BLERDgirl

It depends on how creative you are in the kitchen. I like creating and trying new things so I make up a lot of recipes and Protein drinks. However if you are not, then google for bariatric recipes. Many like the Eggface website. I am the odd duck who loves cottage cheese. I buy the Breakstone doubles in either peach or pineapple or I buy plain and add almond butter to it. If the texture's not to your liking, toss it in the nutra bullet and make a protein smoothie with it. It's good protein.

Do you get your liver checked regularly? Ibuprofen is not good for ongoing use like that. It can cause liver damage.

5 days. My surgeon had me on stool softeners the first 30days post op. I've been regular since that first poo.

LOVE Braggs and yes I do cook with it. I use it in my vegan collard greens. I also drink it as a shot, in water, in salads and cold dishes. I even occasionally wash my hair with it.

Anything and everything. Try a dance class, ride a outdoor bike, go for a swim! If you can't swim, learn to swim. Check groupon. They always have 30 day specials. Try one out for size. Even though I primarily do water aerobics, I am always looking for and trying new activities.

I would call the doctor and ask about it. In the interim you can drink cranberry juice. Just not Ocean Spray. That's more sugar & fillers than actual cranberry juice. Drink real, unsweetened cranberry juice. There are also cranberry pills you can take, but it will make your pee neon orange.

I never took anything for my arthritis pain. What I did was start taking Water aerobics. I had 2 steroid shots in my left knee and 6mths after water aerobics that knee no longer hurt. The right knee was a little more tricky. It didn't respond to the steroid shots. Th pain kept returning and I didn't want to get injections every month in order to manage the pain. I got a different type of injection. It took 3 sessions over the course of 3mths but the upswing is the shot is supposed to last 4 years. I found out that if I went for a walk after the injection, the pain from the needle went away and it felt like it helped the medicine work faster. I was never bone on bone nor did I have issues with Fluid on my knees. My doctor agreed to it because he saw the progress I was making in my weight loss and also the increased range of motion the water aerobics has helped me to achieve.

Stay away from the scale. I have no idea what I weighed a week after surgery. I was either 414 or 412 day of surgery, I honestly don't remember now. I know 414lbs was my highest weight. I focused on nothing but eating/drinking right, getting in my Protein and exercise. I walked the first week. I added light hand-weights(5lbs) while sitting the second week and longer walks. By the 3rd week I was back in the pool doing Water aerobics which I had been doing way before I even thought about WLS. For the first 6mths I only focused on maintaining my calorie limit, hitting my protein & water goals. I only got weighed when I went to the doctor or once a month. After my 6 mths visit I don't go back until my 1 year visit so I've since put a battery in scale and still try to weigh no more than once a month. My overall goal is not to be skinny but to be healthy. The numbers on the scale don't really help me with that. Focusing on eating well and exercising does.

I didn't have shots. My surgeon implanted and IVC filter instead.

I tried it on week 3, purees. I made a really soft scrambled egg with a bit of greek yogurt and shredded cheese mixed it. Best thing I ever had.

I took time to read through this thread before posting. I'll say this as someone who still has a long way to go; when your starting weight is over 300lbs the rules are different. Sure some can make goal within a year, but for many of us that's not realistic. I started at over 400 lbs. I've been losing steadily but except for the big drop within the first 2 weeks, I can't say I'm losing particularly fast. On average I lose about 10lbs a month. I have severe allergies and some other ongoing, non-weight related health issues. I am menopausal. When I started this I knew that any changes I made were going to be for LIFE! I also fully expect this to take at least 2 years. I remind myself of those 2 facts every day and work at it each and every day. I'm not worried about the past, or being super thin. I want to have a normal BMI and I want to be under 200lbs. I don't compare myself or my progress to any one on this list or in my support group. If I feel tempted to, I log off of this board for a few days and focus solely on me. I think it's a good idea to meet with a nutritionist. I think it's important to not only be told what you should or shouldn't eating, but why. Having an understanding of things like complex vs simple carbs, natural vs artificial sugars and sweeteners, healthy fats vs bad fats has made a big difference in how I plan my meals and choose what foods I can have. Those are things that might be helpful in your discussion with the nutritionist. It took more than 2 years to gain the weight, it's honestly not unreasonable that it takes 2 years to lose it. I am on MFP as Milaxx. Feel free to send me a friend request. I share my diary with friends and try to be supportive. I am vegetarian. Between that and my food allergies, my eating is a bit different than most. I eat a lot of yogurt and eggs, but I also eat other things. I wish you success in whatever you do.

