PLEASE READ AND REPLY...
DEAR POST- OP'S...
I thought that it would be a wonderful idea if all of the post op's could reply to one message with their story on their wls. Any information will be greatly appreciated by those of us who are still pre-op. I understand that most of us do write about it in our journals, but not everyone goes into great detail. I've had a couple of questions, like:
What do your diets as post-op's consist of ?
How has it effected your ability to go out with family and friends?
What were the greatest benefits of wls?
The greatest disappointments?
What's the hardest thing for you?, ect.
Any question that you think I've left out, or if there is something you'd like us to know, please tell us. This information would be great as a research kind of thing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply to this we are all very greatful.
God Bless,
Tiffany.
Hi Tiffany
Great idea, I know it really helped me pre op to read the various stories.
As for me, I researched gastric bypass for several years before proceeding. I struggled with my weight all of my life (even as a child) so this procedure has literally been life saving for me.
As for post op diet, that is very broad because of the different stages. I, personally, had a tough time once I started reintroducing "regular" foods. The liquid and soft phase was no problem - (Liquid consists of broths, your protein drinks, sugar free jello/popsicles, etc. The soft phase consists of more mushy things, like I was allowed mashed potatos, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, etc.) When I started back on meats was when I started vomiting. It was really trial and error for me. I found what I could and couldn't tolerate relatively early on. I did real well with fish initially, because it has more of a water content and is softer, chicken and red meat took some time, but eventually it was okay. I just avoid the "dry" selections and the all time rule of chew-chew-chew and then chew some more
I am almost 10 months post op and do pretty well with food overall. I adhere to a low carb diet because I am carb sensitive plus I still do not handle bread or pastas well. My surgeon has us d/c protein drinks @ 6 weeks post op because he wants us to get our protein from food. So at this point I eat a lot of fish & chicken and maybe have red meat 1 - 2 times a week (because of the fat content).
As far as affecting the ability to go out,from an eating angle, I guess it does to some degree - depending on the choice. Early on I did not go out much at all because I got sick a lot. Now, though, I go out pretty much wherever and I can usually find something I can tolerate. With the "low carb craze" it isn't tough to find low carb options. The places I steer clear of are buffets/all you can eat just because it is a waste of $ for me since you can't take what you don't eat to go. As far as going other places I am much more social now because I am not insecure like before and I just feel better. So that has been extremely positive.
The greatest benefits of wls is a very long list. First and foremost is my health. I feel 110% better now than I did 10 months ago. My cholesterol is down to normal, my blood pressure is normal & I am off meds, I do not have the chronic back pain as before and I can move with ease - I can exercise and actually enjoy it. That alone is enough for me, but it goes much further than that. I do not feel the uneasiness and insecurtiy that I felt before, I do not have the gloom and doom feelings - I am much more positive & happy. I have new hopes and aspirations for the future now that I feel I have a "tool" to aide me in long term success.
Dissappointments?... Not being able to have it sooner. Other than that I can't think of any. So far I feel this is the best decision I could have made and actually the most necessary one.
The hardest thing for me has just been learning a whole new way of life. I was very determined coming into this that I wasn't going to take it lightly and that this was my final chance. So changing 33 years of habits and the way I look at things has been tough. One thing I really had to get out of is the whole mind set of it isn't fair that I am overweight - so many people can eat like I do and never be so obese - why me?? That was tough to overcome, but I think I am doing it. So just overall changing not only on the outside but the inside has been my toughest obstacle. I also have battled with being angry at myself for letting my weight get so out of hand - that has been tough as well.
Well, I think that covers your questions and they are great questions. I think as long as you do your research and you know in your heart this is the right thing for you then you are on the right path. It isn't easy and it takes commitment if you really enter into it seriously, but well worth it from my view point. I get angry sometimes when I read about people saying surgery is the easy way out. This is a procedure that isn't free from risks that you have to take into consideration. Overall dieting is much "easier" - not successful for most, but easier when it is all said and done. As of my last weigh in about a week ago I am down 149 lb since surgery for a grand total of 199 since preparing for surgery and I couldn't be happier. I still have a little more to go, but I am taking it a day at a time.
