Re: first six months: carbohydrate regrets

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/4/2001 5:01:02 AM Pacific Standard Time,

mkf5t@... writes:

> The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure you

> get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

>

Thats my rule too. I eat whatever I want after I get my water and protein

in. Some days I eat alot and some days I barely eat. I try to let my body

tell me what it wants. I have noticed that I don't have that obsession with

food like before. Yesterday we had a cake here at work and I took a

piece...then never ate it. That sure didn't happen before surgery!!!! I

think its hard to let go of our food issues, but if you can, you'll find you

begin treating food for what it is...nourishment and energy.

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/24/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs!

11/24/01 BMI 49.8 322.0 -93.1lbs! -77 inches

11/26/01 BMI 48.8 321.0 -94.1 lbs

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My websites:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

www.wlsbellingham.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

, I totally feel the same way you do! Though I'm only 4 weeks

out, I honestly have been eating what I want(well, with the exception

of some of my favorites like bagels and regular pizza, for example-

not just yet!), and of course, in limited amounts. Granted, that has

probably resulted in more than my fair share of diarrhea, but when

that happens I shrug it off and blame it on the fact that I'm only 4

weeks post-op(I think that's called rationalization!haha)!

Truthfully, I probably could be a little more careful about what goes

in my mouth. I even have some soda every day, but do try and make

sure it's semi-flat(and it's usually caffeine and sugar-free too),

and not a lot. I know, bad girl.

Anyway , like yourself, I don't want to feel deprived again;

that old diet mentality that got me where I am now! But would rather

prefer to be smart about what I eat; protein first, take my

supplements, drink lots of water, and watch the carbs. I didn't say

eliminate the carbs, but try and not overdo it.

So, you post-op'ers reading this, am I wrong to be sorta non-chalant

so early in the game? I hope not! I really want this surgery to work,

but do so sensibly, you know?! I don't want to do anything self-

defeating, so please let me know if my carb intake is that bad(I'll

occassionally have a piece of 10 grain toast with breakfast or have a

grilled chicken and veggie pita sandwich or rice and potatoes here

and there etc.-but usually some every day). I didn't think I was

overdoing it, and hope I'm right.

Anyone have any input on the topic of carbs and being early post-op?

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

D.

11/6/01 with Dr. Ren

> For those of you who have regrets about the way you ate during the

> first six months after surgery:

>

> Why? What were you eating? A few carbs at every meal to make the

> protein go down? Sweets? A lot of them?

>

> I'm reluctant to deny myself anything for fear that the urge to eat

> it will build up, I'll become resentful, and then eat it (plus

some)

> anyway. Not only that, but I don't want my body to " overreact " in

> six months or a year when I DO put sweets into it. I eat some kind

> of simple carbs everyday: half a piece of (not whole wheat) toast,

> two Hershey's kisses, three bites of pasta, etc. Not a lot, but

some.

> The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure you

> get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

>

> Best,

>

[Guest guest]

My personal opinion is that thinking is correct.. I eat some everyday

too.. I have mentioned my love for Florida oranges before.. Im not

going to sweat it.. im losing steadily and I just dont see how it'll

make all that much difference in the end.. Im already much better off

than I was before surgery and I didnt die, either.. I'll never have

the 'perfect' body anyway.. so what the hay?

Sue

Post op 9/11/01

Dr. Warden

Ocean Sps, MS

> For those of you who have regrets about the way you ate during the

> first six months after surgery:

>

> Why? What were you eating? A few carbs at every meal to make the

> protein go down? Sweets? A lot of them?

>

> I'm reluctant to deny myself anything for fear that the urge to eat

> it will build up, I'll become resentful, and then eat it (plus

some)

> anyway. Not only that, but I don't want my body to " overreact " in

> six months or a year when I DO put sweets into it. I eat some kind

> of simple carbs everyday: half a piece of (not whole wheat) toast,

> two Hershey's kisses, three bites of pasta, etc. Not a lot, but

some.

> The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure you

> get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

>

> Best,

>

[Guest guest]

> Anyone have any input on the topic of carbs and being early post-op?

> Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Put a big old caveat in the front of everything I say, please, because I

wouldn't want to be responsible for anyone's potential not being

maximized. Maybe if I had limited sugars and carbs more than I have, I

would be at 135ish instead of 155ish by now. But you know what? I'm so

thrilled to be where I am with the quality of eating that I have, I'd

rather be where I am than be more limited to get another 20 pounds off.

But that's just me.

I have from day one eaten whenever, whenever, however much I want. The

only dietary change I have adhered to religiously is to avoid sugared

drinks. Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi is my soda pop choice now, and it is

great. I seldom indulge in fruit juices, and only very occasionally

will have a cocktail. Drinking sugars is pretty much my only no-no.

