Donna4545

I also take sublingual thiamine/B1 and prescription Vitamin D (peope are often deficient and don't know it, in addition to Centrum A-Zinc chewable, Cacium Citrate chewable and sublingual B12. You might find the archives in my blog for newbies useful (link after ticker below). Good luck!

I;ve found that VSG made me more optimistic about life, and I could see that carrying over into my job. If I'm in a better mood, I'm going to feel better about what I'm doing.

Mine are fading on their own. I don't put anything on them. I don't plan to be wearing a bikini so I don't really care.

Probably because it's usually the week you stop liquids and go to mushies. Your body has to re-adjust. This 3 week stall seems pretty common. I did what other posters suggested (up the protein, up the exercise) and the stall broke. I wouldn't be worried about it at all.

1. According to my program, you would be eating normal foods, with 1 to 1 and 1/2 cup portions. 2. I had a stall week three. I increased exercise, protein, and took a laxative and the stall ended. 3. If you don't get protein, your body will not burn fat, it will burn muscle for energy. You will be in poor health and you won't be losing weight the way you should.

Oh, for the record, sumthingwong IS a troll. He trolled on one of my threads elsewhere on VST and was quite juvenile and insulting. So I'm not insinuating, I'm SAYING. I'll just end up blocking him.

I've added exercise to the mix, and now, at the end of the 3rd week stall, if I can trust my scale, I've lost a couple of pounds this week. I'm waiting until I get on the doctor's scale to move my ticker. My one month anniversary will be Aug 14th. I hope to have lost 20 pounds post-op, we'll see if I make it. I feel like I am losing slowly. Perhaps my expectations are too high? So far I've lost 10 lbs post-op for sure. How much are other July sleevers losing/expecting to lost in the first month? I've followed all the rules to the tee. I'm eating 600-800 calories a day, less than 30 carbs/day and between 50-70 Protein a day. I feel like I'm not restricted very much. I still feel hunger, but I guess it's not as bad because I can ignore it. I couldn't ignore it before. Liquids aren't a problem. We'll see if I can maintain this perfection after school starts. I can easily eat a full cup of soft solids.I can drink normally. I guess that might change tomorrow when I start solids. Other areas of my life are improving, and I can't quite figure out what the connection with the surgery is--whether it's just a little easier to move around after losing a few pounds, if it's an attitude change (more positive), or if it's unrelated. I seem to have more energy and focus compared to before. Anyway, that's my 3rd week update. How is everyone else doing?

Oh wow, you'll be ready for mushies when the time comes! Good luck with the full liquids--you can get through it, and you'll be losing weight without even trying. :-)

How funny you are.

My taste buds didn't change after surgery. I used Isopure Plus RTD drinks to get my Protein and iquid in at the same time. These were especially useful during the post-op "clears" phase, as was unjury chicken broth Protein powder. When I graduated to full liquids, I used IsoPure Zero vanilla protien powder mixed with Water and flavored with different DaVinci sugar free syrups. I didn't have a problem getting my liquid and protein in early on, though I've read that this is a problem for others. I wasn't thirsty in the hospital (you're on an IV). They had little sponge swabs for letting us moisten our mouths. 90 grams of protein sounds really high. My doc says 60, so don't be too worried if you can't make 90, you're not gonna die lol. Check out my blog (link is below the ticker) and look in the archives. You might find something useful there.. Good luck on the surgery.

Intestinal update: For some unknown reason--I went to the bathroom this morning (and lost a pound lol). Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm going to see what I can find today to prevent this from happening again.

I just ordered a sample pack of Nectar, but I haven't tried it yet. You can get samples for $3.95 for 10 flavors on their website. Everyone's taste is different so that's probably the way to go to see if you like it rather than asking people.

I've seen several people post who had sleep apnea and got the surgery. Actually I think I had a mild undiagnosed apnea because they had me hooked up to the breathing monitor post-surgery and every time I feel asleep it started beeping. I hardly got any sleep my night in the hospital because of that.

