BajanSleeve

@Matt Z thanks for much for your reply. What I note is that YOU have been using them for a while and your labs are good. So that is a controlled experiment as far as I can tell. I really wanted to hear from people like you who have actually been using them for a long time. Thank you for taking the time to reply I had my surgery in Mexico and I live in Barbados so I do not have access to a medical support team. My GP is really not au fait on bariatric surgery so I have to rely on doing my own research and asking questions like this in a forum.

I bought 3 months supply of vitamin patches before I had surgery and 2 months in and I am starting to use them. But I have been on Google looking up Vitamin Patches and what I am reading is starting to cause me to think they are not a reliable source of vitamin intake. So now I am quite concerned that I am not getting the vitamins I THINK I am. Have any of you been using vitamin patches for a long time? when you have gone for your check ups have you been deficient ? im thinking of going to get a vitamin B12 shot since reading all of this cautionary reports On another note the vitamin industry is not regulated and some of the reports I have read are that many of the tests revel that they don't have the level of vitamins they claim to have in any event. Do you know of any vitamin brands that are certified and independently tested? Maybe some of you have already searched this in depth and can share the info. Thanks.

Heyyyyyyyyyy what a difference!! isn't it so encouraging? my face looks like a different face too. yuh look handsome man. Keep it up

I think you probably hit the hammer on the nail with too less calories. Any way that you can change that? When I was on a program last year they told me that you have to kick in days of eating whatever you want in the middle of the program so that your metabolism kicks in and your body does not go in starvation mode. you should add some higher calorie days, at least twice a week. Experiment and see if that helps. I bought this shampoo and conditioner that seems to be working well for me. its natural and it really leaves your hair feeling great too https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018RERQIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Try to stay away from starchy veg, potatoes, pasta, rice. Its way too early for them and even later, remember weight loss is a goal and they will slow your WL down. Try sweet potato instead of white potato when you do crave starch. Its a different kind of carb. I drank watered down premade protein drinks (glucerna protein) by day 9 post surgery that had in milk. I also made very watered down squash and sweet potato soup that I strained by day 10. I felt like I would have fainted without something that had flavor substance so I get where you are coming from

I am so so sorry to hear of your struggles. I was hungry the day after surgery and felt starving all through the clear liquid and even pureed stages. So I totally relate to how you are feeling. What I do not understand is why only water and Gatorade? In the liquid only stages you should be able to have: sugar free jello, bone broth, sugar free popsicles, any kind of non carbonated sugar free mix into your drink like crystal light, decaf tea with no milk but you can have a little bit of sugar (you have to have SOME calories) you can have fruit teas as well, apple or grape juice watered down. A very essential item for about 2 weeks after surgery is electrolytes which you put into your water/drink. After surgery you don't quite get in your liquid requirements and your blood sugar and blood pressure can drop really low. The electrotypes really help with that and help to prevent dehydration. I could not drink plain water after surgery as it made me feel very nauseated. I had to put some kind of flavouring in it I would recommend you buy an abdominal binder since you are in so much pain. Its like a tensor bandage for your stomach which helps keep the sore muscles tight so that when you move around or when you sleep and you try to turn it lessens the pain. I could not have lived without mine 2 weeks post surgery. It was a real life saver for me and helped minimize my pain. you can order off of Amazon and here is a link to one. What is your current weight? https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Plus-Bariatric-Abdominal-Binder/dp/B01MUGMNOU/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1532384104&sr=8-6&keywords=plus%2Bsize%2Badominal%2Bbinder&th=1 These are the pain killers I was given and they worked really well for me (see photo). I did not even need to take them.