My first meal upon arriving home from the hospital was 1/4 a grilled

cheese sandwich. That week, I also ate homemade pot roast with potatoes

and carrots, homemade chicken and dumplings, cheesy potato chowder, and

nachos with refried beans, cheese, and sour cream. My aim was always to

get some protein in -- early on, my tummy only held a little, so it was

by default mostly protein. As my stomach capacity has increased, I still

try to be mindful of the protein, but I don't eat protein to the

exclusion of everything else. If I have carbs, I try to have some

protein in it too -- noodles with a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese,

for example. Parmesan is surprisingly high in protein! If I don't have a

great protein day today, I'll try to make up for it tomorrow. It all

balances out, and I try not to micromanage my eating. So far, so good!

M.

---

in Valrico, FL, age 39

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10/19/99

Starting weight 299, now 153

Starting BMI 49.7, now 25.5

Starting size 26/28, now 10/12

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/M/melaniem.html

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

From what I have read on the various groups that discuss the DS, you

really have to see how your body responds to what you do or do not

eat. It is so individual. I have been eating carbs, sugars, fats,

etc... since my first week post-op. I ate Cheese Doodles and

chocolate chip cookies my first week. I started out with a BMI of

barely 40 and was told that I would probably lose slower than most

since I " only " had 100 lbs. to lose. In 7 months I have lost 82 lbs.

and I am close to goal without effort, sweets/sugar deprivation, carb

counting or exercising. I am a candy queen and eat tons of junk all

the time. I do have the good sense to load myself up with lots of

high quality protein and I take high quality vitamins. My protein

levels and my other levels taken at my 3 month and 6 month check-ups

were perfect with all of my ranges in the normal to normal-high

range. My hair, nails and skin are great. My hair is thicker now than

it was pre-op (I think from the vitamins) My eating habits have not

affected my weight loss at all. Actually, during some of my " worst "

eating weeks, I seem to lose the most. I can't figure it out and I

just chalk it up to luck. BTW, my common channel is 100 cm. Since

my weight loss nor health has been adversely affected, I will

continue on this path. At my last check-up I discussed my eating

with Dr. Ren. She said that my weight loss is in my hands and if I

want to lose faster or lose further when I plateau (I haven't had a

plateau yet), I can just fine tune my eating and I will lose more.

Since I am consider " thin " and wear a size 8, I really have no

motivation to deprive myself and even though I have been telling

myself for months that I should clean up my act, I really don't find

any reason to do so.

Jodi

230/148 (-82 lbs)

Lap BPD/DS

4/26/01

Dr. Ren

> > For those of you who have regrets about the way you ate during

the

> > first six months after surgery:

> >

> > Why? What were you eating? A few carbs at every meal to make

the

> > protein go down? Sweets? A lot of them?

> >

> > I'm reluctant to deny myself anything for fear that the urge to

eat

> > it will build up, I'll become resentful, and then eat it (plus

> some)

> > anyway. Not only that, but I don't want my body to " overreact "

in

> > six months or a year when I DO put sweets into it. I eat some

kind

> > of simple carbs everyday: half a piece of (not whole wheat)

toast,

> > two Hershey's kisses, three bites of pasta, etc. Not a lot, but

> some.

> > The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure

you

> > get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

> >

> > Best,

> >

[Guest guest]

,

I and my entire skinny family, are registered chocoholics. I haven't been in the

mood for chocolate since surgery. I also used to love carbs as much as protein

and I haven't really had carbs either but more because I fear the effect. I

wanted the innards of a KFC chicken pot pie, so I bought one, but also bought a

biscuit. I figured one tiny bite would be okay..WRONG! I had one bite and 2

minutes later, I felt like I was about to vomit because it swelled in my

stomach! Granted, I'm less than 1 month post-op, but still! That has made me

want to avoid carbs, although I'm not craving them in general. I just don't want

anything that will swell and hurt..even a few bites of mashed potatoes did the

same thing! Basically, it's not about denial, because if I want it, I have it,

but I do avoid things I think could hurt! *grins* I do agree that denying

something when you're craving it makes you crave it more..I had lots of

chocolate and other things in my house and I had ice cream that would sit for

months on end. The fact that it was there enabled me to have a chocolate almond

or two if I wanted instead of several handfuls I would have had if I was craving

it forever and finally went out and bought it. As long as you're getting in your

protein and fluids, that's the most important thing.

Anita

Surgery 11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

11/08/01 320lbs

11/26/01 298lbs

> For those of you who have regrets about the way you ate during the

> first six months after surgery:

>

> Why? What were you eating? A few carbs at every meal to make the

> protein go down? Sweets? A lot of them?

>

> I'm reluctant to deny myself anything for fear that the urge to eat

> it will build up, I'll become resentful, and then eat it (plus some)

> anyway. Not only that, but I don't want my body to " overreact " in

> six months or a year when I DO put sweets into it. I eat some kind

> of simple carbs everyday: half a piece of (not whole wheat) toast,

> two Hershey's kisses, three bites of pasta, etc. Not a lot, but some.

