MrsSugarbabe

Congratulations!!!

Always check with your surgeon's office when you experience something that's not considered "normal" for you. Are you getting enough fluids during the day? Hydration can also be a factor. Were/Are you diabetic? I found several months after surgery, I started experiencing some hypoglycemic episodes; nothing huge, but enough to make me feel lightheaded and shakey so I keep a regular check on my glucose level (as I was before surgery). Also, it could be blood pressure related. This is why it is always good to check in with your surgeon's office or his/her PA. Good luck to you on your journey!!

I've not used chewables anything before or after surgery; however, I did not restart my multivitamin or calcium citrate (they're the biggest pills) until a week or two after surgery per my surgeon (plus I was back in the hospital with complications so I was see him and the bariatric fellow MD working with him) every day. That being said, even at more than a year out, I do NOT take all my supplements and medications at the same time, I space them out so everything doesn't hit my tiny tummy all at once.

sip, sip sip walk, walk, walk talk, talk talk Always good things to do Get you some powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup Protein powder and enjoy a cup of soup during the meal. Add just a pinch of chicken bouillon. It's delicious and a nice change from sweet shakes. @InnerSurferGirl's suggestions are great!

Based on my reading and personal experience, my preference is whey Protein ISOLATE and the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury brand. Whey protein concentrates have way too many carbs, usually. One thing I did before I actually committed to having the sleeve surgery was to replace my Breakfast and lunch with an Unjury Protein powder shake or the Unjury chicken Soup powder. After doing that for about 2 weeks I noticed that I did not crave carbs like I did prior to starting with the Unjury. It's a great product and I recommend it highly!! I order it online directly from Unjury so I can get free shipping. Because the sleeve is restrictive in nature, the only way I can get the recommended grams of protein each day (100) is to have at least one serving of Unjury either as a Meal Replacement or snack. You may want to give it a try. Unjury also has a dietitian available to talk to any time. (No I don't get paid to endorse their product I just think it's that good.)

Before my sleeve surgery, my A1C was 5.8, managed my BS with Metformin 3xday, exercise and food choices. I also had HBP, fatty liver, sleep apnea/hypopnea (the hypopnea being the bigger problem for me). Weight loss goal was to lose 100 lbs. after surgery. My PCP and surgeon both strongly recommended bypass, but after much consideration, research and conversation with others I know who have had WLS, I decided that the sleeve made the most sense to me for me. I have been very pleased with my decision. Pre-surgery I had to stop several medications in preparation for the surgery. After surgery I never went back on the Metformin or BP medication. Besides supplements, the only medication added after 9 mos. post-surgery has been for triglycerides. Even with the weight loss, much increased physical activity, and changes in food choices, etc., my triglycerides remained just barely above the recommended maximum. Medication has improved that considerably. One year post-surgery my A1C is 5.2, BP is in a more normal range and I did not restart BP meds post-surgery; and after meeting with a liver specialist, he told me he felt the fatty liver issue would resolve with continued weight loss. The liver biopsy showed no cirrhosis and other markers he looked at did not cause him concern. Having the sleeve did help me be more successful with all the lifestyle changes needed to lose weight and keep it off because my new tummy just doesn't hold much food - about 2/3 of a cup; anything more than that and I can become pretty miserable very quickly. However, it still takes a lot of work to lose weight and to avoid letting old bad habits creep back in. I have been on a plateau for about 5 months now and am still about 40 lbs. from goal. I am not discouraged or frustrated at this point. I just keep doing what I know I'm supposed to be doing although I do make the occasional poor choice in either food or quantity. I'm very glad I had the surgery. There's nothing magic about it; you still have to do the work; it is an excellent tool for making some great weight loss progress quickly. One thing I did before I actually committed to having the surgery was to replace my Breakfast and lunch with an powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder shake or the Unjury chicken Soup powder. After doing that for about 2 weeks I noticed that I did not crave carbs like I did prior to starting with the Unjury. It's a great product and I recommend it highly!! I ordered it online directly from Unjury so I could get free shipping. Because the sleeve is restrictive in nature, the only way I can get the recommended grams of protein each day (100) is to have at least one serving of Unjury either as a Meal Replacement or snack. You may want to give it a try. Unjury also has a dietitian available to talk to any time. (No I don't get paid to endorse their product I just think it's that good.) Good luck on your journey!!!

Some lessons are harder to learn than others. What you experienced is very scary and miserable. I've had some similar experiences over the past year and have learned that I, too, cannot eat a meal or snack within 2 hours of going to bed; too much and I wake up the next morning with reflux. That includes spacing out my nighttime medications so that I'm not taking all of them at the same time just before getting horizontal.

Congratulations on your success and continued progress!!! It's all very encouraging! I'm a little over a year out from my surgery; have lost about 62 lbs. and have been maintaining within about 3 pounds for about 5 months now. My goal was to lose 100 lbs. Had hoped I would have lost it by the one year mark, but alas it was not meant to be. I continue to do what I know I'm supposed to do, but I do struggle with some old bad habits wanting to creep back in. Still weighing/measuring and tracking my food and exercising consistently regularly. It will come off when it's good and ready.

