AliveAgain

Just as an FYI, I have not had any bad reaction to the whey Protein isolate and I drink two shakes per day since surgery. When I had my test done, the score was "off the chart" so to speak -- it wasn't like a light sensitivity. My two sisters are doctors (naturopaths) and do a lot with allergies. Sometimes they can show up on tests when your body is not creating the proper enzymes to break them down (i.e. periods of illness, stress, after pregnancy) -- but once you take that break, it is possible for the body to no longer be allergic. Still, couldn't hurt to find forms of soy, beef, hemp, and other Proteins. I see them on the shelves at Whole Foods and other natural stores. I'm sure you could find them cheaper on Amazon. Some don't pack the same protein punch as whey, so you may have to drink more?

Pica is technically when you crave things that are NOT food, have NO nutritional value. Sounds like just odd cravings to me. You most likely want the creaminess and ease (going down) of those foods, plus some of the sour of the lime in the guacamole. I found my taste buds went really wonky for a week or so, then evened out again.

I absolutely feel the same way. For me, I know it's because I haven't told anyone except my husband. So it can't be a topic of conversation. And for the past three months I've felt like my only hobby has been weight loss related. When I'm out socially, I don't feel like it's appropriate nor interesting conversation. Most of my friends only have 5-10lbs to lose. At the same time when my weight loss has come up, I find myself not wanting to talk about it. Mainly because people freak out when I tell them I only get 600-800 calories per day. Immediately they balk and tell me I'm starving myself. It's hard for anyone with a full-sized stomach to understand that we don't have the same mental-will challenge they have of feeling full and satisfied. I can't explain it fully, but I get what you mean. Much more of a wallflower than before.

May I ask how you were diagnosed as having a dairy allergy? I ask because about 3 years ago I was having horrible headaches and other symptoms, so I had a food allergy test done. It was done properly through a blood test. It came up with me being allergic to all cow and goat dairy, and chicken eggs. So I cut those things out of my diet for about 6 months and slowly reintroduced them later. Since then, the symptoms are gone and I can have those things in moderation. I know there are good non-dairy Protein supplements out there, hopefully someone who's tried them will reply!

Hi Erica, I have about 5 plastic bins worth of clothes from sizes 18-24. Most is size 20 or 22 pants, with 14/16 and 18/20 tops from Lane Bryant. I just took a bunch of pictures and can send you those if you'd like to see the items? Some even have tags on them as I never got to wear them before losing weight! Other items were only worn 2-3 times at best and I was hoping to try to get some money for them. Something like a flat amount for all the jeans, shipping, etc. Super cheap compared to buying new! I have a lot of the T3 (Tighter Tummy Technology), a few capri pants, that kind of thing. Personal message me if you're interested, let me know what you're looking for. I'm in California.

Protein drink for breakfast - 75% of a chicken ring sandwich with cheese from White Castles - fast food uses butter, palm oils, and other high calorie "taste boosters" we don't use at home. And chicken only, no bun? 6 bites of a turkey sub - turkey only? no bread? about 8 chips - about 10 cheese doodles - 3 chocolate chip Cookies - 2 spoon fulls of ramen noodles - 5 spoon fulls of peas - peas are one of the sweeter veggeis (i.e. carb high), try broccoli or cauliflower Water - No rice, no bread, no Pasta (ramen), nothing made with refined anything (i.e. the doodles, cookies) Sorry if my faces come across as harsh, but I would search this forum more and talk to a nutritionist about what you should be eating. If you Google a list of low-carb veggies, you'll see what's best. Same for fruit, berries are best. Protein, protein, protein. There are 4 calories per gram of protein. So if you are on a 600 calorie diet (most patients are between months 0-6), and you're getting 80-100g of protein, that's almost 400 calories right there. The rest should come from good carb/fiber veggie and fruit sources.

Wow, I'm really surprised that your doctor did not provide any guidelines whatsoever. Does his office have a nutritionist available to you as part of your services? Can you get with a nutritionist who helps with WLS patients? Not sure what to say about being about eat normally only five or so weeks out without restriction. I would talk to your doctor about that right away. At five weeks I was still doing 3 Protein shakes a day and barely able to eat 1-2oz of food at any meal comfortably. Do you know what size bougie he used? Mine was a 32, pretty common. As for guidelines, here's a quick rundown: 600 calories per day was my limit from week 5-12, now I'm limited to 700-800 per day 64-80oz of fluids per day - Water, decaf tea, broth. No sugar added, no fruit juice, no coffee, no soda. 60-70oz pf protein per day, then work up to 80-90g around week 8 - lean meats, seafood, tofu, soy milk, low-fat cheese 40g of carbs is your maximum per day - no rice, no flour, no Pasta. Should come from small amounts of veggies and fruit. 20g of fat is your maximum per day - no butter, avoid sour creams, heavy cheeses, etc. Also, exercise is a must for maximum weight loss. Try to get one hour per day where you get your heart rate up and sustain it. At five weeks, you may only be able to do 30 minutes depending on your fitness level. Anything you can do is better than nothing! Walking is the best, swimming, biking, etc. no hard weight lifting at this time. Good luck! 39 pounds is a great loss and I know you can keep it going!!

