Dragonsmate

took about the same amount lost for folks at work to start commenting to me as well. I think it is a combination of 1. not wanting to offend, 2. just not paying attention in day-to-day activities (I get tunnel vision when I am busy and I will look up and go, "wow, that person is smaller!") 3. Thinking about making a comment but getting distracted and forgetting...until you see the person the next time...etc. It was also more apparent when I started wearing clothes that actually fit-losing weight puts a strain on the pocketbook as far as clothes go I tell ya! Congrats on your loss and just remember to not turn down the compliments. It is hard at times to take compliments but it is recognition for your hard work

I learned the hard way (I usually do) that hydration is seriously important post bariatric surgery! I am 5 months post-op and my job involves walking a lot in a big county hospital. I just recently changed my work shift from swing (day-evening) to deep nights and my workload increased significantly overnight. I did not take the time to stay hydrated and over the past month, I would go as much as 10 hours without even needing to urinate. This is not a good thing. Segue to this past weekend as I was just discharged from the hospital on Sunday following my first, and dear lord hopefully last, episode of kidney stones. I cannot even begin to describe the pain involved with this lovely endevor but suffice it to say, I now prioritize fluids over everything! Fortunately, I was able to pass the buggers without surgery but I am here to tell you, this was not my idea of a good time! We are told to prioritize Protein as far as macronutrients, and this is still very important, but recognize that because we make this alteration to our diet, fluids take even more priority...you would think as a medical professional I would have not been such a knucklehead and remembered this little tidbit of data It took 7 liters of saline before my urine started to lighten up so I know this problem did not happen overnight. For those of you struggling to get your fluids in very early post-op, that is normal and it will take time but continue to persevere. For those of us a bit farther out, I hope this information prevents you from dealing with this in the future!

RJ, I cried enough over the weekend to fill buckets so I figure some humor was due. I will admit, I am not the model patient when it comes to some of my instructions (I am rabid about logging my intake but that is it), I usually take a Centrum Vitamin and extra thiamin as well as an additional B complex vitamin but I don't take Calcium and my Fluid intake was god awful...but this was a giant wake-up call. Because of the stones, I am not restarting my calcium as my last set of labs were in the rock-star range without it, but fluids are my new BFF! It was also a good reminder not to become jaded towards my own patients when they are admitted-being in the hospital kinda sucks so I now have an even greater appreciation for staying out There are all kinds of equations to figure out optimum fluid intake but a simple rule of thumb is, keep your urine as clear as Water and you should be golden, er pardon the pun >.> Additionally, if you are not having to empty your bladder every 2 hours, then up the intake (disclaimer: this is provided you are human, have normal renal function, are not at a public fairground, or have other instructions from your personal care provider)...Blessings to all, and to all a good night. <drops the mic>

Keep in mind, your body takes 3-4 weeks to metabolize and process the anesthetics used to put you to sleep for the surgery. Fatigue is a common side effect and as the above posters mention, just continue with the fluids and Protein. Patience is a must so stay determined and back the work-outs down temporarily while your body continues to heal. Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!

Welcome back lovie! So glad you had a wonderful time and you look absolutely smashing! Brava

I am in CW 210 GW 190 thanks for picking it up

I really underestimated/misjudged the emotional/psycholgical toll it would take. You read about it, you talk with others, but it really doesn't (didn't) hit home until you go through the process...hell, I am still going through the process of figuring out my relationship with food and learning new coping skills for stress and unpleasant emotions. Only other surprise is how my "eyes are still bigger than my stomach" so weighing food serves 2 purposes, one, keeps me from "filling my plate" and two, easier to calculate calories and nutrients for recording in MFP....

weigh in finale: 211 SW: 225 GW: 213 Hell yeah!

team fitbit here as well-love the sync with MFP and the iphone app.

My usual weigh in day is Sunday and I forgot to post my previous weeks' progress so I will post my CW from this morning 216 pounds. Thanks!

all this is great information because this is the FIRST procedure I am aiming for after I reach goal and maintain for a year. My arms have always been an embarrassment and I hate not being able to wear cute sleeveless dresses, camis or tank tops. Awesome pics-give a person a realistic view of what to expect. To the OP, good luck, you will do well, and as everyone has said, follow doctor's orders to have a great chance at a fantastic outcome!

With all due respect, the usual recommended protein intake for an adult with a "normal" activity level is roughly 0.8-1 gram/kg of body weight. In obese folks, you would use your ideal body weight to calculate the amount, erring on the side closer to 0.8 grams if you are very sedentary and closer to 1gram if you are active. Another source: https://www.endocrine.org/~/media/endosociety/Files/Publications/Clinical%20Practice%20Guidelines/FINAL-Standalone-Post-Bariatric-Surgery-Guideline-Color.pdf lists 60-120 grams of protein/day as the protein goal of post-surgery patients. I just want to comment that as you become more active, start adding resistance training to your regimen, and begin a regular exercise program, protein will be even more important. Please keep in mind, protein is the most thermogenic of the macronutrients and because we are limited in the quantity we can eat at one time, we need to focus on making sure those meals are nutrient dense. Fluid intake is paramount in order for the body to digest, utilize and most importantly, process waste by-products from protein metabolism (your kidneys will thank you )

Honestly don't miss them. My attitude has done a 180 and even when I go out, I automatically scope out the menu for the healthy items and if the dish comes with starches, they go on my husband's plate Besides, I am addicted to MFP and I want to make as accurate an entry as possible so I stick to what I know.

this will be my first challenge to join so I am in! CW 225 GW 213 12 pounds in 5 weeks may be pushing it but I am starting C25K so hopefully, I will be able to boost my loss! thanks Bea!

