perforce

I think going abroad for surgery sends alarm bells ringing, an instinctual fear coming from that cheaper surgery means lower quality. It's the picture you get from a cut-rate price that makes people panic. I didn't go to Mexico as I am UK based, but I did go to Eastern Europe (the Czech Republic) as the prices were so much lower and the care was comparable (or, in terms of how long I could stay and be looked after in the hospital, better), and got a very similar reaction from my mum.

I recently started eating Protein bars, and even though I changed nothing else they sent me into a complete tailspin. Constant cravings and hunger. I'm actually close to where you were, 64lbs down, 204lbs in weight. Once I removed the processed stuff (bar replacements etc) back out I was able to get a grip on my headstuff again and weed the cravings out. I have a Protein shake to supplement my intake every day (I've just switched it to adding some unflavoured protein to a green smoothie) and the shake mix doesn't give me those same cravings, I think because they are very low carb rather than starting higher with fibre and sugar alcohols to cut down to the 'net carb' level. The smoothie has taken my carbs up to 35-ish grams a day (usually 20-25) and even with the extra carbs they're not driving me crazy, so it's definitely a case of where those carbs are coming from that affects me. This may be something to consider when you look over your food logs. A friend of mine recently did one day of all liquids and it brought the restriction right back, so you could try that, but you have to get the grazing under control (something I think you know). I think if you can stick to dense Proteins and away from protein 'snacks' (bars etc), you'll find it easier to keep your intake down.

How far out from surgery are you? For my first 5-6 weeks I couldn't drink milk, all the same kinds of symptoms. Had no problem with other dairy, just regular pour it in a glass and drink it milk. After 5-6 weeks whatever was causing it went away and now it's fine (though I've been drinking soy milk anyway because the carbs are lower). All you can really do is test yourself by consuming a little of whatever food/drink it is every couple of weeks and seeing what happens. It may wear off. sugar free pudding has other ingredients, one of the sweeteners maybe?

I was given a sedative before my gastroscopy and woke up in my hospital bed after, don't remember any of it. I had to do a barium swallow the day after surgery to check for leaks before they could ok me to start drinking liquids.

You need to take Vitamins, you won't be getting enough food in to be getting everything you need from it. How much Water do you drink? Your body needs it, so maybe try upping? I don't know what P3 is, but what are your Protein goals and are you hitting them? You're quite far out so I'm surprised you're not eating more 'real' food? Don't get me wrong, I still need one shake a day to hit my goals, but you seem to be eating only one actual meal a day (the chicken). It wouldn't hurt to up the number of meals you have a day. What's your calorie intake like? Macros are important but I'm doubting you're getting enough calories in.

17g of carbs is quite high, but as it meet the other requirements (and the carbs are mostly fibre) I wouldn't call it a 'bad' choice. If you're comfortable folding it into your carb allowance then go for it. I try to go at least 2:1 on my protein:carb ratio, which this does hit, though personally I probably wouldn't because I try and keep carbs under 50g and this would be a big percentage of that at once. Basically: it's not terrible, your choice.

I made a lovely protein green smoothie today if anyone is still looking for food ideas

Yes, near Birmingham, had sleeve surgery in the Czech Republic nearly 4 months ago Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

Suzzy Q, I've found upping my exercise too much actually has a detrimental effect on my weight loss. I walk 6 days a week but when I start pulling in longer routes too many times I think it just crosses the invisible border where I'm doing too much for what I'm consuming and weight loss slows. Try cutting back to 4 days a week and see if it helps.

Make sure everything you're eating is a protein source (skip the rice cake/salad/crackers for now). I second the melted cheese! Improves everything and gives you more calories. Try sipping a shake as part of your liquid intake between meals and adding some other food there to up calories and protein.

I'm guessing if you have to have your blood checked regularly then you're probably already on top of this, but how are your vitamin levels? B12 ok? I would start tracking again though, it could be something as simple as not getting enough protein. Until you can look at your records and see there is no way to know.

Yeah, if it's accompanied by a high temperature go to the emergency room, but gallstones sound more likely. Try lowering your fat intake while you wait for the diagnosis.

My hospital had me swallowing my PPI in pill form from the first day. It was a little difficult when I could only take small sips of water, but not impossible. It gets easier. After a week or so I switched my vitamins back to pill form too and it was fine.

I eat my almond butter with strawberries, the carbs are lower.

50-65g does seem low. Protein needs can be calculated by putting your weight into kg x0.8. That would mean 243lbs=110kg, 110 x 0.8 = 88. You would be needing 88g of protein. I know doctors and programs differ, but I would consider upping protein and see if it helps.How many carbs do you get in? I was advised to keep them under 50g a day while losing.

I would agree, bump up the calories. If you don't want to jump up too far, try 1000 for a month and see what it does. I would recommend hiding the scale and not checking it until he end of the month so the bumps while your body adjusts don't scare you off. If things are ok then you can think about bumping up another 1-200 after.

Even though I could see a difference, people didn't really notice until I hit 50lbs down. Looking a pictures I know I was showing my loss, but people didn't say anything (maybe they just want to be polite?). It can be hard to manage expectations when you want the weight to just drop off, but don't let it get to you, the inches tend to hold on a while and then suddenly let go. You'll feel it soon.

Hope everything is going ok with you

I use MFP too

Heidi, I had mine done in Europe and for the mushy phase of food they allowed carbs like mashed potato etc that they recommend you cut out when losing (i.e. from solid food onwards) because they are bland and easy for your stomach to process, so maybe that's why? Remember, not all nutritionists/dietitians are created equal when it comes to food advice post surgery. My group recommends staying under 50g of carbs a day while losing, which I started right from the mushy phase because I didn't want to deal with having to phase out carbs again with all the cravings.

This calculator doesn't seem right. I've been wearing a C cup for many years and it says I should be a DD/E. I'm sorry, but there's no way my boobs can fill that. I simply do not have the boobage.

My surgery group has a facebook group so I've been checking here less.

I would stay away from the articles for now. You can't actually undo your surgery, so is there any point putting yourself in a position of feeling worse by scaring yourself? There are risks. Period. But anything you do if you look hard enough at anything it will also carry risk. You are out of the immediate post op danger zone. The surgery has massive amounts of positive things it can achieve for you, why did you want to lose the weight to begin with? Make a list, remember why you did this to start. Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

Mine was £3600 (about $5400) based on the UK but flew to the Czech Republic to lower the cost. Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

Surgery group recommendation is under 50g, I tend to average 20-30, sometimes less. Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App