Adri

Go to the Celebrate (bariatric supplements) website. They have new Multivitamin powder packets where you add Water and it turns into a punch. They'll send you a free sample. I didn't care for it that much, it did taste pretty "vitamine-y", but if it is a liquid you want they have good quality products.

My dr suggested Bariatric Advantage Multivitamins, Protein and supplements. If you google and go to their website they have the entire list of what they contain. I have the French vanilla MV flavor and they taste awful. I don't want to buy the other flavors because they are also gritty. I looked up Celebrate Vitamins for bariatric patients and ordered free samples, They are pretty comparable to BA in ingredients but the strawberry pineapple taste pretty good, no grit. Next time I see my dr I'm gonna talk to him about switching. I think Celebrate is a little cheaper too. My nut has me taking at least 18mg of Iron, no extra Biotin other than what is in the multi. I also take extra vit d, b12sublingual and Calcium (but I hate the calcium too...I'm not taking as much as I should...yuck! I think I'm going to try to take liquids or capsules, most chewables taste horrible to me.

No, I didnt need a catheter. The nurse had me pee just before surgery, and I was able to get up after surgery and go to the bathroom. I was in the hospital two days. I'm only 6 weeks in, but since I have not had any complications, I'd say yes, I would do it again. I took 2 weeks off work...and then took two more days because I caught a terrible cold right after surgey. That was not fun, my incisions hurt when I coughed. I would say that this surgery is more discomforting than it is painful. I didn't even need my pain meds once I came home. Good luck to you and welcome to the site!

It's OK Ashley, we'll get thru this together. Go Team VSG!!

I can eat about a 1/2 a cup at a meal and feel satisfied, then get hungry after about 2 and 1/2 hours; and I'm on my 13th day of my first stall. My NUT said to eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks a day...I've added an extra Protein snack to keep the hunger away.

I'm on day 13 of my first stall. And not only have I stalled, I've gained 2 lbs!

"So carry your courage in an easily accessible place."

I love that line, thanks so much suzannesh, for sharing your insight.

Oops, forgot to tell you I think it will just take time for those things to fade away. Make sure you take small sips. My bathroom issue ended up being lactose intolerance from all the yogurt. Not sure if this is an issue for you.

Yes to # 2 and 3...you are not alone!

P.S. The strips were coming off of me too when I slept, so I just taped them down with that white bandage/surgical tape. Maybe that will work for you Rootman?

The silicon pads are working great for me. One of my scars opened up a bit after surgery and was forming into a pretty wicked keloid scar. After about 3 treatments with the pad it is very noticeably smoother/flatter.

Yes tmela, thanks, I'm gonna have to make a trip to the health food store next! I never thought I'd turn into a health nut! Oh well, stranger things have happened!

Awesome!! I'm happy for you. I might be right there with ya in a couple of weeks!

Allrecipes.com has a great recipe for Tofu Parmigiana. I made it last night and it was delicious . Tasted more like eggplant parmigiana (I used the suggestion of dipping in flour and egg as well; and used a Pasta sauce). I have a recipe for a sandwich spread and Chinese stir fry from the same site but have not tried them yet. Anyone else got a favorite way to use tofu? I'm loving the high Protein count; and it goes down a bit easier than meat.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-parmigiana/detail.aspx

I want to be in ONEderland! Let's hope my current stall stalls!

SW 240 ........ CW 212 ........ GW 195........17 lbs to lose in 8 weeks.

Allrecipes.com has a great recipe for Tofu Parmigiana. I made it last night. Yum! It had the texture of eggplant parmesan.

I just bought Minoxidil for women today (if you get the brand name it is Rogaine). I had extreme anemia a few years ago and my hair got extremely thin. I think at the very least the Minoxidil arrested the Hair loss. I read in one of my wls books that the dieting puts your Hair growth in the dormant cycle and Minoxidil takes it out of that cycle. But I admit it is costly, you have to put it on twice a day---everyday--for months before even noticing the slightest amount of change. That's why I'm starting now even though I'm only 6 weeks into this. My hair is still a bit thin and I can't afford to lose any more. Ugh!!

Thank you! Your message is such a relief to me! I lost 29 lbs in the first 6 weeks including preop diet time...but have been at a stall for 10 days. Today I lost two of the lbs I gained back, I hope that is my new start in the right direction. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I will keep losing. So far my progress hasn't been much more than any other "diet" I've been on. I wish time would fly...the proof is in the (sf) pudding!!

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Can anyone tell me--in regard to "normal-size-only" stores--what is the largest size they normally carry? I'm teetering on a size 18 right now, and I'm wondering when I'll be able to make the switch!

I like the Bariatric Advantage Vanilla too, and the banana flavor is good. But, I strongly suggest making them with at least half milk...if made only with Water they taste too protein-ish. This powder comes out VERY thick and frothy if you whiz it in the blender. I just use a shaker.< /p>

I hope you are doing better. How about hot chamomile tea with a splash of milk and honey for a little more Protein and a bit of calories. Chamomile is known to be soothing to the stomach.

hey mnbsleeve, i think you and i are at about the same stage in this (see ticker).

The other day I bought a size 18 jeans... at a discount store...for $13! I have been as big as a 26 so this was awesome to me. I think by Christmas I will definitely be out of the plus sizes...I can't wait. Congrats to you all who have already said farewell to LB and the like!!

I had a real hard time around day 20. I hated the mushy food. Was having a hard time getting all the food and Vitamins and shakes and Water in. It's a lot to ask of us ! I think I was on the verge of dehydration, my stomache was real rumbly, getting diarrhea and fatigued. I decided to up my shakes in place of some of the food and drink drink drink water. I also cut out the dairy (lactose intolerance had set in). And lo and behold, I was better in a day and a half. So perhaps you can try some lactose free dairy and Protein Drinks and up your water and see if that helps. I'm sorry you're having a hard time...but you are not alone in this!

I'm only 5 weeks out but I've already been eating delicious food...grilled salmon and veggies at july 4th bbq. Also had grilled chicken and carne asada. I've had pad thai noodles with shrimp when i went to lunch with some girlfriends. My mom made some homemade chile colorado (tender beef in red chili sauce) and I'm happy it wasn't too spicy for my sleeve. For Breakfast today I had scrambled egg, a turkey sausage and 1/2 a piece of toast with butter and apricot fruit spread. It was delicious! It will get much better believe me. All of these meals have been about a 1/2 cup in quantity. A part of me does miss being able to wolf down a ham and cheese omelet with a stack of pancakes...but not when I realize I'm not really hungry. My small meals fill me up, and I weigh less now than I have in over 20 years. Yesterday I went to a discount store and bought a size 18 jeans for $13...I couldn't believe they actually fit!!! Now that is a definite first for me (I've been as high as a size 26.) You will be giving up old habits but I think new great experiences will make up for it. At least that is the hope I have as I progress on this journey. I wish you the best gdc in making the right decision for yourself and your health.