mandajean1182

Hello, I am 16 months post op. I have lost and maintained a total weight loss of 145 lbs. I went from 275 to 130. Sorry if this is TMI but I am hoping someone can relate and give me tips. I have loose skin on the back of my butt that hang like curtains! They are chafing badly and feel very scaly and have almost caloussed. I have put cortisone creams And all kinds of lotions. Mostly the area stays dry but that is the main problem. It so dry it stays irritated. Any pointer would be great!

Over Mother's Day weekend I was sick with a stomach virus. I was having diarrhea really bad and could not even take a drink of water without having severe stomach cramps. Those symptoms were typical with the strain of virus that was going around. For a gastric patient, this took a huge toll on my body! I couldn't eat anything for days. I just was able to eat again yesterday. For four days I was not able to eat. I am STILL having stomach cramps though. My stomach is still all out of whack! I need to start drinking my protein shakes again but everything makes my stomach cramp up!

Wow that's crazy! It really makes me wonder how many people they just brush off and dismiss without doing any real research, just because the person is overweight! My sister is morbidly obese and she is always sick and can't get pregnant. The drs have told her it is her weight. She said they have run tests and all that so I guess you never know if the actual cause is the weight. My view for overweight people has not really changed. My perspective of dieting has changed though. I see everyone around me starting the new fad diets every few months and I just want to shake them and tell them if they don't change their eating habits DRASTICALLY, they won't lose weight. At least in a healthy way.

Before my surgery 8 weeks ago, I was looking forward to a lot of small things like being able to bend over to pick up toys, paint my toenails, and even something as simple as crossing my legs while sitting. I am happy that I can now do those things! What small things did you look forward to/accomplish? Amanda

I am 6 weeks post op and I haven't lost anything in nearly two weeks. So far I have lost almost 50 lbs, which I am ecstatic over. But I don't like it that I haven't lost anything in this period of time. I would like to at least lose a couple lbs a week if not more. I think I'm going to try and go back on my liquid diet to get a jump start again. When I get hungry I snack on peanuts. Usually for lunch I eat 2 oz of tuna, for dinner I just take a few bites of whatever is there (it's not always healthy; but it literally is only two or three bites). I am eating significantly smaller portions than I ever have before, yet I have hit a plateau. I have not started working out. Lately I have been so tired to the point I just want to fall over and go to sleep after work. What type of fun exercises can I do that I won't absolutely hate (I hate working out)?

Forgot to add that I am 6 wks post op

What does an average day for food/drink look like for you? I haven't been very careful with my diet. For example, I take small sips of drink while eating even though I know I'm not supposed to. I eat things that are high in calories even though I am only able to take a few bites. I figure that of that's the only calories I have all day I should be fine. I sometimes don't get all my Protein in for a day. I am still steadily losing weight but I am worried that it will start to catch up with me if I am not careful. I barely eat anything in one day. My average day is about 70 grams of protein. I space my shakes out. I will eat a 2 oz can of tuna with crackers for lunch and a few bites of whatever I cook for my family for dinner. For example, last night I had three bites of spaghetti meat sauce with a couple of noodles. Today, so far, I have only had Water and my Vitamins and a few wheat thin crackers(which have 230 calories per serving). What would you suggest for me to get on track with what it am supposed to be doing and what is an average day of intake for you?

I quit smoking regular cigs before my surgery and have since picked them up again. I am not proud of that. I really need to stop but I enjoy them too much. I quit before by switching to a vape and will probably do the same again soon. I quit smoking pot about a week before my surgery and started again about a week after. It helped with pain when I didn't want to take my pain pills. I do it about once a week now. I have always had munchies but I always make sure that I put the food away before I smoke so I am not tempted to eat mindlessly while high. If I do choose to eat something, I munch on peanuts. Kool aid with Splenda is a nice taste while high too.

Hat have you craved since your surgery? I craved salad the whole time I was on my liquid and soft diet. As soon as I was able to eat regular foods I tried and it made me sick as a dog! I have been craving sodas for the last couple of weeks. I haven't had one since the week before my surgery and I don't plan on having any. But the cravings for dr pepper are still there. Other than that I don't crave much. I am six weeks post op.

Hello, all! My name is Amanda and I am 6 weeks post op. I have lost almost 50 lbs. I started at 275. I am a wife and mother of three boys. This journey has had many ups and downs. The first two weeks were the most difficult. I was having serious regrets which made me feel really selfish because I had to pay a deductible which was a big hit for my family. Luckily we made it through and I made it past the feelings of regret. Now I am so glad that I did it! I feel better than I have in years. I have started getting hungry a little bit here lately but all I can eat is a few bites at a time. Maybe 2 oz of tuna at a time about once a day. I basically just make sure I get in lots of water and my protein shakes and eat food on the side when I get a little hungry. I have not started a work out program yet but I still continue to lose about 3-5 lbs a week. Basically I am just curious if this is the pattern with anyone else? I was told by my dr as long as I drink my protein shakes and get at least 80-90 grams of protein a day I would be ok. And take my vitamins of course. Is the amount of liquids and foods I am taking in normal or similar to anyone else? Thanks! Amanda

I am about 7 wks post op and I use a straw everyday with my protein shakes and water. It's so much easier to make sure in getting enough of my liquids.

I hit a plateau at about 3 weeks post op and it was because I wasn't getting all my protein in. Getting enough protein and water is very important.