Escape_Pod

What I've read is that there are different formulations / sources for certain vitamins, and some are more easily absorbed than others. Bariatric vitamins like BA are formulated with the best quality ingredients for maximum absorption. To me the chewable multivitamins are ok (I like the Celebrate ones better), but the BA calcium chews are the best!! Like a starburst chew or tootsie roll depending on the flavor.

I dropped milk because of the carbs, and switched to almond milk. It makes my protein hot cocoa or Click mocha thick and creamy without adding carbs. I stick to protein mostly for meals. I'd guess my daily net carbs are generally under 40. Higher if I have a low-carb muffin or equivalent for breakfast.

It gets SO much better - I promise! After awhile you sort of get a routine down, and it's more or less automatic. The first couple of weeks while I was still at home, I had to have a chart to keep track of everything! Hang in there, the fun part is definitely coming!

I participate in another forum where there are a lot of RNY veterans. I've yet to find any who regret having the surgery, and I think it's completely possible to live a happy and healthy life with RNY as well as with the sleeve. It really depends on your personal medical situation - there are people for whom the sleeve just really isn't a good choice. That being said, I'm very glad I was able to have the sleeve. I've had no complications or real struggles, and I'm nearly at my goal weight. With RNY I was concerned about the possibility of ending up lactose intolerant (I'd really miss cheese!!). I was ok with the possibility of dumping - I considered it to be a behavior modification tool, and thought it might be helpful to me personally in overcoming my sweet tooth. But I've been surprised at the sorts of things people say they dump on. I was thinking cakes and cookies and such, things I need to learn to avoid. Since then I've leaned it can be so much more - condiments (bbq sauce), peanut butter, and fruit. Some poor lady on the other forums was sick for hours because she ate half a pear and some cheese. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that, but I'd still rather do that than spend the rest of my life obese!!

Kroger / Fred Meyer chain stores carry a store brand of sugar-free, carb-control yogurt. I forget what it's called, something like Carbmaster? If you like yogurt, you might give it a try. It was too sweet for me, but I had success blending it with plain greek yogurt.

I wouldn't assume the hair loss is due to the Actigall / Ursodiol. Hair loss is a common side effect - first, of the anesthesia, and second, of the rapid weight loss you're experiencing. You're not taking in enough nutrients to cover all your body's needs, so it tends to cut back on things like hair growth. My surgeon recommends supplementing with zinc if you find the hair loss troublesome, but be aware, that can cause constipation. Many people also take biotin supplements, some with success, others not so much. I'd try either of those, or both, before I'd risk not taking the Actigall! I take two pills a day, morning and night. I was REALLY glad when I reached the point where I could just swallow the capsule rather than breaking it open and mixing it into something - the taste was pretty awful, but it was only a few weeks.

I've seen the seasoned tuna here in the US as well, with the rest of the tuna in the grocery store, but in little cans, not pouches. I love the lemon pepper too!

Ugh, I'm sorry - that must be so frustrating! I've been up and down quite a bit more than usual in the past month, but generally trending down. Is it possible you're not getting enough calories? I was aiming for 800 (plus I allow myself about half what I burn on workout days), but I'm trying to up it a bit to 900-1000. I do think the regular exercise helps keep my metabolism chugging along, but it may be that I'm just fortunate. I hope your stall breaks soon!!

My rate of loss has definitely slowed, but I'm getting pretty close to goal, so I'm not surprised. I was sleeved 6/29, I've lost 66.5 pounds, 4 pounds so far this month. Juzmejnee, do you count carbs? (Sorry if you've answered this elsewhere...)

I definitely take mine - the risk otherwise of needing surgery to remove my gall bladder is just too high, and I've had enough surgery, thank you very much! The studies I've read suggest it's wise to be taking it for the first six months, or as long as you're losing 10+ pounds / month.

Ok, it's not so much "crunchy" as "crispy", but I love pepperoni chips. Just put pepperoni slices (turkey pepperoni if you're going lower-fat) on some paper towels on a plate, microwave until the sizzling stops. They end up crispy - yum!

For an easy lunch, I like tuna mixed with cottage cheese. You could add some green onion, or celery bits for crunch. I also loved a salad recipe I found on TheWorldAccordingToEggface.blogspot.com - it was chopped cucumber, chopped tomato, baby mozzarella balls, the really good jarred tuna, fresh basil, and a splash of a fruity vinegar for dressing. SO good.

