OneWritersSoul

If you're wanting orange juice but you're worried about sugar, carbs, acid, etc. the way I was then maybe ask your nutritionist about (or try on your own) Tropicana Trop50. It's only 50 calories for an 8 ounce serving plus it has added Calcium and Vitamin D that we need anyway. I usually have 4 ounces with 4 ounces of Water to cut the acidity and it cures my orange juice cravings. Also, it is GREAT for mixing with my unflavored Protein powder for my own low calorie Orange Julius type treat. If you like nuts but portion sizes or calories worry you, they do have individual packages of them at the grocery stores. I worried about trying them because I didn't know how I'd tolerate them post-stricture, but half an individual serving of almonds is a great snack! And if you're a chocolate fan, they have chocolate covered ones for 100 calories a serving. Stalls are frustrating, it's true. But I've found that a slight increase in calories (not carbs or unhealthy ones!), protein, and water usually breaks them. And be sure to take measurements because when the scale stops moving, your tape measure usually starts! I wish you much luck and success!!

I have to second the Syntrax Nectar! Every type of Protein prior to finding Syntrax made my nausea/vomiting a million times worse. Now I'm able to get my extra protein in and not be ill- the fruit flavors are a major bonus! (The only other protein I could tolerate was Sunkist protein "shots" but I didn't like the calories in them- 170 calories and 42g protein per shot with 0 carbs, available at Nashua Nutrition online. They tasted like orange Koolaid to me.)

Everyone is vastly different, and that includes surgeons! But, I'm like you and DETEST throwing up and I know that something is seriously wrong if I do it. The nausea and the vomiting were my clues that I'd developed a stricture after a few weeks of doing just fine. So, don't ignore your body. But use your common sense as well.

I never peeled the skin off. Even early on, pickles were my go-to thing because the nausea was so overwhelmingly bad. I just mad certain to dice them up then chew them well.

That is so awesome! Thank you for taking time to share your moment with us. It touched my heart in a very moving way.

You guys are so not alone! When it's my TOM it's nothing for me to feel actual hunger when I normally don't feel it at all! Yes, popcorn is a slider food for me too- as are Welch's fruit snacks. My only saving grace is Celiac's Disease and not tolerating grains or any type of grains, etc. because otherwise, I'm sure it would be more of a struggle during the entire week. Thankfully, MFP helps keep me honest!

The photo at the top left is me at my heaviest (489lbs) and the photo on the bottom right hand corner is me today at my current weight of 260lbs.

Every single person is going to be different. There are no hard and fast rules, per se, except listening to our surgeons and nutritionists. Playing the comparison game is a bad habit to get into because we -are-all so very different! I'm almost six months out and there is no way on Earth that I can eat my daily allotted calories. I use MFP to track my intake, focus on Protein, drink Water, and try to stay active. But I'm human. When my TOM comes around, my calories are a little higher but not over and when I stall I've figured out my routine to get out of it. I avoid carbs, gluten, and most grains because I was diagnosed with Celiac's Disease -and- because my sleeve dislikes practically all of them. But I didn't figure it all out overnight. It was a lot of trial and error. Please please please know that I understand your frustration. Give yourself time to become acclimated and on an even keel. And by all means, feel free to add me on MFP if you want to see what my day is like or have additional support!

DOS: 10/25/12 HW: 489lbs SW: 389lbs CW: 270lbs This has been one wild ride! If anyone had told me so much could change in FIVE months, I never would have believed them. My only complication was a stricture that I had repaired at about 3 mos and they also diagnosed me with Celiac's Disease, so no gluten for me! I'm off my fibromyalgia medicine and my CPAP machine, which leaves me taking only my Topamax and my vitamins/supplements. I hate shopping, but as most of us have figured out, it's a necessary evil. My biggest NSVs have been wearing actual blue jeans and sitting in restaurant booths again! I have loved reading everyone's updates. I look forward to reading more!

