KittyKat848

I love quest bars. But, when I've tested my blood glucose after one hour, it's higher than it should be by their nutrition info. Out of concern, I looked up why this might be -- and I see that quest is being sued for false nutrition info.

So, I woke this morning with a terrible headache -- quickly progressing into a migraine. I am miserable. Tylenol isn't helping. I used to take Extra Strength Exederin and then imitrix if it got too bad. Is there something I can take or do to help me now???

Utterly insane. I'm so sorry.

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're feeling so lousy. I didn't experience the same thing, I've actually taken the pill form of your medication since the third day after my surgery. If you cannot eat, and are in that kind if discomfort, I definitely think you need seen by your surgeon.

I can't answer all your questions as I'm 11 weeks out. 1. It isn't difficult per se, but it takes commitment. It's not as though WLS does all the work -- but it does make the work more efficient. I follow all the rules as well as exercise. 2. I'm still in the honeymoon phase. I'm hoping I get a lot more time. 3. I've lost 73 lbs since December 17 -- my surgery was 12/31. I have more to lose, so it's faster than for someone with less. It has slowed way down now. HTH!

I used to love premier before surgery. Now it's too thick for my liking. I love synthrax nectar in double stuffed cookie, chocolate truffle, vanilla bean torte and cappuccino mixed with unsweetened almond milk. 23 g of protein for 2 carbs and 135 calories (made with almond milk) is hard to beat.

Mine didn't hurt but it felt really weird.

The first few days were rough for me too. It gets better!! I swear!!

Don't worry about liquids stretching your pouch. If it's not causing you pain, it's fine to take in as much as you wish. Your pouch is like a funnel. Liquids cannot stretch it (unless you use them to wash solids through).

That's a good cookbook. I got it from the library.

First, it is relatively normal. The nerves were cut during your surgery, so you won't be able to tell you're full for a while. That's why it's very important to measure/weigh everything for a while. Trust me, you'll feel restriction soon enough!

I have the same surgeon as I also went to the Cleveland Clinic. I am very surprised to hear that you are having this experience! Have you actually seen Dr. Kroh? It's hard to imagine them not caring.

My favorite shakes before surgery were RTD ones from Sam's Club called Premier Protein. Since surgery I have tried so many different shakes that I consider myself a expert on Protein Shakes. LOL. Here's my favorites: Synthrax nectar Brand - 23 g protein ** overall this is my favorite brand of protein ** Fuzzy Navel: 4 stars -- it's good -- and if you mix it with crystal light orange, it really tastes like tang. strawberry Kiwi: 3.5 stars. I liked this a lot for a while, but it is a little sweet for all the time. I mixed it with strawberry lemonade crystal light. It is VERY red -- so not good for right after surgery. chocolate truffle: 5 stars. I mix this with unsweetened almond milk. It is very good -- not to sweet or thick. I can drink this every day. It tastes like chocolate milk. Cappuccino: 4 stars. I mix this with unsweetened almond milk and ice for an iced coffee taste a lot like my old dunkin donuts. I haven't made it hot. It's not too sweet and has no caffeine. Double Stuffed Cookie: 5 stars. It really tastes like you are drinking oreos. I mix with unsweetened almond milk. Feels like a cheat but its not! Vanilla Bean Torte: 4.5 stars. This is very good mixed with almond milk. It has a wonderful vanilla flavor. It's disgusting mixed with Water. Muscle Milk Light (RTD) 20 grams of protein I tried both chocolate and cake batter. I can drink them, but I don't prefer them. There is a strange chemical taste to them that I just don't care for. Oh Yeah! (RTD) 32 grams of protein I had banana and strawberry. I loved them both -- and they felt very satisfying before surgery. They are larger and thicker than other shakes. After surgery, the thicker aspect bothers me and they taste too sweet. They may have been my favorite, however, pre-op. Designer Whey (powder) 21 grams of protein I used both vanilla and plain. They are not tasty, but they work well as an ingredient in recipes. They are also pretty cheap. Click Espresso Protein 15 grams of protein I used the decaf mocha. I really wanted to like it. I just don't. It's strong and clumps. Isopure 44 grams of protein? I tried the iced tea flavor and the grape. This is the only protein I couldn't even finish. I really wanted to like it -- but it literally gagged me. Other people swear by it though! I hope this helps!

