catwoman7

P.S. I guess if you're really self-conscious about it, you could just say you have GERD or something and alcohol is hard on your stomach. Or like me, you could just tell him you're not much of a drinker. P.S. I guess if you're really self-conscious about it, you could just say you have GERD or something and alcohol is hard on your stomach. Or like me, you could just tell him you're not much of a drinker.

I rarely drank even *before* the surgery. When I went out with friends, I'd often just have a Diet Coke. Of course, I can't have Diet Coke now, either - but the place should have something you can drink. I just always explained I wasn't much of a drinker, if people even bothered to ask. No one seemed to care.

that happened to me as well - but then, everyone started noticing all the same time - like all within a week or two. It was sort of weird. I was puzzled why suddenly everyone noticed at the same time - when I'd been losing weight all along.

I've just put it in chocolate Protein shakes and chocolate pudding. It's great in those. I would imagine the taste would be OK mixed with Water - but the texture would be way off.

I had surgery in June and it was probably October before people started noticing. I was secretly glad because I told very few people about my WLS, and I doubt the people who noticed my weight loss in October connected it to my absence from work in June. I'd probably lost 60 lbs at that point - but then, given my BMI, I'm really not surprised it took that big a drop before people started noticing.

I was curious about this, so I googled it. The only thing I read about a B12 level that's too high is that it's uncommon. But oddly, obese people are among those that are susceptible to it. They didn't list anything about the dangers of a high B12 (although there are a ton of dangers associated with *low* B12!), but again, I'm sure they'll just have you cut back a bit if they're worried about it.

I've seen anywhere from 15-30 lbs. You're right - it really varies a lot depending on age, height, starting BMI, whether or not you lost a lot of weight prior to surgery, etc. To answer your question, I lost 16 lbs the first month. Throughout this whole process, I've been a slow but steady user. I'm a 55-year-old female, had a BMI over 50, and lost 57 lbs before surgery. But I've lost a total of 164 lbs, so the weight *will* come off if you keep at it!

mine is 1405. They never said anything about it. I suppose if they're worried it's too high, they'll have you cut back your dosage. Someone on another forum I'm on said she doesn't feel well if hers drops below 1000. Interesting. But I'm sure they'll tell you to cut back if they felt it was too high.

I've only had two stalls (I'm almost 10 months out). The dreaded three-week one and then one at about eight months out. Otherwise, my loss has been slow and steady. I usually exercise six days a week (2 days of TRX or weights, 2 days of water-based cardio, 2 days of yoga). My calorie level had gotten up to 900-1100 range per day, but I dialed it down to push through that stall I had at eight months out. I'm eating 800-1000 kcal a day now. I know some people eat 600-800, but I don't feel well if I drop below 800 for more than a day or two, and plus I'm pretty active.

I went with gastric bypass because I had GERD. Otherwise I would have considered the sleeve as well. I also like the fact that there's more long-term data on bypass. They know about potential long-term complications and how to prevent - or at least greatly reduce the chances of getting - them.

I think they just checked Vitamin, calcium, and Protein levels for me, too. And Iron levels. They also did a lipid profile, but that's only because my PCP wanted one because I was due for one, and I saw her the same week as I had my six-month checkup with my bariatric surgeon . I asked him to do it while they were checking for everything else - that way I didn't have to go back for a second blood draw.

I'm not sure if anyone knows for sure how many people dump because a lot of people (like myself) don't try to test the waters. I have no idea if I dump, and I really don't want to find out. I've heard that 30% figure a lot, too. I don't think I've ever heard any figure as high as 75%.

you've got time to think about this. Most people don't notice the weight loss right away (at my highest weight, it took 50 lbs before people started to notice). My boss knew, the HR person knew, a few of my closest friends knew, and of course my family knew. I didn't tell anyone else. Fortunately, I've been a slow loser, so people seem to believe me when I say I've been working with a nutritionist and exercising like crazy. Normal weight people believe that schlock (I might be tempted to tell other morbidly obese people if they asked, though. Plus they'd be unlikely to buy that I did it all on my own)

someone on either this board or another board I'm on recommended Oh Yeah One bars. So I picked up a box. She was right - they're fabulous. They're also dangerous. The chocolate brownie ones (the ones I got) taste just like candy bars. I can see someone devouring a half dozen of them in one sitting. There are different versions of Oh Yeah bars - but Oh Yeah One would be the one you'd want, because the "One" stands for one gram of sugar. Total carbs are pretty high, though - they must have lot of fiber. I usually go for Quest bars. They're tasty, but they wouldn't be as much of a trigger (for me) as Oh Yeah One.

net carbs are total carbs minus the fiber, I believe (because you don't digest fiber). Some people go by net carbs, others say you should count total carbs. Since I'm on a moderately-low carb diet (as opposed to ultra-low), it's usually not an issue for me - but it would be for those on a super low carb diet. I'm not sure there's a right answer to this (i.e., which one to go by) - there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

it's normal. My hunger didn't come back until I was about six months out. Some people's never comes back <jealous>. Be grateful - it's much easier to lose weight when you're never hungry!

if it continues, call your surgeon's office. There's a chance it could also be a stricture (I had two early on - they're an easy fix).

some people lose too much weight, but most don't. From what I can tell on these boards, it seems like a lot of people settle at their ideal weight or a few pounds above. yes - you might have loose skin. It's very common. I worried about it as well. But I can tell you that it's totally worth every inch of loose skin and every lost hair. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't worry about loose skin or losing hair *at all*. Losing all that weight *far* outweighs that.

two months seems more like maintenance than a stall. Sounds like eating-wise and exercise-wise you should be fine. Are you weighing and measuring everything? (I get "calorie-creep" if I don't....)

I've been doing Aqua Zumba for over a year. I have joint issues as well. It's perfect for that!!! Plus, it's a lot of fun. I love it!

clarification - I take 800 mg of magnesium citrate *in total* every day. So that's 400 mg in the morning, and 400 mg in the evening

I"ve always been told that decaf counts - but caffeinated does not. as for constipation, practically everyone has trouble with that post-surgery. There are a lot of treatments out there - experiment with them and see which one or combos work for you. Here's what I do: Benefiber twice a day 800 mg magnesium citrate (tablet form) twice a day a capful of Miralax twice a week, whether I need it or not I rarely have problems anymore.....

I"m afraid to even take the thing!

I stalled weeks 2 and 3 post-op. During week 4, I dropped six lbs. As djmohr said, just stick to the program - the stall will end and you'll start dropping weight again

they might be referring to right after surgery, when that's pretty much what most people can muster (although who knows - they may have been referring to sedentary people - not sure). I walked for the first few weeks (very little the first week, though - I was pretty sore). At four weeks out I was cleared to do most everything except weights - I think I had to wait 6-8 weeks to do those. right now (nine months out) I do Aqua Zumba, swim laps, TRX, occasionally weights, and yoga