Glyndalin

@@Beni First thing in the morning, I have my coffee with a packet of BariWise Hot chocolate and a Quest bar. That sets me up with 37 grams of Protein to start the day, if I eat the whole bar (which I normally don't). For lunch, I either have a fish dish of some sort (17-30 grams of protein), or Greek yogurt with Bare Naked Granola Protein (28 grams of protein for the combo). By the way, I tried Starbucks Doubleshot with Protein yesterday, and it was pretty good too. Ended up with 41 grams to start the morning that way, but I think I'll stick with the Bariwise because of the sugar content.
For my "snack," I have a Bariwise fruit drink (lemonade and grape are my favorites). That's another 15. And if I'm really hungry, I'll eat a bag of protein chips (Bariwise barbecue is my favorite). That's 10.
That means by dinner, I have around 80 grams of protein already in (with no chips). But I still focus on protein at dinner. I either eat whatever meat my sister cooks for herself and some veggies, or I have a bowl of Special K Protein plus 1/2 cup of almond milk and some fruit (berries of some sort). Either way, I'll be closer to 100 grams.
I was getting about 60-70 grams previously. This has definitely helped.

Hey everyone!
I'm with you on the arms thing. But I can't decide if it's worth it to me to eventually doing something about it. I had a friend who did, but the long scar seems almost as bad as wiggly-jiggly.
Clothes are so weird to me! I have 16s that still fit, but 12s are really the average size. But, my top is still a 14. I have not had the "deflated balloon" situation. In fact, I've gone from a 46B/C to a 38D /DD. What the heck?
I also had my B12 deficiency REVERSE itself. I'm taking less B12 that I was before the surgery and my levels have NEVER, EVER been this high. (I have a genetic lack of intrinsic factor, so I've been on shots / sublinguals for more than 20 years.) Doc isn't sure why, but he said they haven't had enough patients with my particular condition to guess how the surgery affects those who have it.
I am having constant pain, occasionally sharp (bend over, can't breathe style), in the left side below the rib cage. I've had it as a "dull ache" since 2008, but since the doctors have never been able to figure out what it is, I decided it would either get better or worse, and to stop wasting my time trying to get an answer. Well, the sharp pain is new, and it's definitely worse. My next follow-up with the surgeon isn't until July, so I'm thinking about talking with my GP about it.
Reading the book "Back on Track after Weight Loss Surgery" by Thomas Clark. I'm not really "off track" (i.e., gaining), but it was recommended to me and it is a wonderful resource. Highly recommend it.
Well, headed to bed. Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend, everyone.

@@Luna222 Please take care of yourself. Even if it's not time yet, you might want to ask to have your blood work done. It sounds like you may be missing something "mission critical" in your Vitamins and minerals.

Thank you. I have been really trying to get extra protein every day, and remembering to take my Vitamins. I've been drinking lots of Water too. I do have an appt to get my hair done next week, so I'm hoping that will help. I also colored my roots today, so that made me feel a little better. :-)

Have you had your labs done yet? What you describe is exactly what I felt when I was low on my d's and B12.

@@Luna222, Don't feel discouraged. Your doing wonderful! You've got it absolutely right, Walmart sizing SUCKS! I have to go into Walmart with the mentality that I'm buying this size, but anywhere else it would be 1-2 sizes less. For me I deal with that for now, bc as I'm losing weight, I refuse to pay, Kohl's, JC Penny, Nordstrom or even Target prices while I still have a bit to go ahead of me. You MUST, MUST MUST, get your 'Protein & Vitamins' in each day. Also, you need a - pick me up-. Your feeling down. Do something for yourself that gets you in a better mood. Get a pedicure, buy a new lip gloss, new summer dress that makes you feel good, hair cut... Something to put you back into a mood of feeling good! I know if I miss a Vitamin or don't get 60g of Protein in, I'm feeling super blah. You can do this. Feel better.

Ladies, I'm in tears :-( I just tried on a bunch of swimsuits I had, before I go buy a new one. And most were too big, naturally. Like 10 yrs ago, I bought a few 16/18 and 14 suits on clearance at Walmart, as my "motivation". Well my measurements say I should wear a 14/16...I tried these things on and it was disgusting! Sooooo tight, I looked like a stuffed crab, all my skin and jiggly stuff popping out everywhere. I keep telling myself it's because they are walmart swimsuits, and walmart swimsuits suck. But I'm really struggling with my body image right now. It's like I was so excited, and it was just shot right down.
It makes me want to go workout hardcore...but I have absolutely no energy to workout lately. I gathered my laundry last night to go put in the washer, and I woke up this morning with my pile of dirty clothes still at my feet on the bed. I had the other day off, for traffic court (I think all of my weight went to my foot lol) and all I did was go to court in the morning, I stopped at the grocery store to do some light couponing, and I went home. I was exhausted. I took a 3 hr nap, woke up, went outside for some air, came in and lounged the rest of the day because I had no energy. I don't know what's wrong with me :-(

sounds like you have a good team looking after you. Keep up the good work

Yea i tried and then after 2 bites il burp it up so she said it might be a stricture or aspha something and send me for an upper gi

Be very carful with not taking Vitamins, there is more and more research showing long term damage due to not taking Vitamins for us. I also did a lot of reading about taking Flintstones and or non bariatric vitamins and I decided the potential risks out weigh any convince. I take mine and shakes like my life depends on it. I also get my food in because I know that is important too. Balance and new normal is a constant adjustment. I want healthy habits to be formed now so I can be a good example to my future children.

