3.5 Months Post Op

Hair Fall is still steady. I have more options food wise and am enjoying it. Loosing inches on the go. Clothes are getting loose...WOW

Nothing much to add. Sleep is better, Apnea cured completely and i have also gotten rid of my migranes as of now.

Hair Loss - 3 Months Out

Well i have had really thick and heavy hair and a good growth. Pre Surgery i had to get a haircut every 15-20 days (i like them short). Post Surgery the growth slowed and slowed considerably. First haircut 1.5 months post surgery and the 2nd one just under 2 months from surgery. 
Today the haircut was scary, while massaging the scalp bunch of hair came out and the barber kept saying you are loosing too much hair what has happened.

Per my Doc I should incorporate Zinc supplement to control hair loss. Will give it a try.

The blogs that i visit on VSG also suggested that hairloss is normal 3 months out and continues till month 5-6 before it starts growing back up. 

Too worried i would look horrifying if i had to shave off my head.

Does Coffee Dehydrate 

Recent paper:

One of the biggest findings has come out this year from a studyconducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Scientists studied 50 men who were regular coffee drinkers to compare the hydrating effects of coffee to water. Participants drank approximately 27 ounces of coffee each day for three days in a row. Next, they would drink about 27 ounces of water for 3 days in a row, and no coffee. "Scientists controlled for physical activity, food, other fluids, etc. They also tested a wide range of hydration factors including body weight, urine volume, blood values, kidney function, and total amount of water in the body. Researchers concluded that “coffee … provides similar hydrating qualities to water.”

Week 11 Post Op

Well Missed week 10 as i was going through a weight stall. Continued the routine and didnt change anything at all. I realised i was loosing inches if not weight which was as good. Diet remains the same. 1 protein shake, 2 cups of tea, 1 green tea, 1 lemon juice with honey, 1 vegetable juice, 1 soup, 1 fruit and 1 meal (daal or paneer or palak).

I was having itchy skin and it was very flaky (like dandruff). My friends on Obesityhelp stated that low water intake can be the reason hence stepped up my water intake to 2 bottles (8 glasses) a day. These are independent of other liquids that i take. 

Clothes have started falling off now which is a good sign. Still off smoking and loving it. Below is the recent picture.

I will be starting recipe blog soon.

Week 9

Well week 9 has been more or less like week 8 no changes in diet. I did add Calcium Citrate which i believe my Doc / Nutritionist forgot to add. 
Loosing inches and weight as well.
Down to 356 Lbs lost 3 Lbs this week which is decent.

Recent Picture

Next update 24th February 2014.

Post Op Week 8

Well nothing much has changed. Just 1 pound loss. Seems stall continues. Calorie intake still under 700 (closer to 600). Diet remains as is. More greens and less juices. Trying smoothies.

Week 8 Picture.

Very disappointed with the Post Op clinical support. Absolutely no followups or inputs.

Current weight is 359 Lbs losing inches though.
Next update 17th February 2014

Week 7 Post Op

Well this week has been a Hit and Miss week. Tried few recipes some worked some didnt. Liked yogurt for a change. Attended a wedding and remained under control. No alcohol No smoke No eating binges. Infact didnt put of weight at all though didnt drop much either. 

Only disappointment has been post op followups from Clinical standpoint. No followup at all which is very disheartening. 

Anyways this is how i look now at week 7

Currently weight is down to 360 Lbs and lost just a pound. Lost inches this time though.

Next update 10th Feb 2014.

Week 6 Post Op

Well the scale finally moved. Irationalised my diet a bit and it moved. So I made some changes to the  diet plan shared earlier. 2 meals 4 oz (under 100 gms ) and Soup to end the day. 2 cups of tea, i cup of milk and a small bowl of fresh food. I am using Double Toned Milk from Mother Diary / Amul. will try Soya Milk from next week.

I have increased water intake and also ensure that i have one vegetable juice a day (home made) So all the while that i am not eating i am drinking water. Ensure that a water bottle is always within reach and you keep sipping. Needless to say ensure that you don't drink water or fluids 30 mins pre and post food. 

Getrim protein is fine and is better than the others that i have tried and has lesser after smell. Below is my 6th week picture.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Attending a wedding function this week was a challenge. Everyone wanted to know why am I not eating. So in my most polite manner i had to answer (almost all the relatives) why was i avoiding fat food. Self control is of essence specially in these places. Paneer might look tempting but avoid. Being winter soup and tea/coffee are your best friends. Another wedding (to be read as gyan session by relatives) this week again. I guess wedding and restaurants will be litmus tests from now on.

Weight at the end of week 6 is 361 Lbs. So lost 5 pounds this week which is better than hitting stall last week.

Next Update 3rd February 2014

Week 5 Post Op

Well guys week 5 has been the toughest since i hit stall and didn't loose anything. No weight no inches. I calculated the calories and found that i was exceeding 700 day on day. Starting Sunday reduced the calories to under 600. Weighing the food quantities to under 4 oz( 100-gms)AM also trying to increase water intake which is tough considering its winters.
I am maintaining my calorie count on www.myfitnesspal.com Very user friendly site.

