NMJG

I recently tried some low carb/high Protein breads from netrition.com. Today I had half of a sesame bagel from Mirico. They make other bread products, too. You can also get it on Amazon. Fiber that offsets the carbs, as well. Anyway, thought I would share. I've been missing bread. Anyone else have similar stuff to share?

Jane, it's normal. It gets better. I did not like eating at all until 4 months out at least and even now I sometimes find it uncomfortable. Just hang in there and be patient.

Scooter, you and I are at the end of the honeymoon! I only lost one pound in January. You might talk to your nut about refiguring your recommended intake. After losing 65 lbs. your body has different needs now. My nut redid my numbers in December. Just some thoughts from my own experience if you are interested in trying it: Make Protein a priority, at least 60 g per day if not more. I shoot for 60-70 and make it 95% of the time. I believe it really makes a difference. I have protein Snacks every day which helps get the grams up (milk, Jerky, protein chips, soy nuts, edamame, nuts, cheese, etc.). You know you need to do it, so just chin up and go for it. Reduce calories to 900 - fill in with low cal veggies & salad (which we can eat now) Your exercise may be adding muscle (and increasing weight) - I'm doing strength exercises now and I've gone down a size but no weight lost. I'm *hoping* extra muscle will translate to higher metabolism at some point. Keep measurements of yourself. It helps when the scale isn't very nice to you.

I had morphine the first day, but then switched to Tylenol and never took any of the pain drugs sent home with me. Morphine, codeine, vicodine etc. will all give you horrible constipation. The pain of that after surgery is way worse IMHO. Every body is different, but you should know how the drugs affect you, and at least you will be prewarned. PS I'm a big baby too.

I agree, MChic. I'm pretty happy with where I am at now, 155 lbs. and size 10. I feel great and I think I look pretty good, especially compared to my presurgery XXL self. So 60% gone is awesome. But, I know I want to get to 125 lbs. Before menopause I got down to 140 lbs. and stayed there for a number of years. I was able to stay steady at 140-143 during that time, but I always wanted to lose another 15 lbs. To my surprise, I'm rather small boned. Who knew? These last 30 lbs. are going to be a b*tch. Only lost one pound in January but I did go down a size.

plain old nonfat cottage cheese is a great alternative to protein shakes. a real life saver for me when I couldn't stomach another nasty shake. very high protein for the calories.

I am also at a Center of Excellence. Their stats are 60% of excess weight lost and kept off - I don't remember for how long. I was worried about this because I didn't want to just lose 60%, I wanted to lose 100%. They said 60 was an average. Many people lose and keep off 100%, but some people don't lose it all or gain back (when they don't stick with the program and change their eating habits). Those who followed the recommended eating plans had the highest success. I believe the stats are very different for each type of WLS. I think the nuts everywhere don't get as nitty gritty with the data as we do (and the doctors do).

whey is the most common protein for sleevers. whey isolate is an excellent source and highly recommended by bariatric clinics.

Thanks, BK, it's good to hear another voice. I really appreciate it.

Oh yeah, that's me. Slow slow slow. At my best it was 2 lbs. a week. Been in a stall all of January. It comes off, just takes a lot longer than the power losers on here. Frustrating when you are eating 800 calories a day and doing your exercises and you see people who cheat and still lose 4 lbs. a week. Keep your chin up!

I don't wait after a protein shake. However, I don't usually want anything for a while after a protein shake, either, so it doesn't come up much.

I'm in my 4th week working out with a trainer 3x week. Whew! Exhausting for an old broad! Looking for some support here because I'm in a stall on the scale. It's depressing. Have only lost 1 lb. in January. I know intellectually you can't put on muscle and lose on the scale simultaneously, but it's frustrating!!!!! Need to hear comforting things from other people! Have lost inches: after 3 weeks working out lost 1 1/2" in the waist and 1" in the hips. The trainer measures, takes pix, and weighs me every 3 weeks. Won't get another update for 2 more weeks. Lean Body Mass is now at 111 lbs. (before surgery was 100 lbs. LBM and first check up after surgery I was down to 96 lbs.). So it looks like I am actually gaining muscle and losing fat. Strength and energy levels are so much better than before. Clothes fitting well - losing sizes. I am just so used to measuring progress by the scale. I am a few weeks from my 6 month mark and it's just so frustrating to still be 30 lbs. away from goal. I was finding it hard to stick with 800 calories a day with the weight training, so this week I have increased it to 900 calories. Doing around 75-80 g of Protein a day. Have also switched up to higher fats (45 g) and lower carbs (45 g). Hope this doesn't sabotage me. Wah!

Wow, I feel for you. What to do! Personally, I was around 550 - 600 calories for the first three months, then at 800 for a couple of months. I'm still around 800-900 but I don't think I could stay at 550 at this point, but that's just me. At 800 I felt good and had plenty of energy. Started working out with weights for strength training recently and am upping it to 900 a day - scares me to do it, though, but I'm finding 800 not enough with the weight training. I haven't heard of anyone on the board that is still at 550 calories a day at 6 months. If you fit this description, pipe up!

