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When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
Arabesque replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
While I was losing I didn’t cheat. In saying that as I got close to my goal & then when trying to maintain, I stated developing a way of eating that would allow me to enjoy the foods I wanted to, enjoy my life & how I wanted to live it, and still maintain my weight. Actually I don’t like the word ‘cheating’ in regards to eating. Too negative much like the word ‘diet’. To me they mean failure, weakness & punishment. However or whatever you chose to eat now or in the future must be sustainable. It must complement your lifestyle and support your weight loss & long term maintenance. If you choose to eat in a restrictive way that means you can’t participate in social activities or makes you feel you’re missing out, it’s destined to fail. Especially if you are defining any diversions off that path as cheating. But if you adopt a way of eating that is flexible, means you can have pizza with your family or friends, or have birthday cake, or whatever & you accept this as just how you eat in your life, it will be sustainable and lead to long term success. You’ll have to consider portion size, frequency, alternative ingredients or cooking styles but it certainly isn’t cheating in my thinking. Well that’s what I believe. -
Starting my Gastric bypass surgery journey
JennyBeez replied to Missy4391's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
- I found a small digital kitchen scale was my best investment, it helped me get a better idea of portions and made it so much easier to track nutrition stats throughout the day. - tracker apps are great! it took me a while to find one that worked for me personally, but there's a lot out there. I'd suggested testing a few free versions out ahead of time so you're ready before you get there. - bariatric portion plates or just tiny dishes. I actually couldn't find a portion control plate that worked for me (in Canada), but I found a bunch of cute little appetizer dishes and tiny bowls that make me happy to eat from. - if you don't have it, nab a blender or a handmixer when it's on sale. Makes the puree stage much easier, and also helps with smoothies and shakes in the liquid stage. Don't spend a lot of money on one though (unless you honestly feel you'll get a lot of use out of it after you're through those stage). -
March 2024 Surgery Buddies!
JennyBeez replied to Pines's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
March buddies, how're you all hanging in there? Is everyone nicely healed up? Are you coming across any difficult hurdles? Finding a love of new healthy foods? How's your hair lol? Me, I keep hurting myself, lol. First I tried recumbent biking too early -- even though it was on the most minimal setting, my care team scolded me good for that. But even as recently as last week, I bent/twisted sideways while sitting at my desk trying to reach my purse, but it was snagged on something and something about being in that position too long (or tugging a resistant object) aggravated something internally. The same area that took the longest to feel 'normal' and not tight after surgery. I feel like a dope. My hair has just started thinning in the last week or so. It was only a few strands from all over at first -- not concentrated anywhere -- so I got a new haircut hoping that the thinness would look purposeful. Two days after I found a little patch right at the front where my buzzcut ends and the bob-length hair begins. C'est la vie. I'm finding I'm craving sashimi on the regular. It was one of my first meals 'out' after surgery, so maybe there's something psychosomatic going on -- but when I eat it, it just feels like such a clean protein and is moist so I know it'll go down easily. It's my new comfort food, I guess. (Ironically, before WLS I could really only stand salmon or butterfish sashimi, everything else had to be in a roll, preferably with spicy mayo or unagi sauce -- and I hated tuna -- but now yellow tail and tuna seem to be my go-to.) I'm dealing with the cravings much better than I would've pre-OP, but I swear every three or four days something in my brain is trying to convince me that I should ignore my pre-packed lunch and go pick up some ice-cold fish instead. -
Food Before and After Photos
Lilia_90 replied to GreenTealael's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I’m so flattered lol!! I am definitely not a professional chef but a very avid cook and baker, I love love love making (and eating) food lol!! -
Pureed /Soft food Ideas
JennyBeez replied to dspedosk's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Pea soup, re-pureed to a smoother consistency with a dash of parmesan cheese. I loved putting fat free refried beans or ricotta cheese into anything I could, but I think I pretty much lived off of cottage cheese. I think I ate it every day, and just stirred in different seasonings (dill with garlic, chili powder, curry powder, rotisserie chicken powder. I even tried dill pickle popcorn seasoning!) Depending on your program, you might also be able to have certain crackers already -- my team told me saltines or melba toast were good in small doses at this point, eaten slowly and with something wet -- ie. melba toast dipped in hummus. -