Interestingly, I did my surgery rotation with Dr. Provost many years ago and he was one of the first bariatric surgeons in Dallas doing lap RNYs. Amazing surgeon. I had mine done by Michael Lee out of UT Southwestern because of the financial agreement between UTSW and our hospital. He was flat out amazing and I have had no problems. Shoot me a text if you want his contact info.

Dragonslady67

I average about 850-900 calories/day and I am 3 months out. Fortunately, my sleeve tolerates most things except pork-it really does not like pork. Other than that, I try and get 80+ grams of Protein daily and I shoot to keep the sugar content of my carbs below 50. I track my intake religiously on MFP and I have started tracking even non-calorie items and measuring everything (even my coffee creamer). I try and make adjustements to my calories about every 20 pounds because the lower your weight goes, your basal metabolic rate changes. Of course it changes with increased activity as well (depending on the calculations), but I keep an eye on it to make sure I am keeping my eye on the target, so to speak. Interestingly, there are studies that show most people underestimate the number of calories they consume by as much as 50%, so I buckled down this week as an experiment-I have not plateaud since I began the weight loss, but there have been weeks it was less than 1 pound. Since I have been more accurate in my calorie calculations, the weight is really coming off and the clothes are loser. If you are interested in calculating your basal metabolic rate, I suggest googling Mifflin - St Jeor equation, plugging your numbers in and see what it comes up with. A basic rule of thumb is to decrease that amount by at least 20%. For most of us on the higher weight end, the number may look outrageous at first, but it gives you a place to start. I think my last calculation showed if I consumed 1225 calories per day, my weight loss should be 2 pounds/week or more...I have yet to reach that number, but it gives me some idea on what to work with.

hate them myself. I didn't go through this surgery and lifestyle change to subsist on Protein drinks and even just thinking about it nauseates me...except for the Chike coffee shake. That shake is pretty freaking awesome (just know there are 2 shots of real espresso in each packet) but even that shake, I can only tolerate once a week at most...

I am 3 months out and a typical day would be an egg and veggie sausage patty for breakfast (or 1/2 cup of kashi Cereal high Protein with 1/2 c 1% milk) For lunch it is usually 3 ounces of meat, either grilled chicken breast, fish, or steak (yep, my sleeve likes beef) along with either a 1/4 c of cooked veggies (asparagus, spinach, broccolini), or I will cut up the meat and toss it with romaine and grape tomatoes and Walden Farms no cal dressing. dinner is usually similar to lunch-meat either by itself or with 1/4 c cooked veggies. Sleeve not impressed with pork-it is about the only thing I can't tolerate-and I pretty much avoid Pasta, bread, white potatoes, or rice. I will occassionally have roasted sweet potato with my meal because it is chock full of good nutrition. Snacks are either a 5.3 ounce greek yogurt, baby bel wheel of cheese, beef jerkey, or 1/2 an apple with PB2 on it. All in all, I tolerate most things but I weigh and measure EVERYTHING. I have a scale that does grams and ounces and I will even measure my 1/2 and 1/2 for my morning coffee (not decaf). I log it into MFP every day and I average 850 calories/day. I will also indulge in a Chike coffee shake now and again but for the most part, I avoid Protein drinks and bars because they just flat out nauseate me. I have had steady weight loss every week, no stalls thus far. I have a feeling when I start weight training, I may stall as fluids shift, but I try and stay very honest about my intake and calorie deficit. I will adjust my BMR calorie requirement about every 20 pounds down knowing that as I lose more weight, my BMR changes as well.

miralax. it can be mixed in water/crystal light/tea etc and it is tasteless and colorless. It is over the counter and you can get the walmart/target brand cheaper and it works just as well. Start once a day, but it can be taken up to 3 times/day.

I am getting a tattoo at each 50 pound mark-already have an appointment with my tattoo gal. Getting them in areas that should not be affected by any type of skin reduction surgery. Other than that, I am signing up with hubby for either ballroom and/or line dance classes. He agreed as a gift to me (he has 2 very large left feet)

I am taking Biotin, but I have noticed more hair loss primarily in the shower. My hair is very fine so I had it cut short a few weeks ago in anticipation, and had it layered to give it body. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is minimal but I will deal no matter what happens.

not drinking for 30-60 minutes after meals...especially spicy meals

I think it requires being mindful that posting words on a forum does not (usually) convey the non-verbal communication actions, and words can certainly be mis-interpreted which then leads down a path of mis-understanding and hurt feelings. So much communication these days is in the typed word instead of actual face-to-face interaction, and we lose the subtle non-verbal body language cues as well as tone, pitch and amplitude of the human voice. The age of social media is truly a double edged sword. I have been thinking lately about the art of communication, and I believe a reminder that there is another person behind the pixels on the screen and not just typed print. We need to be cognizant that our words have power. It is up to us whether it is the power to hurt or power to help. I think these forums are a godsend for many, myself included, and provide a wealth of information at every stage of our process, and I want that dialogue to continue. Namaste.