TheRealMeIsHere!

Couldn't get all my Protein till about 18 months out. My Nut kept assuring me that it's ok, as long as I take my Vitamins. She advised me not to eat ANYTHING that wasn't a high protein source. No veggies, fruits or anything else. Just keep sipping and doing your best. I was constipated the entire time, the doctor prescribed daily Miralax and Colace. I no longer need those, now that I am eating vegetables and able to drink more liquids. You need to stop at the first sign of fullness, so you can only do what you can do. Yes, the shakes do count as part of your liquids. Maybe pour a small amount at a time, into a glass, or maybe one of those cups you can freeze to keep it chilled. Straws can introduce too much air into your stomach and cause stretching, that is why they should not be used. And at 4 days out, it is perfectly normal to have not had a BM, you were empty when you went into surgery, and have consumed little since, and all of it in liquid form. That being said, don't be surprised if liquid in = liquid out. That gets better as your diet progresses to more solids.

True, they are FAR better than white flour or other simple carbs. but my NUT says still too many carbs and not enough Protein and every one gives different recommendations. I wasn't allowed ANYTHING not high protein/very low carb until I was getting my 80 gms protein per day, took me 18 months till I could even have non starchy veggies, lol

Too carby for what my NUT recommends. I rarely eat Beans, due to that

I recently found out you can cook with Protein powder. I have made pancakes, SUPER AWESOME!!! muffins, delish and Cookies. All wonderful and high protein/low carb. Happy New Year to all!!

I am the same way Kindle, I do not see them as offensive, comments either.

EXACTLY kindle! I don't see it as judgment, either, just honesty

sometimes we can be in denial, regarding our weight and a good friend would politely let you know that you are putting on weight. And, again, it doesn't sound like the person said that she looks BETTER, just that she looks DIFFERENT

Fat is just a descriptive word, it is only an insult if you take it that way. Now if they said something like big as a house, or tubby or some other derogatory slang, that would be different. Remembering where I was, helps me stay on track. Good friends WILL tell you that you are fat. The person didn't say that you look better or prettier, now, just that you look DIFFERENT, which is accurate. I would hope that you look different after such an extraordinary weight loss accomplishment. Congratulations!

I would take it as a compliment the way it was meant. With such a dramatic weight loss, it was an honest comment.

Insurance will only pay for medically necessary procedures to reduce infections, mobility, ADL's, pain etc.....

when I had a panni/TT it took months before the swelling went down and I could get into my regular size. The Dr. said it could be 6 months till you see final result after plastics

Sounds like alot of carbs. Carbs will make it difficult to lose or maintain. Bread/Pasta/rice/cereal/potatoes and other starchy veggies should be a rare treat. Maybe a bite or two only a couple times a month. This will also decrease cravings. Try to focus on lean fat free Proteins and non starchy veggies. Ie; lettuce, cucumber, green Beans, cauliflower, broccoli etc.... Hope this helps. I know that if I eat carbs more often than that, I can gain 2 lbs overnight and am left with cravings for more.

YES! I fill in the gaps, by munching on a salad, made with non-starchy veggies, maybe a hard boiled egg or lean turkey and ham. As dressing I mix 1 TBSP light mayo with red vinegar or thin some regular or light dressing with unsweetened rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar (great with honey mustard) or white balsamic.

Have you tried going through your insurance? Mine covered TT/Panni 100% due to recommendation from pain management for spine problems and it's impact on my ability to exercise in order to keep weight off. Check the insurance website for criteria for panniculectomy

cool, Sue, thank you for the info!

Thank you Sue, what about recovery while it heals? Any restrictions on activities? How big is incision? How many stitches?

What is the procedure to remove 'dog ears'? What is the recovery like?

I, too, had trouble reaching my protein goals. And was told by my NUT, not to eat ANYTHING that was not high protein, low carb, low fat. Took me 18 months before I could include non-starchy veggies in my diet.

yes, that would be better, or yogurt, egg beaters, etc.... anything high in Protein, low in carbs/fat. You should not be having the cereal at all, it will make you hungrier and create cravings. And liquid and solids should be eaten 15-30 minutes apart, not together, as that can also make you hungrier because the food will pass through quicker. so no liquids 15-30 minutes before or after eating. My NUT also advised that cereal/milk or soup should be avoided, as it breaks that rule. If eating soup, I was told to eat the solids and broth seperately

majk1001you really need to avoid all simple carbs (sugar/bread/rice/potatoes/pasta) and severely limit starchy veggies, a bite or two rarely. As carbs will increase cravings and likelihood of falling into old habits. My NUT told me to avoid anything but lean/FF Proteins until I was reaching my 80gm per day. This took 18 months. Good sources of Protein are: Egg substitute (It's pasteurized so can even be used in shakes) Lean meats fish FF Greek yogurt, plain or no sugar added. (plain is good with Splenda and cocoa or various extracts) FF Ricotta or cottage cheese ( I have a yummy cannoli cream recipe or ricotta can be seasoned as if for stuffed shells and topped with low carb sauce) 93% lean ground beef or turkey (I have a recipe for Italian sausage that can be used for burgers, pizza crust or any other place you may use Italian sausage) low fat or fat free, low sodium deli meat (turkey/chicken/ham or roast beef) Tuna etc....

Where do you get the 1 carb tortillas? What brand? That pizza sounds AMAZING!!

It will be helpful to go to your insurance website and look at/print criteria for panniculectomy. Bring that to you appointment as every insurance is different and the doctor has no way of knowing what your insurance requires

Just wanted to share my answer to pizza. I make this, flatten out on cookie sheet, top with low carb sauce or fresh diced tomatoes, fat free cheese, garlic, onions, broccoli, olives, peppers, etc....... maybe turkey pepperoni. Bake till desired doneness, DELISH!! Even my carb addict sis, does not miss the crust. I also use this to make burgers (great on the grill) or anyplace else I might use Italian sausage. If you like spicy, you can also mix in some red pepper flakes. http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/prt/RecipePage.aspx?Type=1&RecipeID=261465010

Totally know what you are talking about! Liberating, isn't it? Instead of being a slave to INTENSE cravings and binges, I practically have to set an eating schedule, or I won't even want to eat, sometimes. In the past, I would see a commercial and HAD to have that food, would even write it down, till I could go get it. Now, I see a commercial, and think, hmmmmm, that looks good, then I move on. No obsessing, and if I do crave something, one, literally ONE bite satisfies. My sis knows that if she's having some kind of junk food treat, that I will want one teeny bite. She thinks I am crazy, well I might be, but not about this. lol

18 months, because my NUT said until i was able to reach my Protein goals, of 80 gms, EVERY day, I was to eat NOTHING else besides Proteins.