connybarr

When I was in the pre surgery faze I found peoples pics very helpful and inspiring. Not trying to brag just wanted to help others who have worries! Q 

I eat the Kroger Carb Master yogurt. Good amount of Protein and gray flavors!
Sent from my SM-N900V using the BariatricPal App

I see too many people equate protein supplements and shakes with protein. Protein shakes/supplements are one source of protein. A very important and efficient way to get protein soon after surgery, but it is just one source of protein. Protein is a macronutrient.
Calories are a unit of energy.
Protein, carbs, and fats are all macronutrients.
All macronutrients have calories.
Protein is a vital macronutrient for survival, and health that we consume to acquire.
We efficiently store carbs and fats in our bodies.
We do not store protein.
Since we are obese, we can go a pretty long time on the energy stored from carbs and fats.
We cannot go very long without protein.
We need protein for daily functions.
We need protein to build muscle, skin, hair, etc.
As we lose weight our body is dismantling and rebuilding our bodies at a heightened rate.
If we do not consume sufficient protein for all of this then our bodies 1) consume our own protein (muscle tissue, organ tissue, etc.), 2) shut down to conserve energy (starve and not burn energy), etc.).
Many of us use protein supplements/shakes to get enough protein as our stomachs heal.
As we transition to more solid food we can get more of our protein from food.< /p>
Whether you use shakes and/or food, the priority is protein (not calories).
The bottom line is we need enough protein, throughout the day, to 1) function, 2) avoid muscle loss, heart and lung problems, etc. 3) rebuild our body from fat loss 4) keep our skin elastic, etc. etc.
If we are getting enough protein we can optimize weight loss and minimize health problems associated with weight loss.
I hope this helps answer the OPs question.
Embrace the Stall!
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Celebrate with me! I've lost 62 pounds since Thanksgiving (surgery was Dec 1), and I just realized I'm over halfway to my goal. That is so exciting. I'm still learning what to eat, how much, how fast, which seems to change regularly; but i have absolutely NO REGRETS. I feel so much better, look so much better. I have lengthened my lifespan. i am so thankful.

@@bugsy72
Hi there! I buy chocolate chai tea from Teavanna. There is cocoa nib in the tea it is not something I add. It has a subtle hint of chocolate and lovely chai spices. It is a loose tea and wonderful treat.
I order mine online. You can buy a 2 oz. sample and try it. I loved it so much that I bought a whole pound of it. LOL!

I posted this last year on another board. I will share it here as well. I actually got thinner after this and I now have a 6th child but I stand by the rest of what was said.
I wanted to give you guys a REAL look at what weight loss surgery does to you so that if you decide to get it you know all the facts. I would do this surgery again in a heart beat, however it is not all rainbows and unicorns. I have an insane amount of excess skin, 2 hernias and Iron so low I have to be transfused weekly. At my heaviest being weighed I was 368 but I HAD ALREADY BEEN DIETING so I was probably closer to 380. I have had 5 kids and that has a lot to do with my stomach being so baggy, I am going to get the apron surgery and have that removed once my Iron is high enough. This surgery saved my life, I am not longer diabetic, my blood pressure is perfect and 5 months out of surgery I got pregnant with my daughter. It was a miracle for me but I wish someone had shown me REAL before and after photos so I would know what I was REALLY in for cosmetically.

Hey guys!
Well, my nine month anniversary was on Christmas day and every month we take pictures of my progress. I still have a few pounds to lose so I asked my dietitian how do I make this stop, I don't want to look too sickly. She told me that at 135 pounds to slowly introduce good carbs and fats into my diet and watch the scale.
Well, with the holidays and the death of my mother in law, it has been real easy to slow down my weight loss. I guess you could say I'm at a stall at 137 and have been for a month. Which is fine, I have come a long way and looking back I can't believe how fast it went.
The first 2 months after surgery I was frustrated because I was still in my 2x and 3x clothes and not seeing a change. But by the 3th month my pant sizes were changing every 3-4 weeks. I was shopping at Goodwill every month buying a new pair of pants. I'm now in a size 8, CRAZY!
I'm so scared that I will wake up and it would have been a glorious dream.
This forum and the support from you all have been a blessing for me and I thank you!
May you all have a healthy and slimming 2016!
God bless,
-Kim

I had my surgery on Tuesday, the 8th. I am still in the phase where I am very gassy and more than a bit uncomfortable. I can't get down more than 4oz of Protein Shake at a time and I am having adverse reactions to broths of all kinds. I am looking forward to my postoperative appoint on the 23rd so I can have a scrambled egg.

0 is none, 10 is curling up in a ball crying.....the worst pain you can imagine. I'm a nurse and it just kills me when people are chatting on their phones or with visitors and they say their pain is a 10....no its not. If it's uncomfortable enough to need pain med but you can function 3-5 is a good answer. If you can't move well it's a 6 or so. If you feel like your abdomen is split open it may be a 10. Everyone is different in how they feel and handle pain. I prefer the "a little, a lot, a hell of a lot" scale...but that's just me

I should add, I'm scared to death and excited all at the same time
Is that normal??

My date is December 8

My date is December 8

My date is December 8

My date is December 8

I started at 250.
I'm now at 125.
I'm 5'6, 35 years old.
I found this picture of myself from about one year ago and it's shocking. You wouldn't recognize me!
I'm so happy I did this surgery, in spite of it being difficult at times.
   

I just got the call that I am approved. I am in total shock. I honestly thought deep down that I would be denied. I thought somewhere along the way I missed something. I am ready for this and I am beyond happy. I will even admit that I cried tears of joy telling my husband. Waiting for insurance was the longest 9 days of my life but to hear a yes on the other end of the phone is the absolute best feeling. Each week I read another person say they were approved and have waited for 6 months for it to be my turn. Loser's club here I come

I'm scheduled for Sept. 21! Definitely feel free to add me as a friend!

I'm scheduled for September 23. Was scheduled for August but had to be put off due to family conflicts. Your day is right around the corner! How exciting (and anxiety provoking ????). Best wishes. Feel free to message me anytime if you need someone to talk to or to pray for you!

Hey fellow September surgeries! I'm scheduled for the 2nd and am full of anxiety! Feel free to send me a message and say hello, as I'm always looking for new friends to go on this journey with!! xo