Kindle

Congrats! NSVs at 2+ years are few and far between! I'm not much of a clothes person, (still shop in thrift stores when I can) but it was sad to say goodbye to a few things. The only item I just couldn't part with was a really nice leather jacket with embossing and latigo lace accents. Cost over $400 and was a fav. Fortunately the seams were located in areas that made it quite easy to take in the sides and sleeves so I was able to have it tailored to fit my new body perfectly.

I don't perceive being treated differently at all. I interact with my friends, family and coworkers exactly the same. My clients have always respected me and been friendly, so no change there, either. I don't get asked out on dates anymore than when I was fat. (Thank goodness). Maybe I'm oblivious but I don't see a difference with salesmen, store clerks, or strangers on the street. I've always had a strong confident personality so perhaps that overpowered any potential fat shaming issues. On the other hand, it could be that the community I live in is so much more accepting and less judgemental than what I read about on here. I was very open about telling people about my surgery and I did not get any negative feedback. Literally hundreds of friends, acquaintances and clients expressed well wishes and support. They ask about how I feel, not comment on how I look. People here see and accept you based on your actions, not what you look like or what you wear. Unfortunately I think too many others on here live in a mean world. I used to as well, where people were less gracious, self serving and sought to feel better about themselves by belittling others. I'm just utterly thankful that I found a tiny piece of the world that still has good old redneck, conservative, old fashioned values and kindness is a way of life.

I planned on taking two weeks but we got so busy I went back after 1 week. I am a vet tech and partners in a mobile vet practice. Kind of hard to tell the animals not to get sick so I can take time off to recover. I did fine though. Just tired.

Stop eating carbs.....period. graham crackers (even one bite), bread, taco shells, and potatoes shouldn't even be on your menu until you are passed goal. The fruit is a better choice but only after you've already gotten in all your Protein. More protein. More fluids. It's a very simple recipe for success. You will feel full sooner and longer with protein. If you are having a hard time knowing what the right kinds of food are, seek the help of your nut. If you know what the right choices are but are struggling to make them, seek the help of a therapist or counselor. your surgeon "fixed" your stomach. But you wouldn't be the first person who needs help fixing their head, too. And unfortunately that is the harder of the two.

My first answer would be to have your blood pressure checked. But from your posts on another thread, you mentioned you eat once/day and drink water, tea and Gatorade the rest of the time. So it could be good old fashioned starvation/malnutrition/low blood sugar. Like I mentioned in the other thread, try eating a couple spoonfuls every few hours.

Your discomfort does not sound normal at 5 months out. Have you talked to your surgeon? Perhaps an upper GI study or even scope is warranted to see what's going on in there.

Since you can drink OK, make sure everything you drink contains protein. I could barely eat more than a couple tablespoons at a time for several months, but I still got in 60-80g protein starting day five via protein shakes, milk, and even thinned Greek Yogurt. And no, I didn't want to eat, either, but I forced myself to get proper nutrition. After all, the whole point of surgery was to be healthy. Like @@perforce suggested, it's easier to eat a couple tablespoons several times/day than it is to try and eat just 1 meal.

Thanks, Ann, for providing the info about NSAIDS. I've explained it in other threads, but your answer is just so much more "official". And @@CowgirlJane don't stress too much about the NSAIDS. I have been on very high doses a couple times since my VSG without problems. (800mg three times/day for three weeks). I've also had to take prednisone for cervical nerve impingement and steroids have the same GI effects as NSAIDS. My surgeon just advised to take a PPI while I'm on them. And just for good measure, I take sucralfate during and at least a week after stopping them, too. I also temporarily cut out acidic drinks/food like coffee and tomato based stuff.

I totally agree with @@OutsideMatchInside and @@JamieLogical about following the rules and working hard to establish new healthy habits in the beginning. We are at a fragile state after surgery, physically, mentally and emotionally. Having structure and stability will ease the growing pains (or shrinking pains in this case). I was a strict rule follower at first, but as I passed goal weight, I felt more confident in my ability to forge my own way. There were just certain rules that didn't jive with me and I would not have been a happy camper trying to stick with them. I had surgery so I could be "normal", not so I would feel restricted. So I found what worked for me, which is very different than what may work for you. But if, at any point I find myself gaining weight or becoming unhealthy I will certainly reassess my plan and adjust my "rules". That's what's so great about all this....it's a constant evolution and I am in control of what happens to me.

I guess it's just a coincidence that you've used the one cold medicine that does have an NSAID. But if you start looking at labels you will see that's the exception to the general rule. The other ingredients that actually help cold symptoms are probably the same. They just use acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen as the pain/antipyretic portion.

I'm 26 months out and have been below goal for 18 of them. Of course the further out I got my portions increased. I could only eat a couple tablespoons at a time at 2-3 months and reached my max capacity of about a cup by 14 months. I can eat more in the evenings than in the morning and I can eat more of things like Soup and yogurt than I can chicken or steak. When I was close to goal I upped my fat and carbs by adding in more fruit, whole grains and full fat dairy, nuts, etc. in order to slow down and stop my loss. I can't give you numbers as far as grams of fat, Protein, carbs and calories because I don't track or measure. But I shoot for protein first, minimize (not exclude) carbs like Pasta, rice, bread and sweets and pay no attention to fat content. Besides my high protein diet I drink a protein shake and eat a Quest bar everyday so I know I'm getting well over 60-80g protein/day. I drink 64-100oz every day. I eat fruit, veggies and grains every day. I take my Vitamins every day. I don't ever feel like I'm dieting because there's nothing I can't or don't eat, just in moderation. I saw the nut on my day of surgery and haven't talk to her since. I just figured out what worked for me based on the basics of meeting protein and Fluid goals and making healthy food choices.