@Bronxmerci--Can you add meats to your salads? I typically add grilled chicken, tuna, black Beans, or turkey to mine. I used to have a problem eating salads, and I was SO sad because I LOVE them. I don't have any issues with them now.
But your body needs the Protein to build muscle and repair. If you don't eat meat, or don't like it--then for sure try and get some shakes in.
I've slacked on vitamins...I know, bad! BUT...all my levels are good, so I figure I'm alright. I was taking the Opti source bariatric Vitamin. It's a chewable horse pill, and it's FOUR times a day. ICK. I'm doing well with Flinstones now, LOL. And I do take my Vit D and Calcium still. Just not the big honking one, LOL.

I was really teying before even making snack wraps and then idk what happened towards march i stopped trying id just get fruits and Water and go on and i usto take my Vitamins and a month ago i also stopped. I started trying again after my appointment so im back with the shakes. I want to seek counseling but its hard to find one without a 3 month waiting list. Im going to keep trying to eat i also got discouraged because i would burp up my food before. Then i got obsessed with watching the scale go down and only focused on water. Another thing i noticed was that fresh food like fruits and salad went down great so i stuck to it

@Bronxmerci--I'm wondering too how you get your Protein?
I am going to counseling for that exact reason! It's really helping a lot! So I definitely recommend it!
I needed to figure out how to love myself, as I am, for who I am--and not based on my weight. It is a super hard struggle, as you all know. But I just really try to focus on the things I can be positive about and when I'm feeling negative about something, purposely changing that thought to something positive. It's hard, really hard. But it is by far easier than 7 months ago!

@@Bronxmerci
are you getting your Protein from other sources like shakes or anything?
I would follow up with the counseling. I know my fear has bordered the mind set of my previous eating disorder days. The goal is health and that includes our mental health and emotional health.

They also wanted me to seek counseling because i am truly scared of gaining the weight back

Thanks ladies! I had a ten pound baby so my tummy isnt great but i havent really tried to work at it with the gym so who knows. Im just happy to not be this huge Amazon anymore, im tall so being tall and fat was so hard on me. Now i feel better and think i look younger. I went to my 7 month post op, they didnt see me for a while because i was going through a lot and wanted to forget them. Well they sent me for blood work and an upper gi, i get this done then go back for my 8 month follow up. My doctor wanted me at 199 so hes impressed but they stressed the fact that i barely eat, i only eat fruits and bites here and there.

My hope is that having babies after getting my body healthy and strong I will have a better chance of staying that way during and after babies

@@PinkPolkadot619 Yes, having babies done make some changes. But there are those lucky ones out there that still look amazing after having them!
I just wasn't one of those lucky ones, LOL!

I have not had babies yet, so I know my body will forever be changing

@PinkPolkadot619--I've always considered myself big-boned also. I feel like I still am, LOL...
At my thinnest, as a high school senior, I was a size 7/8, and weighed about 125-130. People thought I was anorexic. I wasn't, LOL. I graduated in 1991, got married in 1992, had my first baby in 1993--weighing in at 200 pounds. WOW! And I've been heavy ever since.
So I suppose there's potential for me to be smaller, but I figure with having 4 babies, my hips are wide forever.

@@amylynns I had no idea that I have a small build until now! I actually have petite bones, I always told people I was big boned 8-) I am shocked every time something new fits! My torso is longer and legs are pretty short so some clothes just don't work.
I have never been smaller than a 13 EVER! even I think middle school

@@Bronxmerci you look fab!!! and your tummy looks flawless! I tend to wear a medium rise jean so it gives me better shape and holds in my jiggle tummy hahahaha

@PinkPolkadot619---Holy Buckets girl!!! You're only about 1" shorter than me, I can't imagine wearing a size 4 even!! I'm tickled that my measurements said I wear a size 12 swimsuit, LOL! I still don't believe that's going to fit me, guess we'll see when it gets here.

a coworker gave me a size 2 the other day (I am most comfortable in a 4) BUT THE 2 FIT!!! I am scared I am going to disappear!! I am not getting rid of my 6 or 8s yet. I know sometimes we go lower and then balance out.