BLERDgirl

I created a sort of new normal. I eat a most of the things I used to eat pre-op, but many things I don't eat. High on the list of things I no longer eat or very rarely eat are highly processed carbs like breads, white rice, and refined sugars. I didn't even have brown rice until I was at least 6 mths out. Some will eat the pizza toppings and leave the bread. I think I've had pizza maybe twice since I was sleeved 14mths ago. It fills me up too fast with not enough of a Protein payout to make it worth while. They can also end up being slider foods. Foods to can eat easily but also overeat easily or lead to bad eating habits that cause you to gain or impede your losing.

The info I got from my NUT was the body absorbs 30 gms per hour. However, when I went looking for links after reading your post it appears it's not as simple as that. I googled "how much Protein can the body absorbs at once". I got links for a lot of articles geared towards body building and most of them were trying to sell a product. I scanned a few. One of the things I noticed was that it takes the body longer to break down and absorb protein in a non liquid state. This makes sense since many surgeons want their patients getting their protein from food as soon as possible. I think a shake with 25 - 30 gms or even meals that clock in around that much are okay. even if we aren't taking an hour to drink it, if we leave that 30 min eating/drinking room it may be okay. I think it's just one of those things too technical to go into in a nutritional class.

@@sharleen santana - Just take a small sip and drink it slow. If the Protein feels too thick, dilute it with Water. It will take you twice as long but at least you are getting in nutrients. The stool softner and antacid are also important to combat constipation and acid. If you can't swallow the pills, crush them and take it that way. It will taste horrible but you will get it down. Movement will also help with the gas. Walking swinging your arms in pinwheel motions, or raising them up and down like you are lifting dumb bells are good ways to get the gas moving and out.

I wasn't on any of those and I wasn't on meds for my knees pre-op either. Unless you can wean off those drugs quickly, I would give the ortho a call on Monday and see what he recommends. Perhaps physical therapy or pool walking might help.

@@Amanda Elder - This site can be a great source of encouragement. Like any place online you take the good with the bad. It's challenging when you have more than 100 lbs or so to lose, because for the most part you know your journey will take more than a year. This thread is a nice reminder that even though it takes a little longer, it can be done. When I start feeling discouraged I come hang out here.

@ - I'm on coupon clippers but I never buy coupons. They are too easy to get for free. You can even email or write manufacturers and many of them will send you coupons. Hip2Save and YesWeCoupon post sales and coupons all the time. Naturally Savvy is another one I use but it's more organic and vegetarian friendly. I get many of my coupons to use at Whole Foods from them.

It would really depend on your Protein goal. Since mine is 100 grams a day, I would have to have 35 grams of protein a meal (which is just not realistic for me). I can see it being possible if your protein goal was 70 grams. But, 70 grams is really low. Not only that but your body can't absorb more than 30 gms and hour so any meal with more than that is wasted protein. This is when Snacks come in handy. A protein rich, nutritious snack with about 10 -15 gms of protein is a life saver. For the OP. One of the things I do is split one bottle of Isopure Nocarb clear drink into 3 parts. I then add it to my 24 ounce Water bottle and refill that at least twice. Anytime I am not eating, I'm sipping. Isopure NoCarb drinks are 40gms. of protein per 20 ounce bottle. Between that and my meals I can easily hit my protein and Fluid goals.

@@dhrguru - I'm a GREAT online shopper. There are a few comparison shopping siteslike pricegrabbers that does the comparing fr you. There are also apps you can download on your phone or desktop. I'm at the point now that I know which sites are likely to give me the best deals. Between that, ebates and shopping apps like ibotta, 90% of the time my deals are online. As much as I love K of P, I won't go near them until after the holidays. Target is really easy to save at. 1. Get a Target card. Either a credit card or a debit card. It's an automatic 5% off for using and free shipping no matter what you buy. 2. Use the Target Cartwheel app 3. Use the Ibotta app. 4. Get the Curbside app. New users get $10 off, use referal code MQBSS ( I used this and got an HP ink cartridge refill for $14. They usually retail for $37. I also used Ibotta and go another $.25 cashback. 5. I'm also a coupon clipper so I often end up having shopping trips to Target that are free or nearly free.

OP needs to chime back in. Yes phentemine has been used in the past to treat weight loss. It's a key component in the Phen-Fen drug that was popular many years ago. Many people took it under medical supervision and some bought OTC versions. It lead to a class action suits since many people got sick and died using it. OP doesn't provide enough info in her post to say what other things she has tried, if she food logs or if she has been in contact with her nutritionist. I would strongly advise against taking weight loss pills based on the info that has been provided. For all we know, OP is just in the midst of a stall and panicking.

Next goal is to get to 214 which will means I will have officially lost 50% of my body weight. I think I'll aim for hitting that by May.

