Shi-Shi80

I too am a dedicated user of the Vitamin patch. I have not used anything else. I do take an extra B12 but have always been on the low side all my life. I've had my blood work done 3 times since post op and all are within range. So easy to use and no worries having to take pills !! Love my patch ❤️ .
Congratulations to you @@Cervidae on you surgiversary!
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@@KristenLe I do! It feels amazing to be perfectly healthy. I never thought it would happen, really. I truly believed I was just going to suffer on until I died before I turned 30... what a turnaround the past two years have been. :')
@@4u2nvyme I use this https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/patchmd/products/multivitamin-plus-patch-30-day-supply
Just make sure if you try it that you put it on an area that has the least amount of subcutaneous fat. I usually go for under my collar bone or on a shoulder blade. Also make sure you take it off after no more than 10 hours or so, because I found that if I left it on overnight my skin sometimes got a bit irritated. Nothing terrible, though.

Afternoon all!
I just had my one year post-op check up yesterday, though my surgiversary is not for another week (expect a post then too!) and my blood test results are already in (I love my bariatric center!). Recently there has been a lot of discussion and confusion about Multivitamin Patches and some of you may have seen in previous posts that I am a proponent of the multivitamin patch for people who have trouble swallowing pills as I do. I promised I would update about my blood test results when I found out, so here they are!
  
Everything is completely normal except my folate, which is high, which will probably mean I need to reduce my Iron supplements. I'm going to wait to change anything until I speak with my doctor about it.
I've been using the Vitamin Patch for about 6 months. I also take a prescribed iron/b12/folic acid supplement. I have not taken Calcium for several months because my Premier Protein shakes, coupled with my diet, is obviously sufficient.
So there you have it! My promised blood test results. I would like to add a disclaimer:
***my results may not be everyone's results. Some people may have deficiencies or pre-existing issues that affect levels in the blood, and the patch may not work as well for them. I am not claiming the patch is for everyone, nor am I even claiming it's working for me. It's entirely possibly that my Protein Shakes and diet happen to be enough for me right now to achieve these normal results. It's also entirely possible that this will change in the future. I'm simply showing you all how I'm doing right now while my daily regimen consists of Premier Protein shakes, one iron/b12/folic acid pills (prescribed by my surgeon), and a multivitamin patch.***
Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a healthy and happy rest of your day.
<3 Cervidae.

my surgery was 7/18, so im about 3 and a half wks post op! i have lost 33 pounds since then and have been very lucky recovery wise, no problems what so ever! i hope its the same for you, make sure to walk as much as possible, it helps SO much with releasing some of the gas. also if your nurses allow it, gas-x strips, some wont allow outside meds.
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I agree with @@Djmohr - distraction, distraction, distraction! Whatever distraction works for you. And most times, Water helps me distinguish whether it is true hunger or head hunger, too. (I have to confess, I sometimes get sick of just Water - even with flavorings - but small price to pay!)
Another technique I developed in therapy:
First, I remind myself "I am not my thoughts" or "I am not my urges" to think about who's in control of my actions. Then, I clench my fists as hard as possible (without cutting into myself with my nails!) and count very, very slowly to 30, or 60, concentrating on steady, deep breathing. It usually works to help re-boot my brain. Sometimes, I have to do this many times a day, other times not so much, but it really does help keep me mindful and focused on my goals. This seems to help whether it is obsessive thoughts or emotional reasons and its something I can do any time, any where.

I know mine is definately my brain thinking about food and not so emotional. I usually will drink a lot of Water when this is happening to me.
For example....right now I have a brisket cooking in my instant pot. It smells so good in here and I know I am not truly hungry but I want something.
I also know if I go into the kitchen and get a snack like a yogurt or an apple, I won't be hungry when my brisket is done so I won't eat enough of it.
Then come 10pm tonight I will actually be hungry. So I know the best thing I could do for myself right now is try Water, if it gets to be too much I might have a half cup of milk but only if I cannot get past it.
I found myself on here instead. I have to go clean carrots so I know that will keep me busy.
It's like a game and most of the time, I am stubborn enough to win. LOL.
It only took one naysayer who had bypass previously and gained all their weight back to tell me I was not going to be successful to prove them wrong. It's just the way I am wired.

