winning_by_losing

I'm anxious to hear how it goes. I'm having a hard enough time right now, as i'm currently on my first business trip since my surgery. Even though it is only domestic travel (California), it has been quite rough so far. It'll be another 3-4 months before my next international trip, but I have a feeling I'll be packing a suitcase full of Protein bars and living on 2-3 per day on that trip.

I bought my scale from amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FF16B8E/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) It was under $20 when I bought it, but I'd happily buy it again at the current $26. I test myself about once a month to see how far off my "estimate" is from what it really ends up on the scale. Until I'm better about it, I plan to continue using the scale whenever possible.

I just searched for it and it looks like only a 2 page form. I don't recall the exact number of pages for either that i had to fill out, but I know they were each more than 10 pages, so I'd have been happy to only have this form instead.

With all of the loose wrinkly saggy skin mine are much less noticeable. Definitely still there, just much lighter and less pronounced.

In my program we started out attempting to get 450 calories per day, working up from there. They continuously stressed to us that the two most important things were fluids (no matter what at least 64oz per day) and Protein (45g initially, then 60 then 75 from here on out). At close to 5 months out I notice that when I don't get enough of either of these, my weight loss slows regardless of how much i'm working out and keeping active. I haven't tried to vary my caloric range to see what that impact would be, but by having the surgery we are essentially choosing to put our bodies into starvation mode, so personally I don't see how consuming more calories (slightly less starvation mode) would allow you to lose more than consuming fewer (more aggressive starvation mode).

Milk isn't in my program, so I miss it greatly. But as Chelly said, maybe a good middle-ground would be to try 1%. After growing up a skim milk drinker, I moved to 1% for a while just because it was almost half the cost of skim or 2% and it was WAY too thick for me to handle at first. After a while I got somewhat used to it, but ended up switching back to skim eventually. To me it definitely seemed much closer to 2% than to skim, so may be worth a shot.

From what I have read it all depends on the person. I've read stories where people just aren't hungry period, then others where they have the same feeling of hunger as before the surgery. What i've noticed personally is that on the occasion where I go back to my old lazy ways (skip a workout, sit around watching TV, etc...) I feel much more hungry. The only time I've truly felt hungry when I keep myself busy is when I don't get enough Fluid. I think my body tricks my head into thinking anything "different" feeling is automatically hunger.

I have no clue what a PHQ-9 is, but for the program I went through we had to have two psych appointments. One after the first class and another after the first 6 classes had been completed. I had different forms to fill out before each of those appointments.

I unnecessarily packed a ton of stuff after reading through lists posted on numerous forums. The only things I even got out were my cell phone, phone charger and lip balm. Didn't even touch anything else.

As far as the goal I input here on this site - I picked a very aggressive number that I would be more than happy with. As for my true life goal - honestly, I'll be happy anywhere within 30 pounds of that. I used that site linked above and there is absolutely no way I'll ever even get close to any of those numbers. To reach even the number from the Hamwi method, I'd have to get my body fat down to under 3% which just isn't realistic.

The only thing I wish I'd have done differently was to work out more prior to surgery. We lose so much muscle after the surgery that I wish I'd have focused more on building up that strength (rather than just always doing cardio). I'm the opposite of latido though. I couldn't be happier that I started losing weight before the surgery as I feel that much further along my journey now. Many of those who were in my pre-surgery classes admitted to having tons of "last supper" experiences with their favorite foods versus my focus on making changes day 1 and while it isn't a competition, I'm happy to be that much further along now.

Completely agreed. I actually get cold at times now and for the first time in 20+ years I'm going to need to invest in a jacket for the winter. No more walking around comfortably in below zero temperatures in just my t-shirt.

I just make sure to have a drink with me at all times except for the 80 minutes around each of the 3 meal times. I have a 20 ounce bottle that I use around the clock. I fill it up at bedtime which starts the countdown. I sip from it whenever I wake up at night, then whatever is left in the morning usually gets finished on my drive into the office. I then fill it back up as soon as I get to the office, usually adding some sort of flavoring (crystal light, mio, dasani drops, etc...) I usually focus to finish that 2nd bottle before I have to stop drinking to wait for Breakfast (~8:00). Most days I get it done, but not always. I then make sure to finish the 2nd (if I haven't done so already) as well as put a dent into a 3rd before I get to stop again for lunchtime (~1:00). If I haven't finished that 3rd refill before I leave the office, I focus on finishing it on the drive home (since my drive is about 50 miles it isn't too difficult). So by the time I get to dinner, I'm already at 60oz. That assumes I didn't have a Protein shake for any of my meals, but if so, that bumps it up another 11oz. I then drink whatever I feel I need while working out and wrapping up the night without focusing on the volume. At bedtime, I refill the bottle again, regardless of what is left, ready to start the next day. One thing my nutritionist reminded me of is that the 64oz of Fluid includes all non-caffeinated fluids. This includes soup, Protein shakes, milk, etc...so that helped me a ton in the early stages.

