Berry78

Yes, no gummies. Not only can't we absorb the vitamins as well, but the actual type of vitamins is different in the gummy formula, and it's a harder-to-digest type. (Like the difference between calciums.. we are supposed to take calcium citrate, but many vitamins use calcium carbonate).

You are quite welcome! I have been home from Mexico (surgery) for 5 months now. That's about 150 days. There has only been 1 day so far that I ate everything for the day before 7pm, and was still hungry. The other 149 days have had me pushing to get everything in, and most of the time, failing. It's the veggies I usually leave till last, so at least I get my protein, if not my greens. (And I have a plan for when my daily consumption is no longer a struggle. Unlimited non-starchy veggies.) I had a higher BMI (48), and my surgeon said, right before I was wheeled into surgery, "You'll feel the restriction". So I assumed he made my sleeve a bit smaller than average.. but, then, he may say that to everyone! Lol! From what I see on here, it seems my restriction is pretty average, so I'm happy.

If it's on your plan and working for you, then it's ok. We don't lose weight because of broth (and broth isn't on the plan for weight loss purposes). We lose weight because of 2 reasons. A surgically-induced lower set-point, and reduced calories. The clear liquid phase is in place to make sure the patient is consuming enough liquids to stay hydrated. Many people would get so full on heavier foods, that they wouldn't get their fluid in (the swelling during the first 2-3 weeks is pretty significant). Plus, liquids create the least strain on the staple line, and that is important until that wound can heal over (between 6 and 9 weeks). Every patient is different. Some can tolerate purees right away, some would have trouble. Luck of the draw, I think The main thing is we are all super careful for the first 2 months, because overdoing it could become a life and death situation.

4 ounces of tuna and hummus is WAY too much for 2 weeks postop. The thicker the food, the less it takes to fill us up. Start weighing out an ounce or two, and don't eat more than that. Go slow, and err on the side of eating too little.

Good thinking! I'm sure it's true, too, possibly not an inch and a half.. but the concept is sound. We also (obviously) lose from our rumps. Now, I always thought the impact of it shrinking would be a visual thing.. sure, you can SEE it's smaller, and of course, you can wear smaller clothes. What I hadn't really thought about was how much lower I would sit in seats! It's like I had a booster seat attached, and now that it is disappearing, there is more head-space in the car, chair arm rests seem higher, etc. (And I can fit between arm rests! Lol!)

Guess I need another pint.. oops...

I always order water to sip on while waiting for the food. I don't touch any appetizer, and I usually just order a cup of soup (to be brought with everyone's entree). I'm a cheap date The one time I had to get a full size entree, before eating, I boxed up the extra so it wasn't so intimidating. I suppose my restaurant habits would be considered weird, but since I only eat with people that know about the surgery, it doesn't matter. If I had to eat with people that didn't know, I would have to learn some skeelzzz...

Of course, but it was my impression that the surgeon was blowing the patient off. Since the OP is still concerned enough to get onto an internet chat room to inquire, obviously the question was not answered satisfactorily by the surgeon, so a second doctor can take a look and order tests if deemed necessary. From what I've seen on the boards, it is somewhat unusual to still be experiencing significant pain 4 weeks post op..especially pain enough to hinder sleep. A common complaint for up to 2-3 months is the occasional pinching sensation that comes from the stitch in the muscle.. but to describe it as "extreme" is a red flag. There are several kinds of complications that can happen that might need treatment, so even though the OP probably doesn't have those problems, it's always good to rule them out.

I totally thought the 119 was a joke! Lol!!!

Cool! I look forward to hearing what you learn!! Gosh, I didn't realize it would be so much $$.. I'll have to save up to get it done for me

I didn't read the first bunch, just skipped to the "forever" plan. I do take issue with these plans that recommend 3 meals with no snacks. Of COURSE you are going to have to have a protein shake every day! We can't eat enough in 3 meals to begin to meet our requirements.. at least not for the first year. For example: I am 5 months post op. I can eat 2 eggs for a meal. That is 160 calories. (160x3=480 calories, plus the 200 calorie protein shake is only 680 calories!). I can't eat more than 200 calories of ANYTHING in a meal.. so that is still 800 calories a day! When I can eat more at a time, I'll decrease the number of meals that I eat. (I usually consume calories 6-8 times a day).

You could always go to your regular doctor (primary care, family physician), and see if they want to order any tests. Hernias can happen, as can excessive scar tissue, and the like. Any pain that is so bad 4 weeks post op deserves a second look.

