Daisee68

@@Killian - that's a pretty high dose. Have you ever tried taking it in the morning on empty stomach? Might be able to have a lower dose that way as I think food and other meds affect it. Having said that, as long as you are consistent, that is the key. I am same as you (graves, RAI in 2012, hypo by 6 weeks post-Rai). Good news is it hasn't hindered my weight loss at all. I am down about 115 pounds since surgery (11 months). I have had to increase my med as it doesn't absorb as easily post-op (at least with bypass). Good luck to you!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I really struggle with wanting junk food when I drive long distances (for work mostly). I have an insulated cooler that I carry. I usually take a couple of Premier Protein ready to drink shakes (depending on how long I will be gone); deli turkey; 2% sharp cheddar cheese bars; packets of tuna; Mr Cheese O's ; apple slices and individual packets of almond or peanut butter; 1 oz packets of almonds or cashews (cashews are softer and easier to eat early out); and Krave Beef Jerky (again measured in 1oz packets - this jerky is very tender). Now the trick is not to graze and snack the whole time you are driving. Put the cooler where you cUt reach it unless you have to pull over and can get one thing out. I am 11 months out and still working on this one. Mostly I want to stop at a gas station and buy Cheetos!! For drinks, I usually stop at Sonic and get a large Unsweet ice tea (if you are allowed caffeine). Or I will get a large ice water at Sonic and dump in a package of Crystal Light (I love Peach Green Tea, Raspberry Green Tea and Pink Lemonade). Hope that gives you some ideas of what you can travel with and avoid the road hazards of fast food and junk food! It IS a struggle but it is totally worth it! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Add another shake if you need to. I was drinking 2 shakes a day for at least 6 months and at 11 months post-op, I still have one a day in addition to the food I am getting. You definitely need to increase a little. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

You have lost a LOT of weight so fast! Your body is just trying to catch up. You will have a lot of stalls during this process. They are totally normal. Take a deep breath and stay off the scale for a week. Take your measurements and/or try on some old clothes to notice the changes. Celebrate the NSVs (Non scale victories) such as the wonderful distance you are able to walk. You are doing great! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@ - I am so sorry to hear this! I know how miserable that is. Glad you have a beta blocker on hand. If it helps, even when I only adjusted by 1/4 of a pill per week (ie only 37.5mcg pet week, I felt better pretty quick - within a couple of weeks). Are you scheduled tiniest again in 6 or 8 weeks? 100mcg per week is a pretty. If adjustment and I don't want it to make you hypo and not catch it. Keep an eye on your symptoms and try to wait out the 8 weeks before retesting. Again so sorry you are miserable. It will stabilize eventually! Hugs!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@Andrea72 "I even heard clapping. Turns out the clapping was my ass cheeks but for those few seconds I was inspired" Bahahahahahaha!!!

@@VSGAnn2014 - Thanks so much for your input. Again, I know I should follow my NUT's plan but it just seems odd to me that she generalizes that ALL (female) WLS patients should maintain at 1200 calories. As you said we are all different, so I would think there would be some accounting for some differences. A range or something....

So, after a conversation with NUT yesterday, I realize I am moving in to maintenance phase. NUT told me that my goal calories for lifetime would be 1200 calories. (I am still losing very slowly at this but like 1 pound a week or so which is fine. I am ready to stabilize.) Anyway, yes, yes I know I need to follow my NUT's specific directions and No, I am not looking for ammunition to argue with her. I am just curious if this calorie seems a bit low (especially given my height at 5' 10".) It seems I have seen many of you mention maintenance calories more in the 1500-1600 calorie range. Also, I am curious (perhaps a different topic) about the "non low fat" stance many of you take. I am still being instructed to use 2% cheese, milk, etc (which is fine) and concentrate on good fats (again fine) but to try and limit fat to 30g per day? That seems very low. I mean years ago when I was on low-fat diet, 30g was my target. I am generally getting 40g-50g a day now (at about 1100-1200 calories) and have still lost, so I feel like I am doing ok, but mostly just curious about the new thoughts about saturated fats not being the devil AND what that really looks like. Appreciate any input as I sort through this in my head....

Wow! GO you!! Can't wait to hear of your progress! I am not a runner but have always admired how free people looked when they ran. I actually "ran" (i.e. slow jog) on my treadmill a couple of times and outside a couple of times yesterday during my walk. (I'm talking maybe 30 seconds to a minute and then walked again.) Mostly I was amazed that I could do it at all and that felt good - except for all the jiggly bits! Think I may not try that again until I have been all nipped and tucked!

