Daisee68

@@winklie - Well done! Great job for 6 weeks out especially. I confess I don't always get all my fluids in and certainly not 88 oz. It truly is overwhelming in the beginning. It does get less so as you move through the process.. You got this man! Keep up the great work! And let me pass along a little advice my therapist gave me this week. She said "do you really realize what you have accomplished? Do you have any empathy for yourself?" I thought about it a lot. I mean I know in my head that 90 lbs is a lot but truly I sort of just credit the surgery. But this week, I have really tried to start realizing that I did this. I mean of course, I had the WLS tool that I couldn't have done this without (and my NUT and my therapist), but still I did this - not someone restricting my food. I restricted my food and made good choices and exercised. So, let me say - YOU DID THIS! You have lost 94 pounds! That is incredible! And YOU did it. Take that to heart. Don't be so hard on yourself. I mean don't use that as an excuse to make bad choices but let it make you stronger and more resolved. Remember you are not just losing weight (which is the diet mentality so many of us have after a lifetime of dieting for some of us); but you are getting healthy - physically and mentally. My biggest desire to get out of this is that food will not control me. I'm not there yet and I think I will always struggle a little because I am an addict, but I hope my struggles get less and less and I hope the same for you (and for all of us)!

@@TinyTink - Isn't that an interesting fact? I too was told this by my NUT (asked her the exact same question you posted) but there are so many products such as Protein shots where people think they can get all their protein in at one shot. Weird that isn't something that is more strongly promoted (that we can't absorb more than 25g I mean).

@@glitter eyes - Absolutely! @@treniasleevedlife & @@Elode - I have not one athletic or competitive bone in my body. Seriously - you know how Charlie Brown always misses the football when he tries to kick it? Yep, that was me. Totally did that in school. Jumped right over it. So sad... Now I do like the "power" feeling I get from flipping that giant dang tractor tire across the room at the gym, but only 3 more sessions left and then no more! I actually did like old school aerobics (showing my age). Confession - I actually lost weight in the past with Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies tapes and guess what?! I just found them on DVD and ordered them! I am a total geek but hey if it is something I like doing at least maybe I will do it! PS - the worst part of the personal training (next to the stupid exercises) is the trainers nutritional advice. UGH! I have told her about the surgery but of course she doesn't understand and I get that but leave me the heck alone with "you have to eat more calories". Promise I am not listening to her but it is a bit confusing. I meet with my NUT this week and have already emailed her about my confusion, so I will get that straight. Wish me luck with my first try at "Sweatin' to the Oldies" tomorrow morning!!

@@DangerMouse007 - Thanks so much for posting this link. I read it this morning and have been thinking about it all day. Man did that put it all in perspective for me. I have been waiting the 30 minutes after eating but got a little lax on chewing enough and the blog post really helps understand all that. I am good with following rules as long as I understand why? This really helped me!

Yes unfortunately very normal. You should be taking an antacid (likely a PPI that your doctor prescribed). If you don't have a prescription, call your doctor for it and take Zanctac or Pepcid in the meantime. My understanding is that you take this med for at least 3 to 6 months post-op.

@@Elode - Me too! I have been working with a personal trainer and I hate EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND of it. Doesn't seem that exercise will be my new addiction...

Congrats to you both! Almost there...... It will be here before you know it!

@@winklie - Glad you updated us and gave us more background info. Sounds like you have a plan in place. If I could make one suggestion - about meal skipping (and I know the plan is new). But just to say I have to carry a Protein bar or some such with me to make sure I eat. You are early out, so this will come with time. I have all too often gone without because I didn't know what to eat. While you are planning, think of some things you can have with you with you will be out - tuna packets (as @@Dub as mentioned), beef Jerky (when you are able), Protein Bar, etc. I even found these individual packets of 1 TBSP of Barneys Almond Butter. Maybe not the absolutely best choice but it is satisfying, quick and a little bit of protein. Glad you have a psych team in your corner and will be working with them. Couldn't get through this without mine! Best wishes and let us know if you find some crazy good recipes! I am going to make @@beachgal2935 's Magic Crust Quiche this weekend! (I have been saying that for weeks but it is what is for Breakfast tomorrow!) And my most recent was a fix for my pizza craving that http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.com recently posted - which was a Pizza Saute - sautéed veggies, add in some chicken and turkey pepperoni and olives and some pizza or low sugar marinara sauce and then some cheese on top quickly melted under the broiler. It was quick and VERY good. (I think @@beachgal2935 is the one that also has the chicken "crust" pizza you will find on here. Sounds great!)

Have you spoken with your nutritionist? While lean turkey meat and low fat cheese isn't so bad, 1200 calories seems a little high for 3 months out. Are you getting in your protein, vitamins and fluid? You need to get your food logs to your NUT and get their feedback

Please don't think you need to lose 1 pound per day to be "successful". 5 pounds in 3 weeks is not a stall. I have lost fairly steadily with 2 to 3 pounds per week and it has suddenly added up and 5 months post-op, I am not much further down than you. You have done very well (even assuming some of this was pre-surgery). Stay off the scale for a few days. Take your measurements. Try on some clothes. You will see the difference. Meanwhile rat something! Remember that this is about a long term life sustaining process not just fast weight loss. Therapist will definitely help. You joke about anorexia but that is a very real possibility for folks who have had weight loss surgery. It's a slippery slope as we trade our food addiction to a lack there of - still a control issue. Take care of your health. The Wright will continue to drop eventually and you will look back on this and laugh. If jumping on the scale each day causes you distress, don't do it.

