catwoman7

pretty much everybody has constipation issues - although I know Iron makes it even worse. I take carbonyl iron, which is supposed to be easier on your system (and less constipating) than others, but I still struggle with constipation.

75 lbs. But a lot depends on where you start.

It's been awhile, but I think I was told 20-30 minutes as well.

I actually think I did - once. The day of or the day after surgery. I told my surgeon (and the nurse). They didn't seem too worried about it, but I would tell them for sure just in case. If there's a potential problem, they need to know about it.

I also take Centrum (chewable) - or the CVS equivalent

all I can say is....liquid calories.

most people don't have complications - and of those who do, they're usually minor (like strictures). People are just more likely to publicize when things go wrong. People who never have complications aren't usually going to post that everything is great. you are much more likely to have complications from obesity than you will from the surgery.

it happens to most of us - it's just all the IV fluids they pumped into you. Should be gone in a couple of days

just so you know, the word is that Biotin won't prevent your hair from falling out - but it can help it grow back in once it starts growing again. About all you can do to is keep on top of your Protein and supplements, but then again, if your hair's gonna fall out, it's gonna fall out. Fortunately, most people don't lose enough for other people to notice (I didn't lose any at all)

I don't do the patches, but several people on one of the other WLS forums I'm on use them and have had really good luck with them.

did those people have bypass a long time ago? Years ago, it was pretty risky - but not anymore. Techniques have changed and they know a lot more about it now. The mortality rate now is something like 0.3% - lower than hip replacement surgery.

may just be a fluke. My pouch is pissy sometimes. But if it continues, call your surgeon's office. It could be a stricture. I had two of them, and those were the symptoms - I couldn't keep food down. they're fairly common during the first three months post-op. And the fix is painless and easy.

it's very weird to me when almost everything I try on fits. Now I'll buy something because I like the way it looks on me. Pre-surgery, I bought something only because it was the only thing that actually fit me!

we all read about people who lose 30 lbs the first month, but that's definitely at the very high end of the range. Some people only lose 10 or 12. My take-away from being on this and other boards for the last 2-3 years is that most people lose in the 15-25 lb range the first month. Fifteen pounds in three weeks is great. I lost 16 lbs the whole first month, and I'm down a total of 200 lbs. If you follow your plan, you'll lose the weight. We all lose at different rates because there are so many factors that can affect it, but you'll reach your goal if you stick to your plan.

I was a slow loser, but I've lost 200 lbs altogether. I lost 16 lbs the first month and then 8-12 lbs a month after that - up until the six-month mark, when it dropped to 6-8 lbs. And I started out at over 300 lbs. Like others have said, there are a lot of factors that can affect your rate of loss, so it's kind of pointless to compare yourself to others. If you stick to your program, you'll get there. I did.

I always take individual Protein packets. Although I've considered buying pre-made shakes when I got to my destination. Either would work.

the acid from tomatoes and tomato products bothered my pouch at first, but I eat them all the time now. As long as they don't bother you, I'd say go for it!

p.s. the nausea should go away soon - I only had it the first few days post-op. If it doesn't, call your surgeon's office.

be glad for it and milk it for everything it's worth. It's super easy to stick to the food plan when you're never hungry. There are a lucky few whose hunger never comes back (I hoped and prayed I'd be one of them), but for the vast majority of us, the hunger does come back - anywhere from a few months to a year later (mine came back at six months out). After it comes back, it becomes more of a challenge to stick to the program -because you're hungry!! (although most people say their hunger is not as intense as it was pre-surgery). It will never in your life be easier to lose weight as it will be the next few months - so take full advantage of it!! (but do make sure you get all your nutrients in - you want to stay healthy!!)

Greek yogurt with a few fresh berries on top. Occasionally I'll add a half a scoop of Protein powder to my yogurt to bump up the protein even more

nope. I automatically throw up if my stomach is unhappy.

I can eat a whole cup of cottage cheese at 15 months out

I've lost 200 lbs. Yep - I have sagging skin. But it's easy to hide. And I can tell you now that I'd take my saggy skin *any day* over weighing 373 lbs! Once you get your weight off, you'll wonder why you worried about it so much!

I usually just eat what I've weighed/measured for myself. The only time I feel "full" (although it's a different feeling from before) is when I'm starting to overdo it. I know if I keep eating after I get that feeling, I'm going to vomit. btw my new "full" feeling is really more of an uncomfortable feeling. I can't really describe it any better than that. But it doesn't feel full like I felt full before surgery.

might be eating too much/too fast, or it might be a stricture (I had two of them - they're not uncommon when you're 1-3 months out). Contact your surgeon.