glitter eyes

I was wondering if anyone has a favorite cheese? I was in Sam's Club the other day and unfortunately I went hungry- not a good thing to do. I was going to splurge and buy myself some cookies or a cake and then decided to check out the cheese section instead. I picked out a delicious Havarti cheese with dill and a white cheddar by Kerrygold. Both were a great change from my usual cheese and a much better choice. I also saw a strawberry infused goat cheese and a blueberry blue cheese crumble that I might try next time. Does anyone have any suggestions for other good gourmet cheese?

One of the things I felt that helped me was I weaned myself off all caffeine, carbonated beverages, and all refined sugar one month before I started my two week liquid pre op diet. I felt that this made the two week liquid diet so so much easier because I did not have any cravings or caffeine withdrawal. I also spent a lot of time on this site reading and trying to soak up as much information and experiences as possible. Good luck on your surgery!

Congrats!!! What a powerful moment.

It's not a cheat!! I say do whatever you need to do to get through the hell that the pre op diet is! I think it's awesome that you found something that works for you. I don't think it's a bad habit at all. Even post op you will find things that work with your program, but may seem like a "cheat". For example; I take shredded cheese and bake it in the oven to make cheese crisps that kinda taste like a cheesy cracker. Makes me feel like I have had a treat but it's a high protein no carb snack. Being creative and finding things that work for you is what this process is all about!! Good luck to you!!

@@nervousnelly719 Life at almost two years post op is good. No complaints that's for sure!! It's amazing how this surgery can change our lives. I feel like I am free and able to do so much more than before. You hang in there; early post op is a challenge. Just remember it gets easier!! Good luck

I am almost two years post op and still get nauseated from plain water. I have always had to add flavor drops to my water and/or drink flavored water, like propel or vitamin water. Also, you can different temperatures of water. Some people do better with ice cold or some like warmer water.

I have hypothyroidism and after surgery my weight loss was steady and pretty fast. I went from 271 to 155 in about 6-9 months. I then proceed to lose another ten and I am holding steady at 145 at almost two years post op. I did have to get my thyroid levels checked about every 6-8 weeks due to I was needing less and less snythroid. I went from taking 300mcg a day to now on 88mcg. My thyroid levels have been fine since my weight loss has stabilized for awhile.

Yes for me too. I took Biotin for almost a year. No growth on my head and it didn't help with the hair loss, BUT the hair everywhere else went crazy like an overgrown monkey. I finally stopped taking it. Had to start waxing my arms and I won't even talk about the hair growth down south. Oh boy.. Finally stopped taking it.

I ate peanut butter during my puréed stage. I would put some on a spoon and slowly lick it off like a peanut butter lollipop. Once I moved on to regular foods I rarely eat it- I am not a huge peanut butter fan. Some times now that I am in maintenance I will mix a little with low sugar jelly and have a tablespoon like that to satisfy the PB& J taste.

I never liked it very much. However, I don't really crave peanut butter so when I do want some I just have a serving of the real thing. A lot of people like it so it's worth a try

My smell was "off" for a little while post op too. I remember eating at a seafood restaurant with my husband and having to go sit outside while he finished because I could smell the fried fish/seafood and the oil smell made me nauseated. My smell aversion did go away and I went back to normal. Can't really remember how long it took. Hang in there!

I would stick with foods that are high in protein and low carbs at this stage. You want to maximize weight loss right now. As you get closer to goal you can experiment with adding in some items for an occasional treat. Hang in there! As another poster stated; eating carbs can increase cravings for many of us. Good luck to you!!

