doppelganger

I'm a year and 3 mos post op and my neck was really loose and looked horrible. I didn't think I'd mind that much but my neck combined with my upper thighs and arms was a lot. Just this past month I noticed my skin under my chin/neck and stomach have snapped back quite a bit. My weight loss has slowed and I have long stretches of stalls now but if my skin which scars if I look at it wrong can snap back I'm sure yours will to a certain extent. I'm also 45 so there's that! Give it time for your body to catch up and you might be surprised. 🙂

Who criticized Phentermine or anyone who used or uses it?! My problem is with the docs not following up on her diet plan and not double checking that there wasn't another underlying issue instead of jumping to a drug. This is my FRIEND, I want her to have the best outcome possible with help in using the tools given to us. To my knowledge a diet drug can't be taken indefinitely, at least not safely so why not take a drug free approach first? THAT was my question I didn't ask to be bitched at. I really regret suggesting this site to an acquaintance, now I remember why I quit coming here. Best of luck to the non-assholes who can respectfully answer a question, the rest...

A good friend had VSG a year ago this month. She had her one year follow-up this week and hasn't lost any weight since a visit last month. She's 30lbs from goal and left the surgeons office with a Rx for Phentermine! Am I wrong for feeling shocked? I expected the surgeons office to go over diet, maybe suggest keeping a strict diet log and check back in two weeks, but never expected them to go straight to a diet drug. Has anyone ever heard of this or had this experience?

I had thick hair prior to surgery (not thick strands just a lot of hair). My hair started coming out about 3mos post op (June/July) and stopped toward the middle of October, almost 4 months later. It would come out like crazy in the shower by the end I would have a literal handful. I just knew it was never going to end and I would be left with bald spots or be completely bald. I wear my hair up for work so yoga headbands were my friend to hide my bared scalp since the most noticeable place was up front just above my temples on both sides. By mid-October, it seemed to stop and just 2 weeks ago I finally noticed a thick inch of growth at the previously thinning spots. I had my hair trimmed last week and my stylist said I had new growth all over that I could not see myself! It is very daunting when it happens but it does stop fallling out and does grow back. Some say it grows back thicker and gets curly, my sprouts aren't long enough to determine that yet, so we shall see. I have since had my post-op labs and all of my values were normal (my Protein was good and my BUN/Creatinine which can speak of hydration were all within range). I did take a Biotin supplement as well but it didn't stop the fallout. I agree that if it's going to happen it will happen and I think it is your body just in shock from the surgery and new way of doing things. Some other things physically have calmed down and gone back to normal since surgery around the same timeframe.

I was 323 before a week and half liquid diet, 316 day of surgery now 7 months out I've lost 99lbs! So happy with my progress best wishes to you and your process.

I'm a solid 11wide in Asics running shoes but recently I had to buy some dress shoes/heels and fit a 10 nicely. Styles and brands differ but I think I'm down about half a size as well and while still a wide definitely not as wide.

