BigTink2LilTink

Yeah a friend of mines named her's after her surgery. And I figured it was a cool idea, and since I was a heavy Game of Thrones watcher on HBO I decided to give mines a more fitting name.

For a while, cause I too got kind burned out on the chocolate and vanilla protein power mixes, I went with ISOPure unflavored protein powder and mixed that in with either orange juice or sugar free/low sugar apple juice. It kinda thickened up the juice a bit but it was good enough to drink and not feel like I was drinking a shake. I needed that the first two months post surgery cause the regular flavored protein mixes were too sweet tasting to me.

My want to call your surgeon and get advice on what over the counter meds you can take if any. You don't want to risk any complications with the anesthesia during surgery. It better in this case to error on the side of caution than to take any unnecessary risks. Good luck on your upcoming surgery by the way.

I am 8 months out now and I am starting to tolerate more food choices than I was even two months ago. Every new dish I try, even if it with the same basic Proteins mixed in (chicken/fish), I still take it slow. I have to make sure my Tyrion (name of new stomach pouch) can handle it okay before making it a more regular meal routine.

If you can use fiber such as Miralax and my personal fiber of choice Metamucil. I am to the point now that I can go a day or two without taking it and still manage a normal poop. But I tend to drink at least one 8oz glass of orange juice/Metamucil mix in the mornings.

Yeah I am at a current stall. I haven't lost any weight in almost two weeks. Even with my increased cardio, my pounds haven't moved much. I may take this current plateau and go ahead and really get back into resistance training and weights. I've been putting it off for months now, but I guess it might be the only way to re-trigger some more weight loss and past this current plateau.

Thank you all. I mean that is a ton of weight to loose in 7 months 110lbs from my surgery date weight to now. If I add up what I lost from a year ago when I was at my highest weight to now, I am literally down 275lbs. And I can indeed tell the difference being that much lighter. I can run up about 4 flights of steps and not be winded at all.

So far from a year ago my Body Mass Index (BMI) number is down 20 points. This time last year I had a BMI of 51 and now I am at 31. Yeah its still high but that just shows how far I've come in so little time. I need to change my current weight on my profile too. But I am now about 100lbs away from my goal and about 120lbs away from my doctor's goal.

Thanks for the input.

I've only tried the cookie dough one myself. I though it was okay. I tend to eat more of the Pure Protein bars instead cause they have around 15 to 20g of protein and sugars tend to say at or below 2g depending on which ones you eat.

Breakfast I am getting anywhere from 10-20g depending on if I eat food or do a Protein shake. Most morning I do a Isopure protein shake/fiber mix that is around 15 to 20g of protein in it. For lunch I tend to eat pre-made microwavable dinners. Today for lunch I had a Stouffer's Fit Kitchen dinner that has about 27g of protein in it at only 410 calories. If I snack its usually with something like a pure protein or life choice bar meal bar. Those are usually in the 20g range when it comes to protein. So before I make it to dinner I'm usually at or really close to what I need to meet as a minimum daily intake of protein. Some days are indeed easier than others to get everything in. And I do notice when I have met my intake requirements for a few days versus when I don't. My muscles aren't as weak feeling when I am meeting the protein intake. I am still in the process of learning my stomach all over again. Some days some foods work without any issues and then I can come back a few days for weeks later, eat the same thing and my stomach revolts it like the black plague. I guess this is the life of a bariatric person. A diva tummy.

So as I am working out more and losing a so far consistent 6lbs per week, I am starting to worry more about the whole loose skin issue. I was looking into compression/binder garments to kinda help keep everything in and start shaping out the body. I know that this won't stop the whole loose/excessive skin that I will eventually have to deal with, but I am willing to try anything I can to help reduce the amount as humanly possible before going the surgery route. Mainly asking the guys on here, but would gladly leave this open for anyone to chime in here on, have you used compression/binder garments before and how would you rate their success rate? Here are some examples of things I am look at: http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/productFullReview.do?reviewid=4138&productid=64344 http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=64051 http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=64051

Yup I was told to wait 20-30 minutes after eating before drinking anything. Yesterday I didn't do that and wound up puking most of my lunch up. Today I've waited and my food didn't come back up. So yeah I definitely wait a bit to drink right after eating something.

