Just for fun, Fridays

Great advice everyone.  Keep them coming!!!!  Glad I had ya'll when I was coming along!!!

1. Research all the surgeries and find the one that has the best chance of beating your eating demons long term. Can you live the life your surgery requires of you long term?

2. Take things slow. Hydration is the most important thing early out. Protein and vitamins are second to fluids. You are not expected to meet 100% of all the goals your surgeon's practice lays out for you. This isn't a time where perfection is expected or desired, just try.

3. Lose as much as you can as fast as you can in the first year. Eat as you plan to go on. I mean by that, by the end of the first year be eating as you plan to be eating the rest of your life.

4. If you can do number 3. above, you should be able to handle maintenance. Know that the first few years of maintenance will be easier than those that follow. I think our metabolism returns to normal the further out we get. Be prepared to diet again and exercise a little every day.

Also, get your labs done every year or more often if you can, track them on a spreadsheet, learn to read them and know what the levels mean in relation to other levels, be proactive on your vitamins and learn to advocate for yourself when dealing with medical folks.

--gina 

All good advice. The only thing I have to add is get your vitamins ready pre-op. My PCP told me she would give me everything I needed post op and then didn't.

It's taken me pretty much year to start getting good labs. Better to have and not need than need and not have. Get the mostly chewable vites so you can get started on them as early as possible.

I'm only 2+ weeks out from my Upgrade to RNY from Lap Band so I can't speak to all of this    I must say that there's some great advice posted already! I would add that this time around, I did TONS of food prep before my surgery which has proven a lifesaver during my recovery.  And I mean food prep for ME.  I made homemade broths, blended soups, even some pureed items that I froze in ice cube trays or muffin tins.  It has been so much easier for me and my family - just pop a few cubes in the microwave and my meal is ready.  No need to stand in the kitchen sorting my self out while they go on with life as usual.

I also agree that having a large selection of protein powders and all my vitamins ready for post-op was very helpful as well.  And i can't stress enough the importance of participating in a support network of some kind. My failure with the Lap Band was due in great part (I believe) to my inability and unwillingness to share my experience with others.  I isolated myself, played the blame game and of course regained.  

Drink, walk, talk to others, never put something in your mouth that you hadn't planned on eating - these are things I remind myself of daily. 

Cheers - Ashley

 

1. What is your best advice for pre-surgery folks?

Practice chewing slowly. Don't worry about finding a protein shake you love as you'll have to do it all over again post-op!

2.  What is your best advice for early out folks?

RELAX! It's all about survival that first month - do what you have to in order to survive.

3.  What is your best advice for the first year and after in the losing phase?

Maximize that first 6 months when the losing is easiest. Use it develop good habits that will stand you in good stead when it gets harder later.

4.  What is your best advice if you are in maintenance?

Learn to trust yourself. It may take a very long time and there will be slips and setbacks along the way, but the goal is to live a normal life and to ENJOY life. Not to beat yourself up every day for not being perfect.   Tell yourself that some day you'll conquer your food demons not that you'll never be normal and some day you'll have a normal relationship with food!

Wow, a lot of great advice here already.
Like Roz says on her daily menu and miles, refined carbs are evil!
Dont be fooled into thinking you can handle refined carbs.
Its my third year anniversary and while some stinking thinking left over from preop, and old coping mechanisms using food, has me battling with some regain.
But the good news is, I am making head way. I have managed to cut out refined carbs, and working on my emotions. And my tool is still working.
If you follow the rules, your tool will still work. (Unless you were unfortunate enough to have problems with your surgery)

Support postop is key! I tend to battle with some depression and tend to isolate my self from time to time, which is never good. Stay connected.