For the first six months of my post-op weight loss, the scale was oddly consistent. I have a digital scale that measures to the tenth of a pound, but I never saw gradual drops - just drops of a pound, or a pound and a half. So, I'd go 3-4 days with no change at all, exactly the same weight down to a tenth of a pound, and then I'd lose a pound. Or I'd go 6 days seeing exactly the same number, than I'd drop a pound and a half. Mostly, I found it amusing. I mean .... seriously ... you'd think there'd be at least a little variation from day to day! Now, for the past two weeks, I'm all over the place. Down 2 pounds, up a pound and a half, down .3, up .7, down .5.... I haven't been the same weight two days in a row for the whole two weeks! Bizarre.... Nothing else has really changed, I'm more or less eating the same foods, getting the same amount of exercise, drinking the same amount of Water. Maybe it's because I'm getting closer to goal? Oh well, at least it's more interesting....

Yep, that's when I weigh, first thing in the morning.

It's worth a shot! I'd never had a digital scale before this one, and I've only had it about 8 months (is that too new to need a new battery?) I guess I figured if the battery was running low it wouldn't display, or the display would flicker, or something.... Thanks for the suggestion!!

Huh ... well, actually, no! It's worth a try!

My surgery went absolutely smoothly, as did my recovery! The first few days post-op I was more sore than I expected, but it was completely bearable. I've had no trouble keeping anything down, I've only even felt queasy a handful of times, and I don't regret doing it for a moment. I'm practically at goal, and I feel FABULOUS! You're in for such an exciting weight loss journey. Everybody's nervous before surgery, we woudn't be human if we weren't at least a little scared, but it's such a safe procedure these days. Hang in there!

You look awesome - congratulations!

Do you need the pudding to thicken it, or could you substitute chocolate protein powder to up the protein content and lower the carbs I wonder??

I'm sorry, that must be frustrating! I find stay full longer with denser protein - chicken or meatballs for example, as opposed to a protein shake, or cottage cheese or tuna fish. I really have to watch what I choose for lunch if I don't want to have a bad snack attack a couple of hours later. Could it be that you need denser protein?

I think there's a very good chance you'll find something to do for exercise you can enjoy once the pounds begin to drop off. I think one key is to not try to do so much so early that you dread it. Start out slow. But getting some exercise is so important to maintaining muscle mass as you essentially starve your body, so you don't slow down your metabolism! Besides, as the weight starts to come off, you'll have so darned much more energy, you'll want to do something with it!

What I read is that rapid weight loss puts a lot of strain on your liver, and alcohol strains it even further, so the combination is just not a great idea. There's also the fast inebriation effect you mentioned, and the possibility of a transfer addiction. I think all three factors combined is why so many surgeons advise against alcohol, at least for awhile. Personally, I've just never given a hoot about drinking, so the extra empty calories and carbs for something I don't miss aren't worth it. I'd much rather have a mini Reeses pb cup! To each her own.....

At only 3 weeks out anything can make you tired - it takes a long time for your body to heal and to get your full energy back! You may benefit from backing off a little to a more gentle form of exercise, at least until you're eating more real food and can get more protein in. If it's exhausting and you dread doing it, you won't stick with it (at least, that's true for me!) That being said, doing something will help you maintain your muscle mass, which is good for your metabolism. Get out and walk as much as you can. Also, don't worry about "stalling out" for 3 days or so. You're not necessarily going to drop weight every single day, regardless of how hard you work or how little you eat. I've seen a stall defined as a minimum of 3 weeks (!!). I'm not sure I'd take it that far, but I don't think you're "stalling" if it's only 3 days. You're doing fine!

If the carbs in them don't trigger cravings for more, they're probably ok, though something higher fiber might be better. I don't do crackers because carbs are a problem for me. I'd rather have a bit of a carb side at dinner than have crackers. Cheese "chips" or thin cucumber slices make good vehicles for toppings. You could also cut up a low-carb tortilla to spread them on.

If you're that tired, adding calories may be a good idea, it's the ice cream that's probably the problem. You've upped your carbs considerably along with the calories. Could you add a protein drink instead? Protein pudding? At six months out 500 calories definitely seems too low to me, even without exercise, but I think you'll do far better getting more protein and WAY fewer carbs.