LaLoLaughs

Not such a newbie anymore but I just had another one-I have dimples! So apparently of the almost 85lbs I've lost since my highest weight, about half has been from my face and I've now discovered I have dimples!! I haven't seen those guys since I was young. They are located high on my cheeks, not in the traditional spot, so I think that's why they got lost in the fat lol but it's a fun new discovery

So I'm about 4.5 wks post op and still going through the healing process and the pureed food stage but I'm noticing big differences already. I've had 2 major "aha" moments that remind me that hey, my body is in fact changing, bc sometimes my mind forgets. The first was in the supermarket. I was checking out and had to get to the credit card machine but the cart was in the way. I stepped to the side of cart and pushed it besides me while in the aisle. Usually I have to get out of the aisle, then pull the cart out of the way and then finally step back into the aisle. Did that all make sense? I was completely amazed and smiled like an idiot when I realized what had just happened lol The second was the below pic-I haven't done this since I was teen. I just naturally sat this way and then it occurred to me that it's been almost 20 yrs since I could do that!! (I was parked when I took this pic btw lol) Yay for NSV-they blow my mind more than the numbers on the scale do sometimes! What's your biggest NSV or "aha" moment?

Congrats everyone! We are doing great! I'm about 1.5 weeks away from 6 months post op and down 75lbs. Pants are falling off, shoes are too big and I found dimples on my face I haven't seen since I was a kid. Things are going well but slowing down a bit, but it's to be expected as I am less than 30 from my goal weight. Thankfully the hair loss is starting to slow down. Apparently, I'm the only that can really notice as I was blessed with LOTS of hair, but the clumps that came out where scary. Congrats to all of us :-)

So I'm 3.5 months post op, down 50 since surgery, 60 from my highest weight ever. I'm still struggling to see any major changes, except a mighty empty closet. I know, mentally, I've lost the weight, but I think I'm still struggling with emotionally allowing myself to see any difference. Perhaps bc I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop and regain the weight?! I don't know, but today I had my "aha" moment. All because of a silly thermal shirt I've always wanted to wear but was too self conscious to do so. I still threw a wrap around it bc it's cold on the east coast but I kind of didn't want to lol I debated about putting this pic up, afraid to seem narcissistic, but truthfully, the before and afters really helped make my decision when thinking about getting the surgery, so I hope I can pay it forward. When was your "aha" moment?

I'm 4.5 months out and I have to tell you, everything was harder at the beginning. I found it nearly impossible to get in all my Protein in in the first 2 weeks. I talked to my doctor at that time and he told me to concentrate on staying hydrated more than getting the protein in. Yes, I hit a wall on the third week, with a lack of energy, but it was too difficult to get the required amount of protein when you can eat so little at the beginning. It will get easier soon, so concentrate on getting enough Water for now. Also, I had the best luck with GENEPRO. It is as tasteless as I have found. It doesn't mix well in water, but blends in nearly undetectable in most other products. Finally, while i was still in the hospital, I was given liquid Prosource. I bought that on amazon when I got home bc that was the easiest way for me to get protein. I just added it to my water with a crystal light mix and it wasn't too bad. I think it was 15g of protein per 1 tbsp. Hope that helps. Lots of luck!!

Thanks!!

Congrats! You look wonderful. Way to go!!

My doctor and I discussed taking out the gallbladder 2 months after my surgery. Thankfully it was just a small flare up that has since gone away for the most part. Definitely something to discuss with your doctor. Lots of luck! And congrats on the wait loss. I will be 4 months out on Tuesday and have lost almost 60 pounds. I've slowed down the last few weeks, but this might be my first major stall, so I'm dealing with it.

Really fast ones are Dole strawberry dippers from the frozen food aisle. It's basically a whole strawberry split in four pieces and each piece is dipped in dark chocolate. 60 calories, 4 grams of fat, 6 carbs, 0 protein. I don't do them often but only when I'm really craving something like a cookie and the protein yogurts don't do it for me.

Thanks @@Buttercupbrown and @@phillyfan99 I take it an Eagles jersey would be more your speed though @@phillyfan99 NEVER! haha My incredibly loving, but obviously misguided in football, boyfriend thinks he has a shot of getting me into a Dallas jersey-tries to sell it to me as a reward for losing weight. Yeah, I'd rather gain the weight back than wear that thing lol ????

