Sojourner

Just sharing a different opinion...my surgeon advised against using any of the Protein bars. His reasoning was that for the amount of calories they had, their nutritional value was not high enough. As for Vitamins, it's important to compare the RDA of all of the ingredients of regular vitamins with those of Vitamin supplements formulated specifically for bariatric patients. We do have special nutritional needs.

My Fitness Pal asks you to state what rate of weight loss you would like to achieve, and then, based on your level of exercise tells you how many calories you should have to reach your goal. I definitely believe that calorie allowance are a wide range, and driven by your gender. Men definitely have a more efficient metabolism. I don't count calories, my surgeon has advised against it saying it is not necessary if you make good choices with your foods. I thought the number of calories they specified for me was too high. Other's mileage may vary...

What an inspiration you are...and a wonderful NSV! Well done!

Within a few days after my surgery, I had an appointment with my PCP; my blood pressure was ridiculously low for me (sorry, I cannot remember the readings), and had my daily dose of hypertension medications cut in half...now my BP is usually 110/70. I did not experience any noticeable drop in my heart rate... It would be a good idea to follow up with your PCP...they can likely offer your an explanation as to what is going on. Best wishes...

I also have significant issues with getting the proper exercise...my orthopedic surgeon has advised that the only place it is safe for me to exercise is in a pool. So that's where I go...at least 3 times a week. I'm unable to do any exercise that is weight bearing. My bariatric surgeon has "gotten on my case" for not taking the "brisk walks" he wants everyone to take, but since my car accident, I can no longer walk for miles like I used to. I don't count calories...my surgeon has said that I don't need to if my choices for meals are healthy. I do look for the best lean Protein and make certain to eat that first at every meal...then I can have the "fiber" carbs. Adequate protein is necessary for weight loss. From my observations, based on what other knowledgeable bandsters have posted and my own experiences (not with the calorie counting...) there are 2 significant reasons for stalled weight loss: too few calories, and not enough protein. You could be on a weight loss "plateau", where you are diet compliant and engage in regular exercise, and the scale does not move. Mis73 has written about her experiences with breaking through the plateau by changing up her daily number of calories, others have written about changing up the type of exercise you do. If the routine becomes too predictable, your body holds onto the fat. I would guess that everyone has had some bouts with frustration and negative thoughts about lack of progress...your attitude will be half the battle. You can and will do this if you are determined to be successful. I hope that some of the information I have shared will be helpful for you...Best wishes...and don't give up!

My surgeon prescribed a medication to help control nausea...I guess I was fortunate that I did not need to use it. I hope that the surgeon's office has called you back by now...this is not an easy time, but it does pass. Do your best to "sip" water and stay properly hydrated. Hope you feel better...

No two individuals will have the same experiences on their weight loss journeys. Much depends on how aggressive your surgeon is with your fills. I've asked my surgeon to be conservative with my fills...and he agrees. After 3 fills I have 4cc of fluid; I can definitely feel the difference, but doubt I'm ever going to be in the "zone". I would rather take the responsibility for my weight loss then risk being too tight. It is the patient's responsibility to comply with the diet your surgeon wants you to follow...that means healthy food choices and portion control.

I also got cravings for salt while on my liquid diet...plain chicken broth gave me some of the fluids I needed, and satisfied my craving.

I have had several MRI's since having my band placed. There are no metal parts in the band, which I did verify ahead of time with my bariatric surgeon and the tech who conducted the studies. No negative side effects at all...so no worries...

Your rate of weight loss will slow at times, and even reach "plateaus" occasionally, where you can remain compliant with your diet and not see the scale move for a week or more. As long as you remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions, and continue with your exercise, the weight will come off. As I've often mentioned, this journey has taught me a life skill which eluded me for years, patience. Try to remember that you did not gain your weight in a short span of time, so it is not realistic to expect that you will loose it rapidly. Best wishes...

I only had one injection of Lovenox just prior to my band surgery, and this medication was used as an alternative to Heparin, which I had an allergic reaction to last year when my colon surgery was done. My surgeon wanted to use the heparin, but after discussing what happened with my previous surgery he agreed to Lovenox. I have severe doubts that I could give myself an injection of anything without fainting!

No matter what stage you are in post op, you still need to follow the diet recommendations of your surgeon. For me, that means to measure portions (3 oz lean protein, 2 oz fiber carb) for every meal...and yes, even while on mushies I measured all my portions. It's essential that you recognize that everyone is an individual. and no two bandsters will have identical experiences. I can share my experiences, and you may have entirely different feedback to share. Mushies are supposed to keep you from feeling hunger for longer than your protein shakes. You still need to comply with the diet instructions of your surgeon. Getting to the stage with regular solids did mean that it usually took 3.5 to 4 hours before I got hungry again, but not always. I still drink over 80 oz of water a day to help manage my hunger, as "free fluids (SF/FF)" do help with lessening feelings of hunger. It is unlikely, though not impossible that you will feel much restriction with your first fill. I felt restriction without having any fluid in my band. I just had my third fill, and hope that it will lessen my hunger between meals. My surgeon has advised me that there are some bandsters who never get to the point where hunger is eradicated entirely, so the patient's responsibility for their weight loss is greater. As is often mentioned, the band is only a weight loss tool...we have to learn how to use it properly for weight loss success. Wishing you success...

