travelergirl

My surgeon wanted me to stop phentermine 2 weeks before surgery. She was concerned it would affect the anesthesia. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for sharing. I'm at week 9 but have had a couple of struggles myself. I hope some others can share their experiences and insights. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I found myself in a similar spot as kpw. Once I got released to eat normal foods I was able to get my calories up to 1000 and the stall I had during puree and soft foods broke. I upped my protein goal to 80. I do continue to do a premier protein shake for breakfast most days. It was a go to pre op as well. I tend to do at least one tuna pouch which has 17g of protein. To keep my calories up I switched from skim milk to 2%, from pb2 powder to real peanut butter, and from reduced fat cheese to regular cheese. In my darkest moments of frustration at the scale I looked for inspiration from the people here and from my non scale victories [sizing my ring, fitting into smaller size clothing, buckling the backseat seatbelt]. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Pre op I was losing weight easily. Post op it is more slowly and I had about a 3 week period with nothing. Once I got to week 6 and started eating real food again the scale started moving again. This week the scale moved backward a bit but I am having one of the heaviest menstrual cycles I've had in years. I know I'm retaining water because my ankles tell me so! I'm trying to drink more water and got a b6 b12 injection this morning. Despite the scale not moving the way I expected, I am finding clothes are getting too big...i have one cute work blouse that I haven't worn in 4 years or more...i keep trying it on. It will now button! It pulls too much to actually wear but a couple of weeks ago there was about 2 inches before it would close. So I know I'm making progress. Finding joy in the non scale victories is a big part of what keeps me going. It is hard to be patient. Having faith in the program is tough. But I find inspiration with the people here who share their stories and try to imagine where I'll be at my one year mark. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I buy cran grape, pink lemonade, and wildberry passion powders. You can buy them from the bariatric pal store, Amazon, and other places online. I love the hot cocoa in the cold weather. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree that it is a distressing sign. With two week pre op liquids, 2 weeks post op plus puree and soft foods i had 8 weeks of pretty boring limited options. I recall dreaming of pizza and bacon. When I talked to nurse she said I was probably needing some salt . The items you were putting in your mouth are all salty. So, look for some broth with salt. Or add some salt to your low sodium broth. If you find yourself facing this again, call your NUT and DR to get some help. Allow your body to heal. Take one day at a time...it isn't that you will never have chips again...it is that you are choosing not to have them today. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Love the article. Thank you. As for protein needs changing as you lose weight... go by what your DR and NUT say. The materials they gave me for lifetime maintenance still say minimum 60 grams of protein. I am currently working on 80 to 100g per day and plan to increase that as I add back gym days. Pre op I was aiming for 100 to 120g and hitting gym for strength training 3x week. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I like baritastic app Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok....hospital gross bill was over $200k! My insurance negotiated rate was just over 60k. My share is just under 3k. That doesn't include the surgeon or anesthesia. I went in at 5am on Friday and was discharged Saturday around 2pm. Then there were all the other pre op steps. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I tried my first protein bar in week 6 and it was fine. I traveled for work in week 7 and they were great to have while on plane or hotel when my options were limited. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

My Dr recommended the bariatric advantage chewable as it is complete...no additional vitamins needed. It is four tablets. I like the mixed berry. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

The back seat seat belt fit! I usually have to sit up front foe the seat belt to fit. Well, I was able to get in the back of two different cars this weekend and both seat belts fit! Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I love premier protein. Chocolate is also my fave. I add pb2 powder to vanilla for a yummy peanut butter shake. I second the ice and ice water. I find it helps over room temp. I also drink vitamin water zero. Lots of flavors to choose from. Have you tried coconut water? Good luck! Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sending you a hug. I stalled for most of the puree and soft food stage. Now that I'm eating real food the scale started moving again. 80 to 100g protein and trying to keep up 1000 calories. I would also look at adding healthy fats. I did that plus increased my water. Keep up with it. We're here with you. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I just hit my 6 weeks and im trying to get 80 to 100 grams per day. Before surgery while losing weight I was at 90 to 120. I'm trying to limit myself to one shake per day. I find that I can't always finish my portion of meat. 3 ounces is about my limit. GBLady41 I am impressed with your 134 oz of fluids. I find it to be a struggle since going back to work to get in my 64 ounces. But I'm working on it. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I am not a mother, but I am a daughter. My mother grew up being criticized by her mother/my grandmother. My mom was always feeling targeted and bullied because she wasn't as slender or pretty as my aunt. So, when my mother had children she went the opposite. She never said anything about my weight or my food choices. I was allowed to eat whatever whenever I wanted. My mother gained weight herself and ended up close to 400 lb. So, I never had a good role model. From my perspective you making changes may hurt temporarily while she feels left behind, but you have several years to help her/show her good food habits. Involve her in meal planning (including figuring out the nutrients) and grocery shopping and cooking. Have her help you weigh out and portion yours and your husband's food. She can then choose her portion. I believe children 10 and over can join weight watchers with a doctor's note. Find out if she would be interested in going and offer to go with her. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. This isn't easy. But taking care of yourself and being healthy are fabulous things for your daughter to witness. (My mother is now about 250. After she retired 12 years ago she began to take her diabetes seriously and has lost the weight slowly but consistently. My blood sugar and A1C were getting high and after watching her deal with diabetes...this was a big reason I went for the surgey.) Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats! That is awesome Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Problems with blood vessels connected to spleen and stomach was the biggest risk my surgeon identified. She said that if they can't control the bleeding they would remove my spleen during surgery. She said I would need extra immunizations if that happens. So, based on that I would say it isn't a problem. Certainly clarify with surgeon but my DR made it sound like no spleen would be a non issue. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

