PdxMan

Are you doing low carb? Carbs are quickly turned to glycogen which is the fuel our bodies use for energy. Weight loss may be slower, but for me, when I increased my carbs, I increased my activity as I had more energy. With increased activity, I was able to burn fat far more efficiently. Give it a try and see what happens for you.

I was in the same boat. I consulted with my NUT who told me to increase my carbs. That is what is needed for energy. I added cooked carrots and green Beans to my Soups, pureed, and it was almost an instant response. Give it a try. It worked for me.

I'm just curious, you said, "I'm finding my husband is going to have a huge issue with the weight loss and me feeling more confident/ sexy" Why? Is it a cultural thing? Has he not supported you in other endeavours? Is he a controlling type? IMO, you should do whatever makes you happy, if it is a problem for him, then it is his problem, not yours. As long as you stay true to yourself ... that is all that matters.

What time? I would love to tune in.

Check out THIS dude. His name is O.T.R. Sleever. Staple member of our community and a moderator here.

Don't eat much toothpaste here, either, but pear skins. I can feel 'em just sitting in there.

Never hurts to call, but I would hardly call 99 degrees a fever. You are only .4 degrees above normal. My body is going to vary by more than that throughout the day, for sure. Plus, you did just have a surgery 3 days ago. Your body is going to be working a bit harder right now fighting organisms introduced into your system. Call, but don't stress about it. That won't help.

How are your taste buds? I had back surgery 3 weeks ago. About 3 days post-op, my tongue was splotchy. Didn't think too much about it. Couple days later, I couldn't taste a thing and my mouth and throat began to hurt. Called the Dr and they said it was thrush. I googled some images and sure enough, that was it. They gave me a prescription for an anti-fungal and about 5 days later, I was back to "normal". Thrush is normally seen in nursing infants. While I was disappointed I didn't acquire this condition through nursing, the Dr office explained it can also be caused by intubation during surgery as it can contribute to an inbalance of the micro-organisms in the mouth. Basically, it is a yeast infection in the mouth. Yeah, I know ... gross. Got yogurt?

Wow! That is a great article. Congratulations. Your quote, "This has gotta change, or I’m gonna die." was exactly what I said, too. The only way things change is if we make a change. I apply many priciples from a 12 step program I participate in. You are absolutely correct on that. I look forward to your race summary. Are you going to post a thread reference to the article? Do you mind if I do? Good luck!

I didn't tell. None of their business. If they get too nosey, just tell them you are completing the final stage of your gender re-assignment process. "Would you like to see pictures?" That should shut them up (or give them something really juicy to discuss!)

Everyone is going to be different on this. And what do you qualify as a "solid" food? Steak, chicken, tuna ... bread, Pasta, rice? I am a sweller, meaning, my stomach (inside) was very swollen for a few weeks. I was only able to drink about 8 oz of water/protein shake the first few days. Broths were my friend but then after a week I moved to purees, but still very thin. 6 weeks out, I was still solidly on purees and Soups. 8 weeks saw me practically liquifying tuna with ranch, but I was able to add soft cheeses. As time went on, I added less ranch. Without giving you my entire food diary, the bottom line is that you progress as your body sees fit. I was so swollen I could barely drink while you will read stories from people who had no problem drinking 32 oz then next day. Those folks will progress quicker than folks like me. What you have to know, though, is that you will return to normal eating. I am coming up on 20 months out and I have been able to eat anything and everything (smaller portions) since about 8 months out. Good luck. Keep reading the forum and post any questions you have.

I was a big Goodwill shopper for the first year. My sizes were changing so often, I hated spending $40 for a pair of jeans that was only going to fit me for a couple months. Same thing with shirts. I started at a XXL shirt and am now in Medium. From 40/42 waist to 32. I hated wearing baggy clothes and was elated to wear clothes that fit. $6 - $8 for a nice pair of Levi's and $4 for a nice shirt. Annnnd ... you are also helping out an institution that does some good. Many may question that, but that is not a topic for discussion here. I donate my clothes back and buy some new(used) ones. I look and feel great and it works for me. Now that my size has somewhat stabilized, I shop the department stores like Alex does. Castiel ... oye! Better look out. If you get too close to me I might take a swipe at you with my cane!

Caffeine is a diuretic, so with the relatively low consumption of liquids at this phase of your journey, most medical teams would recommend staying away from any caffeine for awhile. You will be able to have it again (I'm having a Caffe Mocha right now) so don't worry. Just do the right things now to avoid any compications.

