jess9395

I did tons of Biotin. I did probiotics. I did collagen and Vitamin E and other creams. I did keratin. I did dry brushing. I did weight training and running. I got all my Protein in. I still lost hair and had a ton of loose skin (but a body fat of 18%!) It's genetics and age and skin type. Not a lot you can do.

Parrot Bay coconut Water margaritas! Tiny little cans about half the size of a soda can. Probably don't have them at a bar, but it's my drink of choice at home or a party. Low in sugar and the coconut water makes me feel kinda healthy LOL. The alcohol content is pretty low (my mother in law had one at my house once and asked me if it was non alcoholic) but it's plenty for me! The alcohol hits me hard post sleeve but like many have said, it's gone quickly.

As for why? No clue but it happens every time I've had any abdominal surgery--c section, gall bladder removed, WLS and tummy tuck

Yeah pretty normal if you are feeling it while using your abdominal muscles to stand up. Hold a pillow against your stomach/incisions/abdominal muscles while you rise and it helps a ton!

Like others I had c section, gall bladder removed and a laprascopic tubal ligation and had no problems, my surgeon never looked at my old records. Then I had a Tummy tuck and all those old scars are gone for the most part LoL--traded them for one big long one

Yeah ditto what others have said, a pound a day is a LOT!!!! It will slow and stall and start back up again throughout the process. Keep your expectations realistic! You won't keep losing it this FAST be happy!

Oh my goodness I can so relate! I reached goal in December with the help of a LOT of running and yoga. Ran my first marathon in May and had my plastic surgery two weeks later and was told to stop exercise for six weeks. Doctor actually finally cleared me after SEVEN weeks and I was so so so afraid I would gain! Well I kept on top of it and didn't gain and actually lost (and more than he removed through plastics) and now and slowly working my running mileage back up and getting back in prime yoga shape. YOU CAN DO IT! Do whatever it is you know you need to do whether it's tracking or avoiding trigger foods or doing a back to basics reset IF you find things getting lax, if not then it's all good, but the worry is normal and will keep you on track.

Can you elaborate please? What happened after you ate the grapes? Who sent you to the emergency room? You were in the hospital for a week to stabilize what condition that was caused by the grapes? I'm shocked! I would love to hear more! To the OP- Like others on here I have been eating moderate amounts of fruit since about three months out. You mention acid--are you on any medications to reduce the acid? Many of us needed them for the first little while after surgery. I took prescription pantaprozole for two months.

My doctor is fine with coffee consumption as long as you don't have existing acid issues (GERD, etc). I stopped for three months to allow for healing and now am back to my two cups a day. Hasn't given me any issues. Recent studies show that coffee/caffeine may not actually be dehydrating. People have posted links here you can search for (or do a google search). Anyhow, you know you can tell if you are hydrated by the color of your urine (straw colored or lighter is good) and I've never had a problem with hydration or acid since bout three weeks out (ie way before I stated drinking coffee again). So I've now given up coffee three times--for each pregnancy and for WLS and gone back to it each time LoL!

Yeah I can't get all mine in with food either but I still like the tips in the article for the food I can eat!

Should fit into your plan well then. I know a cup of quinoa is a bit over 100g carbs so 1/4 c should fit into your day well if you plan for it. They are def high quality carbs! What is my carb goal? Well I am in maintenance so it's different from when I was losing. When I was losing I didn't have a number, it was to keep carbs to incidental and not a choice by themselves. So carbs in Greek Yogert or milk were fine but foods that were primarily carbs were reserved for only very occasional treats or for running fuel (I run 20-30 miles a week regularly). So my rule of thumb was to consume at least twice as many grams of Protein as I did carb grams. I aimed for 80-100g protein so by default that was 40-50g carbs. Now that I am in maintenance I have more carbs but if I have too many they become a trigger food for me. I still aim for a 1:2 carb to protein ratio, but am fine as long as my carb grams are less than my protein grams. So if I were to consume 100g of carbs in a day I would have to be eating 100+ g of protein that day.

Great article! As for quinoa it depends on your plan, I am more than a year and a half out and at goal for six months and I still don't eat it regularly because though it does have a good Protein profile for a grain, I am on a low carb plan and its carbs and glycemic index are too high for me. So check with your doctor or dietician!

Good luck!

I am right there with you, my face makes me self conscious but I think as much of it is my age as my weight. I've waited eight months and the skin has bounced back some but not all. I am considering Botox and an ultrasound therapy for my neck.

Yes!! And rings and bracelets and all that!

Process the lot of in the food processor till it's about the consistency of the inside of a fig newton. Sometimes I will roll the balls in coconut flour, almond meal or just shredded unsweetened coconut so they are easier to pack and handle.

