erp

Started at a size 22, now a size 4 or 6 depending on the brand.

It is uncommon but possible. Regardless, the people I know that can dump (bypass patients) all say it is manageable once you know your triggers and for some improves over time. Definitely not worth being scared to death over. If it is that scary to you, you may want to think over your surgery decision as it is unlikely but possible.

^^this^^ All brands are not the same. I generally only eat Daisy brand or Nancy's (ingredients I can pronounce and know that they are). This morning, my cottage cheese is topped with unsweetened applesauce, a little stevia and PB2.

This morning is cottage cheese with unsweetened applesauce, powdered peanut butter and mini chocolate chips on top- can't finish it all though.

I love my choice but one surgery isn't better than the other. You need to talk with your surgeon, be honest with yourself as to how you got to where you are now and what you are willing to do or not do post op to comply with aftercare requirements. Those are the only views that matter.

I do a combo of #1 abstinence and #3 mindful moderation. Some foods like bagels will never be in my shopping cart but the list of "nevers" is small. Usually I just track my food and weight myself daily to stay in check.

Swizzle you may want to start a new thread to elicit more responses. I use a BCAA supplement called Xtend by Scivation. It helps with muscle soreness and is sugar free. Staying hydrated was my main challenge in the first year. Regarding your return to CF, this is major surgery and 6 weeks is not far enough out to regain your stamina. Give yourself time to heal and stay consistent, you will build back up but remember your body is also shedding a lot of weight quickly. Proper rest is essential.

Your overall diet looks great so it may just be small tweaks that help. The first thing that jumped out to me was how low your water is. The second things is that while walking brisk is important for cardiovascular health you many want to add other types of exercise and/or intensity. I found strength training and HIIT exercises to be very effective.

My best piece of advice immediately post op: stool softener. Just trust me on this one. [emoji50] Helpful note: For months, I religiously read everything on here everyday. In doing so, after awhile I could discern the wackados and idiots (lots of those folks on here) from reality. Common patterns and themes emerged that helped me form realistic expectations regarding the journey. I learned that surgery was really just the end of the beginning and that good WLS outcomes require lifelong mindfulness. Hack: add cottage cheese to your protein shakes to up your protein count. Tip: You are only limited by the goals you set. Best wishes on your journey

Not sure how far out you are since soft foods stage can vary by program. However, my program includes a serving of fruit (more servings now since I'm over 3 years out) but I was not allowed fruits with small seeds (strawberries, raspberries, etc.) early on. So, yes, a small amount of fruit is okay in a protein shake. I would stick to stone fruits, pears, or apples right now.

I knew of someone who passed due to complications post op. She wasn't following post op dietary guidelines and so while the actual surgery did not take her, poor aftercare did. However I also know a dozen people who have had surgery and are doing great. Obviously both scenarios were on my mind pre-op. So I did a few things to "put my house in order" as a "just in case". I recommend you do the same. No surgery is without risk but assuming you have found a reputable surgeon and are a compliant patient both pre and post operatively, the risk is in fact very, very small. One thing that helped a lot was talking to other post op patients from my surgeons office. I found that very reassuring. Best wishes.

Depending on the amount of separation you have, there are a lot of programs to help repair the muscle separation. http://femfusionfitness.com/safe-exercises-for-diastasis-recti/

I did not like my face at about 18 months out- it was turkey neck and a full luggage set under my eyes. Time has help a lot. I still have a little sag under the chin but not enough that it really bothers me. My mom however is a different story, as a woman almost 70, her weight loss has not restored her neck. In fact, her deflated double chin is evidence of her weight loss, just like my droopy panni and flappy arms are evidence of mine. I'll take losing over 100lbs though every time.

Avoided the scale for a few days for sanity's sake. Ended at 139.7.

Now you need to change your screen name to currentskinnygurl. Congrats!

Unfortunately it is way too soon to reintroduce carbonation and for many carbonation is off limits forever. You could try a caffeine supplement (bodybuilding.com) but if I were you, I would consider B-12 shots.

A plateau at 4 months is no where near the end of the honeymoon. This is simply a temporary slow down. Dropping a pant size every month is a lot for your body to handle. It simply needs to take a break. My advice, relax.

Watching carbs after an Easter weekend free for all. Here was today:

Google- protein fluff.

I make my protein shakes with 1/2c of cottage cheese and a couple of handfuls of spinach- they turn out so thick and voluminous, I can't always finish them. Check out Dashing Dish website. Her protein shake recipes are awesome.

These are my standards-overnight oats with protein powder mixed in, scrambled eggs, protein pancakes, a protein shake or bar.

I travel several times a month on business, these are my "go to" items: Carl's Jr- BBQ chicken sandwich on a lettuce wrap Starbucks- egg white, spinach feta wrap or a skinny cinnamon dolce steamer Chik-fil-a- kids 4 or 6 piece grilled nugget meal with a fruit cup and milk McDonalds- 4 or 6 nugget Happy Meal with apple slices and milk or egg McMuffin with egg whites and muffin only Chipotle- grilled chicken taco, no cheese or sour cream add extra lettuce and salsa (a perfect WLS sized salad) Taco Bell- Fresca style chicken soft taco El Pollo Loco- under 500 double chicken salad or chicken soup KFC- BBQ chicken sandwich and I ditch half the bun

Everyone's capacity and stomach size is different. I was at least 1-2 years out before I could eat 4-5 oz of protein. Protein bars and shakes are fine to use, they are a supplement.

I was still on clear liquids. Once I progressed I found I needed to thin the shakes out initially.

3 years out. Breakfast - Protein shake with 1 scoop Protein powder blended with 1/2c cottage cheese lunch - grilled chicken and veggie kid's meal at Mimi's Cafe Snack- Lenny and Larry's protein cookie Dinner- salad with turkey and a hard boiled egg, 12 croutons and Trader Joe's Cilantro dressing Snack- Halo Top ice cream This totaled about 1500 calories, I track using MFP but I don't weigh or measure.