Other than food choices and exercise . . .

what tips do you have for the newbies?  I get the food question a lot, but I'm so far out I don't remember what I ate immediately post-op.  I do know that I followed my doctor's eating plan.  Exercise is a no brainer; even for those like me who don't do enough.  So, what practical tips can you share that worked then, and still work for you now?

My suggestions are:

Buy smaller plates.  Sounds simple, but it helps those of us who are visual and volume eaters. 

Chew dammit, and slow down!  It should take you 20 minutes to eat.  Why?  It takes that long for your brain to get the message that you're full.

Drink a full glass of water before you eat anything.  Wait the required amount of time, and then eat.  For me, this accomplishes a few things:  I get the water in, I eat less, and even if I'm going to eat something "bad" at least I've done something good for myself. 

Find a protein drink that works for you.  I'm almost 5 years out, and I still have a protein drink almost every day.  


What can you add? 

Terri,
I actually LIKE the water idea. I hadn't thought about that one.  :)

Here's mine -

Find **** to do that doesn't involve food or have you near it.  I was amazed at how food centric I was.  Going out?  Had to be to a resturant.  or the movies or somewhere within 50ft of food.  Nowdays - Gym date - hell - paintball camp.  How about a museum???  Even mall window shopping (on the end opposite the food court, lol)

AND - when you buy smaller CLOTHES - buy smaller DRAWS!!!!!!  yea, you laughing but wait till you try to put size 10 draws on over size 8 pants.....

LOL @ the draws

That's funny because I've lost 60lbs and I'm still wearing the same panties.  I need some suggestions on how to get these hips and butt gone!!

Girl, I still wear "mollies" - that's what my husband called the full coverage underwear. According to my sisters, I look like I'm wearing a diaper.

I tell newbies that WLS is not for dummies.  If you are not good at following directions seek another path.  We can not and should not think about food the same ways we did before.  Food  is a source of energy and not what you should live for.  Follow your surgeons instructions but if you feel he is not instructing correctly seek out another  doctors advice because what I was told may not be the same thing as what you were told.  Research healthy cookbooks and come up with protein rich variations of your favorite foods that helps alot. 

AMEN to 'if you are not good at following directions seek another path.'

Say that two times and STOMP YOUR FEET!!!!  OMG - I see so many mofos who just KNOW they can figure out something better and quicker than their doctor!!!!  Whew - it's nothing but HARD WORK to get where you want to be - no way around that!!! 

Get a shrink!

Use a food scale or measuring cups for portion control.  Some folks (I'm one of them) can't eyeball a portion.  I caught myself heaping something on a plate this past weekend knowing good and well I can't eat that much after I saw what my plate looked like. I always misjudge when I don't portion my food. 

Get some appetizer or toddler utensils because they slow your eating down.  I still use mine all the time because old habits of gobbling down food will pop up from time to time. 

1. Go to support group meetings.
2. Plan your meals.
3. Don't compare your journey to others.
4. You had surgery on your stomach, not your brain.