The Ten Commandments of Weight Loss Surgery

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 pouch with.

 2. THOU SHALL EAT SLOWLY.

This is not a rule for the first few months post op.  This rule is for the rest of your life.

 3. THOU SHALL TAKE THY VITAMINS.

Surgery is a great tool for weight loss. Take all prescribed vitamins ordered by your surgeon and have your blood checked periodically for adjustments.

 4. THOU SHALL EAT ADEQUATE PROTEIN.

Always eat what your surgeon dictates but the amounts are usually at least 50-60 grams a day.  The further out you get the more you will want to increase this to 80-90 grams.  If you train/exercise a lot go higher.

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.  Join curves to start out.  Once you start losing and can move more  you will want to challenge yourself more.  End goal?  Maybe a run or Triathlon.  Yes I said Triathlon!

6. THOU SHALL DRINK WATER.

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 decaffeinated tea that you drink to compensate for the diuretic effects of the caffeine.

7. THOU SHALL EAT WELL BALANCED MEALS.

Protein first and foremost, then green/yellow vegetables,  then fruit, then complex carbs. 

8. THOU SHALL NOT EAT SUGAR.

In ANY form....  None, nada.  Treat yourself with some fresh fruit!! 

9  THOU SHALL NOT REWRITE THE COMMANDS.

To suit thy cravings, emotional needs or any other reasons.  It will not work.  You will only defeat yourself physically and emotionally. 

10. THOU SHALL LOVE THYSELF.

Be happy with the body you have. It was 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

Thanks for the handout - will give to my support groups members.  Pretty much says it all, doesn't it? 

Hey Girl,

How are you?  I go back from time to time and find old stuff that helped me.  You can tweak this for banders, but as you said the basis is pretty much the same for us all.

Take care,
Kathy

Kathy - I'm doing really well - it seems almost overnight my stamina increased dramatically.  I'm so excited - this morning for the first time since my surgry just before Christmas, I climbed on flight of stairs here at work.  I was only slightly breathing hard and for a few seconds after I got to the top my legs were a tiny bit wobbly - but no big deal.  I have my surgery for my "middle" scheduled for March 8.  I've been told the thigh surgery is the most painful (one has to sit and walk) and takes the longest to recover so I have high hopes for my "midlle" surgery being easier.

I really make no difference between the procedures (I have all procedures together in my support groups)  I especiall like, Thou Shall Not Rewrite the Commands.  We do tend to take on the role of Editor in Chief from time to time, don't we LOL

I am beginning to wrap my head around not focusing on deadlines as this maintenance gig is for the rest of my life.  Much more comfortable with that.  I, personally, still do so much better when I weigh every day.  I must admit I'm a little uncomfortable when my weight goes into the 3 pounds above goal weight cushion, but I've had enough experience to know if I continue to follow my calorie limit my weight will not exceed those 3 pounds and almost always it is at goal or closer the next day.  Am I perfect - when pigs fly!  But eat less, and get back on sooner when that happens - again, maintenance is forever and will FORever goes FORgiveness.  If I don't have to be ashamed for not being perfect a lot of the sick behavior just doesn't happen.  I'm still learning and I have the feeling that learning process goes on as long as one is breathing.  And that's OK.  (At least today that's OK when I'm thinking straight LOL)

So, I gues in answer to your question of how am I - my response is Life is good and I'm contented.