DLCoggin

28 pounds six weeks out is a great number - congratulations!! 700-800 calories a day may be a little low. RNY is all about lifestyle changes. And lifestyle changes have to be sustainable. Long term sustainable. That's the prime directive. The sustainable test has helped me enormously in making dietary and exercise decisions from the day I had my surgery right up to this minute. I've averaged about 1300 calories a day since October 20, 2011. Two weeks ago and 100+ pounds lighter, the surgeon told me she didn't want me to lose more than an additional ten pounds and to up my calorie intake to 1800. That sounded a little high to me so I'm shooting for 1500. Crazy as it sounds, there are more days than not where I'm finding it very difficult to hit the 1500 mark. I have (I think) a great appetite but I just can't hold that much and I'm truly not t h a t hungry. I am absolutely confident that I could maintain a 1300 calorie average (there are days when I hit 1700-1800) but we'll have to see what happens with the weight. So far it's holding around 170 for the last three weeks. So based on long term sustainability, you might consider upping your calories to say 1000 a day for a month or two and see what happens. Most doctors recommend a weight loss goal of two pounds a week. Gradual calorie increases until you reach that average will take you where you want to go and do it in a healthy manner. Stalls are all part of the process and nothing to worry about. I love your decision to stay away from the scales for a week. Two would be even better! Stalls often last a couple of weeks but sometimes more. Stay focused on following the protocol, stay active and stay away from the scales as much as you can! You're gonna love the new you and congratulations again on a great start!!

OK, super hero or CIA agent - maybe. But the tooth fairy - I'd look terrible in wings! LOL!!

Congratulations!!

Welcome quefine! Great post and looking forward to many more. It's an amazing journey and you're gonna love the new you!!

This is a link to a July 5th interview with Dr. Robin Blackstone, president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Blackstone talks about the fallacy of the widespread belief that obesity is about personal choice - "As our understanding becomes more sophisticated, we begin to realize that you don't have a choice." She goes on to discuss how they are beginning to understand, for the first time in any surgical specialty, that bariatric surgery fundamentally changes the physiology of the body at the "molecular level, the level of hormone and brain signaling". Not only sending diabetes into remission in the majority of patients, but resolving and even preventing secondary complications from ever occuring in the first place. Fascinating interview and highly recommended! http://www.medpageto...e/Obesity/33619

XXXO!!

There are differences between insurance companies and it's always possible for someone to be denied. But insurance companies revolve around and make the majority of their decisions based on economic statistics. I would say the odds are in your favor for being approved assuming you meet their criteria which is usually a BMI of 40 or greater OR a BMI of 35 with one or two comorbidities (depending on the company). The skyrocketing cost of obesity not only in terms of treatment but in terms of lost productivity is well documented. For most insurance companies, the cost of paying for bariatric surgery is a good investment because it dramatically reduces their overall cost of future treatment for obesity related diseases. Even if you were to be denied initially, the insurance company will usually specify what needs to be done for you to be approved. Go for it and don't stop until "Approved"!!

Really a great idea LosingIt! So many people struggle with finding a protein shake they like. Looking forward to trying all the recipes!

Kiwi, my surgeon requies 100g of Protein a day so I've spent a lot of time looking for high protein foods. I don't know how far you're out but you might find some things you want to try on a list of high protein foods that I made for everyone. If you click on the link below and scroll almost to the bottom of page 7, you'll find a link to the list which Dallas posted on the net. Hope you find something you like!! http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/785-eating-right/page__st__120

Definitely gets much better every day. Walking will help a lot with the gas. The dehydration is the pits but you'll be able to drink water after they do the x-ray for any leaks. All down hill from there. Congratulations on your surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

Wow. Excellent prices. Almost 50% less than what I've been paying for calcium. Thank you for sharing!

Absolutely nothing to worry about. I so agree with Mary - focus on following the protocol and staying away from the scales for a couple of weeks! You'll be glad you did and the result will definitely put a smile on your face!

As long as you're not seeing dark red or black there's nothing to be concerned about. Sleep anywhere you're most comfortable. If you had a drain (on the left side) that's likely to be the most sensitive side while it heals. Congratulations on your surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

Hey John! Well, I'll tell you the same thing I told Ms. Mignon. Never been much of a picture kind of guy and really don't have anything current since I've lost the weight. Definitely on my to do list to get a pic up but my dance card has been pretty busy lately and I haven't had time to get it done. Coming - I promise!

