Inner Surfer Girl

Welcome back. I am so sorry for your loss. It is great to hear how well you are doing in spite of your grief.

Welcome. Congratulations on your surgery and your success so far. You will probably get more answers if you start a new thread with your specific questions. Also, there are lots of existing threads with the information you are looking for. As to places to get protein supplements, I get a lot of mine online. I have been able to get good prices on Quest bars directly from Quest, from Drugstore.com, and from Amazon. I get my bariatric Calcium chews and other supplements (like bariatric puddings, hot chocolates, Kay's Naturals Snacks, etc.) from Bariatric Choice and more lately from the Bariatric Pal store. I get my GNC shakes from drugstore.com. I get my Premiere protein from Walmart, Sam's club, and costco. Watch for sales. You can also find many products at GNC and/or Vitamin Shoppe stores. In addition to the Quest products, premiere protein, Kay's Naturals, I really like some of the ProtiDiet products. I really like the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, tomato basil and creamy chicken Soups, and hot chocolate. I like the bariwise oatmeal and the WonderSlim puddings.

This sounds like a good question to ask your doctor. First, make sure you are at minimum getting in ALL of your Protein and Water and taking your recommended Vitamins and supplements. I have HEARD that taking extra D (in addition to what has already been directed) helps but don't know for sure. I hope you are feeling much better soon.

Hi gowalking - I was fast-tracked through the band process (1 month from first appointment to surgery), told not to eat bread, rice or Pasta for 6 months, told to come in for a fill every couple of months and that was really it. I did very well the first 6 months... Then lost my job, lost my home to foreclosure (2009) and didn't have insurance to cover fills anymore (they were charging $175+ for a fill) and so I didn't follow-up. I ended up living out of suitcases for a couple of years and moved back to Minnesota (all of the surgery/foreclosure, etc happened in Texas). The band failing is more because *I* didn't follow than for any other reason. It's helped me maintain and kept me from gulping my food (I have to chew well if I don't want to experience that stuck feeling) but I need a more aggressive tool. That's why I'm seeking bypass as I hope it will help with my sugar cravings (I actually WANT to dump). Thanks Deb. Sounds like an impossible situation you were dealing with. Plus, I've always had an issue with doctors not giving their patients the info they need. I went to a center of excellence but it was only by being on this site that I really got what I needed to do in order to find success with the band. The NUT was useless. In fact, it was here on BP that I learned that I needed to track and weigh my food..and get as much Water in as possible. I also learned how to use the tricks to deal with the head hunger. Something my surgeon and the office personnel never brought up. Good luck with the revision. I'm rooting for 'ya!. I saw one of the weight loss shows recently (not My 600 Pound Life) and the surgeon was pushing lapband because the patient didn't have much money, I know the show was several years old but I thought that was the worst suggestion for someone who was short on funds: how were they supposed to pay for fills?

One of the things I am looking forward to being able to do again is play tennis again, especially with my dad. I haven't played since college.

I haven't planned a birthday celebration for myself in a long time, but the first thing that occurred to me was a spa day! You could do a spa with massages, etc. or even just mani/pedis at home depending on your budget. Even if it's co-Ed you might be able to come up with options that everyone will like.

@@bellabloom, I have been following your struggles with concern for a while now. I am so glad to hear that your weight has stabilized. I would highly recommend you talk with a NUT about a plan for maintenance. We can give you suggestions, but ultimately you would be best served by someone who can help you tailor a plan to your specific needs. Also, it is a bummer that you don't have insurance to cover a therapist. I would suggest that you continue to pursue this option. Some therapists do have sliding scales which might be something you could explore. Also, many support groups are free. Whether it is a bariatric support group that specifically addresses weight loss surgery patients or eating disorders, I have found them very beneficial,

A librarian! I knew I liked you for some reason. I second the recommendation for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lackes.

I figured it was to resolve the hospital war and to help transfer responsibility to the next generation.

James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series is at the top of my recommendation list. HBO's Rome and Tombstone series.

If you like Devil in the White City them try his In The Garden of Beasts. Since you like PBS dramas, CALL THE MIDWIFE (hanky alert!) Oh I forgot about In the Garden of beasts! I loved that book and try to red everything Eric Larson Writes....I have a few on hold through Overdrive I love Call the Midwife! Basically I am addicted to BBC programming in general Do you get Acorn TV? They have some great contemporary and classic series. Have you seen I, Claudius?

