Getting There

I had surgery on a Monday morning, went home Tuesday early evening. On Wednesday my mom drove me to Walgreen's & the grocery store. I walked around both pushing a cart and felt fine. I drove (mom was passenger) on Thursday. I didn't take anything stronger than Tylenol after Wednesday at noon. Returned to work 10 days post surgery and felt fine. Perhaps a bit tired by the end of the day, but really not too bad. Making yourself get out of the house, walking, drinking your fluids and getting enough Protein is key to having energy and feeling good.

My surgery was on 9/10. I've been taking pills for 3 weeks. I think my surgeon might have preferred that I not do so yet, for me, it was either take meds as pills or I simply wasn't going to take them........ Many compromises I have willing made since surgery, but crushing pills was my "line in the sand."

I get that nothing "happens" when we feel hungry but it sure isn't a comfortable feeling. In fact it's quite annoying and distracting. I think it's really easy for surgeons and others who haven't experienced the surgery, weight issues, etc. to make somewhat flippant remarks like that. Many just don't/haven't experienced the discomfort of feeling hungry and knowing that you shouldn't do anything about it for another 2-3 (or more) hours. Hopefully our brains, hormones, etc. will reset quickly - I just want to be "normal."

I've been struggling with hunger too. Are you getting enough Protein? Getting in 60+ gr/day will help with the hunger. But it may not eliminate it Also having 3 planned meals and 2 protein based snacks/day might help. Antacids &/or PPI's may - or may not - help as well. This may help too; it's a cut/paste from a similar comment. The first part is someone else's response to a comment similar to yours. My response starts with "I'm going to have to disagree......" I am not hungry. You will not be hungry as they remove the part of the stomach that stimulates hunger. What most experience is head hunger, the wanting of foods. What I have also posted is that having an empty stomach is not hunger. As a fat person we are always filling our stomachs so as not to feel this empty. This will be something you will experience. Water will always fill you up so it is a good way to make sure you get your water intake daily. I'm going to have to disagree. I know the difference between head hunger & "real" hunger. I, for one, am not looking to fill myself up with anything. In fact, my stomach physically feels hungry even though I do not feel like eating and there is nothing I'm craving, etc. I drink at least 70 oz per day so I know water doesn't "always fill you up." According to the PA/NUT at my surgeon's office, hunger is in part caused by hormones and it can take some of us longer to achieve a hormone reset than it does others. The hunger is REAL and to always call it "head hunger" is to minimize a true, real, physical condition that some of us feel - and may feel for many long weeks post-surgery. There are some that may always feel hungry (I pray I'm not one of them!). Additionally, (having just called to ask the PA the question - there is not one part or another of the stomach itself that stimulates hunger so there's not a way to "remove the part of the stomach that causes hunger."). It's also not always a case of acids in the stomach being misinterpreted for hunger, as verified by the PA/NUT. I'm taking an antacid & a PPI daily and this doens't negate the hunger. While it's awesome that most people don't feel hungry, and yes, SOME people will sometimes experience "head hunger," but some of us feel "real" hunger and can only hope that the hormones (ghrelin in particular seems to be a primary culprit), etc. will reset soon.

WOW! Kaiser sounds awesome!!! I've already started saving for the various skin de-sagging surgeries I might need (OK want) to have.

I LOVE cioppino! Now I'm going to Whole Foods tomorrow - hope mine has some too

I LOVE Whole Foods! Lots of organic produce and items you won't find at "regular" grocery stores. Plenty of speciality foods so you will probably find some great low carb options (I'm not following a low carb diet so while I'm conscientious of carbs, I'm OK with up to about 90/day - though I'm usually around 45-50). Check out the salad dressings, sauces, etc. by Walden Farms (you can find a limited selection at many grocery stores but can also order directly from Walden Farms. ZERO CARBS and they actually taste good! Hope you enjoy exploring Whole Foods!