There are lots of other flavors. Try Syntrax Nectars they are think and fruity, or they have an iced tea one, not like milkshakes. Chike and Click and BSN Syntha 6 make coffee/latte/mochacchino ones. I found a snickerfoodle one I love. Quest makes a great Peanut Butter cookie one. There's a brand that comes in a clear bottle whose name is escaping me now it comes in fruity thin flavors too like grape and alpine punch and green apple, not thick milkshake ones. Make your own with unflavored Protein powder in a blender with frozen fruit or Greek Yogert, throw in some torani syrup. If you get the protein in you won't be starving. Oh and for what it's worth I've never liked the Premier either, even though it's praised all over the board. You have to find what works for you. I think you are referring to Isopure. I wouldn't use fruit pre-op. That's the one thanks! I would check w doc about fruit pre op. I wouldn't try banana or something higher glycemic but a handful of berries has less than 8g carbs which is less than a lot of the Protein shakes out there like Atkins or GNC 25. My doc is fine with that.

Protein supplements may be expensive but look at the amount you are NOT spending on food and it pretty much evens out. I pay $30-40 per large jug and that's pricey, sure, but it's like 20 or more meals. You can easily spend $10 a meal at a cheap fast food place. And even cooking at home is as much as the $1.50-2 per meal the protein powder costs

As for the fruit--ask your doc what they say. It's fine with mine (a handful of berries has less than 8g of carbs and some protein shakes like Atkins have a lot more than that).

Yes! There are several unflavored protein powders people use on the board! I tried several and my favorite is Quest.

There are lots of other flavors. Try Syntrax Nectars they are think and fruity, or they have an iced tea one, not like milkshakes. Chike and Click and BSN Syntha 6 make coffee/latte/mochacchino ones. I found a snickerfoodle one I love. Quest makes a great Peanut Butter cookie one. There's a brand that comes in a clear bottle whose name is escaping me now it comes in fruity thin flavors too like grape and alpine punch and green apple, not thick milkshake ones. Make your own with unflavored Protein powder in a blender with frozen fruit or Greek Yogert, throw in some torani syrup. If you get the protein in you won't be starving. Oh and for what it's worth I've never liked the Premier either, even though it's praised all over the board. You have to find what works for you.

I haven't read the other responses I'm sure there are some good ones but first of all, an appetite suppressant might make you not hungry but it won't take away any grumpiness/not feeling good that are caused by not getting enough food/calories/protein. Second taste is not a reason you CAN'T do something. Throwing up or gagging or nausea or acid stomach might be, but taste is a WON'T not a can't. Sometimes we just have to suffer through what we don't like for a greater good down the road. Third yes you better find a Protein source you can tolerate because you will need it post op. There are so so so many, keep trying. Took me a long time to find the ones I use. Bought a lot of samples (try Nashua nutrition) and some tubs I returned (Vitamin shoppe is good about those) or gave away or tossed.

Everyone is different! Lots of things in play. Did you do a pre op diet? If you lost weight pre op your first week post op won't be a high because you already lost the big Water weight drop people often lose the first week of any diet. I lost an amazing amount my first week (17lbs) but I didn't have a pre op diet, even so my doc said at my one week follow up not to trust that loss and not to stress if it went up. It didn't, but I hit the "three week stall" right after at two weeks while my body caught up. It's a marathon, not a sprint!

Oh there are LOTS of ways to get 100 calories in only a tablespoon of food! Check out the options at a local REI or running store. GU's and honey stingers and Beans and gummies all with quick acting carbs and electrolytes. My favorites are called Bonk Breakers because they are more whole food based, so are honey stinger products and they have wafers gels and gummies. Even Jelly Belly makes sports beans. Cliff actually makes some whole food gu's out of sweet potatoes and the like, they are awesome! Or get electrolyte replacement drinks powders or tablets to add into your Water. Carbs and electrolytes all at once. At 50 calories per 8oz that's 450 calories of carbs right there in your 72oz so that's good for more than 5 hours of hiking right there. Or make your own fuel--one of my favorites is simple--1c dried fruit, 1c dates, 1c nuts and 1T vanilla in a food processor. Then roll into 1T sized balls. I have another recipe that includes Protein powder coconut flour and PB2. 100 calorie balls are about a tablespoon size. I've worked on this fueling for exercise for about a year now and it's tricky at first till you find your groove, but very do able! I have similar restriction even at more than a year and a half out so I totally understand!

I've been working to do this and I will tell you all the Pinterest boards and looking at what other people wear (and advice from your teenage daughter in my case) is awesome, BUT... You absolutely need to try stuff on. What I thought I'd like does not flatter my new body. I have always pictures flowy boho chic type stuff and knit fabrics and their formless shape makes me look larger. I am moving into more tailored (or at least fitted) woven cotton type things. So def try stuff on!!! Buy at goodwill or resale stores so if something doesn't "work" no big loss! I am amazed at the deals I can get on high end brands in small sizes at resale stores!!!!