bellabloom

No way honey!!! No way. It will stretch your pouch. Maybe not all at once but over time. Diet coke causes weight gain. Research it. There have been many studies to support it. It's terrible for you, very hard on your stomach and could give you an ulcer. It has a ton of chemicals in it which are awful for you and your new lifestyle. http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20739512,00.html Must read this. Start exploring new things. Perhaps iced decaf tea? Decaf coffee chilled with a little cream? Crystal light.

Also be careful with plain water. For some people it can be hard on their stomach. If it hurts to drink it (hopefully it won't!) then you can mix in crystal light, cucumber slices, etc to eeze the discomfort

Wow you are amazing. I can't believe you did clears for long!! I would have lost it totally. I had such bad head hunger after surgery I actually chewed up food and spit it out a couple times without swallowing any and that really helped. On clears? I would have cried and cried!!! I am so impressed you are a rock star.

You can take almost any soup and add a little Water and then put it through a strainer. I even did this with chili. You get the taste and none of the liquid. The mental head hunger is rough!!! I really struggled with it myself. It lasted for the first few weeks and was made worse by typical eating triggers for me, which used to be watching tv and reading

No of course you didn't. Stretching your pouch is much harder than that and is a gradual process that happens over time when you abuse carbonation, over eating to the point of pain on a regular basis, etc. it's not easy to do at all. It's good that you could handle so much but take caution. You may feel terribly full from it to the point of discomfort. Your already going to be swollen from the air in your tummy, the trama of surgery, etc. if you don't take it easy you could feel even more bloated and miserable. In the first three days home to a week, take a Dixie cup and measure out 2 ounces of you food. This is your meal and it should take you several minutes to consume it. You can do this 6 times a day and focus on your fluids the other times. This will keep you from feeling horribly bloated and also gradually ease you into eating your liquids. Take it really slow and introduce food one type at a time. That way you can tell if anything upsets you. The mental food cravings can be really tough the first week or two. It will pass I promise. Your body needs a lot of time to digest even just a couple of ounces. Anyhow hang in there and take it slow. I went home and tried to eat everything on my suggested meal plan for week one and ended up really uncomfortable !!! I called my nut after a couple days and she explained this to me. Your stomach is now the size of a small egg. Liquids slip though so it's not exact but pretty much that's the size. Even just your Vitamins and the room they take up will be like a meal to you right now!

Right before surgery Progress

I would call your doctor to be safe.

CLOTHES CLOTHES CLOTHES SHOPPING!! Walking into a regular size store and not getting looked at funny like I don't belong Being the "hot" friend for once Having the energy for simple things like good hygiene and makeup Wiping front to back. Gross but so true. Having better sex. My Belly always got in the way a Not having rashes under my belly that stunk Being able to shave and see my bikini line Being able to put my clothes on standing up Shopping in the regular clothing section and all the beautiful fashions Wearing heels again No more back and leg and hip and foot pain, no more need for medication Not sweating profusely. In the winter! Being able and needing to wear a sweater and scarf Sitting with my legs crossed and also with them pulled up to my chest. Wearing my diamond rings without having to get them sized Opening a fitness club and being a good before and after story Setting a good example for my children Being able to take them for a walk or hike Being an inspiration for others struggling with obesity and food dependence Not having people and even strangers suggest diets for me (and also being careful not to be one of those assholes) My mother will quit freaking about about everything I put in my mouth Saving so so so much money on food Learning to cook better and more creative dishes for my family Not worrying my kids might be teased or ashamed of me Walking on the beach in a bikini again or at least a swimsuit Running without pain Feeling strong and powerful and muscular Not feeling less in shape than my 60 year old mother Being able to pick up my 3 year old daughter Having adventures with my kids and showing them the world Having the world at my fingertips

liquids baby! Do you have a hand out from your doctor? I hope so!! If not (gasp) Google stages after bariatric surgery and call your doctor! If you just need ideas- take it SLOW. little tiny sips. I did Protein shakes, tomato Soup, v8, strained Soups like minestrone only the liquid , broth, yogurt sugar free, sugar free Jello, sugar free Popsicles. Very very little at this stage. An couple ounces is a meal or at least it was for me

For sure. I think I may have an ulcer as well. My pouch cramps and burns non stop. It's really bad. Today I feel like I got kicked by a horse . The gallstones hurt like crazy and I pretty much hate fried and fatty food so that wasn't a trigger. I eat super lean. It just got progressively worse over the last two weeks Especially at night when I didn't have any food in my stomach. So weird. I never thought it would be gallstones!! The tech told me what I have is little tiny stones and "sludge". It's like mud in your gallbladder. Maybe that's why it feels different. Waaaaa. Hospital is so lame

Has anyone discussed this with their surgeon as to why it is so bad? I like very spicy and salty food, and I find it very difficult not to take a couple small sips of Water after eating. I swish it around in my mouth, to take out the taste, two sips at most. I have never had dumping. Does anyone else feel like they need to do this? And what if your food is a liquid like Soup? Doesn't that count as eating and drinking? Has anyone been told eating and drinking at the same time will stretch out ones stomach? I'm worried but I can't seem to stop. Exactly how long before and after eating am I supposed to wait?? Also I just can't stop eating fast!!!! It's so hard. Eating fast, lightning fast, is such a huge habit for me. After I had kids it only got worse. I forget or I try and slow down and it's so hard. I find eating super boring and tedious and sometimes I just want to get it over. Sometimes the food tastes so darn good I just have to keep eating it!!! Anyone else have any advice for me?

