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One month and counting

JGranger

Member
Hi everyone, I'm Jeff. I had my Gastric Bypass (RNY) one month ago today. I've been lurking here since before my surgery, but finally decided to introduce myself today. I've been overweight most of my life. My first memory of knowing I was overweight was second grade. We were doing heights and weights in the classroom, and when I stepped on the scale my teacher turned to whoever was recording the weights and whispered my weight (81 lbs, yes I remember the exact number 45 years later), apparently trying not to embarrass me. Naturally I got picked on all through elementary school. I even stormed off the playground and walked home once because I was sick of it.

I slimmed down a bit in junior high and high school due to a growth spurt, but picked up right where I left off once I got to college. Since then it's been a roller coaster, mostly ups. I've lost significant amounts of weight a half dozen times or so, but always regained it (and then some). The only plus to that is that I have smaller clothes stored that I can pull out and wear on my way down the scale this time, hopefully for good! I hate shopping for clothes and will only do it out of necessity.

I know some people are very private about their weight loss journey, but I am very open about mine to friends, family and coworkers. People are obviously starting to notice, and if they ask I tell them I had surgery. I won't suggest it to anyone, but if they ask for more information I am happy to talk to them about my experience. You see, I wouldn't have had mine if it weren't for a friend of mine who went through it about a year ago. I was aware of bariatric surgery beforehand, and even knew a few people who had it, but it wasn't until someone I saw on a regular basis went through it and was open about sharing with me that I decided to look into it more closely. If I help one person then it will have been worth it.

I got lucky in that I went to an information seminar just before COVID shut everything down, and was able to get in my initial appointment in early March. My insurance company made me do a 6 month "diet," so the shutdown didn't really affect me since I could do my monthly appointments with the nutritionist online. I lost about 20 pounds in that six months (one of the few people to NOT gain the Covid 15 lol), but once I got my surgery date I threw that by the wayside and went on a Farewell Tour of all my favorite restaurants. I gained back about half the weight I lost and the doctor was not happy with me, so he put me back on the diet for the final week. I guess I should feel lucky that he didn't postpone the surgery.

So here I am a month out and I'm down about 33 pounds from my highest weight, and about 25 since the morning of my surgery. I've gone down a size in my clothes, and I can feel the change in my body. I miss certain foods, and that will be a struggle for the rest of my life. I'm getting a little tired of fish and eggs for my protein, but I still have a few more weeks to go before I can start trying other sources, so the end is in sight.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my story. I'll try to stay active and contribute or support where I can.
 
Welcome Jeff! Kids (and adults too) can be so cruel. I'm sorry you got picked on as a kid. Kudos to you for taking the step and for joining our group. I too lost pre-surgery weight while others were complaining of Covid weight gain. It made me feel good! LOL. Try not to think about the foods you can't have right now, you are early in the process. In time you may discover healthier choices that you really like and start to forget about the unhealthy choices. And portion control with the help of your new tool will be your saving grace, especially if you are anything like me and tend to be a binge eater. I don't know where I've heard this (maybe in this group?) but changing the word can't to don't really helps the mindset. Instead of saying I can't eat cookies, say I don't eat cookies which gives you the power instead of some rule of your diet forbidding you from it. Good luck with your journey!
 
Hi, Jeff. Welcome to the group. Glad to hear that you're doing well. Keep up the good work. You will absolutely find new foods you love and/or new ways to make/have the old ones. I made no bake pumpkin cheesecakes that I am in love with right now. AND I'm going to figure out a bariatric friendly version of my famous chocolate chip cookies, which I make every year for Christmas, if it kills me. Or I'll be making itty, bitty cookie bites lol
DIANE! Love this list. I have never tried Quinoa and did not realize it is a complete protein. I'll be adding it to my next grocery list. Thanks.
 
Hi Jeff - welcome to the group!!

Congrats on your journey this far! Sounds like you're doing great! I eat either a pack of tuna (tuna salad add mayo, vinegar, dill pickles) salmon pretty much daily! Sometimes twice a day. We eat a lot of chicken, turkey, beef for dinner. I also have 1-2 shakes a day to help me get the 70-90g of protein daily. I can count all liquids with my 64oz's per day. I can also count shakes with my protein. Everyone seems to have a different eating plan.

Stay the course - follow whatever plan your surgical team has for you. Best of luck on this life altering healthier life journey!
 
I'm still early enough where I know I'm not getting enough protein, but by the time I have my next nutritionist appointment next month, we can focus on my daily goals for various nutrients and the best ways to get there. I do make sure I'm eating one or two different proteins at each meal, so hopefully I'm on the right track.
 
You are doing great! I too have shared my journey as people have commented on my loss. The responses have ranged from support to silence.
Keep it up!
Thank you so much .I am new to the group as well and have been behind the scenes.
I am still on the path to lose the before surgery weight.
I hope I will lose so I can have the surgery soon but nothing scheduled as yet.
Thank you for your story. I know you will continue to do well.
 
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