You pretty much nailed it I did very well losing weight before surgery ...50 lb in about 6 months. After surgery I lost quickly in the first two weeks. The next four weeks...about 3 pounds total. It is hard to have faith. It is a lot of work to have faith. About once a week the emotional side takes control and I let out the frustration and sadness. Then back to the logical side. With 6 weeks now passed I'm on normal foods. So, I'm working on getting back to some of my pre surgery favorites that helped me lose. I'm getting my protein numbers up as I feel like I can now head back to the gym. Eating food with a little crunch is also nice. I did 2 weeks liquid pre op, 2 post op, 2 weeks puree and 2 weeks soft food. That is 8 weeks of a lot of restriction. Now, I'm trying at least one new food item per day and that helps with the emotional side - having more options is so nice. A lot of advice is to stop weighing yourself and I struggle with that. I have some work travel coming up and that will force me to take some time off the scale. Stalls and slow weight loss happens to so many and with so many stories from others I know logically it isn't me and there is nothing wrong. Thank you to all who share on these boards! I'm tracking using baritastic app and will review with NUT if I'm still frustrated after I get back from my work trip. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm waving to you from BART. They may be ho hum but good for you for sticking to the plan! I'm planning for my first work trip at 8 weeks. I am putting together a care package I'm mailing to hotel as I refuse to check my bag. I like to bring a shaker bottle and protein drink powders...like cran grape or lemonade. Gets me protein and fluids! I also like pb2 powder. Even the regular peanut butter to go cups...higher in fat and calories than pb2 but they work in a pinch. I haven't tried my first protein bar yet but they were staples of my pre op travels. Also prepacked nuts. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Look for soups (call ahead to find out what they will have) and bring some protein powder you can discreetly add in. Milk is my go to when I'm out running errands etc... I went to one restaurant around 2 weeks and just had water as I was still liquids at that point. I got to be with my family and stayed with my plan. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Reschedule. There is no need to add that stress to your life. You are going to have a lot going on...if the discharge is delayed or if you have a complication it sounds like you would be focused on missing the time with your daughter. I hope everything works out and the schedule comes together. For me...i wanted to have surgery after my Suez Canal cruise that was more than a year of planning. Waiting a few extra weeks was worth my mental health and lack of regrets. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I believe the pause after drinking to begin eating is the same as described but in reverse. You don't want a bunch of liquid in your stomach and then start adding food...which creates the same soup discussed in the article. I was advised no drinking 30 minutes before and after but my NUT told me that 10 minutes before is ok... As I understood it the pause was to let the water move through the stomach before adding the food Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Set an alarm for water. And set a schedule for eating. You need your protein. Baritastic app has timers you can use. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

You can do it. I worked out in gym every other day. I did extra walks on deck. I stuck to mostly protein with a little fruit at breakfast. Lunch was also protein focused with some veggies and or fruit based on what was at buffet. I did go to the grill a couple of times and would do burger with half or no bun. Dinner I allowed myself to have a piece of bread or breadsticks and a few bites of dessert. Frankly most of the desserts weren't that good. I got my free scoop of gelato and thankfully I waited toward end of cruise because that was good! The buffet had so many good protein options...carved meat at every meal...that it really wasn't too hard. I tried the pizza once and the pasta bar once. Neither were very good. We did the fancy pay extra Italian restaurant once and it was awesome. That pasta was worth every carb! For me the key was my water bottle. I brought a shaker bottle with a good handle on the ship. I would fill it with ice and water from the buffet stations a couple times a day. I took it everywhere. I also brought a few protein bars and prepackaged nuts to take ashore on excursions. Enjoy your cruise! Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app