I'm so glad to hear about this. Congrats! It was just amazing for me when one day, I could run 4 miles, no problem, but then 2 days later, I was seeing spots after 2 miles. It just didn't make sense until I looked at how everything added up in MyFitnessPal. The day after I had higher carbs, I could run longer distances. I applied it to everyday and what do you know? I could run further and further, faster and faster. I could work out harder and stronger and my fat just melted off. It is worked for me ... your milage may vary.

I think everyone is going to lose some hair to differing degrees. I started losing at the 6 month mark and it stopped at 9 months. 12 months out, you would have never known I had lost any hair. I was great with my Protein intake and took all my Vitamins, including Biotin. My calories were over 1,200 a day, protein and carbs well over 100g per day. Should have had everything covered. I just think it is one of those things that happens to most WLS people. Why? Don't know for sure, but I do know that fat holds a lot of hormones and hair folicles are sensitive to hormone balance. Ask any woman who has been pregnant how their hair was.

Eat more often, even though you do not feel hungry. I had to set reminders to eat. Worked for me.

Good luck!

I think this is completely normal. I, too, went through a mourning period thinking of not being able to gorge like I used to. I got so much satisfaction at Thanksgiving (and many other meals) having huge portions of Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls and all the accessories with pies and everything. Then 3 hours later, pulling everything out of the fridge and doing it all again. Loved it. Going into my first Thanksgiving post-sleeve in 2011, I wondered how I was going to do it. All I could think about was what I couldn't eat. What I wasn't going to enjoy. So sad. But, I made it through. What I began to notice, though after, was not what I was not able to eat, but what I was able to eat. I found such great satisfaction that I didn't have to gorge in order to feel satiety. I began to look around at what everyone else was eating and the portions and began to smile thinking, "I don't have to do that anymore. I am free of that 1,000 pound gorilla on my back." This past Christmas, I watched as the fellow across from me filled his plate 3 times and couldn't move later on when I was running around playing ping-pong and playing with the kids. Given the choice of who's shoes I would rather be in, I would now choose mine. I was able to enjoy my dinner and everything after. It will take some time, but as long as you follow the guidelines and try not to obsess on what you can't do, but rather on what you can, you will be fine. This, too, shall pass.

It is just so unfair to yourself to compare to others. While you may not think so, you and your history are completely unique. As is said, get rid of your scale. It lies to you. It isn't measuring what you want it to. Are you looking to lose weight or fat? What does the scale measure? I weighed once a month and never had to deal with any anxiety with what the scale said. I highly recommend everyone do the same. As long as you follow the guidelines, you will lose. You just have to know that over time, if you consume fewer calories than you burn, loss will occur, both fat and muscle, so be sure to stay with the Protein. Also know that stalls will occur and it is completely normal. Even desired, if you think about it. Do you really want a body that doesn't have the ability to go into starvation mode and look out for itself? I'm happy to know that my body responds exactly as it is supposed to in these kind of events. Toss the scale.

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Don't worry. Not that unusual. We call them food funerals. Part of the process for some.

Go check out The Man Room forum (although I think there are more responses there by females). Ask us any question you like. Check out my signature for my weight loss history. This thing works.

Well, they are right. You have to keep in mind that when you do not consume as many calories as you burn, your body must turn to itself for calories to create glycogen, the fuel your cells actually use for energy. We would love to think that your body will solely use fat stores, but the truth is, a gram of Protein (muscle) contains the same number of calories as a gram of fat, which is 9 calories per gram. So, your body will choose what to consume based on factors I am not knowledgable enough in to comment, but I do know that muscle mass loss happens in this process. Eating carbs is not going to replace the lost muscle, only protein can and if your body is looking to convert protein to glycogen, perhaps it may turn to protein already circulating in your system, rather than your muscles ... I don't know for sure, but I know that if I am not consuming protein at the levels directed by our medical team, I am going to lose far more muscle mass than is necessary. So, keep that in mind when you turn your nose up to a protein option. Whatever you don't consume will be taken from your muscles.

I'm an Umbach'er. I though he did a great job. Not forthcoming with information on his own, but will answer any question asked thoroughly. I have those mason jam jars. The 8oz ones. They are perfect for storing Soups in and putting them in the freezer. On my way off to work, I grab one and by lunch, it is ready for the microwave.

I loves me some veggie soup! There's is nothing (except lima beans) you can't throw in there. Love it.