Hi, Makenzie,
The first thing is to throw away the word "diet", . This is a lifestyle change. A lot of what I said above are what post-ops need to do for life. The surgery takes care of our bodies, but not our psyches - we have to take care of that part. Go to therapy, journal, do what you have to do to emotionally change your relationship with food. I'm a sugar addict so I work hard to stay away from what I call "gateway" foods - sugary foods where just one leads to many. Am I always successful? Nope. But, I have all the tools I need to keep the carb monster at bay. Some people think they can change their eating habits at six months post-op. Why? We are still bypassed, that hasn't changed. Why would we think we can add in more bad carbs or trigger foods? When I get terrible cravings for sweets, I work at reaching for a protein to fight the cravings. It's not fun eating sugar for days and then having to go through withdrawals. If I really want something sweet, and it has to be really small or I will "dump", I work it into my daily program. The program post-op is not physically difficult - protein first, foremost and always. Protein last much longer in curbing hunger and our bodies need it. Then a vegetable and maybe a fruit. For me, shakes are critical. I can't keep my levels high enough on solid protein alone. Watch out for low-fat foods. They are usually loaded with sugars. We absorb very little fat so I pay very little attention to fats. Milk is not a good protein source for us - why would you ingest something that has more sugar grams than protein grams? Be so aware of what is going into your body, keep on top of your labs, take your vitamins to keep your levels decent. Educate yourself. It really will become a habit and a way of life.
I am coming up on eight years out from Gastric Bypass. I have maintained my loss and have recently lost more as I prepare for loose skin removal surgery. How? Simple. By owning the fact that life after the actual surgery requires a total lifestyle change. This surgery is no miracle cure, nor is it the easy way out. If you don't change your thinking/feelings/behavior around food, don't have this surgery. There is a recommended lifestyle change and I have followed it for eight years. Perfectly? Of course not. I'm human! I did have a 10# regain one time and it scared me silly. I had gone off my lifestyle change program and gained. Once back on my program, I lost the 10# and 15# more. First and foremost, we need protein. We absorb it the least and need it the most. Protein shakes DO NOT cause re-gain. I drink pre-digested, isolate whey, lo-carb/lo-sugar drinks every day. Usually 3-5. They give me energy, help with sugar/carb cravings, and keep my protein levels within normal range. They are supplements and not meal replacements. I take my vitamins and have my labs drawn every three months. Labs don't lie. I could go on and on, but bottom line, there is no reason for weight gain if you have nothing anatomically wrong with your surgery. Not at one year out, not at 10 years out. It's a lifestyle change - do it, and you will have success.
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Posted to Carnie Wilson Shows That Weight Loss Surgery is No Miracle on 9 May 2012
The first thing is to throw away the word "diet", . This is a lifestyle change. A lot of what I said above are what post-ops need to do for life. The surgery takes care of our bodies, but not our psyches - we have to take care of that part. Go to therapy, journal, do what you have to do to emotionally change your relationship with food. I'm a sugar addict so I work hard to stay away from what I call "gateway" foods - sugary foods where just one leads to many. Am I always successful? Nope. But, I have all the tools I need to keep the carb monster at bay. Some people think they can change their eating habits at six months post-op. Why? We are still bypassed, that hasn't changed. Why would we think we can add in more bad carbs or trigger foods? When I get terrible cravings for sweets, I work at reaching for a protein to fight the cravings. It's not fun eating sugar for days and then having to go through withdrawals. If I really want something sweet, and it has to be really small or I will "dump", I work it into my daily program. The program post-op is not physically difficult - protein first, foremost and always. Protein last much longer in curbing hunger and our bodies need it. Then a vegetable and maybe a fruit. For me, shakes are critical. I can't keep my levels high enough on solid protein alone. Watch out for low-fat foods. They are usually loaded with sugars. We absorb very little fat so I pay very little attention to fats. Milk is not a good protein source for us - why would you ingest something that has more sugar grams than protein grams? Be so aware of what is going into your body, keep on top of your labs, take your vitamins to keep your levels decent. Educate yourself. It really will become a habit and a way of life.
Posted to Carnie Wilson Shows That Weight Loss Surgery is No Miracle on 9 May 2012