Thanks @@Elode

Thanks everyone. Even a Giants' fan in this horrible season so that's something to respect at least right? I actually had a drawer of clothes I bought pre op that were "goals" because I needed NSV for this weeks were we stall. I'm happy to report it is half empty. That clearance NSV made me laugh! Good for you!! I do the same thing. "There's no way this fits" go into the dressing room and am baffled when it does or weirdly when it doesn't because it's too big lol. It happened so quickly that I just can't wrap my my mind around it yet most days. I need to try that turkey jerky, I've heard that's a great option.

I have used Genepro. It's flavorless (for the most part) and dissolves in most things pretty quickly. A tablespoon contains 30g of protein. I have put it in my coffee, milk, yogurt, ricotta bake and even egg salads. I prefer this one to u n j u r y. I bought mine on Amazon after discovering it on the forums here.

I was so excited when I finally made it to this phase! One of my favorite, go to meals during that phase and one that I actually still use is a ricotta bake. Soooo yummy and so simple! http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1793517 I made it a head of time so I had some always ready to just pop into the microwave to reheat. I think I might have cut the portions in half too. Lots of luck!

Sorry for the TMI, but I thought it would be useful as I have seen this be a popular topic of discussion for the newbies. I am currently 4 weeks out of surgery (SD 9/30/14) and while constipation pain and strains have not been a major issue for me so far, I have found myself not having BM as often as I used to pre-op and it has been bothersome. Anyway, after attending a support group meeting, where my doctor and a veteren speaker were present, the speaker indicated that Fiber Gummies are a stable in her diet, even 2-3 years post-op. I immediately went to Target and bought a generic brand. It has been a week and I can now say that my BMs are now more consistent, more often, no straining AND I see the difference in the scale as well. I take 3 gummies a day and get in about 12 grams of fiber a day, which is much more than I have on my clear liquid, full liquid and pureed diets. Just thought it might help others struggling with this.

Congrats!! The good moments kind of creep up on you, don't they?!

Try looking for unflavored prosource liquid Protein. I found mine on amazon. I was given that in my crystal light mix in the hospital. One oz has 15g of protein in it. I mixed it with a full water bottle and my raspberry lemonade crystal light powder. You can taste it slightly but not much and the consistency is unchanged. I lived on this for the first 4 wks. Hope that helps!

I believe there's a forum here that is specifically for clothing swaps. I'm on my mobile so I can't cut and paste but do a search for it. I know people are on there regularly. I just cleaned out my closet and had clothes with tags still on them that just didn't fit anymore. Donated them and went the old navy route as well. I was never much of s skirt girl, but those are becoming my go to bc they stretch with me.

How's everyone doing? We are heading into our 7th wk post op-can you believe that? I see lots of us have gone through stalls. I know focusing on the scale is what most of us do, but what have been some of your biggest NSV (Non Scale Victories)? Mine were buying regular wide calf boots (vs extra extra wide calf) and taking the stairs instead of the elevator without losing my breath. Also, is it too early to share some of our "afters"? That's always great motivation.

WOOHOO! That's s great feeling when it finally moves. Great job with keeping it going!

@@AvaFern thanks! I'm definitely looking forward to less random bruises from bumming into things lol. Still can't wrap my mind around it bc I still feel like I'm 30+lbs heavier. I have no idea what it will be like when it's even more of a weight loss.

Sounds weird but I tried resting on my right side one day at the hospital (I'm a tummy sleeper so sleeping was tough at the beginning) and accidentally, that seemed to get out LOTS of gas for me. More than even walking did. It seemed to start the gases flowing too. Was burping up a storm for a good few mins lol. Not lady like but totally effective for me. Lots of luck!

Try looking for Genepro protein powder. It's tasteless, odorless and one tablespoon has 30 grams of protein. I put it into my yogurt and in milk. I'm onto pureed foods now and it's still a staple in my receipes. Lots of luck!

Walk walk walk! I had the sleeve done but that's what got the gas right out. I was walking, at my doctor's request, within a few hours of my operation. I also laid on my right side for a few mins and tons of air came out that way. I'm not sure if you can do that due to pain, but the walking is highly encouraged. If I felt too much gas pain, I did a lap on the hospital floor and once I was home I continued until it all finally went away. Lots of luck. It will get better soon.

My doctor didn't indicate any restrictions to me about gummy pills and he was present during the meeting and didn't state any such restrictions your group. But all doctors have different post op instructions, so I would definitely check with your dr's office before you try if you were given that restriction.