Bufflehead

It's happened to almost everyone else. Sometime between week 2 and week 3 weightloss stops for anywhere from several days to a few weeks. Stay off the scale for a while if it is going to stress you out. You aren't doing anything wrong, and weight loss will start up again, but you can't force it. Just use the search box here and search the forums for "three week stall" or "week three stall" and you will see what I mean.

@@Threetimesacharm those things are not part of my regular diet -- only on special occasions. My labs are always great and I am always very healthy, so I don't think I need them on a regular basis. I find meat and green veggies very healthy and filling and don't want to risk sliding back into carb addiction by adding in things like sweet potatoes or peas unless there is a very good reason for me to do so. Other people don't have the same issues with carbs that I do, though -- it's a very individual thing in terms of what you can handle!

It sounds like you are having a perfectly normal recovery. There is no magic wand or secret to make recovery go faster. Keep walking and keep trying to drink the protein shakes and keep hydrated generally. It really doesn't matter if you are sick of them, as long as you can choke them down, keep going. Right now, food is about nourishment, not enjoyment. It took me months and months to even experience hunger again after surgery. It's absolutely normal that you are not really feeling it right now, but are feeling something different. Follow your plan as best you can. You will feel better very gradually as the days and weeks go by. Good luck!

I was out of work for 2 weeks, and I have a mostly sedentary desk type job. I would have needed 3-4 weeks to go back to a job where I was on my feet all day. I was not released for lifting anything over 8 lbs until four weeks after surgery.

yes

1. Breakfast. I really struggle with this one. Can you give me some low carb, low fat ideas for breakfast? I've been eating bagels and cereal which I feel is too high carb. I have chicken breast for breakfast almost every day. Greek yogurt is an option that is higher Protein and lower carb than cereal or bagels too. 2. lunch. I hate smoothies- and I eat out a ton because of my job. Anyone have any great lunch ideas that will keep me satisfied until at least the afternoon? Some form of lean protein + green veggies will keep you very satisfied. Tuna salad made with chopped green veggies and guacamole or low fat salad dressing, for example. 3. Snack I don't really like snacking but I do get hungry in the afternoon. I've been eating beef jerky. Any other ideas as to what will keep in my car? You could do Protein Bars or nuts, but jerky is probably your best option in terms of bang for your caloric buck. Try mixing it up with different kinds of jerky: turkey jerky, salmon jerky, bacon jerky. I buy variety bundles of Ostrim jerky sticks, they have lots of different meats (ostrich jerky, elk jerky) as well as all kinds of different flavors. 4. dinner. I'm always at a loss for dinner. What do you eat? My usual dinner is a couple ounces of fish with an egg poached or baked on top, also some green veggies. Sometimes I add some cheese and/or sauce to bump up the flavor. 5. Late night snack. I like to eat before bed although I know I shouldn't. Hopefully I can get some options here besides cereal which is my go to. My usual late night snack is either Greek yogurt or some nuts and a couple pieces of dried fruit.

When I do cook (I am super-lazy about food prep generally) I use paleo cookbooks, I find they actually have lower carb, higher protein recipes than the specialized wls cookbooks I have seen.I do eat dairy so I just play with the recipes and swap/add dairy in where I want to. http://www.amazon.com/Nom-Paleo-Food-Humans/dp/1449450334/ref=zg_bs_7114436011_12 http://www.amazon.com/Well-Fed-Paleo-Recipes-People/dp/0989487504/ref=zg_bs_7114436011_18 ketogenic cookbooks are good too: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ketogenic-Cookbook-Nutritious-Low-Carb-ebook/dp/B011CX8UZA/

