Matt Z

I'm going to second the Isopure, they even have a natural chocolate version, they are very tasty. Muscle Milk is really good, but you need to watch the calories and sugars in some versions, just read labels. Gold Standard makes some great flavors as well.

I had a few dumping episodes of varying degrees early on, however now, being close to 6 months out... I'm finding that I can eat a bunch of things I really wish I couldn't without any dumping when you'd think there would be. Some folks call me lucky, I don't think I'm lucky. Now I have to worry about the will power to not stuff.... like my youngest brought home a new flavor Oreo cookie. I had 1 serving (2 cookies) and expected to have to pay for it... yet, nothing happened. Then I ate 4 of them the next day expecting SOME form of negative feedback... still nothing. Dumping sucks, but it's that sucky feeling that I was hoping for to help assist with the whole cognitive reassignment associating those foods as "bad" and it's just not happening any more. Just wanted to provide my experience with dumping and let you all know that, it doesn't always stay the same, what I dumped on early on, I no longer dump on.

General rule of thumb is "No NSAIDS" and Naproxen, is an NSAID. That said, I've also been told that limited usage *should* be ok. I don't like "shoulds" personally so, I avoid NSAIDS completely.

The **ONLY** thing that would cause less weight loss would be consuming more calories... or its just that the bars, stick around longer because they are "food" and not a "drink". In the long run though, neither on their own adjust ones weight loss simply because one is solid and the other isn't.

For your first question, gas doesn't cause weight gain, but all the swelling and fluid retention from surgery sure does. everyone is different, but you should see some reduction as you start to heal up, usually a week or so. Surgery, caloric intake changes, stress, diet changes, medication, all can cause vision changes. With this, you are just going to have to deal with no wearing contacts until everything sorts itself out.

This is the type of post I like seeing about Stalls. The "I researched and was prepared"... Very happy to see someone able to breeze through what is typically a very stressful situation. Congrats!

Get another doctor. Some insurances have cut offs at 30,35,40 BMI. But they also have other qualifying issues called co-morbidities that lower the cut off BMI. Sounds like that doc just didn't want to bother doing the legwork of finding out what your insurance really needs for qualification. You can call your insurance and ask, they will tell you exactly what they need for an approval.

Ok, first off, there is no such thing as "normal" with the bypass, everyone's surgery is different in some aspects. Even surgeries done by the same team, are going to have variations. AND everyone heals differently. So, don't stress about "normal", worry about your requirements. I could down a full cup of food before 2 months was out, just make sure you are making good choices, do not drink for 30 mins after eating, I don't follow the before typically, but the after part is important to making sure you stay full and don't just flush everything through. And DO NOT eat and drink at the same time for the same reason. Those cravings sound mental... find something that tastes good that's a good alternative to those foods. I love ice cream, couldn't live without it sort of like. I found Halo Top, low cal, low sugar, good taste. So it's a good "swap" for standard ice cream and it fits into my diet and restrictions with no issues. The trick isn't to deny, it's to defer. Don't deny yourself something, defer those cravings to something else that's close, but healthy. Not sure why you are ashamed about how much you can eat... unless you did the surgery yourself... or are somehow willing yourself to want to eat more... you can't blame yourself for what's instinctual.

So much YES! Can't wait for this! I can't wait to get back on roller coasters, to be able to travel without being super uncomfortable, zip-lining and other canopy based fun. Certainly going to enjoy my 40th Birthday and 20th Wedding Anniversary this Nov, working hard to get back to the weight I was when I was 20 for this. 30 lbs to go... sure do hope I make it! My "Big one" is to climb a mountain, Looking at Katahdin maybe next year, Hitting the summit of Baxter Peak at 5,267 feet. Just need to get past the 6 month post-op mark so I can start doing some proper training.

Not sure what surgery you had since your profile is still set to "pre-op" but you should be fine taking Emergen-C

Info, Review and photos of it being stored. https://thethriftycouple.com/squatty-potty-worth-hype/

Congrats and Happy Birthday!

It nests under the toilet pretty easy, it's out of the way unless you put it out from under the bowl kinda thing, never had any issues or complaints with it being stored under/in front of the toilet.

Things will get hard. When they do, remember all the reasons why you want the surgery. And never forget that it does get better. Whatever it is, it *will* get better. The pain will pass, you will heal, you will feel normal again in the future, you didn't make a mistake, you aren't the only one, well all have stalls, don't focus on things you can't control, never focus short term issues, work for the long term goals, no one gains or loses the same way so don't compare your body to anyone else, don't compare your weight loss to anyone else, stick to your plan and if you have questions that might be serious, NEVER be afraid to call your surgical team!

LOVE LOVE LOVE my Squatty Potty! I have to caution that they do come in different heights and the height does matter, not only for the toilet in question, but for sitting angle as well. Very much a great little addition to the bathroom!

G zero is sugar free. I use Propel or a generic branded SF electrolyte additives/ powders.

Sounds typical/normal. Everyone heals at different rates and everyone doesn't have the same sensations, sounds like you got lucky and those sliders are sliding on through without issue. Being able to drink normally is a good thing believe it or not! Once you move to solid foods you'll get the restriction you are expecting. Just watch your intakes, you don't want to over shoot your calorie goals.

Strawberries are one of my go-to sweet foods. Also, this recipe is really tasty https://acleanbake.com/3-ingredient-detox-cookies/

branlee90 I don't think I've heard of a sleeve patient having vitamin deficiencies, but then again, that persistent diarrhea is more than likely the cause of that. Hope everything gets sorted out!

Congrats on the approval, sorry that it had to come to that. Hopefully the reversal goes smoothly and that you are able to retain your weight loss!

Oh I'm a million % sure your posture has improved! I'm working on mine still... so much computer work, and all the slouching forward to try to hid myself and my fat... has done a number on my back... Keep it up! you look fantastic and very VERY pleased!

https://www.today.com/health/how-lose-body-fat-follow-time-restricted-diet-t136562

Very interesting... most folks with bypass were no liquids day of surgery, full liquids day 2 and purees day 3. So, if you are actually *IN* the hospital, what are they saying about the bloody stool?

Curious when you say "first liquid"? What are they having you do for a diet post op? Pretty much everyone I've seen (myself included) were on puree's before even leaving the hospital. To answer the question, your first evacuation can have blood/tar/iron in it... my first was a mess of black tarry/sandy old blood and boy was it nasty. If you are seeing fresh blood, check for a hemorrhoid/fissure, if you are not able to determine where the blood is originating and it's still occurring... get in touch with your surgeon asap.

You can also click the drop down on the "Patients" tab and select "My Surgery" Then select the "Progress" option on the left side of the screen. These functions are not available on the apps.