Joni

next stop will be sytycd auditions!!

Labor day will mark 19 wks postop for me, and since the beginning of July I have lost 4 lbs. That would make 2 lbs lost in July and 2 pounds in Aug. I am wondering if anyone else has had a super long stall, very slow or low loss for an extending period and then picked up again?

I can so relate. I have been depressed for a bunch of reasons, and who did I turn to? My old friend FOOD. This is life. It's a journey with twists and turns, ups and downs. We didn't have this surgery to go back to our old ways, but relapse is always looming ready to put its claws into us. I say BS! We are in charge, NOT food. You will win at this, I know it - and so will I, and everyone else who wants to....

Kat - refried Beans? Mexican food... taco bell? They come in a can and are basically beans that are made mushy. I would think you gotta have them in the grocery stores? Not one of my favorites, but you can add salsa to them and melt cheese on them. Don't know how you would add them to a Protein drink and make it good though??? I am SO glad you ordered the unjury. What flavor did you get? Did you see they have tips and recipes on their site too, and a newsletter you can sign up for. There is also a website sponsored by Unjury that has info from professionals. They might be able to address some of the issues you are experiencing and give you some sound advice. I would tell them you went to Mexico and have no followup here and need help desperately. It is www.baribest.com Hope this helps a little. Please stay connected to us here. Above all, never never give up. There are answers, we just have to find them my friend.

Oh Kat - It could have been the brand of protein or the fruit that you had. Please, please, please order the Unjury protein powder at their website. I have had the vanilla and the chocolate splendor. Both are good. They also have unflavored and strawberry. I REALLY disliked the chicken. Unjury was recommended at my hospital and by my NUT, also, I have tried others, and it is for me the most easily digested, best tasting, and the protein is the highest quality. And no I do not work for them, etc....Lol. I just want to find something that will work for you. I think you might want to stay away from the fruit right now. Another idea is to find a nutritionist as close as possible to you and make an appt. You MUST keep trying to find answers and you will. In the meantime, please go order the Unjury!!! It's worth at least trying isn't it?

Unjury (order at their website) - chocolate splendor. Just like good old choco milk when mixed with skim milk.

Weight Watchers smoked mozarella string cheese and Stacy's everything pita chips. Hummus and Stacy's Philadelphia fat free strawberry cream cheese and Trader Joe's sesame corn tortilla crackers. Watermelon.

First - Amy you look like you're 20! And KAT - THAT IS FANTASTIC NEWS!! What a long road you've had. People don't realize sometimes that serious complications happen when we have surgery in other countries - I am so glad you lived to tell your story!!

For me, I do think menopause has had an effect on my weight loss and how it's not coming off anywhere near what used to happen years ago. I also believe exercise is going to play a major role in helping to speed up my slowed metabolism. It's all good though, at first I was freaking out weighing the same thing for 3 weeks, or losing 2 pounds and then gaining 1. I have changed my thinking and just want to eat healthy for the majority of the time, get that protein and water in, burn calories with exercise, and the rest will take care of itself in its own good time!

Don't freak out if you gain weight while in hospital. I brought home an extra 10 lbs! And then found out most people do. It came off the first week, but still, if you're not prepared it can freak you out. Also, I loved my heating pad in the hospital and after. It felt so good on my tummy, very soothing. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend too. And bad days ARE hard to cope with. Bread makes me sick as well, but I keep trying every once in awhile...... But wow - 65 pounds since 4/24! I was sleeved on 4/23 and have lost a total of 30 pounds. You have lost twice that! I'm a slow loser, but I am still jealous (in an okay way) - Congratulations on that incredible weight loss!!!!

I love making my own lemonade too! Helps to get that water down for sure!

I put raspberries in a shake and put it in the frig for a few hours. I was surprised that a whole lot of the seeds sunk to the bottom which was great! I haven't had any trouble so far..... I was sleeved 4/23.

postop - I'm usually drinking a protein shake. It's easy, filling, and a good way to start the day with 30 grams of protein.

I agree with PDXman - can't go wrong - try practically everything!! Their pasta sauces and salad dressings. Frozen foods like turkey burgers, fish, all their vegetables. Great selection of teas. Cheeses, yogurt. Oh, in the cracker family - corn tortilla flat bread (salted sesame). They're awesome for so many uses.

I added you aviiva - i'm jonitoby there.

some cl is made with truvia now. but the best suggestion is just add more water to tame it down. And I agree with everything tasting too sweet immediate postop. Now at 7 wks postop, things are settled down for me like pecan above.

I am a serious tomato lover. I actually was able to eat tomato 4 wks postop. I avoided the skin and it was just a couple bites, but I loved it!

mine was 2 wks also. It can be done. And it's all about shrinking your liver. Drink water, and then more water, and then some water. I was allowed chicken broth which helped too. I remember thinking if my liver isn't shrunk, he's not doing the procedure which is exactly what my surgeon said. Kept me on the straight and narrow for 2 WEEKS. Not gonna lie, it was torture - BUT it is temporary. Cross those days off, keep a diary.

oh, also if it is gas as some suggest, try GasX - they have strips so you don't have to swallow or chewable tabs.

I too had a hiatal hernia repair as pdxman and had that same feeling. I believe it was esophageal spasms. Also, are you taking an antacid like prilosec? you might get some relief with that. my dr had to double the dose for me before I had a good result. Good luck. But call the dr office and let them know what's going on for sure.

I'm at 7 wks postop and I'm eating quite a variety of food. I usually have one protein shake a day in the morning. I eat my protein first, chicken, beef, fish, cheese, not too fond of eggs. In this past week, I have added some fresh fruit and salad. It's been a big difference from wk 5 to wk 6 in regard to being able to eat more than 1/4 cup. It's now more like 1/2 to 3/4 cup at a time.

You are doing fantastic chacha!! Those support groups help with keeping you focused, as well as helping the newcomers. I love tracking food on fitness pal. It's easy and I think it will be very helpful as the journey continues. Keep up the good work!!

nectar Syntrax has a sweets" line for your sweet tooth. I like the strawberry mousse, and they have many more flavors. I like a lot of them. Also very good, unjury vanilla and chocolate splendor. Oh Yeah RTD shakes are pretty good.

Amen to that! Congratulations. There is a book (free for kindle) titled God Sees You. And it's on this topic because we all feel God doesn't hear or see us at times. I've just started reading it but it is pretty powerful and she says she will "prove" how God does see and hear us. You just said it too!! I'm so happy for you.