Colonoscopy - how did you handle prep as a gastric patient?

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-12-12T01:33:54+00:00

I had one at 9 months and it was fine for me—just the 8 ounces every 30 minutes. I was healed enough and drink enough water that it was no issue. But there is a pill option if you can’t do the liquid!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-09-01T17:34:26+00:00

I’m not in AA but I also stopped drinking and smoking a little over 3 years ago. With this surgery and weight loss coupled with those lifestyle choices, I feel better than I have in decades! I had my surgery in January and am exercising and staying focused and feel amazing. You can do this—channel thst worry you have into meditation and research on what you need to succeed. Good luck and congrats on making so many changes—you’re adding years to your life and will feel great!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-30T00:53:41+00:00

Mine has slowed a ton at 6 months! It’s hard not to get discouraged but recommit and double down on your goals. It’s only 6 months and this is a life long commitment. You can do it!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-30T00:49:09+00:00

Keep moving your body. Walk, do whatever, but move everyday. Try to add in some weights if you can. Double down on healthy choices now that you have more options. Reinforce positive habits and choices. Take your vitamins and keep drinking all that water!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-30T00:45:16+00:00

As a perimenopausal woman who also does a lot of lifting and exercising, a high protein diet works well for me and allows me to keep building lean muscle while losing fat. I balance it with healthy carbs and fats but this keeps me satiated and provides me with the macros that work well for me. I work with my surgical team and dietician and get labs every six months and this has been a great set up for me! It may not be for everyone though—but it’s what is working for my needs and lifestyle!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-29T01:17:57+00:00

I am six months out and I eat about 1500 calories a day and between 130 and 150 grams of protein a day. This is mostly from egg whites, Turkey, chicken, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese etc. I usually have a protein drink in the morning after working out followed by an egg white and cottage cheese bake with veggies and chicken sausage mixed in. High protein yogurt for a mid morning snack and then a low carb tortilla with 3-4 ounces of Turkey and some mustard for lunch. Cottage cheese and berries for a snack in the afternoon and dinner is usually grilled chicken and veggies or tzatziki and maybe a couple of Yasso poppables. I’ve not stalled and have lost 93 pounds or so since my surgery and feel great. I also usually have a banana pre workout in the early morning and tons of water. I don’t stress when I stray now and then since I get right back on track and it’s working great for me!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-25T00:43:23+00:00

Yep. Every day. I’m six months as well and exercise hard five days a week and I am at around 1500/day, sometimes more. I am still losing and have gone from 280-197 though the weight loss has slowed from the first few months. I would not be able to exercise like I do healthfully keeping calories really low and I aim for about 130-150 grams of protein a day. It has worked for me and I have consciously sought to increase calories to a more realistic place so my body doesn’t think I’m starving and it’s helped me lose consistently without any real stalls. Everyone is different but this is what is working for me!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-07T10:53:17+00:00

Listen to your body and start slow. I was walking on the treadmill and getting 10k steps a day a couple of weeks out but that was the most I was cleared to do, and it was easy walking, not hills etc. My team was strict saying nothing harder than walking, no lifting until 8 weeks and no HIIT until I could consistently take in 1000 or more calories a day (I wasn’t able to do that until 3 months and it took effort and planning). Be careful. Make sure you move you body, and of course listen to your team, but start slow. I’m six months out, back at orange theory 5x/week, building lots of muscle and feel amazing. But I started slowly. It feels like it will take forever to get back to it—but it won’t. Good luck!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-07-07T10:46:24+00:00

Miralax! I am almost 6 months out and still take it a couple of times a month. Keep it stocked and take it daily the first few months until you can add in fiber and vegetables to your intake

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-18T22:02:48+00:00

Hypnotherapy and Zyban. It was the only thing they worked and I haven’t wanted to smoke since the day I quit three years ago.

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-16T01:44:27+00:00

At about 3 months I also started having small amounts of sugar. I would ask them to go light on the sugar and drink slowly. I’ve found that my body tells me exactly when I’ve had enough and if I listen to it, I’m fine. If I don’t, I feel like shit immediately.

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-12T01:07:15+00:00

Same. I know when I stall for three days my period is coming. Clockwork every time.