My goto's have always been DayQuil/NyQuil. But any of the Tylenol Cold/Flu, Cold/Sinus, robitussin, sudafed, alka seltzer plus products would work. Very few cold medicines contain NSAIDS. If I have a bad cough I get my PCP to Rx guaifenesin/hydro syrup - works better than anything OTC.

Absolute ditto for me. I have been below goal for over 1 1/2 years and I always drink with and after meals. I discovered early on it didn't make any difference when it came to when, how much or what I ate. My head controls that, not my stomach.

My post WLS story gets even more complicated by the fact that I did have a C. diff infection develop 2 months postop. My PCP, gastroenterologist and the infectious disease specialist I saw all agreed it was likely a combination of my high risk of previous exposure (I am a vet tech and have treated hundreds of animals with clostridial diarrhea over the last 12 years), my recent GI surgery, the fact I was taking a PPI, and most importantly the clindamycin I was given for a tooth root abcess 2 weeks prior to the diarrhea starting. After two months of failed treatment with metronidazole, vancomycin and MASS quantities of probiotics, I finally had a fecal transplant. Instant cure, BTW! And it just so happens that my donor is a very thin person, so who knows how much of my successful weight loss can be attributed to her "skinny flora" vs my VSG?! But one thing's for sure....I will never be taking antibiotics again. I actually refused them when I had my gallbladder removed, despite my surgeon's protocol. He made me sign a AMA form to that effect.

....

I had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Mexico over two years ago. Even then His dietician STRONGLY recommended the use of probiotics. She wanted us on drinkable yogurts with live cultures starting 3 days postop. They also offer and encourage their patients to use their line of bariatric Vitamins that include a probiotic supplement. I did not use their line, but I do take whole food based vitamins that include prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes. I also eat Greek yogurt with live cultures every day. I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for two years. I have no idea how much of an impact the probiotics played because it's something I've taken from the very beginning.

I could have driven the day after surgery. Felt fine and was not on any pain meds. But I was in TJ, so not driving had nothing to do with surgery . I drove myself home from the airport - 6 hour drive - on day 3 and 4. I had to stop and get a hotel that first day because it was a white out blizzard and the roads were pure ice. Wishing I was back in sunny TJ!

I am 26 months out and do exactly 0 minutes of excercise 0 days/week. Unless you count being on my feet, squatting, bending, lifting 40-60 pounds at work 10-12 hours/day, feeding and watering horses, stacking 80 pound bales of hay, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, hiking with my dog, horseback riding, and kayaking. But these are all the exact same things I did before surgery, so it's not like it's any kind of structured excercise program or even a WLS related lifestyle change......just something I've always done.

I don't mind the cheddar and sour cream/onion Quest chips but these are definitely better. My favorite protein chip is Health Wise. They come in different flavors and Ranch is my favorite but kind of hard to find.

I originally found them at my local natural foods store. But now I buy them on Amazon cause they're a lot cheaper.

Simply Protein Herb chips. 140 calories/15g protein. Actually very filling, I can't finish the 1.16oz bag. Made with pea protein, so OK for folks with lactose and soy intolerances

Thanks for the update. Glad you've done so well. I think the key is the fact you sought the help of both a surgeon AND mental health professionals to combat your issues. The fight against obesity is both a physical and psychological battle. So many people overlook the importance of the latter. Congrats!

I did slowly transitions too, but I did it by delaying my stages rather than speeding them up. I was on liquids for 18 days, purees until 28 days, then soft food until 42 days. At 18 days I continued liquids and just ate a couple tablespoons of pureed food each day. By soft food stage I was still 1/2 liquids and 1/2 pureed. I only added one new soft food every few days. I was a combo of liquid, pureed and soft food by 42 days. It took me closer to 3 months to transition to full regular food. I never had nausea or got sick or anything. In fact, I felt great, too. I was back working 10 hour shifts at just 7 days postop. I just chose to go super slow to help prevent complications and give my sleeve plenty of time to heal.

Thanks for the post! Tyson also makes frozen pre cooked grilled chicken strips. They work out perfect for me because I can't quite eat a whole patty. They make for a super quick grab and go snack but can also be seasoned however you want and eaten with a side of veggies.

Sorry for your struggles. I guess from a nutrition standpoint I'd say try to drink more.....64-100oz daily. Dehydration can certainly make you feel crappy as well as create and prolong stalls. And make sure you are taking your vitamins with some fat. I always take my multi with a couple spoonfuls of regular cottage cheese or peanut butter. You need the fat to absorb Vitamins D, E, A and K. You should also be taking extra Vitamin D, iron, calcium and a sublingual B12. Calcium has to be taken separate from iron. And we can't absorb oral B12 anymore so it has to be taken in sublingual or injectable form. Low B12, low iron and low Vitamin D can also all account for your feelings if fatigue.