learn2cook

Yeah Onederland!

I wish you a happy healthy journey on your surgery and weight loss. I saw April Laren on YouTube had the DS and was very honest about her first few weeks. She might be worth a look.

I bet you didn’t have any trouble bending over to reach it either :)

I’m glad you’re enjoying yoga! I just throw my mat in the front loader with color wash (cold) once a month. I spot clean after a sweaty class with sensitive baby wipes. Some in the class use Clorox wipes. The instructor throws hers in the washing machine cold too. We all hang them to dry. They were “invented” by a woman who saw that the non-slip pads under rugs helped her. Angela Farmer was her name.

Most of the people on here have said it. I do cook most of my food now, hence the name. I think I’m weird because I like to food prep. I weigh myself at least once a week or check how my jeans fit. Then jump back on track (if I’ve wandered) by weighing food, measuring, recording and checking in with my son or a friend to hold myself accountable. I stay in touch with my bariatric group of fellow WLS patients because it’s good positive energy from people working hard to maintain weight loss. I pop on here too, again nice positive energy from folks trying to be supportive and helpful staying healthy!

Lots of people have posted about food, so I’ll tell you my behavior changes I make. I measure my protein on a scale. My personal dietitian told me 4oz protein per meal, or diabetic protein count 20grams. I record it either online in a phone app, or write it down. I can eat as much raw veggies or baked, or steamed veggies as I like, but only at meals with protein. No root vegetables due to sugar content. I drink 2litters of water, sometimes more during the day. I take my vitamins daily. Three meals look like that, then I’m back on track. If I’m hungry, one boiled egg before bed. That’s what the dietitian told my 5’10 son too. When we really want results we share and compare information to hold each other accountable, including weighing in on the scale. I watch the glucose goddess online for tips and recipes, and Dr. Weiner. In maintenance the fruit, nuts, seeds, cheese can come in one once quantities- those are “extras.” Alcohol is only for maintenance, just major holidays. Recap; weigh/ measure food, record it, share with a trusted friend or family to keep yourself accountable. Your dietitian should be telling you what a portion of protein is for you specifically.

I’m going to reiterate the above poster, you honestly can’t compare yourself to others. My tweak is that you might not get to “the weight of your dreams.” As an older post menopausal woman I am a powerhouse of strength that lives quite comfortably on 800-1000 kcals a day and still weighs roughly 200lbs at 5’4”. I honestly can’t eat less food or risk malnutrition. I work an extremely strenuous job physically with severely disabled children. I wear size 16-18 American bottoms and size large or size 14-16 tops, large dresses. The only things that jiggle is leftover skin. I know I’m one injury away from switching to general education kids, but I’m living life full throttle and enjoying it! So, you are doing awesome work! Keep following your plan and taking care of yourself. You’re way younger than me so you have an honest shot at getting all the way down. BUT, who you are isn’t determined by how much you weigh. Are you staring down diabetes anymore? Are you pursuing your life goals, career goals, kindness to self goals? Are you involved in real life relationships and groups? Just from your post I can tell you are a caring person that works hard to make things better. Keep going! (Therapy helps you see fabulous you too.)

I love Summerseeker’s recipe, I have added a deep umami flavor with the addition of one small tin of tomato paste. It’s very thick and sticky like margarine, I’m not sure if other countries call it something else. Sometimes I put cooked buffalo meat in it for a good start towards chilli, (and beans of course.) Then it’s often served over cooked spaghetti squash (fork released) or shocked zucchini ribbons made with the carrot peeler.

This explains the reaction from the WLS center from my recent bloodwork. I had fasted like they had asked and my blood glucose levels were at 70. That’s the cutoff within normal range. I’d never had a problem fasting before surgery, and was never diabetic. This must be a more common post WLS issue. I also asked why one apple slice can make me dump? The answer was that I’ve fine tuned my body for only low glycemic levels so little bites can send it spiraling. The doc and dietician said to eat protein to counteract it, and to pair (whatever) with protein. It was the same response Catwoman got.

This may not be related to your bypass. I suggest talking with your regular doctor for a sick visit. Your doctor can run more tests to puzzle out what’s going on. Just keep your fluids up by small sips (like a child’s medicine cup then wait 5 minutes before another sip) and push some Gatorade Zero to keep your electrolytes stable while figuring this out. There’s some nasty viruses going around. Let’s hope it’s something simple like that, but get checked out.

Like most things, needing iron or not should be driven by data, not noise from social media. Your blood levels taken at the doctor’s office/lab will tell you what you need to do. Your data is specific to you and no one else, and it’s just a snapshot of your health at that time. Next year might look different and that’s ok too.

I’m a little surprised that your doc suggested the sleeve if you’re already having esophagus problems. I’m not a doctor, but my esophagus hernia excluded sleeve surgery automatically. Yes repairing can happen the same day. Be prepared for recovery taking a little longer with a sore and swollen throat. Everyone looses weight and recovers at different speeds. Just keep thinking about how much you are improving your health and quality of life.

