MrsSugarbabe

For several weeks now, I've been trying a variety of the Quest bar flavors. I had not paid much attention to the ingredients label until I read this post. My most recent order of bars does have the soluble corn fiber, but I can't say I've noticed any difference digestively That being said, because I read the ingredients label today, I see that these bars also have Stevia in them, and not just sucralose. I've never had any problems with sucralose and am a fan, but have had problems in the past when using Stevia as a sweetener. Could it be that for some people it's the Stevia that's causing the problems? Just wondering out loud.

Excellent post! Thank you for the reminders and encouragement!!! My current stall has lasted about 4 months so I'm just riding the wave and doing what I know I should be doing.

I concur with @CanyonBaby. Stomach acid can mimic/feel like hunger. Try drinking some Water or even about 2-4 ounces of fruit juice which may be just enough natural sugar to stave off what you're feeling. Although don't make juice a habit because it's way too easy to drink too many calories. Head hunger is real and can be a true beast. Occupy your mind with other things besides food and eating. I, too, am struggling with the beast now and am working diligently to get it tamed....again. It resurfaced with a vengeance about 6 months out for me. Hang in there and keep checking in with BP for some great information and support. You are not alone!! There are several BP posters who offer the best, and trustworthy, information and great encouragement and support. It's helpful to learn from their experiences, but always follow the plan prescribed by your surgeon and NUT, first and foremost.

Thank you, Lord, for the answered prayers and strength for Jenifer and Dave!!! Continue to be with them every moment of every day, giving them strength for this journey and your peace that passes all understanding. You know everything they need as they plan and prepare for Dave's surgery. As we continue to pray without ceasing for this couple.......

In short, rheumatologist recommended Celebrex (COX2 inhibitor) for my arthritis pain if my surgeon okays it along with some topical gel Voltaren for smaller joints. I had also requested a short-term dosing course of prednisone (high to low doses over a period of 2 weeks) to get me past the worst of the pain, but my surgeon said no NSAIDs or steroids due to increased risk of ulcer. However, he said if I did take the prednisone then to be certain to take my Prevacid daily. I will be studying on this to decide how I'm going to proceed. No problem with using the Voltaren.

Because I'm not able to go back on my arthritis medicine now that I've had VSG, I'm seeing my rheumatologist tomorrow to talk about what I can take to help with chronic pain due to arthritis and other conditions. One thing we'll be talking about is the Medrol Dosepak (prednisone) which I've had a few times in years past and which helped give me pain relief for 4-6 months. It sounds like that's what you're on. My nighttime pain medication gets me through the night, but my daytime pain level has not improved. Good luck to us both!

My 62 lbs. loss has not helped with my lower back and referred hip pain, but it has helped with knee pain. I'm a work in progress on managing the back pain since I cannot go back to my old, familiar, worked really well arthritis medicine. Seeing my rheumatologist tomorrow.

Congratulations on your success!!! Sounds like you're doing very well and will continue to do well. Enjoy your healthy new You and your healthy new Life!!!

@@VSGAnn2014 - Thank you for sharing your questions to and answers from your PA. It is very encouraging and will be very helpful in multiple ways. I appreciate your forthrightness and wisdom of your posts. My daily jaunts on BP always provide me with a lot of information to ponder. Your posts are some that I always look forward to. Thank you for being an inspiring VSGer

How timely this topic is!! I've been dealing with the MUNCHIES off and on for about a week now. What a struggle at times! Still logging every bite and still exercising, trying to stay the proper course. Trying (and usually succeeding) to make the best choices for when I do give in to the munchies.

I sooooo appreciate you all!!! And all the information you put out here. There's always so much great information on this site and I look to many of you for your tidbits of wisdom, advice, slap up side the head, whatever's needed on various topic posts. Of course, my first source for information will always be my surgeon/ NUT/exercise guru's office, but you all add so much more - LIFE EXPERIENCE - from which we all can learn something. THANK YOU!!! for being YOU!

This morning I made a peach shake with a 1/2 cup of fresh peaches, 8 oz. skim milk and 1/2 serving vanilla unjury and 1/2 serving of unflavored Unjury. It was delicious! I used the Monroe variety of freestone peach. So far it's the best tasting peach I think I've ever eaten!

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and photos. You look awesome!!

Awesome NSVs, @@Elode!! Congratulations!! I know you're enjoying the rewards of all your hard work and perseverance! You're a great inspiration!

