pintsizedmallrat

You didn't mention what kind of work you do--I worked in a call center at one point and had a need to use the restroom more often because of some digestive issues I was having, and if you've ever worked somewhere like that you know they watch your "unavailable" time like a hawk and can sometimes be jerks about bathroom breaks. I had my doctor provide documentation for me that it was necessary for me to be allowed extra time to use the restroom due to a serious medical issue. I would speak to your boss (or HR, or your union steward, depending on the workplace and your comfort level) about whether just a doctor's note would be enough or whether you would need to request a Reasonable Accommodation and what forms need to be submitted. Good luck; I know it sucks to be worried about getting in trouble for something that isnt really something you can help.

I've lost 75 pounds in a little under 4 months--I have some minor excess skin on my neck and under my arms so far. I had a LOT of excess weight around my chin, neck, and shoulders (I feel like I have a neck for the first time in years!). It's already starting to tighten up as my initial dramatic weight loss has started to slow and my skin can catch up. I want to lose 40 more so it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next year or so. I'm 39 and my weight gain was very gradual over a period of about 20 years, so I hadn't been at my "high weight" for very long, maybe 3-5 years, for background.

I had this problem between the two and three month mark--mine was caused by a combination of acid reflux and some food intolerances that have since seemingly resolved themselves already. It's really important to talk to your treatment team; the suggestions and adjustments mine prescribed to me helped a LOT.

I really like the OWYN pre-made shakes. I agree with the others here that I don't care too much for powdered protein; it's inconvenient and they always seem to mix up weird.

No, pure nicotine is not a carcinogen. There are many carcinogenic compounds in tobacco but nicotine, in and of itself, is no more harmful than caffeine. Using vapor products, which are not burned, is intended to be a harm reduction tool for adults to end their addiction to combustible tobacco cigarettes by replacing the nicotine and the overall feel of inhaling and exhaling it. Is it a good idea to do forever? No. However, I was able to quit my 10 year cigarette habit with the help of vaping. While I know this is not the case everywhere, my surgeon was actually ok with me continuing to use my vapor device as long as I did not take back up with combustible cigarettes. Ironically, the abdominal pain after surgery helped me cut down on my intake a great deal and I've nearly quit just as a matter of course.

I pretty much had the same results with these, I think they stayed down for about five minutes before I was running to the bathroom. I've started using the "fruit chew" ones that are like a starburst (like Sanchesp618 mentioned), and they're much more palatable. I havent gotten sick on them once, and also take the calcium citrate that are the same sort of texture.

I am 3 1/2 months out, I don't eat any bariatric or protein infused prepared foods and I have been consistently hitting my protein goals. I eat a lot of cottage cheese and marinated grilled chicken among other things. It can be done but it involves planning and it helps if you know how to cook so things don't get boring.

It absolutely will get better! My first month or two felt like hell and there were moments I regretted having the procedure but now at three months I finally feel like myself again and have gotten that burst of energy that comes with not carrying around the 76 pounds I've lost anymore! Hang in there, be strong!

These are just a few things I've found I can eat in the last month or so...I'm 3 1/2 months post-op -meatballs and marinara appetizer from Fazolis -soups from Panera -shrimp or salmon bowl from Long John Silvers, no rice or the grilled shrimp or salmon a la carte -chicken power bowl from Taco Bell, no rice -side of refried beans from Taco Bell -grilled trout meal from Cracker Barrel with green beans (if you ask they will sell you a half order with only one piece of fish and one side instead of two and two...which I still think I got four meals out of!) -Whopper Jr, no bun, Burger King -Sonic will put everything from inside a breakfast burrito in a cup for you, ask for it with no tots.

The single incident of dumping syndrome I've had was banana baby food about 3 weeks after my surgery--and I didn't know that's what it was at the time because I have a sleeve and I thought dumping only happened to bypass patients...but I fainted in the bathroom after having made a mad dash due to "urgency". My SO called an ambulance and I ended up in the ER, and it was there after they consulted with my surgeon's office that they told me it was likely dumping syndrome. That was the first time I had sugar after my procedure and I've since been able to eat limited amounts of other fruits (I'm 3 1/2 months post-op now), but I had to proceed with caution when introducing them.

