Matt Z

So I've been IF'ing since 6pm on Tuesday (sort of, minus the 50 calories or so for my coffee, and the 2 servings of candy corn and 2/3 wings I ate last night.... I know I know)... not doing too bad overall, dropped a pound since yesterday thankfully (without the typical morning download), hopefully I'll be back on track come tomorrow. I think I'm going to switch to just liquids for a little while, something is off with my stomach/intestines that's mildly uncomfortable, so I want to make sure I get a good flush to make sure nothing is getting hung up in there.

Congrats and good luck! Just keep all those reasons why you wanted the surgery in your mind. You've got this!

Super easy, stick to the fresh veggies and lean meats, really easy to do! Avoid anything that could have added sugar (soups are bad for this) or anything fried. Separate out what you can eat first, then put the rest away, to avoid being tempted to over eat. Don't forget your base rules (don't drink while eating, don't drink for 20-30 mins after eating, etc) Don't forget to keep water with you and stay hydrated, it's VERY easy to forget when traveling!

Being nervous is totally normal. But just remember, you couldn't be in a better place if something does go wrong! And, don't forget about all your reasons for getting the surgery, keep that in mind when you start getting too scared or frustrated with losses after surgery.

Congrats and kudos on the proper mindset. It's a tough road, but it's worth the journey!

That. Ask anything you have questions for, don't be shy, don't be coy, just be flat out honest and unwavering in your questions, if you are concerned but don't know why, it's ok to say so.

Have you brought up your pain to your doctor?

that's EPIC!

the what now?

Do you go to a gym? Some gym's will do a full taping to give you your measurements. Or if you have a seamstress measuring tape you can google how to do them at home and do it that way.

How's your water intake? I know I get dizzy if I stand too quickly, even 7 months out. But ensuring you've got proper hydration is the first step in making sure you are doing ok. That and protein intake this early out from surgery. Don't feel alone, you are far from it! It's a tough change, but it's well worth it, just keep reminding yourself as to why you wanted the surgery!

I'm still working on hitting my 128 oz goal a day, some days are better than others. I don't drink green tea, I sometimes have some sugar free energy powder in my water, 60mg of caffeine, in addition to the caffeine I get each morning with my coffee. Nothing else really has changed except the stress. I shoot to IF between 6pm and 8am. Sometimes it slides a little back, but I don't usually break the fast at 8, it's not typically until sometimes as late as 11.

No changes other than stress.

@Frustr8 why the "sad" on my post? I'm confused by it.

And I'm up again.... so my rolling "week" is a gain. So upset about this... not sure what to do except to continue doing what I am... but What The Hell body!

Premier has a high level of lactose due to the protein concentrate (it's their first protein). Check out Isopure powders for more shake like drinks, those Ready to Drink versions for thinner "shakes". Or literally ANY other shake that doesn't have protein concentrate.

Congrats! It seems like a long time when you are looking at it from the start, I know when I was told I needed 6 months of recorded , doctor driven, nutrition and exercise. But it flew by. Lots of changes are on the way, take them one at a time!

Your surgeon advised this? Flintstones vitamins are **NOT** enough for WLS patients IE they don't contain enough of what WLS patients need after surgery. https://www.bariatriceating.com/2016/06/faq-dr-said-take-flintstone-vitamins/

Congrats!

When was surgery? What are you eating? How much are you eating? How long before eating are you consuming liquids?

Ok so to answer this topics actual topic, When will you have an appetite again, this is pretty much per user. Some folks never get hungry again, some never lose the hunger, and those that did lose it, most gain it back again by the time they hit the 1 year mark. For the shake, it could depend on what brand. If it's a protein concentrate, those typically have high levels of lactose due to being just concentrated milk proteins, nothing gets removed. Protein isolate contains zero to almost zero lactose. Lots of people become intolerant to lactose after WLS. Try a different brand. Or look for some of the Protein water versions of "shakes". Isopure RTD are really good, clear, protein sources, as well as Protein2O.

The first 6 months are the big change... once you are fully healed and cleared for all foods, then you get to experiment and find out what works, what doesn't and what causes issues. I'm pretty much able to tolerate anything at this point. Beer included. I avoid shots because of how quickly they hit my system with the bypass. But I still enjoy beer, I just have to take my time. You just really want to focus on what you need to be doing now to lose weight and heal before you start worrying about all the things you may or may not be able to do down the road, odds are, what you think you can and can't do... won't be what actually happens. I expected dumping with lots of foods, yet, that's not quite the case now that I'm healed up. I actually wish I had more dumping so I would be less tempted to eat the foods / items (candy) that I can, but really shouldn't be eating. Don't worry about the future, focus on the now. The future will be here soon enough.

Check the search, there are many many many posts about what to and not to bring. Most people over pack. I can't stress enough having dry mouth spray and lip balm with you, makes the hours after surgery when you can't drink anything that much easier. Nerves are normal.

I'm on Dronabinal / marinol for sleep issues, I was taking it the day I got home from surgery. SWIM was smoking within a week or so of surgery, it was reported that pain and swelling was reduced and healing times seemed to be increased. It was noted that pain from coughing was controlled with pressing into the main incision line, either with the palm of the hand or a pillow. No negative side effects were noted, "munchies" were not an issue as per the user.

Clearly talk to your doctor... but *Everyone* gets stitches in their abdominal wall, they have to stitch closed all the holes they put in you... as far as getting up, check into using the "log roll" method of getting out of bed, it'll help out greatly. Sadly pain is subjective and pain tolerance is unique to each person, so no one really has the same level of pain or discomfort as someone else. Don't regret anything right now, you are still healing, you just had a major surgery, had 90% of your stomach removed, you've got stitches and titanium staples in there now, it's going to take time for your body to recover and heal. Did they give you pain meds?