Bufflehead

I'm lazy so I'm just going to link to my most recent post on this. I listed my favorite brands and linked where to buy samples of each. Good luck! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/307990-need-names-of-good-protein-powder/?p=3476426

I did liquid vitamins for the first four weeks after surgery: multivitamin, calcium, and iron -- plus sublingual B12. For the liquids I used Wellesse brand (available via Amazon and other places) and took a double dose. After four weeks I switched to Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi's, Citracal Petites (although I think I am going to change to Celebrate Chewables), generic vitamin D, and Jarrow's Vitamin K2. I still do the liquid iron since that's what I seem to tolerate best. My labs have always been great.

My favorite brands are: Syntrax Matrix, Syntrax Nectar, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, samples available here: http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html (use the little drop down box to select brands/flavors) Unjury, sample pack available here: http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-starter-kit.html Jay Robb, sample pack available here: http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/whey-protein-samples.asp Chike, sample pack available here: http://www.chikenutrition.com/chike-variety-pack.html Good luck!

My FUPA is gone but was replaced by a mess of sagging, wrinkled chicken skin -- enough to hang down and pretty much cover my crotch. Be careful what you wish for - you may get it! A mons lift would be the first item of plastic surgery I would get if I could. Seriously, we all have areas of fat that seem like they will never go away. I have a big spare tire between my belly button and my pubes and 25 lbs left to get to goal. I think if I hit my goal, every gram of weight lost is going to come from that spare tire because it is huge! I also struggle with finding clothes that fit. I wish I could tell you something definitive but it seems to be one of those things that is just governed by random luck and genetics.

I think one should try to sleep on their right side not the left. That's not what I'm seeing: http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/print.html http://www.gihealth.com/newsletter/096/096.html http://www.medslant.com/newsletters/2010-12.html

You did an entire dose of magnesium citrate (the fizzy stuff in the glass bottles) and got no results? Honestly I would check with a medical person (your doctor, possibly the ER if you are in pain) rather than an internet message board. If you aren't getting anything with magnesium citrate you could be impacted and that needs professional seeing to from my understanding.

My surgeon recommends Milk of Magnesia + stool softeners (dulcolax, Senokot) for quick relief, and for people who need it, an every other day dose of Miralax to keep things regular after that.

Gorgeous! You look like your former self's daughter! And your former self was a very attractive woman in her own right but now, wowza! Congratulations on all your successes. I hope to be nearly as successful!

I get my unflavored protein from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Syntrax-Nectar-Medical-Unflavored-1-Pound/dp/B001I1NSUY/ you can also buy from Unjury: http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/reg/unflavored_protein.shtml You should also be able to find unflavored protein powder at stores like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Just tell the sales person that's what you want. Couple things to keep in mind -- if you are mixing with hot liquids, make sure they are under 130 degrees, and unflavored doesn't mean it has no taste -- just that no other flavor such as chocolate or vanilla has been added. It definitely has a taste! So try to add it to strong flavored things that will cover up the flavor.

Try something savory like warm broth with unflavored protein powder mixed in, warm tea with vanilla protein powder, or Unjury Chicken Soup protein powder. Are you on a PPI? That may help with hunger (stomach acid feels like hunger). For Isopuke - cut it 50/50 with water, essence water, G2, or light juice - that was the only way I could choke it down. And keep walking as best you can. Good luck!

I get the Syntrax Nectar and Syntrax Matrix powders from Nashua Nutrition. They sell samples so you can try before you commit to a large amount: http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html You can also find it on Amazon, mybariatricpantry.com and similar sites. I don't know about physical stores like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe -- I guess call your local store and ask if they carry it? I know Vitamin Shoppe sells it online but I am not sure about in the brick and mortar stores.

You look fantastic! wtg!

My favorite brands/flavors are Unjury Chocolate Splendor, Chike Iced Coffee, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Vanilla Ice Cream, Jay Robb Whey (any flavor), Syntrax Matrix (any flavor), and Syntrax Nectar Sweets (chocolate truffle, vanilla bean, cappuccino). I generally mix with CarbMaster milk from Kroger. Honestly I don't care for any of the premade shakes, I think they all taste like runoff from an industrial agricultural supply plant. I do a lot of mix ins to my shakes, mostly instant coffee, Torani sugar free syrups, flavors/extracts and flavored Sweet Leaf drops, but also some things like lemon or lime juice, flavored yogurt, PB2, sugar free pudding mix -- anything to give it more flavor and me more variety.

You should definitely get in touch with your surgeon or PCP about this. Untreated heartburn can cause serious problems! They may want to change your PPI, up the dose, etc. If you have been in touch with one of them and they haven't been able to help you, get in touch with another physician. You shouldn't have to suffer with this. A few things you might want to try to see if they help you (assuming you haven't already): --don't eat, or drink anything other than clear liquids, starting 3 hours before bedtime --cut back on coffee and acidic (tomatoes are often a problem for people) and spicy foods --sleep with the top portion of your body elevated - get a wedge pillow designed for this -- and/or sleep on your left side --if you sleep wearing pajama pants, undies, anything with elastic around the waist -- stop! --go for a walk after dinner Good luck!