I tried Amway Nutrilite Protein Power which is waste of money. I found this interesting product which is food suppliment and packs plenty of Protein.
www.getrim.com
Also buy a good blender. Process all fruits and vegetables for juice in blender and have it. This way you dont end up loosing fibers as you would in convention juicer at home.

Gym did not happen last week and am starting from 22nd Jan'14.

I also surfed youtube for healthy cooking and found few channels that i subscribed to. You can twist the recipes to your liking since there is hardly any choice of food in India compared to West. Sharing links to those channels on youtube.
Wah Re Wah Chef
Chef Harpal Singh
Am Total Health
Nisha Madhulika
Bhavna's Kitchen

Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana
Food Food
Show Me The Curry
Tarla Dalal
Rajshri Foods
Inhouse Recipes

So am still at 366 Pounds with no change.

Diet Plan 1 Month Post Op

Post Op Week 4

Well this was a tough week. Transitioning from Liquid to Pureed diet. some things went down well others didn't and had to mix and match the diet to stay afloat.
On the positive side sleeping has improved and snoring has reduced drastically infact to negligible level. Sleep Apnea is nearly gone. Pain is leg has vanished and i am moving around better.

In India the choice of food and supplements is very sad and dependability is majorly on imported items which are stinkingly expensive. For e.g for Protein its just Protein X or Amway which is reasonably expensive. but if you look at Isopure or Whey Proteins they are too expensive. similarly the fruits and veggies available offer limited choice.

I would advice anyone going for Bariatric Surgery to ensure they have identified they diet resource for the first month and stock the things accordingly. Else it will be Maggie soups Egg whites and daal ka paani.
I am in process of compiling a list of foods available and recipes that went down well with me. Just need to get creative yourself and for a change start cooking.

So this week diet consisted of

Palak Paneer
Khichdi
Oats
Humus
Chickpeas
Re fried Kidney Beans
Black Chana Soup
Tea
Egg Whites
Mozzarella Cheese (just a pinch to add flavor)
Carrot Pudding
Idli with sambar

Well the weight loss has slowed now. This week lost just 5 pounds. Currrent weight 366 pounds. Total loss 38 pounds in 4 weeks. Hitting Gym this week.
Next Update 20th January 2014

End of Week 3 Post Op.

Well this is pureed diet stage and it had its ups and downs.

Mashed pureed watery food did not do down too well all the time. Broth, Daal soup and Chana gravy went down fine. Watery khichdi or daliya or mashed chicken did give some trouble. Felt burpy with uneasiness for a while. so went back to egg whites and liquids. I also tried mashed chickpeas and somehow those went down just fine. 
So guys bear in mind eat small quantities to test what kinda pureed food gels with your tummy. No water at all 30 mins pre and post eating not even when you feel chocked. If it feels that food is getting stuck walk it off. 
I tried the following in week 3

• Mashed Chickpeas.
• Oats.
• Khichdi.
• Chicken soup (with boiled chicken).
• Boiled egg whites with little cheese.
• Chana ka gravy.
• Kidney Bean Gravy.
• Pureed Daal.
• 1 Marie Biscuit with Tea.

Things that i will try this week include Sambar Idli, Pureed Papaya and banana, Mashed Potatos in milk, watermelin etc. Will keep you posted. 

Weight at end of week 3 is 371 pounds total loss of 33 pounds in 3 weeks.
Next Update 13th January 2014

End of Week 2 Post Op.

Well guys Stitches are off and I made it past the clear liquid diet stage and tell you what it was not difficult at all. All you need to do is get little innovative and mix and match your liquids. Worked wonderfully well. Go on the net search and then make changes as per availability in market. But remember to keep your Doctor in loop. Well i spend the entire week 2 on liquids and tried variety of juice and soups. The quantity needs to be minimal for e.g Juice / Soup not more than 100 ml. Avoid packaged juices specially Apple, Pineapple and Orange. They are loaded with Sugar. I am sharing a few that as easily available in Indian market. My routine this week was

Morning 8 AM : Skimmed Milk with 2 tea spoons of Protein X followed by

9:00 AM Fresh Mint and Coriander Juice : Good for Blood Purification : A bunch of mint leaves, 1/2 bunch of fresh coriander and littler water. Run it through the Juicer, add lemon juice and black salt.

10:00 AM Fresh Lime Water with Black Salt and little Honey. Remember to sip sip sip and not gulp.

12:00 PM Fresh Carrot Beetroot Tomato Juice (you can replace tomato with peeled Apple also for variety) : Run all through Juicer, add black salt and have it.

2:00 PM : Any clear Soup. Maggie Soups are fine if you strain and have them. Quantity not more than 100 ml.

4:00 PM Tea / Or Milk with Protein : Use Double toned or Skimmed Milk.

6:00 PM Soup again for Dinner. Nothing past that. 

Dont forget water. 2 liters each day and mantra remains Sip SipSip.
Always remember to use Baby crockery like plates and spoons to measure your quantity.
I dont feel hungry or have any cravings for food anymore. Been off smokes too.
Today i weight 378 pounds to total loss 26 pounds in 2 weeks.
Next update 6th January 2014