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My doc and nut said that your body is able to break down real food protein better than the supplements. They also warned us about protein bars. They said most of them are just a glorified candy bar and have lots of bad things in them. He said when choosing a protein supplement make sure to calculate the calories vs protein amount. Example: my protein shake mix has 30g of protein and it has 130 calories. Since each gram of protein is 4 calories I know that my protein powder only has 10 extra calories from the other ingredients. I just looked up a quest protein bar and it has 20 g of protein and 170 calories. So 80 calories is from protein and nearly 100 calories are from other stuff. I recommend adding egg whites to your drinks. You can't taste it and it adds whole food proteins to your diet. I add mine to my powerade everyday. I am going to drink it any way might as well get protein out of it. It is 3.3 g of protein per pump. I will add 8-10 pumps for my powerade. I promise you can not taste it, but I have learned not to shake it up once added to a drink. You need to stir it. Shaking it just adds foam. My nut did warn not to get the grocery store egg whites as they are made for cooking. I have added a picture of what I use.

I think mine was tied up with my time of the month. I guess it decided to jump on the band wagon to make me feel icky!

Everyone is different and everyone's doctors are different. I would follow what your docs suggest on when you can advance. Advancing to early causes problems. I decided I knew more than my silly doctor and tried eggs 1 week post op. After throwing them up I knew I had made a big mistake. However I did not learn my lesson there. I tried some ham lunch meet about a week later. Threw that up as well. I don't eat eggs much or ham lunch meat. So I understand wanting to advance - If I never eat soup again for the rest of my life I will be just fine. Remember it is just a short time and you will advance when your pouch is ready. When you do advance take your time. Try each ingredient on their own before mixing them together. When I did eat salads I found that creamy dressing made me sick, but thin dressings like Italian went down easier. Good luck!

Red blood in stool indicates that it is around the rectum. Hemorrhoids are the most common cause for red blood. The reason they asked about the color of your stools is that black in your stools indicate bleeding in the colon Calling your doc is a must.

Since starting my food logging I really feel in control of things again. I am not so anxious about eating and pick better choices. I am also resisting the temptations that are all over. I went into a convenience store this evening at work to use the restroom and I was able to resist all the temptations. Mainly because I knew I would have to log in my food. I am also finally getting all my protein. My next test will be soccer season. I will need to adjust calorie intake and protein intake to make up for the activity. Glad I am figuring out my logging before the season starts.

I use a powder vitamins for bariatric patients. It has everything we need in it. I just add it to my protein shake everyday.

For me it was Italian ice cream. I was the mall with my mom and we decided to split it. Well he ate most of it I had just a few spoonfuls. About twenty minutes later while shopping for a bra I had to run out of the store leaving my mom to fend for herself in a wheelchair and threw up outside. I got horrible nausea and dizziness. People looked at me really strange for leaving my mom in the middle of a store. She used her legs to roll her self outside to check on me.!

I have never thought about naming my pouch, but after the attitude it has had with me the last few days I may have to come up with one

Do keep in mind that usually your taste buds change. Also the egg white I suggested can be added to any liquid. I use mine in Powerade. 10 pumps is 33 grams of protein.

I would say I can be a grazer as well, but for me it seems to be when I am bored or that time of the month. I realized this about two months ago. I was always eating things I should not and not sticking to what I know is right. I finally went to the store and picked up things that were low calories, but would satisfy me. I seem to love crunchy things now. So I got low cal crunchy things. I was mainly grazing while at work. I drive around all night for work and I would stop some where to use the restroom and end up spending 10 on junk. So it was about having self control and disapline. However also knowing that sometimes your brain needs the food you know you should not have. By denying it all the time I become obsessed and then over do it. Since you are already doing a food log try to keep notes about your feelings. You might discover what I did - which was I grazed more during a busy work night than any other time.

Try egg whites. You just add then to your drinks and they add no flavor just protein. Make sure you get the double pasteurized not the ones from the grocery store.

