RULES

Could anyone tell me about all the rules that I have heard so much about ? I have just been approved by my insurance but I am afraid I might only know a few of the rules that I keep hearing people refer to.

i'm not sure which rules you're hearing about? there are all sorts out there.. but really, the only rules you should worry about are the ones your surgeon gives you! are you talking about rules like - no eating and drinking at the same time - must get in at least 60g of protein, and 64oz of water, per day? those are some basic rules to post-op life.. not sure how to help you on this one - but seriously - CONGRATULATIONS on getting approved. that can be the biggest hurdle all of us face! kristen

Traci, Kristen is right, the rules will be laid out for you. I refer to rules all the time but really they are more like guide lines. Kristen mentioned the eating and drinking at the same time and the protein and liquid ammounts. Don't sweat it too much. One of my biggest fears about having surgery was that I was going to have a hard time sticking to a plan because I wouldn't have enough information. Rest assured the information is out there and it is easier than it seems to follow a good diet post-op. The surgeon and the nutritionist give you a lot of information and we are always here to share and compare notes. Betz

Hi Trac, I don't know if this is what you are looking for but I found this here on the site and its something I live by. I have a full size copy on my fridge so I'l able to be remineded everyday if the things I should and should not be doing. The Ten Commandments of Weight Loss Surgery 1. THOU SHALL NOT DRINK with thy meals. This means never! This is cheating...cheating yourself. It washes the food out of your pouch and allows you to eat more. This will slow and eventually stop your weight loss. PLUS you will not be getting all the benefits of the wise choices you have filled your little pouchy-poo with. 2. THOU SHALL EAT SLOWLY, very slowly. This is not a rule for the first few months post op. This rule is for the rest of your life. If you eat too quickly, you will surely stretch your pouch. Eat too quickly and you will learn the hard way...the nausea is stifling. Oh and CHEW CHEW CHEW!! And when you think you are done, CHEW SOME MORE. Or your food will keep coming back to visit you. 3. THOU SHALL TAKE THY VITAMINS. This surgery is a great tool for weight loss. But, as with all benefits, there are costs...and malnutrition is one of the potential prices of this surgery. Take a multivitamin supplement every day for the rest of your life and it is one you may never have to pay. You will also need to have your blood checked periodically for B-12 levels. 4. THOU SHALL EAT ADEQUATE PROTEIN. What is adequate? I am not a physician, so I cannot say for sure. I have heard everything from 50-60 grams a day (which equals about 2 oz. Of protein) to a much higher number ...(to figure out the amount of grams of protein equals in ounces, multiply the # of grams by .0353. That will give you an ounce calculation. It may not sound like a lot, but when you get down to brass tacks, and really look at what you eat at a meal, are you getting in at least 2 oz of meat at a sitting? Then filling in with the rest? Meat is usually very heavy and it is hard to digest so it ends up being the last thing we work on at a meal. A lot (I did not say all) of post ops tend to take more of what rests comfortably in their pouch...all I am saying is to be aware and then adjust so you are meeting those requirements...above all be balanced in your diet (DON'T FREAK CAUSE I USED THE D WORD HERE....definition of diet-from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life- a: food and drink regularly provided or consumed b: habitual nourishment -PLEASE NOTE-DIET does NOT translate to STARVATION or DEPRIVING ONESELF on ANY level...it merely suggests a habitual eating style...) 5. THOU SHALL EXERCISE. Just do SOMETHING. Even if it means starting off simply...take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Park at the furthest spot in the parking lot. Carry your shopping basket instead of pushing the cart (on small shopping days of course...LOL). 6. THOU SHALL DRINK at least 64 ounces of water, everyday. It seems that some people have problems doing this. Use a water bottle and carry it with you everywhere. Sip all day long. Or refill a gallon jug and drain it every day. Do it in 2 pitchers. Do it with 2-32oz spor****er bottles. Please note however, that if you are drinking coffee or tea with caffeine, you will have to compensate for the diuretic effects of the caffeine. Caffeine robs your body of water, therefore, you will not only be unable to count the coffee or tea, but you will have to drink an extra cups of fluid for every cup of regular coffee or caffeinated tea that you drink to compensate for the diuretic effects of the caffeine. 7. THOU SHALL EAT WELL BALANCED MEALS. I think my doctor said it best: Protein first and foremost, then green/yellow vegetables, then fruit, then starches. 8. THOU SHALL NOT EAT SUGAR, in ANY form....no candy!!! Treat yourself with some fresh fruit!! 9 THOU SHALL NOT modify these commandments to suit thy needs. It will not work. You will only defeat yourself physically. 10. THOU SHALL LOVE THYSELF and be happy with the body God gave thee. God did not intend for all of us to be supermodels, and this surgery will NOT make you one. Happiness comes from within. Be happy with who and what you are. Or you will defeat yourself mentally. Then the battle will be lost before it is ever even begun. Author Unknown

Thank you that was very helpful, I appreciate it . I am starting to get very nervous about this decision and I dont know why I think I am afraid of the surgery itself I have battled my weight all my life and I always lose so I really dont know why I am feeling like this.