Usually when things are free, it means they have little to know value. . It's the expensive food you should be going after!!!

I'm changing my opinion. I was told decaf was okay so,I've been drinking it. Now it looks like I may have an ulcer. Something to think about. I think an antacid is a good idea if your going to partake!! I wasn't put on one.

Have you talked to your doctor? Just to make sure everything is still working as it should in your surgery? I'm sorry your going through a stall. Especially since you cant work out. Maybe you could ride a stationary bike? Or walking? That doesn't involve your shoulder. Hang in there. You've lost a lot of weight and it will keep going. Statistically it's really hard not to,lose weight after bypass!! It may just go slower but you'll get there. This surgery is a commitment to a change and if you are slipping back into old habits it's time to rethink why you did this of course. Your shoulder is bad enough, you don't need obesity as an issue in your life too! The food isn't worth it, it really isn't. If you are using food to cope with feelings and frustration, perhaps a therapist is a good idea? Try someone who specializes in eating disorders. They understand what your going through, weight loss struggles and so much about why we gain weight in the first place. They will be able to help you and motivate you, and give you other outlets for your feelings right now. And don't beat your self up. I'm sure your a beautiful person and this is not about perfect ions and it's not a race. You've done great and I know things will get better

How have you increased or sped up your weight loss? Let's share ideas and tips and tricks. I had surgery on December 4th and I was 238, today I am about 208. So I have lost 30 pounds in five weeks. I eat about 300- 400 calories a day and about 20 grams of Protein. I know, not so good on the protein but I am trying! I keep my carbs under 50 per day but I'm not totally carb free. I don't have dumping and I like fruit and brown rice so I eat them sometimes. I haven't started working out yet because I haven't felt well enough. Tomorrow will be my first day back at the gym. I would like to lose this weight as quickly as possible!!! I would love any suggestions on how I can look amazing by the summer and speed this along. What challenges have you faced? What has worked and what hasn't? How often do you weigh in and how fast have you lost? Thanks ladies!!

Thanks everyone. I think this is a good thread because this is something much on everyone's mind. I know I'm doing great but what I worry about it stalling later on, a few months from now. I'm trying to stay ahead of the curve and come up with ideas to rev up my loss when it slows. I don't think 2 pounds a day is good, I feel one to half a pound a day is awesome. I hit a stall once already and I didn't sweat over it, and it passed. As it turns out I've been having gallstone pain so that has been preventing me from eating as much as I want to everyday. My stomach has been rejecting food for a couple weeks on and off. I look forward to feeling better some can start making some of the delist low carb recipes I've been pinning on my Pinterest board! At the same time, my doctor, who is amazing and one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country, told me it is good to keep my calories under five hundred a day right now. He said at a year out I could go up to 1000 and ultimately eat about 1000- 1500 for life. It's funny how different doctors feel,about this same issue. My best friend had the surgery and her doctor allowed no carbs pretty much at all while mine allows oatmeal and Cereal and all kinds of carbs, even bread!! I chose to limit my carbs because before surgery they ran my life. I was a sugar aholic and carb junkie and they created cravings in me for more and I was alway hungry or super crashing. I don't want to eat them because I feel they are like a drug for me. It's playing with fire. Plus, I really like focusing on Protein as the staple of my diet. It makes me feel really good and everyone says I look amazing, glowing with health and even younger!! Carry on bold robots. You can do this!!

Did you have gallbladder pain and then it went away?? They didn't give me the option of waiting. This pain is excruciating it feels like my ouch grew razor sharp teeth. Did they give you a medication or something? I'm just so bummed it has to happen so fast. Four new incisions right on top of my old ones and more time off work. I'm basically broke right now, I've had to take so much time off and I own my own business so if I don't work money doesn't get made. I hate being away from work for so long and it's just totally frustrating. My kids miss me, I miss them, my arms got jabbed with huge f**king needle five times last night and once this morning, and again I barely slept. No food at all for toe whole days and now I can't even have Water. Right now I. Not a happy girl. Thanks everyone for your comments I appreciate your support. You too Athena , it's been a rough couple days.

