2 1/2 yrs post op starting over, too late?
Hello all! Is it too late for me to start over and how do I do this now? I am 2 1/2 yrs post op and initially lost 65 lbs and now am only 20 lbs from my weight on the day of surgery!!!
I do not see my surgeon for we have differences in opinion. He tried to have me go on a drastic all shake diet and skip breakfast,etc. I have seen my PCP though for a physical.
My questions are: at this point of course my pouch has stretched, but how do I know how much to eat at this point? If I eat too little all of a sudden won't I get malnourished? I do take all the vitamin supplements every day.
I am TIRED of being TIRED! Tired of eating what I really like and then feeling like crap after! HELP!
I need to go back to basics such as eating a cheese stick, yogurt, fruits for breakfast. But I am trying to find what will be doable for me to start with. If it's too drastic I know I will just give up too early. UGH..HELP..Anyone been in my place or know what I can do?
Kristen
I do not see my surgeon for we have differences in opinion. He tried to have me go on a drastic all shake diet and skip breakfast,etc. I have seen my PCP though for a physical.
My questions are: at this point of course my pouch has stretched, but how do I know how much to eat at this point? If I eat too little all of a sudden won't I get malnourished? I do take all the vitamin supplements every day.
I am TIRED of being TIRED! Tired of eating what I really like and then feeling like crap after! HELP!
I need to go back to basics such as eating a cheese stick, yogurt, fruits for breakfast. But I am trying to find what will be doable for me to start with. If it's too drastic I know I will just give up too early. UGH..HELP..Anyone been in my place or know what I can do?
Kristen
I don't think its ever too late....the only time it's too late to make a change is if you are dead. I'm only 4 months out...so I don't know how much help my advice will be but here goes..
I did an all shake diet for about a month (3 weeks pre-opt and 10 days post-opt). Yes it is drastic, but one thing I realized (during the pre-opt phase) was that I could get full on much less food than I was consuming. Going into it...I just KNEW I was going to be starving mad and when i realized I wasn't...that it wasn't my stomach or body asking for the food...that it was my brain telling me I wanted the food....it was truly a light bulb moment.
Additionally, doing the liquid diet helped me detox from carbs and sugar and man....I knew I ate tons of carbs (bread is my first love) but I didn't realize the massive amounts of sugar in all the processed foods I ate. It helped me with cravings (the carb cravings diminished after the first week) and IMO, it helped to mentally "prepare" me for the road to come.
I understand that you think the liquid diet is drastic... but if your surgeon thinks it is a good way to help you I think you should consider it. It's not a permanent thing...and it might likely help you get back on track with eating properly and reduce any cravings and such. Also, you might not have stretched your pouch and doing the liquid diet might help you realize that you have been ignoring those "full" cues (if that is indeed the case).
What I would do is maybe do the shake diet the surgeon suggests for 1-2 weeks and use that time to mentally reset myself. I'd do a lot of soul searching and really try to figure out what I am doing incorrectly food wise and/or exercise wise. I'd try to come up with a permanent course of action...one that I could logically stick to but one that will get me results. I'd also consider seeing a therapist for some couch time to help me with any eating disorder issues or food addictions that might not have been addressed the first go round.
Good Luck!
I did an all shake diet for about a month (3 weeks pre-opt and 10 days post-opt). Yes it is drastic, but one thing I realized (during the pre-opt phase) was that I could get full on much less food than I was consuming. Going into it...I just KNEW I was going to be starving mad and when i realized I wasn't...that it wasn't my stomach or body asking for the food...that it was my brain telling me I wanted the food....it was truly a light bulb moment.
Additionally, doing the liquid diet helped me detox from carbs and sugar and man....I knew I ate tons of carbs (bread is my first love) but I didn't realize the massive amounts of sugar in all the processed foods I ate. It helped me with cravings (the carb cravings diminished after the first week) and IMO, it helped to mentally "prepare" me for the road to come.
I understand that you think the liquid diet is drastic... but if your surgeon thinks it is a good way to help you I think you should consider it. It's not a permanent thing...and it might likely help you get back on track with eating properly and reduce any cravings and such. Also, you might not have stretched your pouch and doing the liquid diet might help you realize that you have been ignoring those "full" cues (if that is indeed the case).
What I would do is maybe do the shake diet the surgeon suggests for 1-2 weeks and use that time to mentally reset myself. I'd do a lot of soul searching and really try to figure out what I am doing incorrectly food wise and/or exercise wise. I'd try to come up with a permanent course of action...one that I could logically stick to but one that will get me results. I'd also consider seeing a therapist for some couch time to help me with any eating disorder issues or food addictions that might not have been addressed the first go round.
