DLCoggin

Good for you!! You're already loving the new you! LOL

His concern is understandable and I'm sure much appreciated. It might help if you point out to him that the very reason you're having the surgery is so that nothing happens to you. Ignoring obesity is a formula for disaster. Isn't it better to do something about it now when you're in perfect health than to wait until there really is no good option? You're on a life changing journey and you and your boyfriend are gonna love the new you!!

I use Tap and Track Pro on my iPhone. My Fitness Pal and Spark People are also highly recommended. Welcome to the family. There are so many knowledgeable folks here. You're in the right place and congratulations on your surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

Something magical about moving down to the next size!! Congratulations!!

Just emailed!!

Just emailed!!

Just emailed!

Just emailed!

Just emailed!!

Experts say that if you're not measuring your portions, you almost certainly are eating more than you think you are. Remember the Prime Directive - it's ALL about life style changes. That means anything you do has to be sustainable, compatible with your strengths and weaknesses, and based on realistic expectations. As long as you measure what you're eating or drinking and you're following your doctor's recommendations on portions, calories, Protein - then you're not guessing and you're gonna love the new you!!

I've used "Tap and Track Pro" on my iPhone since Dec. 7th of last year. The app doesn't need to know that you've had a gastric bypass. You configure your height and weight. Then tell it your goal weight and how much you want to lose per week and the app calculates the number of calories you should have. Alternatively, you can configure it for whatever number of daily calories your doctor recommends at whatever post-op point you're at. It will even track water if you add it as a "Favorite" and then just add it to your daily intake as often as you like. It also allows you to generate all kinds of reports including custom date ranges. There is a free version that you can use to give it a try. Research has repeatedly shown that folks who maintain a food diary or log lose more weight, lose it faster, and are more successful at maintaing their goal weight. There are many options for apps but some kind of log is highly recommended!! You're gonna love the new you!!

There is no "better option" than getting all of your protein from FOOD. The key word being ALL of your protein. My surgeon requires 100g a day. I still drink a Protein Shake every day for Breakfast but I soon found lots of high protein food options. I've averaged 95g of protein a day for the last eight months. I have compiled a list of almost 100 grocery store and fast food options that are high in protein and I'm constantly adding new finds to it. Forum rules don't allow me to post the Excel file but I'd be glad to email it to you if you post your emal address or PM it to me. I've sent it to dozens of folks on the forum and many seem to find it useful.

You can do exactly the same thing with salmon. I like to add sliced lemon and cilantro before sealing the pouch. Really delicious!

My surgery was laparascopic and I had a drain that they removed just before I left the hospital - second day after surgery. Did not hurt when it was in or coming out. Nothing to it!

Here are some good places to start your research! http://www.hsph.harv...vention-source/ (Harvard School of Public Health) http://www.webmd.com/ http://asmbs.org/ (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) http://iom.edu/Repor...Prevention.aspx (Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science) http://www.wlslifestyles.com/ (This is a digital magazine with an ENORMOUS amount of information on weight loss surgery. Cost is $19.95 for a one year subscription and imho that's a real bargain.) http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Many insurance companies require a "letter of medical necessity" from your primary care physician before they will approve bypass surgery. Rather than draft a letter of appeal yourself, you might want to discuss the situation with your PCP and see if he/she would be comfortable with writing the letter. You might also want to discuss with the surgeon that did your band as well. Especially if the surgeon does other bariatric surgeries in addition to the band. Revision from the band to the bypass is relatively common and sometimes covered by insurance. Either one or both letters will likely improve your chances of getting approved. Whatever you do, don't give up. If you're persistent you will prevail!!

You are on a journey that will quite literally change your life in ways you can barely imagine. Three months from now this three weeks will seem like a very small price to pay. You're gonna love the new you!!

I love coffee (decaf) and it has been an absolute god send for me! No or low calories (if you use creamer), filling, loaded with anti-oxidants and a ton of other benefits. Give it a try if you like coffee!

You might find some useful ideas in my post "Managing Hunger"... http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/1493-managing-hunger/page__fromsearch__1

Welcome to the family!! You're in the right place!!

Congratulations!! Almost show time!!

At two weeks out, might be better to measure than guess. Digital food scales are inexpensive and easy to use for measuring portions. The one I have measures grams and ounces and I think was about $25 on Amazon. I also bought a 5oz measuring glass that makes liquid measurements a snap. Well worth the money. Portion control was definitely what led to my problem in the first place. If you're not measuring, the experts say it's almost a certainty that you're eating more than you think. The good news is that after you measure for a couple months, you get pretty good at estimating portions. Your pouch isn't broken, it's just healing. Lots of nerves that are healing from your surgery. Your stomach/pouch has stretch sensors that send signals to the brain when you're full. Not uncommon for it to take a while for those to come back into play following a bypass. You're gonna love the new you!!

Just emailed!

Just emailed!

Stalls are a natural part of the weight loss process and although frustrating are usually nothing to worry about. That said, there are some things you can check that may shorten the length of the stall or even jump start your weight loss. Are you getting ALL of your doctor's recommended daily protein? There are lots of reasons why protein is so important but sometimes you can break through a plateau by increasing your intake of protein - eggs, low-fat cheese, fish, chicken, turkey, or tuna - for two or three days. Try to avoid anything processed. The science behind it is that the intake of pure amino acids increases your metabolism and forces the body to burn stored fat. Are you getting your doctor's recommended daily calorie intake? Plateaus can be "artificially" created if you aren't eating enough calories. The body reacts by burning less stored fuel. Essentially, your metabolic rate slows as the body attempts to conserve fuel in response to a "famine" state. Reducing calories is important for losing weight but it is not the whole story and you can go too far. Are you drinking a lot of fluids? Preferably water (ugh) but all fluids help flush the system out and can actually increase weight loss. Are you staying active? Exercise will increase the speed of your weight loss, increase the total amount of weight you will lose, and help you to maintain your goal weight when you get there. Forget about training to be the next superhero! Remember the Prime Directive - everything you do including your exercise must be sustainable. I walk at least four times a week. I started out walking 15 to 20 minutes and slowly worked my way up to 45 to 55 minutes and two and a half to three miles. I enjoy it and that makes it sustainable. Five years of an exercise plan that you enjoy is infinitely more valuable than five weeks of frustrating yourself and ultimately giving up. Stay focused on following the protocol, stay active, and stay away from the scales for a couple of weeks. Before you know it the stall will pass and you'll be right back on track to the new you!