Lifestyle Change Preparation!

Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your friends and the fire and all that. I hope it all works out well.

You've seemed to have gotten this new lifestyle down to a science. That's awesome. I know some people 8 years out that eat like me which isn't very good. Lucky for them, their weight seems to somehow remain stable. The sad part about it is that if a dr. were to tell me that I could get surgery and eat however I wanted, I would do it. I'm thinking of getting counseling for my unhealthy relationship with food. I have been doing better this week and I'm quite proud of myself. I've only been allowing myself carbs in one meal but I still feel super hungry and agitated. I've been drinking these Fuze drinks lately as opposed to my diet coke. I'm thinking of starting my own modified protein diet next week with shakes twice during the day and 2 healthy snacks and then a normal meal for dinner and maybe a healthy snack before bed. Deep down, I'm hoping that if I can continue that and learn to like the lifestyle that I don't have to get surgery. It seems like the more I read about the actual medical procedure, the more excited and afraid I get at the same time.

 

I haven't had a flat stomach in YEARS and can tell you that if God (by way of surgeons) ever gives me one, I'll be sure to keep it in tact too!! LOL

First off, you need to understand that it's not just "the" operation. There are currently four major forms of WLS, and each one will give you different results and will demand different post-op lifestyle changes. Ideally, you should research them ALL, then choose the one with the post-op lifestyle that you think you can best comply with. (Remember, every time we start a diet, we've embarking on a "lifestyle change". The reason that most diets don't work long-term is because we can't stick to the lifestyle changes long-term.)

See where is says 'Forums' at the top of the page? There's a drop-down menu there. I suggest you visit ALL of the surgical forums, and do a LOT of reading.

Thank you!!! I'm going to do just that today. I've read about the band, by-pass and the sleeve. I didn't find much on the DS because I don't think my hospital (my employer is self-insured) does that procedure but I will get more info at the information session too. I am interested in the sleeve but will take your advice and learn as much as I can about them all as this is a big life-altering decision.

The Sleeve is an excellent surgery, especially if your biggest problem is portion control. With my DS, I have a Sleeved stomach, and it's never given me the first problem. (*grin*) I knew that I needed the big gun, so to speak, so I chose the full DS. The malabsorption has helped me a LOT.

Great! I'm glad it worked out for you. Portion control is definitely my biggest problem. In fact, my body cringes when small people tell me I can loose weight if I rememberer "everything in moderation". LOL

I'm going to have to learn about the full DS and the malabsorption factor. I'm not as up on that as I would like to be...yet.

Hi there, I am Pre- op and on a 6 month dr supervised diet, starting my 3rd month. I am drinking a protein shake for breakfast & lunch & then a healthy dinner with lean meats, chicken, fish, etc and staying away from white carbs. I have lost 23 lbs so far. Here are the websites where I got samples:

www.unjury.com
www.tryabouttime.com
www.mybariatricpantry.com
www.chikenutrition.com
Jay Robb whey isolate protein powder - amazon.com

I personally like the About Time whey isolate Protein powder and the Jay Robb. I mix them with 8 oz fat free milk, 5.3oz fat free yoplait Greek yogurt, sugar free fat free instant pudding dry powder to make it thicker if I want and for a different flavor. Also, I will use the PB2 chocolate peanut butter powder or Torani sugar free fat free flavored syrup. I also will put 4 - 6 oz of fat free milk, 1 scoop protein powder, mix it up and Pour that into 8 oz prepared decaf coffee. I don't used crushed ice but you can to make them colder and frappacino like.

Get a bunch of samples and try before buying a big jug 😄

Hi Daisy,

Congrats on the weight loss!!! Thanks for the links. I printed them out so I can keep a hold of them and visit them all in case I loose this page. (Not very tech savvy. LOL). Your mix actually sounds pretty good. I think I'll be able to do this. Do you workout as well? 23 lbs is great for 2-3 months!!

Hi there,

I did not work out at all the first month and lost 13.4 lbs. I started riding a stationary bike the beginning of month 2 for 20 - 25 mins 4 days a week. I am hoping to up this to 30 mins this 3rd month. I have a partially ruptured Achilles tendon that is healing (I have a AFO foot reaction brace from the ortho doc) and I am now doing PT hoping to NOT have surgery on it. So the exercise is limited to either the excercise bike or swimming 😁

I totally belIeve that if you are truly ready to be 100% DONE with being overweight, you can do this!!!! I started early with the protein drinks and I think that my early post-op struggles will be easier because I will already have adjusted to liquid meals and my mind will not mess with me as much - hopefully 😉

Hi there.  I am also fairly early in the process.  I have seen the surgeon and I am almost done with the things I need to to for the surgeon to submit to insurance.  I started one month ago today (with the seminar). I can tell you that I am a major diet soda addict and was a smoker.  Since I knew that they were two of the things that are completely off the list of things you can have after surgery,  I have started the process to give them up now.  I can say that I have not had a cigarette in a little over 3 weeks and I am working on not drinking sodas any longer.  I think giving up sodas has been more difficult. :)  I have slipped a few times over the last week, but on the whole they are becoming less a part of my life.  I think a good place to start is figuring out those things that will be the most difficult to give up and start the process of getting rid of them.  I think the time right after surgery will be easier if I am not going to be going through nicotine withdrawal and soda cravings at the same time.  As for the pre surgery diet, I think every surgeon or NUT is different in what they suggest.  I can tell you that mine has a 2 week pre op diet that includes 70+ grams of protein a day and 30g or less of carbs a day and the day before surgery you are on a clear liquid diet ie sf popsicles sf drinks like crystal light and things like that.  

Hi ShelleKarena,

Thanks for your experience. I hear that the process for me can be done in as little as one month. I'm not rushing it but a coworker just went through it and was shocked at how fast it was. I know everyone is different though so those results probably aren't typical. I'm also a smoker and know I have to stop. It's not so much that I can't stop. I just don't want to. I don't smoke all day at work or around my kids because I hide this from them. So I know just as sometimes I can't sneak away and smoke for weekends. It really seems that all of my problems are in my mind. I have got to get it together. I will be following you along your journey and hope that I can be of some support to you. Best wishes!