I had that feeling in my upper chest/sternum area too early on post op. I used to say it felt like finely ground glass. It got better for me as time went on. Also, my restriction the first two or three months was very small. I did eat food but had to chew very well and take tiny tiny bites. I wasn't able to get all my protein in with just food for several months so I made sure to sip on protein shakes and add protein powder to my yogurt, soups, etc. I was tired for about the first four weeks and needed naps each day. About week five I started feeling more energetic. Try upping your protein and see if that helps- even if you have to drink protein shakes. If you haven't found one you like keep experimenting. It's like this surgery is one big experiment to see what you like and what your body likes. Hang in there!! Good luck

It's an amazing feeling to save a life!! Great job and perseverance continuing to try and save the puppy when others may have given up. It was a good start to your day. Love the pic- it's adorable.

I feel your pain. Hopefully your will come back soon. A lot of people's hair comes back after their weight loss stabilizes and their body readjusts. How much protein to you get in each day? A lot of people have had good luck with increasing their protein and or taking biotin. I was one of the less fortunate ones who despite taking in about 100 grams of protein, high dose biotin, vitamins and having normal labs my hair loss continued. Even when my weight loss stopped and I was in maintenance it still continued. It was also dry, brittle, and broke off. What helped me the most was I started taking a powdered marine collagen (ordered from Amazon) and I mixed it in my water each day. That stopped about half of the loss. I then added a cup of bamboo tea each day (it is high in silica) and that helped the texture. It is much softer and not as dry. Hang in there, yours may spring back. It still looks like you have some beautiful hair- even in the after picture!!

@@butterfly23 Congrats on your amazing NSV!! It feels so good when you don't have to hide from the camera. I am sure most of us have been there. You look fabulous.. Keep on taking those selfies!! @KindaFamilar Now you have us all curious.....

I think you have to do what makes you feel comfortable. I am a nursing administrator at the hospital where I had my surgery done. I knew going into it that regardless of HIPPA everyone would find out. I have worked there over 20 years and I supervise the entire adult hospital so I know everyone and too many people would recognize me. Plus I know the nurses on the floor really well. No way was it going to stay a secret. I am an open book by nature so it didn't bother me at all. Everyone was very supportive. Plus there are multiple people who work in the hospital who have had it done so it's more common and everyone seems supportive and no one has ever said anything negative to me. I got the royal treatment from the time I checked in until I checked out. The only downside was the hordes of people who worked there that came to my room to visit. I had to make sure my hair and makeup was fixed day and night- didn't want to look like a hag!! I also felt that by people knowing it was an inspiration to others. There have been a few employees who decided to have surgery after I did. My case is very unique. If I had worked with a bunch of negative mean spirited people I would have wanted to keep it quiet. Do what you feel is best. You could always say you are having a hernia repair if people keep pressing you. That's an abdominal surgery and you can blame your weight loss on trying to lose so the repair heals and doesn't reoccur. Good luck to you!!

Love it!!!

Wow!! What a great job. You look amazing

Great job!! You look amazing and happy. Love the pic showing the collarbones- aren't they the best?? Congrats on your hard work[emoji3]

What a great story!! There is nothing better than sharing the joy and rewards our weight loss surgery can bring!! Knowing you may have inspired someone to make a life changing decision is powerful!! Way to go.

What a great post and a wonderful breakthrough for your husband to realize the need for your WLS!!

My surgeon gave me no explanation. I have/had water nausea. I was never able to drink plain water post op even with trying varying temperatures. I finally found propel water and did fine with that. Just recently at almost two years post op I can tolerate a bottle of plain water. Still can't drink more than one or two a day. After that I have to add flavor drops or drink a propel.

@GibbsGirl. I had the same feelings when I first began to shop in the regular section. I too felt like an imposter and did not enjoy buying clothes very much. I think the first time I went into Victoria Secret I almost had a panic attack. It took a lot of courage but I tried some stuff on and brought some things. That was tough. When I was overweight and would go there to buy stuff for my daughter they were always so rude I was expecting them to throw stones at me any minute. If it helps, I feel much more at ease buying clothes now. Even though I have been at the same size for a year I still can't believe it some days. The shopping will get easier!! Hang in there.

Wow- what an amazing accomplishment. Congrats