Daisee68

I add 1/2 scoop of vanilla powder to Dannon LIght & Fit Greek Yogurts (strawberry Cheesecake or Key Lime are my favorites). I also add 1/2 scoop of chocolate powder to a sugar free Dark Chocolate pudding cup to make my own Protein pudding and it is oh so yummy! A little runny but still tastes good. Look forward to ideas! Thanks @@Inner Surfer Girl for starting these topics!

@@Elode - what a sweet girl you have! A nurse in the making like momma perhaps?

Oh my gosh, this exact same thing happened to me! I bought an XXL sweater in Target a few months ago and just couldn't believe it was actually a little big! Mostly I kept thinking, someone is going to ask me if they can help me find a Christmas gift for someone. They didn't of course but still felt like it! So happy for you! (I tried to post a response to your status but my computer wasn't cooperating for some reason!) I have also gone to New York & Company recently (mostly because I also knew they had plus sizes if I needed it) and ended up with XL shirts and MAYBE could have gotten away with an L but really could not wrap my brain around that actually being a reality so I didn't even try it on. I really don't have a great grasp on what size I really am now. At the suggestion of my therapist, I pulled out the only item of clothing I saved from my largest day - a pair of jeans. I put them on and holy cow.... talk about a reality check. I don't know which I cannot fathom more - that I am actually this size now or that I actually was that size then! If you kept anything, give it a shot. It is very interesting...

@@Elode - Glad you are ok, but that scared me all the way from Texas!! That Dilauded must be stronger than you realized.... BTW, you have inspired me. I am calling tomorrow to set up a consultation in late May (near Memorial Day weekend). The one I want to see is out of town and I am going to turn in the trip to a girls weekend with my sister! Screw that "be at goal weight a year" crap. I am NOT waiting that long! I can only hope I can turn out to look HALF as good as you do! Cannot imagine how amazing you are going to look in a few months if this is just the beginning! EDITED: I just sent an email about consultation. I couldn't wait until tomorrow!

AHHH! @@Elode - be careful!

Wow! Just wow! How exciting! You look amazing! So glad it is going so well!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I too had a hysterectomy several years ago and bypass last June and am taking Iron supplements (36 mg per day). Had my labs yesterday and all is good. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@crazygoose So glad you are doing well and you had a ride (despite the stress she caused). Also glad grandpa responded well. Remember sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Elode - So glad the surgery is behind you and you aren't in any pain (or at least weren't a few hours ago). Stay on top of the pain meds for a while! Rest up!!

You know I keep getting this question a lot lately since I am so close to "goal". At my very first consultation last January (2015), I was 326 (5'10") and the surgeon said she would like to see me under 200 but I would have to work hard at it. I am 10 months post-op and am currently at 188-190 (depending on which scale you look at ). So I exceeded her goal and to be "normal" BMI, I have to be 173 or less. My NUT told me a good goal was 27 BMI before plastics. That would be 188 so I met that goal. My endocrinologist said today that he felt that if I got to 170-175, that would be awesome as he felt it gave me a little room to gain back and if he didn't see me lose 1 more pound, he was thrilled. (BTW, I got to go off my cholesterol med today and he told me I no longer even had to monitor my blood sugar for diabetes as long as I stayed under 200 pounds when it MIGHT come back.) I got to 150 my senior year in high school after pretty much starving myself and frankly, I looked WAY too thin, so 150 is definitely not my goal. My shoulders seem very narrow and I don't think I can stand to lose much more in my upper body but I have always been lower body heavy and definitely need to lose more in my thighs (though of course, we cannot spot reduce fat). I am more focusing on clothing sizes. I am still in a size 14 pant (16s some places) and XL or XXL shirt (again depending on place). So to me, that says, I still need to lose a little more. All to say, there seem to be so many different opinions on this and I think potentially your body eventually decides where it wants to be and you will see how you feel when you get to a certain point if you want to lose more. If it is still over "normal" BMI and your doctors are totally ok with that, then no need to stress about it! (At least that is what I am telling myself.)

@@CowgirlJane - mine are all Calcium oxolate stones and are somehow related to how my body processes calcium and my Graves Disease (thyroid). I am actually at my endocrinologist office now for a checkup. He took me off calcium supplements post-op which my bariatric surgeon is none too happy about. (Makes sure I eat cheese and get about 2000mg calcium in food per day.). Seems to be a fine balance. Will know more after under the Dr with my lab results today hopefully. Otherwise he also has me taking as little Vitamin D as I can get in a multi-vitamin (currently 800IU per day). I am also supposed to avoid high oxolate foods such as black tea, spinach, and some others. Then I am supposed to also do a 24 hour urine test (gross) eating all I normally do to then analyze what I am getting in food. I need to do that test soon but didn't want to do it until my diet was more stabilized - which it now is. It is an expensive test and I was without good insurance after being laid off at the end of the year. New insurance kicked in April 1 so catching up on all my appointments and test! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Muted_Tummy - You likely will not be able to finish a whole apple after surgery. Better to have more Protein and supplement with fruit and vegetables. I am 10 months post-op and just yesterday was able to eat half an apple as a snack with some almond butter. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Ditto to all these. Acid reflux and Diabetes and never recommended bypass as best option for me. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