Getting in as much protein as you can is the first step. I am happy that I've had only minor thinning (my husband says I don't look any different). I get in 85-100g of protein on most days, 50-65g on my "bad" days. Also, what/how you ate 2-3 months ago has more of an affect on your hair loss today. That is if you weren't getting enough protein right after surgery for a prolonged period, that may explain your loss now. So if you correct that now, you may not see regrowth for a few more months. That's how it was explained to me. My cousin is a stylist and she tells me that Nioxin products can help, but it's mostly what's going on on the inside that affects your hair.

Sudden pain is usually gas if it's not accompanied with fever, chills, rapid heart beat, etc. which of course is a sign of something serious like a leak. In the weeks after my surgery, I had that a lot and it would sneak up on me in the worst of times. I found sitting made it worse. Usually walking, drinking plenty of fluids and time will make that go away. The other sign it may be gas is the fact that the pain meds aren't helping you. My incisions were also pretty tender for a good 10-12 days before I could wear pants with buttons or a zipper and sit down. That goes away and before you know it you forget you have them! Hope you feel better soon!

Glad you're feeling better! I know enemas are not the most fun things in the world, but boy do they work. At 3 weeks I was still progressing from full liquids to mushies. So most of my intake was still 2-3 Protein shakes per day, made just with Water or soy milk. I was eating Greek yogurt with some ground flax seed (fiber), small curd cottage cheese with unsweetened applesauce (very little, but some fiber) -- although those are both dairy -- your system (now cleared out) may be able to handle that now. I was still doing a lot of Soups with added unflavored, chicken, tomato, or beef flavored protein with perhaps 1oz of really tender, small chunk of chicken breast. I'd chew it like 50 times before swallowing to make it "pureed" in consistency. I also tried soft poached eggs, usually only able to get down about 1/2 of one egg. Don't try scrambled until you're about a month out. While it may look easy to eat, for some reason most tummies don't like them prepared that way. Soft/medium tofu was also a blessing during the mushy stage. I'd lightly pan roast it with one mushroom and maybe a brocolli floret in less than a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. That stuff is super easy to get down! You can also make SF pudding, again adding unflavored protein for an added boost. Hope these ideas help you!

Every doctor and NUT is different. I would advise against it only because it is very important that your liver and pancreas don't spike from the fructose (sugar) and carbs. As my doctor put it, those organs are trying to take a nice vacation right now after being overworked for so long. Yes, fruit is good for you and you will get to have it again. But try to be patient and wait to introduce that volume in a few months. With the limited size of your stomach and low calories, you really want to pack as much protein into every meal and not just empty carbs. Having a sip won't hurt you if you have someone willing to share!

Powder? Never knew they came in powder! Most people on here use Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate chewable Vitamins. Although, the sweetness can become a bit much after a few weeks. But not unbearable to use until you can switch to more of a solid at 6-8 weeks. They come in different flavors and are like Sweet Tarts. If you look on those sites, I think they send out sample kits. Centrum also make a chewable, though it can be hard to find in some stores (was for me).

I am 3.5 months out and have to say that the only time I felt hungry was in weeks 1-2. But for me it was more the psychological break from my head hunger, missing the RITUAL of preparing and eating solid food. It does go away with time and once you start getting into mushies then solids, with that sensation of chewing -- much better. The grumbling is normal, every patient has it. The whole digestive system is adjusting to the liquid stage, most of that is actually your intestines processing the fluids and Protein, producing gas. If your actual stomach is grumbly, it's also most likely acid for which you really need to be on a reducer for (Omeprazole, Prilosec, etc.). Sipping on Water usually helps settle that along with exercise. No doctor really prepares you for the psychological part you go through the first month learning to differentiate between signals of what your body NEEDS versus the pattern of eating for pleasure or response to stressful stimuli. You can search on this forum for some good book reads to help with this as well.

Also keep in mind that, myself included, a lot of people find their taste buds altered for the first few weeks after surgery. I had a really hard time with the taste for a while, but eventually that goes away. Have you tried Nectar's sample pack of other flavors? I still don't care for vanilla and chocolate too much, and they have more fruit-like flavors that I really like. Hang in there, remember this is the medicine your body needs to heal properly.

Yep, that happens to me ALL the time. The same meal that once went down easy does not go down so easy as leftovers or just when I make it again later. Sometimes dinner meals are easier, sometimes lunch meals are easier. I even posted about this the other night when I was worried I was eating too easily, then BAM the restriction came right back. This was more of a problem in the first 4-8 weeks after surgery, it does get a little better. The stomach is still healing a bit even 3-6 months out. Until then, just let it be.

I may take this back in a few years, but I'm OK with the loose skin. Of course, I'd rather it go away. But I hope it will serve as a reminder of where I never want to go again. If I can have your muscle tone and strength, that's fine for me!

