Luvin_Life125

My spouse has had major reflux since surgery. I can't take Tums or Rolaids. Each time I tried I threw up. Already had reflux before surgery so that isn't new for me.Hate the time I have to devote to spreading the pills out.

Please don't ever worry about asking me questions. I am an open book and don't have much I am not willing to discuss no matter how personal.
I have noticed much more acid problems since being sleeved. I have had pills get stuck at the junction of my stomach and esophagus causing major horrible acid back flow. It usually happens with my larger sized pills (ie Vitamins, 40mg omeprazole, etc.). The only way I have been able to get the meds unstuck is by eating something followed by a lot of Mylanta. Before my sleeve I was able to take my medicines by the handful and never had a problem. Now I have to space them out and be careful of their size. The pills sometimes get stuck, sometimes cause reflux, sometimes feel like they are all stuck together and sitting like a rock, etc. the sleeve has definitely changed the way I take medication and how the medications affect my stomach. Fortunately, I haven't had any medicine thrown back at me yet, but I have always (since the sleeve) taken a few pills at a time and kept them spaced so there is less chance of them clumping up. No new ulcers that I know of either, but I have never had symptoms even when I have raging ulcers. I hope it helps to know you aren't alone. We each have to find a way to cope with our new body part.

I know how you feel about taking a lot of pills everyday. I take 16 pills a day plus my 6 Calcium and 2 Multivitamins. They are a meal in themselves I have really had to space everything out through out my day so I don't get full on pills and am able to only have a few at a time in my sleeve to help keep my absorption levels steady. It truly is a scheduling nightmare now that my rxminder app goes off every 90 minutes from 6:15 am until 10 pm. I am all for the cookie idea and would gladly buy them if it meant less pills!

I know how you feel about taking a lot of pills everyday. I take 16 pills a day plus my 6 Calcium and 2 Multivitamins. They are a meal in themselves I have really had to space everything out through out my day so I don't get full on pills and am able to only have a few at a time in my sleeve to help keep my absorption levels steady. It truly is a scheduling nightmare now that my rxminder app goes off every 90 minutes from 6:15 am until 10 pm. I am all for the cookie idea and would gladly buy them if it meant less pills!

they have a tool on their website to put in your zip code and it will populate the stores where their products are sold in your area, hope that helps!

I haven't tried any of their other products, but Quest bars are my go to Breakfast. Double chocolate chunk is my current favorite.
Quest was having a free bar giveaway a few weeks ago. Check to see if that is still on. Otherwise, buy one of their variety packs. Everyone seems to have their own (strong) opinions about the bars. You'll have to taste them for yourself.

I have eaten a Quest bar everyday since surgery! I'm in love with these bars. I like the chewy texture and they make me feel like i'm cheating. lol By far my favorite is the vanilla Almond. The banana nut one is awesome warmed up for like 8 seconds in the microwave. The Cookies and cream is pretty good. The smore's is soooooo sweet that I really don't care that much for them and i'm a sweet eater bah leeve me! I like the Peanut Butter and jelly one too! even though it sounds kinda weird. You are just gonna have to try em out and see what you like. I haven't tried any of their other products yet.

Dating for me continues to be a huge challenge, although I really thought it would get easier once I lost weight. Boy was I wrong! When I was over 300lbs I always used my size as my internal reason why I couldn't meet a great guy. It is stupid I realize, because I am the same person at any size. I did become involved in several wrong, purely physical relationships while I was that heavy too. I tried to tell myself it was my choice, that I controlled what happened. These guys weren't using me, I chose not to look for more than FWB. Problem was, I did want more and just couldn't find it. When I had the surgery I thought dating and my love life would magically become easier. WRONG!!! I still have not found anyone genuine who wants to know me. I have certainly had more attention. I have had compliments galore and I even have been hit on a few times in a bar. ( Even by significantly younger guys!) But I still fail to make a connection with anyone who is looking for something real. At first it was completely ego zapping to think "I'm not good enough" still. But I have done a lot of soul searching about it and realize I do not put myself in environments that allow for me to find anything more substantial. I still use a lot of my "fat girl" fall backs. I still look for the wrong qualities in the wrong types. I know what I want, I really do. Problem is I settle all too often for much less. I need to be ok being alone if settling is all I will get.
That all being said I have no issue telling anyone about my weight loss. In my opinion it is pretty obvious anyway from my turkey neck and bat wings. I realize I am still "obese" even after losing 100lbs, but I now look "acceptable". I am not self conscience in every social situation feeling like the heaviest person in the room. And if I meet a guy I will tell him the truth. Maybe not as my lead in but it certainly will come up in conversation. It is part of me, part of my life. If I ever want to have a "REAL" relationship then the guys I date have to know who I am... Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. But I refuse to feel any shame from anyone for having weight loss surgery.

