Matt Z

Did they give you an incentive spirometer? Are you using it? It does get better, just walk as much as you can and use that spirometer every hour!

Agreed, that's where I get my patches and BariatricPal Store's customer support has been great.

It's going to be different for everyone, just work on trying to get a little more in each day. Don't rush or force it, but do try to get more. Also, it doesn't *have* to be 128oz, that's just my general "goal". Going over is fine, going under is fine, just want to make sure we are getting upwards of 128oz, 64 is a great start, but it's not enough to support everything we need it to.

Lots of folks do/will. This is due to the IV fluids, being swollen and retaining those IV fluids. Don't worry about not hitting your marks right out the gate, just do your best and try to do better every day. You'll get there soon enough.

There really isn't any way to ensure you won't, the stresses of surgery coupled with the drastically reduced calorie intake both before and after surgery is what causes your follicles to enter their rest phase. It doesn't happen to everyone, and it doesn't happen the same way for all either. But, most folks, around month 3 or so will "lose" hair as the follicles start back up again, kick out the old hair and start over. You can take all your vitamins, you can take biotin, you can take all sorts of other things, but... there really isn't anyway to guarantee you won't lose some hair.

Water is critical to weight loss, our bodies will not process/breakdown fat if there isn't enough water to do so! We really want to see water intake upwards of 128oz a day. It sucks at first, but after you get used to it, it's not much of a problem!

There is no set amount you "should" be losing. Everyone is different. If you are in a stall, just watch your intakes. Make sure your protein intake is where it should be, make sure your water intake is upwards of 128oz of water or more. Make sure you are actually exercising. Don't focus just on weight, if you are working out you can lose body fat and not "weight".

I've been using Patch MD patches since before my surgery. I just had my 3 month check up yesterday. And yes, for the most part, they work. The 1 vitamin that I'm still having issues with, even with the patch, weekly doses as well as daily chewables, is vitamin D. I'm deficient (Tested at 19, minimum was listed as 30). So, every other tested level was within the "good" ranges, just that Vitamin D was low. I'm currently using the following vitamins: Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus - Daily Patch MD B12 Engergy Plus - Daily Patch MD Vitamin D3 - Daily Essential Stacks Vitamin D3 K2 "Sunshine Fuel" - Daily Biotin - Daily 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 - Once a week I've been cleared to stop everything else since my levels were good. So, for my situation, these patches have covered all but 1 of my required vitamin needs. I'm placing them on the outside of my shoulders, alternating each day. I would have liked to have some PatchMD information to go along with this review/post, but PatchMD refuses to talk to me, I've been reaching out to them every few weeks for several months and I've gotten everything from zero replies to told that management was going to reply (they never do), to that group is new, that group was on vacation, etc etc. (I was actually banned from their facebook page for some reason that they couldn't properly explain other than, "it must have been the new hire") All excuses, zero follow through. So Bottom Line. The patches do seem to work well enough, not as completely as they advertise, but well enough to justify continued use. PatchMD Customer support however... sucks.

I've been using Patch MD patches since before my surgery. I just had my 3 month check up yesterday. And yes, for the most part, they work. The 1 vitamin that I'm still having issues with, even with the patch, weekly doses as well as daily chewables, is vitamin D. I'm deficient. So, every other tested level was within the "good" ranges, just that Vitamin D was low. I'm currently using the following: Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus - Daily Patch MD B12 Engergy Plus - Daily Patch MD Vitamin D3 - Daily Essential Stacks Vitamin D3 K2 "Sunshine Fuel" - Daily Biotin - Daily 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 - Once a week I've been cleared to stop everything else since my levels were good.

Had mine removed March 21st and revised to Bypass... wish I had just gone with the bypass back in 2011 and not deal with the crappy band for so long... I didn't have any major complications exactly, I got stuck on foods I shouldn't, couldn't ever get to the "sweet spot", leafy greens hurt to eat, lots of bs overall. But no erosion, slippage, etc. However, when my surgeon went to remove my band, it was 100% completely encapsulated in scar tissue and took them over 3 times longer to remove than it should have. I have no idea what would have happened if I hadn't had it removed!

Also, a "Closed Group" doesn't hide user info, only a "Secret Group" hides user info. Public Anyone can see the group, its members and their posts. Closed Anyone can find the group and see who's in it. Only members can see posts. Secret Only members can find the group and see posts.