Food Before and After Photos
Kris77 replied to GreenTealael's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
From my sons grad food spread. What’s funny is I never did eat anything bc I was so busy til everyone left and so by then all I got to eat was some guacamole and some cucumbers with ranch dip. -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
AmberFL replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
100% I am not going through this to be miserable, I did this to learn how to live "normally" with food. I like this! -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
FifiLux replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Once I was through all the phases and it was ok to eat 'normally' I started to allow myself a 1/4 of a protein based pizza once a week as Friday's is my pizza night if I am not out out so I have gone from having an entire pizza and garlic bread to 1/4 (at most) of a pizza. I try to be good most of the time and even my little bits of 'boldness' are minor by my pre-op standards, in that I know I probably eat too many nuts at times but they are yummy and I am probably having a couple of squares of dark chocolate (good for the heart ) a bit too often but they stop me feeling like I am being restricted. If I felt I was living too restrictively food wise I think I would just go back to bad habits again. I do try to avoid potatoes (a love of my life), pasta and bread when at home but if out for a meal I may have a small amount, or take a few fries from a friends plate (with their permission ) I didn't go through all of this to be miserable for the rest of my life so just have to know my own limits and make the best choices for myself. -
Another observation on feeling full
Bypass2Freedom replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you all for the advice, it is really appreciated After all that, I ended up having a really high restriction day yesterday! Couldn't finish my food, and had the hiccups after 5 tsps of soup 🤣 I am definitely going to take it slow when I can eat 'normal' foods tomorrow - I just want to get it right haha. -
Another observation on feeling full
Arabesque replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes, because of the nerves that are cut during the surgery, messages about being full or having had enough, either don’t get through in the same way or are distorted. It takes about 8 weeks for hi to fully heal & therefore the messages to start getting through accurately. Also, liquids & purées go through your tummy more quickly & before you might feel full. Add in the small potions & sipping & eating slowly & you won’t feel full. It’s why it’s so important to stick to the portion size recommendations we are given. Once you start to eat a little more in regards to portion size and solid foods & you are more healed, you’ll start to feel when you’ve had enough and start to feel your restriction. PS - It takes at least 20 minutes for the full signal to get from your tummy to your head so by the time you register you are full, it’s easy to have eaten more than you actually need. Some of us take even longer to register we are full. Aim, not to feel full but to recognise when you’ve had enough. I still often ask myself do I need the next bite or just want it. Congrats on your surgery. -
Maintenance Calories after Surgery?
Arabesque replied to vsgcriminal's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
As the weeks & months pass we slowly but surely increase our intake so I wouldn’t think the low calories we consume is truely sustained as it’s continuously increasing. And it affects our metabolism in the way you’re thinking either. The recognised benefits of weight loss surgery include resetting your body’s set point, digestive hormones & metabolism. Of course the resetting is different for everyone but there is improvement fir everyone & I so love & appreciate how it did that for me. I spent years & years eating one meal a day or skipping lunch & only eating two meals a day. That is sustained low calorie in my thinking ( years not months) & yes it did wreck my metabolism. I could barely lose anything even following those 500 calorie a day diets (talking a couple of kilograms over 6 or more weeks). Similarity to @ms.sss, in the first weeks after surgery I was eating around 200 then 300 calories. By 6 months, at my goal I was barely consuming 900. My weight finally stabilised at 18 months when I was consuming around 1300. Now at 5 years post surgery, I eat about 1600 calories yet am still the same weight I was when I stabilised. And unlike @ms.sss, I’m not what anyone would describe as active. Just do a series of exercises using residence bands & stretches at varying times through out the day. I wouldn’t burn 30 calories. BMR calculators do give you an idea of what your caloric needs might be but as @ms.sss said the results are based on averages much like BMI & the calculators that suggest how much weight you may lose after surgery are. The averages only take into account some basic factors & don’t consuder your individual needs, medical & weight loss history, genetics, activity levels, muscle density, etc., etc. Actually, have you considered doing a dexa scan just to see where you are in regards to muscle & fat density now & repeating it in the future to see your progress? Weight loss can continue for 18 months to 2 years after surgery so don’t give up yet and you won’t actually know what your caloric needs are until your weight has stabilises for some time - months or a year. PS - My surgeon & dietician also didn’t advise to count calories. I just did it randomly out of my own interest & curiosity. Quality of the food I was consuming was more important. -
