Airstream88

My NUT gave us a 4-5 mini meal a day plan. I eat every 3 - 4 hours. Meals include protein eaten first (3-4oz), a multigrain or fruit serving, and veggies if there is room. At 5 weeks I could only eat the protein (1-2oz) and had to supplement with shakes. But now I only eat real food as I really detest any sort of protein shake or smoothie.

It seems to be normal. I was practically menopausal and my period came back with a vengeance 3 months after my RNY. It lasted 6 weeks and I was worried about becoming anemic so I went to my GYN. She put me on Progesterone to even out my hormones and that took care of it for me.

I had RNY last October. I went home on pureed. I mostly ate yogurt, my protein shakes, ricotta bake and sugar free jello and popsicles. I advanced to soft foods (eggs, string cheese, mashed fish, etc) at two weeks and then to most foods (chicken, lunch meat, etc) with some restrictions (seeds, fibrous veggies, steak, etc) at 31 days. You will need to continue drinking the protein shakes for at least a few months in order to get in the required protein. You just can't eat enough at first. Even though I hated all protein shakes, I forced one down every morning to make sure I got enough protein.

I don't count anything but protein grams and fluids. I didn't experience any stalls until I hit 9 1/2 months - primarily I think because I had problems with bulging disks in my neck that caused a pinched nerve and I had to stop exercising. I eat 4 mini-meals a day consisting of protein first, then a multi-grain (2 a day) or fruit serving (2 a day), then veggies. One meal is protein & veggies only. At 10 1/2 months I probably eat somewhere between 1200 - 1400 calories daily. I'm very happy with my progress so far.

After any major surgery (applies to all WLS) I think it's advisable to have someone around for at least a few days just in case something happens. I had my sister and my husband. For the first few days, my sister made my shakes for me and made sure I always had water for sipping.

I was allowed SF jello as part of my fluids phase and SF popsicles. They helped with the boredom of protein shakes. I found that putting in some Peppermint SF Coffee Flavoring in the shakes helped change the taste. Also I used Hershey's SF chocolate syrup to change the taste as well. Unfortunately, shakes are the best way to get in your protein the first three months. There is no way you will be able to eat enough protein through food for at least 3-4 months.

You seem to still rely on protein shakes as the source of most of your nutrition. And at a year out, doesn't look like you are eating enough calories. Try eating real food. My NUT recommends the following: 4 - 5 mini meals eaten 3 -4 hours apart consisting of 3 - 4 oz protein eaten first, followed by green veggies if there is room. She also allows 2 servings of multigrains and 2 servings of fruit daily, eaten with protein and NOT eaten at the same meal. Also 3 fats are allowed per day - nuts, avocado, olive oil.

Yes you will and then you will wish you were back in the stages where you didn't care about food and couldn't eat as much! At 5 weeks your stomach is still healing. Real food (protein) makes you feel full faster as it pushes on the sides of your new small stomach. That's why we should eat protein first - so the restrictive part of surgery works as it is designed. As your stomach heals, you will be able to eat more food at a sitting and eventually approach something that looks like a real meal, only much smaller. Be patient!

Are you still eating your protein first and making your protein goals? Are you drinking enough fluids? Are you eating enough? Give us some more info.

You lost 29 pounds in a month. Have you ever done that before? The effects of the surgery don't happen overnight! When you are over 300 pounds it takes a while for weight loss to be noticeable. There is no magic # of pounds you should lose each month. I lost 37 pounds the first month and 9 the second. Have someone help you take your measurements on a regular basis. Also estrogen is stored in fat and that can wreck havoc on your emotions. Hang in there! You can't fail unless you don't make your water and protein goals.

How did this lady know her teeth yellowing was caused by vitamin deficiencies? I have talked with 2 dentists and they both assured me that the calcium in our teeth is locked in and doesn't leach out. The only thing they warned me about was acid reflux while sleeping - that the acid can cause tooth erosion and other issues.

