A Most Important Message for Those Who Want Easy Answers...

When I had my surgery 11 weeks ago (when I could have solids), I asked questions on here about "cheating" with a little black bean pasta or brown rice.  Just a spoon or two.  I got balled out by many members about staying away from the no, no, no's!  At least until I reached my goal weight.  What great advice it was!!  There were also the "nevers." 

As I read everyone's post I see RNY'ers in the hospital and/or horribly sick because they don't follow the rules.  It's really as simple as following the procedures  and guidelines that your doctor and dietician gave you and erring on the side of being conservative.  

For all of those who want to "test," don't!  You have so much invested in...

>getting approved for insurance
>pre medical tests
>psychiatric tests
>medical exams
>Prep diets
>Surgery
>recovery
>liquid only diet
>mush only diet
>ground food diet
>a million diet restrictions
>a million doctor visits
>all the rules
>and on and on

RNY is well worth it for the results and your new found health!  But, you can't invest that much and not take it seriously!! This is not one of your old failed diets, this is your life!

Well said Jeff.  I do believe I was one of the ones that "balled you out" LOL but I am glad I did because you took our advice and you are doing so well.  That makes me super happy!  

I constantly have to remind myself that I was a newbie once and I often forget that now that I am 3 years post op, the "rules" are just such a part of my life and my routine now I do forget that I too had tons of questions early out so I do try to be supportive yet firm at the same time.

In your first paragraph you state how many of us said to stay away until at least you get to goal. This I wish was part of EVERY WLS Centre handout or website or NUT mantra out there.  I was one of those people that was in the school of thought of get the weight off FAST, get to GOAL FAST and THEN consider "treats" or trying a "forbidden" food.  That is exactly what I did. I was such a good girl in my first year while losing.  I will be totally honest with you all, now at three years post op sure I eat off plan, sure I have treats, sure I eat crap food sometimes, but I waited until I was at goal and I was confident in MY ability to have a treat but stay on track and follow the rules.

More and more I am trying to get across to the newbies what a MIND F#CK this surgery is.  The actual surgery is the easy part, the wrapping your head around the eating, the rules, the trying not to fall back into old habits, its HARD!!!!!  I can only speak for my Centre but they never stressed that part at all, maybe other Centres do but mine does not.  The mental, emotional, physical struggle, yes its all real. I thank my lucky stars I have you all on OH to continue to help guide me, support me and keep me in check. THANKS OH!

Sorry for hijacking your post Jeff with my rant but I think you really have a lot of great insight now into how post WLS lifestyle is and I wanted to add in my two cents!  Thank you for saying don't "test," its really a bad idea and you are 100% right there is just too much invested!

Keep up the great work, have a good weekend!

You were one of the ones who slapped me upside my head :)  

Thanks for your comments.  They're not a rant, it's important!

Daisy has a mean right hook. But she knows her stuff.

Grim and Daisy are tough cookies because they care and only want the best for everyone here. No bull**** and no beating around the bush. I know they help me all the time and I want to say Thank You! I am thankful for everyone's advice!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Grim Traveller, Boy Hag may have been the toughest on me but I needed the dose of reality!  Now I'm 60% of the way to my goal.  I'm just paying it forward...

He is mean, that one.

Scares the living bejeebus out of me 

Actually the only reason I am as successful as I am is because I am afraid of what he might do if I am not successful.