st.ephanie

Here's how I do it. I also was prescribed carafate- I'm almost done with it, I think. But regardless, it has to be an hour away from any food/vitamins. If you don't have to take it, you'll have more leeway.. Obviously you can change the start time if you want to get up earlier/later... 08:30 calcium 09:30 carafate 10:30 Breakfast 30 mins 11:00 multi, b1 12:00 carafate 1:00 calcium 2:30 lunch 3:00 multi, Prilosec, Biotin 4:00 carafate 5:00 calcium 7:00 dinner 7:30 multi, Iron 8:30 carafate Just an idea to get you going!

Calcium citrate, Vitamin d (I use Bariatric Advantage lozenges in cinnamon- has D and calcium) iron- I use nature made from any grocery/pharm. Chewable multivitamin- flintstones complete B1 (thiamine)- any grocery or pharm sublingual B12- I bought bariatric advantage I also take biotin- completely optional, but good for hair, skin, nails I was also prescribed prilosec by my surgeon-- double check with your nut, but I assume if yours doesn't prescribe it, you could still take Otc just to protect yourself As far as timing, you have to space out your multi and Iron from your calcium by at least 2 hours. You space out your multi and calcium 1dose, 3x a day. I think I covered it all.

Westfield, Indiana. Dr. Evanson

That is so funny you guys mentioned the old pouch making noises! I thought I was going crazy lol. I'm 16 days out and the growling started yesterday- at least that's when I really noticed it

I am the same way and really had a hard time getting the protein in. I'd recommend getting their mixed pack- you get 12 different flavored to try. My favorite is lemonade, with crystal sky right behind. I wasn't crazy about the cherry, but it was tolerable. Good luck

Try syntrax nectar. Most of the flavored are non milk based. For example, they have lemonade, cherry (kind of like liquid cherry jello), strawberry kiwi, grapefruit and more. I found out about it on here. So far I like the lemonade best- perfect amount of sweetness, not the usual protein taste either.

So sorry for the rough start! Hopefully from here on out, it'll be smoother. Just think- in a few months, to a year, it will be a memory as you enjoy your new, healthy life!

I'm in! I've been obsessively weighing myself- sometimes multiple times a day. I do it mostly out of excitement, but as time goes on, I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment. Preop- 270 10/4/12 Today- 250!

Amanda, I didn't have my first bowel movement for almost a week too. I called my surgeons office and they said I could take a non stimulant stool softener. I still take 1 a day just to keep me comfortable. This is embarrassing to talk about but it would not be a bad idea to purchase an enema for the first one or two. Everyone is different, but I dealt with a LOT of pain for my first two, and wished I had bought one. Once I got the "back up" out, I felt 100 x better and am more normal now. I definitely recommend calling your doc or getting on a stool softener ASAP. You could get into a lot of pain and trouble. Also, walking helps a lot too. The weight will come off!!!

Slowtogo I actually took a big rubber band, threaded it into the button hole and around the button, then put my binder over it lol. With a sweatshirt on, it looked like I just had a long shirt underneath and it worked

I definitely don't want to wear them much but with chillier weather, I was in the mood for jeans and a sweatshirt.. Oh well, this part will be very short!

Can anyone give some insight on how long it takes for stomach swelling to go down? I'm having a feeling it's 6 weeks or so... I'm 2 weeks out today, have lost 17 pounds, and I feel like most of the swelling has gone down-- from looking in the mirror. However, when I put on jeans I wore comfortably before surgery, I'm about an inch and a half to two inches from Ipping/buttoning my jeans. I'm super happy with my weight loss and I know this is temporary- I just want to have appropriate expectations..,

I just have to share with everyone because I am excited and relieved! I am 2 weeks post op today and have struggled with getting Protein in and finding a shake I can tolerate. I've dumped on Bariatric Advantage shakes, and on milk with dry milk powder added to it. I was so frustrated and starting to notice the effects of low protein... So I saw a few threads on the nectar powder from Syntrax. I was extremely skeptical, but I am amazed. I have only had crystal sky nectar, which tastes like a mixed fruit juice... And I just finished the matrix mint Cookies and cream. Both had a great flavor! They don't smell as good as they taste, so I would recommend not smelling before you have your first few sips, BUT wow! No grit, little to no aftertaste, made with splenda instead of aspartame. I feel like all Protein Shakes have the same taste in a way. These are completely different. Overall, if you're frustrated like I was, DON'T GIVE UP! Protein is so incredibly important! Try these- 23 g of protein and truly not nasty. I wish I would've known about these sooner! Good luck everyone! (My commercial is over lol)

I too can have grits for the first 4 weeks. I've never liked them so I haven't had them. However, the dieticians at my hospital forewarned that especially in the beginning, you may be able to handle a certain food on Monday and then be sick with it on Tuesday. Congrats on your weight loss and good luck

Thank you so much! I'm definitely trying the re liner today and am glad this particular pain is normal. I've been so lucky that that's the only issue I have had so far. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Starting on day 2 post op, I have a very hard time laying down and getting to a sitting position from laying down. It happened again today- it feels like everything on my left side is on fire and there's a ripping feeling. Aside from the pain, the burning, ripping sensation scares me. Is anyone else experiencing this?