Nancy Rivers

I know there have been other posts about this, but I just don't see them at the moment. Tonight I had a Protein shake for dinner. It was from Bariatric fusion - I had gotten a sample of the Mint chocolate Ice Cream flavor and mixed it with some 1% milk since I happen to have 8 ounces of that on hand. It was very yummy and gave me 35 g of protein in one pop. It took me a little longer than normal to finish it because I found I was getting full faster than I normally do. Normally, I mix a scoop of powder with 8 ounces of Water and can still get it down pretty easy. I figured because I mixed it with milk the reason it was taking me longer. Anyway, after I finished it I became really tired and ended up laying on my couch with the TV on and the next thing I knew it was 3 hours later because I fell asleep! I haven't experienced that before. What might be the cause of that? I haven't had that much of a Bariatric Fusion protein mix before (I have had some samples - about 3 ounces worth at a support group meeting - different flavors and did not have this reaction). I really liked the Bariatric Fusion Protein Powder and was thinking that I would order some of that if I liked it. Now I'm not so sure if this was a reaction to that specific powder...

Keep to the plan and it will come off. I had actually had a gain of 4 pounds 2 weeks ago and that stuck around for a week before suddenly it started melting off again. I know it's hard when the scale doesn't move, but as you realize, your losing inches, so it's just your body trying to cope with what you did to it. The stall will break eventually. One thing my dietician told us - don't weigh every day. Only weigh at the very most once a week. I try to do that. It's not as depressing then.

That's some amazing weight loss! Congrats on that! Don't give up on short term goals. They can be helpful and motivating. However, do a short term goal of loosing a specific amount of weight - not by a specific date, but a specific amount of weight. For example, set a goal of loosing 10 pounds - and then give yourself a little "non-food" reward for reaching that 10 pound weight loss goal when you do. Then set another goal like that. Keep repeating it until you get to your ultimate goal. If your weight loss is stalling, then go back to the basics. You already have an idea about that. You can do it!

If you think it might be hypoglycemia, get yourself a blood sugar tester and some test strips and test your blood sugar when it happens. If your blood sugar is below 60 then have a teaspoon of peanut butter, or some cottage cheese or something that has some carbs and protein in it. Wait about 20 to 30 minutes after eating it and test your blood sugar again to make sure it came back up. Track those numbers and take them with you to your doctor's appointments as that will help your doctors figure it out.

Congrats on the weight loss! Sorry you've had so much pain. I hope it's getting better for you. I was sleeved the same day you were and I'm not allowed bread yet. In fact, I won't be allowed bread for a good 6 months. I'm hoping that when I go back to see the surgeon on the 29th that he will clear me for "solids" and they will approve some form of crackers for me as I'm wanting some crackers. Focus on getting 60g or more of Protein a day - that will fill you up (trust me). Once you meet that goal (and getting in at least 64 ounces of Water a day), then start filling in with some non-starchy veggies like broccoli, green Beans, carrots, etc. The veggies should be "over cooked" - not raw. Steam them or throw into a Soup that is simmered for a good long while. That way they won't irritate your sleeve nearly as much.

You want to use the Greek yogurt that is not "pre-sweetened" - no fruit, no honey, no jelly. Carb Smart, Fage Total or the like that are plain. You can use SF syrups like Torani or Da Vinci to sweeten up the yogurt if needed. This will get your carbs lower. The yogurts that are pre-sweetened have way too many carbs. You want to be on a relatively low carb, low fat, high Protein diet for the first 6 weeks at least (possibly the first 6 months) to 1) allow your sleeve to heal and 2) so you will start burning your fat reserves instead of getting your energy from the carbs that are in the food. It will help promote the faster weight loss that is expected in the first 6 months.

Yes, it's normal. Liquids go through your stomach much faster than solids do. Once you hit more solid foods (soft foods/solid foods) you will definitely feel the restriction. Don't panic yet. Stick with the plan your surgeon and dietician gave you and it will work.

