Teachamy

WOW! What a journey this has been for you! How is the rash now? I am sure all will go swimmingly. Talk to your doc. and keep the faith! You are ready for this!

1. Yes, no problems 2. Tylenol 3. NO--don't go there 4. coffee for me, after 6 weeks with cream only for me. Look for a sugar substitute 5. Yes, skim 6. No 7. Not me.

Yay! Best of luck!

I use a straw just about everyday. (Started at 12 weeks out). No problems at all.

You both had 2 different surgeries. Jessica apparently has a lap band.

Hi Casle, I went back into my old posts and copied part of this one for you. It is NORMAL to not have a loss so soon after surgery. Your scale will not show a loss everyday.Good luck! You are ok! I find that on this page I am constantly advocating for people to step off the scale, to stop allowing an arbitrary number to dictate your mood for an entire day. (Or longer) But those posts about, "HELP! I am in a stall! I gained 3 ounces!" persist. We will all see weight fluctuations for a myriad of non-weight-related issues--you weighed in the afternoon instead of the morning, you moved your scale, you are retaining Water, you are constipated, you stepped off, then on, then off, then on, etc. I go to my bariatric center once a week, or less. I guess I am what the people here call "a slow loser", maybe because I had a low starting BMI, maybe because I am on calcium-channel blockers that slow my heart rate and metabolism. Either way, I get a real thrill to see losses when they occur, and weighing less often keeps me from obsessing over numbers. This isn't a race, the numbers are not a reflection of who I am as a person. I made a brave choice for my health, and I am talking the talk AND walking the walk. I am proud of myself and happy about my decision. So to summarize... 1. Step off the scale 2. FInd some lo-cal treats that float your boat: I devour sugar-free popsicles, Viactive Vitamins, and gummy fiber-supplements (yes, I consider supplements a treat! They are yummy!) 3. Remember that there's no such thing as "cheating". You are making a choice, healthy or not--it's all up to you. Thanks for letting me share! Amy

I would recommend kissing fried foods and fast food goodbye. There are healthy ways to eat all of the foods you mentioned, and one way that has been mentioned is moderation. Another way is to compromise and find new favorites.I have satisfied my pizza cravings by 1 or 2 tiny pieces of pizza made with vegan cheese. My chocolate cravings are satisifed by Quest chocolate chip cookie dough Protein bars, instead of cheestos I eat Pirates Booty or a vegan version. (Although I try to eat low carb, so I avoid it at all costs.) It is really easy to slip into a pattern of "sliding" back into old habits, even by eating these new alternatives, so try to be conscious about your choices and you'll be fine. We all need to learn we are eating to live, not living to eat!

I couldn't glug right away. Sipping was a challenge. Now I am 4 months out, and I have times when glugging is possible. NEVER right after eating, but when my tummy isn't full, I find I can drink normally.

My best advice is to call your insurance company directly. They all are different, and they will be able to explain the exclusion fully.

You're funny! In solidarity and respect I will admit I have yet to resort to licking food, but it has definitely occurred to me! Beware of those darn rice crackers, I have celiac, and boy those things shoot my blood sugar to the sky! (Oh yeah, also diabetic, joy...) I imagine they are approved because of texture, not nutrition. Then again, what can a few licks hurt? Hope you get to eat more soon. Amy

She was a little nuts on The View last time around, but I hear she is coming back. It will be nice to have a sleeved sister on TV.

I am mostly concerned with calories, so I guess I tend to choose the low-fat stuff more often. Fewer calories means I can eat more, right? I should add that I do use half and half in my coffee. That's 1 thing I won't mess with.

Personally, I need to measure my food. My eyes are always bigger than my sleeve, and if I try to "listen to my tiny sleeve" I end up eating a bit too much and I puke. That's my bottom line. Is it being a perfectionist? I guess so, if vomit is your definition of perfection.

Hi all, I finally made it to the bariatric center yesterday to get weighed, after 2.5 weeks away from the scale. I lost over 5 pounds in that time--and am very happy with my loss. I find that on this page I am constantly advocating for people to step off the scale, to stop allowing an arbitrary number to dictate your mood for an entire day. (Or longer) But those posts about, "HELP! I am in a stall! I gained 3 ounces!" persist. We will all see weight fluctuations for a myriad of non-weight-related issues--you weighed in the afternoon instead of the morning, you moved your scale, you are retaining Water, you are constipated, you stepped off, then on, then off, then on, etc. I go to my bariatric center once a week, or less. I guess I am what the people here call "a slow loser", maybe because I had a low starting BMI, maybe because I am on calcium-channel blockers that slow my heart rate and metabolism. Either way, I get a real thrill to see losses when they occur, and weighing less often keeps me from obsessing over numbers. This isn't a race, the numbers are not a reflection of who I am as a person. I made a brave choice for my health, and I am talking the talk AND walking the walk. I am proud of myself and happy about my decision. So to summarize... 1. Step off the scale 2. FInd some lo-cal treats that float your boat: I devour sugar-free popsicles, Viactive Vitamins, and gummy fiber-supplements (yes, I consider supplements a treat! They are yummy!) 3. Remember that there's no such thing as "cheating". You are making a choice, healthy or not--it's all up to you. Thanks for letting me share! Amy

I can eat about 2 oz. of meat, about 4 oz. of dairy/tofu protein. I am 4 months out.

GO Lyn! That's awesome!

To give them some credit, those who see you everyday may not notice. Wait until you run into someone you haven't seen in a long while. They will certainly notice! And the more you lose, the more obvious it will become to those around you. Keep your chin up!

Apple. (trying to add to this fruit salad)

12 weeks is when my nutritionist allowed me to have raw fruits and veggies, nuts, etc. So 3 months-ish. But your bariatric center may have other plans for you.

I know how you feel squeaker. People keep asking me how much I've lost before telling me they "found it". I try to focus on the benefits to my health, cutting my insulin by 75%, no more chronic hives, and perfect cholesterol levels so far. And damn it, I look good!

Chicken breast is rough for me, but boneless, skinless thighs are OK, as are ground meats. The moister the better!

How about tracking it on MFP or some other website? Sugar and carbs are the enemy, I guess, but you're not a robot--you need to indulge every once in a while. Is there a way that you could make room in your calorie goals to have something once a week?

Flintstones complete, Viactive with Vitamin D, gummy Fiber supplements, and Vitamin B. All my blood work levels are normal.

I'm sure you'll be fine.