esskay77

I bought those,too. I don't know the difference but I showed them to my NUT and he wasn't so much against them for my calcium because of citrate or not. He did object to the price. I could never find calcium citrate chewables other than these. I assume someone else will pipe up with a good answer. I still prefer chewables but now buy Citracal from CVS which was recommended by my NUT. Unfortunately, I couldn't find chewables. But I would also love to hear the difference as well.

The thing for me was how difficult it had been to find decent clothing that fit so I hate to give up the ones that I found and got me through the tough times!! lol. But, being scared means good things--if you're not scared, you're not growing (psychologically, not physically!!). Enjoy!

I'm in Massachusetts and am SO OVER this snow. We are in the middle of yet another blizzard. Another foot of snow on top of all the old snow that hasn't had a chance to melt yet! In France, Sponge Bob is called Bob l'ponge (or something like that--pronouned LaPonge).

@@anaxila and @@wannaBthinsoon Thanks! I had no idea!

Yeah, if you liked eggs, that would have been good but oatmeal is a great option. But, so are the sandwiches. I do that a lot, just don't eat the bread and use my fork and knife to eat the Protein. You also did the right thing by looking up the menu ahead of time. That really helps. Isn't technology great?

I wonder what they don't like about protein powders? My NUT wanted me off them pretty quickly. I think if you are having a hard time getting in protein, it seems like a good alternative. But, I don't know what they don't like about them.

Try without the veggies for a few days to see what happens. You are chewing, chewing, chewing?? I know, you probably are. Try just the protein for a few days and then slowly bring some veg back in. I still don't eat much lettuce for some reason. I do seem to be ok with green and red peppers and tomatoes. Keep in mind that I am just grasping at straws. Also talk with your surgeon and NUT.

Was your protein bar chocolate? I used to have acid reflux and chocolate is one of the triggers. Try one that isn't chocolate to see if that makes a difference.

What specifically are you currently eating for dinner that is causing this?

It helps if you have a place and reason to walk TO so you aren't just walking in circles but are trying to get to a destination. However, walking in circles or laps can be made better if you find a way to occupy yourself. Like someone above said, compete on your time, listen to audiobooks, listen to music or talk radio, go with friends and chat while walking, bring a camera and take pictures of things you see on your walk. THings like that can help make it more fun. Or, if you are on a treadmill, watch TV. Otherwise, just realize that, yes, it can be boring but it is also good for you. It took me YEARS to realize that almost everyone at the gym has a hard time getting there and don't really want to be there either. But they do. I thought they all loved it. lol. But just do it! (THere are some people who love it! And truthfully, once you are there at the gym it's not that bad)

Yes, it is just standard cold feet that you are going through. You'll be fine. And, like the others said, take it one day at a time. You probably will cheat occasionally after surgery but it's surprising how much you won't want to! Especially once you start seeing results. Best of luck and keep us updated!! We're all here to support you.

You should get the unflavored Protein powders (like Unjury) and put it in anything you eat/drink to up your protein. Or, try legumes or other Proteins. Your taste for this stuff will come back but in the meantime, try some other stuff. Best of luck.

Hmmm. I have to admit I don't know about that. I DO know that the surgery can increase your chances of gall stones so they very often remove your gall bladder. Is it possible that you are confusing the two? Or does the surgery increase the chances of both? If they suggest talking to your kidney doctor, by all means, you should do that. It's always better to get more information. Let us know the answer so we have that info also. Thanks

@SimplySam2015--cut yourself some slack. It's totally irrational as to why we smoke(d). But, it is advisable to quit. My biggest reason for not picking it back up is because I don't want to have to go through the quitting and then the gaining all that weight again!!! But, it's really hard to quit. I remember nonsmokers telling me to "just quit" but when I also mentioned that I couldn't eat chocolate, their response was "OMG, I could not live without chocolate". But they never saw the connection!! You can do it.

It's REALLY hard but REALLY worth it. I quit 5 years ago but gained a lot of weight from doing so. I just happened to have pneumonia and the flu so was so sick that I didn't even feel the nicotine withdrawal. But, how? I wish I had better answers. The best thing to do (if it is possible) is to just put them down. You will want them, you will crave them, you won't know what to do with yourself. Kind of like doing the pre-op liquid only diet! You just have to do it. Some people have tried the e-cigs and I kind of wish I had but I have heard from a lot of people that the best way is cold turkey. You will be miserable to be around for several weeks and you won't even like yourself. But that is just part of the process. The big trick is--what to do instead. RIght? This is the best time to replace cigarettes with exercise. I know that sounds horrible but you will end up replacing something for the cigs and it might as well be exercise. This is what I should have done!! How long does it take to smoke a cig? several minutes? Go for a walk for several minutes. Do jumping jacks, do anything that gets you out of breath and takes up some time. A walk will help clear your head, too, which is what a cig used to do (though it was probably the walk outside to have the cig that may have done this! lol). And, take it one day at a time. Let us know how you do or if you need support in some way. Oh, and know that the craving in some way will always be there but not so strong that you feel you are being deprived of something. Certainly not a nicotine craving, just a behavioral craving