I have no problems eating steak! Medium Rare Filet, Marinated London Broil and flank steak are my favorites. I also eat pork, crab, and shrimp without any problems. I found chicken to sit very heavy in my stomach, especially in the beginning. It needs to be very moist or dipped in hummus, guacamole or salsa. It still is the protein that makes me feel the restriction the most but I tolerate it much better now.

It took me about 5-6 months to get all my protein from food. Even though I hated the protein shakes, I made myself choke down a premier protein caramel in the morning for breakfast while driving into work. I've found that the Premier Protein Clear juice is tolerable and it has 20gm protein. Also I make a "frosty" using Fairlife milk and Halo Top Chocolate ice cream for a total of 18g of protein - great on a hot day.

I only use my home scale for making sure the number is going in the right direction. My scale also weighs lighter than my Drs scale.

Not yet. I've only had a few sips. My surgeon requested I not drink any until at least a year as they are worried about transfer addiction. (food -> alcohol). You may want to see someone before it gets out of control.

I only eat real food now and rarely have issues. When I do, it's normally because I didn't drink enough. When that happens I take a Colace and make sure to drink a lot of water with it.

From the very beginning I told everyone. I didn't feel like having to hide why I am eating so little now, not drinking at meals, not drinking alcohol, etc. Everyone I've told has been very supportive, at least to my face. The manager at the local Zoe's Kitchen still comes up to me and says how great I'm doing. But even if someone started giving me grief, I could care less. It's my life and my body, not theirs. You can't control how people behave, you can only control your reaction.

Possibly the panni if it's covered by insurance. My only dream surgery would be a neck lift but my sister had that done (Lifestyle lift) and spent 3 months sleeping in a recliner and still has a pulling feeling behind her ears. My dream is to retire early and travel the country with my husband in our Airstream. I look good in clothes and he loves me no matter what so I'm not going to blow my retirement money on plastic surgery.

I was a size 32/34 and my BMI was over 60. I am now size 18/20 and my BMI is 41.

I chose Bypass because in the end I wanted this surgery to be one and done. At first I was dead set on the sleeve but after reading hundreds of experiences on these and other boards, I decided to go with my surgeon's preference and have the bypass. He suggested it because he felt I would lose more weight than with the sleeve. I also didn't want to develop GERD after the sleeve and have to have a revision later. I don't feel the malabsortion is a big deal as long as I take my vitamins and iron as directed. My labs have been great so far.

I got rid of them as soon as I could and donated them to Good Will. First the winter clothes and now the summer clothes. I hate my clothes to look baggy so I continue to buy smaller clothes. I've gone from size 32 to size 18/20. As they get too big, the newer clothes also go into the goodwill pile. So far I've donated 4 contractor sized bags of clothing to Good Will.

My NUT allows us 2 multigrain serving s and 2 fruits daily, always with and after eating the protein. I follow this plan and rarely have issues with constipation. I don't use any protein supplements - I get all my nutrition from real food.

I hated artificial sweeteners in drinks prior to surgery and hate them even more now. I'm pretty much limited to drinking unsweetened tea and water.

Just wanted to add that I talked to a friend who is a Dentist. He said Calcium is locked into your teeth from the time they are formed and is not affected by diet. He did say that having acid reflux or GERD while sleeping can cause enamel erosion.

There have been other discussions about dental issues and calcium deficiencies here in the past. I look at it this way - as long as I see my dentist 2x a year, floss and brush, take my vitamins and calcium religiously then I'm fairly certain I can handle any dental issues that come my way. I had this surgery because I had high blood pressure, was borderline diabetic, and knee problems so severe I was facing two knee replacement surgeries. All of those issues have been alleviated by the weight loss afforded to me by my RNY surgery. If I have a few dental issues I'm pretty sure taking care of them will be easier and much cheaper than the cost of my prior health issues. My dentist is aware that I had the surgery and has not voiced any concerns. He is a Clinical Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.