If you aren't tolerating full liquids, then don't push it. I do think you should explore more options for getting in your protein on clear liquids: Isopure RTD (it's nasty but has tons of protein -- try cutting it 50/50 with water, essence water, G2, or Powerade Zero), Unjury chicken broth, Syntrax Nectar, HealthSmart high protein bouillons -- those sorts of things. I don't think your surgeon is doing anything wrong -- mine only has his patients on 24 hours of clear liquids before moving on to fulls, and I had no problem with that regimen. But absolutely, if you aren't ready for the next stage, hang back on the previous one until you are. Good luck!

I took liquid multivitamin, iron, and calcium (all Wellesse brand) for the first four weeks after surgery. I also did a chewable probiotic and sublingual B12. Since then, I've been doing a double dose of Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi's, 2 Citracal Petite tablets, generic vitamin D, liquid iron, chewable probiotic, and sublingual B12 (the B12 is only 2x/week now). My lab work has been great all along. The Wellesse liquid vitamins & minerals are all available via Amazon. The Trader Joe's chewables are as well but they are way more expensive online than they are in the physical store.

I wasn't allowed any raw vegetables until 6 months out. I haven't had any problems with them since then but I eat tiny amounts so I can focus on protein.

That wouldn't meet my dr's requirements -- too low in protein and too high in carbs.

It was about 8-9 months for me, I went from never being able to eat even 2 oz. of protein to easily eating 3 oz.

This is a good place to start: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1055-pur%C3%A9e-stage-2/ Also try the search box in the upper right for "pureed foods" "pureed recipes" "favorite purees" -- stuff like that. It's a pretty frequently discussed topic. I'm lazy so I am just going to copy and paste an earlier post I made: I was on full liquids for four weeks after surgery (and true liquids, not this "yogurt is a liquid, pudding is a liquid" stuff). So after four weeks of that, pureed meat tasted great to me! The trick for me was to puree it with a flavorful sauce, NOT broth, stock, or water -- then heat it up in the microwave with some cheese melted on top. It tasted just like a casserole type dish. I mostly used canned meats, or the meat you can buy in the little single serving pouches. The flavored ones were especially good. Some of my favorites: thai spicy tuna pureed with sriracha sauce and pepper jack cheese melted on top chicken pureed with bbq sauce with cheddar cheese melted on top lemon dill salmon pureed with tartar sauce shrimp pureed with remoulade and pecorino cheese melted on top turkey pureed with peanut satay sauce and jack cheese melted on top chicken pureed with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese melted on top turkey pureed with light chipotle mayo and sugar free pickle relish and Laughing Cow chipotle fresco cheese wedge melted on top teriyaki salmon pureed with teriyaki sauce (I don't recommend cheese with this but if I had to, I might try some blue cheese) Good luck!

@@jjinWA here are some places to buy samples and variety boxes. If you are planning to try the samples before surgery, make sure you buy at least two samples of that flavor. Because you really don't want to commit to anything larger than a sample until you have tasted it after surgery! http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/whey-protein-samples.asp http://www.chikenutrition.com/chike-variety-pack.html http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-starter-kit.html http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=protsamp&SortKey=sku&SortOrder=ascending&template=Templates/ProteinSampleQuickorder.html http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Bariatric_Protein_Samples_s/35.htm http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/hot-drinks/healthsmart-hot-chocolate-variety-pack-7-box.html http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/hot-soups/healthsmart-soup-variety-pack-7-box.html My favorite brands are Jay Robb, unjury, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, Chike, Syntrax nectar Sweets, and Syntrax Matrix. I also like the hot chocolate a lot (I just get the classic flavor and doctor it up with different syrups and flavorings). After surgery I drank a lot of Syntrax Nectar (regular Syntrax Nectar, not the Sweets line) because I wanted something lighter and tarter than the standard Protein powders you mix with milk. Good luck to you!

@@Emilee68 it helps cut cravings for carbs. I don't believe in "cleansing" toxins from your body by eating special foods, I think our liver and kidneys are designed to take care of that function, so I'm probably not the right person to answer that particular question

--peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter - eat a tablespoonful, or add it to your protein shake if you do shakes --handful of nuts as a snack --add some guacamole to your protein --slice up some avocado and add to salad, or spice it up and bake it for avocado fries --eat a slice or two of cheese --put some grass-fed butter on your veggies --drink whole milk instead of skim milk --saute your meat or veggies in olive oil --eat sardines canned in olive oil instead of leaner fish like tilapia Do a 1-2 of these things per day and you'll hit 200 calories easily. I am not afraid of naturally occurring healthy fats!

I did well at Kohl's.

@@Krystal0528 at Trader Joe's http://www.traderjoes.com/stores/index.asp?q or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trader-Joes-High-Potency-Chewable/dp/B00ELPQZF4 They are way cheaper in the physical store (price varies a little, I think I pay $7.99 for a bottle of 90).