LisaMergs

Wow. Totally disagree here. If you need the meds, use them! You may only need at night to sleep comfortably, or maybe mid day after you have been moving around a lot. The fact is, as long as you weren't an addict prior to surgery, pain meds are simply a tool to get you through the first leg of healing. And there are plenty of studies out there that show that when people are in pain, they won't progress in their healing process. Pain is a very real thing and though the effects on your body while in pain may be happening on a cellular level, the fact is it makes a difference with negative results. And you can still get up and walk while you're taking them. Just don't drive or operate heavy machinery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Me!!!???? (they need a redheaded girl on the emojis lol) Fitbit keeps me accountable! Tracks steps, calories spent, and you can connect with others you know to do "challenges" daily or weekly. The kicker? I left it on my dressing table this morning when I went on my 26 mile sojourn. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@bellalulu Skim milk with the shakes. As for the yogurt? Well, for most that is not considered "liquid" in a liquid diet. Liquid diet means Water, your Protein shakes, clear broth, SF Jello and perhaps SF Popsicles. That's it. If you are allowed yogurt do Greek, like the Danon Triple Zero or Danon Light and Fit Greek. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Every doc is different. Mine basis your pre op liquid diet based upon your beginning weight. Mine was 3 weeks long. Seriously. I saw the doc the day before surgery in his office and begged him to let me eat a turkey sub for dinner that night. He laughed and said soon enough- just not now. 5 months later still haven't had one! And now, I couldn't care less. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How's the post op pain??? You doing ok? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Odd you asked this question today. I was speaking with my mom earlier and she asked if I wanted her to save a lamb chop for me. My reply was "No, lamb and I aren't getting along these days, much like beef and I. I wish that I could simply drink my nutrition and skip eating whole foods". And I meant it. I enjoy the "softer" foods- yogurt, cheeses, etc but when it comes to meats? I'm kind of over them. Which stinks because I'm sitting here CRAVING a Chicago-style hot dog! Meats have become so touchy for me in the last 2 months. Veggies- love them! Fruits are really limited to berries in my new tummy because there are too many others I don't tolerate well ( honeydew, watermelon, apples). One food you'd THINK I couldn't tolerate would be corn on the cob. I don't have an issue with it, though. Maybe have one a week right now ( half an ear). So, consequently I get most of my Protein via yogurt, cottage cheese, hard white cheese, ricotta cheese ( home made), and Protein drinks. I'd kill for a big juicy steak, and can eat dark meat chicken that has been stewed in juices. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Bravo!!!! Bravissimo!!!!! Rocambolesco!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Three weeks out and I'm sooooooo glad it's over. tough, tough surgery, but if having it will help stabilize my spine it will all be worth it. would I have skin surgery just for cosmetic reasons? HELL NO!!! I am content with my scars less painful life. All will be well. Thank you for caring enough to ask, Friend. Of course! I just wish I'd have known before so I could have checked in on you sooner. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As in pre-op right before surgery?? Good luck! Hope all goes well! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm so glad I motivated you!!!!! Wow. I mean seriously. That was the sweetest thing I've heard in a while! (Other than the I love you's I get from my kids.) And you're right! It is time to get out and PARTICIPATE in this world! As for the blueberry cheese- omg such a treat! Find a good store like a Whole Foods or something similar and check out the cheese department! You will find some there. And they always are willing to cut some to taste before you purchase it. Small wedge will run you around $6-7 dollars, but just eating a small bite at a time as a treat will make it last. ( The ones with apricots are good too, but too much sugar for my taste in dried apricots). Good cheeses, keeping to the white ones, is one of life's little niceties for me, and I'm so glad I can still enjoy them post op. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, I finished the lakefront walk! 13 miles to downtown, 13 back. Am I tired? Actually, no. My inner thighs for some reason are sore though lol. A lot of calories expended, though I kept well hydrated with Water and the Protein2O drink (2 of them) on my journey. Now home, this is my meal- NO I won't eat all of it, and yes, there are a couple of wafer thin water crackers on my plate- and yes I plan on enjoying each bite. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, a small slice of Prairie Breeze cheese, tiny piece of blueberry derby cheese, vanilla Greek yoghurt, a slice of prosciutto and a dollop of cottage cheese. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. Thank you!!! I'm working it! Sooooo close to the 170's right now I can TASTE it!