I started my journey in June with my first of 6 visits with a registered dietitian. Each month we choose one or two different habits that I need to change or add into my daily routine so that it becomes natural for me after surgery. The first month was to work on getting in my water, fruits and vegetables. The vegetables were easy but I just don't like fruit. But by the end of the moth I was getting in my 2-3 servings of fruit per day, 64 ounces of water with the help of reminders on my phone, and the recommended 70 grams protein with the help of protein shakes and unflavored protein powder. The following month (2nd month) was journaling my food intake and adding in strength training using a resistance band. Didn't do very well with either of these but it is getting better. The third month was strictly concentrating on journaling. This was a tough one for me but I worked really hard on it and was able to track everything that I ate or drank every single day since August 1st and it has become natural to journal. Now on to the present month (4th month). I do not consider myself an alcoholic by any means. But I do enjoy a nice glass of wine or two some evenings, after dinner, when it's been a rough day and I am relaxing. Or a few good cold beer when we are at our lake cabin with friends especially when it is 90 degrees outside. So that's what my dietitian wants me to work on this month. Cutting out all alcohol by the end of the month by limiting my wine to only 2 days per week, mixing it half wine and the other half water or water flavored water, etc., and cutting all beer out completely. I am definitely not complaining and this is completely doable for me. The beer will be easy because we have closed up our cabin for the year and temperatures are starting to fall but darn I don't want to totally give up my wine in the evenings, but I will do it to be successful. Anyway, she said the statistics are really high for bariatric patients to become alcoholics but she really didn't say why. I do know that after surgery alcohol will have a greater effect on you and caution is advised when it comes to alcohol consumption, but can someone tell my why so many bariatric patients become alcoholics? I am not worried about it just curious. Next month will be my 5th month with the dietitian and we will be working on reinforcing all the new habits that I have learned. After that I will be in the home stretch for getting approved. I am so ready for the lifestyle change that lays ahead.
Dietitian and New Habits
- Thread starter DelRae
- Start date
That 6 month plan sounds like a great idea to help your mind and body prepare for the new lifestyle changes you will be facing post-surgery.
You might wish to research the food/alcohol addiction transference (also could be gambling, sex addiction, etc for some patients). It's probably a very small percentage overall, but it's better to be prepared for the possibility.
Although I don't drink at all, I think some members occasionally have a drink several months after surgery. Good luck with your pre-surgery journey of self-discovery. Hopefully New Year, new you!
You might wish to research the food/alcohol addiction transference (also could be gambling, sex addiction, etc for some patients). It's probably a very small percentage overall, but it's better to be prepared for the possibility.
Although I don't drink at all, I think some members occasionally have a drink several months after surgery. Good luck with your pre-surgery journey of self-discovery. Hopefully New Year, new you!