You can friend me on MFP. My ID is Serenity_lynn and I'm on every day.

I've had such a hard time with almost every form of Protein. I'm at almost the 4 month mark now and I've finally found a few that I can alternate. I found Sunkist protein "shots" from Nashuanutrition online. They are also where I found my Syntrax nectar individual packets- it's not as sweet as most which was perfect for me because sweet flavors and I don't do well together. Last but not least, GNC carries a great Unflavored powder that I use for soups, tea, hot cocoa, etc. I've found that I use the Sunkist shots only on days that my protein has been really low because it has 42g in it. My go to every day stuff is the Syntrax Nectar- I add more Water to them just to make sure I'm getting my fluids in, but you can do it as you like it. Some people I know add them to plain Greek yogurt. Hope some of that helps you!

Pittsburgh, PA

For those just joining, mine was posted earlier but here it is again! MFP ID is Serenity_lynn

Congrats on beginning your journey! I think Magee is a great place. I'm very glad I chose them as the place to have my procedure done. Dr. George Eid is my surgeon and he has been just amazing! I truly could not have asked for better. My only tips? Get used to drinking Water now. It will be your best friend after surgery, so the sooner you can switch to water/ zero calorie beverages (NO SODA!) the better. Maybe even start trying some Protein drinks now to see which you think you might like. I also use the MyFitnessPal app to track my daily intake- it's a great way to hold myself accountable and a great support system! So if you use it, let me know.

This was addressed in therapy before my surgery ever took place. My husband said he wanted me healthy, etc. so my therapist and I decided to take him at his word after a month of joint therapy sessions. Ultimately, he wasn't okay with any of it, least of all the possibility that I may be attractive to someone else- even if I'd never in a million years act on it. He'd prefer a fat, barely functioning blob willing to put up with anything than a healthy woman unwilling to take anyone's abuse. Love should be stronger than all of the nonsense and if it's not, it's not the kind of love I thought it was. So be it. What is done is done and it's probably for the best. Though goodness knows it may not feel that way sometimes!

I'm in the midst of my stall. I was sleeved 10/25/12 and lost 99lbs before my 3 month checkup. I haven't lost a pound since. It's frustrating, but I know once it's over I'll drop another 15-20lbs quickly. So, we just have to be patient.

The stricture repair is the easy part! The waiting to be diagnosed was the nightmare part. I'm so glad mine has finally been addressed!

The one I like best is GNC Unflavored 100% Whey Protein. It's 130 calories per scoop with 24g of protein per scoop. I've added it to soups, hot cereals, hot chocolate- and it's great! I especially like it with SF Carnation Instant Breakfast and unflavored almond milk for the perfect protein shake.

I enjoy the attention, but it's no substitute for the real thing. It broke my heart that my husband couldn't handle the ways the surgery changed me in a very short amount of time. At my core I was still the same but because I'd changed so much on the outside, it was too much for him. So, if there's ever another that is genuinely interested in me, he's going to have to have known me as a fat girl or met me on here. ????

Hi! I had my surgery on 10/25/12 at Magee in Pittsburgh.

Since surgery (10/25/12) I'm freezing all the time! My family is convinced the surgeon broke their Southern belle when they see me dressed in my turtleneck, flannel pajama bottoms, and wool hunting socks with a cap on my head PLUS a fleece caftan thingy draped around me. I also sleep with an electric blanket beneath my heavy down comforter now as I curl up next to my extra large heating pad. Yeah, this girl is going to start looking for somewhere warm to live!!

For me they happened gradually. The nausea started as mild and intermittent then became persistent and overwhelming, even on increased anti-nausea meds and increased omeprazole. Mine was severe enough that I was eventually unable to vomit even the small quantities I was taking in. So, if you're experiencing any issues, don't hesitate to contact your surgeon to be on the safe side.

I've also put mine under the official thread but will post here as well. My MFP id is Serenity_lynn