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@missvee One way to get added Protein is to put a half scoop or full scoop of an unflavored powder in your current Protein Drink. One thing to watch- be careful not to consume TOO much protein. By that, I'm saying you don't want hyperproteinemia. You want to shoot pre -op for 65-90 g of protein per day. Yes, that's quite a spread, but your body weight now plays into that. Pre-op at 272, I was targeted with 70-80 g per day. Now I aim for 85-90. However, I'm working out quite a bit and doing a lot of walking these days (26 miles today!!!! Holy cow! Lol) I know A LOT of people here use the Premiere Protein ready to drink- and their docs ok it. My practice has it on the "only in a desperate situation" list. You will see from the ingredient list that the first ingredient is milk protein concentrate, followed by calcium casein protein ( that one is ok) followed by whey protein (not isolate). We don't know HOW MUCH of each protein is in their "blend". For all we know it could be 98%, 1% and 1%. I, for one, want to know EXACTLY how much of something is present, nor do I want to guess or take my chances. That was only .36 cents worth lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The person to ask ideally is your nutritionist. That said, the BEST Protein for bariatric patients is 100% whey protein isolate. Unless you have another reason to avoid whey (vegan, allergy, etc.) don't stray from that. The isolate version is different that plain whey protein. It is better absorbed in the body, and quicker. Blends of whey protein ( contain other types of proteins) are a distant second. Plant based Proteins and soy proteins- for soy, again, choose the isolate. It has less carbs and fat as well as less cholesterol. There is also casein- protein powders. These are absorbed much slower- like over 6 hours. And here you want to be sure the ingredient is "Calcium casein"- so you're getting a pure form. The casein protein powders are less soluble, so they don't mix as well into milk or Water. But they keep you feeling full a long time. My suggestion would be to start with the whey isolate first. Many stores sell individual packets of different brands and flavors which allow you to try before you commit to a whole tub. Your other alternative in "shakes" are clear drinks- Isopure and Protein2O, for instance. Isopure is 100 % whey isolate, and each bottle has somewhere in the vicinity of 40+ grams of it. That's a lot! It does taste very whey-like, but hey, we're in it for the protein right? Just my .52 cents worth... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! It was simply amazing. I went out today saying "I'm GOING to do this". I had so much fun just watching people, taking in the sights of my city that it was over before I realized it. And then I had to walk back lol! There were a few thoughts of catching an Uber back to my car, but I made the commitment to myself and the only one I would disappoint by not finishing was me- and I'm NOT doing that anymore. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, the dogs got the prosciutto. Decided it was too stringy to eat. Here's what my tummy was able to consume- Always go Protein first! And stop when you're just at full- not one bite more. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I like catheters, lol. Especially when in the hospital. Such a pain to have to get up and down to go potty Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes. Yes they are. 5 months ago it was too painful for me to walk across the street to speak to my neighbor. I do not exaggerate. Physically impossible. If my dog decided to chase a squirrel and left my cul de sac, I didn't run after him, I'd get into the car and drive after him. Having the ability to get out in the fresh air, walk and run along the lakefront, people watch, smelling the grills from families out there cooking on a holiday weekend ( man!!! I could TASTE the grilled corn cobs running by!!) - incomparable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Menopause? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Valentina I didn't know you went in for the skin surgery! How are you?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Might I ask how you "killed your cardio" and why that has impacted your loss? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We must learn to crawl, then walk, before we can run. Take your time- you can't rush healing. You will get there. Just not today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I should add by large can of Beans and sauce I'm talking the 12 or 16 oz size Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just thought I'd share this- At my last NUT appointment, I mentioned to her that I had occasionally been eating the Quest chips. I know there are other brands out there as well (whisps). Her reply? "That's fine, but I DO NOT count those towards your daily Protein goal" Why? They have been processed in a way that prevent your body from using it like meat, dairy or shakes. Ok then. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine began lightly at 3 months, but over the last three weeks is falling out like crazy. (I'm just ver 5 mos out.) My "only"saving grace is having begun with a very thick, curly head of hair. It drove me crazy in the past as it took forever to dry, style etc. No one would ever know I've lost so much at this point because I had so much to start with- and drying/styling is much faster now! The say take Biotin- eh,I'm not sure it really works. I get my Protein in and whatnot, so I'd say it's a crap shoot if/when and how much you will lose. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App