You just have to adjust your privacy settings to prevent your activities being shared with anyone. It's all in the settings.

@sammi123 Congrats! Good Luck and Here's to a smooth recovery!

They might, I had one, but it was placed and removed all while I was under.

Just make sure you watch your panels, but doing a quick search, you could do this pretty safely if you picked the right products... everything seems pretty low on the fat, sugars and carbs, the sodium is rather high... but you can offset that with added water intake.

Throw the high protein intake on top of that for some extra added "Umpf" LOL

I appreciate you taking the time to apologize, Thank you. Doing so publicly as well was very big of you. We all have days, hopefully your week gets better!

The big take away from #2 is the "too strict" part. I'm sure you've seen reports of people eating very low amounts of calories talking about hitting the gym hard. You want enough fuel to support your activities at the gym **AND** your recovery from the activities at the gym. Going to the gym and doing 400-500 calories worth of exercising all while only consuming 600 calories is going force your body to prioritize where those 600 calories are going to get used. It's fine to be at a deficit, it's not fine to be as such a deficit that your body has to chose between survival and growth. This number is going to be greatly different for everyone, figuring out what your BMR is will help, and then it's going to take some playing. Typically if you ingest enough to cover the work out itself, you'll be ok. I know this article is a little light on the specifics, but I believe that's because of how differently each of us is and how much our requirements vary. I think a good take away is, if you are consuming a fairly low amount of calories, and you are working out but not seeing any losses (fat loss at the least) then I'd suggest kicking up the intake 100 calories or so for a few days to see if you've got any changes. If the extra 100 doesn't do anything, and you aren't gaining, go up another 100 for a few days. It's going to be a bit of a balancing act to find the right "sweet spot" for that works for you. Hopefully that helps clear that up some for you. If not, let me know!

https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/why-your-weight-isnt-budging-even-though-youre-exercising/?utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MFP_Newsletter_20180618_B&os_ehash=55%40sfmc%3A48420990

If you are weak, you really should talk to your Nutritionist. They **MIGHT** have meant to keep your calorie intake from proteins to the 2-400 calorie mark and not ALL of your intake should be under that... might be worth asking or at least letting them know that you are hitting what they said, but you have been very weak. Same, We were told to focus on Protein, Water, and the "5/5" grams Added Sugars / Fats per serving "limit".

LOL Yeah, gas production is kicked up as well! Too many times I head over to the porcelain portal expecting some weight loss and I only get treated to some epic Stall Symphonies. You got lucky you didn't get the added stinker factor! Can't use the match trick at work sadly, the hospital frowns on indoor open flames.

At this point... any help is better than none! LOL God it was bad! When you make yourself light headed with the stench... it's time to reevaluate things!

First and foremost, stop listening to everyone else. Only you can decide what's right for you, no one else. Their inputs don't matter in the greater picture. You are going to want to start cutting down on anything carbonated, all added sugars, as much fat as you can, as much carbs as you can, and start working on your water and protein intake as well as exercising. Use the surgery as time to change everything you to need to. The liquid diet sucks, but it's a good set up for post op. Just be sure to follow your PCP and surgical teams instructions, never hesitate to call them with questions, ESP if you are having pain! Walk Walk Walk, Drink tons of water and you'll be good to go. Congrats on your decision, good luck with your pre-op and surgery and here's to a smooth and easy recovery! Won't those naysayer friends and family be shocked when you start looking fantastic again!

I'm with you on this one... but recently my normal "times" have shifted and longer hours at work means... no chance in just waiting it out! I felt so bad last week, I mean, it was choking me out! And when someone walked in and did an about face before the door could even close.... I didn't want to leave the bathroom for fear that they would still be out there waiting to find out how the odorous offender was!

Not sure if it's just me (I'm pretty sure it's not) but pooping at work, post bypass is a crazy embarrassing event! I've had folks walk, in and then turn right around and leave thanks to the wonderful new smells I'm producing! So embarrassing! And it lingers think and heavy, like some cross between tear gas and smog, some unseen nasal assault team going full speed ahead attempting to cause gagging. I've recently decided to bite the bullet and buy some Poop-Pourri, just a little 4oz bottle to pocket and take with me to the can. I don't want to advertise or promote, but for what it's worth, it helped out greatly. A few times it didn't work as described, but it sure helped! I don't feel super ashamed leaving the toilet now! Figured we could share some horror stories or other "Pooping at work" related tidbits / tips/ tricks etc