Another observation on feeling full
NickelChip replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My advice is start slow. Choose moist foods. Chew twice as long as you think you need to. Eat half the size bite you think is a small bite. I did so well on soft foods that I was sure I could handle anything really easily. I could not. I have gotten sick so many times from something that was too dry, or eaten too quickly. And it's no fun! But you'll quickly learn what works for you. For example, I no longer microwave leftover meat. I try to use the leftovers cold, like on a salad. I may try steaming to reheat instead of the microwave, but haven't yet so can't vouch for it. Microwaving meat gets me in trouble every time. -
Thank you so much for your tips @JennyBeez👍 I did wonder if things could be diluted but wasn’t sure if it would alter the composition of it or not? Will definitely try adding a dash of lemon or lime juice though, that sounds great. Hubby has the job of mixing powders as he has used them previously so has ‘the knack’! I lack patience at times and would just drink it, lumps included… I’ve found some frozen beef bone broth discs at M&S which sounded ideal as you can just use one disc at a time. I haven’t bought any yet as I’d thought I’d leave it until I tried making some soups in the colder weather…actually that could really be now as it’s stupidly cold in the north of England 🥶 I’m trying to get organised as I can get overwhelmed with things sometimes (many thanks menopause anxiety 😡) so trying to avoid that if I can. I’m also trying to work on the mental gymnastics that my mind can go through when it comes to weight, diet, food blah, blah, blah. I want to eventually draw a line and just have a somewhat reasonable relationship with myself, before it gets too late!
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Another observation on feeling full
JennyBeez replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am almost 12 weeks post-OP and have only once felt 'hungry' -- and have yet to feel full. No matter how slow and mindfully I eat, I have to rely on portion sizes to tell me when to stop. My care team says I'm lucky for now, but that it won't last -- sometime in the first year it'll come back. Note: I can certainly feel other things though. I can tell within a five minute window if something is going to give me trouble from the dryness / etc. There's a feeling low in my chest that feels dry and clogged. Certain foods also sit heavier in my stomach -- starchier/heavier vegetables like cauliflower, sweet potato, etc. But they still don't make me feel full, more like hyper-attentive lol. -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
ms.sss replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
same. and "anything i want" includes chocolate and chips and fried foods and sauces/gravvies and high-fat things and desserts and pizzas and bread, etc. etc. BUT not in copious amounts (for the most part). BUT i also eat salads and veggies and lean meats and cottage cheese and tofu and fruits, also not in copious amounts (for the most part). mind you my weight loss phase days are long behind me, but even during weight loss phase, i would occasionally have foods that were "off plan". like mentioned above, i was closer to maybe eating "what i was supposed to be eating" maybe 75-80% of the time. though my total average calories were always low regardless of what i was eating. -
Protein Shakes: Premier Protein. Costco (in Canada -- I think it's Sam's Club in the USA?) sells them in bulk for a pretty good price, although usually just the chocolate and vanilla. Other stores carry the more gourmet flavours (I LOVE their banana but the strawberry makes me cringe) at a steep price, so they've become occasional treats. Protein Powder: - Boost - Just Protein (unflavoured) - Isoflex Chiller (Peach) -- for a protein water Bone Broth Powder: (I like to add them when I'm cooking to sauces, chili, etc for a little extra shot of protein) - Prairie Naturals Beef / Chicken - New Roots Herbal - New Zealand Beef Protein Bars: - ONE (all okay -- except birthday cake, bleck!) - Simply Protein - mint chocolate or chocolate raspberry are my go-to - Pure Protein - chocolate salted caramel (it's like a salty Mars bar!) ** for the ONE bars, I think I like their nutrition stats more than I like their tastes / textures. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup one is pretty good, but for the most part it's just a bar that does the job and doesn't leave me feeling sick or heavy. I mostly just keep them on hand at work and in my purse in case the lunch I do pack triggers me somehow and I need a quick replacement.