@@shriner37 - I find wearing a fitness tracker also helps with staying active/getting exercise. It's like a constant reminder to move, and get those steps in. At the mall, I will park further away, because I can use the steps. During tv watching time it's a nice reminder to get up and move. Especially if you set it to send an alert if you have been sitting for more than an hour so I always try to get up and move during commercials so I don't get that alert.

*high fives* That's how you do it! Well done! *high fives* That's how you do it! Well done!

*Finally* under 300! I know that's not a big deal to many, but for me it's a cause for celebration. This has been a long time coming!

Sounds like you have developed some good coping skills on your own. Things I do to keep busy, especially during tv watching time: I keep light hand weights by me on the sofa. They are 3lbs weights. During commercials I stand up and do a few reps with them, or I walked around the house holding them and swinging my arms. I'll also do a few push up against the wall. You could also try puzzle books, or even playing candy crush on your phone. If none of those work my go to Snacks are : cucumbers sliced with a splash of hot sauce & lime, a hard boiled egg or a hot cup of herbal tea. I also plan for snack and treats. Yesterday I went to a party. I planned in my food log to allow for a glass of red wine. I then planned how to meet my Protein goal working around that. I was able to social, have fun and not feel left out or deprived. Most importantly, no guilt over eating something. With the holidays upon us, I think it's important to add those things in. Better to say I will have 1 cookie than "cheat" and eat 5 then think you have to drink nothing but Protein shakes for 5 days to atone.

There doesn't seem to be any magical solution that I can see. Some get it, some don't. There are posters who aim for 100 gms of protein and swear that helps. Others take hair vitamins that contain biotin and collagen, and swear by that. My NP says it just active weight loss. All the protein you take in is being redirected to your body as you lose weight. Hence the hair and nails suffer. Cutting hair short and lessening how much you manipulate you hair may help. For example if you are a daily washer can you wash every other day. If it is really concerning you can consult a dermatologist to see if they have any recommendations.

@@dhrguru - I don't do crowds. I went to a Black Friday sale once with a friend years ago. I was DONE. I am a good enough online shopper that I have yet to see a Black Friday sale I could beat any other time of the year shopping online. I also avoid the malls from Black Friday until after New Years. I've also begun to side eye the outlet malls. Years ago they were good deals. Now that seem to jack prices up to mark them down. Case in point. Last year I was looking for a rolling back pack for the gym. I go to the luggage outlet they want to sell it to me for $50 after the so called discounts. I came home went online, found it on sale, used a coupon code and then shopped through ebates who was offering double cash back for Black Friday. My final cost was $34 with free shipping. The crowded stores are just not my cup of tea. To those who like that sort of thing, I salute you. It just not for me.

I was okayed to shower upon discharge. In fact I showered before I left the hospital. Baths were not okayed until after the incisions had scabbed similar to pool instructions. I was told mild soap and warm water. I had medicated soap from my IVC filter placement that I was allowed to use. Thing like peroxide, etc... are not a good idea as they can actually impede healing. If you are unclear about showering instructions and wound care, you should call your program and review this info with them.

I LOVE shopping. It's like an Olympic sport to me. I like seeing how much I can get for as little as legally possible. However, I do NOT do Black Friday in store sales and only check out the online sales for things I need.

Add some unflavored Protein Powder and this is perfect. The only way I survived all liquids was having at least one savory item a day. All that sweet drove me nuts.

I was told that once you stop actively losing weight, the hair loss will stop as well. If you are concerted I would go see a dermatologist. In the short term, I would also explore wig options. It will mean less manipulation of your existing hair and may also be good for the self esteem.

Sometimes the damage is already done. I had arthritis in my left knee pre-op. Post op I increased my workouts to 5 -6 days a week. Over the summer my knee started bothering me. Went back to ortho who diagnosed arthritis in my right knee. Thankfully he did a series of long term injections (not cortisone) that seem to have done the trick. I am still working out 4 -6 days a week, but have virtually no pain.

Broth, herbal tea, greek yogurt, At least 2 weeks worth of protein drinks/powder/shakes. A USB mug warmer to keep things hot while you slowly sip.

It will also put your heart at risk. 3lbs is well within bounce range. I would recommend calling your nutritionist and reviewing what you re eating. You may not be eating enough, you may need more carbs, you may need to increase your protein. Have you had your bloodwork checked recently? You may be missing a vital nutrient. How far along are you?

People do drink soda post op, but it's the carbonation you need to worry about more than the caffeine. I don't drink sodas. I gave them up 5 years ago.

Another good way to cut the sweetness is to use ¼ - ½ cup of plain greek yogurt. I use the FAGE 0%. A ¼ cup is 33 calories, 2 carbs and 6 grms of protein.