) I ate about 850 calories including 61 g of protein (low for me), 84 g carbs, and 39 g fat. The day before that I ate about 800 calories including 93 g protein, 48g carbs, and 42g fat.

I also have this problem; no you're not alone! I find it happens especially with lean proteins. I agree with @TheGreaterFool. My surgery center said we could have a tiny bit of liquid to moisten our mouth with. I haven't been doing that, but it might help you. I don't see how having a tiny bit of cream soup with your meat is any different than having mayo or sauce. I did find that with tuna I have to use a LOT of light Miracle Whip (don't judge; I grew up with Miracle Whip!). I'm 3.5 months out and I still need to do that. I also find if my food has cheese on it it's better. But maybe I just love cheese?

Congratulations on your fabulous weight loss! Yes, it's important to get enough calories, even though we feel like when we eat we're "ruining our surgery" sometimes. I hope you have continued success and that the changes you are making with eating more and the B12 injections will improve your energy.

I don't have a husband, just a "semi-ex-boyfriend" (in Spanish "amigovio") and he is 5'10" and weighs 135 holding a cheese stick and soaking wet. I don't think I will ever weigh less than him! (He doesn't have an eating disorder; he's just naturally thin as is the rest of his family.)

I can't stop touching my collar bones and my hips!!!! Also, I made a Santa suit in 2003. I sewed it by hand. It's red sequin fabric with white fake fur trim. Think "Liberace goes to the North Pole". I wore it at my heaviest (293lb) and now I'm 192! I know it will be falling off, but I have worn it every year and I will "make it work" at Tim Gunn would say. Happy Holidays Everyone!

My shirts that I've had for decades (literally - one is from a charity walk in 1994!) are now so big they are almost nightgowns. It's a great feeling.

Good luck to you! What a struggle to undergo at what is already a challenging time. I think other people's suggestions of refried beans and tuna are great, as well as working with a food pantry. But... I've eat a few noodles even early out and it didn't do any harm. Hope it gets easier soon!

You're an inspiration!

I agree with the need to track your eating, if only a few days. If you are eating "handfuls" of food... it might not be the best food. Like, are you eating protein? Yes, with heavy exercise you will need carbs, but that could be farro, butternut squash, sweet potato, wild rice, not chips (I don't know what you're eating, but most people don't eat handfuls of wild rice). And, I agree with the suggestion to get a DXA scan. I got one at the beginning of my journey as a benchmark. The home scales are not accurate because most of them don't measure your upper body, so they just extrapolate from your legs (I have one that measures upper body by holding something with your hands but the DXA scan is still better). You don't need to get the ones you would use for diagnosing osteoporosis which can cost thousands. I got one for $100 but it might cost $150 or so. I don't think you need to limit yourself to 3 square meals a day, but try to "plan" your snacks, by having something like nuts or jerky or cheese or fruit with you. But... congratulations on your success!

I also get hiccups now when I'm full. I can't tell if it's because I've eaten too fast because, well, I think I always eat too fast. I also burp more now, which is funny because I don't drink much soda, which I used to drink a LOT of (my program says you can have carbonated beverages after 4 weeks, so I drink some diet soda, but very slowly).

I don't usually order an appetizer for a main because it's not the sort of food I want. I usually eat out for work when I'm on the road, so work is paying and I have no way to reheat the food. I just eat the amount I want and send the rest back. I have to convince them that yes, I did really enjoy the food, but I am stuffed! When I go out to eat with friends at home, I will take the food as leftovers. Last weekend I got a small pulled pork sandwich and ate the pulled pork out of half of it for lunch then ate the port out of the other half for dinner. It was completely satisfying for both meals. I do try to order things that will reheat well.