When I want a mocha type shake I make something similar. They are yummy, for certain! 1 serving

I'm late to the party, and can't think of a thing to add to all the advice you've already received. I did want you to know that you and your husband continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and will continue to be. Praying without ceasing.......

Great article! You always write such insightful pieces. There is always excellent information and advice included in your pieces. Keeping on writing!

Awesome!!! Congratulations on your successes and progress!!!

@@Elode - at least by cutting off the panties they don't make it back into your panty drawer

You definitely are not alone. And, YES, it is extremely frustrating! For weeks now I have been hovering within about 3 lbs. of moving into Onederland, no matter what I do. However, I do keep following my plan and celebrating the non-surgical victories along the way. Even though the scale is creeping, creeping, creeping, there are still victories to be celebrated. Just keep keeping on.....we will get there!!! This journey is for a lifetime so there is plenty of time to make our goal weights.

Thanks for the brain tweak After reading through this thread, I went back to re-read the information my surgeon gave me to follow; and, as we all know, every surgeon's/NUT's plan is different. That being said, this is where I am at this point in my journey: Calorie range: 1,000-1,300 Protein: 70-100 grams Carbs: 60-100 grams Exercise: walk 25 mins. on lunch break more days than not; cardio at gym at least 3 days/week; strength/toning at gym 2-3 days/week. At this point, I feel I've found a "formula" that works for me in balancing food and activity/exercise and just daily life. PHASE 4: REGULAR DIET WEEK FIVE OR WHEN TOLERATED The Second Month After Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (Start of Week 5 and Beyond…) In the second month after surgery, begin to upgrade to regular foods as tolerated. If you do not tolerate regular foods, continue soft foods until you are ready to upgrade. Now, all food textures are permitted. STILL AVOID CONCENTRATED SWEETS (simple sugars). As a rule, try to keep sugar out of the first 3 ingredients on the food label. The sugars found in milk and fruit are not considered simple sugars. It is still necessary to take small bites and to chew foods well. Food should be almost liquid before you swallow. Try to chew each bite at least 20 times. Remember, dry or tough textures are harder to digest and may cause nausea or vomiting. Should vomiting occur, switch to Clear liquids at the next meal in order to rest the stomach. It is recommended that all carbonated beverages still be avoided. How Often Do I Eat? How Much Do I Eat? What Do I Eat? Eat up to six ounces (3/4 cup) of regular foods three times per day. This will total 18 oz, or 2 ¼ cups of solid food daily. STOP EATING WHEN YOU FEEL FULL. Each day, 5-6 servings of Protein foods, 4 servings of vegetables, 4 servings of fruit and 6 servings of starch (Cereal, crackers or pasta) are recommended. Use fats sparingly. Try to eat your meals in this order: protein first, then vegetables and fruits, and then whole grains. You may now have 1-2 high protein Snacks per day in between meals. High protein snacks include Protein shakes but now you have other options of high protein snacks. For optimum weight loss, try to keep your daily calorie intake between 1,000 and 1,300. Use the soft diet list of foods as a guide to portions. You may now include all foods that were not permitted on the soft diet. For example, raw fruits and vegetables are permitted, as well as rice and bread (toasted bread tends to be better tolerated). REMEMBER, no fluids (liquids) for 30 minutes before eating solid foods. No fluids 30 minutes after eating solid foods.

No guilt here. I cannot add anything to everything everyone else has already contributed. Probably the only thing I feel besides gratitude for having it done finally, is some regret for not having the surgery when it was first suggested to me by my former PCP's PA who I think very highly of. It tood several years and a new PCP's recommendation before I even considered WLS as an option.

Congratulations on your success!!! That was a fabulous compliment! Don't you just love them?

I've mixed it with my

She is an embarrassment to her profession, to say the least!!! Glad you're going to find a new PCP. It doesn't sound like she's got your best interest at heart. It was my PCP who recommended that I consider having WLS to begin with. Granted, he recommended the RNY, as did my surgeon, but I chose the sleeve instead. I saw my PCP on Friday and he's quite pleased with my progress as is my surgeon. Your PCP should be your biggest cheerleader! Losing 100 lbs. in 7 months is awesome!!! I'm sending a virtual "kick in the pants" her way also. She doesn't deserve you as a patient! Keep up the great work!! Congratulations on your excellent progress!!