Mandybb

I really hope the Zantac works as well. You might not notice a difference until day 2 with the hunger. If not, at least you tried and know it's not acid related. I've heard of people having less restriction so you aren't alone. I truly hope those things help you and things turn around. I learn new things every day! I was eating too many sugar free Popsicles at one point because I thought they were carb free like jello. [emoji16] I wish you the absolute best and be sure to keep us updated!

So I'm from Texas, and we love our spice! I went from LOVING hot sauce to not being able to look at it. I wouldn't put ANY spices on foods until your stomach has healed. Acid is horrible that early on.

I'm shocked you can eat that much ground beef in one sitting 3 weeks post op. You should be eating about 2-4oz. portions at a time for meals. Stick with lean meats (turkey, chicken, fish, tuna, eggs). Do soft foods for now - tuna, eggs, and ground turkey and chicken are great options. I think the NUT telling you not to worry about calories at this point is because they assume your portion sizes are way smaller than you are consuming. For example, I'm 3 months out and can't consume 6.5oz. of ground beef, but I haven't tried either. I tried eating 5oz of chicken the other day and was in so much pain. I still eat 4oz for exactly this reason. Even your chicken serving is over 6oz, are those measurements accurate? It seems your restriction is less than others so you might have to really watch the portion sizes until you get used to what 4oz of food looks like. Lowering the carbs is best and drinking more water! I recommend cutting out 2 of those Snapples and switch to plain water or smart water. Try no carb drinks instead like Crystal Light or Sugar Free Powerade. I'm glad you have replaced the bars because those are loaded with carbs. You can eat carbs!! But choose them wisely, don't waste them. Even veggies have carbs, beans, most foods except pure protein so they add up quickly. Most people do NET carbs so you would subtract the fiber count from the carbs to get the NET carb total. That's what you want to keep low. Also a good rule of thumb, if the carbs are close to or higher than the protein count it's not worth eating! Low carb, high protein is what you are looking for. However, your protein count is sky high for 3 weeks post op! 140 grams is way too high and that can make you gain rather than lose as well. There's no reason to get more than 60-100 grams a day. This really depends on your doctor. Mine likes his patients to be closer to 60-80 grams a day but some doctors go as high as 100, so find out for sure. Snacks should not be 2 large scrambled eggs (that's a whole meal). String cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, avocado, and even a protein shake (if needed) are good snacks for 3 weeks post-op. Or mix it up a bit, half a hard boiled egg and 1oz of Colby jack cheese work as a snack. I think maybe more than anything it's your portion sizes that need work. Did they give you a meal plan at all? Guidelines to follow with portions, or foods to avoid? I'm thankful you caught this early. Just remember, all is not lost and you can absolutely turn this around! Don't get too down on yourself, we have all been confused at times. Just really really watch those portion sizes and you are going to do amazing! Good luck to you. Oh and yes, I thought I was starving and having hunger spells the first 2 weeks after surgery. My doctor told me it was acid and to take a Zantac, and boom, no more hunger. I took Prilosec every other day for about a week until that feeling of hunger went away. Might be something to talk with them about. I had ZERO signs of acid or acid reflux so I was shocked when that was my problem, story of my life! Good luck again!

I'm not sure what your doctor is allowing at this point as far as your diet (since every doctor is different), but at 3 weeks post op I couldn't have eaten the ground beef or the protein bar because I wouldn't have been able to get it down. I was eating soft foods during that stage. At 3 months out now, I'm eating 800-1000 calories daily, sometimes more if I'm walking long distances. My suggestion would be to watch your carbs, try to keep them under 20-25, and go for lean meats like chicken and fish. I live off grilled mahi fish tacos now, using smart carb tortillas (only 4 grams a serving). I wouldn't worry about the gain but I would for sure watch your calories at this early on and make sure you are advancing at the rate your doctor advises. Also you shouldn't be hungry that early on, it's possible you are experiencing acid in your stomach so you might consider talking with your doctor about a PPI or Zantac. Good luck to you!

UPDATE!!! So I've been using this product about 3 weeks now and finally TODAY my hair has stopped coming out so bad. Sure there is still some amount that comes out but nothing like it was. I've had my hair down for 5 hours and I've only shed maybe 3-4 hairs! It really seems to be helping. I have very fine hair but it was super thick. It still looks thick but I can feel it's thinner. Just thought I would update on the progress. I wish I had known about this a month ago! I hope you all have found something that's working for you. Hang in there ladies, it does get better! Bless you all and have a great day!

I had surgery exactly on the same day as you!! I started at 255 and now I'm at 217, possibly 216 or 215 I don't weigh in till Friday. But that's only 38 pounds and my doctor said I'm a slower loser. I think your weight loss for your starting weight is right on target. You are doing fantastic, keep up the great work!

