notmyname

I'm also in the it didn't work for me camp. But there are several folks in my weight loss support group who have used it and gotten great results.

hot chocolate? 1c milk (fairlife for a bigger protein punch), 1 TBL unsweetened cocoa, 1-2 packets artificial sweetener (I use stevia), and a drop of vanilla.

They;re all so different. Mine was 2 weeks liquids (any kind of non-sweetened liquid). So, protein shakes (3-6/day - any brand with at least 20g protein), nonfat milk, tea, water, broth, sugar free popsicles, strained low fat soups (which I never had because that just feels like broth). And I had a protein goal that I needed to hit (70g/day).

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One other tip - find a decent tailor (or learn how to yourself if you enjoy that type of thing). You can tailor a few pairs of pants as you go down cheaper than buying new.

I find that if you let the drink sit for a bit, the foam will go down. Once you're allowed to try different drinks, I also suggest varying the flavors. In my rotation now - unjury chocolate, premier chocolate, syntrax nectar roadside lemonade, syntrax nectar fuzzy navel, syntrax nectar double stuffed cookie, ISOPURE lemonade, premier mango orange protein water. I suggest you buy the syntrax nectar sample pack - a lot of good flavors. Having a bunch of different types that you can try once your doc says its OK will at least give you something to look forward to?

First - shop in your closet. Anything that you used to be able to wear that will fit again? SOmething you bought earlier that didn't quite fit but you never had time to return? I found a TON of clothes in my closet that are 1-2 sizes smaller than my surgery size. Dresses are my go-to - especially belted ones. Those can be worn for about 3 sizes because you can belt them in so they don't look so loose. I tend to like the fit and flare ones with belts. I also watch for clearance/sales on staples (jeans, black work pants, work tops) and buy a couple sizes when they're on sale. If you're plus size, Lane Bryant has some decent sales at the holidays. For example, right now they have $20 sweaters (don't buy too many because winter won't last long), 40% of most clothing and clearance. I think I got jeans for like $30 at Thanksgiving. Old Navy also often has sales and Target is a good place for basics. Some folks also shop at Goodwill/Salvation Army, etc. I don't, just because my area doesn't have a lot of plus size offerings, but its a good place to start. Finally, some bariatric surgery support groups will have a clothing exchange. Its worth asking your surgeon's office. Or, maybe start one?

Do you go into your appts with your surgeon stressed? It could be a form of "white coat syndrome" where just being in the doctor's office elevates your blood pressure. Agree with mousecat that it may help to check it in a situation where you might be a bit more at ease.

My first weeks I took ricotta bake (google Eggface's ricotta bake) or pureed black beans with cheese. I also made some pureed egg salad. I keep 1/2 cup mason jars of pureed black beans in my freezer. Worse comes to worst, I can always grab one out of the freezer, put 10g of cheese in a ziploc, then heat it in the microwave. I also took one serving of protein powder for the afternoons - usually syntrax nectar's roadside lemonade or fuzzy navel. And if you take your vitamins throughout the day, then put the ones you'll need during the day next to where you keep your lunch sack.

I had to take my reflux meds that way - nasty. I tipped my head back, put one swallow-full of water in the back of my throat, and poured the meds into the water and swallowed it down - almost like a very small shot. Then rinsed my mouth out with water in case some granules were lurking and would taste bad. Granted, I couldn't do this until a week or so after surgery when I could swallow more than a tablespoon of water.

I should add - the 8 cups is my personal goal. 6 cups (48oz) is my program’s absolute minimum.

So, next week I have my first meal out. One of my employees is leaving and we're taking her to lunch. Luckily she chose a small plates place and there appear to be a couple things I'll be able to eat. So, I'm planning for it to be a success. Its a Greek place, and I really want spanikopita, but I'm going to get a shrimp dish. Even with the planning, I'm a bit nervous.

I'm in my 7th week and averaging 600-800/day. My NUT says at least 500-600, but to aim fr 600-800. Looking at my food logs, at 5 weeks I was more at 450-600.