I hope this helps. Good luck to you in your journey & God bless
Angel
Great idea, I know it really helped me pre op to read the various stories.
As for me, I researched gastric bypass for several years before proceeding. I struggled with my weight all of my life (even as a child) so this procedure has literally been life saving for me.
As for post op diet, that is very broad because of the different stages. I, personally, had a tough time once I started reintroducing "regular" foods. The liquid and soft phase was no problem - (Liquid consists of broths, your protein drinks, sugar free jello/popsicles, etc. The soft phase consists of more mushy things, like I was allowed mashed potatos, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, etc.) When I started back on meats was when I started vomiting. It was really trial and error for me. I found what I could and couldn't tolerate relatively early on. I did real well with fish initially, because it has more of a water content and is softer, chicken and red meat took some time, but eventually it was okay. I just avoid the "dry" selections and the all time rule of chew-chew-chew and then chew some more I am almost 10 months post op and do pretty well with food overall. I adhere to a low carb diet because I am carb sensitive plus I still do not handle bread or pastas well. My surgeon has us d/c protein drinks @ 6 weeks post op because he wants us to get our protein from food. So at this point I eat a lot of fish & chicken and maybe have red meat 1 - 2 times a week (because of the fat content).
As far as affecting the ability to go out,from an eating angle, I guess it does to some degree - depending on the choice. Early on I did not go out much at all because I got sick a lot. Now, though, I go out pretty much wherever and I can usually find something I can tolerate. With the "low carb craze" it isn't tough to find low carb options. The places I steer clear of are buffets/all you can eat just because it is a waste of $ for me since you can't take what you don't eat to go. As far as going other places I am much more social now because I am not insecure like before and I just feel better. So that has been extremely positive.
The greatest benefits of wls is a very long list. First and foremost is my health. I feel 110% better now than I did 10 months ago. My cholesterol is down to normal, my blood pressure is normal & I am off meds, I do not have the chronic back pain as before and I can move with ease - I can exercise and actually enjoy it. That alone is enough for me, but it goes much further than that. I do not feel the uneasiness and insecurtiy that I felt before, I do not have the gloom and doom feelings - I am much more positive & happy. I have new hopes and aspirations for the future now that I feel I have a "tool" to aide me in long term success.
Dissappointments?... Not being able to have it sooner. Other than that I can't think of any. So far I feel this is the best decision I could have made and actually the most necessary one.
The hardest thing for me has just been learning a whole new way of life. I was very determined coming into this that I wasn't going to take it lightly and that this was my final chance. So changing 33 years of habits and the way I look at things has been tough. One thing I really had to get out of is the whole mind set of it isn't fair that I am overweight - so many people can eat like I do and never be so obese - why me?? That was tough to overcome, but I think I am doing it. So just overall changing not only on the outside but the inside has been my toughest obstacle. I also have battled with being angry at myself for letting my weight get so out of hand - that has been tough as well.
Well, I think that covers your questions and they are great questions. I think as long as you do your research and you know in your heart this is the right thing for you then you are on the right path. It isn't easy and it takes commitment if you really enter into it seriously, but well worth it from my view point. I get angry sometimes when I read about people saying surgery is the easy way out. This is a procedure that isn't free from risks that you have to take into consideration. Overall dieting is much "easier" - not successful for most, but easier when it is all said and done. As of my last weigh in about a week ago I am down 149 lb since surgery for a grand total of 199 since preparing for surgery and I couldn't be happier. I still have a little more to go, but I am taking it a day at a time.
I hope this helps. Good luck to you in your journey & God bless
Angel What do your diets as post-op's consist of ?
I have been fortunate that I have tolerated most foods very well. By two weeks out I was cleared to skip the pureed stage and go to regular foods.
