winning_by_losing

I'm not over 400 pounds and I'm in the early stages of pre-op, and a newbie to boot, so I know next to nothing about the journey you're hoping to make.

I just wanted to offer my encouragement and tell you that you are all heroes in my eyes.

@@winning_by_losing you are a role model for us all!

The best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress.

I appreciate the kind words.

I am happy to share my experience if it can provide help, encouragement, motivation or just a positive attitude for anyone else who is choosing to embark on this journey along with us.

what a 6 week class? wow. i only have to do a 2 day diet. im glad everything went smooth for you guys...i had a csection last year and i kind of love being put to sleep. im looking forward to it. im not looking forward to waking up in pain though.

Yeah, from what I heard the program we have to go through is much more robust than many others. But I will say that all of the great information I learned in the months leading up to surgery through these classes, the support groups, the friends and family meetings and all of the medical appointments really prepared me for what to expect after surgery. I attribute most of my success to the details they armed me with, so all I have had to do so far was stick to the program.

I have almost enjoyed traveling now post-surgery.

I do pack enough Protein bars to make sure lunch and dinner are covered for the entire trip (just in case).

I try to get a room with a fridge now so I can buy some RTD Protein shakes as well. Most of the time this works, but when it doesn't, I've found that filling an ice bucket around a Protein shake will chill it enough overnight that it is fine for Breakfast in the morning.

I've never been a bit coffee/tea guy so I never pay attention to the options but I would try asking the front desk for some tea bags. I can't imagine any major hotel chain that wouldn't give them to you.

I did. I started out at 419.

I know the feeling though, as I often saw these goals of people wanting to lose 70 or 100 pounds thinking to myself that wouldn't even make a dent in what I need to do.

When I sat down and thought about things I thought to myself if there was any way I could lose 200 pounds I'd be ecstatic. Unfortunately the more I read, the more I started doubting that it was possible. So I then convinced myself I'd be "happy" if I could lose 150 or more.

Luckily, as I progressed, I got to that point and realized there was no reason for the pessimism. I finally was able to reaffirm that my original goal was legit and as long as I stuck to the plan it would be achievable.

Fast forward to last week (9/24) I actually hit that goal, weighing in at 218.6 that morning. I've since lost a few more pounds, though I'm not trying to alter my goal, nor am I really doing anything to push myself any further, just continuing to eat the same way I have, keeping up the exercise routines and living this MUCH happier life. Eventually my body will settle into whatever the new me is supposed to weigh, but as long as I don't slip up and start going back up, I'm more than happy where I'm at right now.

It looks like you had the sleeve, so I can't offer much advice there as I had Bypass (like most who will respond here in the Bypass forum) but...

I felt the same way in the beginning. I even started to question whether they just poked a few holes, stuck in some stitches and took my life savings.

Luckily, once I got to what I call "real food" stages, I definitely noticed the difference.

I still don't have issues like I read/hear about people not being able to drink more than a sip every few minutes. I can drink 3 or 4 good gulps at a time and when really thirsty can polish off an entire glass in 3 or 4 minutes.

I always felt like I ate too much when I had Soup so after the first few days I gave up on it and moved into other foods. I still avoid soup most of the time for the same reason, though chili is a good emergency go-to when I'm out or can't find a good option in a restaurant. I just make sure to really limit myself to a small cup.

I couldn't find the actual study, but here is an October 2012 article about it that mentions a November issue of "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery"

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/past-press-releases/2012-archives/body-contouring-brings-lasting-improvement-in-quality-of-life-after-weight-loss-surgery.html

I lost enough weight during my 6 weeks of classes that I wasn't required to go on the 2 week liver-shrinking diet that many of my classmates did. For those 2 weeks if I'd have had to do it, we'd have been required to have 2 meals that consist of an 11oz Protein shake and one meal that was 4oz of lean Protein with no starches or carbs.

Since I got to skip that part I only had to partake in the 3 day clear liquid diet for the 3 days pre-op. In that we were allowed one bottle of Isopure (clear protein drink) and only sugar-free, calorie-free, caffeine-free drinks for 3 full days. This is the same diet we had for the first week post-op so it really just got me into the practice.

As for how I felt - I went into it planning on being a grouchy, irritable mess. Luckily it wasn't bad at all and I was so pumped up for the surgery getting closer that it was more about counting down the hours than dealing with the diet.

I don't even recall the mask going on though. I'm pretty sure the IV they started while I was waiting had something in it to help me relax as I barely remember walking back to the OR and hopping up on the table.

In my opinion, you wouldn't be doing any extra harm by having them now, you just aren't making the best choice (the same bad choices most of us have made for years and years).

I'd consider it a better option than some of the food funerals some folks mention where they binge on terrible things before making the big life change.

Yes, they are MUCH better cold. I can't stand the EAS shakes, but even so, I've had them in a pinch while traveling and my fave (Premier Protein) or runner-up (Pure Protein) weren't available.

As for post-surgery, we're all different but I've had zero problems with cold or Hot drinks. I drink an ice cold Premier Protein almost every morning for Breakfast (except those times I've been traveling or some occasion I feel like eggs).

Just like Amy mentioned, I wouldn't worry about 2 pounds.

In addition to those items she already mentioned, if you haven't had a BM in a while, that could add up, any slips lately in your nutrition plan, not enough Fluid, not enough Protein, etc... Heck, I even noticed a slight gain after getting a new tattoo while my body is healing.

Stick with your program, keep getting all of your fluids, all of your Protein, all of your exercise and you'll start losing again.

If you are really impatient and stubborn like I have been, any time I hit a stall I changed up my exercise routine to shake things up a bit and confuse my body and that usually worked well to jump start the losing process again.