Saw 198.8 on the scale yesterday morning, let out a loud "Whoo Hoo!" that scared my cats and husband half to death! But he knew exactly what it was, gave me a great big hug, told me he's "so proud of me" and cried with me a little. Haven't seen a "1" on the front of the scale in over seven years. This is heaven (I'd post a picture of the scale but it has a reflective surface and didn't want to share my unmentionables with the world!!)

The first week is the roughest for everyone. So you're not alone, and you will get through this! What kind of shake are you drinking? Some shakes that work for some will not work for others, so you may want to look into other options and try a few kinds. My doctor sent me packets of the Healthwise mixes (chicken soup, tomato, beef) that I would add to low-sodium broth. They were only 15g Protein, but easier to get down than the sweet shakes. Taste buds may be a little off for a while. I know I couldn't handle the vanilla and chocolate stuff until about week three.

So my gastroenterologist informed me today that consuming TOO MUCH shellfish can make the LDL cholesterol go up. I've been eating shrimp and scallops like 4-5 times per week since solids. YIKES! Just wish my doctor or NUT would have mentioned this when I asked them about the cholesterol problem

Thanks ladies. My husband reminded me that every time I worry that I ate too much tends to be when the scale moves the most. Before surgery, I would have eaten 3 or 4 of those tacos with rice and much more topping than I used. So I know my sleeve is still working. It was just so amazing to go from one end of fullness to the other in such a short period. Also, I must note that when I hit day 17 of my cycle, the weight just FALLS off for the next 7-10 days until my period begins. Like clockwork, up to a pound per day! Anyone who says "hormones don't play a factor in weight loss" is smoking crack

Do you have a Blender Bottle? I bought a large one at Bed, Bath and Beyond, love it. So I ordered more from their website - mixes in seconds!

Personally, I'd stay away from them this early post-op. Not sure what kind you're having, but most are made with flour and butter which are not going to help with weight loss. Plus, the fillings can have added sugar (dessert) and flour/butter for the savory. While the consistency is good, I'm sure they'd go down well. They aren't the best calorie/fat/carb/protein option. Did your doctor or NUT provide a guide to you of what to eat and not to eat?

Pain meds can cause bad headaches as well - while you're taking them and right after you stop taking them. I would drink as much Fluid as you comfortably can, Water or herbal tea preferred, as dehydration is most likely the culprit. Sometimes low levels of magnesium can cause bad headaches for me, and on the liquid diet you surely aren't getting enough. I was able to use powder-form magnesium citrate mixed with water after surgery, helped with the headache and constipation. Are you taking Calcium? I had problems with the limestone form of calcium (citrate) causing horrible headaches. I use New Chapter Bone Health which is made from a plant-based (algae) form and -- no headaches. Just a few suggestions, but definitely call your doctor if it's not gone by tomorrow. I've been to the ER for migraines that lasted days and made life unlivable. They don't treat you as urgent, will most likely make you wait a long time, and just pump you with fluids and give you really strong pain meds like morphine. I would avoid if you can make it, but if you start having fever, chills, sweating, etc. - don't delay. (I've suffered from debilitating headaches and the occasional migraine for over 20 years, with three emergency room visits.)

Sounds like gas to me. Search this forum and you'll find lots of answers for what to do. Basically walk, walk, walk, fluids, fluids, and maybe some GasX or Benefiber. It's normal for the incision to be a little hard the first month from the fluids healing the incision. Yes, pain meds will mess with your emotions and dreams, as well as cause major constipation (bloating). You'll know when you're ready, but you will feel better mentally a few days after you stop the pain meds. But don't rush it if you truly still have pain. I think I used it for 2-3 days after surgery and then switched to children's Tylenol.

So I got worried over the last two weeks because I was barely able to eat solid foods. I am 15 weeks out now (3.5mos). It would take 20 minutes or so to get in 1-1.5oz of Protein (chicken, scallop, shrimp, etc) and I got the "full" signal. Most days, I barely hit 500 calories. Then, in the last two days I feel more hungry than usual. And I have been able to eat larger meals with no problem. In fact, if I wasn't listening to my full signal, I'd eat more. It's as though I'm eating more easily. Last night I had 3oz of meat (mix pork chop and filet mignon leftovers), plus some veggies. Went down easy and in under 30 minutes. Tonight we made soft tacos for the first time since surgery b/c my husband was craving them. I made mine with 2oz ground lean meat and limited toppings more tostada style. No rice allowed and only 1tbsp pinto Beans - and no frying of the shell, just a nice pan reheat, no oil. I was expecting to eat it tostada style, but found myself trying the soft taco shell (a low carb option). To my amazement I was able to eat one whole taco, small bites, putting down the taco b/n bites and eating over about 20 minutes. I tallied everything and it came to 297 calories, 13g protein, and only 15 carbs. But it was more than I've eaten in a single meal in WEEKS, and so easily with no pain at all. I was still under 700 calories for the day, 110g of protein, 30 carbs total and 20g fat. I also drank 80oz of Water and went on a 1.5 hour grueling 9 mile mountain bike ride. The only things I can tie it to is that I hit ovulated a few days ago and I know the hormones spike in the days/week after that. Has this happened to anyone else?