If your puree is thin enough to sip through a straw, then it's more like a fluid, so that's why you can drink so much. Fluids just kinda go right through. Not a bad idea to limit it to 4oz (1/2cup or 120ml) at a meal though, to get used to the reduced quantities that will be coming with thicker foods later. You don't have to limit your fluids, but purees are supposed to mimic meals.

With your unique situation (actually, both of you), I urge you to consider a whole foods plant-based diet. These are, by nature, high carb, low fat, moderately low protein diets that may be easier to swallow (ok, pun intended .. ). https://www.forksoverknives.com/plant-based-primer-beginners-guide-starting-plant-based-diet/#gs.s3flkhc Ultimately, I don't think it matters as much WHAT we eat, as long as we get the protein we need (protein shakes may be lifelong requirements for y'all), and as long as the calories are in check, your weights will be ok.

I live with my husband and inlaws (and kids). My MIL is heavy. My hubby is heavy. They both are extremely happy for me in my successes, but at the same time, there IS a bit of jealousy. My hubby doesn't come across as such, but 4 months postop, he suddenly starts a diet himself My MIL bounces between sticking her tongue out at me at the mention of my losses, and celebrating cheek bones. I weigh every day. I write my weight on the calendar once a week. I've only mentioned my actual weight to my MIL about 4 times. She guesses (always 10 pounds off one way or the other), then I'll tell her... I guess it's about once a month. My hubby was trying to guess yesterday, but I didn't want him to feel bad, so I brushed past the #s issue and dug down to the important part of the conversation. Even though the eating and weight and process are all-engrossing for us, it's important to minimize the process' importance around other people. Learn how to communicate information and gratitude for compliments, but don't let the conversation get bogged down talking about you.

You are right on track. I think the general public perception of weight loss surgery is that we lose huge amounts of weight in no time.. but it does take time. 10lbs a month, on average (faster at first, then it slows down). You should have no trouble meeting your goal.

Life isn't boring, that's for sure! (No wonder I hide in my living room most of the time.. it can get TOO exciting! Lol!)

The surprising thing postop, is that during the healing phase, and then after.. is that I'm much more likely to weigh my food to make sure I have ENOUGH, rather than minimizing. I want to know that I got my protein in for the day. If I just grab some meat and eat it, I'm just as likely to eat 2 ounces as 3 or 4, and that means the difference between meeting my goals... and not. I'm 5 months out, and although I'm getting pretty good at eyeballing, it's just as simple to weight it out (habits are SOO powerful!), so I just do it, and it's no problem. Even that tiny difference when I'm scooping out cottage cheese.. I almost always need an extra half ounce put into the bowl. If you add up those half ounces over weeks and months... that would be significantly lower protein consumption than I would have THOUGHT that I was getting.

You might check out a college, sometimes they have testing available for their physio majors.. might be cheaper than a private practice. (I need to check into it too!)

For me, if I use my starting weight, the calculator has my end at 171. If I use my day of surgery weight, my end is 184lbs. So it does make a difference. Either number is fine by me, since both are SOOOOOO much better than 300! LOL!

Oh, I see what I did. Oops. Forgot to subtract your losses preop from your starting weight. Ok, so I got it to end at 124lbs.. so still significantly below your goal. It's possible the calculator isn't very accurate, but fun to play with, regardless

Ok, I didn't make it clear. Sorry. The "what percentage do you expect to lose" section should be played around with until the numbers on the chart align with your actual losses. So for you, at 5 months post op, you weighed 185lbs, right? That aligns with 100% loss (not Apple's 125%), so your end weight should be 138lbs. Still 10 pounds under your goal, so you're doing great!! But, thank you for pointing out the HW, vs. day of surgery weight dilemma. I think you are right that we should be using our day of surgery weight instead of heavy weight, and that does make a difference to the end goal.

Since belching helps, the gas-x strips should help too. Glad you are otherwise feeling better!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/planner+results.php Type in your starting weight (209 is what I put in), 5'8, and percentage lost is 125%. This shows that as of 3 months postop you would weigh 173lbs, which is what you did. According to this calculator, you are on schedule to make it to 136lbs. So maybe my 130 guess was a bit low

I had that. I decided it was either acid (hopefully you are on acid reducers), or it was soreness leftover from being intubated during surgery. Since it only lasted a few weeks postop, I'm inclined to guess it was the latter.