mollz007

Your surgeon is correct, younger patients are less likely to have the loose skin issues, mostly because their skin still has some elasticity (sp?). I am 26 and I am close to my goal weight, but I don't see myself wanting to have plastic surgery because I am not having much of a problem with loose skin. I mean, I have alot in my belly area, but it looks about the same as it did before surgery, just that now it is loose skin instead of fat. Toning is also a great way to make sure that doesn't happen.

If you are a week out, I'm guessing that you're on the liquid phase? How many calories are you taking in? It could be not enough... do you drink shakes? It could also be acid in your stomach... do you take a PPI?

I eat burgers sometimes, I haven't really tried pizza yet and don't really want to. You are right that you can eat very much like everyone else, but remember that your tummy is so small that you need to make sure you are able to fit your protein in. I will indulge sometimes, I might have a cookie or maybe a little ice cream, but I try not to make that a habit. I notice that I eat more when the food I am eating is carby, foods with protein fill me up the most, so that is what I try to eat first.

Great job! Congrats!

Hi AmyV, I get hungry alot too. Do you take an acid reducer? My doctor said I could stop taking it at my 2 month appt, but I still take it sometimes. Alot of the times when I'm hungry it turns out to be just acid. How many calories do you eat a day?

Girl you are not alone! For me my pre op diet was one of the hardest parts. I did a week where I was only allowed 4 shakes a day. It was not easy! I will tell you... day 2 of that fell on valentines day, and of course there was a party at work... and to be honest, I did cheat and had a cookie. I felt guilty after, so I can't say it was worth it, but on the day of surgery my doctor still said that my liver and other organs looked great, and I lost 15 lbs which helped. I don't know the specifics of your diet, but my NUT said that if I NEEDED to chew something, I could have some plain chicken breast. I didn't actually need that, but it was good to know just in case, lol. For me, what helped was trying to space out my shakes evenly so I stayed full, and of course staying well hydrated. Staying busy also helps too. Good luck, you can do this!

I love adding peanut butter to shakes! I loved adding it to the chocolate truffle... yum! I also like the torani sugar free syrups... my favorite is raspberry! I also like to add SF pudding mix.

Hang in there, the liquid diet was the hardest part for me! I had to do a week of 4 shakes a day. Do you have to do bariatric fusion? If not, searching for a brand you like may be a good idea. I really liked the Ensure RTD shakes suring my pre op diet. Make sure you look for the high protein ones, there are different kinds. You can find them at most grocery stores. I also liked muscle milk. If you are looking for powders (which I prefer) than you can order samples at www.nashuanutrition.com. I like the syntrax nectar brand- my favorite flavors are the chocolate truffle and cappuccino. Good luck!

@@Krystal0528, in the first few weeks after surgery it may be hard to get in your protein without the shakes, but it is possible. I ate a lot of greek yogurt during that time. On day 7 I could have eggs and hummus, those are both good sources of protein. If you are allowed to have peanut butter, that would be another source of protein. I like to add a tablespoon of peanut butter to my shakes to give them even more protein.

I am a huge fan of the nectar powders! My current fave is the Cappuccino flavor- has just a hint of a coffee taste. I also like the chocolate truffle and double stuffed cookie. I mix my shakes in the blender with ice and 8 oz. of milk. Another brand I like is Celebrate ENS+Protein. I like the vanilla cake batter. I still like the nectar ones more, but celebrate is nice because you get in all your Vitamins too.

Well, I know every plan is different, but at a month out, I was on pureed food/full liquids. My favorite thing to eat at that time was greek yogurt, I probably had that at least once a day. I also ate a lot of Soup.

Hi there, I am just over 3 months out and my loss is starting to slow as well. I have been stuck at 230 for awhile, but I am not concerned as long as the scale isn't going up. Do you use my fitness pal or any similar apps to track what you eat? I usually eat around 900 calories a day, I try not to go over 1000. The most important thing for me is to get in my Protein, I still have at least one shake a day. My plan calls for 3 meals a day and no Snacks, however, we are allowed 2 snacks if we need them to meet our goals. I would ask your NUT about snacking. Grazing may seem harmless at first but it can get out of control, thats how most of us got to where we were, lol. I bet if you get the snacking under control, you will start to see weight come off again!

I can't remember exactly... maybe 20 pounds?

I haven't experienced any hair loss so far, but it does happen. Getting in plenty of protein can help.

I had very little pain after surgery. I think I was out of the house doing stuff by day 4 or 5. You should be fine by the 27. I couldn't drive until I was off the pain pills which was day 4.

I am almost 3 months out and drink at least one shake a day. My doctor said it is pretty typical. I didn't like the shakes either at first but now I look forward to them. I am currently drinking click mocha flavor and health wise cappuccino. I also like the syntrax nectar chocolate mousse, double stuffed cookie, and cappuccino flavor (I am a cofffee person if you cant tell.) Another favorite is celebrate ENS vanilla cake batter.. that one is cool because it gives you lots of vitamins too. If you can tell I have a sweet tooth. If you want a shake that isnt as sweet nectar has flavors like roadside lemonade and twisted cherry that are popular.

I know where you are coming from. I get comments all the time at work when people see how small my lunch is. They say things like "Is that all you're eating?" I don't love drawing attention to myself, so it can get kind of embarassing, and also annoying that I keep having to explain that I don't need to eat as much anymore.

I like to add fresh bananas and blueberries to my shakes in the morning. I also sometimes eat the fruit cups with sliced peaches.

Great job! You look great!

I was never told not to use a strat, so I started using them as soon as I got home. It's the only way I will drink my shakes.

Hi there I am almost 3 months out and I still drink a shake a day (at least one.) My doctor wasn't concerned about this at all.. he said it is pretty normal. It is really hard to get in 60 g of protein without the shakes... at least for the first year. I am a coffee lover, so lately I have been drinking click mocha and vanilla latte. I also like syntrax nectar- the double stuffed cookie, chocolate truffle, and cappuchino. I also like celebrate ENS vanilla cake batter, and that is a plus because you also get in lots of vitamins with it! Good luck!

Bottled water (tap water tastes nasty to me,) crystal light, sugar free jello/yogurt/popsicles, greek yogurt, chicken broth, your favorite tea bags (some people tolerate warm water better). That's all I can think of right now. You can order samples of protein drinks from www.nashuanutrition.com or www.mybariatricpantry.com. Good luck!

What you are feeling right now is a very common feeling. I did a week pre op diet consisting of clear liquids, and I lost 15 pounds. It got me thinking that if I could lose that much in a week, maybe if I gave it (eating healthier, exercising, etc) one more shot and REALLY focused I could lose the weight without the surgery. I just ultimitely realized that the surgery was my best bet if I want to lose the weight and keep it off. It is a very personal decision to make and you have to do what is right for you. The surgery was right for me and I am happy with the results. Either way, sounds like you are doing great on the pre op diet, congrats! Good luck!

I had really bad gas as well the first week. Walking was really the only way it felt better, I took prilosec as well though. I think it got better by week 2. Hang in there!

I mix peanut butter with my shakes all the time! Gives it extra protein and it is so yummy! Just be aware that it adds calories and fat.