I have two dogs that love to eat birds. And its such a stress because I have a fenced off area where the dogs live but there is a big tree right over their pen full of birds nests and the babies regularly fall out or when they are learning to fly fall prey to the dogs. Then the ones that nest on my patio, when the babies are fledglings learning to fly they go and fly over the fence and boom, they become Scobie snacks

I have 3 rescue cats, 7 rescue dogs and a barrage of birds that live on this property. Doves, yellow breast, sparrow and finches. They have nests all over and I get to see the babies hatch, develop and then fly the coup This photo is the latest set of Doves that are on my front porch hanging plant. Mum and 2 babies

yes and I looked like HELL lol that was the 2nd day after surgery and that was one of the doctors. he looked so young but he is 43 and a gastric sleever himself

I ate a small banana in week 3 with no issues. I chewed it very slowly. I also used them in smoothies from week 4, a half of one. Make sure they are small or eat a half of a large one. I will be having a small one for breakfast tomorrow actually.

I get the B vitamins in the daily multi vitamin which I take twice a day. But in addition to that I was taking liquid vitamin b which was too much and was stimulating my appetite. I am very good with taking supplements, calcium, iron, biotin and all of the good stuff. Including ma veggies and putting some in my smoothies, with moringa, sometimes spirulina, my protein powders, etc Take a read of this. You can also google it further. Too much vitamin B definitely stimulates appetite https://www.livestrong.com/article/488651-vitamin-b-complex-and-weight-gain/

what is your daily calorie intake? drinking 64 oz of liquid a day really helps. my wl kicked into gear when I started drinking more. whether its warm or cold mix that 64 oz at the start of the day and track it. weight training will cause muscle to build which weighs more but in the long run will cause better metabolism to burn the cals. are you male or female?

I stopped taking liquid vitamin B and that helped a lot with curbing the hunger. I read that vitamin B stimulates appetite and that has proven true with me. Some days the appetite flares up but it is much better than before. I am sure hormones play into it since I am peri menopausal on the verge of menopause

This is my first progress set of photos. I am 7 weeks post op and down 41 lbs. People are now starting to really notice. The one in the surgery gown was taken the day after my gastric sleeve surgery and the one in the grey t-shirt was taken today. I can't even begin to describe how GREAT I feel with just 41 lbs off of me! So much energy, I can move around normally and I even mowed 1.5 acres of lawn. Just incredible since I could only stand for no more than 5 minutes just under 2 months ago

ahhhhhh that is a great way to put it But people will still dumb it down LOL I have not told the public but only a few close friends and my pastors. I did that on purpose because I did not want to have to deal with added stress of having to explain to people or try to explain and then seeing their judgement because they truly don't get it. I would rather avoid having persons speaking negativity over me during a time when I am striving very hard towards positive change. To me, that is just wisdom. My blood glucose has come under much better control than what it used to be but I am still using insulin (FAR less than before) Even with weight loss I have to watch sugar and carbs in the little that I eat. The main factor in me doing this surgery was to come off of insulin and improve my health. Looking better is honestly just the cherry on top

whoohoooooooooo isn't that the greatest feeling??? I celebrated going into the 250's lbs range earlier this week and I felt like I was walking on sunshine. You have come such a long way in a short time. I am inspired! But remember you are in this for the marathon, not the sprint Congrats on this new milestone

I must be in la la land, I just saw all your stats. oh boy, I need to go to bed lol you have lost 130 lbs on lap band!! OMG that is incredible. Honestly, you have come such a long way already. I am hoping to be your current weight in a few days I commend you for your determination because not even with WLS is it easy. it HELPS but you still have to apply self control with calorie intake and self discipline to exercise. sigh. Nothing good is every easy right you said family is on 'stand by'. Does that mean that someone will actually be physically present with you for about 2 weeks? or just on call if you want them to come

There are other factors that should impact your decision. How old are you, how much is your starting weight, what kind of work do you do, etc. I would not taken anything less than 3 weeks to recover. The first 2 weeks are difficult with moving around and painful too. You are also not supposed to lift things in the first 3 weeks (as in over 10 lbs). I would not recommend being alone during initial recovery. Its good to have someone there to help with grocery shopping, laundry, mopping, washing the dishes and if you are feeling sick, someone is there to take you to the doc. I personally had very low blood pressure after surgery which made me feel very weak. After any general anesthesia it takes a toil on your body for a couple weeks and you feel weak. So its a good idea to have help around you for at least 2 weeks is my advice