It might depend on how much you can eat at a meal or how many snacks you are allowed? Here's a sample menu extracted from my MFP diary: Breakfast: 3 oz chicken breast - 90 calories, 19 protein mid-morning snack: light string cheese + 2 slices Trader Joe's Healthy Ham - 90 calories, 16 protein Lunch: 3 oz chicken breast + 1.5 ounce green veggies + 1 T. light salad dressing - 130 calories, 20 protein mid-afternoon snack - 1 oz turkey jerky, 60 calories, 11 protein Dinner: 2 oz fish with a poached egg on top, 1.5 oz veggies w/ 1.4 T. butter - 185 calories, 16 protein after-dinner snack - 1 ounce cocoa roast almonds, 160 calories, 6 protein Totals: 715 calories, 88 protein If chicken for breakfast doesn't appeal to you, you could swap it out for a nonfat or lowfat Greek yogurt and still meet your targets. All that said, there is no way I could have eaten 3 ounces of just about anything at 3 months out, which is why I kept doing protein shakes. And, I don't want to discourage you from getting all your protein in, but that won't have any bearing on your hair loss. Sadly, hair loss is what it is and all the protein, biotin, and special expensive shampoos in the world won't change it.

halibut and flounder are good too. I usually prefer stronger-tasting fish like mackerel and swordfish but I am always tempted by halibut when I see it on a menu!

I love that apple pie yogurt with a tablespoon or two of PB2 stirred in!

My standard breakfast is 3 oz of chicken breast. I get the cooked flavored chicken breasts from Trader Joe's. Chop up 3 oz and breakfast is ready in under 2 minutes.

I've yet to decide on a Protein drink. My dietician recommends unjury, but I never heard of it. And what kind? Individual packets, powder, etc? I really like Unjury, particularly the chocolate splendor and chicken Soup flavors. You can get a starter kit from them that includes individual packets of all their flavors plus a food thermometer, which you will need if you are going to mix Protein Powder with hot liquid (e.g. the chicken soup flavor). I would recommend getting a starter kit plus some extra individual samples of different flavors that look good to you. Once you find something you like after surgery, then you could order a larger tub. Nashua Nutrition also sells individual protein samples: http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html I think all their brands are pretty good -- my particular favorites are Syntrax nectar Sweets, Syntrax Matrix, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, and Chike. Again, buy samples and don't commit to buying a larger amount until you try it after surgery and like it -- or can at least get it down without being too grossed out. Do supermarkets sell sugar free popsicles? They do, they also sell sugar free fudgesicles, which I really enjoyed after surgery. What else can I do with it for my pre-op and post-op? Make your Protein shakes? I would also start checking out different kinds of liquid you might use to mix your protein shakes. Look for Fair Life milk, maybe try something like unsweetened vanilla almond milk or unsweetened cashew milk. You might also buy some things like G2, Vitamin Water Zero, Powerade Zero, light fruit juice (if approved on your plan -- light cranberry juice was great for me because it isn't as sweet), low sodium V8, different kinds of tea and broth. Good luck!

Less than you probably think. The hospital will have pretty much everything you need. My list of critical items: one device for communication/entertainment - you don't need a phone and a tablet and a laptop and a Kindle! Just make sure you bring a charger with an extra long cord. lip balm case for your glasses if you wear them soft cotton sports/leisure type bra (NO UNDERWIRE!) that fastens in front make sure that whoever is taking you home brings a pillow so that you can put it between your abdomen and the seat belt. extra undies for however many days you will be there make sure that you wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes to the hospital and plan to wear them home. The hospital should be able to provide basic toiletries, socks with grippy bottoms, gowns (much better for walking the hall, you can't really use your robe/PJ's if you are dealing with IV's and drains, and do you really want IV and drain fluid all over your favorite robe? Just wear a second gown backwards for modesty), any OTC meds you might need, feminine hygiene supplies if needed, all that sort of stuff.

I haven't done this but I know someone who did. I don't know her deductible and monthly premiums, but I will ask her and report back. One thing I know it is important to do is make sure the private health plan you buy covers bariatric surgery -- most do not. Only some states require that their Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) exchange plans cover bariatric surgery. Here's a site where you can check whether your state plans are required to cover bariatric surgery: http://nofusa.org/news/health-insurance-cover-obesity-treatment/ eta: I heard from my friend. She lives in Arizona and is 44 years old, nonsmoker. She bought a gold plan and paid $372/month, $2500 deductible and $4000 max out of pocket cost. She also reminded me that she actually didn't buy it specifically for the surgery, she needed healthcare as her work as an independent contractor did not provide any other option.

