NMJG

I had this problem for 4 months. Do talk to your doctor. PPI's will help and you may find that you prefer soft foods much longer than others. I was tested for stricture, but it came back negative. Some of us just heal differently. It does get better. If you have a stricture you need to get this dealt with asap by your doctor.

Starting back in the early 70's.... liquid Protein diet 80's: Hollywood diet 90's: Jenny Craig 2000's: Weight Watchers & Hydroxicut and later other ephedra based diet pills. When ephedra was outlawed in the US, I resorted to sudafed (did not really work) I'm really good at losing weight. It's keeping it off.

I have a different brand, but similar bread. It sits heavy and doesn't really taste like bread. It is better toasted. I would wait until you are 4-6months out. It isn't the great thing it makes out to be, IMHO.

I bought that Zyliss peeler and it darn near cut my fingers. I found it a very dangerous kitchen tool. I would never recommend it. That said, the zucchini "spaghetti" was great, so it is worth finding a better tool. We also do a lot of spaghetti squash, but it is nice to try the alternative veggies as they have a different flavor and texture. Oooo - also, if you use bottled Pasta sauce, check the label. Many are very high carb as they add sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and all sorts of "-ose" chemicals. I found the Prego light sauce to be very tasty and the carbs and calories are much lower. Or make your own.

Another idea for beautiful dresses is Chico's They flow beautifully over the bumpy and flappy bits (and no, those aren't pictures of me LOL).

Yeah, I'm with Lips. Only my words to her would have started with an F. You are a real lady to behave so diplomatically. Your "friend" obviously does not appreciate you.

As others have said, can you - yes, should you - no. However, if you are going to do it, be smart about it. Pick up a pretty little liqueur glass from a thrift shop that holds 1 or 2 oz. Have one glass of wine in your pretty birthday glass to toast your day. Let the others finish the bottle.

Sophie's Choice explained it. The phases have to do with what your new tummy can tolerate after major surgery, it has little to do with weight loss, which is a very welcome side effect of eating this way. You will lose weight because you are eating less. The first 6 months are the best time to lose weight because your tummy is healing and you will be eating a minimal amount of food for months. Your appetite is generally less during this period, your metabolism is completely confused and is resetting itself (a good thing), and of course you can only eat a very small amount of food. This is why the first 6 months are the "honeymoon" period. Afterwards you can still lose weight, it just takes more effort. You need to learn good eating habits early on so they are ingrained later on when it is easy to eat more calories than you should in order to continue losing weight. That's why you want to get in the habit of keeping your carbs low, eating your Protein first, not drinking during meals, etc.

I agree, I think you've lost weight and your body has cheerfully decided this is quite enough and is giving you a royal 3 week stall. Just stay positive and stay on plan. It will pass, although it may a take a few weeks. Also measure yourself - you may be losing inches, just not pounds.

This is all completely normal. Yes it gets better. Some people by three or four months, others after six months.

GERD got better, but the sleeve now requires daily PPI or I am in severe discomfort. Don't think I will ever be rid of them.

I have no insight on this topic, but just wanted to add my concern for you, Jane. Hope you figure it out and it turns out to be nothing.

bump I added Coconut Protein pancakes and Lemon Poppyseed Protein Pancakes to the recipe doc

Keep your secrets. It is no one's business but your own. I would certainly wait and see if you are even still together in a month or two. You may have a different view then. As far as eating out, tell him you are dieting and would prefer to do other things than eat a meal while you get to know each other. Scars: don't say anything and don't worry about them. It is highly doubtful that will even catch his eye if you naked LOL. They are quite small an fade well.

I second PB2 in shakes.

I feel for you. I hope it works out.

Getting in the Protein, that's the trick, isn't it. But ya gotta do it. Personally, I don't eat Protein Bars often, they don't give me the best bang for the buck as far as protein per calorie/carb. I also don't care for Quest bars. Protein Isolate is the way to go for the majority of your weight loss, as mentioned by others. The protein is very available to you, which is needed at this point. As far as calories, the big thing is to avoid soft tasty things liked mashed potatoes and cream of wheat. They are sooo easy to get down and do nothing for you except add calories that are unecessary. After your protein, get in some nice cooked veggies (even if it is just a bite or two), you will be much better of for it. To get in enough protein, I always had two Snacks a day in addition to my meals. Early on the snacks were greek yogurt, a glass of milk, nonfat ricotta with noncaloric sweetener or syrup, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, etc. Later on snacks were Jerky, nuts, soynuts, edamame, Peanut Butter on celery or apple slices, that sort of thing. I also used milk in my protein shakes to increase the protein form 20 or so grams to 30. I still drink protein shakes almost daily (at least 5 days a week). If I don't do a shake, it is very difficult for me to get in enough protein, even almost 9 months out. Stick with it and keep trying, and you'll be OK. Good luck

Yeah, same for me. I wasn't allowed salad until 4 months, and even then, I did not really enjoy until several months after that. I would follow your doctor and nut's advice, not this forum, because if you run into trouble (which can happen with raw fibrous veggies like lettuce) you need to be with your doctor's program.

I love this thread. You go!

I did not have a pre-op diet, but was not allowed to gain anything or they would cancel surgery (I lost 6 lbs.).

You need to provide more info to answer that. Male or female? Age? Activity level? How close are you to goal? What is your average loss like?

I am 15lbs from my personal goal of 125. My BMI is 22 currently. Size 6/8, down from size 20.

Yes, hear it a lot. I have 15 lbs to go. My sister (overweight herself) assures me I will look terrible at 125 lbs. take it with a grain of salt.

Maybe mix a little liquid with it first? I never really noticed it before.

If you start with the sleeve, you can always convert to bypass later. You don't have that much to lose, I would give the sleeve a shot, IMHO. No malabsorption issues.