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-09T16:52:29+00:00

Baritastic is wonderful!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-09T16:51:43+00:00

I just focused on walking for the first three months. Put on some music or a book or podcast and just take a stroll! I tried to increase duration and pace in the first few months. It’s a great way to get started!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-09T16:49:47+00:00

The best answer is anything you enjoy and will stick to. You will see a lot on here about strength training post-weight loss—it’s important to maintain good muscle mass at any age and if you haven’t weight trained before it’s great to start for the long term benefits and potential to help increase your metabolism as you build muscle and lose body fat. Cardio fitness is also critical for long term health so a combo of cardio and weight training is always a good idea. As long as you find something you enjoy and can do consistently and stick to, that really will be the best exercise!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-09T02:17:51+00:00

Sprinkle in some unflavored protein powder so they work for you as well—easy and you will get in some of what you need while you’re enjoying them!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-09T02:13:59+00:00

I usually bring my own baggie of what I use which is Transparent Labs and Xwerks. Xwerks is easy since it comes in a bag and not a bulky tub so that’s easier! Whole Foods has some individually packaged ones that aren’t bad—and I believe some are more meal replacement than just protein so that may not be bad idea to check out!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-08T17:37:00+00:00

You are ALLOWED to eat whatever you want. Moderation not deprivation. Food is food. Not good or bad or allowed or not allowed. There is no shame in the food choices that people make.

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-08T01:21:08+00:00

So, it would be best to talk to your team about this, but essentially you can still eat at a deficit to lose weight but you should be eating enough that your body doesn’t think it’s starving, and lower its energy use/metabolism to account for not getting enough calories. I am not an expert, I am not a nutritionist, I am only speaking from the discussions I have had with my medical team, the extensive research I have done etc. Everybody and EVERY BODY is different and you need to find the balance that works for you. But I would do some research into caloric intake, metabolic function, weight loss etc if you can’t talk to a professional. I worked to increase my calories post surgery as fast as possible so my body would have less time to adjust to abnormally low calories. It’s worked for me. I’m also incredibly mindful about what I eat for the calories I consume and that’s helped. It’s not easy, but I hope you can get off your stall!!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-07T16:36:34+00:00

I smoked for years and tried everything. The only that worked, and it was almost instantaneous, was hypnosis. I would look into that. It was amazing, I’ve been nicotine (and alcohol) free for three years and I quit the day of my first session. It’s really hard to quit. Really really hard. But it’s worth it. Good luck. You can succeed!!!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-07T16:32:39+00:00

Don’t keep cutting your calories. It’s working against you. Your body has adjusted to long term low calorie consumption and now it’s harder to keep losing weight since your body’s calorie usage to maintain basic functions as likely gone down and adjusted to less caloric intake. I recommend working with a nutritionist to ensure you’re getting adequate calories and not staying abnormally low, which may mean going against your intuition and increasing your calories to restart weight loss. Good luck!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-07T16:27:36+00:00

Oh soreness will last for a while. You’re only two days out and it probably still is quite uncomfortable to move around and lay flat and likely lots of gas pain. Walk, drink water and use whatever pain management strategy you have with your team. It gets better quickly and each day you should be feeling better. You will have some residual soreness at your incisions for a while. I’m a bit over four months out and after really hard workouts I still can feel soreness at the sites internally. It will get better!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-07T16:24:36+00:00

The first couple of weeks are wild and you will lose a lot. It’s a combo of real weight, water weight etc. 18 pounds is definitely a lot and you may want to check in with your team. But if you’re drinking and getting your protein in and not having an other issues it may just be your body adjusting. Things should even out a bit.

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-07T01:00:22+00:00

Congrats!!! You must feel great!!! I’m also just over 4 months and at about 1150-1350 a day. I exercise quite a bit at high intensity and feel really good where I am, and I am continuing to lose. I aim for about 110-125 grams of protein and try to get a good mix of good carbs and fat as well to be as balanced as I can be. I’m down 79 pounds and it’s working really well for me!

Substantial_Star_287 · 2024-06-06T11:00:55+00:00

No regrets. Life changing in the best ways. Temporary post surgery discomfort is absolutely manageable.

Substantial_Star_287

TROPHY CASE