Baby Steps

So my whole process right now is starting with some small changes. There is so much information out there to help with weight loss. What's important, is to find something that works for you. Even if your not having weight loss surgery, reading what people that are, are doing, can help a lot. Here are a few things I've been working on.

Once you have weight loss surgery (WLS), and even right before. You have to completely change the way you eat & drink. As recommended by my weight loss doctor, I have started eating & drinking with toddler sized utensils, plates, & sippy cups. Using a smaller sized fork, spoon & plate, will help with eating smaller portions.

After having WLS your stomach will only be able to hold 2 to 4 ounces of food. The sippy cup keeps you from gulping. My doctor wants me to try & drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. But since my stomach will be so small, I must break it down throughout the day. I have a larger measured container that I use to fill the sippy cup with. This way I can keep track of how much I have drank. I won't be able to drink through a straw either. Drinking through a straw causes air to fill your stomach, & you will need all the room you got for nutrition.

Also no soda's. Ekkk this has been the hardest thing to do. I don't think its really the sugar, but the bubbles I'm addicted too more.  The carbonation will cause gas in my stomach, thus causing discomfort.

When I eat I do not drink. My stomach will eventually not be able to hold fluid & food at the same time. You want to drink at least 30 minutes before, & an hour after you eat. This has been hard to adjust to, too. I always had something to drink with my meals.

It is taking me longer to eat now too. Every bite I  take, I'm supposed to chew 40 to 50 times. You want your food to be the consistency of applesauce. After surgery your stomach will be very swollen, & chunkier food will be very hard to process. For the first couple weeks after surgery I will be on a completely liquid diet. But even after I can start with more solid food, it will have to be mushy. Baby food consistency. Chewing my food well, will keep it from getting stuck.

I'm also longing everything I eat and drink. I'm using the app myfitnesspal. It's got lots of cool stuff & is very user friendly.