It gets better! I promise! But you HAVE to make sure you get your Protein and fluids or things get worse. The first few weeks can be tough for many (they were for me!). Week 3, for some strange reason, was very tough. Hang in there. You have been through a lot and you will turn a corner soon!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

My NUT is on board with good carbs too (whole grains, fruit, veggies, etc). I have a slice of Sara Lee Delightful Wheat Bread nearly every morning. I have definitely cut WAY back on carbs and always have more Protein than carbs for the day but as I near goal, I have definitely found ways to get a more balanced approach in my diet (but I also still have 1 Premier Protein everyday to ensure I get enough protein ). Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I know I can be a bit of a broken record by saying this, but know that cold and/or leg cramps can also be symptoms of hypothyroidism. Especially if you were on thyroid meds prior to surgery, it is worth getting tested to see if you need a thyroid med adjustment. Mine has had to adjust several times since surgery due to different absorption and change in weight. Just a thought... Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@CowgirlJane - I actually didn't have the same kind of pain you did. I had bad lower back pain and then eventually bright red urine (blood) which is why I finally went to a Dr suspecting a kidney infection. They didn't even suggest stones. They gave me an antibiotic and sent me on my way. My pain was off and on for several weeks before I saw a urologist and she sent me for a CT scan "just in case" and it turned out I had a 20mm and 9mm stone in my left kidney and 8mm and 9mm stone in my right kidney. They had not moved into the ureter yet as yours had so the pain was different. Even now (at least 100 stones passed later) I do not have typical pain. I only vomited from pain twice - once from the pain of the stents and once from a 5mm stone that was moving and came on very suddenly (2 nights before I left for vacation in Hawaii because somehow my stones ALWAYS know!). The morning after I came home from my bypass , I kept thinking "man this gas pain is no joke". I even called the Dr to see if she could prescribe something other than liquid hydrocodone. A few hours later I passed a 4mm stone. You would think after all the stones I have had and passed in the last 5 years that I would recognize the pain, but I don't always because it seems different each time. I also often get my pain up high in my back (often thinking it is just a muscle spasm but lasts for many days - as I have been experiencing the last few days in fact). All to say, symptoms seem to really vary for each person which is why I mentioned it. Low back pain (even like period cramp back pain) could be kidneys (or at least it was for me). Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@crazygoose - I am so sorry you are going through this. I wish I was there to take you. It breaks my heart to see how many people have to go through this surgery alone! I have said this before, but I want to start a non-profit company that just does this - takes people to surgeries that don't have rides. I am sure there is someone out there that does it, but it really stinks that your mom would do this at the last minute. I wish I had something brilliant to say to make you feel better but I got nothing other than to say, best of luck to you! I know you will do great! With all this adversity you have survived, this surgery should be a walk in the park! Check back in with us when you can and let us know how you did!! See you on the loser's bench!

Hmmm.... runny nose, huh? I have had that happening a lot lately but thought it was allergies. I did the hiccupping thing early on but only occasionally now. I am going to watch out for that runny nose thing next time I eat!

@@Elode - so very excited for you. (I know I said that already but saying it again!). Will be praying!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I hate to bring this up in light of @@CowgirlJane 's recent experience but any chance it is a kidney stone? That is the kind of ache I get when I have a stone moving. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

On Sunday I had plans to mow/weed eat the lawn (which I have been paying someone to do the last few years) and then my sister called and wanted to go for a walk. I went for a 3 mile walk AND worked in the yard for almost 2 hours and didn't die! Seriously just the lawn used to sideline me for a couple of days. Amazing how much more I can do now at 135 pounds down. Also went to a Dr yesterday whom I haven't seen in about a year and a half and had no idea I had the surgery. She was amazed and so encouraging! And PS it just never gets old when a Dr office hands me the smaller robe instead of the largest they have and even then it didn't fit right! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@ - several of us here have Graves Disease. Glad they found yours and you should eventually be on the road to recovery following RAI. Please know that you could absorb your med differently so you will need to be tested every 8 weeks or so or at least keep a very close eye on your symptoms to request blood test and potentially make med adjustment. Having said that, it has not affected my weight loss at all. I had RAI in Feb 2012. Gastric Bypass in June 2015 and down 135 pounds. Have adjusted my Synthroid 3 times since surgery and feeling another change needs to be made. Just had lab work on Friday so we will see. Good luck! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Elode - don't fall for @@KindaFamiliar 's tricks. He just wants to see pictures of you! Wishing you the best! Truly! I am calling this week to set up a consultation in May with Dr. Peter Fisher in San Antonio. Probably a little early but as I am so close to goal, I want to have an idea of what we are looking at time-wise and money-wise.

@@Elode - -so excited for you! Been thinking about you this weekend and remembering your surgery was sometime early April. You are going to do great! And I know you will be so glad when it is over! (You look amazing before though - just sayin'!) Best of luck! Let us know how you fair when you can!