Sammi_Katt

I am at about 1/4-1/2 cup of food, and I do 2:1 protein and veggies so I can fill up quickly. I get 64-72oz of water a day now, too. I'm almost 7 weeks out, so... it's really dependent on your body and what it needs, but follow your dietitian's guidelines. You got this.

It's gross. I use sugar free breath mints and brush my teeth twice a day, as well as use a really good mouthwash. It does die down a bit after a while, but as long as you maintain ketosis, it will be that way, unfortunately.

I was sleeping on my stomach about four days after the vsg, and about two weeks after my gallbladder removal. It depends on what you do in your sleep and how comfortable you are. Just go slow and your body will tell you when it's okay.

I also had a hiatal hernia that was removed. I was having awful acid reflux before my surgery and it was the culprit, so they fixed it and all is better now.

I actually just searched things online... if I'm craving something in particular, I'll google bariatric recipe for blah blah blah and print out the ones I find. I have a 3 ring binder FULL of stuff that I love that is super healthy and high in protein made specifically for bariatric people. And I also have the cookbook above- it's got pretty good stuff in it, too. I've tried a few of the recipes and they turned out great!

Sometimes, you've got to change things up a bit. Stalls will happen, and you need to hang in there and not let them bring you down. My dietitian suggested that if I'm stalling, it's because my body is used to what I'm doing. Change up the type of exercise, eat a bit more one day and then go back to what you were eating before... just keep it a constantly changing routine. Yea, it's annoying, but if you hang in there, it'll move again.

I made sure to get small utensils and bowls, and take super small bites. I eat about a bite every 2-3 minutes, but it's easier for me to sit while watching youtube videos. I use the timer to help me keep track of my eating. It's relearning old habits and teaching yourself a new way to do things. You've just got to keep trying- mistakes are there for you to learn from so you can keep doing better for yourself.

That's amazing!!! Congratulations! That's the kind of loss I'm hoping for! You're inspiring. ❤️

My only regret is that I can't chug water anymore lol. I miss getting a gallon down in like... five hours. I struggle to get 60 ounces in some days, but it's definitely getting easier. Also, same as everyone else, I regret not getting it done sooner, even with my complications.

Anyone else have this problem? I had my vsg done on 1/6 and had no problem with the surgical tape they used, but I had my gallbladder out on 2/7 and for whatever reason, all five of my incisions are red and inflamed and itchy. I went to the doctor today and got a steroid shot (my surgeon approved of it) to help, but I was wondering if anyone else experienced this? Any idea how long the itching will last? I took the tape off them, so just waiting for the rash to die down. Boo. Also, there is no infection or anything, just the allergy. Thank goodness.

Good to know. That sucks, but at least I found out for a laparoscopic surgery instead of something open!

Hopefully I don't have anymore surgeries anytime soon, but I'll have to try to remember to ask for that when I go in next time... It's just so strange that I didn't have a reaction the first time, but did so badly the second. Thank you all so much. It makes me feel better that I'm not alone in this.

May be food intolerance? Anything else changed in your life besides that? If it continues, I'd contact your doctor/surgeon. When it happened to me, it turned out my gallbladder had just started to fail and I needed it out soonish. Hope you feel better soon. ❤️

6 weeks post op, and it's crazy the difference already... I don't realize much has changed because my clothes still fit, but that's because I bought them when I was around this weight before, so they're actually a TON looser. ❤️ Congrats to everyone on their journey making progress. You all look great!