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When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
SleeveToBypass2023 replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
This is more what I meant when I said slippery slope. I know I end up restricting really badly if I "cheat" so it's not worth it to me. And with so many yummy alternatives, it's really just not something I feel is something I want to deal with. I've gotten myself to a stable, healthy place and I just don't see how refusing to give up "regular" indulgence foods is worth the issues it'll bring up. I'd rather do the research to find healthy alternatives that don't leave me feeling deprived, that way I can eat delicious food and stay healthy. -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
JennyBeez replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I feel like as long as it doesn't bother you (in terms of digestion, or mentally/emotionally), it's fine. I love what @NickelChip said about it being a "planned indulgence". Back when I was in my twenties, one of my nutritionists said that it was good to have one moderately high calorie meal a week (ie a couple slices of pizza) because it would keep your body from going into 'starvation mode' in which it thinks it needs to save and store any calories it can. It made sense at the time, but I was also at the healthiest weight I had ever been and she worked for a local gym, so take that all with a grain or two of salt. For me, I know I can't have a planned indulgence, at least not without being pretty darned strict about said indulgence. For example, I 'indulged' today in a piece of soft-dried sweet potato -- but because I know it's basically just a little strip of 'healthy; sugar and carbs, my dinner tonight will be lower carb to make up the balance. My personal issues are less of a willpower - slippery slope but more of a mental anguish thing. In the past, whenever I've felt like I've done something 'wrong' diet-wise, I usually would end up either in a depressive spiral in which I blame myself, harangue myself and then end up eating my feelings -- or I'd end up punishing myself (either with more unhealthy food or by not eating at all for a few days -- neither of which were healthy reactions). ((I've been on both sides of the eating disorder spectrum, lol)) I feel like I'm probably in a good enough headspace these days that I could avoid all of that (from not feeling like I've done something wrong to begin with) but I'm just not confident enough to want to put myself in that position. -
Maintenance Calories after Surgery?
NickelChip replied to vsgcriminal's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
One of my favorite resources is Dr. Weiner's videos (as well as his book The Pound of Cure and his weekly podcast). He talks about the type of food we eat being more important than the number of calories we eat. Here is one video that I watch probably once a month just to get it into my head. But he has hundreds of videos, so I encourage you to check out all of the playlists on his channel. Having said that, there's a good chance you're in a stall as opposed to being done. Your BMI is low enough now that you're approaching "normal weight" and weight loss at that point gets really slow and difficult. But it doesn't mean you can't do it! -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
SleeveToBypass2023 replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I really don't, and that's because it's a very slippery slope for me. I have found so many alternative foods that taste good and don't leave me feeling deprived that it's not worth the inevitable guilt, the possible weight gain, and extra work it'll take to get me back to where I am now. I'm 2 years out from my original surgery and a year out (at the end of this month) from my revision surgery. I'm so use to how I eat that I can't imagine trying to eat any of the stuff I use to eat. There's keto bread, keto bagels, keto English muffins, keto brownies, keto blueberry muffins, Legendary pop tarts and cinnamon buns, mashed cauliflower (works beautifully in place of mashed potatoes), crustless pizza, pizza with cauliflower crust, riced cauliflower instead of regular rice, monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, sugar free tropical popsicles, Real Good Foods keto protein chicken nuggets, Atkins 1 person meals, Real Good Foods 1 person meals, the list goes on and on. We get creative with what we cook (still have steak and chicken and stir-fry), chocolate milk has now become almond milk, 1 tbsp cacao powder, and 2-3 packets of monk fruit sweetener. Use a frother and it's AMAZING. There's chips you can get at Whole Foods that are made with soy flower or almond flower and tastes EXACTLY like regular chips (I love the BBQ and the sour cream cheddar ones). For ice cream, I get Rebel ice-cream. Low to no carbs, nearly no sugar at all, low calorie, lactose free. Tastes AMAZING. I just have no need for any cheat meals. -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