I'm starting my 4th week post-op. I have never been an "exercise person" unless you count Water aerobics, which I love, but aren't available where I live. I hated exercise. I found it boring, pointless, time consuming. I don't see myself ever running a marathon, and I'm not at home in the gym, at least not yet. After 2 days with the magical intervention of exercise DVDs, I have totally changed. Being able to exercise at home makes all the difference. This is something that I can work into my daily routine easily. For me, right now it's 1/2 hour after Breakfast and before shower. I'm sure I'll work my way up to more. I know that people do scary amounts of exercise and I'm just not there yet. But the DVD I am currently working with burns the calories equivalent to a 3 mile walk in 30 minutes so I'm probably getting some benefit from it. Anyway, I posted this in case there are other exercise-phobic people out there. This might be a good option for you, too.

I couldn't pee, but I pointed out to them that of course I couldn't pee--they hadn't been giving me anything to drink! The IV evidently wasn't cutting it. They called the doc, and he gave the ok to discharge me with instructions that I call him if I didn't pee in 24 hrs. I did. I only spent 1 night in the hospital. I didn't have any gas that burping couldn't cure. I had no problems with pain except in my left shoulder (and that went away when they took the drain out). That said, everyone has a different experience with surgery, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

I've been taking Benefiber, and it doesn't work. At least not on me. Something's gotta be done or I'm going to be calling the plumber and asking to borrow his "snake". (A snake is the tube that they use to clear pipes)

Fat hate is alive and well on the American airwaves. It thrives. It preaches the message that if you yell at fat people, play mind games with their emotions, make them do exercise that is unrealistic for them in the short and long term, and keep them on an unrealistic diet they will lose weight. They will. Until they return to their normal lives and gain it back, because they didn't lose it in a healthy and sustainable way the first time. It's televised yo-yo dieting. Torture as entertainment. Voyueristic, judgmental, and perpetuating stereotypes like "all you have to do is get off your ass, you lazy fat slob". Jillian can kiss my fat ass, along with every "Biggest Loser" type show, the people that produce, advertise, and yes, even watch and support that crap. Give me couple of minutes more and then I'll tell you how I *really* feel, lol.

103 fever--go to the ER now. Don't wait. Better safe than very, very, sorry.

I really need to know.

If you have severe osteoarthritis like I do, and there simply is no cartilage to cushion, the pain won't go away as you lose weight. I specifically asked this question of my orthopedic surgeon. He said the less pressure on the knees the better, in terms of wear & tear, but if your cartilage is gone, you will be in pain until you are old enough to get a knee replacement. Hopefully your situation is not as bad as mine. I have the cartilage of an 80 year old, he told me.

Recipe amendment--cook the filled mushroom first, add mozzarella 15 minutes before cooking time is up and remove when brown and bubbly.

I googled this and saw saw a few medical articles saying that there was a risk of ulcers from NSAIDs, so the docs who are saying none for life are taking a "better safe than sorry" stance. "Increased risk" doesn't mean "going to happen" but if I can eliminate a risk, I'm all for it. Obviously some physicians don't feel the risk is large enough to worry about.

The broth has been spoken for. Thanks

Hi Melinda, you might find my blog for newbies useful (link below my ticker). Good luck with your surgery, and let us know how it's going.

I just popped this in the oven. I didn't want to go over my daily calorie limit, but I needed a bit of Protein. I'm in the soft solids stage, so I'll have to chew the mushroom very well. 1 medium sized portobello mushroom cap, stem removed 4-5 tbsp of 93% lean ground beef, sauteed with onion and garlic 1 slice mozzarella cheese (thick, the kind that comes as a large ball, packed in Water. If you can't get this, a generous thick topping of lowfat mozzarella-70 calories worth) Turn the mushroom cap upside down and fill with hamburger, which you can season any way you want. Top with mozzarella slice Sprinkle dried parsley on top of cheese Bake in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of your mushroom. 125 Calories 3 carbs 10 protein