@@heidikate typically protein shakes make you feel full immediately (6 weeks or so) after surgery because your stomach is still swollen after surgery. People vary in how swollen or bruised their stomach is, just because of differences in surgical technique and what their natural response is to the trauma of surgery. So, some people will get very full on protein shakes for weeks after surgery, while others might be able to pretty much drink an entire protein shake a week after surgery with no problem and no restriction. But eventually, protein shakes will no longer provide much satiety at all for pretty much everyone.

Remember that walking is your best friend when it comes to getting rid of gas. It's debatable whether Gas-X helps at all (my surgeon said it is worthless, but I have seen others say their doctors approved their taking it). Anyway, keep walking and even when you are sitting, try to sit in a rocking chair or glider and move as much as possible. Cross your arms over your abdomen and bend forward as you rock/glide forward. That helps too. Good luck!

Gas pain is typically in your shoulder or neck or upper chest, I think it would be hard to confuse that with hunger. Did your surgeon maybe mean it's hard to tell the difference between stomach acid and hunger? Many people have trouble with that at the beginning, particularly if they are not on a PPI or not on the right PPI.

whats peanut satay sauce, It is a thick peanut sauce, used a lot in Thai food. I buy little jars of it at Trader Joe's. remoulade? it is a sauce kind of like tartar sauce, but stronger flavored. It's really good with seafood. Here is a recipe: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/sauced-louisiana-remoulade-recipe.html and when you puree this stuff is it still kinda thick??? You can make it as thick or thin as you want, it just depends on how much sauce you use and how long you run the food processor for.

If you are looking for high protein, stay away from things like mashed potatoes. Carb city! I would take meat and puree it with a sauce I liked, then heat it up in the microwave, sometimes with a little cheese on top. I mostly used the packets of tuna and salmon as well as canned turkey and chicken and ground beef. Do some shopping for what appeals to you (but stay away from crap like processed, frozen meals and carby stuff like noodles, rice, and potatoes IMO). Here are combos that I liked -- but what is important is what you like. Good luck! chicken breast + bbq sauce + cheddar cheese turkey breast + peanut satay sauce + jack cheese sardines + red curry + swiss cheese chicken breast + marinara sauce + mozzarella cheese ground beef + chipotle mayo lemon dill salmon + remoulade shrimp + buffalo sauce + bleu cheese ground bison + sriracha ketchup + pepper jack cheese

You are only a day out from major surgery, it is very normal to feel weak and have a hard time swallowing and so on. Keep trying. Walk when you can and rest when you need to. Of course you will feel better, but it can take weeks to recover from surgery. Be gentle with yourself.

The steps you take before getting the sleeve vary a lot depending on your insurance policy and your surgeon's practices. Unfortunately, we can't tell you exactly how your process will work, as it is different in pretty much each situation. The insurance coordinator for your surgeon should be able to tell you exactly what is required and how far along you are in the process. Good luck!

If you are hungry "for" a particular kind (or kinds) of food, that is head hunger. If you find yourself thinking "I could go for a burger" or "I need a cupcake" or "surely there is something crunchy and salty in these cupboards" -- that is head hunger. But if you are hungry and *anything* short of roasted kittens or fricasseed human flesh sounds good, then you are probably actually hungry.

Yes, there can definitely be loose skin in the mons area. It is stuffed with fat when we are obese and when the fat goes away, so does the stuffing :o

On my plan, we are not allowed soup. I have heard that some other plans allow you to drink the broth first, straining out the meat/veggies, then follow by eating the meat and veggies from the soup. Or, you can pick out the meat and veggies, eat them, wait 30 minutes, and drink the broth. But, since soup isn't allowed for me, I just don't eat it anymore. I find that I don't really miss it.

lol sorry I have no idea how my response to a constipation thread ended up here. move along, nothing to see here!