learn2cook

I only have had bypass so I can share what my team said. At one month I was eating 2 oz of protein. It was still soft like yogurt. I would have a snack like 1 oz cheese and make up the difference with shakes. I needed a lot of snacks of cheese and yogurt to keep my energy up at work. I used the little OXO toddler containers to measure and prep. Now I use the 2oz containers for mustard or dressing or veggies. My team’s goal was for me to eat real food, and 4 oz of protein at one meal, 3x a day. I have a support group for the program with switch, bypass, and sleeve and we all have that goal. The switch people have higher protein goals due to higher malabsorption. I personally was not able to eat 4 oz of real food until 4months. Most folks in the program get to 6 months before eating 4oz. That was 4 oz by volume, at 6 months I explained that I was very hungry and they said to switch it to weighed (with a food scale) 4 oz. When you can eat 4 oz weight of protein then start eating veggies. It’s based upon what you can do individually. Obviously drink 64 oz volume of water, and take the vitamins, the rest is up to you and your body. I had many surprise liquid poops until I got to soft meats like fish and sausage innings. When I ate real food as opposed to the shakes I got regular again.

I’m pear shaped and have lost weight/inches off my stomach, but the extra skin still hands off the front like an apron. I’ve a ways to go yet and try to look at a number of non-scale victories like climbing stairs easier, new smaller flattering clothes, or balancing on one leg longer than 10 seconds. I still measure mostly so I find the right sizes online or in thrift stores. I realized that the bat wings on my arms are not going to give me an accurate measure because there’s so much leftover skin. I try to focus on my muscle definition instead. The skin is my Clark Kent outfit, but underneath I’m Super Woman!

I’m totally lactose intolerant from forever. There are some cheeses that are lactose free naturally like Cabot Hill Farms from Vt. I know states fight over their cheeses, but most drier, aged cheeses have much less lactose like cheddars and parmigiana. Watch out for deli meats, medicines, and some sausages and canned meats because they often use lactose as a binder. Ricotta is a great choice to avoid tummy trouble. The upside is that you are NEVER constipated!

It definitely counts!

I was so worried before surgery of dropping weight super fast and having to buy so many expensive outfits for work. Well, it hasn’t been that fast. And thrifting at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Savers has been fun. The trick is to go to the ones in wealthier towns for barely worn quality clothes. Amazon or Walmart the undies and socks of course!

You just learned that you can ask for help, and it’s a strength. Your wife sounds like a good help too. I read “Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies “ to get started with all the lingo and comparisons of surgeries. Online YouTube videos are great too. It looks like we’re neighbors too. I’m in Quincy. Which program did you get referred to?

I agree with the above posters. There’s no magic elevator down, just the same hard work. The difference is that the WLS tool helps your efforts make significant change over time. Keep up your healthy eating, you’ve got this. I look for non-scale victories like how fast I can walk a mile, wearing smaller clothes, and carrying heavy books, or ease walking up stairs. The scale only looks interesting about once a month because of stalls and fluctuations.

Just looking at dates and math, she lost 100lbs in one month?

My father (from Hungary) raised me this way too. I’m a teacher and it’s a new/old movement in the US called the Waldorf School. It was a wonderful way to grow up! It’s super crazy expensive to send your kids to it now in the US. Back to food, I was craving Japanese food and seaweed. Turns out I was deficient in iodine.

I’m curious about other WLS centers. My center has an online support group that meets while I’m working or on my way home. I’ve gone to it during school holidays but found they talked about breaking stalls or simple facts. I try to bring up meatier topics like feelings about food changes or non-scale victories and it’s crickets. Just wondering…Thanks

Sorry, I think I was hit by the double whammy of final menopause and the surgery or dumb non-luck. It was curly like 3b and now it’s like a 2 wave. It is so thin you can see through it, but so far not my actual scalp. My old ponytail was a wrist around, and now it’s one finger thick. Most of the brown fell out and the fuzzies are white. It had been salt and pepper like dental floss, but now it’s a bright white that feels like cob webs. Luckily I like the new color as it reminds me of my father. I bought toppers, and pieces to fill in a bit while the shorter hairs grow out. Yes, I ate the protein and took the vitamins. There are worse things in the world.

