Berry78

I found there was a ton of people to tip. The valets at the hospital (there are several), and the valet at the hotel. Then there are the drivers to and from the airport. And tipping at the restaurants and cab drivers (and cab fares). And the hotel maid when you leave. For the most part, you'll want to bring lots of small bills.. ones, fives, and tens will be enough for the majority of that list. What would be nice is if Bariatric Pal (for Dr. Illan) would collect the tips for the hospital valets when you get there, so you aren't having to worry about it while sick. By time you leave for the hotel your brain is more clear and it's easier to handle "business".

If you have gained weight on that diet then go to your doc. Unexplained weight gain could be from a medical condition.

Y'all are too funny! *thinking to self a bit of torture might make us forget about that pie* As for the scale.. doesn't affect my mood at all. Well.... I should say it has the power to improve my mood, but not make my mood worse. So far, anyway. I never had much history with the scale. When I was on a diet, I'd weigh, but when I wasn't, I wouldn't. So watching the scale has always been associated with positive feedback while trying. Negative when not trying.

For me it's basically solid meat. A lean burger patty, steak, a fillet if fish, chicken, turkey, pork, etc. You start off eating those with gravy, but once they go down comfortably without, then leave it off. I still like it moist and tender. These foods keep me full for a couple hours. Something like cottage cheese has a lot of protein in it, but it doesn't keep me full. It's not dense.

Life experience counts for a lot. Happy Turkey Day, Fluffer! I'm thankful for all my bariatic pals on here .. and for Dr. Illan and his team for helping me get my new life.

Ahh.. thanks, Outside! This has also been my experience.

It's really common for periods to get wacky postop. They should settle down by 6 months post. If things get too crazy you can always ask your doc.

Take your temperature, make sure you aren't running a fever. Over 100F, call your doc. Over 102F, go to the ER.

Sounds like it gives a ton of info! I hadn't heard of it, so thank you for mentioning it. It's typical as you drop weight, some of it will be from your lean mass. So when you get down around 200lbs, you will want to recheck your numbers because your daily calories burned will go down, and your lean body mass will probably go down. Sometimes people can maintain their lean masses.. but not always. (Exercise and protein consumption is how to keep it up).

The bits of old blood probably is normal, but you definitely should contact your team. (Remember, there is bleeding that happens during the surgery, so it's probably from that). In fact, there is frequently blood in your first bowel movement postop as well. So don't panic about the blood.. but you shouldn't be vomiting all night either. If your team isn't available, you can go to the ER and they can help you with the nausea.

Due to family circumstances we had Thanksgiving a day early. Today I had: A banana 4oz cottage cheese 1 pint coconut water 2 cups 2% milk A couple spoonfuls each of stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, and green beans (was as stuffed as... after thanksgiving dinner! Badump ching) A spoonful of ice cream pie I totally wanted pumpkin pie but THERE IS NO WAY! Totals: approx 1050cal 39g protein (one of the first days I haven't made protein goal since 3 weeks postop)

Holy Smokes! Sounds like a blast!

I'll chime in in case someone cares. Research shows that bariatric patients' blood alcohol levels increase two to four times as high as typical folk after consuming the same amount of alcohol. 2-4 times! So 1 beer for us postop is equal to 2 to 4 beers preop.

Start counting your calories. You are eating too many for your metabolism. Go back to basics... 60g+ protein, 64oz+ fluids, vitamins. Cut out white flour and sugar.

So glad you got some treatment. Hopefully you'll start feeling better soon.

Oh, and I also get full down in the belly. As soon as you feel that, stop eating. That's your signal. (It does go away quickly, but your meal is done, regardless).

I am 8 months postop and use my digital scale almost every day. It weighs ounces and grams (grams comes in handy occasionally). My main dish is a bowl that holds 8oz, so I can't go over that. (I'm stuffed if I eat a full bowl of anything). I second that meat must always be weighed.

Dayum! You are one tough cookie! Must be that red hair! So glad you are better!!!

I edited to add more info in my last post. Eggs and beans are my secret to success, I swear. They are so satisfying and chalk full of nutrition.

Yesterday I had: 1 egg and 3.5oz black beans 1 banana 7oz boiled turkey leg (2 sittings) (320cal 57g prot) 1 pint coconut water 2oz leftover boiled broccoli (gross!) 2 cups 2% milk Total: 1030 calories ...... 93g protein I ate the turkey late and drank about 8oz of water at bedtime. Awoke at 4am with a full bladder, and noticed the urine was really ... strong. It was from all that meat. Meat protein really does make a lot of waste products! (I should add I was well hydrated early in the day).

Awesome! I'll see what I can turn up, thanks!

Ok, so from your example, you are getting 38g protein when you eat the cereal and 34g when you eat the bacon. A typical female needs a minimum of 46g protein a day, and bariatric patients need 60g protein a day. We need more because of our reduced caloric intake. When we eat fewer than 1200 calories, the body uses some of the protein for metabolic activities instead of muscle/organ maintenance...so we need extra protein. Your intake is wholey inadequate and your body is taking protein from your muscles and organs as we speak. This phenomenon is why anorexics die. The body removes too much protein from the heart and it stops functioning. If you can eat 2oz protein at dinner, then you can eat 2 more oz a couple hours later (or earlier). If you can drink milk on your cereal, then you can have a glass of milk instead of the orange juice. These two changes will bring you up to 60g a day. Because you are 5 months out, I wonder if you've been short on protein all this time. If so, then aim for 80g protein to work on rebuilding the damage. Exchange non-protein foods for protein ones. The hair loss happens to a lot of patients the first year. It should start growing back in around your surgiversary. Malnutrition will keep it from coming back.

How are things going?

So happy everything is on track! Good luck with your surgery (and hope you had a good vacation!).