My PCP had me keeping a BP log over a period of time which meant I bought a home BP kit which was easy to use. The readings may not be exactly the same as when I go to my PCP, but it's still a tracking tool; kind of like the scale. I still have the occasional slightly high BP and sometime slightly low BP, but most often it's in a reasonable range. I, too, would rather you be on meds for a short time than to stroke out or have a heart attack. Medications aren't necessarily a bad thing. I also came off my diabetic medication prior to surgery and have not needed them again, but the trade off besides having a great A1C is that now I have to be careful about hypoglycemic episodes. Needless to say, I always try to stay prepared. Dealing with these two things is better than still being 62 lbs. heavier than I am now (even if I'm not at goal yet). Good luck to you!

I was on BP medication for a couple years prior to my surgery; came off of it just before surgery and have not restarted it because my BP has stabilized to a relatively normal range. The surgery and subsequent weight loss should help with your BP issue. It's frustrating for you, but don't give up!! There is light at the end of the BP tunnel.

Thanks for reinforcing what I already know, but don't always think about now that hypoglycemia is an occasional issue. Now that I'm a little more than 1 year post-op, I think I'd rather deal with the occasional hypoglycemic episode than to be on diabetic meds. Last A1C was 5.6.

One of my favorites is to mix some sugar-free orange drink mix and some sugar-free pineapple drink mix to taste, add one serving of vanilla

The mental aspect of weight loss is sometimes the most difficult. I've been extremely encouraged often by posts on BariatricPal and also at Beck Diet Solution. Beck is a cognitive behavior site (available online and via Facebook) that helps with our relationship toward food and how we handle situations and our thought processes. Please check it out sometime. http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/ We all have done what you've done so you're in great company. Just because you didn't make the best choices yesterday does not mean you are a bad person. Love yourself. Now start again because today is a new day.

The most noticeable for me was from the top down, and people commented on my face getting thinner initially; then everyone started commenting on how big my slacks were through the seat and that it was time for me to go shopping. A lot of loss was through my back; bra size, but not cup size, changed after a few months. Cup size has caught up egs also got skinny which is bizarre to me, because even at my lowest weight as a adult (140), I've never had skinny legs. I've been in a weight loss holding pattern now for at least 4 months, with about 40 lbs. to go to goal. I'm a year+ out from surgery and the complications that followed. Just happy I've made it this far and am getting through the holidays with minimal struggle (at least at this point).

Awesome news, Jenifer & Dave!!! @CanyonBaby Thank you, Lord!!! For your mercies never end!!! I've been offline for a while and was finally able to check in on you this afternoon. I haven't read all the posts following this your original one, but will in time until I'm caught up with what's going on in your life. Have a fabulous weekend!!

I prefer mixing my unjury with skim milk most of the time, but will occasionally make a shake using a blend of orange and pineapple sugar-free drink mix and a serving of either unflavored or vanilla Protein powder. Using the vanilla makes it like an orange/pineapple dreamsicle I also enjoy the Unjury chicken Soup Protein Powder.....a nice change from sweet shakes. Another option is a mocha shake using half and half of vanilla and chocolate powder, skim milk, and a little chilled brewed coffee. I've never mixed the vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored powder with just plain Water and drank it. It doesn't sound appealing at all.

I consider it a food rather than a liquid. I also use the

Many years ago, when I was playing racquetball a couple times a week, I played a couple games with another club member (essentially a stranger) who took me to task about my negative self-talk. As I began to really listen to myself, I was able to eventually stop berating myself. It is a process, and it does take work and time. It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and the best thing he could have done for me (besides helping to improve my game because he was so much better at racquetball than I was).

I love eggs!! Boiled, scrambled, fried. I typically eat one for Breakfast each on Saturday and Sunday and the occasional boiled egg during the week. It's amazing how filling one egg can be now. Size-wise it is the perfect meal.

What is YOUR definition for a "full meal?" For me, the definition of a "full meal" changed after surgery....in a big way. Now, 10 months post-op, my meal size (NOT serving size) is somewhere between 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup TOTAL depending on the meal. My dinners typically include about 2-3 oz. of Protein and a couple bites of veggies. Breakfast and lunch vary in foods, but still fall in the amounts mentioned above.

@@BLERDgirl - Love this!!! "Weight loss starts in the kitchen not the gym." @@FrankiesGirl - Love your 3-legged stool analogy! @@Giselle426 - Don't give up!! Keep working your program and doing everything your surgeon and NUT have recommended. And the hardest thing of all (at least for me) - be patient with the weight loss. Slow and steady is the way to go. Just stay the course!

You definitely are not alone!! I've been in a holding pattern for about 4 months now. Still working plan, exercising, and drinking as much Water as I can. I guess I'll be like some others who will have to fight tooth and nail to lose the last 40+ lbs.

Check out this website - http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/slow-cooker There is bound to be something for everyone here. As with most crock pot recipes, you should be able to adapt most to fewer servings if you're only cooking for 2, like I am. I have a small crock pot that is the perfect size for my husband and me, but I also have a 5 quart crock pot for the bigger meals like pot roast, etc.

@@Elode - http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/228739-baileybariatrics/ Yes, she is an RD.

I didn't start buying "new" clothes until a couple of my co-worker friends started telling me, "Lisa, it's time to go shopping" which was after I'd lost about 45-55 lbs. It takes about 15-20 lbs. for me to lose a size. I did buy 2 pairs of new slacks, but bought several tops at a consignment shop a friend had told me about instead of buying everything new; especially since I didn't expect to be in my newer size for a long time. Based on my previous experience with losing a lot of weight, my top sizes tend not to change a whole lot, but my slack sizes do because of my hips. Go consignment shopping, or buy slightly used clothing instead of spending a lot of money on brand new clothes. Now it's time for me to really start cleaning out my closet and drawers.