Dream4tc

They sell the regular PB2 at Walmart down the baking aisle. The chocolate PB2 you can get online.

The hardest part is waiting for your date to roll around and for things to happen quicker. I think the anticipation is far worse than having the surgery!!! Would you all agree ? Lol

Congratulations! DS is a big surgery, where are you having it done? Welcome

Awww that's terrible!! I am glad they finally got things straightened out. Glad to have you with us I had my lap band placed on Nov 17th 2011, so I was able to avoid all of those typical Thanksgiving foods. It will be a breeze for all of us because....we won't have those hunger pains from those pesky hormones! We will fly right through the holidays with no problems except maybe head hunger. Our stomachs will be swollen for a while and that also will help because we won't have that typical hunger...yay! If we can survive through the holidays, we can survive through anything!

I have some questions for those GB veterans out there or anyone else that may have this info. And....maybe nobody can give me this answer except to ask my surgeon, but I will give it a shot. Based on the below information: that came from http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/info/roux-en-y/roux_en_y_gastric_bypass.html Do these specific hormones stay decreased permanently after surgery? or can they increase over time many years later? For those veterans, do you have increased hunger over time years later? The reason why I ask is because I have known a few people who have gained weight after bypass and was curious as to why and wasn't sure if it was related to feeling that hunger again similar to pre-op and if it was hormone related. Hormonal:1 2 changes in your hormones after RYGB can decrease hunger. Ghrelin: a hormone that causes hunger and whose levels decrease after RYGB PYY: (neuropeptide YY) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB GLP-1: (glucagon-like peptide 1) a hormone that reduces hunger and whose levels increase after RYGB

Hi all! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!

Ooooh where do you get those?

I agree! I have the same lol I love my heating pads and electric blankets

All labs have been good other than low Vitamin D level which I have been supplementing for past 6 months. I go see my PCP next week and will address it.

You are alot nicer than I would be. I can understand his concern with patient abusing narcotics. I worked on a drug detox unit for 5 years caring for opiate addicted patients. There is a difference .....you just had major surgery and only 1 week out!!!. If you were 1 month out and still wanting pain medication every 4 hours....then yes I would question and try to find out the underlying problem. I have worked CV-NEURO ICU, CV- Step down, Med Surg, Ortho, OB, Drug detox and now in management. He really doesn't make sense to me. Pain control can actually heal you much faster. It will allow for better mobility and get our patients up and moving to prevent further problems like DVT or PE (blood clots in legs or lungs), pneumonia, etc. I really don't understand his logic, but I work with surgeons and Dr's with his thought process. I am glad you like him and glad you are on the mend. You are doing exceptionally well!!!! I just have a problem with physicians not helping patients and being insensitive when it comes to pain. I care about others too much. I guess it's in my nature because the nurse is on the front lines assessing and caring for the patient. We are the eyes and ears of the physician. His skill is the surgery, not the pain control. Changes have occurred with physician payment reumbursements. Now physicians rely on patient satisfaction scores...... I am so sorry about your PCP. I bet that was frustrating also. If you ever have surgery again.... Call me.... I will be your advocate <3

As a registered nurse, I am extremely shocked and angry that this surgeon treated you this way. That is really terrible!! I am sorry to say this but he was being a horses a** to you! I would be making a complaint and finding another surgeon to follow up with. Do you have a primary care physician ? I would contact your PCP also to see if you can get some relief. You poor girl.(Hugs)!!!!! I am so sorry that he made you endure that much pain! Let's hope he never has to be hospitalized and need pain medication and be told to "walk it off"! How unprofessional, cruel, and with lack of care and compassion he was. I am so sorry!!!

That is amazing! Congratulations girl, be proud and hold your head high!!!! Whoot that is awesome!!!! 50 pounds is incredible!!!!!!! I was wondering about you. Haven't seen you on much, but now it is understandable as to why. Those pain meds are there for a reason, sometimes it is needed to take the edge off to stay mobile and to heal. I am so sorry you were dealing with pain. I am curious as to why you didn't want to take them? I am so happy for you!!! You will meet your goal in record time! Thanks for updates, and soooooo glad you are doing so well!!! YAY!!!!

@Doubletruble - I hope they can get your levels in control! I am sure they will level out by the time they submit. 2 days of liquid diet only ? wow your surgeon is being good to you lol I will have a week! I don't know how some others have to do 2 weeks, that's craziness!!! @@auntitraci - I can understand how frustrating it is. One of the side effects of Steroids are weight gain. The NUT has no idea about medication side effects. I am sorry that it was a waste of time. It sounds like she has the mentatlity like most when their comments are what you mentioned. Will you be off of them before time for surgery? What does your surgeon say?

I am not sure where you are on your stage of diet ,but here is a few links for options to add in Protein http://www.bariatriceating.com/product/inspire-protein-soup-cream-of-mushroom-7box/ http://www.bariatriceating.com/product/inspire-protein-soup-southwest-corn-chowder-7box/ http://www.bariatriceating.com/product/inspire-tex-mex-chili-high-protein-soup/ Might be an option?

November will be here before we know it! We are already half way to the end of September. Time is flying by! Where is everyone with their progress on NUT and Psych evals? Vitamins,? Exercise? food planning ?

Are you talking about the Bariatric Advantage grape multi? I just sampled it today. I liked the initial taste but left an aftertaste that I didn't like. I will be trying the others over the course of this week

@beachgal2935. Great idea with using the premier protein to mix with the pudding for the extra added protein. I will be trying that for sure! What type of quiche do you usually make?

@@meljea8 Thanks! Haha I know and was worried about that Friday but, I found out my surgeon does his surgeries on Mondays and Thursdays so I am aiming for the 12th.

All of these posts make me worried about what to eat and not to eat . I guess you wing it? Lol especially when she was trying to pick a healthy choice like fish...and then the result is dumping? Hmmm

Hope your surgery goes well today! Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Awww Hugs! We all make choices in our lives that we wish we could go back and change, however we all know we can't change the past, but we CAN change our futures! We can make the right choices if we choose to. This decision is life changing and it is very emotionally draining, questioning ourselves at every turn. It is scary when we see changes coming. We are a creature of habit and we feel comfortable when things stay the same. Sometimes we need to jump out of our comfort zone and take a leap of faith. This surgery is my leap. I don't know what is on the other side, but I hope it is for the better, it has to be, and I will try my best to make it that way. I wonder all the time, if I should back out, but I forsee a shorter life span with my loved ones with Diabetes and heart disease in the future if I don't. Consider a therapist if you are still feeling unsure of your decision. Hugs

Hey was just thinking about post op options to add in fresh veggies and fruits. Anyone try juicing or blending in veggies such as a green protein shake ? I wonder since it is blended so well from the juicing process into a pureed form, when would this be allowed in which stage? Anyone try this?

Good points! I plan on asking. My next appt is Oct 2nd

I called surgeons office today. They said I need to take it easy and that it's still healing, and that it will take 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal. She said I probably aggravated the area. It started after working this weekend....see? Working is detrimental ! Lol

That's awesome! Glad you are doing well!!! I have to agree with @SunlnUT having the band helped with the smaller bites and chewing for sure. I had my band removed almost a month ago now and I am still taking small bites and chewing well. I think after having it for so long, you just learn to keep same habit which is great and will help me when I get my revision on Nov 12.