Yeah, the new sizes and THE OPTIONS are a real head spinning thing for a while. Well done!

It’s so nice to see your rewards for hard work. Well done!

Super! You rock!

B e a u t I f u l !

I’m in the same boat. The best I could do so far is the skort every day knit selection from Woman Within. I can hike, bike, jog, and walk without pulling the legs down. Because I’m so pear shaped I size up to get over my hips then cinch the waist with the tie otherwise they fall down. In the 90’s I found longer spandex bike shorts from Walmart that went to my knees. The problem I have is the band around the bottom of the legging type is too tight and the waist is too big. I started wearing long men’s swim trunks that have a tie waist but go to my knees. Columbia and LL Bean have been my favorites for long men’s swim shorts. I picked swim shorts because there’s a tie waist. The fabric of the shorts are stiff and thick so they stay where they belong. I size up to get them over the hips and butt. I did yoga in them with a longer T-shirt, and there were no unexpected surprise crotch shots lol.

I dump on one bite of popcorn, or an apple slice, or a bite of cucumber. (I am bringing it up to the doctor. I honestly thought all people who dump flake out that easily, but after a while on here, I think I’m an anomaly.) You are fresh out of the gate with this surgery so…I don’t know. Just having a flushed face alone may be a slight blood sugar change. Did you follow up by not eating more of anything and seeing what happens? Experiment and see what the doctor says. If nothing happens after an hour or two, it might just be a little glucose wave. Normal.

Yeah, the warm face flush is another sign I’m dumping. I can get it from one bite of something. I had 5 almonds for a snack yesterday and it set me off. I’m going to ask my WLS doctor more about it. It’s just more reason to eat protein first and stick to proper meals.

I have moderate to severe asthma and in the past all allergists and pulmonologists said, “it’s because you’re fat.” So, now I’m mildly obese but still have terrible breathing and finally got the medical care I need. My peak flow meter is regularly registering at 500, the same as in my 20’s. I’m in my 50’s and sometimes my meter will go to 600 now! On the one hand I’m psyched that I’m exercising and breathing as well as I did in my 20’s. (On the other hand I’m furious that this took years of advocacy on my part.) Yeay me! I made good happen! Feel free to switch doctors if you’re not listened to after you’ve tracked your data, and done your research.

How are you now? Was anything found or done? I’m concerned about the pain and the blood. I did have intermittent pain on one side like that and it was a small intestine hernia. Lying on my back felt more comfortable and I fasted from solid food while in pain. I only got an operation when it reached full blockage and was vomiting “coffee grounds.” I never had the “coffee grounds“ knowingly come out the backside. I’m still very concerned for you. I would ask for a blood test to rule out cancer.

I found two WLS centers, then asked them what insurance they knew would cover them. I went with the center I could get the insurance for. I tried the other way around and there was so much stuff, procedures that I didn’t understand and hoops to jump through. The center I picked did 99% of the nasty insurance stuff for me! Three years later I still have follow up care and weight loss support groups through the center.

I used to have 7-9 day periods with very heavy flow and monster migraines. I should’ve seen a doctor or nurse practitioner. I was chronically iron deficient and would crave large quantities of chocolate with almond in it. When I finally got tested because I got pregnant, I needed iron, b vitamins and magnesium. So, I’m hoping you don’t think “everyone is like me.”Please get checked out, and follow up on your intuition. Your cravings could be your body’s way of telling you it needs a vitamin or mineral. (Dark chocolate with almonds is chock full of magnesium.) The follow up was that I did miscarry but it was a wake up call to take care of myself. If you have a heavy/long flow and malabsorption issues you might need more vitamins and minerals than normally recommended. It will ease your monthly symptoms and cravings significantly. (Also follow your plan of protein first to minimize glucose spikes. The spikes and drops greatly increase cravings even in non diabetics.-Glucose Goddess)

I meant to say that there’s multiple threads on poop and constipation. Lol

I’m three years out from RNY and from my experience, you’re normal. There’s multiple threads on here, some very old, but the info is the same. I like having a restriction, but at this point, I think I have a cup full of food all smashed (like salad can be very smooshed). My sassy response if someone questions my smaller portions (most don’t) , “I’m watching my figure.” At this point I don’t know who cares so I will tell some people, mostly older than 35 year olds, because they have battled the bulge and know the struggle. Unfortunately you live in a highly visual youth due do constant cameras and video. It’s also normal for 18-29 year olds to expound upon all the great minds and debate things to infinity. (No shade, I did it too.) You could be caught in the crosshairs of some well meaning people who think you’ve suddenly gone “anna.” I practiced some short quick phrases that shut down nosy people. “I’m working with a doctor.” “My dietitian suggested this.” “I’m doing this on purpose with a medical team for my health.” And the biggest help was getting a therapist. I was terrified of eating in public before WLS. Investing in my health and wellness (all of me) was and is very important. You are very important!