Mini_me007

@@Kindle - Firstly, big hugs to you. I'm so sorry you're suffering. I take Wellbutrin, and have for many years. It's one of the only anti-depressants that isn't known to cause weight gain in a lot of patients, and it generally doesn't affect sleep if you take it in the morning. I however take one in the morning and one with dinner and I have no trouble sleeping. I wish you the very best of luck and please know it will get better. <3

WOW!!! I teared up reading your post. Congratulations! You've earned every single moment of feeling good!! I couldn't be happier for you!!!

Regarding calories, carbs, etc.---who do I listen to? Surgeon's Bariatric NP or NUT? Here's the deal: When I started this journey, my surgeon's office had a NUT who did all the pre-op stuff. She has since left and for reasons I don't want to go into or I'll get ticked off, they no longer provide a NUT to patients. I've been limping along on advice I got here until I started going to my surgeon's office for follow-up visits. I see an NP there. The NP has always made me a little nervous as I don't think she seems super-knowledgeable, especially as she's supposed to be a Bariatric NP. During my last visit, I told her I didn't think I was getting enough calories or something because I'm tired and/or hungry all the time. She looked over my numbers (I keep track of everything on MyFitnessPal). I was at around 400-500 calories per day, 70-90 grams of Protein and around 20-30 grams of carbs. I exercise 5 days a week, 30-40 minutes a day. She told me never to go over 75 grams of protein a day, and I needed to keep my carbs below 30 grams per day. Although I know all surgeons are different, I still knew something was wrong as my lab work came back fine, so I decided to get my own NUT to get this stuff straightened out. The surgeon's office referred me to one. I saw her today, and it was an eye opener! She said my calories were way too low, my surgeon's insistence on fruit being an every-now-and-again, once-in-a-blue-moon-treat was ludicrous, my protein intake needed to be 60-80 a day, and my calories need to be closer to 800 a day. Even though I'm tired and hungry, I AM losing weight really well despite some health issues that can make it hard (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and medications). Do I listen to the NUT, increase my calories/carbs and start eating fruit, oatmeal and other carby foods? OR, do I listen to my Surgeon's Bariatric NP, and keep carbs and calories super-low? I just want to continue losing weight, dang it. If adding way more carbs/calories now slows or stops my weight loss, I'll be devastated. To whom should I listen?

Yes. I do B12 chewables.

@@VSGAnn2014 You are such an inspiration! I hope my success mirrors yours. Thank you so much for the detailed run-down of your calories through the weight loss phases. That helps a lot. I agree that my new NUT is much better suited to my needs. My biggest problem right now is calories. I'm getting 450-600, nearly always on the low end of that. I went to the surgeon's office for my 4 month checkup two days ago and she said my calories were fine...not to push for more; just eat what I can. Well, frankly, I'm nervous my body is going to have a hard time adjusting to double those calories...just like your NUT told you! I'm getting in all my Protein and fluids, but I don't know what to eat for more calories. I know I can't eat a larger amount of food, of course, I just feel like I need more calories. I'm meeting with my new NUT in January and I'll see what she says. I track everything on MyFitnessPal, so I'm going to have her look at that to see if she can give me some ideas. Thanks again for your help!!!

@omerbasa2807. Thanks! I agree.

Me, neither! They'll likely do it while you're still under. You're going to do great!

They did the tummy check while I was still under from the surgery.

I had surgery at Baylor Surgicare In Plano on 8-17 this year. It was outpatient. I got there around 9am and was home by 4pm same day. Everyone was really nice and very caring. I definitely recommend it! Should you have uncontrollable issues with nausea or the like, they won't send you home. They're very patient-oriented. Good luck!!!

Sugar-free popsicles, soup that has been pureed until there are no chunks (I really liked Progresso Heart Healthy Reduced Sodium soups), tomato soup. Maybe try Googling "stage 2 bariatric diet" for more ideas, and check Pinterest. Stage 2 was the worst for me...I was soooo tired of the same stuff and I was hungry! It gets better...I promise. You're doing great!!

I went through the exact same thing! I even asked my husband if he was sure the surgeon even did my surgery! No, there's nothing wrong with you. During your surgery, some nerves were severed when cutting out part of your tummy. Until they heal, you may not feel a sensation of fullness. ( I didn't. I felt terribly hungry, too). Try to focus on taking small drinks at a time, measure all your food or liquids to make sure you're getting the right amount. Your tummy is still healing. This part isn't easy, but it will get better. You've got this!!

@ Thanks!

@@ssflbelle @@Heather Birdwell Thanks to you both! I appreciate your help. :-)

@@FrankiesGirl You're so right! My energy levels have been brutally low. Hoping these changes help!

@@Inner Surfer Girl @@2goldengirl Thanks!!

@@bellabloom You are smart and brave and awesome!! Recognizing your eating disorder, and going into residential treatment for it takes a fighter...that's you!! I wish you the very best and look forward to hearing how it went. Take good care of YOU. We'll be cheering you on. You can do this!

I have seen this, but have never tried it. You talked me into it! One question...did you use full-fat or reduced fat cream cheese? Thanks for the recipe!

Wow. I was unaware they had made changes other than adding new flavors. How long ago was this ? @Dub... They used to use isomalto-oligosaccharide for Fiber, but they've switched to soluble corn fiber. The taste has changed and they're reportedly giving lots of people horrible gas...as in, "OMG, what's that smell??!...along with loose stools. I'm totally bummed. I LOVED Quest bars.

I completely agree with what @@Elode said. Quest protein bars used to be my go-to because they were the BEST, but since they changed the formula, they're terrible. Making your own will allow you to tweak the recipes around for your palate, plus save you a boatload of moolah. Good luck...I know this is important. Google "homemade protein bars" to get lots of ideas.

Love Syntrax Nectar in the flavor Fuzzy Navel! I've never tried Isopure because I've heard it called Isopuke. Lol!

Wishing you all the best! You've got the right attitude and spirit to win this battle!!! Go, Dub!!!!

I was sleeved 8/17 and am doing pretty well. I've had hunger pangs since week two. The real kind...where your stomach growls. PA at surgeon's office wanted to prescribe me appetite suppressants! What the what?? No, I'm done with that kind of stuff. I added snacks (I was only supposed to eat 3 small meals a day) and that helped. I still get hungry sometimes. I'm really struggling to get in all my liquids. I feel like I'm drinking all the time, but have yet to reach 64 oz. Ugh. Getting protein is has become really easy, though, so that's awesome. I'm going to try lettuce this week...I'm really craving a taco lettuce wrap. Hope my sleeve likes it! Wishing everyone well!!!

Today is my one month surgiversary. Before surgery, I lost 12 pounds on my two week pre-op diet, took photos and measurements. As of today, I've lost a total of 39 pounds (that includes the two week pre-op diet). Yay! I was, however, having a difficult time actually seeing the difference. Sure, some of my tops seemed looser, but I just couldn't see it in the mirror. Following the advice of many on here, I took my measurements today. I've lost a total of 14.25 inches so far!! There you go...now I know those 39 pounds are actually gone. If you don't see the difference, measure. Seriously. You may be as surprised as I. Thank you to everyone for all the great advice...including "measure, measure, measure!" You guys are the best!