It's possible, says my NP, for my basal metabolic rate to go down to 800 cals per day. Which means that, even if I eat 1200 calories per day (normal for this stage of my post-op journey), I'm at risk for weight regain. Her proposed solution: strength training.

Time to get on that.

#bariatric #gastricbypass #weightloss

Our bodies are really smart. Sometimes this is frustrating! I learned from my NP today that weight loss -- especially drastic weight loss like mine-- can reduce one's basal metabolic rate.

Permanently.

#bariatric #gastric bypass #weightloss

The old bear, browsing in the supermarket.

#fat #fatfur #obese #obesity #rump #rear #furry #furryart #Bariatric #mobility #scooter

Collective and interdisciplinary work :ageblobcat: :

Plots performed with awesome "ggstatplot" package #rstats

Factors Associated with Excess Skin After #Bariatric #surgery a Mixed-Method Study

see graphical #abstract for findings

#academia #research #obesity #quebec #canada

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-023-06698-w

... I need to accept -- fully accept -- that the process of losing 65 kilos is not going to be a steady linear progression. Things will happen when they happen.

#bariatric

Evidence suggests that visceral fat (the stuff attached to internal organs) is harder to lose than subcutaneous fat.

It can't be lost through diet alone. It needs a combination approach of good diet, proper sleep habits, cardio and strength training.

I am proud of the changes I've made to my diet. There is room for improvement with respect to activity and sleep.

I pledge to clean my CPAP machine tubes today and find a fitness tracker that doesn't irritate me. But also... (TBC) #bariatric

To maintain sanity, I weigh myself every three months. Husband hides the scale to help me stick to this.

He might need to hide the measuring tape, too. I find myself measuring my waist daily. This is unhelpful.

Here's the problem. I'm clearly losing weight; most of my 3X clothes are now in storage and I'm wearing 2X clothes that I last wore three years go.

But my waist size isn't changing much, and this is bumming me out.

The likely reason is visceral fat. (TBC) #bariatric

I'm 5 months post op now. 1. I can eat just about anything without feeling sick. 2. Perry must be healed; it can accommodate more food than before. 3. It is now possible, though difficult, to ignore fullness cues and overeat. 4. More accurately, I stop when I feel full, but often feel ready to eat again within 30 minutes. 5. Dietician suggested I eat more carbs. This has given me more energy, but also more instances of overeating. Causation or simply correlation? Not sure. (TBC) #bariatric

Bariatric surgery leads to a significant reduction in bone strength associated with decreased bone density and increased bone marrow fat.#bariatric #surgery #dieting #osteoporosis #vertebralbodystrength #bonedensity
https://youtu.be/kjX9rfH12LI

First it was #bariatric or weight loss #surgery. Then it became #metabolic and bariatric surgery. Maybe it's time to drop the confusing "bariatric" label. Because metabolic surgery has an enduring role to play in #ObesityCare.
https://conscienhealth.org/2023/05/goodbye-bariatric-hello-metabolic-surgery/

Wakame. Game changer for my lazy days. Low cal, high fiber, tastes good with tofu (easy protein) and sesame oil (good fat). It's often sold dried and is easily reconstituted in water, so I can make the exact amount I need without generating leftovers.

I feel like I need to start a list of bariatric hacks.

#bariatric

I had some chocolate today! Maybe about 5 grams. It was delicious and it was enough.

The surgery brought me the blessed gift of "enough". I hope it continues.

I fear that it won't.

#bariatric #roux-en-y

Am slowly realizing that, with a few exceptions that I can count on one hand, I can eat just about everything I ate pre-surgery.

By "can" I mean: a) Perry can tolerate it, for which I am grateful - not everyone is so lucky, and b) with a bit of planning, tweaking of recipes and adjusting of portions, I can fit just about any food into a balanced day.

So far, I am enjoying the challenge and creativity that planning brings. I hope this enjoyment continues.

#bariatric #roux-en-y

Had a lovely meal at supper.

I tried frog legs for the first time! Sauteed in butter flavoured spray and a bit of water, sprinkled with salt, and I poured over a drizzle of balsamic with fresh thyme and parsley.

High protein, low cal, high flavour. Yay!

I wish my husband and son wanted to try the same things I do. If they were going to eat them, too, I would have kicked it up a notch with a bit of white wine or stock. But I don't want to open a bottle just for me and Perry. #bariatric

The, er, exit process for DS 2.0 was painful immediately post-op, then it was fine, and now it's painful again, even after consciously increasing water and fiber intake.

Wish I knew what caused the changes. I don't want to turn into my aged mother, who has had these sorts of difficulties for decades and talks about them a lot. Sigh.

#bariatric #post-op

Strategic self-talk

I typically eat at 7, 9, 12, 3, 6 and 9.

Today I ate at 7 and 10. I have to go do an errand at 1, then go to the office, then meet a friend for supper at 6:30. Will be home late.

I'll eat just before I leave at 1. I'll bring a protein shake to drink at 3:30 or 4, just in case I can't find suitable food at a food court or shop. To keep Perry calm while I'm away from home, I'll bring a small spoon to eat slowly and use my hand to judge portion size.

#bariatric

Yay! Tofu mayo is a thing! I kinda thought it was. And it can be made with or without oil! I'll give it a try some time this week.

Perry seems to give me less trouble when I include some kind of soft goopy thing (usually Greek yogurt) in my meals.

Tofu mayo could be an option that would supply both protein and unsaturated fat, both of which I have trouble getting enough of these days.

#bariatric #gastric bypass

Meals/snacks that I have enjoyed lately: 1. Tofu and mushrooms, sautéed in a smidge of butter and herbes de provence. 2. Tofu and avocado sprinkled with soy sauce and furikake. 3. Rye crackers topped with liver sausage and tomato. #bariatric

What to do about food that one constantly craves? For me, those foods include potatoes and peanut butter.

Bpth are hard to fit into Digestive System 2.0. I'm dealing with the peanut butter craving by putting PB2 into my daily protein shake almost every day. I'm dealing with the potato craving by avoiding it, mostly.

I guess time will tell whether these are the right approaches. #bariatric #roux-en-y

For the first time since my surgery three weeks ago, Perry was unhappy and a bit sore. I thought at first that it was due to a new food or eating too fast, but now I think it might have been the opposite. I was a little late in eating a meal and the pain disappeared when I finally ate. I guess it will take time to fully understand Perry's cues.

#bariatric #roux-en-y #post-op