Daisee68

@@This New Kim - thanks for that website info! I hadn't heard of it. Very cool!

@@Woodland4807 - how was your first day back at work? Hope all went ok!!

@@Dawn306 - it is a powdered Peanut Butter. http://www.bellplantation.com/4-pack-pb2-powdered-peanut-butter-6-5-oz-jars.html You can get it at Target (other places too I'm sure - including Amazon). ​ ​

Taken - delete.

I don't know that you can have banana yet but when you can, I had someone suggest this and just tried it and Oh My Gosh was it good! - Vanilla Protein powder (or Premier Protein vanilla shake), Orange Crush Water Enhancer (like Crystal Light - in the same area in the store) and a small bit of banana (I used about 1 oz but I am not a huge fan of bananas). Highly recommend it! I don't know that I could drink it everyday, but it was a wonderful treat. Also, have you used PB2? I mix a small amount of PB2 (like 1/2 Tbsp) with a chocolate shake and it is really good too. I haven't experimented much with mixes, but I am starting too because at almost 9 weeks out, I am still struggling to get in enough protein from food. There are a lot of good recipes out there. Check out this link if you haven't seen this website yet. She has some wonderful recipes! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-favorite-protein-shake-recipes.html Hope that helps!​ And as others said, most people don't get in all their protein in the first few weeks. It takes a while to work up to it. Just keep trying and stay hydrated above all!

Glad you were able to reschedule. So sorry you have to wait an extra 5 days. I know that's frustrating but I definitely think you will be happier with an earlier time.

​I am 8 1/2 weeks out (RNY) and have really struggled with this. I just can't seem to keep chicken and tuna down and have had some trouble with deli meat. BUT I love smoked turkey deli meat (I know high salt...). Anyway, this week I got some at the deli and had them cut it shaved / falling apart and then I am only serving myself 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of it, but I have been successful in keeping it down so far! YAY! Maybe once I get braver with this one I will feel like trying tuna again.... I did have Tilapia once and it was great the first day but not so much reheated. I think I didn't get it moist enough the 2nd day. I will brave that choice again soon too. Good luck! PS - I really have wanted to try ground chicken but haven't done that yet. Anyone else have any success with that?

​I would say you are probably fine for now, but I just wanted to encourage you that it does get easier. I was mostly stressed about breakfast because I don't get up early enough to wait an hour after Synthroid then make sure no drinking of fluids and then a breakfast and then 30 minutes and then a shake, blah, blah blah. I have been back at work about 5 weeks and just now find this is getting easier for me. SO my advice does what is easiest the first week that won't stress you out but just know that packing a very small lunch or finding small breakfast becomes easier soon. ​ Good luck! You might be tired tomorrow night so get lots of rest!

This did not happen to me at all. In fact, I weighed more than when I went into surgery for a t least a week before I started losing. Mine has been mostly pretty steady though. Had one stall lasting about 5 days but that's it. Otherwise 2 to 3 pounds a week (I think I may have had 8 pounds one week and then hit the stall). I am 8 1/2 weeks out and down 27 pounds since surgery (12 more pounds the week before in pre-op liquid diet). I will say that seeing some of these massive losses and then complaining it's not enough really frustrates me and I can't help but compare myself to others. However, the further out I get, the less I worry about it. I know I am working the program and the weight will come off if I stick to the program. After all, when is the last time I lost 27 pounds in 2 months? Umm pretty much never. My best advice to you is to not get hung up on what everyone's weight loss in pounds is. (Saying this to myself as much as to you.).

@@Bufflehead - Wow that sounds tough!! Bless you!

Tylenol is not a NSAID, so it is safe post-WLS. Just take it in tablet or liquid form - not capsules.

I am having the same issue occasionally. Seems to be related to exercising without enough calories or fluids first. Are you getting your Water / fluids in?

40 lbs in 6 weeks is a LOT of weight. I had surgery a week before you and am down 26 pounds in 8 weeks (another 12 during pre-op week before). Your body is trying to catch up. Take your measurements. It helps to see your progress. Meanwhile, yes if you are not getting in Protein and Water it can not only hinder your weight loss but more importantly can hinder your health.

