BLERDgirl

Great news! Congrats!!!

You should be on a stool softner. I was on colace from the day I came out of surgery. My doctor kept me on one for 30 days post-op. I didn't do these phases, but I would eat the Protein first and do the best you can with the fruit and veg. Eat slower. It's important when we are still on mostly liquids but even more important when we reintroduce food. Also make sure you foods are moist, especially your protein even if it means adding a bit of broth to them.

You should be getting a minimum of 60 grams of protein and 64 ounces of fluid. It's recommended that you keep a food diary at least for the first year. If that's not your thing you should at least have a mental tally of you protein and water intake. 7 weeks out you should be getting most of your protein from food. What are you eating? Are you watching your "white carbs" like rice, pasta & refined sugars? I typically do one shake a day plus 2 meals. In addition to walking I do water aerobics at least 3 times a week.

What are you eating? Are you drinking your water? How about exercise? Apparently stalls are fairly common. If you are doing everything you should, just keep at it. Once your body accepts this as the new norm, things will start t move again. In the mean time stay off the scale and look for non scale victories. What can you do now you couldn't do 7 weeks ago?

Yes you want the isolates. I haven't seen any unflavored OTC. Does GNC have a single serving pack you could try?

IVC filter - It's a preventative measure against blood clots. Some people are put on blood thinners or have to give themselves injections. My surgeon choose the IVC filter instead. I do not have a history of clots and my veins were clear. (I had to have a ultrasound of my legs to verify this). However, I have a high BMI so it was done as a precaution. I am scheduled to have it removed on the 12th.

Yep my process took 4 mnths as well. My first appt with the surgeon was in May. My surgery was in September. I also had to get a chest xray, a pulmonary function test and had an IVC filter put in before surgery.

Reviewed it with who? Will you be meeting with you primary or the bariatric team? The how should be planned out with whomever will be submitting your request to the insurance company.

You've answered all your own questions: You need to move more. Do not compare yourself to others 20lbs in 6 weeks is more than you have ever been able to do on your own. Remind yourself of this and continue to work your program.

Hold off. Until your incisions scab over you can't take a bath. If the steri strips haven't fallen off you are scabbed yet. It too 1½ weeks for most of mine to scab and the drain incision didn't scab for nearly 3 weeks.

A few things at work here. 1. A times it is normal to have a stall, or slow down. Your body is adjusting and the less you have to lose, the more it's likely to hold onto every calorie. 2. Slow and steady may be annoying but is the best. Step away from the scale. It will only make you crazy. Overall it just sounds like impatience to me. Relax.

Sending you a cyber high five!

Why would you want to? Isn't that what helped make you fat?

I come to sing the praises of Dr. Noel Williams and the University of Pennsylvania Bariatric program. They have support groups in varying times and locates throughout the month, the staff is always nice and professional. I LOVE the handbook given to patients, It literally became my bible giving me a written reference book to guide me through the entire process. My in-patient stay was comfortable. I was given a private room and the nursing/medical staff could not have been better. Nest of all I had no pain, no gas, no constipation, no complications to speak of. They arranged a visiting nurse to check on me at home when I was initially discharged. I get high fives from the nutritionist and nurse when I go for my follow-up appointments. How's that for positive re-enforcement?

I get nauseous when I need to eat. The good thing is I still fill up pretty fast. Keeping protein bars or even a RTD protein drink in my bag addresses that issue pretty quickly.

Call your doctor.

That's a first. NSAIDs are a definite no no. Tylenol yes, asprin or advil? No. Prednisone is still allowed as is benedryl. My understanding is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as asprin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleeve, Naprosyn, Vioxx and Celebrex increase your risk of developing ulcers. This one I would would double check with your medical team on. I thought is was a pretty universal rule. ETA: I googled some info on how NSAIDs work and why they make not be good for sleeves. This article explains it the best.

Hairfinity is just Biotin and a multi-Vitamin combined. Most hair pills are. Some also have collagen in them. As a sleeved patient you're already going to be taking multi-Vitamins which biotin needs to be effective. Also the pill are huge! Much larger than what will be comfortable to take with your sleeve. Just some biotin and take that. I have locs and have been for 5½ years. I was already taking biotin since I'm menopausal and have continued to do so post op. 3mths in and so far I haven't noticed any hair loss. Hair loss occurs when you don't get enough Protein so one way to ensure you don't have hair loss is to meet your protein goals.

My doctor advised against gummies because they aren't complete. They don't have all the nutrients required.

The $10,000 question. You'll literally get a zillion different answers. I tried several brands but finally settled on 3: Prosource liquid protein: I used both the orange creme no carb flavor and the unflavored. The orange creme was given to me in the hospital. The unflavored mixed well with Soups and broth. Orgain organics RTD & powder: I prefer the RTD, the powder is okay but can be a bit chalky. I CVS whey Protein powder: I use this the most. The vanilla mixes well with fruit so I can change the flavors up a bit. The chocolate hits my chocolate craving. I like being able to get it at my local CVS for under $20. I still use this for my morning drink. I work out in the morning and can eat anything heavy or I get sick. I mix this with FAGE0% greek yogurt and get in more than half my protein requirement. Things I also used: Premiere Protein RTD: I can get them from Walgreen. many people love them but I find them insanely sweet. I'm back to drinking coffee occasionally so I use this instead of cream or add it to the whey powder & greek yogurt. Kefir drinks: Most supermarkets sell them. When you get to that point when you just need some variety, this yogurt drink is a decent source of protein. It's consistency that counts. Get your Water in, meet your protein goals and find some sort of exercise to do regularly. The weight will come off.

The one where the drain is placed is usually the longest to heal. Mine got uglier before it got better. The nurse said as long as it wasn't oozing pus or bleeding heavily that was fine

@@Cindy's WL Roadtrip - Nuts this soon is a no-no, but I think you know that.

@@mmckaskle - You're 2 months out? What stage are you at? Can you eat whatever you can tolerate?

I'm not buying clothes for a minute. I have clothes all the way down to a size 16. Not rushing to any sales