Oops. I should have put spoiler alert. Sorry about that.

I just think we need to address your choice of vocabulary. "Small" NSVs? These sound pretty big to me! Congratulations, and Embrace the Stall!

I agree. Since you are working with a NUT already and have been nutrition classes, this seems like a perfect topic for you to discuss with him or her.

I just had a brainwave: Mrs. Patmore's Post-Surgery Recipes.

If you like Devil in the White City them try his In The Garden of Beasts. Since you like PBS dramas, CALL THE MIDWIFE (hanky alert!)

My understanding is that The Lounge is open to everyone. The powder Room is where you are forbidden to enter!

I am so sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. Sending hugs. I am not now nor have I ever been married so what I want to say to you is based on my own perspective and experience. I have talked to so many women who are terrified of being alone. So terrified, in fact, that they will tolerate all kinds of abuse just to avoid being by themselves. Not to say that you are being abused, but to reassure you that you do not NEED to stay with someone, you get to CHOOSE. And if you do wind up single not only will you survive, you may actually thrive. I would definitely encourage you to seek counseling. Find a good counselor or therapist for yourself. Whether or not you both participate in couples counseling, find someone to help you to focus on you. In addition to finding a counselor or therapist, consider attending a support group meeting (like a bariatric support group or a twelve-step recover group like OA or CODA). If you don't want that fear and panic of being alone, then I think this is a great time to practice being alone and learning that you are a grown, adult, capable, human being who will be fine whether you are alone or with a partner. Practice doing some things by yourself. -Go to a movie by yourself. -Take a class. Do you have any hobbies or interests? What are you most afraid of if you split up? If it's something practical like not being able to start your car, then take a class in basic auto maintenance. -Attend a community event by yourself. The local public library is a great resource for events and programs like book clubs, speakers, even computer and job-search classes. Local churches also have a variety of resources, classes, etc. -- whether it's a Zumba, retirement planning, language skills, volunteering, etc. churches are great places to get involved. -Take yourself out to lunch by yourself. -Practice a hobby. Being able to entertain yourself whether he is around or not is very helpful. -Join the Y or a gym. Exercise will help you be healthier all around. It's a great stress reliever and is fun. -Volunteer. Volunteering is also a great way to see how capable you truly are. As you practice doing things by yourself, you will start to meet more people. As you meet more people you will widen your circle of friends. Also, finding a job, even a part-time job will help you feel more capable and self-sufficient. You don't have to decide everything today. But if you choose one thing to try differently, it can lead to a lot more. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

You can have crunchy things once you are cleared for all foods and can tolerate them and/or they fit in your program. The initial food stages are based on texture so you can heal from surgery. Until you are cleared for denser/crunchier foods, try sugar free Popsicles and/or crushed ice. Patience!

Photography Writing Reading Swimming Movies/Cinema Knitting/Crocheting Painting I also love live theatre and music, history, and the outdoors/nature.

I found that children's liquid Tylenol has high fructose corn syrup. I didn't notice that with adult liquid Tylenol. I'll have to check the label on mine.

We all lose weight at different rates. We all experience slow downs and stalls in our weight loss. Most of us experience our first stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Of course, I just re-read my post and for some reason I left off the Vitamins. Editing that now!

Definitely address this first. If you are starving your body won't lose weight. Since it is hard to get all of our nutritional needs met early out, especially with the volume of food we can consume, taking your Vitamins and supplements is critical. It's counterintuitive, but our main focus after surgery is nutrition: especially, fluids, Protein, and vitamins and minerals. Once you are getting enough nutrition I bet you will be surprised by how well you will lose weight.

This! I want to wear jeans, too! Thinking back, the last time I wore jeans was probably 1990. I have only owned and worn one pair of Levi's 501 Jeans in my life and it was after my first MAJOR weight loss attempt (Medifast). All the other jeans I ever wore were "fat girl" jeans: plus-sized, with or without an elastic band. Even as an adolescent jeans shopping was TORTURE. If they fit in the hips, they gapped in the back around my waist. Now, my challenge is mostly in my legs. I am being treated for lymphedema right now so jeans may be closer than I thought.