bakawaka

I use protein bars from Atkins - I am tired of the sweet flavors but they are very convenient or travel.

It sounds like everything is normal to me - you are still in the healing phase.

I've never experienced a problem with stevia but I definitely have problems with caffeine - it irritates the stomach.

I ate a bag of peanut M&M's and did not experience dumping.

Well here is the challenge I find. I eat in my sleep! I ate the bag of M&M's in my sleep - literally. I sort of remember it. I was in a hotel room. The M&M's were in the hotel minibar. When I woke up the next morning, I saw the empty package of M&M's at the bedside table. I did not experience dumping. I've also found empty Atkins bar packages in the kitchen - again, sleep eating! So here is what I have learned: I have to keep all food away from me when I sleep. I've never eaten while asleep before - but something in me wants to eat. Not sure how I will solve this issue.

I am under the impression that over time - maybe a year after surgery - out stomachs will be able to tolerate more and we will not have these same challenges. I have to say that I also find business travel challenging for eating. At the hotel buffets, I end up eating boiled eggs and smoked salmon every day - there literally is nothing else, though sometimes scrambled eggs are available. It is hard to plan for every situation. One thing that has helped me is to carry Protein bars with me everywhere I go. I travel a lot for work. So for long plane rides (8-10 hours), I always have some Atkins meal/snack bars that are high-protein and low-carb. Those help a lot. I also keep a plastic bag full of decaf tea bags and artificial sweetener. The flight attendants give me hot Water to make tea. I also carry with me instant decaf coffee.

I made my own decaf coffee syrup using the cold-brew method. It filters out the acid. Please note: I do not work for a coffee company. I also do not work for the company whose product I am mentioning here. I use the Toddy Cold Brew System that literally filters out acid. See http://www.toddycafe.com/shop/product.php?productId=67

I do eat a lot of soy protein. I also eat a lot of boiled eggs. But I do have beef at least 3 times a week.

My surgery was in November 2012 - so I am about 3 months out. My Iron levels were low after surgery so I have focused on eating a lot of beef. And it seems to me that whenever I eat filet mignon during the week, I lose more weight. Not sure if there is a connection. I know that eating a lot of beef supposedly is not good for us but I love it and thus eat it. I eat only lean beef. Of course, I do not eat gigantic steaks like I did in the past.

I am three months post-op. Today is the first day that I saw a cookie and wanted to eat it. I am glad to report that I did NOT eat it. Instead I pulled out a low-carb, high-Protein Atkins snack bar (100 calories) and ate it. I am delighted that I resisted the tempation and had a substitute. But I was shocked because ever since surgery - except today - I have never wanted a cookie or any baked good, in fact, anything sweet. My brain told me to eat and that there would be no dumping. What is your epxerience? Do you find yourself craving baked goods? Will I dump if I eat it? I want to experience dumping if I eat it so that my brain will be retrained. Do you think having Atkins high-protein, low-carb Snacks as a substitute is a good idea? Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions/observations.

I wanted to report my experiences with caffeine 3 months post op. I have avoided caffeine until today. Today caffeinated coffee was the only option. And a few minutes after drinking it, my stomach burned. I will not be using caffeine again. Decaf coffee works great for me.

I am 3 months post op. I find that decaf coffee and decaf tea are great. I cold-brew my own decaf to get reduced acid. I do not miss the caffeine. But how much decaf coffee is too much? Can I drink it all a long?

I have found egg white omelettes to be very convenient. I sprinkle them with low-fat Parmesan cheese.

I have been in a stall for 5 weeks but I am focused on the long-term and thus do not worry about it.

i am approximately 1 month and 2 weeks post-op. I lost around 35 pounds of weight over three weeks. Then it stopped. The scale goes up and down by 3-4 pounds every day I weigh on it, sometimes even during multiple times of weight the same day. I drink lots and lots of liquids - definitely not a hydration issue. I do not exercise very much. Surgeon says that stalls are normal and can last one month. Am I in a stall? Will it go away?

I'm doing okay - very busy lately - am in a stall after losing 40 pounds. Need to lose 30 more to get to goal but my body does not seem to want to give up those pounds. I'm just following the program. Actually I'm feeling great and I hope you are feeling great as well!

A wonderful relationship is in your future.

I had a starting BMI of 34.9 with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Surgery has helped solve for high cholesterol and I anticipate that I will be off of high blood pressure medication soon. I am glad I had surgery.

My surgeon says that stalls are a fact of life after WLS - the body loses weight and then stalls to adjust, then it goes back to losing weight, I am in a 2.5 week stall. At least my clothes fit for awhile. That is one benefit. Min thing to watch is to not fall back I to bad habits - just stay on the program and eventually the stall will pass.

I flew 10 days post op with a surgical drain. Had no problems. But I did have to buy bottled water after airport security to stay hydrated during the flight. The drain was not a problem going through security, I simply informed them upfront about the drain.

Insurance does not want to tell us as a means to avoid paying and to avoid lawsuits. But your insurance coordinator for your surgeon might know.

I am able to eat three average-size boiled eggs in one meal. Is that too much? That is around 270 - 300 calories. It makes a great breakfast. But is that too much?

I am 6 weeks out and weight loss has definitely slowed - but it is probably better for health. I lost 35 pounds in 4 weeks.

Carbonated beverages are also bad for the teeth.

I had the same experience but I do think that it gets better with the passage of time. It might also be low blood sugar, so some tiny 100-calorie Snacks in between 300-calorie meals might help. Of course the snacks and meals should focus on Protein. I am still a but hypersensitive male post op but do find it it stabilizing with the passage of time. I also am trying to diversify my protein sources.