At 4 months or so I was able to eat a "meal," but remember that what we used to consider a meal is very different now! Now a meal is a few ounces of Protein and a couple of bites of veg. I might steal a couple of bites of salad off someone's plate, too, and maybe one or two bites of roll if there is one (rarely). After that I'm done. Can't eat a bit more. If I eat too much or too fast I have to take a walk for 30 minutes or I am too uncomfortable.

Amazing Meal brand. Has no whey. Comes in several flavors, including seasonal flavors like pumpkin and chocolate peppermint. I also use Nutiva Hemp Protein with extra Fiber. You can also find pea protein and other vegan Proteins online. I get soooo sick of whey and it upsets my stomach.

I'm looking at the Bariatric Fusion http://bariatricfusion.com/soft-chews-mixed-berry-flavor.html Mixed berry and it's 40 calories per serving and they recommend 2 servings a day. When you are only eating 800 calories a day that can take a chunk out of your food. Just something to keep in mind. On the other hand, their Protein shakes appear to have a nice amount of Vitamins in them so you can get everything in together http://bariatricfusion.com/meal-replacement-single-serving-bottle-cinnamon-bun.html Anyone tried their protein? Wonder if they are tasty.

stick your finger in it. If you can comfortably keep a finger in the water for 5 seconds then it is ok for the protein powder.

Eating all of that, just being reasonable. I'm a Texas girl in New Mexico. Lots of green chile, avocado, healthy fats. I have the occasional small corn tortilla, but overall keep carbs down and have more Protein and fats. I can't eat more than one street taco and that not very often. I really enjoy it when I have one and don't feel guilty because I plan the calories and carbs for it. I have to stay away from sopapillas and tortillas chips, tho. That's dangerous territory. And no more enchiladas lol!

Hiccups here too

If you google Dementia and Carbohydrates there is actually a fair amount out there on the subject. There seems to be two camps: The Mediterranean diet group and the Very low carb group, but they both share some views, such as high fat intake reducing dementia occurences.

I took it very slowly and did not regularly eat "normal" foods until 4-5 months. Still ate tuna and cottage cheese for the most part. Every body is different.You don't need to push it. My nut and doctor were fine with it. They were more concerned with people rushing it than the other way around. However, some things to watch for: If you find yourself getting hungry you need to try some firmer Protein. It will stick around longer and fill you up. If you find yourself eating more (quantity wise) than you think you should, go for some firm protein and make sure you eat it first during meals If you find yourself eating more (calorie wise) than optimal, then eat that firm protein 6 weeks is still very early. No need to rush it. However, to be sure, a call to your doctor wouldn't be a bad idea.

I had the same problem. Here is what I went with: Trader Joe's High Potency chewables B12 injections (monthly) they don't hurt at all - get rx from your doctor & inject yourself Iron tablets chewable Kirkland (costco) chocolate calcium chews - 2 chews have your calcium citrate and vitamin D for the day and taste good - better than taking calcium and D separately

Way to go RJ! I started with a trainer this month, too. It's so worth it. Just finished my third week. Sometimes I think I'm going to die it's so hard, and then I'm frustrated because I'm not losing lbs. on the scale. But, lots of NSV's: My lean body mass was only 100 lbs. (out of 211) last spring, and now it's 111 llbs. I gained 10 lbs of muscle since then. Yay! I'm not nearly as flabby and there are actually muscles under there that have been dormant for a decade I can lift and move things that I couldn't before. I don't feel nearly so helpless as I did Best of luck to you in this program. You can do it!

If you research the stats on the divorce rate after WLS it is around 75% - but remember that the general divorce rate is 50%. For me, I'm in it to win it. Hubby and I have been married nearly 25 years. I was plump when we got married and I've been size 8 to size 20 in a regular cycle of diet and gain. This time I'm hoping it's the final change and no more yoyos. DH has been supportive of everything and still thought I was beautiful and wonderful at size 20. He's excited about the weight loss, probably because I am, but he did warn me not to lose too much so there would be "cushion for the pushin'!" Every couple is different. I do think a lot of people "settle" for a mate when they are heavy and when things change it's not satisfactory any longer. I applaud people who decide to leave their tormentor and get out of abusive relationships, but I just feel sorry for those who end up lost at the end of the journey.

7 weeks out, that's a hard time. Here are a few things that maybe could help you: Weigh no more than once a week, even every two weeks. Weight loss has very sporadic progress. Weight more often and it just bums you out. Keep in mind that a true stall is a 3 week+ period of no loss. Less than 3 weeks is just normal ups and downs of weight loss. Stalls eventually go away. And then they come back LOL. It's part of the journey. Measure yourself every 3 - 4 weeks. Tape measure changes can happen when scale changes don't (and vice versa). Keep up the good work and stay positive. Best of luck to you!