For me, head hunger can be one of two things. First, it's just obsessive thinking. If that's the case, as @Djmhor suggests, distraction is the best method. Sometimes, though, it's an emotional thing. Because of the way I grew up, food represents security for me. If I feel stressed, unsafe, sad (insert negative emotion here) my brain tells me to eat and I'll be happy/safe/calm .... whatever. If it's emotional, then I need to address how I'm feeling and take steps to manage the problem behind the emotion. Usually by the time I journal, call a friend or go work out either a. I'm not hungry anymore or b. it's time to eat again. Therapy is so, so helpful for this type of thing. I highly recommend it.

Therapy helped me - although I'm still pre-op - I've already been able to get my emotional eating / head hunger under better control. It's not 100% but alot better than before therapy.

I have into my head hunger today and am paying the price. I've been sick for a few hours now. At least I've learned my lesson!
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I was thinking the same thing about getting therapy. I'm sure it's helpful.
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Djmohr, I love all of your advice because all of your post I have read are very helpful. I was hoping that head hunger or mental hunger would get better in time with the surgery. I am in the beginning phase, I have my psych evaluation this week and I plan on inquiring about therapy for the coming year to help with head hunger. That is my biggest fear and concern with me.
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I'm still trying to figure this out.
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How do you guys deal with head hunger? I'm hungry, I eat the correct portion of food. The physical hunger sensation goes away however, I feel like in my head I could eat more. I don't because I don't want to get sick but I can tell this might become an issue in the future. How do I cope?
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I get it often even 23 months post op. I distract myself. Read a book, take a shower, do the dishes, cook dinner or whatever, crochet, get on Bariatric pal.....you name it I do it.
I have not found this to get any easier.....

As I close in on 100 lbs gone forever , I am finally realizing gastric bypass was the best thing I've ever done for myself and my family....I feel better...I feel I look better...lol.....I went clothes shopping on Sunday to find an outfit for an upcoming Blake Shelton concert that my hubby bought me VIP tickets for an early birthday present. I found the outfit I'm wearing in the picture below..I was so excited when I pulled the jean jacket off the rack thinking it's not going to fit...it's an XL.....omg! It actually fits me!! ???? ....I started my journey at 324lbs...SW was 295...CW is 227 ....one of the things on my bucket list is to hike in the Rockies with my son next month...He is so excited that I am going to attempt this with him ???????? I'm moving onward and downward with the new me....I cannot wait to see 199 on that scale!!!  

Well tomorrow is my surgery. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I've read so much on what to expect but I'm still nervous because I have no idea how I will be. On the plus side, my doctor wanted me to lose 40lbs before surgery and I'm officially down 40lbs as of today! With the just clear liquid diet today, I should be down even more tomorrow. For those of you that have had the surgery done recently...give me a few pointers! Also, for those of you on post op diets...if I don't like cottage cheese, applesauce, or yogurt...what do I do? LOL Thanks in advance everyone!

So, I was reading another thread this morning on alcohol - a charming topic that has since delightfully devolved into communion wine in dixie cups - when someone brought up drinking coke with pop rocks and I nearly spit my Protein Shake all over my computer screen. This is literally the conversation I had with my husband last night:
Hubby: Hey, I found the pop rocks you gave me for Christmas. Can I still cash them in? (22 years of marriage and always looking for new romantic . . . adventures. Look it up.)
Me: No. You know I don’t eat sugar anymore. I’m pretty sure I warned you that you had to use them before I had my surgery in January.
Hubby: Dang. It was a three pack too. Are you sure I can’t cash them in anyway? Just without the pop rocks?
Me: It’s not as much fun without the pop rocks.
Hubby: sad puppy face
Me: Fine. If you can find sugar free pop rocks, we’ll talk.
Hubby: (not even FIVE MINUTES later) Good news! Amazon sells sugar-free pop rocks . . . in a 24 pack!
Don’t worry. I would never subject my delicate pouch to pop rocks, even sugar-free. Poor Hubby got his hopes up for nothing. Stupid Amazon. Stupid pop rocks. Now I want a coke. Or communion wine in a dixie cup. Instead, I’ll drink my old lady juice: Water with added Fiber and Miralax. 125#s down today! I love my pouch!