That's a good dietitian. My fiance went to one associated with his primary care doctor who tried to sell him Shakeology during their visit. Needless to say he didn't go back and filed a complaint.

I've used it, I don't care for it, I usually stick with monk fruit or Splenda

It has to be toasted because drying it out a bit makes it less likely to swell up in your stomach and make it difficult to digest. I've had one piece of toast since I started soft foods and it just didnt do a whole lot for me, but you can have it. I'd be careful with any whole wheat bread with seeds or nuts in it though because those typically aren't allowed on the soft foods diet.

Hey folks... So after feeling like garbage for over a month when I started soft foods, it turns out I am really, really sensitive to dairy since my surgery so anything like that is a no-go. My whole diet has basically been cheese milk and yogurt since my surgery and while I'm happy to know now why I was having so many issues (they were so bad I was worried I had a stricture or had developed a hiatal hernia), I'm not sure what to eat now! I'm on soft foods for another month. Does anyone have any good recommendations of a plant-based yogurt that doesn't taste like liquid oatmeal? I tried the soy-based Silk ones and they're just so gross. Any other ideas for quick grab-and-go breakfasts? (I start work ridiculously early, I don't want to be frying eggs at 5 AM).

Don't a lot of the Herbalife products contain things beyond protein like stimulants, laxatives, etc? Also keep in mind by using their products you are supporting their "multi level marketing" business model that many people consider to be predatory.

I'll be honest I don't know---I can't emphasize enough this whole debacle has wreaked such havoc on my system (nearly making it impossible to eat or even drink fluids sometimes) that I'm really, really not looking to begin experimenting on how close I can get to the edge before I begin having problems. There have been times I have felt like I was wasting away vs losing weight--there have been days I haven't even broken 100 calories because of the discomfort and I felt sick, weak, and loopy. The good news is that since I eliminated dairy, whatever component of it is bothering me, I feel better than I have since 3 weeks after my surgery, so for now, anything milk-based is a full embargo. That is my personal decision based on the fact I'm just enjoying getting back to not feeling afraid everything I put in my mouth is going to hurt me. I'm sure it won't be that much of an impediment, there are lots of vegan sources of protein out there and at this point eating isn't really supposed to be fun. Tuna has been enjoyable and comfortable to eat and I think I may expand it into my breakfast regimen.

I would not have purchased them any time in the near future. For the next few months, eating and consuming quality medically-correct protein is as much a medical function as taking my vitamins and showering.

I'm two months out and three small "gulps" seems to be my limit, but I can take those sets of three gulps pretty close together now.

With scrambled eggs it's important that they be softer than you probably ate them before--every time I've eaten a little piece of them that have come from a restaurant off my SO's plate, they've gotten "stuck" because they're too dense no matter how much I chew them, which can make you feel off in a lot of ways including feeling disoriented or loopy.

What do they taste like?

I've had shoulder pain on and off since my surgery and a lot of it is because the dimensions of my neck/shoulders have changed and my body hasn't adjusted to my "new" shape in terms of how I position myself when I sleep (I was one of those people that didn't really have a neck before and now I do, and I don't think my body's muscle memory knows that yet.)

Your opinion on the way water tastes may change after your surgery--I was not a big "plain" water drinker prior to my surgery and drank a lot of Mio/Propel/etc and now all those things taste horrible to me and I just want water.

re: bony butts...I ended up having to get one of those memory foam cushions with the cutout for the tailbone. I even just got a new car with REALLY comfy seats, and I drive pretty long distances and I still have to use the cushion on long drives because my tailbone is out and proud, apparently.

Monster makes a few flavors in their "recovery" line that aren't carbonated and have like 10 calories in the entire can. They also make those big Gatorade-like "Hydro Monster" drinks, but be aware only one flavor is zero sugar and the others have a similar sugar and calorie count to a full-octane Gatorade so watch the labels.

That sounds like a good idea, maybe even with some salsa later when I'm allowed to eat that.