So many great posts. The one thing I've learned is not to compare yourself to anyone else's progress. Your starting weight, age, how much you lost before surgery, your body's reaction to the surgery, your exercise routine, intake (Fluid and protein) all come into play with how much and how fast you'll shed weight.

I started the night of my surgery. The second they asked if I wanted to get up and walk, I was doing lap after lap around the nurses station, the waiting room, everywhere they'd let me go. Once I got released, I started doing laps around the neighborhood. Started out small with just going around the block the first few tries that day, then increasing distance as the days progressed. I didn't try the eliptical until after my JP drain was removed, as I was a little timid to snag it or cause myself some other issues, but got back on that as quick as I could. I wasn't cleared to do any weightlifting until my 1 month post-op appointment, but they told me for cardio it was all up to my body.

Since it hasn't been guessed yet (and because I assume you are asking now that you look younger than you really are) - 36

During my pre-surgery classes they cautioned us to make sure our meals last 20-30 minutes. Any shorter and we risk overeating because we don't recognize being full yet. Any longer and we risk overeating because the first part of the meal is already starting to slide through the stoma. In my program we don't move on to pureed foods until week 3 and I believe we were limited to 1/4 cup of food (2oz), or 6oz of a shake at that point, so I could see how trying to eat double that would be tough in that short of a window.

Another supporter for Premier Protein here. Pre-surgery, I tried every option I could find that met the criteria for my program. Muscle Milk Light and Premier Protein were by far the best tasting (to me) but the Premier Protein seemed to keep me full longer, so I've stuck with it. I constantly have a dozen or so in the home fridge and 2 or 3 here at the office. I drink one for breakfast about 99% of the time and depending on how days go I have another for lunch about 25% of the time. While I was in the clear liquid stage, I forced myself to drink the Isopure drinks as they're not "shakes" but a clear Protein Drink. I can't stand them now as they're entirely too sweet, but many in my support group seem to like them. Regardless of which way you go - I'd suggest purchasing in small quantities until you can try them personally. The regular chain grocery stores usually sell 4 packs of the ready-to-drink shakes, then if you find one that suits you Costco/Sams are options for keeping the cost down.

Sounds completely normal to me. I happen to weigh myself every day that I'm home as I can't stand not knowing where I'm at. I don't think I lost an ounce my first week, then dropped quickly for a couple weeks, slowed again for a week, started dropping steadily for a couple months, slowed again, etc... While I'm only just over 4 months out, it still happens. Luckily, I've discovered that most of these times when the scale isn't moving, my clothing sizes are shrinking. I just had to go buy new pants on Monday as a matter of fact due to one of these stalls. As long as you're getting your fluids, proteinm exercise and following the program that your surgeon and nutritionist suggest, you should see the progress pick up again as soon as your body is ready. In my program they suggest to call if we ever see more than a 3 week period of zero loss (during the honeymoon phase), but luckily I've not experienced that long of a stall yet

I use their chewable multi-vitamins (Complete Multi Formula) as well as the chewy Calcium Citrate. The calcium chews seem almost like Starburst. The multi-vitamins remind me of the old flintstone chewables.

I actually started trying to do this about a month before my surgery. It was a constant struggle at that point and even though I survived, I had a fear of not being able to keep it up after surgery. Since the surgery, it got much easier. It is still difficult, but I think more out of the habit from having a big glass of milk at every meal for so many years. As for the spicy thing - I think that is really up to your tolerance. I've always been a huge fan of spicy foods and still am. I don't go crazy with something I know will set my guts on fire, but I still put pepper either cayenne or black, homemade jalapeno salsa or tobasco on just about everything.

I absolutely hated the mushy stage. Couldn't stand yogurt or cottage cheese nor oatmeal. That pretty much left me to alternate between cheesy mashed potatos and canned chili. I did discover though that hot sauce was my best friend. I could alter the taste enough with different sauces that not every meal tasted exactly the same. I think I went through half a jar of cayenne pepper during this phase. As for the pills - I was able to handle them 1 week out, but I think that really depends on the person, whether you typically use liquid as a chaser or to help swallow them, etc... But the number one thing I'd recommend is not to stock up on anything until after you've tried it a time or two after your surgery. I made the mistake of stocking up on a few things (Isopure Protein drinks, SF popsicles, greek yogurt etc...) and after surgery couldn't choke them down if you paid me.

I'm a revision. I did have a band. It was revised to gastric bypass April 29th Sorry - was just going by what is listed on your profile on the left of your post. Bad assumption I guess.

Agreed. My nutritionist referred to those as very expensive urine.

You can add me to that headcount list.