I'm here to celebrate a non weight loss victory! I mowed my lawn last week! I have just over an acre and its not all flat terrain and I did it over a 3 day period and it was NOT easy. Just 2 months ago I could not stand up for more than 5 minutes without needing to sit. I could hardly move from the car and up the ramp to my front door. And here I am mowing over an acre with a push lawn mower. Lemme tell yuh, that is a major victory and feels so good. It feels so good to 'feel' my body again even though I am still quite large. I just have energy now and can move and get things done - I am starting to be able to do life again Here I am mowing away with the rain about to pour and having a laugh with myself

I had issues at 6 to 7 weeks with certain meats like chicken but I blended them into my soups (beef and chicken). I am going into 8 weeks and I can now eat tiny amounts of chicken and most meats. I enjoy cooked shrimp. I can only eat about 6 tiny pieces of chicken and the same for shrimp but that is more than sufficient. Each person is different in what they can tolerate. I also enjoy soft cooked meatballs. I can usually only eat 2 small ones, 3 if I am really hungry. Those go down the easiest. Try meatballs cooked slow and soft and chew off tiny bits

Thanks lighthouse. I am 42 lbs down and thrilled at the difference even just this amount has made in my life. I was even out mowing the lawn which is just over an acre! Only 2 months ago I could not stand up for more than 3 or 4 minutes further less push a lawn mower! So these are tremendous victories. I wish you all the best on your journey to health as well. My ultimate goal is to come off of insulin completely Here is me mowing the lawn with the rain about to pour and making fun of myself

Thanks everyone. I need to start taking iron now that I am no longer hypertensive. I was unable to take iron before surgery because of high blood pressure but now its low to normal. i'll start taking the low dose kind in addition to the Biotin and hope for the best. I am not loosing much hair and I am also peri/ menopausal so the hair loss can be from that. Fingers crossed that the surgery will have shocked my body into not having any more periods! Have not had one in almost 8 weeks so I would be most happy if this continues

My hair is now starting to come out a bit so I am starting Biotin. I have the Barimelts kind that is chewable/melts which says one tiny pill has in 5.000 mcg. How many did you take to prevent hair loss? I figure one in the morning and one at night? That is what I have been doing for the last 4 days. Also, how long did you take the Biotin for? 1 year? Appreciate your feed back. Thanks.

I had surgery May 28th. I am doing well. I am going into week 7 and pretty much eating regular food but only a very little and still not managing chicken or beef unless they are blended. I have thrown up a couple of times and I suspect it was because I had a lot of gas at the time I ate and I likely ate too quickly. There were a few days when I ate crap that was left over in the house pre surgery and from my parents visit (they stayed with me 3 weeks after surgery) but I am back on track. I have found that weight is moving better now that I have started to exercise. I do 40 minutes on the treadmill and I have started to mow my own lawns with a push mower (over an acre!!!) Its about 3 to 4 hours of mowing the last 2 days and I have lost 2 lbs just from that. So exercise really does help get WL going I still suffer with bad gas and its still very uncomfortable . I have not really had acid reflux at all, just a few times in the early days. I still have to learn how to control how much I eat because I get terribly full and feel crappy after. instead of 3 small meatballs I should eat only 2. I tend to still prefer liquids, smoothies and have learned to make ones 200 cals and under that are nutrient dense. People say not to eat peanuts but they have saved my life in terms of things that make me satiated. I eat small bags that are 160 calories and perfect. I chew the heck out of them I am down 40 lbs as of today and very pleased with that! Looking to loose 10 lbs each month

Try this. I bought it on Amazon and its powder. I mix a capful into what I am drinking and it has worked well for me. What has also worked well is 40 minutes on the treadmill. I have not had to use the restoraLAX since I have started exercising regularly. Movement and exercise really does promote a bowel movement. I also add spinach, beets and those kinds of veg to my smoothie and I eat beans all of which to add fiber to my diet which helps keep constipation away Separately, try not to compare weight loss numbers of persons who started surgery at a much higher weight than you. The higher the weight at surgery day the faster the initial lbs come off