I'd recommend making it chicken and chicken Soup instead of the noodles. Since we need the added Protein, making it super meaty would be good for the journey and you'd still get the taste and comfort as if it were chicken noodle from the past.

Not sure how something like zucchini noodles would hold up in soup, but that may be an option too.

Mine came back at about 2 months. I still wonder whether it is head hunger or actual hunger, but regardless of which it is, I just try to keep myself super busy and drinking fluids so I can get through it and stick to my plan.

As to whether it is as strong - that is a tough one. I don't think I had much for willpower before surgery, which is likely a big factor in what got me to where I was. I imagine it is the exact same now, but I have now seen the positive by fighting through it and the willpower to keep with my program so I don't let it drive me any more.

Almonds was the most surprising to me. I knew nuts in general were high, but for some reason I had been tricked into thinking Almonds weren't that bad.

After seeing that each one is 7 calories (that is of course the raw, unflavored ones), my jaw hit the floor.

Luckily I noticed after eating 3 of them, but even if you were to get the little tiny airplane size bag those have to be getting close to 300 calories. Yikes.

As with just about everything, each bariatric program and frequently each surgeon has differing opinions on just about every aspect of the post-surgery journey.

For me personally, I don't think I'd have made it to where I am today without my Premier Protein shakes. I hit my goal right at 7 months post-op and owe much of it to my shake for Breakfast. Unlike some others, they keep me full for a good 5-7 hours until lunchtime so the huge Protein boost with very low calories allows me to know I have a huge head start on the rest of the day.

I have no idea how long I will continue to make a Protein Shake my Breakfast of choice, but as of right now I don't see an end in the very near future.

Bottom line - I'd go with the program that your bariatric team recommends. If for some reason you find that it doesn't work for you over time, there are tons of other programs that others follow and as you can see we're all more than willing to share details if they can help others. Best of luck with the journey regardless.

I'm far from an expert, so I'd recommend asking the professionals, but....

Low thyroid levels would surely make it harder to lose, though I would imagine it wouldn't stop things completely, just make it slower.

High Glucose - not sure if you were/are diabetic, but if not, could whatever you're eating have more sugar in it than you realize?

As for the Vitamin D, that is quite common for us after surgery. Did they increase the amount they recommend you take via Vitamin supplement? That was the only number somewhat out of whack when I had my bloodwork done, so I increased my Vitamin D dosage to compensate.

The way I understand homocysteine is that it is used to diagnose higher risk for heart disease, but not something that would affect weight loss.

I've been taking the Bariatric Advantage chewables since March and am quite happy with them. The Multi Formula includes Vitamin D, B-complex and tastes pretty good. I'd say berry is best, followed by Orange then vanilla.

Then as for Calcium goes, they also have calcium citrate chews that look and taste like starburst candy.

Hi Winning by Losing! I'm so impressed with your journey! I wanted to ask did you stay home a total of three weeks or one week plus 2 days?

I'm planning on taking two weeks, and I'm feeling pretty good, I'm just a bit weak. Today is day 6 post op, which gives me a week more at home. I think it will be ok, but I wanted to double check with you.

I took 1 week off and worked from home for 2 weeks. The first day I only worked a short 12 hour day to ease back into it but day 2 was back to the typical 18 hour day. I wish I'd have started working sooner though as it really helped me get into a rhythm and i didn't notice being tired or weak.

Hi Winning by Losing! I'm so impressed with your journey! I wanted to ask did you stay home a total of three weeks or one week plus 2 days?

I'm planning on taking two weeks, and I'm feeling pretty good, I'm just a bit weak. Today is day 6 post op, which gives me a week more at home. I think it will be ok, but I wanted to double check with you.

I took 1 week off and worked from home for 2 weeks. The first day I only worked a short 12 hour day to ease back into it but day 2 was back to the typical 18 hour day. I wish I'd have started working sooner though as it really helped me get into a rhythm and i didn't notice being tired or weak.

I wouldn't recommend the juice part as juice has so much sugar in it, but if they're chewable Vitamins, I can't see any harm in crushing them.

I started immediately after my 1 week checkup, but I also went with the chewables from Bariatric Advantage. Made things much easier than trying to swallow pills.

Yep, red patchy and most prevalent on the apples of my cheeks so of course very obvious which is bothersome.

Pcp is probably the right call, but of course I have been too stubborn.

If you get any answers please let us know.

Yep. I have them on my cheeks and right in the center of my chest.

Haven't yet figured out what the cause is, but the itching is controlled with a little lotion, so I haven't been too worried about it.

I'm just about 7 months out as well and it is a very common thing.

At this point, I'll happily deal with the gas to have all of the other wonderful benefits. Yes, I'd love to have it go away at some point, but not really sure how it would.

In my bariatric program, the Protein requirements for band, RNY or VSG were all the same. 45 grams per day initially (15 per meal), graduating to 60 (20 per meal) and then up to 75 (25 per meal).

I usually have a shake as my Breakfast, which gives me 30 or 35 grams and makes the rest of the day easier as far as ensuring my other meals have plenty of Protein.< /p>

As for cooking, I only have my kids to feed part of the time, so it changes up my cooking habits. When it is just me I do lots of frozen fish, ground turkey, ground beef, etc... usually topped with fresh salsa or some other type of hot sauce.

When I'm cooking for all of us, I add veggies and at times a sauce (have to keep things moist), but usually stick to the same Proteins. Then when I'm serving I just make mine protein heavy and theirs veggie heavy. Seems to work out well.

What about post op! How long did it take to feel better? Come back to work etc? Congratulation on your 200lbs lost. That's great!

I felt good enough to work after 3 or 4 days ( was down to just Tylenol the day after i was released) but took a full week off then worked from home for another 2 only because i planned to do so. I was driving and easily ready to after that week though.