I had my surgery March 28th. I went yesterday to have my 6 months post-op lab draws, this will be the first lab results post-op. Guess what? The padded arm that swings down on the "lab chair" actually swung down and I had a good 3 inches between it and my body. You guys know what I'm talking about!! Me: To the left, you can see my stats and at the bottom you can see my ticker. I am pleased with my progress and having been overweight for so long if my weight loss stopped today I would still be happy. I haven't been this size in 20yrs!! In the beginning, I had most of the questions I see posted protein/water how in the hell can you get all that in? To be honest, I didn't! I tried my best and kept Water by my side constantly, I forced water and Protein so much I actually got sick a couple of times before I acquiesced that my best was going to have to be good enough! No carbs, no added sugar and every bite I took contained protein. The first week was rough, the second week a little better by month 2 I kind of had a handle on my routine and things fell into place. Hair: Month 3 my hair started coming out. Insert those frequently heard comments about "protein and water...". Yes, I know, but I could not, in the beginning, make myself physically ill to reach that goal. I have always had A LOT of hair, not thick strands just a lot. This part is shocking and you truly think you're going to be bald or better yet have bald spots all over the place. I tried not washing my hair as often (every 2-3 days if I was hanging at the house), Tried thinning hair shampoos, co-wash shampoo you name it, nothing worked. Just these past two weeks it has slowed considerably! Could be though I have considerably less hair, no bald spots but as the day goes on and your hair naturally loses it's "Oomph" you can see my scalp more readily. I work in healthcare so I have to keep my hair up (I've never looked good with short hair so I still have it long) and yoga headbands cover up the sparse areas up front nicely. Skin: My highest weight ever was 370 before I lost 93lbs on my own with the help of the DASH diet and exercise. The reason I investigated WLS was after 18months I started re-gaining and once I hit 40lbs up I tried some of the old tricks and none worked. Well, those years of being overweight have done a number on my skin. I exercise weight training 3x's a week and walk 2miles a day at a good clip 2 days a week. I don't exercise 7 days a week because I work 3/12hr night shifts a week. My neck has a wobble that can be hidden with the right head position for selfies and the like. I carry most of my weight in my stomach/middle section so the true flabbiness of that area is yet to be seen. My boobs flat pancakes, my arms have a little of the jiggle and my inner thighs have loose skin as well. Keep in mind I am 44 and never had the best skin genetics, to begin with. I can get a superficial scratch and it will turn into a tan scar that lasts for years... Tools: Things I have discovered through trial and error! I know after surgery a lot of people have very specific temperatures for their liquids. Mine is ice cold!! Seeing that I work night shift in a hospital and I am not stationary to one particular unit I needed something portable. I tried so many options! Then I found my Hydro Flask!!! Best money I've spent to stay hydrated on the go. Mine initially came with a plug type screw cap which did not make it very convenient then I discovered the sport cap with a pull-up spout. Keeps ice for 12hrs and me hydrated all night long. It is a permanent fixture wherever I go even if I'm out shopping. The food scale is something I used at the beginning and it is a must I purchased a cheapy through Amazon. I bought a Ninja Bullet and it works well, used it twice and never used it again. I'm not a smoothie girl and protein powders are not my friend. The only Protein powder I use on occasion is GENEPRO. The most expensive is my refrigerator, I had an oldie with limited storage space so I took the plunge and bought a fridge with a filtered water/crushed ice dispenser. It's been a win/win we use way less plastic water bottles and my husband even drinks more water than ever before. Food: I read food labels constantly, it's a must! I can't do the high Protein Bars, but I can enjoy a Kind bar for Breakfast when I hit the ground running in the mornings. I only choose the ones with protein and low carb usually the "nut and spice" line. I do have a few Snacks I enjoy like Somersaults sunflower/sesame seed bites have 6gms of protein per serving, My husband and I split a honey crisp apple with Peanut Butter and it's my fave at the moment. Just read those labels and I try my best not to consume anything that doesn't have protein in it or on it. I have on occasion, but I don't go crazy that's for sure! I've been perplexed at the range of dietary suggestions given to each of us from our Bariatric teams. If all of these places are "Bariatric Centers of Excellence" you would think there would be more uniformity in the foods allowed and how often we should be eating a day. My plan is a 3 meal a day no snack plan and I can't do that. I'm smart about it, but I do have snacks. And yes I do eat out on occasion. It's hardly ever fast food unless it's someplace I can get a bowl of Chili. I make smart protein filled choices, bring the rest home. Stalls: I started having little stalls in August. I weigh daily another "no-no" but it keeps me motivated. I went almost two weeks the first time before the scale budged. The odd thing is that while the scale didn't move I could physically tell by clothing and just a sense of self that I was still losing something from somewhere. Those two weeks I had more people comment about my weight loss than ever before. When the stall broke I lost 6lbs in 4 days and didn't change a thing. I still seem to lose slowly then stop for a week then lose 5+ lbs in less than a week. I think like others have said, your body has to catch up to what the hell is going on. Me today I am down 89lbs, in size 18 jeans (use to be 26/28 pre-op), 2x t-shirts (I like mine comfortably loose and use to be 4x/5x). I don't have any qualms about sitting in booths at a restaurant and will not have any issues flying to visit my parents in 2wks. I wanted to share some of my experiences and tips because I know I felt a failure at first and scared about what the future would hold. I have realistic expectations for myself and end result. I know I will probably reach my ultimate weight loss goal and loose some more or maybe even gain a little back. "They" always say food is a control issue for overweight people since they feel they can't control anything else. I say bullshit! I control everything in my life and food was the one thing I didn't have to think about, that's why I made it all the way to 370lbs. Be smart about your choices, find what works for you within those smart choices and soldier on.

http://www.betteroats.com/product/oat-fit-maple-brown-sugar/ Very tasty with unflavored Protein powder (I use Genepro).

Daily, though the bariatric RN said weekly so I wouldn't get frustrated. I've hit a couple of stalls that have lasted 1-2wks and while it was frustrating not seeing the numbers change, it motivated me to exercise a little longer and harder so it's a win-win for me.

My nutritionist has said the same thing about 30gms of Protein is all your body can absorb at a time, but I found this article from what appears to be a nutritionist explaining protein absorption. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/know-your-nutrients/how-much-protein-can-the-body-absorb

I've tried so many protein powders including vegetable and egg, I can't stomach any of them, that's why I tried Genepro to begin with. I've heard all the naysayers concerning Genepro and I can't stand behind their guarantees, but my nutritionist has signed off on it and I feel fine. I agree @@determinedtolive I can taste Genepro despite the claims, but I can barely taste it in the pudding that's why I was excited to share. I hope this helps some folks and Genepro's claims are true. =)

Took me 4 months to think of doing this, but hopefully it will help someone else. 1 sugar-free pudding cup whatever flavor you like +1 scoop of Genepro protein powder =31gms protein, 158cal and 11carbs I can't taste the protein powder at all and it mixes in very smoothly. Not a fan of other protein powders so I can't speak for those. Genepro serving size is 1tbsp compared to other protein powder servings that equal 2tbsp so not sure how well those will work.

If you have a Vitamin Shoppe nearby they usually have a few non-dairy Protein supplements available in single serve packs you can buy before committing to a huge $$ tub.

Thank you all for your advice, I posted this question while waiting on a response to an email addressing my concerns from my nutritionist. She said to stick with the three meals a day and supplement Protein with protein Water like Atkins Lift. I guess I'll try that, I did try Isopure and it triggers my gag reflex just thinking about it... *big sigh* She did say snacking can keep you in the grazing mindset and impede weight loss and I am/was a grazer. She also mentioned that the body can only absorb 30gms of protein over a 4 hour period and not to try for 100gms of protein for risk of kidney damage down the line if you can't stay super hydrated. @@Bufflehead Glad to hear this plan works! You would think though that these surgery centers who are accredited under the same banner of "Bariatric Center of Excellence" would have similar guidelines, that at some point there would be a "Best Practice" for post-op eating guidelines. Right now they run the gamut.

@@finding_onederland She never elaborated why and I didn't think to ask because they bothered me so much I didn't plan on drinking anymore. I'm not sure if it's the quality of whey Protein isolate they use, but you would think whey protein isolate is whey protein isolate unless it's the source? Even then I'm not sure how she knows that.