Oh my gosh, what a can of worms I've opened! This is all great stuff!!
I'm not going to give up on #3 yet and it's NOT because of his looks. He's actually not what I'm typically attracted to. I think we all have some preconceived notions about things we don't have actual experience with and hopefully as we gain experience we have the ability to evolve and develop into more positive humans. =)
I actually enjoy talking with him. He's very entrepreneurial and has some interesting life experiences. He's a thoughtful, caring and involved parent. I think he's actually surprised he likes me. I'm the oldest woman he's seen more than once. After we went out the first time he told me I was much more attractive in person than I am in photos (we met online) to which I replied "Thanks, I think". I know he meant to be complimentary but it was funny delivery. He also has an issue with my height, no wait, he has an issue with HIS OWN height! I've pulled out some flats but that will get old fast. I told him recently he needed to get over it because I've got some great heels I love to wear. It's not like he should be embarrassed to be seen with me because I'm a little taller than he is when I have heels on, right?
So who knows, maybe there will be a #4 but I'm going to give #3 some time figure out if he can step up to the plate and be with an equal instead of someone who is dependent upon him. I have to give him credit for realizing that he likes me for my brain as much, if not more than my looks.

I've not had a date come right out and say anything negative when I've told them I've had WLS. I even had one that was grumbling about his internal "thermostat being broken", (he was always cold), and it turned out he was a WLS patient too! That one didn't work out anyway. There have only been 2 I've dated seriously since surgery and both had lost a significant amount of weight themselves without surgery. They could see the lifestyle I live, (eat small, exercise regularly) and like the fact that I'm focused on maintaining my health. My current BF has told me he likes this about me because he eats smaller by his choice around me, (we typically split an appetizer when out) and it helps him maintain his weight loss. I'm a GOOD influence? Who knew? LOL

Jerrbear, ive said it before and ill say it again, " Don't take this personally, but I think I love you !" Your comments are always right on, but your sense of humor is what really come through and always cracks me up. "I'll show myself out . " etc, (Dry sarcasm always makes me laugh ! Thanks !)

Here's my contribution:
When someone shows you who he is, believe him.
In other words, don't make up a bunch of excuses for bad behavior, inept social skills,stinky hygiene, lack of job, blatant rudeness, etc.
I've had years of dating experience. The little things you pick up on first dates? And try and ignore because he's cute/you like the attention/you are lonely?
All those little things will be the stuff that you'll grow to resent down the line should you move forward in a relationship.

"When you peel back the layers on an jerk, you just find more jerk."
This.
I'll add: and then you have a bunch of stinky layers on your hands. Those need to go straight to the CURB or they will stink up your life.
That is all.

This. I'm sure it's always been this way, but I've noticed it as I've gotten older. But the world is filled with men who think every woman in the world must conform to his idea of beauty. They're assholes, plain and simple. I know this because I have many friends who think this way, even though, they themselves are far from perfect. Luckily, I don't have to date any of them. But be warned ladies, they are out there. They don't have a sweet side that no one else knows about. They're not sensitive once you get to know them. When you peel back the layers on an jerk, you just find more jerk. To the OP, your time is much better spent on finding a person who will appreciate who you are now, and the journey you took to get here. So it might be time to fire up that long dormant sense of self confidence and tell him if he has a problem with it, he can hit the bricks. Sorry for posting in the ladies room, I'll see myself out

@@Luvin_Life125
I really need to watch how many pills I take each day, not too friendly with the sleeve! So chewables and powders are ok with me, and liquids as a LAST RESORT, as for some reason, the sleeve isn't fond of that, either! I take so darn many pills for everything else, it's amazing there is even room for food! I wish we could combine all we need into a great cookie or something, something ENJOYABLE to take, that is custom designed for each of our individual needs. Something that is slow to digest, so all is absorbed nicely, with no competing elements...impossible, I know, but it is a pipe-dream of mine....any inventors out there want to give it a go?!!!

OOH, I forgot to mention if you shop through ebates, you can get 4% ($1.60) cash back on your purchase too! You can sign up for ebates through this link http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=HHtAraQnUqb6rcIupZstDA%3D%3D&eeid=26471 Please pm me if you have nay questions about the ebates program. It is legitimate and I have used it for a few years.
To use both the 20% off and get the 4% cash back follow these directions.
1. go to http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=HHtAraQnUqb6rcIupZstDA%3D%3D&eeid=26471 and type drugstore.com in the search bar.
2. A new window will open for drugstore.com.
3. Come back to the original post in this thread and click on the link for the 20% off. Which will also open a new window. Close the newest window and return to the window the ebates website opened.
4. The 20% off coupon will be applied to the drugstore.com window. Search for Quest bars and proceed to purchase 2 12 count boxes of the flavor of your choice.
5. Enjoy your delicious bars when they get delivered! Yumm!