Good Luck!
HW & SW: 363 Surgery date: 8/22/11 
It's not too late. I wouldn't follow your surgeon's advice either though.
Go back to basics -- limit refined carbs, log your intake (1200 calories would be my goal for weight loss), and try to exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Always eat protein 1st getting a minimum of 60grams a day. No drinking with meals. Try to get your protein from food because it will keep you fuller longer.
I generally do a protein bar for breakfast, but eggs are ideal - think veggie omlet. You really don't need to feel deprived.
Good luck!
Laura
Go back to basics -- limit refined carbs, log your intake (1200 calories would be my goal for weight loss), and try to exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Always eat protein 1st getting a minimum of 60grams a day. No drinking with meals. Try to get your protein from food because it will keep you fuller longer.
I generally do a protein bar for breakfast, but eggs are ideal - think veggie omlet. You really don't need to feel deprived.
Good luck!
Laura
High Weight 278; consult weight 234; Surgery Weight 219 Surgeon's Goal Weight 150 -10/27/10 - Personal goal weight 140 - Achieved 12/11/10
Remember what you ate when you were a month or two post op? That's what you need to eat now. Only bigger amounts. Eat about a cup at a time and eat four to six times a day. Only healthy food, mostly protein with some fruits and veggies. The kind of food you ate in those early months.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
If you listen to your surgeon's advice you will mess with your metabolism again. Fad diets, like liquid diets are what got a lot of us fat in the first place - this is NOT good advice and no self respecting MD should be telling you to do that when you are not newly out of surgery - sheesh!
Laura got it right when she said go back to basics: EAT a protein first diet (aim for 80g per day - it will limit the carbs you can physically eat!), cut out the simple white carbs and just use brown (wholegrains) or complex carbs. Drink plenty of water but not until at least 30 mins after eating, get some exercise EVERY DAY. All of these things are really non-negotiable in our day to day routines.
This is an RNY'ers lifestyle - FOR LIFE! There is a post on here today about regain and it shows that it's something most of us face at some point, but that it does not have to be inevitable.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/4488051/Awesome-post-about-regain/
Lastly, hang around on here or go to a support group - it helps keep your lifestyle in the forefront of your mind.
Laura got it right when she said go back to basics: EAT a protein first diet (aim for 80g per day - it will limit the carbs you can physically eat!), cut out the simple white carbs and just use brown (wholegrains) or complex carbs. Drink plenty of water but not until at least 30 mins after eating, get some exercise EVERY DAY. All of these things are really non-negotiable in our day to day routines.
This is an RNY'ers lifestyle - FOR LIFE! There is a post on here today about regain and it shows that it's something most of us face at some point, but that it does not have to be inevitable.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/4488051/Awesome-post-about-regain/
Lastly, hang around on here or go to a support group - it helps keep your lifestyle in the forefront of your mind.
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
It is unlikely you've stretched your pouch much, if at all.
It is NEVER too late to work on the good habits that will keep you healthy for life.
The key is to eat a balanced diet, protein first, and make sure you get enough calories. It is not wise to go below 1,200 per day, and shoot for 60-100 grams of protein. If you are exercising hard, you'll need to use a minimum of 1,500. And on the subject of exercise.....yes, you must do something. It is key to sustained weight control and overall good health.
I'm glad you've kept up with your vitamins, but have you had your labs checked to ensure your levels are good? I ask this because I am a FREAK about taking my vitamins and am still fighting a declining D level.
You actually said the real truth in your post: "But I am trying to find what will be doable for me to start with. If it's too drastic I know I will just give up too early".
You cannot diet! Diets do not work-we all know this and that is why we had WLS. Find the lifestyle changes that will allow you to lose and more importantly, MAINTAIN THAT LOSS.
We are here for you!!
Kim
It is NEVER too late to work on the good habits that will keep you healthy for life.
The key is to eat a balanced diet, protein first, and make sure you get enough calories. It is not wise to go below 1,200 per day, and shoot for 60-100 grams of protein. If you are exercising hard, you'll need to use a minimum of 1,500. And on the subject of exercise.....yes, you must do something. It is key to sustained weight control and overall good health.
I'm glad you've kept up with your vitamins, but have you had your labs checked to ensure your levels are good? I ask this because I am a FREAK about taking my vitamins and am still fighting a declining D level.
You actually said the real truth in your post: "But I am trying to find what will be doable for me to start with. If it's too drastic I know I will just give up too early".
You cannot diet! Diets do not work-we all know this and that is why we had WLS. Find the lifestyle changes that will allow you to lose and more importantly, MAINTAIN THAT LOSS.
We are here for you!!
Kim
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