You might want to research the "shots" a little. Couple of us here on the forum did a little research a while back and the type of protein included in those (I believe it's "collagen" protein) is very poor when it comes to absorbability by the body. Love your new picture! Looking goooooooood Ms. Mami!!!

Violet, "everyone else" is not full after two bites. Keep reading. You are less than 30 d a y s out and you're chalking this up to "another diet that didn't work"? Call your doctor. And if possible, schedule an appointment with your psychologist. Tell him/her how you feel and why. You may be the victim of unrealistic expectations. You certainly are the victim of failing to commit to lifestyle changes. See your doctors. That's what they are there for. They have lots of experience helping folks and your case certainly won't be their first. You can do this and they can help you succeed!

Yup, so did mine.

That's just great Kevin! Congratulations!!!!

Two and a half weeks is a little soon but you might want to check with your doctor about trying protein bars. Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe bars come in a bunch of sizes from 20g of protein up to a whopping 78g of protein and I think they are absolutely fabulous! If you haven't tried them already, for my money Pure Protein shakes (35g of protein) and Myoplex (42g or protein) are the best tasting shakes on the market. Naturally, taste is very subjective but you might give them a try.

Sure was normal for me! And I've loved every second of it!! Just keep sending those positive vibrations out to the universe and they will manifest in reality before you know it. You're gonna love the new you!!

A better question would probably be is there anyone who wasn't nervous or apprehensive as their surgery date got closer! LOL. Perfectly normal. I'd be more worried if I wasn't nervous or apprehensive. I remember how scared I was like it was five minutes ago. But...I also remember laughing at myself after the surgery when I realized how absolutely none of those terrible things I imagined pre-op ever came to pass! You're going to be fine and you're gonna love the new you!!

Absolutely fabulous! Congratulations!!

Congratulations on your weight loss! What you eat, when you eat, how often you eat, how much you eat, Protein - all critically important to your success. How fast you eat is something to consider and work on but not as important as these other factors (in my opinion :-) You can Google "tips for eating slower" and find lots and lots of suggestions for helping you slow down including information on "MyFitnessPal" and "WebMD". When I made my decision to go with RNY, I was convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that if I followed the protocol, to the letter, it would be medically and scientifically impossible for me not to lose weight. To this day, absolutely nothing has happened to change my thinking. "All for nothing" - simply not possible if you follow the protocol. Is it "easy"? No. Is it "easier"? Beyond any shadow of a doubt. As you've already seen from responses to your post, not everyone is full after two bites. I would go even further and say that the whole journey is different for everyone in many respects. You'll get tons and tons and tons of great ideas from all the great folks on this forum. But as you try different things, always remember that, as they say, "your results may vary". All that means is experiment, try new ideas, find what works best for you and it will take you to where you want to be! Stay focused on following the protocol. Stay active. Stay away from the scales. You're gonna love the new you!!

Weight gain immediately following surgery is quite common and absolutely nothing to worry about. It can and does happen but it won't last. Focus all of your attention on following the protocol to the letter and stay away from the scales for at least a week, two would be even better. You're gonna love the new you!!

Mami, it might help if you tell us specifically what shakes and any other Protein options (such as bars) you have tried. Otherwise we're kind of shooting in the dark. I've tried everything everyone has named so far in this thread. My personal two favorites - Pure Protein with 35g of protein per 11oz can and Myoplex with 42g of protein per 17oz serving. Myoplex hands down has the best taste, most protein, and 300 calories per serving (which it sounds like you need). I chose Pure Protein because I didn't need the calories and Pure Protein has 160 calories and tastes almost as good. The Pure Protein Bars are also excellent and available from 20g of protein all the way up to a whopping 78g. They have a number of flavors but for my money, the chocolate Deluxe is absolutely superb. You're doing great on the weight loss. But I'm sure your doctor told you how important the protein is for the healing process. Calories are probably less important than protein but 300 calories a day is not enough and it's not sustainable long term. Anything that is not sustainable does not meet the all important "prime directive" - lifestyle changes. Have you called your doctor to get his/her advice? If not, now might be a very good time to do so. There are many, many options and you only need to find one that works for you. Failure to do so could force your body into starvation mode which will slow your weight loss and the healing process. I know you can do this! And I think from reading all of the posts on the forum, you know it too. Take charge, talk to your doctor, and give us more specific information so we can offer more specific suggestions!