BLERDgirl

@@KarenLoh - Have you spoken with your doctor about this? At 3 mths I had to increase my omeprazole from 20 mgs to 40 and it made a world of difference. I would try increasing or changing PPI's.

For most people nothing. For some people it cause tummy upset.

Prunes, prune juice and anything that will add fiber to your diet. Also healthy fats like avocado. I have been regular since day 5 post op. I go 1 - 3 times a day.

This will taste awful but it will work. 4 oz of organic grapefruit juice. It can be pink or white, but it MUST be 100% grapefruit juice. I found the best kind sold at Trader Joe's. Dissolve 1 tsp of epsom salts in Water. Just enough to dissolve the salt. Add this to the grapefruit juice. That tart of the juice will help mask the taste of the epsom salt. You will go within an hour, no stomach cramping. Also look for ways to add Fiber to your diet so you do not require assistance. Black Beans will give you Protein and fiber. Prune or prune juice will also give you good fiber and help you go. Adding dark green leafy veg like spinach or kale will give you protein and fiber.

I spoke with my dermatologist about hair loss. She said with the rapid weight loss biotin really won't make a difference although it will help with your nails. She confirmed what my bariatric program said, once the rapid weight loss stabilizes so should the hair loss.

For exercise I buy the krinkle cut swim suits. They have a built in bra, support for tummy control and do not fade. I buy them from swimoutlet or just my size.

Try the protein drinks. You can dilute them with water so you are getting in both your protein and water which counts towards your fluid goals. Otherwise just keep trying ti hit your goals. It sometimes takes a while to build up to hitting those goals.

GNC membership. With the discounts and coupons it more than pays for itself.

1) what products have you found that have been saving graces that I must have? (For any stage) - The best thing I purchased was a USB coffee mug warmer. It was very helpful in the early days when it took me forever to eat. A variety of Water bottles and shaker bottles. 2) do you do any sort of trick or regimen to keep the excess skin firm? - It's a crap shoot based on many variables: Genetics, age, how much weight you have to lose, etc... There are no guarantees but drinking plenty of water, moisturizing and light weight lifting (in the hopes of replacing fat w/ muscle mass) can help. 3) what has been the best way to stave off hair loss? It's a crap shoot based on many variables: Genetics, age, how fast you lose, etc... Some have had sucess taking Biotin supplements. For those who do experience hair loss it usually returns once your weight loss stabilizes. 4) how did you explain this to your young children? I have a 6 yr old daughter who is an obsessive thinker. - I don't have children but I am a former Certified Child Life Specialist. I have found the easiest way to tell children about any medical procedure is to give a simple, but honest response. Something like "Mommy had something wrong with her tummy and the doctor is going to fix it" should be sufficient. Nothing too detailed, nothing that can set her up for self hate like " mommy ate too much and the doctor's going to stop that". Just your going to the doctor who's going to help you and you'll be back in a day or 2. ETA: Search the forums. I'm sure there are similar threads that may answer some of these questions.

It depends on your bloodwork pre and post op. I never had to take extra iron, but some sleeve pts do.

The acid feeling post op is very different then the typical heart burn acid. Often there is no burning sensation, but rather a sensation that often feels similar to hunger. The way your body feels at 2 weeks is honestly very different than it will feel at 6 weeks, 3mths and so on. Even a year out my body feels and reacts much differently than those early days. This is the part where we have to remind ourselves that this is a tool and not a magic wand. If you nut is recommending 2 or 4 ounces at a time, then try really hard to just eat that and stop. Give your body a chance to adjust to all the new changes. Try really hard no to compare your progress and weight loss to others. If you follow the program, the weight loss will happen.

Do not try and put your tummy to the test. Follow your NUT's eating suggestions and stop. Some of us have tummy's seemingly made of steel that don't react negatively to any sort of food. At 2 weeks out you are still healing.

I agree with @@Miss Mac, add some filling foods to your intake and see what happens. Of course there are times when we still have to practice self control, but every meal should not leave you starving.

I don't think the intent is to invalidate anyone's feelings. Rather it's an attempt to help put things into perspective and possibly adjust expectations. Not everyone will have those big weight loss numbers, that doesn't mean they are failing. Unless these other people are your identical clone, you should NEVER compare yourself to another. There are too many mitigating factors; Age, starting weight, health, sex, etc.... to name just a few. Sadly what happens far too often is many folks think they are supposed to lose big numbers each and every day/week/month when the truth is many people are just slow and steady losers. That doesn't mean someone is a failure.

Give the meds time to kick in. If you still have the nausea, call your doctor and get something stronger. Unfortunately some folks have a tougher time of it than others. Hopefully you'll find the right balance of meds to make you comfortable. In the meantime try to get in as much fluids and Protein as possible. It really does help with the healing.

Speak with your program about what they recommend. Mine doesn't allow gummy vitamins since they can often be incomplete.

I was cautioned about fatty liver, but never had a pre-op diet to follow. I just concentrated on eat lean, high Protein meals.

I never had any pre-op vitamins. I don't think Ive ever heard of anyone starting vitamins pre-op. Post op I used the KIND as my multi that I crushed and ate hidden in almond butter. I also crushed my calcium this way. At 6 weeks I was allowed to swallow pills. I finished out the KIND and went back to Centrium. I was on B12 for 6mths post op but no longer need it. Proabbaly didn't need it at all as my bloodwork levels on it always came in really high. Once they cut me down to once a month after I completed the bottle I stopped taking it. I had bloodwork 2 weeks ago and my levels are fine so I no longer take it. I never needed iron pills.

Centrium(multi) & Nature's Bounty(D3) from whoever has them on sale. Biotin from Target Calcium Citrate from CVS

I like experimenting with cooking. I have never been one to follow a recipe to the letter so I was just play around with foods and flavors I like. I also like playing with seasonings and spices. Simple things like heating the spices before using them. Buying them fresh or whole instead of jarred changes the taste.

Some people get a little depressed post-op. It's a combo of the rapid changes in your body and the accompanying hormonal changes due to the quick weight loss. You will feel normal again and you will eventually figure out how to eat out. Hang in there!

You say you're an emotional eater. Have you thought of anything you can do instead of eating sweets? Have you come up with a plan to get back to exercising? That's life; planning, evaluating and adjusting. I slip up but I start each day anew and plan how to be successful. I look at each day, each week and make plans to eat healthy and to get to the gym. If I need to make work around plans I do so.

Are you on a PPI to help manage the acid? If so then hopefully it's all easy from here on out. Just make sure to take the meds regularly since they need time to get in your system in order to work properly. Otherwise, just focus on sipping fluids and protein and walking. It really does get better. A year out I am pleased as punch as the results.

omg u give me so much hope, I'm a 42dd, and I so want to be a 36c There's hope. I started at 46DD and now I'm at 40/42C.

I agree with @JosieAppleHead. I use the Isopure unflavored powder and add it soups and beverages. If not, then start seeking out high protein foods and yogurts instead.