Poshmark.com is a great way to get clothes discounted once you know a brand and size. Basically an online consignment shop Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Oh yeah. I was terrified but I was completely knocked out and they had no issues. Awake in recovery in about 10 minutes. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Scamp - Thanks! Good to know! I have had 2 needle biopsies in the past and all has just come back benign. But my maternal grandmother and maternal aunt both had breast cancer so I am always a little worried about it. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Interesting side note - I was at my ob/gyn this week and she had breast cancer and complete reconstruction. So I was asking her if a) she thought I could get away with just a lift and if my very lumpy (fibrocystic breast tissue) would prevent me from getting implants. Answer to both was no. She also said to get silicone (not saline die to risks of leaks) and to be firm with the Dr on size. She said most all surgeons want to do larger breasts. She said she came out of her surgery and asked how many cc's he put in and she told him to take put half! Now she is pretty petite and now has very small breasts but she was fine with it. Anxiously awaiting my PS consultation on the 20th to see what he says. I know my ob/gyn is not a PS but since she lived through the reconstruction, I thought it was an interesting take on the subject. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Supposedly Biotin only helps it regrow, not stop falling out. At 11 months post-op, I am still losing a little but it has definitely slowed (luckily I had a lot to start with). Celebrate with a great new cut! And PS make sure you are getting all your Protein. That is supposed to help from losing it (though I get 90-100g per day and it didn't make a huge difference - and early on, mine was thyroid related until I changed my thyroid med dose).

I don't recall seeing anyone say this and I didn't have it. Worth a call to your doctor to be checked out.

Well done!

Sometimes. Maybe more just general noises than growling. Sometimes it alerts me that I haven't had enough to drink and drinking will quelch it. Sometimes it is acid reflux so be sure to take a PPI if it is prescribed.

Many of us have that feeling early on and it is generally related to acid reflux. If you were not presciribed a PPI, ask about one and/or take a Zantac. It really helps!

A little depressing indeed. I realize we did not lose as fast as they did, but at 110 pounds down in 10 months, that is still kind of fast, so scares me a little. The part where the Dr says they would need to exercise 9 hours per week to keep the weight off tells me that he already knew some of what the outcome would be. 9 hours a week is above what a normal recommendation would be. I will tell you if I am expected to do 9 hours of formal exercise a week, I am certainly doomed.... I am not saying this is making me give up but it is certainly eye opening. Once again, I am very grateful I am still seeing a therapist too because the article talks about the cravings in addition to the ability to eat / burn less.

Congratulations! Great work!

It is very overwhelming in the beginning! You will get the hang of it! Promise! It just takes time. You are doing the best you can. Stay hydrated and get your Protein and learn to track and then it will eventually work itself out.

My favorite is Precision Engineered whey Protein Isolate. The chocolate is very good and the vanilla even smells heavenly. I originally got the suggestion from someone on this board nearly a year ago now and it is still the only one I buy. Oh also I sometimes mix 1/2 scoop of vanilla with Greek Yogurt (Dannon Light & Fit Strawberrry Cheesecake and then the Key Lime are my favorites). I also will mix 1/2 scoop of the chocolate with sugar free Chocolate pudding snack. I just ordered the powder in Fruit Punch for a change. Will report back to let you know how that one is.

I know you said you aren't interested in drinks, but the Hot chocolate (Amaretto flavor is my favorite) is very good. It is the only time I have managed to get a Protein powder in a hot drink without it clumping. I agree with @@Kindle on the Protein Bars.

Not sure I really have any advice but thought I would share my experience thus far. I was always a C - a 46C for a long time and considered myself not overly endowed. When I lost and my band size went down, my cup size went up (most people already knew that - I did not). I am now in a 36DDD or 38DD BUT I also use what I like to refer to as "chicken cutlets" to boost the girls up a bit and try and fill in the cup. I don't fill the cup completely which is frustrating, but smaller cups definitely don't work either. I went to a Plunge (Push up from the outer edges) kind of bra and that really seems to help enhance. The balconette and demi bras I wore before (or full coverage) do not work at all. There is way too much gap at the top of the cup. Mostly I am all ribs (or breast bones - whatever you call that). I have a consultation with a plastic surgeon this month (May 20) and specifically want to talk about doing a lift without implants. I am not completely opposed to implants but I prefer to go without if I can just mostly because I do not want to have to have them redone in the future (which I understand is something that has to be done occasionally to replace the implants during your lifetime). If you haven't seen @@Elode 's posts yet about her life, go read through it. She gave a lot of great advice and experience. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/364350-3-days-till-plastics-tiiiime/ I will let you know what dr says to me about this too.

Agree @KristenLe. I have not heard good things about ThredUp. I like Poshmark because you set the price and you can accept offers but you don't have to or you can counteroffer. Poshmark takes a 20% commission (which is a little high), but it is totally worth it. I have shopped by brand and size and all sorts of options. And they have "parties" about 3 times per day which you can post your items too and you (or other people) can just shop those parties. The parties are either geared towards a brand or a theme. Last week, they had a Plus Size only party. It has also been good to open my eyes up to other brands that exist other than Lane Bryant (which I am seriously mourning as I really had developed a style there and now I am at a loss where to shop and get the same type clothes.) I have made $1000 in the last 8 months (although I have also spent about $500 of that on refreshing my wardrobe! Cool thing is when those items are too big, I just RePosh them....) I really like the website. My (much smaller sized) sister has made about $1200 selling stuff just sitting in her closet that she didn't use. She sold a lot of Lululemon stuff which went really fast for a good price. I also like using it for jewelry like Kendra Scott. I am a bit obsessed frankly....