Been craving tamales really bad, and I found a good recipe to try. I would probably leave out the jalapenos/salsa until you can eat spicy foods (if you can at all), but they sound delicious and amazing and I never thought to use cauliflower for a tamale. Nom nom. Copied from: https://www.rippedrecipes.com/recipe/cauliflower-tamales-3994.html Ingredients 4 medium Egg 2 wedge or slice (1/8 of one 2" dia lime) Lime 2.5 serving (serving = 4 oz) Tyson Foods Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 4 serving (serving = 1/4 tsp) Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning 1 serving (serving = 2 tbsp) Old El Paso Pickled Jalapeno Slices 6 serving (serving = 3/4 cup) Green Giant Cauliflower Crumbles Directions Cauliflower tamales! 2 bags of Green Giant Cauliflower Crumbles 4 eggs 1 tsp adobo seasoning 2 packets true lime / or lime juice from 2 lime wedges 10-12 oz meat of choice Pickled jalapenos (optional) 1/2 cup world market salsa verde 9 corn husks Soak corn husks in hot water for 2 hours before starting. Purée cauliflower crumbs until they reach a rice consistency. Place in cheese cloth and squeeze out excess water. Mix with seasonings and eggs. Lay out corn husks and apply thin layer of mass mixture even on husk. Measure 1-1.5 oz of protein of choice and put in center of husk. I added 3 jalapenos on top as well as a 1/2 tbsp of salsa verde on the protein. Fold husk together to close the tamale. Steam for 25 minutes and done! NUTRITIONAL FACTS per 1 serving size (Recipe makes 9 servings) Amount Per Serving Calories 83 Calories from Fat 28 % Daily Values* Total Fat 3.06 4.71% Saturated Fat 1.02 5.10% Polyunsaturated Fat 0.41 Monounsaturated Fat 1.30 Cholesterol 100.72 33.57% Sodium 255.33 10.64% Potassium 194.67 Total Carbohydrate 3.23 1.08% Dietary Fiber 1.49 5.96% Sugars 1.52 Protein 10.75 Vitamin A 0.22% Vitamin C 48.00% Calcium 2.22% Iron 3.11% * Nutritional Values are estimated and may vary

Good luck, and congratulations! This will be the best thing you've ever could have done for your health. ❤️ Wish you a quick recovery! ❤️

I try to remind myself to only weigh in every week (every Monday) so I don't get too obsessed with numbers. I'm five weeks post op and seeing a huge difference in my clothing size (I don't see it in the mirror or anything, but photos are showing me that I HAVE indeed made a dent). I'm eating good protein now, too. I went three weeks without food because my gallbladder tried to murder me and stalled out during that, but I'm back to actually losing.

So I'm just starting to eat real solid foods again, and honestly, my taste buds have changed a little bit, but I really enjoy food still. Taking the time to eat slowly kinda lets me savor it? I've been experimenting with bariatric and keto recipes and I'm finding some really nice and tasty things that are well within the dietitian's guidelines. You may have a few things that don't taste as good as they used to (I'm kind of sad that fish for me doesn't taste really good), but things you didn't like before might taste good now, too (I like cooked spinach all of a sudden). It's a lot of experimenting and guessing and seeing what your new body reacts well with.

I did, too, but they made me do deep breaths and cough while pressing a pillow into my stomach 4-5 times a day for about two weeks. Those muscles have been cut and they're trying to repair, so of course it's gonna suck a bit trying to do anything that involves using them, which unfortunately includes breathing sometimes. Hope you feel better soon.

If you didn't, you'd probably be a robot or something, hon. Emotions are normal to have. I was so scared when I went in for my surgery that I basically had a panic attack on the table, but I was just so worked up over what turned out to be thankfully nothing. You just gotta remember to breathe and remind yourself why you're doing this.

I use them currently for b12 since I'm still having a little trouble swallowing the capsules. I think it's better to have something going in, but since they're so new, maybe they're being cautious?

I actually didn't have much pain beyond a little gas, which I walked off pacing back and forth. You'll need help since your muscles will be healing, but it's not too bad. I actually had no additional pain meds beyond what they gave me during surgery. It's scary, but it's surprisingly much easier to deal with than you think. Keep thinking positive thoughts and get excited about the changes you're making. Hang in there and good luck! ♡

Blossom Bariatrics. I paid 15,000 for my surgery, but if you have insurance, it's usually about $6,500-ish. Look up their fast track program. They provide drivers, hotel, testing, surgery, and iv therapy. There is other stuff, too, but I can't remember off the top of my head, but they're all fantastic and great to work with.

They gave me special panties and some pads. If it's laparoscopic, they aren't doing anything to mess with that. Other than your emotions being a bit higher (mine were, but I got through it okay), you should be okay. They're professionals, and they deal with people all the time. It's nothing they haven't seen before. ❤️

I loved them, actually. I had Dr. Sakata do my surgery (she also removed my gallbladder a month later!!), and they are really great. I enjoyed that it was outpatient, as well. Felt like I had way more freedom, and the IV therapy afterwards definitely does make you feel like you can get up and start walking around on your own right after (please still have someone with you, lol). Congratulations on the start of your journey! ❤️