Question:
Post-Ops: What have been your

I think we all know the recipe to successful weightloss after surgery, ie: protein, water, exercise, etc. I was wondering if any post-ops have any "secrets" they utilized to maximize their success? Any particular protein, vitamin, weird potion, etc.?    — jenn_jenn (posted on June 23, 2003)

June 23, 2003
For me I weigh myself daily, same scale and time. If I go up 3 pounds I go on the strict Atkins diet for a few days until it comes back down. I haven't had any bounce back yet. Another is not eating anything unless I have at least 8-16oz water before I eat.
   — ZZ S.

June 23, 2003
I have a dumb (maybe) question for San Z, the previous poster... my doctor (I am still pre-op) says not to drink at least 1/2 hour before and after meals... are you saying you drink with meals?
   — Tim W.

June 23, 2003
I would say first of all, you definitely want to drink before meals, the water/beverage will go right through, after meals, however, is not a great idea, though a few small sips to clear your mouth isn't a big deal. My secret is very few carbs (sugars or starches like bread/pasta) lots of liquids, exercise....also, to pay attention to real hunger and head hunger..meaning, am I really hungry or eating just because? This website is a great thing to keep focused, and I recommend tracking progress with fitday.com
   — missmollyk

June 24, 2003
Hi! Read my profile! :~) Lots of hints, tips and such! :~)
   — Sharon M. B.

June 24, 2003
Never let yourself get hungry, especially too hungry and then you make bad choices. Eating something every few hours has helped me to keep hunger at bay and make better choices. Never would I have thought pre-op that I would choose a peach or a protein bar over a candy bar! Carry a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE. I have a refillable one that has a canvas cover and a strap and I sling it over the shoulder like a purse and carry it to meetings, in the car etc. Develop a routine for the vitamins and put them in a prominent place so that you don't forget. On the nightstand helps me to remember to take the evening ones and on the kitchen counter for those that I have to take in the am.
   — Cindy R.

June 24, 2003
I attribute my success to my consumption of Proscore 100 Chocolate protein shakes, from my lucky purple plastic cups only, using a matching purple straw if I'm drinking a shake in the car, otherwise, it has to be some other color of straw or my whole weight loss regime crumbles to dust. ;-P<P>But seriously, go high protein (teach yourself to love protein snacks, however weird they may be). Do steady exercise. If you skip a day, or a few days, or you flat-out quit for awhile, you haven't been "bad;" just get back in your routine and don't beat yourself up about what's past.<P>Follow the "pouch rules" (wait 30 minutes between eating and drinking). If you're snacking uncontrollably, drinking something (preferrably water and not a dacquiri ;-P) will slow ya down if you follow the pouch rules.<P>Try to maintain a sense of humor about junky carbs & sugars that call to you. Take a good hard look at the problem food(s), think what you've been through so far, and ask if you're going to give *that* much power to some stupid cracker made in the shape of a goldfish (with a smile on its face, fercryinoutloud).<P>"Get back on the horse" when you "mess up" (which is actually called "eating normally" -- I still marvel at that discovery). Use your tool (the pouch) to help you do it, because as a post-op, *that's* what's different about this versus other diets -- you can't do as much damage as you used to, in the way you used to. Be glad about that!<P>Lurk and read the yahoo graduates board (where you can't post 'til you're at least a year post-op), and it'll give you lots of to think about in terms of long-term success cues. Take away what works for you.<P>Take your vites (learn when and how to take them to maximize absorption).<P>Plan on staying off the scale sometimes, especially when plateaus drive you nuts. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet -- it's the diet mentality that makes us so wedded to the scale. If you want to track your success, track your food & exercise on fitday.com instead of jumping on the scale.<P>Don't pick on yourself about losing too slow, about the madness of clothing sizes, or about what other people think ("you're too fat/you're too thin/you took the easy way out"/blahblahblah, etc.).<P>Enjoy your successes, and grab this great opportunity to get healthy!
   — Suzy C.