OK Bypass Further Outs, let's hear your top tips for success.

[Rising_Sun]

Just thought it would be a good idea to get this info in one place and draw on the wisdom of your experience.

 

[gaelic girl]

Did'nt want to read and run but wanted to say thanks for starting this thread for us newbie post op's x

 

[shelbell]

OK here's my rules off the top of my head

• Follow the rules and guidelines your hospital gave you. They gave them to you for a reason! Yes, you may have read lots of websites and even some books, but you're not a qualified bariatric team with years of experiences, chances are you don't know better.
• Avoid the early months carb/junk trap. In the first 2-3 months post op you can get away with eating whatever you want and still lose a lot of weight. When you hit 4-6 months though, this all changes. Where in the guidelines does it say crisps are a nutritional food source? See previous point.
• If you want your weight loss to continue after the first 6 golden months, then protein and balance really are the keywords. It is perfectly possible for any bypasser to lose all of their excess weight, 70% is not something to aim for!
• This is a way of life now, not a temporary diet. You will not go back to how you used to eat before you had your surgery, nor should you want to. That way of eating was what got you in this mess in the first place.
• Alcohol/Fizzy pop are not the be all and end all. Your life will not be any less of a life if you just wait the recommended time before drinking them.
• Salad is nice! It is not evil. It is not rabbit food. It is tasty and a good place to start on any menu.

 

[Rising_Sun]

Shelbell you are a star. Thanks for getting things started with that great advice.

 

[hopelesscase]

OK here's my rules off the top of my head

• Follow the rules and guidelines your hospital gave you. They gave them to you for a reason! Yes, you may have read lots of websites and even some books, but you're not a qualified bariatric team with years of experiences, chances are you don't know better.
• Avoid the early months carb/junk trap. In the first 2-3 months post op you can get away with eating whatever you want and still lose a lot of weight. When you hit 4-6 months though, this all changes. Where in the guidelines does it say crisps are a nutritional food source? See previous point.
• If you want your weight loss to continue after the first 6 golden months, then protein and balance really are the keywords. It is perfectly possible for any bypasser to lose all of their excess weight, 70% is not something to aim for!
• This is a way of life now, not a temporary diet. You will not go back to how you used to eat before you had your surgery, nor should you want to. That way of eating was what got you in this mess in the first place.
• Alcohol/Fizzy pop are not the be all and end all. Your life will not be any less of a life if you just wait the recommended time before drinking them.
• Salad is nice! It is not evil. It is not rabbit food. It is tasty and a good place to start on any menu.

All of the above
plus learn to listen to yr body from day one. If it hurts you have eaten too much.

 

[Silversurfer]

I'll support everything Shel has said above 100%

I have 5 golden rules i live by:

1, I always eat to full restriction every meal !
2, I always try to eat a high protein low carb balanced nutritious meal !
3, I try not to drink fluid for at least an hour post meal
4, I allow myself the occassional treat without quilt
5, I try to exercise daily

 

[shelbell]

I like the treats that some with quilts personally richard

 

[Emma Louise]

BUMP

 

[phatgirl]

I concur with everyone who has posted so far, it is excellent advice. Here is my top advice:

1. Early days post-op weigh weekly, only weigh daily if you know you won't be ruled by your scale. And whatever you do, don't weigh multiple times per day, it is defeating and obsessive!
2. Measure yourself pre-op and then regularly post-op, this is a great source of motivation if you have a week without loss.
3. NEVER think 'I only lost x amount this week', Any weight off is good and just because Mary lost 6lbs this week does not mean your surgery is not working. Every pound counts, many of us who are at goal/near goal got there at 1-3lbs per week.
4. If you are sick more than 2-3 times a week you must examine how you are eating. Being sick often in the early days post-op usually means 1) you eat too fast, 2) you take bites that are too big - the rule is bites should be the size of a pencil rubber in the early days, 3) you are trying to eat too much - in early days you have a pouch the size of an egg which is less than a full mouthful of food, or 4) you are not chewing 20-30 times per bite. Obey these simple rules and you should find you are rarely sick after eating.
5. Focus on high protein and low carbs is a successful way to eat post-op. Try it, everyone that has committed to this approach has great success, just check around the proof is there to support this claim.
6. Do your head work, learn what things will trigger you to crave, overeat or make unhealthy choices. Then, address those triggers and make the changes needed to stop that behaviour. If you don't sort your head you won't be able to maintain your losses, it is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself.
7. Committ to life-long changes in eating and exercise, if you look at the first year post-op as a temporary change you will find life post-op so very much harder than it should be. This is for life and only works if you work with it. People do re-gain their weight, it does happen, don't fool yourself that it can't happen to you. You must recognize the tool you were given and use it every day from now on!

Oh, and come on here and seek support and advice when you feel unsure or discouraged. This support network is brilliant as well as valuable for the knowledge exchanged. Having a support net increases your chances of being successful many times over. Make use of it!

Nic

 

[Caroline101061]

I would add that you should never be afraid to drive your surgical team mad with questions - no question is a silly one. For example, at the beginning, I had no idea when I was full as my senses hadnt kicked in properly. Remember that this is a whole new way of life and takes time to adjust to. Also keep well hydrated - dont end up like me with kidney function problems and the threat of 2 days in hospital on a drip! Drink Drink Drink - thats water!

 

[Rising_Sun]

Thanks Silversurfer, Hopelesscase, Phatgirl and Caroline for that great advice and for sharing it so readily.

Emma Loiuse, thanks for bumping the thread up. .