I take about 1.5 to 2 minutes per bite. And yeah for me being almost 8 months post op, it takes me about 30 minutes to eat about a 1/2 cup of food. So some of it is true and some isn't. I know for me it did take a while to get use to and every now and then I do tend to eat faster than that and I'll feel it and slow myself down. But you will get fuller quicker and find yourself no where near as hungry as you use to be prior to the surgery.

Congrats on a successful surgery. And my you have a very speedy recovery.

You were eating beef at 4 weeks post op?

Nutrients, in particular B Vitamin. I was okay about the first 3 weeks post surgery. But then a bad sinus infection which was causing mucus drainage into the stomach got me really sick. I was puking when only taking down Water let alone soft foods and liquids. I got severely dehydrated and my multivitams weren't enough. My primary doctor did some blood work and notice I have a deficeny in the B vitamin area and got me on a prescription mult-vitamin as soon as he could. It took about a month for my memory to return to a functioning level. Its still not 100% but about 4 months ago it wasn't even 60%. And it was all short term memories too. Anything that happened within the past 2 to 3 months long term, or anything that happened that day. If I didn't write it down or recorded it, there was a very likely chance I would forget it. I just started doing research so I didn't know memory loss was an issue? What is the reasoning behind this? Too little food and nutrients? How long did that last?

I would say so. I was about two weeks post surgery when I started on prescription Miralax. After that I have been taking Metamucile daily since. When I wasn't on any fiber I was extremely bloated and I think constipated once. But you may want to clear a laxative/fiber with your surgeon before taking something over the counter.

I actually had some a few days ago, I also cut it with some tea too. It wasn't horrible on me as far as gas or feeling uncomfortable. But this was a fountain soda and not one straight from the bottle or can either. At a little over 6 months outs too. I have been mostly on flavored non-carbonated waters like Propel and Power Aid Zero for my liquid needs, when I want something other than just plan water or coffee.

I was sort of the same way. I have a co-worker who has been beyond encouraging me to stay healthy and fit. If it wasn't for her getting me away from my desk and walking while at work I probably wouldn't as consistent in it as I am now. It is easier to do when you have people around you helping you stay positive and motivated.

For me it was what would be the least problematic for my body to deal with. Losing a part of my stomach or having my entire digestive system rerouted. In the end I didn't want to take the risk with the rerouting of my intestines and digestive track. Plus this surgery had the quickest recovery time and less food restrictions that I saw. Over all I am happy so far with the choice I made as far as going the sleeve vs. bypass route.

You sir are like my inspiration right now. That is a hell of a transformation in just over a year. Congrats guy.

I think I've done more cardio in the last 6 months than I have in the last 3 to 4 years. Its easier for me doing it throughout the week. My job is one that promotes healthy living, so along with going to the gym at my job once a day during work, I have a co-worker that enjoys walking with me during our morning and lunch breaks. So I've probably averaging about 8 to 10 miles a week in just walking along. Besides the continued 1 to 4lb per week weight loss that I am still seeing 6 months post surgery, it helps with giving me more energy. The other added benefit I get out of it now, is that it helps me to clear my mind. I have been going though some serious depression, especially post-op, so getting my ass moving and physically moving/exercising out the negativity has helped greatly improve my over all mood. I no longer feel like having the VSG was negative, but instead view it as it truly is, a positive change for the better.

Everything Innner Surfer Girl suggested are good starting points. One of the things that has indeed helped me was actually seeing a therapist during the process. I had to get mental clearance before the surgery to make sure I could mentally handle it and the changes. I started seeing this person about a month before my surgery just to make sure I was going to be ready for all of the changes. Unfortunately two weeks before my surgery I had a horrific breakup with my girlfriend at the time. I thank god that I had the therapist around to help guide me through some of the more difficult bouts of depression I have ever gone through. food, which before the surgery was my indeed go to anti-depressant, was no longer an option. I had to learn a who new way of coping with what my issues were and how to deal with them in a more positive and constructive way. A way that didn't involve trying to eat the pain away. So journaling, talking, and exercise have been key changes in my life that has not only helped me deal with all the physical changes that I've gone through over the last half year, but to deal with those mental changes as well. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in this journey. Its indeed one of the more difficult challenges that anyone can face.

Good luck and my you have a speedy recovery.