wcdaniels

I've had a Quest bar every day since I was about 2 months out. Over 99% of them have been chocolate Brownie.

It's pretty tough, but it's habit now. I do drink right up until it's time to eat, but then I wait my 30 minutes. The worst part is when I'm eating something spicy. I've had to tone down my hot sauces, because I have to wait too long to drink, and I can't eat a piece of bread to help calm things down. But I am definitely ready to drink after those 30 minutes.

At a week out, it's definitely in your head. The first six weeks were tough for me. It was great to move to each stage, but it quickly got old as I wanted real food. My doctor advanced me to the full bariatric diet after 6 weeks, and it has been much better since then.

It'll get better, but it will also take time. As bad as it may be for now, you'll get through it.

If you have a desk job you may be fine. I could've went back after 1 week if I had to (I'm a HS teacher), but I took 2 weeks just to be safe. You'll be tired at first, but as long as you don't have a lot of physical activity, and no complications, you should be fine.

Sandy's right, you should be very pleased, but not getting enough Protein could definitely be behind your problems. My office says women should get 60-80 grams a day.

Every year I take my wife and daughter out to dinner, and they year my daughter is insistent that we're going to a pizza place. So, I'll have one bite of pizza on the crust, and then have cheese and toppings from 2 or 3 slices.

Are you a member of a gym? At mine, the weight machines have instructions right on there to tell you how to use them. Plus, because they're machines instead of free weights, you're sure to have the right form as you do it. If you're looking more for something to do at home, a set of dumb bells can be very versatile and really help you out. You can do different types of curls, lunges, and other things. Just look online.

You're doing great with your weight loss, but you'll burn even more fat by incorporating weights. Good for you!

It has helped with my arms and most of my legs, but I have just too much around the gut are and on my inner thighs. I don't think there's much I'll be able to do to help with this loose skin.

I'm also a fan of the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Usually pants are no more than $4 each, and often much less. I get myself a few pairs in my current size (currently 38, down from 48), and a couple in the next size down, to use to try on in the future, especially when the scale stops moving.

In high school, when I was at my peak of fitness, I wore a 34 waist. I'm about 6'3", and I weighed about 210 at that time.

The easy way would be to keep eating ourselves to death. There's no question doing it through diet and exercise alone is the hard way, since only about 5% of people keep the weight off, but that doesn't mean that getting surgery is the easy way. After 20+ years of dieting failures, for me, I'd say it's the smart way.

I'd rock a bikini, but I just can't decide on the right style.

I've shopped at Mens Big & Tall and Destination XL for over 10 years. I'm 3 weeks post op and can't wait to shop at a " regular" clothing store. I like the idea of purchasing something nice in advance. Can't wait to be able to fly in a plane w 1 seat.

I know how you feel. It's awesome to know I can go into any store and buy something now. I still shop at the big and tall stores, because I need Tall shirts, but they usually have tons of stuff on clearance if you need XLT like I do. I just bought 5 polos for $8 each!

I can't believe how cold I am now. I used to be the type of person who NEVER wore long sleeves in winter, and even liked to sleep with the window cracked open in freezing weather. Now, I don't think I've been warm at all unless I'm in the shower almost scalding myself.

Have you had your appointment yet? Just curious what the nutritionist said. I know you posted a few days ago that your doctor is satisfied with your weight loss, but I understand your frustration.

I generally get about 900 calories a day, and my nutritionist said that usually she would recommend that I get up to about 1200, but since I was still losing, not to worry about it. But if I stop, try and add some calories.

It sounds like you're doing pretty well, although the Christmas cheating wasn't great of course. If you're not already, log everything you eat with something like MyFitnessPal, to make sure your Protein and calories are truly accurate. If we're just estimating, we often get things wrong.

If possible, you may want to try and increase your exercise more frequently. It can even be something simple as doing your weight training 6 days a week, with 3 days of upper body, and 3 days of lower. This will make sure you are getting the fat burning benefits pretty much constantly.

Good luck!

I'm not touching any alcohol for a few more months, but I figure once I finally do, Guinness (or any other stout) would probably be a good choice. It's not carbonated like most beers.

I have five after my RNY. My wife jokes that it looks like someone stuck their fingers right into my stomach.

The tuna packs are a great idea. They're so packed with Protein. I have 4 ounces of tuna for lunch almost every day.

The Quest bars are also a great idea. I have one every day for Breakfast, but be aware that they don't work for everyone. Some people find they are too dense, and a few people have reported that they spike their blood sugar. Some people find they stall when they have Protein bars.

i also keep beef Jerky at work, and have an ounce daily for my morning snack. I also keep some almonds, and I'll have a few in the afternoon if I fell I need something.

For me, the first six weeks were pretty tough. After that, I was fully healed and I was cleared for a "normal" diet, and I've been pretty good ever since. But I really started feeling good after I started exercising, which was for me around week 8. It gets better, just hang in there, follow your doctor's instructions, and you'll do great!

I buy a box every two weeks from GNC, but I'm more than happy to get a couple for free. Thanks for sharing this!

For me, losing weight is more than enough of a reward. But I do have to get totally new clothes every month or so. Thank goodness for Goodwill and the Salvation Army!

Just be careful reading about others online on this site and others. Since you're starting at such a lower weight and starting point, even after surgery, your weight will come off much slower. Someone with a starting BMI of over 45 may lose that whole 50 pounds you're looking to lose in the first month alone. There's no way it'll happen that fast for you, but it will happen if you follow the plan.

I have BCBS - Michigan

April 11, 2014 - Regular checkup with my doctor, told her I wanted surgery, she was able to record that visit as a weight loss consultation

May 2014 - Initial consultation with my surgeon. Counted as consultation #2

June 2014 - Nutritionist visit. #3

July 2014 - Nutritionist visit. #4

August 2014 - Nutritionist visit. #5 Also had Psych Evaluation in mid August, and results a week later.

September 2014 - Nutritionist visit. #6 Paperwork submitted to insurance, and had approval about a week and a half later. Scheduled my endoscopy and remaining classes.

October 6, 2014 - Surgery!

I would be most interested in Quest Bars (and maybe chips) and Pure Protein shakes. These are really the only "bariatric specific" things I'm using right now.

I also am not interested in any auto-ship features, although I'd be perfectly fine with reminders every month via email.

Bariatric Foodie is another great website for recipes, even if they're not tailored to singles.

I never ate leftovers before surgery, and I eat them all the time now. I'm not sure why I changed my view on them, but I definitely have. Whatever was for dinner the night before is almost always lunch the next day. And if it's anything like chili, Soups, etc, I save individual portions in the freezer to just take out whenever I'm rushed for a meal.

According to my surgeon:

1. How long was it before you could lift your children? - We were on 10lbs restrictions for 6 weeks
2. How long did you need help taking care of the kids after your surgery? - I didn't really start to feel normal until 3-4 weeks. I was fine taking care of my 5 year old around then, but that's quite different from a 2 year old. I felt totally recovered at 6 weeks, so if you're counting on that, you should be good.
3. How many nights did you stay in the hospital? - I was in there 3 nights. I had a swelling in my stoma that wouldn't allow Water to pass the first day after surgery. Most of his patients only stay 2 nights.
4. Anything else I should know about post-op and kids? - It was really hard not picking up my daughter for 6 weeks. We were both so happy when I hit that 6 week mark!