The Ten Commandments of Weight Loss Surgery

Depending on your surgery type of course these are not written in stone but have gotten most of us to goal and help to keep us there!  

 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

 

Take care,

Kathy

OOOOOOOOOOOps, I have been doing a few things wrong! Back to the drawing board!