I just checked in for my gastric bypass. I am nervous and excited. I have spent hours and hours over the last few months reading all your posts, books, literature from my doctor and NUT, etc to prepare myself. Thanks everyone and please say a prayer for me today!!!

Last diet visit: September 3rd.
Class: October 5th.
And then everything is being submitted.
I have united healthcare, and have heard the process moves quickly. But knowing me I will be calling... A LOT! I also know that there's not a weight requirement (restriction?) so I should be okay with that.
I started thinking about WLS a little over a year ago, but never followed through because my insurance didn't cover it. But to be at this point seems so surreal...
I'm 22 years old and weigh 400 pounds. I've never said that to anybody but close family before. I am a single mommy to 2 year old twin girls, who are absolutely positively my "Why". I've always and I mean ALWAYS been the "bigger girl" and would honestly attach myself to anybody who actually showed interest in me. When I was younger being bigger phased me, but eventually I got used to it, and continued to gain confidence in myself. Regardless of my weight, I was/am a good person.
But I'm finally going to gain control of my own life. I'm so so so excited. Bring on October, bring on this 3 week liquid diet! Bring it on. Because nothing... And I mean NOTHING will hold me back from my future any longer!
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Congrats to you all! You are doing so well. I'm scheduled for 8/23 and I love to see great progress like this to help with anxiety I'm feeling.

I had my bypass surgery 4/18/16
SW 318
Surgery Weight 308
CW 246
These were my favorite pair of jeans... Not anymore!!!! I have always struggled with my weight all my life.
Im high school my lowest weight was 250
Im now past the hurdle!!!! Cant even begin to say how existing it is to be lower then 250.
Im going on a family vacation in a week and i am for sure going on all the slides and rides with my 3 yr old!!! That moment when you can buckle the airplane seatbelt and not worry about it cutting off your circulation or being embarrassed to ask for an extender, don't need one now!
Dasha

I was 23 and 402 pounds when I started the bariatric program at my hospital, and 450 at my highest when I was 22. I'm now 209, and I will be one year post op in three days. That's going to be you soon! So excited for you! I never believed it was possible to be here, yet here I am and still losing, slowly but surely...

Disheartening yet empowering. You're hurting now as expected but you are going to push through this phase of the pain quicker than you know. I'm so glad you left before your daughter saw you being mistreated and started to believe that's how a relationship with a man was supposed to be. Most people stay in unhealthy relationships and things only get worse. You made the right decision and he's going to regret his actions as well as those who fail to correct him when they knew what he was doing. As stated by others, fall in love with yourself again and the right man will come to you. Infidelity and rejection have a way of destroying parts of you that are hard to rebuild sometimes so give yourself time to heal. I've been there and it's a struggle some days but you're going to be just fine with a little more time. Congrats on regaining control of your life. Take care!

Disheartening yet empowering. You're hurting now as expected but you are going to push through this phase of the pain quicker than you know. I'm so glad you left before your daughter saw you being mistreated and started to believe that's how a relationship with a man was supposed to be. Most people stay in unhealthy relationships and things only get worse. You made the right decision and he's going to regret his actions as well as those who fail to correct him when they knew what he was doing. As stated by others, fall in love with yourself again and the right man will come to you. Infidelity and rejection have a way of destroying parts of you that are hard to rebuild sometimes so give yourself time to heal. I've been there and it's a struggle some days but you're going to be just fine with a little more time. Congrats on regaining control of your life. Take care!

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I also live alone and it didn't cause any problems after surgery. I did have some pain and had to literally hold my belly with my hand if I wanted to bend but that was about the worst of it. I kept a long pair of bbq tongs handy for when I dropped things on the floor so I didn't have to bend too far
Jo x
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