glitter eyes

It does get better. If you have already tried different temperatures and that didn't help; another thing to try is different types of fluid. I did better with things like sugar free propel, vitamin water zero, flavor drops or powders added to my water and that helped. Even herbal teas went down easier than plain water. Keep experimenting. It is very difficult to get fluids in early post op. It gets easier and easier as time passes. Good luck

Way to many carbs for me! I am in the maintenance phase, but in the past or even now when I drink protein shakes I choose one high in protein and very low carb. I have used premier protein. My new favorite is the Inspire brand. Most flavors have less than 5 grams of carbs and have 20 grams of protein.

Maybe try some fluids other than plain water. I was one who suffered nausea from plain water and it last two years post op. I had to drink things like propel, vitamin water zero or add flavor drops to my water. Try different types of water. Some people also do better with varying temperatures. I did better with things ice cold, but I have read on this site that some people do better at room temperature or even warm herbal teas. It's one big experiment to find what works best for you!! Good luck and congrats on your surgery.

I really like Inspire protein powder. They mix very easily, extremely low carb, 20 grams of protein per shake. They don't have that protein aftertaste and not gritty in texture. Many different flavors. Also, the Inspire is very gentle on my stomach. I also like the Premier protein.

Hi everyone. My mom, 67, just had a gastric sleeve on Monday. She felt pretty good and was discharged on Tuesday. When we got home the gas pains became horrible for her. I am two years and four months post op but I never had bad gas pain so I am looking for tips to help her. We are walking tons, and have tried gas x strips. She gets about an hour relief after taking pain meds but that's it. She is burping a lot. She is taking tiny sips of fluid and we have been experimenting with different temperatures to see what helps. Any other suggestions?

I have actually switched to a brand called Inspire protein. I ordered it from Bariatric eating.com I really like this brand the best and at almost two and half years post op I have tried SO many!! These are really low carbs, low calories, high protein and the flavors are mild. Most important for me is they don't make me nauseated or cause a quick dash to the bathroom.

Awesome. You look gorgeous! Congrats on maintaining

I didn't see if anyone posted this but... You really need to call your surgeon and let him know about what you ate. That was a high calorie, carb and fat meal which means the liver has to work overtime to process it. The purpose of the pre op diet is to shrink the liver so they can reach the stomach easier without your liver becoming damaged in the process. You have already eaten the food and there is no going back so don't beat yourself up. However, you do want to have the safest surgery you can without complications, so I would call the office. Better to be safe than sorry. Life is easier post op than pre op trying to deal with that horrible pre op diet. However, @@Babbs is right, there will be times later down the road that hunger will be a real possibility and learning how to deal with that is a part of the process. I am two years four months post op and I do have hungry times. Sometimes it is difficult to choose what is best for my body rather than what I want to eat. I work hard and have to stay very diligent to maintain my weight. Hang in there and remember you only have one body and this surgery is a wonderful chance to get healthy!! Good luck we are all rooting for you!

I have actually tried that brand. I liked the way it made my hair feel and it's a good quality shampoo/conditioner. It just didn't do anything to help my hair loss. What helped me the most was I started taking a powdered marine collagen and drinking bamboo tea. This stopped my hair loss almost completely and helped with dryness and breakage.

I don't remember at what weight my collar bones began to emerge- but boy do I love having them again!!

Haven't had mine tested yet, but it's something I would really like to do. Sounds very informative.

One thing you might want to look into is there is an online support group called BOT which stands for Back on Track. They have a private Facebook page and their website Bariatric Eating.com sells protein powder called Inspire which I have tried and the flavors are good and they don't have that protein after taste some have. This protein is a high quality whey isolate. 20 grams of protein and a little over 100 calories. The powder mixes super easily. My friend who had some regain after her surgery tole me about it. They have tons of Bariatric recipes. I didn't look into the program in detail since I haven't regained. However, I think the first week or so you do the shakes all day and then have a high protein low carb meal. My friend swears by it and has lost almost 20 of her regain. I joined the Facebook page to help keep me on track and there are tons of inspirational stories of people who are losing their regain and some who have re lost it all! I ordered the protein powder since I occasionally so shakes as a meal replacement or will drink them to drop a pound or two and I really like this brand. Good luck- you can do this!!

