BLERDgirl

When I transitioned to soft foods I ate a whole scrambled egg with cheese. It was soft scrambled and took me and hour to eat it, but other than being full I had no issues.

I moisturize regularly. Nothing fancy, I use cold pressed virgin coconut oil on my face and rough areas like knee and elbows. Early on I also used them on my incision sites after the scar fade gel flattened them and they had healed. On my body, I use Johnson's baby oil gel. I have really dry skin so this keep them moist. I drink plenty of Water. I work out regularly, including some light weight lifting. I wear compression gym clothes. I am a little under midway towards goal and so far, no sagging on my face or upper body. The only questionable area are my thighs. Even my tummy doesn't look too bad.

Slow and steady. You have to work up to meeting your protein goals. Try breaking up the times you take your vitamins. You need them to heal, but taking too many together can cause nausea.

Not really. My nutritionist did indeed allow me to count protein shakes as part of my fluid goal and it was FLUIDS not water. Of course we were encouraged to have at least half the fluids come from water, but it was never only water. And yes, I assure you the Isopure no carb drinks do indeed count as fluids. Of course it has water in it. Filtered water is the number 1 ingredient.

AMEN! When you add in hormonal and autoimmune issues, thing are even more complicated. My ortho who I love when he's treating my bones, once said he lost weight by no eating breakfast. Instead he had a cup of coffee then ate lunch and dinner. The side eye I gave him for that was epic. He's fine when he's addressing my arthritis issues, but since he doesn't have a degree in nutrition I don't care what he has to say about my eating habits.

I don't do artificial sugars of any kind. The trade off is usually higher fat or a science project of chemicals. I have taken greek yogurt, added protein powder or fruit or nut butter in them and put it in the freezer until it got really thick like soft serve ice cream. We all have our thing we miss. This hits my craving for ice cream without derailing my eating.

Never tried it, and honestly I'm suspect of a product like that. If you are at goal some pasta once in a while shouldn't derail you. It's the too frequent eating of pasta and/or too large a portion that is a problem.

I don't get thirsty after shakes, but yes protein shakes count towards you fluid goals. FYI - I know that doesn't seems like a lot, but be careful with the apple juice. That pretty much all sugar with no other benefits. You'd be better off eating an apple because the fiber would offset the sugar. Another option is to use apple juice to flavor your water. Try 4 ounces of apple juice to 20 ounces of water.

Definitely. I was 50 when I had my surgery and not only has my energy improved, but my chronic hives are under control for the first time in year! This past year has been the first year in a very long time that I did not have 1 single trip to the ER for IV benedryl treatments. I cannot begin to tell you how huge of a deal this is for me.

I thought there were other benefits to the surgery other than simply making us temporarily eat less... Otherwise what assists us from eating through? I know a significant number of folks regain due to not sticking with the lifestyle. What separates the surgery from simply doing it on my own? There HAS to be a difference. Right? Otherwise, why would we do this to our bodies? I'm feeling confused. :-/ A few things help, loss of the ghrelin, the greatly reduced stomach size for starters. Also that post-op period where you go from liquids-purees-soft foods is a prime time to relearn new eating habits, along with exercise. Does this guarantee you will not regain? Sadly no. I know people who have gotten bypasses and even with the malabsorption factor still managed to regain. A large part of it depends on the individual and how they use this tool. It makes it's easier, but it's not a magic wand that banishes fat from your life forever.

Make sure you have the termination in writing from the insurance company. In fact going forward I would call and speak to an insurance representative before any big procedure such as this. I understand your anger. However, this definitely sound like the insurance company's error and not the hospital.

What did your program say? Mine gave us a list of basic requirements and allowed us to get our own. The only requirement was that they not be gummie vitamins and for the first 6 weeks the multi and calcium had to be chewable.

My doc had me on it from day 1 for 90 days as well. Initially I didn't really notice a difference. Around month 3 I started feeling some acid. At first I thought I was just full. Missed dinner a few time. Then it dawned on me it was acid. Actually had to increase the dose to 40 mgs. That lasted from month 3 - 6. Now I no longer need it. @@VSGmary - OP is right if you aren't taking it daily, taking it when you have a GERD episode won't help. It needs a good 5 days of daily dosage to get in your system and be effective. It's both. The PPI prevents acid build up which can cause ulcers. This is helpful post - op when your tummy is healing.

I jog/walk in the pool. Get you some good supportive water shoes. I have Tevas. It's much easier on your knees and feet, but you get the same benefits. I do aquafit 5 -6 days a week and them do the jog/walk 30 minutes after. I have a waterproof iPod shuffle that I can download music and audiobooks on. It helps pass the time.

Eat! You'll be fine. Welcome to your new normal.

Yay! Keep those teeth clear. Gargle with Listerine, the brown nasty stuff. That stuff kills any infection before it even thinks about starting.

Pop corn is the wrong kind of fiber. Don't be afraid of the sugar in the fruit. Think about how much extra weight you carry having all that fecal matter inside of you. I am as regular as rain and I go to the bathroom and weigh half to a whole pound lighter after a BM. A small amount of sugar won't hurt.

Colace, doculax, miralax, prunes (fruit or juice), black Beans, psylleum powder, flax powder, tsp of epson salt min 4 ounce of organic grapefruit juice (not concentrate), milk of magnesia, coffee, dark green veg, smooth move tea. With anything consistency is the important factor. A regular dosing of any one of these options may work for you.

Not a lawyer, but this sound more like the insurance company's error than the hospital. Are you saying your father is the main policy holder and you & your sister are listed on the policy as dependents?

When I have to walk, which is okay if outside where it's pretty, I use my iPod shuffle. Good tunes or books recorded books. It will distract your enough to keep moving.

You weigh as often as you can without getting upset. Personally I do monthly or whenever I have a doctor's appt. whichever comes first. I want to focus on good eating and exercise without focusing on numbers on a scale. Others do more frequently. Don't become scale obsessed and let it drive you crazy.

THIS^^^ I can't say I ever had a stall, but I weigh approximately once a month. At 109lbs down the weight loss feels like it has slowed some.

I fuel my workouts with Protein and carbs. I make a big Protein shake with FAGE 0% greek yogurt, a big scoop of Protein powder and whatever mix ins I have on hand. Sometimes nut butter, sometime coffee ice cubes, sometimes a handful of spinach, half an orange, etc... My shakes come out to between 31 - 38 gms of protein. I typically drink half pre-work out and the rest after. Most work out supplements are designed for body builder and weight lifters and may have more carbs/fat/sugar than a bariatric patient needs to fuel a workout. I just try to have my shake at least 30 minutes before my workout out and the rest during recovery.

I used to take herbal supplements that helped. Let me see if I can find the link. It's been a while since I needed it. Okay this is what I did. I am now post menopausal, but for years I had painful irregular cramps. These actually did help me. Double check with your doctor to make sure they are okay for folks with sleeves. I also took Vitamin along with my regular Multivitamin. Magnesium, 360 mg daily for 3 days on the day before menstruation starts. One study found taking this dose reduced menstrual cramps. A few other preliminary studies have also suggested that magnesium may help reduce menstrual pain. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea and lower blood pressure. If you have digestive problems or heart disease, ask your doctor before taking magnesium. Magnesium can interact with many medications, including antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and tetracycline; bone-building drugs such as alendronate (Fosamax), and risedronate (Actonel); diuretics (Water pills); and other drugs. I also used - Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) standardized extract, 20 to 40 mg, 2 times a day. Black cohosh may interact with medications processed by the liver, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), and others.

Joining the chorus. Dr. Oz has unfortunately sold his soul for cash and ratings.