For my program, the goal is liquids, not just water - so protein shakes, tea, water, milk, etc. My minimum goal is 8 cups (64 oz) of liquid. I usually get more. I typically get some in my breakfast protein shake, then two 24oz bottles of plain water, some tea in the afternoon (12-16 oz) and sometimes a hot chocolate (fairlife milk, 1 TBL cocoa, 1 packet stevia) at night. Ends up somewhere around 80oz of liquids. Keep working at it and trying different things - different types of liquids, different temps, etc.

My food scale decided to go wonky on me (it won't tare, which is really irritating). Anyone have one that they love? Thanks!

One of the docs I saw required one (I ultimately didn't use him, but did write the letter). Mine was less than a page. I basically outlined my struggles with weight and my attempts to lose weight. The fact that I wanted this for my health (not my looks) and my concerns if I continue to gain weight. I added in other reasons I wanted surgery - like Pilates would be easier. Then I ended with a short paragraph acknowledging that surgery is a tool and that, ultimately, it would be up to me to use to tool to eat better and exercise more.

Not everyone gets a drainage thing. I didn't. But definitely worth asking her surgeon because it wouldn't be super pleasant to deal with at work.

I'd call the doc first thing tomorrow. Not going for that long can be pretty serious, and you don't want to leave it over the weekend (in case he doesn't check his email or doesn't check it until late tomorrow). Good luck!

I also don't want to try on clothes. Granted, I've lost nearly 50# and I'm still in the same clothes I was wearing before - and they're not baggy in the waist (legs are a completely different story). Honestly, I bought a few staples that I currently own (black pants, work out pants, etc) in a couple smaller sizes in the Black Friday sales. I'll just hope they work when I get there. And I own a lot of belted dresses - so those'll fit for several sizes.

WOw! I'm in my 7th week post op and don't eat 2 cups total of food a day! I WISH i could eat that many veggies. I miss veggies (I average 40-50g of veg/meal). I average about 35g carbs, but about half of that is benefiber.

Following. I asked my NUT at my last appointment what target to put for carbs, sugar, fat, etc, and she just said to aim for the 70+g of protein. I was a little frustrated. Then again, she is worse than useless.

I'm glad you called your doc. At my last appointment, my doc lightly scolded me for not calling them about my terrible constipation. I also didn't go for about 6 days and didn't feel any discomfort - until I did. And the result was the most unpleasant experience since surgery. My doc said to call them if I had constipation for more than 3 days again. His advice was to take colase daily and that if I felt like I needed to go but couldn't, then take milk of magnesia (but if I need to take the milk of magnesia, to stop the colase and not take them together). All that said, I'd do what your doc tells you to - s/he knows more about you, your surgery, and your health. Hope it all gets better!

I didn't tell many people. When I told my brother and SIL, I thought they might not be fully supportive. So I armed myself with data. As a percentage, how few people my size are able to lose significant weight and keep it off. The stats on how bariatric surgery works where diets don't. How rare complications are. How much I'd thought about it and tried every other way. In the end, I know they wish I hadn't had to do it, but they understood that it was the only way forward for me. Other than that, I told 2 friends and my boss. Just not anybody's business.

If you can do group classes, pilates and yoga are both good for enhancing posture. You need to exercise all of your core muscles (front, back and side) to really help improve posture.

I'm like Swanton_Bomb. My doc said that the average weight loss is 60-65% EWL. I calculated that (conservatively off of the high of my normal BMI). I'll be honest, if I "only" lose that much, I'll be disappointed - mostly because I'll still be barely in the obese category. But I'd still have lost about 80 lbs. I talked to my therapist about this a lot. I mean, I'd be massively modifying my body and still potentially be obese? But, in the end, I'd still have lost almost the same as carrying around a newborn calf on my body 24/7. So, I decided that was wroth it. I'd love to lose more weight. But I know myself, if I set some lower goal and don't achieve it, it will take a toll on my mental health and I'll feel like an udder failure. I'd rather set my goal conservatively, then if I lose more I'll be pleasantly pleased.