So, I live in the NorthEast and, like everyone else out here, I was out shoveling. But, there are times when I have to really throw the snow, that I feel sharp pains at my incision points. Keep in mind that I should be all healed since I am one year post-op. What is this about? Is this a pain that I would have had anyway but am sensitive to because of its location? Or is something being pinched in there? Anyone feel this that is quite a ways post-op? Thanks

You are not alone. You just need to make sure you are eating Protein first. Sounds like you are, though. I lived on fat free greek yogurt mixed with sugar free Jello for flavor. And cottage cheese. High protein. Protein helps keep the hunger away. You'll survive! Drink your Water and Protein shakes and drinks and try to reflect on if this is stomach hunger or head hunger (or both!! lol). Best of luck to you.

I shouldn't have used the word "core". It is a small 1/2 inch spot that hurts when I exert myself, like when shoveling, bending over to pick something up, struggling to put on my boots, whatever. It's right in the middle and about 4 inches above my belly button. I did some research and it is possible that it is an incisional hernia. I am not going to call the doctor until next week or so. We have been getting even more snow and work keeps getting canceled, and I just can't guarantee I can get out of here In fact, my appointment that was for last week or so, I had to cancel because I was snowed in. I have rescheduled but after next week may try to get in even sooner. Since this, I have now bought a snow blower so no more heavy shoveling!!

You absolutely call your surgeon! After what you went through, you want to be sure that everything truly is fine. I'm so sorry for what you had to go through.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are already doing great which will set you up for success throughout your journey. One thing that you might want to add is attending support groups. It is highly recommended, though not required. One WLS center said that people who attend support groups have a better success rate than those who don't. I didn't see their data but I am attending support group meetings anyway. So, the sweet after dinner. Isn't it funny how we all have that? lol. For me, I either have to just not have it or find something that still fits the program. sugar free Jello pudding, sugar free popsicles are 2 options. Fresh fruit, though you have to find what you are able to handle--I'm a year post-op and still have trouble with some fruits. Apples can be tough--I definitely peel them but even a small apple an feel stuck. But, you could also cook a small apple and add some cinnamon to it, sugar free hot chocolate is great this time of year. Or, my fave, this cottage cheese dish: 16 oz fat free cottage cheese 1 cup lite cool whip (if you can get sugar free, that's best I think) 1 scoop of Protein powder (I use gourmet vanilla!! mmm) 1 package of fat free/sugar free cheesecake flavored jello pudding 4 tablespoons of skim milk Mmmm--this is amazing, even if you think you don't like cottage cheese!!!! It is decadent. Sometimes I even add crushed pineapple (without the juice) which just amps the awesomeness of this dish! You could also substitute other sugar free jello's instead of the cheesecake jello pudding. SF Orange jello (dump the powder right in, don't actually make the jello--same as the pudding). Get creative and try different flavors. This is what I do. I don't know if it is right or not but it keeps me sane. I did run it past the NUT and he didn't think it was horrible (though he did say to make sure to not use the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple). Best of luck to you and keep us posted!!

Congratulations!!! I wish I could say that. I am just a month beyond my one year date and am not at goal. Any advice??? You must be so excited!!

I meant to but never did. I usually do reward myself with something (new clothes is a great reward) for exercising. I use a point system that I learned in a yoga class. I get 5 points for each day of exercise that is at least 20 minutes worth (max points if 5 / day). I deduct 2 points for each day I don't exercise at least 20 minutes. The goal is to amass a lot of points up front so that you eventually have some leeway. (kind of like your eating plan being more strict during the losing phase and then ease up a tad on maintenance). Anyway, at every 50 points or whatever I decide, I get myself something nice that I wouldn't ordinarily buy, or could just be a nice piece of clothing that I have been wanting. I have a calendar on my wall that I note the points on so I can always see where I am with it. But that's me.

Yogurt and cottage cheese and soups were my friends! In fact, they still are. lol. And then sugar free popsicles kept me sane when I wanted something completely different that also felt like a treat.

So, yesterday was my one year surgiversary! But, I have a question about food. Are we allowed fruit? Nobody ever talks about that. ARe they considered carbs? I don't know what to do with them. And tomatoes--are they a fruit or veggie (in the WLS perspective, I don't care what it really is, just how we consider it when choosing what to eat). I have been on a major stall and realized a lot of my food has tomatoes in it and wondered if that was the cause. Thanks in advance.

I didn't hear exact numbers but Bob Harper, the trainer, was on Watch What Happens Live and mentioned briefly about how many contestants eventually gain the weight back. He implied it was a high number but it could be that to him a small percentage is a high number for what he was hoping. I'll have to try to find the episode online for a true reference