Question:
what is a good goal to set for your self for the 1st time ?

2 weeks post-op I haven't weighted myself since my last Dr. appt 1 week ago & I would like to here from some of you post-op what what is a good reasonable goal for the 1st goal & also I'm starting my 2nd phase of diet (pureed) can anyone offer any ideas at all what might work at the stage need help planning meals Thanks. Lap RNY    — Stacy R. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
Stacy, I don't think I had "goals" in the very early stage, as the weight loss "happens" at it's own rate. Instead of weight goals, why not make exercies goals? Or, when you lose a certain amount, treat yourself in some small (non-food) way. Now, as to pureed diet - I think a typical day for me was: AM - 1/2 cup plain oatmeal made with Lactaid milk. Mid morning: 4 oz of Choice DM or sipped on 4 oz of juice (diluted 1/2 with water). Noon: 2 oz of pureed chicken or turkey, 2 oz of pureed green beans or asparagus. Mid afternoon: 4 oz of V-8 juice. Supper: 2 oz of pureed chicken or turkey, 2 oz of mashed potatoes, Evening: 4 oz low sugar yogurt (like Lite and Fit). Other foods that fit in there include cottage cheese, pureed fruit like peaches, bananas, pears, applesauce unsweetened and so forth.
   — koogy

July 23, 2003
I agree with Susan that weight-loss goals are pretty pointless the first several months after surgery. You just set yourself up for disappointment over something you have little direct control over. You will lose a whole lot more weight in a short period of time than you ever would have on a diet where you could control it. Since the amount of weight loss is out of your control, don't try to control it; you'll only make yourself crazy. Concentrate on getting in your water, vitamins, supplements, and increasing your activity level. Those will eventually aid in weight loss and will help you develop life-long habits that are critical for your future health. Regarding pureed foods: for breakfast, I typically had low-sugar yogurt or cottage cheese or soupy hot cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc.). Lunch would be a couple of tablespoons of tuna, flaked fish, or finely ground meat and a tablespoon of mashed vegetables (carrots, rutabega, cauliflower--almost anything if mashed well). A snack might be cottage cheese, or sugar free pudding made with skim milk, or 1/2 a cup of double protein milk (dry milk powder mixed into skim milk). You can eat anything that you can puree in a blender or food processor. Pureed chili was a favorite, as was any cream soup (or pureed regular soup--just get all the chunks smooth). You can puree any regular meal that you might be cooking for the family. Either puree the items separately, or put them all in together for a blended taste. If you're going to blend things together, make sure they're things that will taste good all mixed up (like stew, or almost any kind of casserole, that you would normally eat all mixed up together). At this stage, I loved low-fat refried beans, scrambled eggs, canned corned beef, and canned hash (these last two can be high in fat, though, so be careful of dumping). Other people have peanut butter, but I personally cannot tolerate peanut butter anymore; the fat content makes me feel icky.
   — Vespa R.

July 23, 2003
Hi, I agree with the poster below. At 2 weeks out, everything is so new-- and it's the time to just observe and notice what your body does. You can't set a weight goal without knowing how your body responds to what you are putting in it. Make it your goal to try and get XX oz of water in per day, or to plan a week's worth of menus for yourself, or to do some walking 3 days a week. But at this stage, you'll be needlessly frustrated if you set goals on weight loss. It WILL happen, so just take good care of yourself. :)
   — Judy M.

July 24, 2003
I set a high goal and a low goal and mini goals in between..so for instance, i started at 273 the morning of surgery, my first goal was to get to 230, then to 200, then to get to the 100 (centry mark) then 160, then 140 now i reset it to 125-130 im fluctuating between 135-140...through my journey this has helped me in alot ways so i wasnt looking at a big number to lose throughout my loss it was easier for me to accomplish my goal by setting smaller ones and working towards the big one....good luck to you!!
   — Deanna Wise