Yes, I definitely think that it is. If nothing else, I think it's important for a NUT to discuss post-surgery eating. :-)

I had done so well until today. Surgery on New Year's eve -- and truthfully, I swear my hair has never been shinier or more manageable. I have taken Vitamins and Biotin since day 1. I smugly thought that perhaps I would be the exception to the hair loss debacle. HA. Right on schedule -- chucks of hair is now falling out. Nothing like being obese AND bald!

First, I just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss. That must have been a horrific experience. I used nioxin when I lost hair after my c-section with good results. I forgot all about it. Thank you.

I was referring to long term post op patients, too. I hope I didn't sound snarky, though. I am very concerned with maintenance and see that it's a struggle for a lot of people more than 18 months out. The more I read the more I am convinced that it is important (at least for me) not to view this as a temporary way of life until the weight is lost, but rather a more permanent lifestyle change. :-) On a lighter note, I do drink up until 10 minutes before eating. My doctor advises that is fine. I just can't drink with my meal or for 30 minutes afterwards. At 6 months, they like you to wait 60 minutes. This is what I find most difficult.

Congratulations! You should be very proud of yourself!

Hi. I had my surgery on New Year's Eve, so I am about 11 weeks post op. I am currently on a normal diet. However, it doesn't much matter because I don't think about food in nearly the same way that I used to. For example, I have eaten out several times and boy is it a lot cheaper now! I usually order an add-on to my husband's dinner: like a lobster tail on his steak, a side of grilled shrimp or even a cup of Soup. I am completely satisfied with it and don't feel deprived. One thing that does take some getting used to is NOT trying new things while out. In other words, you never know how the pouch will react to a new food, so it's better to have tried something before you are out and possibly in an uncomfortable situation. I still can't eat salad well. I had two week intervals after surgery. I was on clear fluids in the hospital, full liquids for the first 2 weeks home, pureed, then soft and finally a regular diet. This seems to be a relatively common progression.

I think it's pretty normal to need a lot of rest after surgery -- and frankly, I think if you feel tired that you should rest. I know that I was pretty exhausted. For nearly two weeks after surgery, I did a lot of sleeping and resting. I would force myself to get up and walk around the house or go to the grocery store, etc. I went back to work 13 days after surgery --- and I work on my feet. I would come home and feel absolutely beat! I couldn't have imagined working out, too. About four weeks out I really started to get my energy back and then some. It's so much easier now. Now I get an average of 4000 steps at work and 5000-6000 on my treadmill. My point is that everyone is different and you should listen to your body. :-)

I had the 4-5 Protein shakes with broth, Jello and sugar-free popsicles diet for 12 days before surgery. I lost 18 pounds. As a side note, it was really hard at first but became relatively easier. I even questioned if I needed surgery because the weight was pouring off so well. LOL. I needed surgery. Anyhow, I really learned a lot about myself and I do think it helped put me in the right frame of mind for my surgery, too.

Just agreeing with the other two posters.

My dr explained it to me like a funnel... So if you are drinking on an empty stomach between meals like you are supposed to then not likely... However if you eat something and you are blocking the "funnel" and drink something then the Water isn't going to pass through and could stretch you. This is EXACTLY how my doctor explained it, too!

I was pretty scared before surgery, too. You have some added concerns because you have the unknown of going outside of your comfort zone and home for your surgery. For me, visualizing positive outcomes, dispelling negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones and focusing on relaxation really helped me get through that last week. It was still hard. I did notice that you are taking advil (an NSAID) -- does your surgeon know about this? I ask because most of the time surgeons ask that you discontinue all blood thinning meds a week or two before surgery.

I am only 2.5 months out -- so this is JMHO -- but every post I read about regain or falling off track includes not following the rules of the pouch. The drinking with meals thing seems to be one of the most important rules because doing so literally pushes food through the pouch causing hunger much more rapidly. It can also stretch the small opening leading out of the pouch into the intestine -- certainly something that none of us wants to do. The other is carb consumption -- there is really no biological need for processed carbs like bread and rice. These are the foods that led most of us to obesity in the first place. I read time and time again about how crackers, pretzels, bread, crisps, potatoes etc started a snowball effect for so many. Therefore, my concern is not if I can ever eat them again but rather, how can I keep from eating them again.