I basically structure my time to include approximate meal times, about 4 to 4.5 hours apart. By doing this, I usually am authentically hungry, but not beyond the point of reason to make poor choices about food. In the evening I usually get hungry again; depending on what my Protein grams for the day by that time I will have a Protein shake or just drink additional Water. I realize that for those who have young families and/or work outside their home this may be difficult. I am a retired "empty nester", so time is usually mine to structure as I choose to.

Not quite the same experience...but ended up in the ER with severe dehydration. I went to my first post op appointment, complaining of nausea for 3 days. I had been drinking, but had also been ill. I did not realize that I had not replaced the fluids lost while ill, and also did not realize that nausea is a symptom for severe dehydration. So, instead of going home after the appointment, the surgeon said he was having his nurse call the ER and to expect me there right away. I did not get to go home until hours later...but I did start drinking Water and with the IV infusion the nausea did resolve. Life lesson learned...I structure my time to also include the amount of free fluids I need to stay properly hydrated. It is easy to forget to drink your fluids...this way I know that I need to have 30 oz by lunchtime, another 32 by dinner, etc. I never want to go through that again...

We're always going to be our own worst critic...you can't expect to have significant restriction with a first fill. It likely will take several fills before you will be close to your "green zone", and some bandsters never get there. For those, hunger will always be something they need to work to manage... It's not unusual to focus on the negatives...what is positive may be overlooked or taken for granted. It's a major positive that you are able to recognize the upside with your progress.

There a several reasons why it is important to follow your surgeon's instructions as to proper portion sizes. You don't want to stretch your pouch...or have your band slip. You've already experienced a negative consequence from eating too much. Instead of asking about if an unfilled band could cause a slip if you overeat...you should be motivated to consider refocusing your attention to comply with your diet. Just an observation...

The feelings that you are writing about are totally normal...they are just a part of the many adjustments that you are doping with now...and pain does not make it any easier to cope. I remember waking up the first morning post op and asking myself "What the h$#* did I do" to myself...but now am totally happy with the progress I've made to date! Everything does get better...the pain should resolve within the next few days. You will eventually find that it is easier to drink everything also as your body heals. Make certain to continue to keep yourself properly hydrated...if you begin to feel nauseous, that may be a sign of dehydration. Best wishes for a successful journey...

Your commitment to weight loss will determine your success, and also let you determine if this journey is worth your investment in a healthier, happier you... Best wishes for your success...

If such a lotion exists, I have never heard of it. Women still get stretch marks from pregnancy, and once the marks are there, it is permanent. I have read that if your skin has more elasticity, and you loose weight slowly, then your skin has a better chance to have less residual stretching. The only skin product I have used post op for WLS is Mederma, which is a topical gel which does tend to help fade scars faster.

Your BF's behavior reads as childish and manipulative...and that his goal is to sabotage your success. Sometimes it's therapeutic to get angry... and direct that anger towards the one who deserves it. And that's not you! Eating because you are angry over the situation only harms you... Best wishes...

Aetna offers many different policies...and I guess that the requirements for approval for WLS differ also... My PCP provided the medical supervision for my 6 month diet, and then "held the approval window open" for me for an additional 11 months while I had several unanticipated medical events present which needed to be resolved before my paperwork could be submitted to Aetna for their approval. I had Aetna's surgery approval prior to meeting with my bariatric surgeon for the first time...and while my PCP's office submitted the letter of medical necessity and the required 3 years of medical records in addition to the 6 months diet documentation directly to Aetna, the insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office interfaced directly with Aetna, and was the one to notify me that approval from Aetna had been received. Good luck...and remember patience helps...

You are not too heavy for surgery as far as I know, however I am not a medical doctor. There are a number of posters on this site who began their weight loss journey weighing more than you... Your psychiatrist is following proper standards of care to be certain that your emotional health conditions are stable. Post op, there are many challenges and adjustments which both your body and mind will be subjected to...your emotional stability will be essential pre op to give you the best WLS outcome.

Yes, you did great...and should be proud of your choices! I remember that the day before my surgery, I had to host a luncheon for my woman's club (I had agreed to the date months prior to knowing my surgery date). It was held at one of the best restaurants in town...I watched everyone enjoy their Entrees...and I sipped on ice Water. But do what you know you need to do for your own well being. You successfully passed one of what will likely be many such tests...well done!

There is a significant connection between our emotional health and physical health. Many people have posted here about being "emotional eaters"...negative thoughts directed inward will result in depression, which for some is their trigger to make poor choices with their eating. I'm not saying that this is what you are doing, only want to raise your awareness about what may be going on... We also engage in many thoughts which are not accurate...and I encourage you to give some thought to the reality that you are interpreting what others have said, or done, or the "looks" others direct towards you. Interpreting other's thoughts is a slippery slope...and we can easily misinterpret the spirit of what others do. Focus your thoughts and efforts to regain control and progress in your own life...and be alright to be who you are. If we try to live to conform to what others want us to do, or frequently attempt to make other's happy, then we often miss out on our own happiness. Best wishes...