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Somebody congratulate me, I just passed my Psych Evaluation! I used that online/phone company and I don't think our phone call was more than 20 minutes. At the end he wished me luck and i flatout asked him if I passed and he said I did with flying colors! What no ink blots? LOL

chicken parm cut it all up and drop a few big pieces in your salad bowl and hide it with salad, Not finishing your salad does not jump out.

My immune system is slow low I catch everything going and take so long to recover from what I catch does anyone have any tips on how to boost it? Thanks xxxx

Cocaine has a negative effect on the immune system of those who abuse it. The body struggles to fight off infections when the immune system is harmed in any way. Long term cocaine use has been linked to hepatitis B and C, HIV and sexually transmitted infections. How Cocaine Affects Antibiotics - Addiction Campuses www.addictioncampuses.com/cocaine/antibiotic-interaction/

I haven't particularly suffered with GERD since the op (about 18 months ago). Constipation was a bit of a problem, but that's easier to deal with. However, I do now have gallstones, which is a possible consequence of rapid weight loss. I wasn't made aware of this at the time of the op, but I think I would have gone ahead even if I'd known. I am now waiting to have my gallbladder removed, but I still absolutely recommend the VSG - the positives heavily outweigh the negatives.

And Vitamin C is water soluble so if you take too much your body just gets rid of it (warning: it's usually through diarrhea). I also recommend sleeping well. If you have issues sleeping at night it actually compromises your immune system so it's actually true that a good nights sleep will do you wonders!

Thank you! Stats 5'4", 299 currently, 41 years old. I'm counting days now! ☺

Congrats Solo!!

What stage are you at now? I see you had surgery on 1.14.20? Can you give us a little more information? There are lots of ways to "cut" protein drinks to adjust their sweetness. My favorites are: Cut RTD protein drinks with decaff coffee or decaff tea. (Great both hot and on ice and blended into frappaccinos!) Cut RTD protein drinks with fat free milk or nut milks. I like high protein Fairlife or Mootopia fat free. Cut RTD protein drinks with nonfat, plain kefir. Cut RTD protein drinks with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt. Cut RTD protein drinks with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt + 2% cottage cheese to make a "protein soup". Add sf Walden Farms Blueberry or Strawberry Pancake Syrup (it's even better if you add 6g Vitacost Peanut Butter Slim Powdered Peanut Butter--tastes like PB&J without the bread). Make custards with RTD + Add a scoop of favorite flavored protein powder to Greek yogurt and stir well--tastes like pudding. Love Isopure Bananas & Cream this way! Add a half scoop of unflavored protein to a bit of cold broth to make a paste. Slowly add more cold broth until it's the thickness you prefer. Slowly heat but know protein clumps at temps over 145º. You can do this same thing to cream soups like strained cream of chicken. Add a tablespoon of unflavored protein to anything like refried beans, smashed roasted cauliflower, alfredo sauces for zoodles or over well-cooked green beans. Add a tablespoon of unflavored protein to a quick "Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole with Canned Chicken" for soft food stage. So dang good!

The US studies are limited, but my understanding is that where the balloon has been used longer (ex: Europe and Australia), they have seen better results (probably just because they have more data points). I'm not even half way through my six months with Orbera and I have lost 33 pounds. I also know of two men who lost more in that same amount of time (one Orbera and one ReShape). As with most things, a lot of it depends on how much you put into it. It's not a cure, it's a tool. You still have to do a lot of work, counting calories and Protein, exercising, etc.. If you use it to assist you with behavioral modification, six months is more than enough time to establish healthy habits that can last you a lifetime. Best wishes!