So I had a bad week eating wise. I was over my calories everyday except 2. I realized on Saturday that it was that special time of the month for me, and I am hopeful that it had something to do with my increase. My percentages were a little closer to my goal this week. However I seem to struggle daily with getting enough fat in. I set my goals to be 40/35/25. I am hitting my protein goal of 25%everyday now, but have a hard time hitting the 35% fat. I also gained a few pounds last week which makes complete sense because I was over on my calories. I am going to the gym, but mainly working on strength training. I usually run a mile to warm up and then hit the weights. So I am not burning a whole lot of calories according to MFP.

Who was your surgeon?

It has been so grumpy today. It has been months since I have had nausea and today it seems whatever I eat my pouch has things to say about it. Just needed to vent some place where people can relate - thanks

Congrats!!!!!

My moment occurred in the shower. I was trying to clean personal areas and I was no longer able to. I refused to allow myself to get any bigger and need my husbands help in getting cleaned.

No problem. Glad I could help. If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask me.

Send me a message and I will help in anyway I can!

Right around the corner from you in mid cities area. I will help out in anyway I can.

Since you are asking the questions about yourself I think it speaks volume about who you are. It also tells me you are ready! It shows you are aware enough to know there will be life changes ahead of you. Now the question is why are you putting so much pressure on yourself. The great thing about this surgery is that your stomach does not allow massive amounts of food, and although your brain keeps trying to get you to eat more your stomach ultimately wins the battle. If you eat to much it will either hurt or come back up quickly. I have often said your brain is like a two year old. When it does not get its way it throws a temper tantrum. It sends out the signals of being hungry or a craving. For so many years you have given into your brain, and now you are going to take control. Is it possible that you are sabotaging yourself with the negative thoughts. You are giving in to the negative tiny voice in the back of your head and not the thoughts that are yelling YOU CAN DO THIS. I know how easy it is to give in to the small voice, and learning how to shut that voice up is hard to do. I think many of us struggle with it daily. The next stage of the journey is where your food choices are not limited as much as in the beginning. You may not throw up as much, but you feel full quickly. Before surgery I could pack away food. It would be no problem to eat a 10oz ribeye steak, potatoes, a veggie and bread and salad in one sitting. Now I can eat about 4 oz of steak and a bite of potatoes. I actually feel fuller now than before. It took years for the weight and habits associated with your weight to set in. Expecting yourself to change overnight is setting yourself up for failure. The changes that need to be made you are already doing. You are realizing and recognizing the areas within yourself that need work. With your food logs also write down feelings and stresses in your life at that moment. When you get the urge for a candy bar write down what is going on at that time. For example I noticed that I snack more when I am having a tough day at work. My brain keeps telling me I am hungry, but I don't physically feel hungry. So in order to solve this problem I do the following things: 1. I make sure that I have healthy Snacks available to eat. So if I give in I am at least eating healthy 2. I try to figure out why I have the urge to snack. After logging your feeling for a few weeks you might discover a pattern. If you find one figure out what can be done about it. i was able to figure out that my urge to snack was when I was busy at work or if I had to do a lot of driving at work. 3. Figure out what you can do instead of eating. I try to go work out or get on this message board. This journey is a marathon not a sprint. You are challenged so much during the race that you wake up one day and think damn I am awesome!!! My last piece of advise is to write down a list of your goals and try to focus on the positive side of things. You will discover what a strong and powerful woman you are. We all stumble and fall and have bad days, the important thing to Remember is that we are all here for you!

Hi Lyn and welcome!! If you are able to get your surgery by thanksgiving you will be looking at about 6-7 months before your wedding and I can guarantee you will not be a size 26. It also might cost you more to alter the dress than just buying a new one. I think it will be hard for you to figure out what size you will be at that time. When I got married I actually had my dress made. The dresses that fit my boobs were huge every where else. So it was cheaper for me to get a custom dress. Best place to find people that can make your dress would be bridal shows. Oh and congrats on all the exciting changes in your life - marriage and your step towards a healthy life!