You really need to wait 6 weeks. Even though your incisions appear to be healed, if exposed to excessive Water, it can weaken the healed skin and reopen the wound. Unfortunately, I speak from experience - not from this surgery but from another. The re-opened wound can't be stitched (has to be stapled, glued or steri-stripped). The result is a MUCH worse scar than you would have had. And you're exposed to increased risk of infection. Dangle your legs in the pool or wade into the ocean to below your knees - you'll be glad later

I really love the Vitamin Shoppe near my house. It's about 30 minutes away as well. I find their staff to be very knowledgeable and always glad to help and answer questions. I've learned that one form of B12 (Methylcobalamin) is more easily absorbed for example. Join their "club" - it's free - you earn points for every dollar you spend and can then redeem your points for merchandise. Compare the on-line prices with the in-store prices. Sometimes when they have shipping promos (like right now shipping is free for orders over $25) you can actually save a bit by ordering on-line. Enjoy and good luck

I like Bariatric Support from Vitamin Shoppe (1/day). They also have a wonderful calcium citrate, Healthy Indulgence (500 mg each) (just like eating a small piece of dark chocolate!) - sometimes it's not on their website but if you call their toll-free number they can add it to your order. You can also get sublingual B12, chewable Vitamin D (if needed), chewable Biotin and any other Vitamins, supplements or Protein powders you can think of there. www.vitaminshoppe.com if you don't have a store near you (and it sounds like you don't ) I also get Cytosport whey Isolate Protein drinks there (watermelon, tropical and tangerine flavors). They come 16.9 oz bottles of clear, fruit flavored protein goodnees. One bottle has 32 gr protein, 130 calories and only 1 carb. I like these MUCH better than the typical chocolate or vanilla Protein powder shakes. I usually pour 1/2 of the drink into an empty bottle and then fill both bottles with ice cubes & Water. I'll sip on these (along with other fluids) throughout the day. The drink is fine right out of the bottle, but I kind of prefer to have it watered down - plus I know it will give me about 1/2 of my fluids for a day.

Canned meats or meats in those foil packs (may be smaller serving sizes?). Nuts are good since you're 6 months out that should be OK. Protein bars perhaps? I found a brand "Thick Thin" that are relatively lower in calories than many others. Their dark chocolate bar has 230 calories, 20 gr protein and 26 g carbs (I don't really watch carbs too much). Make instant sugar-free pudding with evaporated skim milk (from a can) and add some extra Protein powder or powdered skim milk. There are clear fruit flavored protein ready-to-drinks that wouldn't be too bad at room temp. I drink a Cytosport whey Isolate Protein Drink daily. They come in watermelon, tropical and tangarine. One bottle has 32 gr protein and only 1 carb. Good luck - hope you weather the storm safely!

I LOVE flavored Greek yogurt (usually buy Yoplait Greek 100). I have yogurt for Breakfast almost every morning and often for a snack. I like to add cinnamon to the vanilla. Will have to try adding pumpkin pie spice - that sounds yummy! Also like the cheesecake pudding idea - maybe with a little vanilla or caramel Torani??? Fortunately my doc's plan doesn't really limit carbs (well OK, about 90/day average for a week) - they don't endorse the Atkins Diet way of eating. They do prefer the carbs to be from fruits, veggies and non-sugar for the most part but a little honey or other natural sweetner now & again is OK because we're eating so few calories. Glad they have that philosophy - I just couldn't do a 10-20 carb limit along with everything else. Heck, my Calcium alone has 10 carbs and my mulit-Vitamin has 2. I average about 55 carbs/day right now (I'm 6 weeks out). I've lost 35 pounds so far so it seems to be working out OK so far....... But if you just can't stand Greek yogurt, don't force yourself. Life is too short to do that! Maybe cottage cheese instead - you can add Torani syrup to that and it's pretty yummy!

WOW! Simply WOW! What an amazing transformation - way to go!!! Thanks for inspiring the "newbies!"

Your reaction might be the capsule itself (if it was a capsule) or the coating on the tablet (if a tablet). You might try another form of biotin but be cautious - if you're having an allergic reaction to the biotin itself (fairly unlikely - there is probably some biotin in your multi vitamin already) take a small amount and see what happens. If the problem is the capsule or the coating, another form might be just fine since your reaction was to that and not the biotin in the first place. Be interested to see how it turns out if you try another form. Good luck!

NGM - I lived in Culver City for 6 months in 1987 then moved to Valencia, where I lived for 18 months. Have to say I was VERY happy to return to Texas (where I was born & raised and the only place I've ever lived other than those 2 years in SoCal). I'd like to visit again and see how it has changed - bet Valencia has exploded in size - it was a nice area when I was there.