I think I lost 20 lbs at 2 months. You sound like you are doing well. Everyone looses at their own pace, and exercises at their own capacity too. I love to move and be active and have found that if I feel “starving “ I should eat a little more protein or veg and the weight stall ends. My plan is mostly protein and veggies, but I can eat anything. That said, I dump and have problems digesting simple carbs so I tend to avoid them or pair them with protein if I really want them (just me). Most of the time it’s not worth it (still feeling the noodles from 2 days ago).

I had to Jack up the car seat because I was peering over the driver’s wheel like a little old lady. I have a booty but it used to be a giant pillow I was sitting upon. The seat went up two inches and my thighs still have lots of space between me and the wheel. It’s amazing how the sun shields now shade my eyes again lol!

I love to make this for company! I’m 7 months out and could eat two but measure my meat and skip the taco. I find that I do have to work hard at this or I gain or plateau. When not entertaining, I save leftovers in OXO toddler Tupperware in 4 ounce containers that are great for lunch.

I’m so glad you’re having such a positive outcome, congratulations!

I was ok because I take vitamins with iron. Did your doctor get back to you about his/her program vitamins? Many younger women use prenatal vitamins liquid form for iron. Some need additional iron, most need to take iron with vitamin c so it can be absorbed. Most take their iron at night so it’s not so stomach upsetting. Also iron should not be taken at same time as calcium because they bind together and neither get absorbed. So the easy way to remember is calcium at breakfast, calcium at lunch, iron at dinner or bedtime. Please talk with your program to get the best lowdown for you.

All of these methods are great. I find it’s more of a head game for me, and I need to keep trying new activities to surprise my body into shirking pounds. The “game” is tricking my body. I also don’t expect perfection, Sundays are my relax day. I started 75 Hard. I modified it for real life, but the idea is to stick to eating plans, journal and do two planned exercise moments on top of the basic activities you normally do. I also found I burn more calories walking and weightlifting. I bought a rowing machine to mix things up even more. I just keep changing up my activities. Last fall I was very into yoga, now I go only once a week. I’m looking into a weighted hoola hoop, biking, and swimming for the summer. Stick to your eating plan and keep mixing up your activities. It’s even better when you include a social element like a friend or family member on a walk!

I agree with the above. I know I have to start one thing at a time or I get overwhelmed. I start by drinking water. If I’m drinking all my water I’m taking care of myself. Once that’s an accomplished habit, I include another and keep going.

Yahoo! What a full and adventurous life you’ll have!

Yeah! Thanks for inspiring me.

My last thought before surgery was the two women I have met who had surgery and kept the 200 lbs off 10+ years. All those years at WW and I never met people who lost and maintained a 200lb weight loss the “natural way.” Even the “before” pictures at the gym didn’t compare to the amount I need(ed) to loose and keep off.

(Happy dance) You did it!

The truthful children in my class told me my butt was “still big, but it was sliding toward my knees!” Got to love first graders lol! So I bought a rowing machine from Amazon and turned my living room into a gym (already had an indoor bike and free weights). My 14 year old son told me, “It’s lower, but it doesn’t jiggle so much. It’s more round.” (It jiggled?) I think it’s a ‘work with what you’ve got kind of thing.’ And if you ever want to know unvarnished truth, a kid will tell it to you unrequested.

Post menopausal before my RNY. You have good questions! I used to tolerate Trilevelin, but with RNY pills are not advisable due to malabsorption. I have a co-worker friend (with PCOS) that takes the pill so she has no period ever. A different co-worker acquaintance had a complete hysterectomy. Logically, loosing fat will help the symptoms because fat stores hormones. I don’t really know how the implants would work for you, I avoided them because of the weight gain. I use(d) barrier methods, add spermicide/lube as needed.

I’m sending thoughts of warm puppies and Spring flowers. Bypass helped my GERD immensely. I became able to lie down flat to sleep. ZZZZZ