> The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure you

> get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

>

> Best,

>

[Guest guest]

I had a lot of problems the first 3 months after my surgery, & was

essentially living on juice and popsicles.. I got a stomach virus that

caused a lot of vomiting TWICE, plus I got dehydrated & had to get a

liter infused in the ER.. so I lived on essentially sugar of various

kinds for a long time... My husband says he feels like I got

handicapped early postop.. then when I recovered, it wasn't so much

sugar.. if I wanted it, I ate it, but I didn't want much until

recently (had a mini chocolate binge- couple handfuls M & Ms). My hubby

even bought me truffles as an anniversary gift.. I never did finish

them all.. some I just tossed because they weren't that good.. and

I've gotten choosey in my old age.. if it doesn't taste truly

wonderful, I don't eat it. Well, I ate a lot of nasty low carb

protein bars in search of a good tasting one.. but that doesn't count.

I didn't restrict anything, I just ate protein first.. I just think

if I'd pushed protein & stuck to low/no carb veggies I'd have lost

more at the 6 month mark. I'll probly still make my goal.. I just was

doing a little dreaming of losing 90+% of my EBW like M.,

Duffy, & (and prolly others I've missed but not intentionally

snubbed- I wanna be like youse guys!). For a gal who has been morbidly

obese since 3 years old, its a seductive thought... unrealistic,

granted.. but ooohhhh.... Yanno?

Liane

> For those of you who have regrets about the way you ate during the

> first six months after surgery:

>

> Why? What were you eating? A few carbs at every meal to make the

> protein go down? Sweets? A lot of them?

>

> I'm reluctant to deny myself anything for fear that the urge to eat

> it will build up, I'll become resentful, and then eat it (plus some)

> anyway. Not only that, but I don't want my body to " overreact " in

> six months or a year when I DO put sweets into it. I eat some kind

> of simple carbs everyday: half a piece of (not whole wheat) toast,

> two Hershey's kisses, three bites of pasta, etc. Not a lot, but some.

> The mantra in my head is " eat whatever you want, just make sure you

> get your water and protein in first. " What do you think?

>

> Best,

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/5/01 5:12:41 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< eah....my target weight when I had the surgery was 250....wouldn't that be

great?

I'm 12 pounds BELOW that nowadays.....238.

>>

YAHOO FORD!! That's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get there, too!

Not far to go -- home stretch .. home run...

all the best,

[Guest guest]

Yeah....my target weight when I had the surgery was 250....wouldn't that be

great?

I'm 12 pounds BELOW that nowadays.....238.

Ford

Re: Re: first six months: carbohydrate regrets

> I just was

> doing a little dreaming of losing 90+% of my EBW like M.,

> Duffy, & (and prolly others I've missed but not intentionally

> snubbed- I wanna be like youse guys!). For a gal who has been morbidly

> obese since 3 years old, its a seductive thought... unrealistic,

> granted.. but ooohhhh.... Yanno?

Liane, I can't speak for Mel or Duffy...but when I had this surgery, my

feeling was that I would likely lose *some* weight... but never expected to

get anywhere near a goal weight. I thought if I was really really

fortunate,

I might get down to around 200 pounds, and if I did, I knew I'd be content

with that. Today I'm 5.5 pounds below goal, so no, you're not al all being

unrealistic.

The only thing I really did that may have helped was eating good protein

foods first. I really craved them, so that was no hardship for me...I made

most of my meals on steak, shrimp, scallops, pork chops. I ate fruit

occasionally, but no sweets. Again, that was a matter of preference. I

don't do that now (she says, eyeing the Reeses Peanut Butter Trees on her

desk). But then and now, I can honestly say I just eat whatever I want. So

why wouldn't it happen for you, too? I'll talk to you in about 6 more

months. LOL You'll see.

Michele B., Cols, Ohio

Failed VBG 1986

Revision - Open BPD/DS 7/14/00

Wt 320/159.5 BMI 50.2/24.98 -160.5 pounds

Dr. P. Maguire, Kettering OH

Self-pay

Brachioplasty, Mastopexy, Abdominoplasty, Lateral Trunk Excision - 12/8/01

Self-pay

http://hometown.aol.com/chezmich/index.html

[Guest guest]

> Liane, I can't speak for Mel or Duffy...but when I had this surgery, my

> feeling was that I would likely lose *some* weight... but never

expected to

> get anywhere near a goal weight. I thought if I was really really

fortunate,

> I might get down to around 200 pounds, and if I did, I knew I'd be

content

> with that.

Well.. I felt that way too, until I saw that some folks really WERE

losing more than 80%.

Today I'm 5.5 pounds below goal, so no, you're not al all being

> unrealistic.

> But then and now, I can honestly say I just eat whatever I want. So

> why wouldn't it happen for you, too?

Mostly because at 6 months we are supposed to lose ~50% of our EBW, &

I fell around 30 lbs short. If I only lose to 200, I'll still look

and feel like a totally successful postop.. but I'm trying to prepare

myself so that I'm not so stupid as to be " disappointed " with 'only "

losing 80% of my EBW.. but you're right.. I'll wait another 6 months

before I whine too much.

But thanks for the wonderful response. =)

Hugs,

Liane

[Guest guest]

> Yeah....my target weight when I had the surgery was 250....wouldn't

that be

> great?

>

> I'm 12 pounds BELOW that nowadays.....238.

>

> Ford

Thanks, Ford!

I'll wait and see, then.

Hugs-

Liane

STILL on a @#$$*** plateau...