Way to go Shelly!!! Congrats - keep up the great work

I've found that different docs have different ideas on carbs (sugars). I eat the flavored yogurts as long as they are fat-free. My doc's opinion is that as long as most of your carbs are "good" carbs it's OK (fruit is a good carb). If you have Kroger grocery stores where you live, their Carb Master line of yogurt is really good. Only 4 gr carbs in a 6 oz container. Not quite as much Protein as Greek yogurt (9 gr) but still very good. Some people get the plain non-fat Greek yogurt and add some of the sugar free syrups to it (like Torani or DaVinci) but I don't care for that as much as I like the fruit flavored yogurts. In comparing non-fat Greek yogurts, I think Yoplait's protein & carbs are a bit better than Chobani and some others so that's the one I most frequently eat. As far as MFP - can't help much there. I got frustrated with it and went back to keeping an old fashioned pen/paper food journal

I'm 6 weeks out and I've had a bit of salad (didn't want to waste the room in my itty bitty stomach on salad since it's kind of "empty" calories). I've had steak - did just fine with it. Mostly I'm eating yogurt (breakfast everyday), 2 oz of grilled chicken or shrimp or broiled fish or similar along with 1/4 C of some type of veggie for lunch. Dinner pretty much the same as lunch but I'll sometimes add a starch. I usually have 2 snacks/day - yogurt, cottage cheese, beef jerky, lowfat string cheese - something with a decent amount of protein. I haven't had a shake in at least 2 weeks. I do have a Cytosport Whey Isolate protein drink every day. It's a clear fruity flavored drink. Found them at Vitamin Shoppe and like them better than a shake or the Isopure Ready-to-Drink Zero Carb. They have 130 calories/bottle, 32 gr protein. Sometimes I'll add 1/4 scoop of the unflavored protein powder to my evening yogurt snack if I'm a bit low on protein that day.

I'm going to have to disagree. I know the difference between head hunger & "real" hunger. I, for one, am not looking to fill myself up with anything. In fact, my stomach physically feels hungry even though I do not feel like eating and there is nothing I'm craving, etc. I drink at least 70 oz per day so I know water doesn't "always fill you up." According to the PA/NUT at my surgeon's office, hunger is in part caused by hormones and it can take some of us longer to achieve a hormone reset than it does others. The hunger is REAL and to always call it "head hunger" is to minimize a true, real, physical condition that some of us feel - and may feel for many long weeks post-surgery. There are some that may always feel hungry (I pray I'm not one of them!). Additionally, (having just called to ask the PA the question - there is not one part or another of the stomach itself that stimulates hunger so there's not a way to "remove the part of the stomach that causes hunger."). It's also not always a case of acids in the stomach being misinterpreted for hunger, as verified by the PA/NUT. I'm taking an antacid & a PPI daily and this doens't negate the hunger. While it's awesome that most people don't feel hungry, and yes, SOME people will sometimes experience "head hunger," but some of us feel "real" hunger and can only hope that the hormones (ghrelin in particular seems to be a primary culprit), etc. will reset soon.

I'm doing great! My surgery was on 9/10 with Dr. David Kim. I've lost a total of 35 pounds (9 of which were lost on the 2-week pre-op diet). I hit a stall around week 3 but now I'm steadily losing again. I haven't done much exercise yet, other than walking maybe 3 days/week for 40 minutes or so. I'm trying to get into the habit now of walking twice a day for 20 minutes each time while I'm at work - get that out of the way the easy way Now that I've been cleared to exercise, I'm going to try to find a gym that I won't mind walking into. Not sure I can face something like a 24 Hour or Lifetime yet........ How about you?

I work in Downtown Ft Worth - live in N Richland Hills

My feeling, reading the above posts, is that if it takes me a year to lose 130 pounds - or if I don't lose 130 pounds - I will feel like a total failure. I didn't do this to still be obese. I didn't do this to only lose 60% of my excess weight. I would be OK (not thrilled, but OK) with losing 90% (which would put me at 13 over my goal). Just need to figure out how to do it. Met with the NUT yesterday and he said I'm doing everything right - even close to perfect - with what I'm eating. I'm not getting enough exercise but was just cleared a few days ago so will go to a couple of gyms this weekend to see what they offer (and to see if I would feel OK working out there at my current weight - going somewhere and feeling miserable about your appearance isn't good motivation at all!). I might end up getting some DVD's and working out at home until I lose a bit more....... I sure understand everyone's frustration. We all want a magical solution and it's hard to realize that even though we're sleeved, we still have to put a TON of thought, energy and effort into losing the weight. I'm depressed now. I need a brownie - (not really).

Way to go! Keep up the good work

That's encouraging! Our starting and goal weights are very close (yours 277/140 vs. mine 265/135). I'll continue to help you if you'll keep helping me

Maybe I'll try dropping it from my daily handful - I wouldn't mind decreasing the # of pills I take every day. (Only 2 of which I took pre-surgery! The rest are Vitamins, etc. required post-surgery!)