Inner Surfer Girl

Chapstick, a heating pad, phone/charger, extra underwear, and a pillow for the ride home. Everything else (toiletries, no slip socks, etc. was provided by the hospital).

I agree. Just moving around periodically is fine.

I was allowed cooked (soft) vegetables in my soft phase. I held off on more fiberous and firm cooked vegetables until I was cleared for more dense foods.

I haven't been a gum chewer in decades. I do have an occasional mint.

That sounds pretty normal if you are eating more solid foods. Make sure you are still taking small small bites and chewing thoroughly.

It's funny how good healthy, simple food tastes when you haven't had real food in a while.

That is terrible that they can't get you scheduled to see a NUT and that you weren't given good nutrition counseling. My protein target is 100 grams. What was your starting BMI? My surgeon set a target of 100 grams a day for all men and any women who started at a BMI of over 50. Everyone else has a target of 80 grams. Getting enough protein is critical and may help with your need to snack. I would suggest that you try to attend a support group meeting, focus on getting enough protein and fluids, and looking for an exercise that you can enjoy doing (maybe sign up for a dance class). My favorite exercise is swimming.

You definitely need to quit. I know my surgeon would not operate on anyone who had not quit and was committed to staying smoke free. I disagree about going cold turkey on caffeine and carbonation. You have time to wean yourself off of both gradually without going through the hell of cold turkey.

I am so sorry you haven't had the results you would like. Without more information it's hard to offer suggestions. What exactly are you doing? Have you talked to your surgeon and/or your NUT about your concerns? Are you attending support group meetings? Are you following your program? Are you tracking your food? Are you getting in all of your Protein every day? What is your protein target? Are you drinking at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars, and fried foods? Are you eating slowly and mindfully? Are you exercising? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Congratulations! Welcome to BariatricPal. I hope you participate much more! I agree, it sounds like your health and your family were the best motivation. Fitting in the bathing suit is a bonus!

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all stall and most of us experience our first stall about three weeks post-op. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. And, stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I got ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates from my surgeon's office and online from Bariatric Choice. I haven't looked but Bariatric Pal might have them.

Some high potency vitamins do make me nauseous. You may need to try a different brand and/or not take all your vitamins at one time.

As a matter of practice I cannot see any benefit to being anything less than completely honest with your medical team. Withholding information or being dishonest will only hurt you.

Isopure makes clear ready to drink protein drinks that some folks like. I like the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates and Syntrax nectar.

Normally, I recommend that people stay off the scale in the first few months post-op. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks post-op. But, since you know your body fat percentage went up then it is a good indication that you have lost some muscle. That is one reason why getting in enough Protein is critical. If we do not consume enough for our daily needs, our body uses the protein in our bodies (mostly muscle and organs). Focus on getting in your protein and fluids and stay off the scale for a while. I hope you had fun on your vacation

I use protein powder/shakes/supplements because it is an easy way to get enough protein, especially early post-op when it is hard to consume enough food /liquids to get in the required protein. If you do not get enough protein it will hinder healing, and weight loss. If you are chronically protein deficient, you could experience serious health repercussions. As to $100 for a tub of protein supplement, that is pretty expensive. I certainly wouldn't buy 3 pounds of anything until I determined if I even liked it. Try sample or single-serve packs until you find something you like. Premier Protein ready to drink shakes are pretty universally liked and tolerated.

I like Palmet's cocoa butter and cocoa oil. I also got some goats milk belly balm that smells and feels fabulous. All of the above have Vitamin e. I mostly use them because I love the smell!

Personally, I think it sounds like you are making it harder than it is.

Try starting a new thread, or at the very least responding to a recent thread. If you post on a thread, especially a new question, then it may take time for someone to see it. In the meantime, if you are experiencing serious difficulties and don't have the patience to wait on a response from this forum, then please call your surgeon and/or NUT with your questions. That should be your first source of information anyway. We can share our experiences and opinions, but not medical advice.

Lovely. Best of luck on your journey. You are embarking on a grand adventure.

I just saw this, too. If you need help with a specific issue, you will get more responses if you post a question in a new thread rather than on a thread that is a couple of years old. It sounds like you need to slow down, measure out your portions, take a small bite (try using an appetizer or toddler utensil), count your chews (aim for 20), put your utensil down between bites, pay attention to what you are eating, and take your time. You will get the hang of it.

Sounds like a perfect time to talk about it.

If your name is in an account you are not using then get your name off of it asap. The last thing you need is for him to start bouncing checks just for spite.

Best of luck. Keep us posted on how you are doing. See you on the other side!