​I have heard of a dr here in Dallas who in his busy time can supposedly do 12-18 sleeve surgeries a day! (I cannot imagine that but he is actually very well respected and not a hack. ) In order to do that, he must have some very late surgeries. 8 p.m. is certainly not ideal but not sure it would be worrisome (though if I have a choice I always ask to be first or second on any type of surgery merely because of the "nothing by mouth" rule for so long). I have had 2 surgeries at 3 p.m. (not WLS) and it was rough to get through without any Water or anything. I found myself swishing water around in my mouth and spitting it out just because my mouth was so dry! If you don't have a choice of time, I think you will be fine. If you can be flexible on the date, I think I would ask for a different day with an earlier time - but that's just me.

So strange in one more way doctors are different. She never mentioned a binder nor did I think to look in to getting one. Didn't have one after my hysterectomy either. With both surgeries I didn't want anything pressing on my stomach and wore the loosest toga pants I could find. Sounds uncomfortable but glad it gives relief to some!

​So, I have a lot of Quest bars in the pantry which are calling my name for a quick Breakfast (well not really quick but maybe easy) but I am SCARED! NUT said 6 weeks post-op would be ok and I am 8 weeks out now but haven't tried yet and given my lack of success with meat, I am sort of chicken about trying something as firm as a Protein bar ... Anyone else have success / failure at this point with the bars? Should I wait longer? I know I have read some posts about how something in them can cause dumping in some folks.

You are welcome! And 4 1/2 hours? That's rough! Glad it finally ended. My bet is it was the bacon. Maybe it was too chewy? I'm too scared to try it yet. especially now! One tip for you - try to stick with liquids / yogurt for 24 hours after an episode like that. And then you may need to go to pureed for 24 hours. Dr's office told me things get really swollen / irritated after an episode like this and trying to eat something to un-soft (sorry not sure what else to call it ) could cause the problem again. Works for me anyway.

I have 2 thoughts / comments: 1) I seem to (at least pre-op) only have RLS when my thyroid is off. My dr doesn't believe me but everytime RLS acts up, my TSH count is too high. 2) My mom has just started taking Vitamin E as recommended by her liver doctor (as she has recently discovered she has NASH and cirrosis). She mentioned to me how much better she is sleeping and wondered if it was the Vitamin E so we googled it and turns out Vitamin E helps quite a bit with RLS and thus she rests better. She is not a bariatric patient and I haven't looked in to Vitamin E after WLS but if it is ok, it might be worth giving it a shot.

I wonder too about the long term success; however, I must say my surgeon is quite excited about it and has been talking about it on her website for a while. She is anxious to start the procedure in her practice and for me it does lend creedance to it because my doctor is not a "get rich quick" kind of doctor. She really does care about the long term success of her patients (and not only do I believe that but my NUT and therapists who are not employed by her but seperate 3rd parties have mentioned several times to me how commited she is to patient success). I read it stays in for 6 months I think? It is certainly less invasive and so maybe it is enough of a push for people to get healthier. I will be curious to see how it goes in her practice and will report back in if I find out any more info from her and the success. PS -@@Alex Brecher, thanks for keeping us up to date on such issues!

I am also 8 weeks and haven't tried bacon yet, but have had trouble with other meats (chicken and turkey). I think mostly it is when I eat too much though. I have had an episode last 4 hours before I just gave up and made myself vomit. By that time of course it wasn't food, but it did give some relief eventually. Hopefully some of the veterans will chime in... Sorry you are in pain! This is definitely the worst part of post-op to me. Hoping I learn sooner rather than later.

That is a great NSV!!! Congrats! I agree with all the others. You are such an inspiration and have been such a huge help on my already short journey!! Thank you!!

Same thing happened to me but I don't quite remember how far out - 2 or 3 weeks maybe? I asked the dr office and they said pull it taught with tweezers and then trim it. They said they can do it for me or I could just do it, which I did. Having said that, I think it probably isn't a big deal but you might check with dr just to be sure since you are a little further out.

My dr said no but my NUT said it was ok. I have used a straw. Maybe this is just my imagination but as long as it is a smaller cup and shorter straw, I am fine, but if I use a large cup / straw and am not paying attention, I do find I get a lot more bubbles and have to slow down my sips. Maybe it does just depend on the person and they figure easier to say go without?

Just an update in case anyone stumbles across wondering same - drinking it now and it just tastes like Crystal Light lemonade. Not too bad at all! I was picturing that horrible stuff I had to drink for the upper GI. Ugh.

@@tbmichals - I think someone mentioned it something about this before, but I wonder if you still have to pay your deductible / co-pays for the hernia part of the surgery. I think I would ask that question specifically if you are concerned - "does the $3900 include my deductible and Co-pay or out of pocket for the hernia surgery or is the $3900 In addition to those?"