jen2013

Exactly! Take what we can get...slow and steady wins the race. As great as this app is in most cases, it can be a blow to the ego at times when we're not doing as well as the next person. I try to tell myself, many of the people that are posting many times are the extremes. Those who are doing great want to share it and those who are stuck need advice. Meanwhile, there is a huge number of Marchers (and every other month) that don't post anything and they are probably a lot like me! Slow or average to lose but nevertheless a success in many other ways and on a journey to a new life ahead. We all need to stay focused, look at the big picture and overall loss which is DOWN no matter how you look at it! (It would be great if I could remember this very thing when I get discouraged as well!)

56 pounds lost in 4 months is an average of 14lbs a month! I am only averaging a loss of 10 per month and that is on the high end of my surgeons 5-10lb a month loss expectations. I read these posts sometimes and think to myself that I should be ready to throw on the towel compared to others! It really gets me down to read them sometimes when I know I am on the low end of losing and hearing how bad others feel who are actually doing "better" than me on a numbers standpoint. You have done great so far, this is not the time to give up! If you do, then I certainly need to as well!!! The scale should not be the only determining factor as to whether this journey has been a success!

Thanks for this info! I was just noticing that I am having an issue. I was very regular for prob about the first 2 months after surgery. Lately I have noticed that when I "go" it is much harder (tmi) and im also straining (even saw some Blood) and the last few days I have hardly gone at all. I feel like if I am holding on to poop, it's gotta be adding to my weight! Lol. Anyway this AM I took a swig if milk of mag. Hasn't seemed to do anything . I will try the Probiotics immediately. Do you get a certain brand or certain milligram or are they all about the same? I have never shopped for them. Also finally got hooked on the 80cal light and fit Greek yogurt that you told me about months ago. (I must have tried the wrong flavor at first cause now i'm loving the blends and eat one daily) Was hoping that would help also the digestion also but hasn't. According to this article, it's probably just not enough.

We just got a jimmy johns! Haven't been there yet....which umwich do you recommend??

Their regular protein bars are amazing...like 5 net carbs/20g protein. They are endorsed by Eggface and hungrygirl. Good ingredient list and some have no sugar alcohols at all, for people that have issues with that. Lots of great flavors too...chocolate chip cookie dough is awesome as well as apple pie and others. I got these peanut butter cups but haven't tried them yet either. Hopefully this product means they are branching out into the snack bar world similar to the Atkins snack bars that are more of a sub for candy bars. Anything that helps satisfy our cravings for the bad stuff is great!

I don't think I have full on RLS (yet) but I have been experiencing jittery legs at night before I fall asleep post-surgery. What are the nutrients that could be lacking that might cause it? I read a post somewhere else on the Internet and one person mentioned taking iron at night before bed.

I was CONVINCED I had a hernia about 2 weeks out. I was overdoing it by doing normal household functions, at that point I thought I was fine. A lot of bending over, etc. The pain was stabbing and intermittent depending on how I turned and what I did. When I applied pressure to it, the pain was almost non-existent, which is what had me convinced about the hernia. I kept picturing that what I felt was my intestines coming through my stomach wall! I was at my doctor for my follow-up. He told me having a hernia there was extremely uncommon (but not completely impossible). He said that it was most likely muscle spasms from my muscle healing there under that big incision. He said that they have to pull that muscle very tight to close up and it causes a lot if people pain. Up until the stabbing pain, I really didn't have any pain from that incision. So needless to say, I was still doubtful and he told me at that point even if it was a hernia he would not go in to do anything for it yet. Too much work being done in there from surgery, etc, he said he would give it a few weeks before going back in there anyway. He told me if its still painful at my 6 week followup we would do a catscan. He did also tell me a hernia repair there would be very simple and not to worry about it. The pain disappeared right after that and has not been back since! Hope this helps!

I can't figure out how to send a pic from the mobile app! I am sure they have it,( maybe not the singles, I think they are a new product for Costco ). It is Hannah Tzatziki Yogurt dip. They also sell a full container of it, same brand. It does have small pieces if fresh cucumber in it so depending on what you're allowed you could just strain it out. I am a little over 2 weeks post op and ate it with the cucumber pieces and had no issues, they are small and I was sure to chew well.

What phase are you? I am on soft and allowed chicken salad. I cut up the chicken breast fine like in salad and added the Tzatziki instead of mayo. I had the turkey lunch meat with it as well, you are right that is also awesome!

One day soon they will be loose and ready to come off. And the scars are pink underneath! Certainly not gone completely but you will be surprised how good they look! It's the little things right now that bring joy

Was anyone else given the 1/4 cup portion size guideline and find it to not be enough? I am just starting on soft foods, ate some tuna salad and mozzarella cheese, what turned out to be more like 1/2 cup. I did get full on that amount, but it didnt feel like too much like some have described (having pain, cramps etc after eating). I felt comfortable and that was twice what I should have eaten! I read the thread about what everyone is eating and I see pictures and people describe what they ate and many seem to be eating more than 1/4 cup! What's up with this? I cannot imagine only eating that much for several more months but I don't want to be stretching my pouch or anything. Anyone have any insight to this?

Was anyone else given the 1/4 cup portion size guideline and find it to not be enough? I am just starting on soft foods, ate some tuna salad and mozzarella cheese, what turned out to be more like 1/2 cup. I did get full on that amount, but it didnt feel like too much like some have described (having pain, cramps etc after eating). I felt comfortable and that was twice what I should have eaten! I read the thread about what everyone is eating and I see pictures and people describe what they ate and many seem to be eating more than 1/4 cup! What's up with this? I cannot imagine only eating that much for several more months but I don't want to be stretching my pouch or anything. Anyone have any insight to this?

Surgery march 5...today is discharge day (hopefully!) just had my dye test everything looks good. Drinking apple juice and changed into real clothes...feel like a rock star compared to 2 days ago! Still painful to get up and down and tightness when I walk but not much pain anymore. Waiting for drain to be pulled, so not looking forward to that from what many of you have said!

Out of surgery and on the losers bench finally! Lots of pain for first few hours but it is getting better. On morphine pump for pain. BP is high they said prob due to the pain cause I don't normally have issues. Had to get med for that, hopefully it starts coming down. Other than that doing ok. Although I am hungry! At least that's what it feels like, maybe it's the gas?

I can't wait to get this over with and be on the losing side! I am scheduled for 215pm tomorrow. Good luck to you also!

Got my call as well, 215 pm for the surgery ...ugh!! And my surgeon is always running behind! Was hoping for first thing in am to avoid him being late, no such luck.

Congrats surgery day buddy! Can you believe it is so close?? I cannot wait to be on the other side.

I am march 5....quietly freaking out too, trying to contain it as much as possible! I am sure Monday I will be a mess once I get my call with surgery time. I am so worried I am going to get sick (cold) it is going around my office so I have been popping airborne to try to keep it away. I do not want ANYTHING to postpone surgery at this point!! Good luck, when do you go, wed 3/6?

Did you introduce it once you started regular foods or did you wait a while post op? I love this jerky now and I'm still preop. Would love to have a food to look forward to on the other side!