Escape_Pod

Can you incorporate Protein powder without drinking shakes? I love my morning protein mocha (Click mocha, almond milk / hot Water, and a Starbucks via packet), but there's a lot you can do with Protein Powder. I mix protein powder into plain greek yogurt - I like Casein protein powder better than whey for this, as it's thicker and less gritty. I also make protein muffins with a bit of oatmeal, egg, vanilla protein powder, chopped apple, cottage cheese and cinnamon. I know it sounds weird, but it makes a surprisingly convincing muffin. I've found some great protein recipes online.

I don't have any experience with what you're describing, but I wondered if you're taking a probiotic? I started on one because my surgical nutritionist told us studies showed patients taking a probiotic had better weight loss (no idea why, but I figured it couldn't hurt!). I still take a daily probiotic, and I haven't had even a case of the sniffles in years (I'm sure now that I've said that I'll come down with a cold tomorrow). But if you're prone to stomach issues, a probiotic might be worth a try. I try to switch to a different brand every few months. (And on a mostly unrelated note, I still love my Protein shake in the morning (it's actually more of a protein hot mocha.) Hope you're feeling better!

Lisa, I have also gotten way off track, it's a recurring issue with me, and I know what I need to do, it's just a matter of not letting myself "forget" it once my weight gets back in my comfort zone. For me, personally, I cannot handle sugar in moderation. I know lots of folks can, and being able to have the occasional treat is key to staying on track. For ME, those treats have to be sugar-free, or I get sucked back in and get totally out of control, and it takes ages to drag myself back on track. I've got coming up on 4 weeks sugar-free under my belt, and it's SO much easier to stay on track once I get myself there. I'll second the suggestion for Click, I love the mocha flavor. You can order it from Amazon, I'm not sure I've ever seen it in a store. Jane's response is awesome on so many accounts. It truly is about being brutally honest with yourself about what will work for you, vs what's an excuse not to give up something you've become attached to. I think if you can get 2-3 solid weeks of good eating habits behind you, you'll begin to really feel a difference, and it won't be such a struggle, but the key is to arm yourself with every possible tool you can think of for those 2-3 weeks. MyFitnessPal helps me, journaling helps sometimes, checking in on WLS sites like this one, or blogs that inspire me help keep me focused. Another strategy that's worked for me before is to join a challenge of some sort. MyTinyTank runs 6-week challenges every few weeks on a private Facebook page. Unfortunately you just missed the start of one (Nov. 29), but check out her website for more info (just search for MyTinyTank). If you're on MyFitnessPal, send me a PM if you'd like to connect there for daily checking-in and support. I'm walking the same path, I'd be glad of some company in getting my weight back under control.

Years and years ago I had a bout of really bad heartburn, or at leat that's what I was told I had. It was nothing like the mild burning, or burping stomach acid I'd experienced before. This was serious chest pain, radiated all the way through to my back. Painful enough to bring tears to my eyes - scared the bejeebers out of me. Had a couple of bad episodes, and nothing like that since. Sound familiar? So, yes, I'd say it could have been heartburn. I've also heard of esophageal spasms, but don't know anything more about them.

Congratulations, and thank you for sticking around to share your experience!

I had one or two pills I took immediately post-op that were pretty nasty, though not as bad as what you're describing. Basically, there wasn't anything that was going to mask the taste, I had to settle for not letting it ruin the 2 tablespoons of pureed whatever I was eating. I tended to crush it (or for the capsule, pour out the capsule contents) into the tiniest amount possible of something in a spoon - usually applesauce - just enough to be able to get it in my mouth, and as much as possible, swallow without letting it hit my tongue. Quick rinse with just a tiny sip of Water. Shudder, and remind myself it's only for a couple of weeks. Once I hit the two week point, I could take most pills. It really depends a lot on the pill form. Some things you can get in a smaller pill so it's ok to swallow whole. Some things you can cut in half. Capsules tend to not work so well immediately post-op anyway, because the time-release formulas don't work so well for us.

No, I don't meant to make light of the risks of untreated nutrient deficiencies, which is why I'm vigilant about taking my supplements and having blood work done regularly to catch issues early and address them. But I don't see that I have much of a choice about staying on a PPI, either. It could be worse, at least the PPI works for me, most of the time. The info on calcium tests is helpful - I'll make a note to review with my PCP when I'm in next. (My surgeon has moved to Florida, so I no longer have routine visits with a bariatric practice).

Well, I'd like not to be on a PPI long-term, but short of a miracle cure, I don't see getting off it any time soon. And having lost my mother to esophageal cancer a few years ago, I think I'd prefer to deal with nutritional deficiencies than the dangers of untreated / insufficiently managed GERD.

I worry about folks who think that healthy eating and having VSG rather than RNY will protect them from deficiencies. I consider my intake to be very healthy, AND I take good quality bariatric Vitamins, and still ended up with deficiencies. Maybe it's just marketing hoo-ha, but I'm willing to believe it matters which brand of vitamins you take, because the source of the nutrients differs, and some are more readily absorbed than others. We were all told to take Calcium CITRATE, not CARBONATE, right? So it makes sense to me that other nutrients in a multi-Vitamin may also differ. I'm willing to pay more to take a Multivitamin that's formulated for post-ops. And while it's true that we don't have the same risks of deficiencies as RNY post-ops, we still have smaller stomachs, and many of us are on PPIs long-term, impacting absorption of nutrients that require an acidic environment. I'm vigilant, but I still ended up extremely low in thiamine and Iron. I keep up with my tests, and I focus particularly on calcium, since I can't check that with a blood test. I had a bone density scan done along with a DEXA scan a couple of years ago, but since most women in their early 40s don't have bone density scans done, my PCP tells me there's not good data to compare my results to. I'll test again in a couple of years so I can compare to my prior results.

BJs Bariatrics also sells Syntrax nectar sampler packs - 11 packets (keeps it under the max weight to ship first class) for $14.95 plus $5.12 shipping. It's more expensive than direct from Syntrax, but you get to pick your flavors in any combo you want. (Unless that's changed, that didn't use to be the case with Syntrax - you got one of each).

Sorry Jane, I intended that question about Iron for OregonDaisy! My bad... Lynda, I've heard that taking products with a stool softener long-term can cause your digestive tract to get lazy, essentially resulting in rebound constipation down the road when you stop the softener. I wondered if your program had addressed that? I'm more concerned about addressing the iron levels, but I do wonder about taking them on an ongoing basis... The FerroSequel seems to be working well for me to bring my levels back up (on top of a regular iron supplement, avoiding caffeine, timing them well separated from Calcium, and taking with Vitamin C). I'm not sure where I'd find the time to go in for regular iron infusions, so I'm glad I don't have to.

The further out you are from surgery, the more you'll find your restriction varies depending on what you're eating. A serving of chicken breast or a turkey meatball or two will fill me up and stave off hunger longer than a serving of greek yogurt or veggies, or cheese. Dense Protein is your friend. I don't see any meat products in your list of what you're eating, are you a vegetarian? You may be able to get advice from other vegetarians on how to maximize satisfaction with particular foods.

Jane, Just out of curiosity, which Iron supplement were you taking? I too battle anemia, tested with extremely low ferritin levels with last bloodwork, and have been taking Ferro-Sequel. It seems to keep me more regular than I was before starting supplements, but I'm not particularly prone to constipation.

I've been seeing more hair loss again recently, I'm going to try supplementing with Zinc - that's supposed to help, we'll see....

Awesome! Congratulations!! I don't think you look dorky, I think you look strong and skinny, and very, very happy.