Thanks for sharing this deal! Great price!

I read today that the average BMI for women in the US is 29. This is just two days after I heard that the average size for women in the US is 14. Well, I'm in 14 jeans now and I'm almost down to a BMI of 29, so I guess this means I'm average. I am not sure how I feel about this news. On the one hand, I am really happy that few strangers would look at me and see me as "fat" anymore. I love that I can buy my pants in the normal sections of normal stores, instead of having to hit up the plus sizes.
But, on the other hand, I am *just* this side of obese from a BMI stand-point. I was thrilled to be merely "overweight", but find it a bit alarming that the upper end of the overweight BMI range is now the norm for women in the US. I guess, overall, this is good news for me, but bad news for the country as a whole.

Are you allowed ground meats and legumes yet? If so, any place that serves chili is a good option, since they usually serve cups of it and it's high Protein.< /p>

"I'm on a glutton-free diet."
Yep, that sums it up for me.

24-Count Quest Protein Bars (Various Flavors) $40 + Free Shipping
Drugstore.com has 24-Count Quest Protein Bars (Various Flavors) on sale for $39.98 when following the directions below. Shipping is free.
*Once per household, ends 4/15/15 at 11:59 PM CT. Valid only at drugstore.com. Out-of-stock items are not eligible.
Click here 1st to get 20% off.
Click here for 12-Count Quest Protein Bars and select bars priced at $24.99.
Proceed to checkout.
Total for 24-Count Quest Protein Bars should be $39.98 after all discounts with free shipping.
Be sure you select the bars priced at $24.99, or final price will be $44.98.
Deal is once per household, if you have previously redeemed this offer, you will not be eligible.

Anyone who is an apple shape needs to check out the Levi 590 jeans! They are made for us girls with a larger waist compared to our butts and legs. My problem with jeans has always been my wide waist. When the jeans fit my waist, they are usually huge on my non-existant butt and thighs. The Levi 590 changed my opinion of jeans forever. I finally understand why people find jeans comfortable when they always felt like they were cutting me in half. The best price I have ever found on them is by shopping through Kohls when they have sales and coupons. I was able to get them for under $25 and practically lived in them until I shrunk out of them. I hope this helps someone else.

calcium citrate is required by my bariatric program. I take the citracal petites I bought at Walmart. I have to take 2 tablets 3 times a day and have to be careful to space them out with my multi Vitamin twice a day too. I use an app called Rxmindme to make sure I space my supplements and regular meds out at the appropriate intervals and also so I don't forget to take anything. The app allows you to set reminders for many different things throughout the day. Since I have been using the app I have been so much better about getting all of my Vitamins and regular meds in every day and on time.
Another great tasting calcium citrate chewable is the Bariatric Advantage Calcium citrate chews. I have tried the lemon, raspberry, caramel, and chocolate flavors. The chocolate was the only flavor I didn't love. The lemon and raspberry reming me of extra chewy starburst. The caramel is a rich and creamy caramel flavor. You need to take 2 chews 3 times daily to meet the 1500 mg daily calcium goal. They are a treat to me and really help keep my cravings for chewy candy under control. I LOVE chewy candy and the Bariatric Advantage chews provided me "candy" 3 times a day!
Good luck finding a supplement that works for you and meets your needs.

calcium citrate is required by my bariatric program. I take the citracal petites I bought at Walmart. I have to take 2 tablets 3 times a day and have to be careful to space them out with my multi Vitamin twice a day too. I use an app called Rxmindme to make sure I space my supplements and regular meds out at the appropriate intervals and also so I don't forget to take anything. The app allows you to set reminders for many different things throughout the day. Since I have been using the app I have been so much better about getting all of my Vitamins and regular meds in every day and on time.
Another great tasting calcium citrate chewable is the Bariatric Advantage Calcium citrate chews. I have tried the lemon, raspberry, caramel, and chocolate flavors. The chocolate was the only flavor I didn't love. The lemon and raspberry reming me of extra chewy starburst. The caramel is a rich and creamy caramel flavor. You need to take 2 chews 3 times daily to meet the 1500 mg daily calcium goal. They are a treat to me and really help keep my cravings for chewy candy under control. I LOVE chewy candy and the Bariatric Advantage chews provided me "candy" 3 times a day!
Good luck finding a supplement that works for you and meets your needs.

My Dr. told me to use Coconut Oil also because I was drying out on my back where the bra rubs and it hurt. I found that you can also buy it at a real
good price at a TJ Maxx or Marshalls in the cooking section. It works really well.