@@dhrguru - I have Graves also. The complaint that finally got me to go to the dr knowing something was wrong was the leg weakness. I would get out of the shower and my legs would shake uncontrollably and I would have to sit down. Going up the stairs in the parking garage at work was nearly impossible. Strange that is the first thing I thought too when I read this post. @@fairgge - So very sorry you are having this issue. That is quite scary! Glad at least they are working on getting your thyroid straight. I am 5 months post-op and still under-medicated (not absorbing the Synthroid like before). I hope the neurologist can help you get it sorted out!

Three week stall is completely normal. Use the search feature and you will find tons of posts about it

The third week is oddly a hard week. I don't know why but even my Dr acknowledged that. Third week after my hysterectomy was very difficult too. Weird

@@KindaFamiliar and @@OKCPirate - not sure about OP but I quite welcomed the opinion on the matter from men. No apologies necessary

@@Skinny Steps - at 8 months you should be able to tolerate more protein heavy food such as tuna, chicken, beef, pork, cheese, Greek yogurt, beef jerky, etc. At 5 months post-op, I do still have 1 Premier Protein shake per day but I am easily getting 50 to 70g per day from food. Are you not able to tolerate these things? What are you eating? If vegetarian, there are also choices such as beans, legumes, nuts, etc. You need to meet with a NUT ASAP and get your intake evaluated.

Ditto to all above I think. I ate McDonalds or Chick-fil-a every single morning (even weekends usually) for breakfast on the way to work. I still crave that. I thought it was getting easier but not so much this last week. I have found myself with such an intense craving for these things but honestly I think I am craving the convenience and habit more than anything (at least that's what I keep telling myself). I still drive past these 2 restaurants every morning and just try not to look. Then Friday nights in front of the TV with pizza. Whole bag of potato chips or cheez-its with it more than half gone between the grocery store and home. And yes most definitely lunch at work. I enjoy(ed) the break and the friendships. I am saving a lot of money now but I am a bit bored. I tried the whole "run errands" thing and I just run out of those. I ate out too much last week though and could feel it was making my desire for food as entertainment stronger. So back to taking lunch this week and trying to find other things to do at lunch after eating. Today I ate at my desk. Made my day SO long. I have been eating out lunch everyday for 20 years. I have to keep reminding myself that habits don't change overnight but I sure did hope that 5 months later, food would have less of a pull for me. ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME.....

Well said @KindaFamiliar

I too still take chewables T 5 months out. Are you taking them with meals? That will sometimes help the stomach upset or you may try changing brands.

Ditto. I take Gas-X still at 5 months out. Haven't heard of any side effects from it. By the way, the gas from the surgery should mostly subside by day 5

It depends on the brand. I've seen some that say take 3 muftis per day. Mine only requires 2 tablets per day. For what it's worth, I found this very overwhelming at first too but you will eventually settle in to a pattern. Which brand are you taking? As for timing , I take 1 multi and my calcium with lunch and 1 multi and iron at dinner. My B12 is only weekly (thank goodness!).

I had bypass and don't dump so don't consider that surgery only because you think you would. 48 pounds is quite a lot and as for your friend who lost 100 pounds in 3 months, well maybe I shouldn't say what I really think about that but frankly I call BS. You need to see a therapist and work through some of these head and heart issues. No amount of surgeries can fix that. Don't get discouraged. Just get back on plan.

Is it possible it is just gas? Depends on how long you have had the pain and how consistent it is I suppose.

Thanks so much @@Djmohr! I know you are right. I think I just had a boring food week and got distracted. (Staring at pizza and cupcakes at the nephew's birthday party yesterday definitely didn't help! ). I just got back from the grocery store and from buying a Food Saver and I am going to try out a couple of new recipes (one of the ones you sent me) and see if some changing up will help. The other recipe I am going to make is basically pizza toppings in a pan.... New recipe from Eggface (just pepper, onion, turkey pepperoni, grilled chicken, olives, cheese, etc. in a pan). I think that may fix my pizza craving for now. And you are right, I need to just try some of the things I miss in very small quantity or find a similar substitute. I keep telling myself that I am craving a habit and not a food. Trying some new stuff tonight (and a therapist meeting on Tuesday) will hopefully get me all sorted out!

Just go to Poshmark.com and/or download the app on your phone. You build a "closet" of items you want to sell. It was originally for gently used clothing but it has expanded a little bit. Key is to share your listings and others A LOT in order to get them seen. And also listing a really good description. I have sold quite a few things and bought quite a few smaller items - at much lower price then buying new. So bascailly an online thrift store but not generally as inexpensive as you would find in a thrift store. There are also designer label items and more recently some retail sellers who sell new with tag items. No fee to sign up. They charge a commission per item sold (20%).

I didn't have a drain so not sure I help you with that. The pain on the left side may still be gas. I was going to say drink smaller sips too. I used the medicine cups for quite a while. I seem to recall day 5 being the worst and drinking got a little easier after that. Also, is there any chance it is reflux? I took quite a bit of Zantac during the early phase. AND a LOT of Gas-x (and still do). If you haven't tried Gas-X, give that a try. They have strips and chewables. The strips are a fairly low dose, so take several. Welcome to the other side and the rest of your journey!