I use the smooth move herbal tea and it works every time!

Prior to weight loss I was taking 300mcg of synthroid daily and now I am down to 100mcg daily.

Great post!!

I think you are doing a great job. I too was very nervous when I was allowed to advance my diet and I also went very slow. It was awhile before I was able to get my protein from solid foods so I supplemented with the protein shakes to reach my target. Hang in there it sounds like you are on a good track to success. Congrats!!

I completely understand how you feel!! I too am so grateful for my weight loss and the fact that I have maintained it (over two years post op). I love myself and have a wonderful fulfilling life, yet I don't really like clothes shopping because nothing ever fits quite right and I have to look for things to disguise my "hump"- which is the name I have given my lower belly. It does get frustrating. I have tried a million creams, oils, exercises and nothing makes a difference for me. I feel like you, that I am not "finished" until I get my stomach fixed. Hoping next year to try and fund plastics- this year we had to have a new roof and our pool redone. I think that part of the problem is I was normal size a good portion of my life and like you it's kind of a shock see our bodies look the way they do. I know seeing a therapist would not help me. I don't have body issues or feel bad about myself. I just want my stomach gone. Hopefully we will both find a way to get our plastic surgery done!!

@Dub. That was the absolutely best comeback ever!! Love it!!

LMBO- just had to google the whole pop rocks thing. Guess I am sheltered too. Learn something new everyday! I am in maintenance- so maybe I can spare the carbs and give it a try. Now my google search has a naughty search history.LOL

My recommendation is to follow your doctors plan. You don't want to gamble with your health. I know that people post here occasionally about making poor choices and going off their plan and they "are fine". Please don't let someone else's poor choice become a reason that you make one. I personally was so scared of complications and the fact that my stomach was healing that I stuck to my plan faithfully. The thing is the few weeks that we have to do the liquid diets and puréed diets is such a short time out of our lives. Hang in there and good luck!

I know this doesn't have much to do with wardrobe advice- but I just wanted to say I am so darn proud of you @@Inner Surfer Girl!! Getting back into the workplace is a huge change and I know you will be successful. It's a NSV!!

I actually gained nine pounds my first week post op. Then it began to come off. Try to have patience and just stay focused on healing, staying hydrated and sticking to your plan and the weight will begin to come off!! Congrats on your surgery.

What a great experience!! Congrats to you.

Working all night long does bring its challenges. I work 7p-7a three nights in a row. Here is what works for me: Before I get dressed to leave the house I eat a high protein meal such as fish or even a 30gm protein shake. Then, by the time I get dressed I can drink a bottle of water on the way into work. So by the time I arrive I already have around 20-30 grams of protein and about 20 oz of water. Then if I am really busy for a few hours I don't fall to far behind. I usually eat one meal and one or two high protein snacks such as Greek yogurt or a protein bar. Usually be by second or third night I am slightly hungry becuase I have been sleeping all day and feel like I am in a food deficit. On those nights I may have an extra meal of a 3-4 oz of lean protein like fish or chicken. I try to sip water through the night. Can you have a bottle of water at your desk? That will make a big difference. Then on my way home I drink another protein drink or I will wait until I get home and have scrambled eggs before going back to sleep. It does get easier with time as you are able to drink a little faster and hold more food. I am over two years post op and on my days off I rarely drink protein shakes, but I utilize them a lot on the nights I work because they are quick, easy, and pack a big protein punch. I also try to plan ahead and on my first night back I usually cook enough for two nights- like grilled fish, salmon, baked chicken, etc. that way I have something ready to go. I even stop at a local BBQ place frequently and get smoked turkey or chicken. That's helps when I am too tired to cook. I also log all my food and what works best for me since my schedule is crazy is I consider each day from 7a-7a. I know on the fitness pal after midnight it goes to the next day, but what I eat after midnight I log on the previous day. Seems to work for me. Others may have better suggestions. Good luck and congrats on your surgery.

Just read this entire thread and all I can say is WOW. Why would someone get so upset over just some helpful comments and suggestions.