THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
1. Thou shalt NOT drink with thy meals. This means never. This is cheating...cheating yourself. It washes the food out of your pouch and allows you to eat more. This will slow and eventually stop your weight loss.
2. Thou SHALT eat slowly, very slowly. This is not a rule for the first few months post-op. This rule is for the rest of your life. If you eat too quickly, you will surely stretch your pouch. Eat too quickly and you will learn the hard way...the nausea is stifling.
3. Thou SHALT take thy vitamins. This surgery is a great tool for weight loss. But, as with all benefits, there are costs...and malnutrition is one of the costs of this surgery. Take a multivitamin supplement every day for the rest of your life. You also need to have your blood checked periodically for B-12 levels.
4. Thou SHALT eat adequate protein. What is adequate? I am not a physician, so I cannot say for sure. But, with all of the differences of opinion I have seen, it seems the consensus is between 4 and 6 ounces of protein per day.
5. Thou SHALT exercise. Just do it.
6. Thou SHALT drink 64 ounces of water, everyday. It seems some people have problems doing this. Use a water bottle and carry it with you everywhere. Sip all day long.
7. Thou SHALT eat well-balanced meals. I think my doctor said it best: protein first and foremost, then green/yellow vegetables, then fruit, then starches.
8. Thou shalt NOT eat sugar in any form...no candy!!! If I can give up donuts, anybody can give up sweets. Doh!!!
9. Thou shall NOT modify these commandments to suit thy needs. It will not work. You will only defeat yourself.
10. Thou shall love thyself and be happy with the body God gave thee. God did not intend for all of us to be supermodels, and this surgery will not make you one. Happiness comes from within. Be happy with who and what you are.
Praying for you to have a speedy recovery.
Jen