Monthly. Otherwise I get scale obsessed and it makes me crazy. The good thing is I probably missed my 3 week stall because I only weigh once a month. Instead I try to focus on eating well and exercising daily.

I've not experienced it, but it could be a vitamin/nutrient deficiency. I would call the doctor in the AM and inquire if it could be related.

That's not unusual. At the informational session my doctor requires all patients attend even before you can schedule an appointment we were informed that depending on the insurance you have the psych consult and/or the nutrition class might not be covered by insurance. My insurance covered the psych eval but I had to pay $200 out of pocket for the nutrition class.

That is crazy to be that rigid. That need to work with you. As you said ti makes no sense to drink a shake if you cannot keep it down. You need nutrition. Start trying things. There are the savory Protein soups, GENEPRO, Isopure and a few other brands makes unflavored protein powder that you can mix into cream soups and broths. I am not one for going against doctors wishes but you need to stand up for yourself in this case.

Really?I never heard any of this. Thankfully I had no issues with constipation. My doc started me on stool softeners in the hospital. Had my first BM 3 days after I came home. Stayed on stool softener for forst 30 days post op. Was back to normal - ish (they were smaller in size) by 1 mths post op. Nearly 9 mths post op, I am as regular as I was pre-op with no assistance needed. I would recommend adding some natural Fiber to the diet ASAP. If you are on full liquids try adding some psyllium powder or even a bit of chopped spinach to your drinks. Blended in a nutra bullet you wont even taste it. Also make sure you are getting in your Water.

I think whatever surgical assistance you choose whether lap band, sleeve or bypass you have to be in this 100%. That means even during those tough stressful days and holidays. You have to be committed to making a life style change in how you eat and activity level. If not you can stall and even regain. I'm pretty sure I heard higher numbers for how much you loose. I want to say 50 - 60 but I'm too lazy to dig out my handbook. That said I'm a 91lbs down with no pre-op diet. I work this each and every day. It's not stressful, but I know what I need to do in order to continue to lose.

I'd say if you are in pain now is the time to call the doctor.

Make cream of chicken soup. Cook a chicken breast and put it in the nutra bullet/vitamix with a little milk or yogurt. Thin it out with chicken or veg broth.

I agree, ask for the prednisone or take the benedryl. You shouldn't suffer needlessly. BTW the weight loss isn't slowed down that much taking those things. I take benedryl and Zyrtec regularly. In fact I have to take a Zyrtec every day due to my allergies. Nevertheless I am down 91lbs since day of surgery and feeling great!

Did you call your doctor Thursday? You should follow up with him/her ASAP to find out what is causing the diarrhea and voice your concerns about a possible leak.

Hopefully you are at least drinking Water if you are unable to eat. Your doctor should have a resident on call. By Monday you could be severely dehydrated.

Do you eat any fruits or veg? How are you with getting in your water? Keeping leafy green vegetables in my dairy keeps me regular. Other foods that help are prunes/prune juice, beans, coffee (for some), smooth move tea. Another thing that will help, is ½tsp of Epson salt mixed in 4 -6 ounces of 100% grapefruit juice.

Do what you feel comfortable with. I didn't tell anyone until 2 weeks before surgery. I then told only close family and friends. I wanted to do this because *I* wanted it without any outside pressure so I did all my research and pre-op testing by myself. It was more than fine. My sister drove me to the hospital, my bestie drove me for pre-admission testing. Everyone was there post-op. I was calm and relaxed going into surgery, secure in the fact that I had done my homework and was ready to make this change. If you know in your heart of hearts this is the right thing, and have done your homework, then you will be fine.

That's often an ongoing process. I liked myself just as much when I was 90lbs heavier as I do now. I think it's a mental issue. For some people it comes when they can shop straight sizes or not have to go to plus size stores, and for others it never come.