I'm five weeks out. I have been having stomach cramps at night. Tonight it's terrible I can't even sleep!!! What's happening? All I ate today was some stew meat and mashed potatoes, a little bit of cooked veggie, coffee and Water. I did drink 16 oz of water pretty close together before bed. Any thoughts? It hurts so badly I'm not sure what to do. This is happening exclusively at night, worse when I lay down.

I totally follow my food plan and then some. I have never tried to eat anything off plan. I chew and chew and struggle sometimes with pacing like everyone else This was not a food issue and sometimes I think we are too quick to think it is something we did off our "diet!" Nope. I have gallstones. And I didn't think asking about keeping my great weightloss going is wrong- who doesn't want to keep their weightloss going? I was hoping people had ideas about keeping the momentum up and not hitting stalls. And yes, in WANT to lose weight fast, don't you? Of course I confer with my doctor and nut. But they are three hours away so I can't just pop over to see them. I follow my restrictions ( which are few at this point ) to the letter and I don't even eat the carbs I am allowed. That's why my weightloss had been awesome so far. And I am eager to keep going. I called my doctor first and they said go to the hospital. But I am a single mom with no family near and no one to watch my children. I assumed I drank Water too fast, even though it actually wasn't that fast. I waited through the weekend to see if things improved. It became excruciating so I went the three hours to the hospital. Like is said before your post I have gallstones and need my gallbladder removed. Sigh. Did you read my post? Sorry I'm just grumpy. I appreciate your thoughts. I didn't sleep all night and now I'm going to have another surgery just six weeks from my last one. But yes, I follow the rules. It isn't my fault this is happening. On the bright side? Guess I'm going to lose more weight this week Except for the extra large pizza and chili dog I ate yesterday followed by a pint of whisky

I would say embrace it. It will get better in time and like my doctor said, the point of the surgery is to not eat much. . I know it's hard. Try to take your mind off of your old habits which likely surrounded eating by doing other things you love. Other than that, I have loved sushimi since surgery. Raw fish is very moist and delist! Maybe explore Japanese food! I like tuna with Parmesan and salad dressing especially ginger vinaigrette from newmans own. Yum. I did well on shrimp and lobster. I also do well on ground hamburger meat and ground turkey meatballs. I do cheese and tomato salad. Tomatoes go down well and so does a little avocado. Baked potato and baked yams are nice but not much they are carbs. I also liked meatloaf with ketchup. It's soft. I did shepards pie with just a little mashed potato. Of course chili and all soups are awesome. Bean soup, clam chowder, tomato soup, etc. I love deviled eggs, boiled eggs, fried eggs... On my way! lets with diced ham were okay and also with cooked spinach!!! You've gotta start thinking what's soft that I can chew a lot and still low carb?

Hang in there. Your going to lose the weight. Increase the protein and focus on low carb high protein, low fat!!! Get some exercise it will help your energy. Get out there, start living. You've lost 20 pounds. Could you have done that in f Four tiny weeks before surgery? And you'll never gain it back. Chin up your doing this right. Your whole life is ahead of you. 20 pounds in four weeks is five pounds a week!!!!!!!!!!! That's fucking awesome. Seriously. You are a rock star. Also. Have you pooped? Constipation stalls weight loss. Also- I hit a stall at three and four weeks. Your body has to adjust and it's rot now going - okay. Is this for real? This must be another slash diet. This can't go on. So were going to slow down for a bit. Pretty soon it will have to start eating your fat and it will do so more efficiently. You'll see the pounds will melt off. Take your measurements at least once every two weeks. I love this. I lost an inch off my wrist!!! It's so rewarding and much more clear than the scale. The scale can be wrong. Many overweight people have really messed up metabolisms. That's why you need , no, not frequent meals. Omg bull crap. Forget the diet industry. You need weight lifting. Get yourself some five and eight pound dumbells and google some weight lifting circuit routines you can do at home. Three times a week, three rounds. Gradually increase. Your body will love you and your weight loss will increase. Your metabolism will start working again and you will lose inches like crazy!!! Do it!! Before I was overweight I used to do triathlons and teach fitness. I know what I am talking about. Up your protein, lower your carbs. Lift weights and enjoy your life.

I'm in hospital having my gallbladder removed. Stones 6 weeks out. Felt like cramping under my rib cage. I guess 40 pound lost already was a little much to handle for my gallbladder. Darn darn darn So if you are losing slow and steady don't be so upset- it's better for your body. I'm glad I lost the weight but I have to have another surgery so soon and it stinks!!!!! Slow and steady wins the race ladies.

True probably your nut is best. Your still in such early days. I'd say if you can come close to getting your protein in your doing great. !!!

I was just so surprised to develop this in only 6 weeks!!

I went to the er. I have gallstones. I'm five weeks out so its early but I have lost 40 pounds so well, it happens. Will be in hospital the rest of the week having it out!!!