In the last 4.5 months I have discovered that I am very sensitive to fats. So, I avoid fried foods or foods with a high fat content. I tolerate fruit (natural) sugars well. Thank GOD!(I love my fruit) I can tolerate other sugars in small quantities.
Too much sugar or high carb foods cause my insulin to spike. It also makes me light-headed and causes some pressure in my head. I also get very tired after eating too many carbs. I don't limit carbs excessively though. I believe everything in moderation. I still supplement with protein drinks since I am not able to consume 75g of protein through food alone. So basically, I eat sensibly without being excessively restrictive. In MY opinion, I didn't have this surgery to go on an excessively restrictive "diet"; I wanted to eat healthy and learn to make good choices with out feeling deprived. Deprivation for me leads to failure. If I feel like having a piece of chocolate cake, I take a small bite or two. That's all I need and I don't crave for more. It satisfies me and I carry on. I don't beat myself up about it or feel guilty about it. It's an occasional treat that I do allow myself.
Basically, I go by the general rules of protein first, then veggies, small amount of carbs, water, and vitamins and then the occasional treat or snack.
How has it affected your ability to go out with family and friends?
In the beginning it was hard b/c I was still learning to make good choices.
Now I do well. I still occasionally have trouble putting the fork down before that last bite too many. I really haven't gotten sick too many times(3-4), it's that miserably full feeling that I'm learning to control.
What were the greatest benefits of wls?
WLS gave me hope! HOPE is a powerful thing! I love that my body is shrinking and I am rediscovering who I am. Mentally the changes are greater than the physical.
I have learned to love me! Isn't that wonderful!?
The greatest disappointments?
NONE to date.
What's the hardest thing for you?, ect.
Keeping a wardrobe that fits!! I started shopping for new clothes to soon. Clothes that fit last month or even last week are about falling off me. I look forward to my weight stabilizing
What do your diets as post-op's consist of ?
Every morning I have a protein shake (ProScore 100 Chocolate) and bacon. I started tolerating bacon at about three months. My lunch is usually pieces of the protein food on the lunch menu at school as well as fruit. Fruits are my favorites. Today was my first time to eat a piece of orange. Citrus has been a bit tough for me until now. I love nuts, but the indigestion is pretty tough. I still cannot handle chicken and haven't tried salad. I handle beef and seafood very well. My supper is smaller portions of foods that I love. I "pretty much" avoid starches (no breads, spaghetti, etc.) and fried items.
How has it effected your ability to go out with family and friends? I still go out, but do not hesitate to ask for appetizers. I usually have three meals from an entree rather than one...hubby still helps me!
What were the greatest benefits of wls? 1) I am getting out more. I used to stay home as much as possible because I was sooooo self-conscious. Now I have even joined the choir at church...love it but still don't like being videotaped. It's a big choir! I just want to blend in...couldn't do that very well before. 2) Oh yeah, I have more energy with my students. We play hard! I am on the floor more now and AM ABLE TO GET UP more easily. 3) I seem to have some trouble concentrating, so I spent less time worrying. 4) I have to take less medicine now. High blood pressure and sugar are no longer problems, and it takes half as much medicine as before to work (one Tylenol rather than two or three).
The greatest disappointments? 1) I am very tired at night. I need to go to bed at about 9:00 to feel rested at 5:30 in the morning. My mom says it's hereditary, but it's worse now. I need on average two extra hours of sleep a night. I know I need B-12 shots. 2) I like taking strong medicine...like when I have a bad headache or sinus infection. The pouch limits the medications you can use. That's kind of yucky. 3) I seem to have some trouble concentrating, so I do some pretty absent-minded things like calling people by the wrong names...even called them "Mrs. Farmer." That's me. How sad...but kind of funny!!!
What's the hardest thing for you? When I really stress, I miss overdosing on chocolate. I liked the numbing feeling it gave me. The ProScore really is good. Take it from a chocoholic!
Sorry this is so long. At almost six months post op, I know I have much more to learn and experience!!!
Hugs,
Becky
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