Current: 253.8 Goal: 249.6 Pounds to Goal: 3.8

Wow! That is awesome weight loss! You are looking fantastic! Congrats!

I was told to not put anything on my incisions at all. For the itching, my surgeon told me I could take a benedryl. You could "lightly rub" over the incisions - that won't open them up and it will give some relief (I did that). Supposedly they are healed in about 6 weeks, but mine will be longer than that because the internal stitching is not dissolving and my body is slowly pushing the thread out. However, all are healed over on the outside and I should be cleared to start exercising and going in the pool in 2 weeks when I go back for my checkup.

bariatricfusion.com - The owner, Marc, flew from his NY practice to Cincinnati, OH to give my support group some samples and information about their products. That's how I got the sample. They also have a Facebook page if you're interested.

Congratulations on everything!

In the 5 weeks that I've been sleeved, I've only lost 20 pounds. That's 4 pounds a week weight loss which is pretty darn good in my opinion. Of course, I would love for it to come off faster, but it will come off when it comes off.

Personally, I like eggs, so I've been having those. However, there's nothing saying that you have to have breakfast foods for breakfast. You can have anything that you would have for your other meals. Many times I will have leftovers from the day before for breakfast. My foods include chicken, tuna, fish, ground beef, etc. I'm on soft foods, so these are not "whole" foods as it were - but chopped up and mixed with low fat Miracle Whip or with a "pasta" sauce, etc. I've had meatloaf and had the leftovers for breakfast.

I've never had many friends. Only one or two "close" friends through the years who have gone out of my life. The last close friend that I have/had started parting ways with me a few months before I had the surgery - so if she ultimately does move out of my life, it won't be because of this surgery.

I was told to stop 30 min before and after. But I usually take a sip or 2 before eating.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I gained 4 pounds. It has since come back off plus some. At first I was thinking it had something to do with TOM, but it still hasn't come despite the fact I should have started 3 days ago. I guess I'm just really screwey right now.... LOL

I may be wrong about this, but typically when a person has a reaction to earrings or jewelry it's because of the nickel content of the items. The staples are surgical quality Titanium staples. Highly unlikely to have a reaction to them. I know I have a reaction to some jewelry because of the nickel content and I have had no problem with the staples in the 5 weeks I have had them.

Congratulations!

I have never cared what others think about me nor do I make judgements about other people based on their looks. Call me a cold-hearted b**** but that's just who I am. I've had people judge me based on my looks - thinking I can't do things and I have proven them wrong time and again (like my college professors thinking I couldn't do field biology which required a LOT of walking in different environments and terrains but they allowed me in the class anyway because it was a requirement - both told me after they were shocked that I could keep up with them). Granted, it's obvious that I'm heavy, but most people have never guessed how heavy I really was because of the way I carry my weight. I happened to be rather happy with myself the way I was despite being morbidly obese. But, that's why I don't judge others based on their looks.

It's been a while since I've checked in, but have been keeping up with it. With about 2.5 weeks left of this challenge, I am 5.2 pounds from my goal weight for the challenge. Hopefully it keeps coming off and I don't enter another stall.

I only had the one sample - I haven't ordered it yet. I haven't drank milk by itself, but I eat cottage cheese all the the time and it doesn't affect me.

The Bariatric Fusion powder has 27 g of protein, 7 g of Carbs (5g of fiber and <1 g of sugar), 0 g of fat. The milk had 8 g of protein, 12 g of carb (sugar was all 12 g) and 2.5 g of fat. So the carbs came from the milk, but wasn't outrageously high (although it is higher than my dietician recommended of 10g).

Yup, it's normal. Focus on getting your liquids in first - don't worry about Protein yet. Movement will help the pain as it is from the gas they used to pump you up. When the pain went to my left shoulder - I started "exercising" my left shoulder by rotating it, lifting it, etc and it took care of the pain.

Congratulations! That's a great achievement!