summerseeker replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I eat anything I want. BUT, Luckily I have never liked fast food or potatoes. I can't eat fried foods. I still have a fierce restriction. These things help keep me on track I don't buy chocolate because I still can eat a huge amount. Once I open a bar its all mine till its gone. So apart from these exceptions, I eat anything and everything. I have been on a diet all my life and I wanted to change this mindset. I try to eat well 90% of the time as @NickelChip said. -
I have the lemon and lime and it is fine for what it is. I tried the pre-mixed/made (found it weird that it was pea protein based) one first and once I could stomach it I then ordered the clear whey powder. I must get back to using it again, I have the little Robinsons no added sugar lemon pots that I carry with me everywhere that way it makes me drink water. I also use the MyProtein pancake mix, maple syrup flavour, as I find a couple of small ones with a bit of fruit is a nice sweet treat every now and then, though I use half their measurement advice as I can only eat two small pancakes. I then also use their crunchy peanut butter in some of my foods - satay chicken, homemade protein bars etc. In my next order I am going to get the peanut butter powder as I think it might be easier to incorporate.
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When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
NickelChip replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I guess I've been doing this all along, at least once I was allowed regular foods. I'll have a small serving of ice cream if I go to an ice cream place. I had a couple bites of cheesecake a while back. I'll have a square of dark chocolate a few times a week. I generally order chicken or fish, and not fried, with veggies at a restaurant, but I'll eat the sauces and not worry about it. I'll eat a couple fries off someone else's plate. That'a all I want is one or two. My program is fairly simple, 60-80g protein and 64 oz water are the only rules I was given, (no specific calorie or carb rules) with an added recommendation of aim for 3 meals a day, about 40% protein per meal, and avoid snacking. Obviously, there is the list of good choices and not so good choices that we all know, like avoid oils and fried foods, and eat nutrient dense foods, etc. But I stopped keeping a written food journal every day because it isn't required of me, and for me, I don't want to live like I'm on a perpetual diet. Somewhere I heard the advice to follow a 90/10 rule. If 90% of what you eat is healthy, don't worry so much about the other 10%. That resonates with me. Also, I like the concept of a "planned indulgence" instead of a cheat meal. Cheating implies doing something wrong. Planning to indulge in something is deliberate and you're in control of it. For me, that fits my life. -
Where to start (in the UK)?
FifiLux replied to simonbRTRCPL's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I didn't have to pay for my surgery (financially anyway, just with lost months in hospital, lost bonuses from work, lost time with friends and family!) but look at it this way... think that what you will save on food post-op can go towards monthly payments -
When did you start indulge or give yourself a "cheat meal"
AmberFL posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
So what I eat is ALWAYS on my mind. I meal prep every single week and have my weeks very calculated already pre-tracked and I stay within my calories. I workout 6days a week. But I am about 5 months post op and this weekend, hubs and I took the kids to Dave's Hot chicken, I ate the kale slaw and half a tender 4-5 fries. I felt so guilty! But at the same time it felt so good to eat with my family and it not be chicken and veggies while going out. I ate very small amount because I did not want to eat to restriction, but I was able to hang out with my family and not worry about food. Then that night we got Ice cream and I had 4 bites of hubbies delicious Cold Stone Chocolate Ice cream, those 4 bites I was satisfied and didn't feel like crap. I still woke up drank my protein coffee, did my work out and continued my normal diet. In a way, I am happy that it didn't turn into a binge like it would normally when I would previously diet, then again I feel like I halted my progress. Thanks for reading