I just got that same dress from Old Navy and I LOVE it!! Makes me look so skinny. I ordered 2. You look great, keep up the good work!

So your deductible has to be met before the insurance will pay, so that for sure needs to be met prior to surgery (most doctors work this way). This is where it depends on the individual surgeon on what they require. Let's say, after your deductible, you are responsible for 20% and the insurance covers the other 80%. The max out of your pocket would be $3500 before the insurance covers your surgery 100%. Some offices make you pay the max out of pocket and some bill you after. Just call and ask so they can tell you a for sure amount.

Yes I do! Had my surgery 12/29/16. They were very fast with approval (mine took 5-7 days). My specific plan required 6 months of doctor monitored weight loss, and for me to register in the Bariatric program through the insurance company. I did not have to do nutrition. I've had zero issues and once my deductible was met for the year they covered my surgery 100%! They also covered all follow up visits for 90 days after surgery.

Sketchers are wide width and they come in cute sizes and styles.

My deductible had to be met before my surgery. I waited until the end of the year (literally Dec 29th) so that my deductible would be met and insurance covered my surgery 100%.

Humana Tricare?

That's so strange. I'm almost 3 months out and mine only does that sometimes certainly not every day, not even every week. I guess some people have that sound and some don't. Sorry, that really must be annoying.

I'm still 219 [emoji58]

During the first couple of weeks it will make random noises during the healing process no matter what you do. Mine will make noises with certain foods it doesn't agree with, if I eat too fast, or if there's air in there (mine is from gulping liquids which I struggle remembering not to do). I think the foods that cause this problem are different for everyone. Mine are lettuce or salad greens, shrimp, spicy food, and sausage. If I avoid those foods, that sound doesn't happen. You just have to play around and learn what your new tummy likes and doesn't. With time it gets better.

You are lucky! I lost about 20 pounds without exercise but now I've had to work for every pound since! It's frustrating. I just walk and I'm just starting to run. I know I look crazy running for a minute then walking, then running a minute more. [emoji23] baby steps but I will be running my first marathon by next year, that's my goal. I find my carb count effects my weight loss more than anything.

I myself am ending up with a hysterectomy, so I can relate to things happen that are side effects of the surgery, but not directly related. I guess we are just the lucky ones! I've even needed blood and iron transfusions because of my female issues so you aren't alone. On a side note, I had a cardiac ablation in 2001 (my early 20s) and it was the scariest surgery of my life but best thing ever. You have to stay awake and that is no fun. My heart was completely fixed that day (they burned my main conductor) and I've not had a single problem with it since. Hope yours is the same. I also don't regret this decision! It's changed my life in so many positive ways, ways I couldn't fix myself. Good luck to you and keep us updated on your progress!

3/10 CW: 220 Today is a big day. I finally hit 30 pounds lost after surgery! I'm 9 weeks post op. I'm such a slow loser compared to others but that's ok I guess. I only have 70 more pounds to go!! Can't wait!!

Oh and just FYI, even SF Popsicles have carbs in them. I got myself into trouble eating too many a couple of weeks ago. I though they were zero like the jello, lesson learned!

No clue how ketosis is possible with the sugar in all that fruit, but call and ask the office just to double check to make sure it's correct information. I could still have fruit like strawberries or blueberries once a day on keto but it was 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup. I can only eat 15-20 carbs to stay in keto but my sister can eat 35 so I do know it's different for different people.

Most doctors offices can do an EKG in their office, it's very cheap. Did you mean EGD? Mine had to be done by the surgeon at a hospital under anesthesia. That's why it was thousands.

I'm 9 weeks out and I still have trouble eating some days. My usual is 3-4 bites because I know I won't be stuffed or feel nauseous. I come back to finish my meal later when I'm hungry again. I measure out 4 ounces but I can still only get 2-3 down at a time. I can't even finish a protein shake (11 ounces) in an hour. My tummy feels so full with protein. I'm having no issues related to that problem so I'm just rolling with it until I can eat more. Each day gets better but some days I throw up all protein for no reason but then fine the next day. Crazy belly!

I used GenePro when I couldn't keep the protein shakes down. It's unflavored and I used to add it to diet Snapple peach tea. Tasted good to me but you can add it to anything. No lumps or thickness.

@Dashofpixiedust8 I'm 9 weeks postop, still a long ways to go! Just seemed so odd to be stuck for so long this early on. I'm just thankful it's moving down again.

I have bad PCOS but had kids before getting my sleeve. However, I was thinner back then but didn't ovulate or have a cycle. I was able to have children by taking fertility drugs and using a HCG trigger shot. It took 2 weeks of treatments before becoming pregnant and we got pregnant the old fashioned way, no IVF or IUI. So even if your ovulation still continues to be an issue when you are thin, don't lose hope! Go to an experienced reproductive endocrinologist and you should be just fine.