Swanton_Bomb

Only my husband and mom know and I don't plan on telling anyone else. People are ignorant about the surgery and are judgemental about it, and I don't need negativity, nor do I need anyone asking a million questions. I don't like discussing my personal health issues with anyone.

My stomach is disproportionately huge and remains so after losing 49lbs., but am seeing it slowly get smaller. The most noticeable losses have been my neck and ankles, of all places, and an inch off my calves, which have never, ever shrunk at all before. Belly fat seems the toughest to lose.

I have a sleeve, so I can speak to dumping, but I can say that it has been easier than I thought to avoid sweets. I thought I was going to be obsessed with candy and dreaming of sweets all day long, but that hasn't been the case. Your tastes will likely change.

You look fitter, younger, happier and more confident! Nice job!

I put on my favorite pendant and it hit just the right spot without adding a chain extender. My fat monster neck is shrinking!

I had a smooth recovery and I have had fantastic losses so far, but I am struggling so much with fluid and protein. I have a 30 gram shake a day but I am having trouble fitting in the rest of my protein. Today I made a chicken sausage for dinner and could only eat half, and that was forcing myself. Veggies are out of the question because I just don’t have room. I felt like I turned a corner this week with how much I could sip at a time but water is still tough. When can I expect protein and water to be a little easier? It seems like when I do well with fluid I skimp in protein and vice versa. I follow the 30 minute rule but often I feel like it needs to be closer to an hour after eating before I can have water comfortably.

It think it would be small for a salad plate, but you probably can fit your meal on a saucer. Maybe they make bigger ones. Or perhaps try a heating pad?

I bought a mug warmer, it is good for mugs and small saucers of food.

I'm 44 and my losses have been amazing, nearly 30lbs. in 7 weeks (for someone my height this is incredible), plus 20 from the pre-op diet, so it can work on someone your age. I also have PCOS and hyperinsulinemia, so even the metabolically challenged can benefit. Nausea and vomiting are not the norm. I occasionally have an unsettled stomach when I eat a little too much, but nausea is infrequent and brief (a few minutes after my vitamins) and I haven't had vomiting. It isn't easy, not at all, but the recovery has been far better than I expected. I suspect that he is afraid or maybe a little jealous.

I'm a bariatric baby, but I love this comment. No one becomes morbidly obese and qualifies for weight loss surgery unless they have a problem with food except for the rare person with a medical issue that can only be solved with severe calorie restriction (I have PCOS and depression but I know that is responsible for only part of my weight gain, not all or even most of it). It bugs me to see how quickly people forget their pre-surgery life and become judgemental. There are people on this thread questioning this man's mental health because he ate a small amount of protein. He didn't eat an entire cake or a gallon of ice cream.

It sounds like mostly hard work and retraining habits, with a little bit of of a hormonal/chemical "re-set". Whatever it is, you have done a frickin' FANTASTIC job and I am inspired by your progress!

I had that for about 2-3 weeks. I think it is part of ketosis. I get it rarely now. It won't last.

I think if you have a few and they are spaced far apart they are probably lipomas, but if your fat feels like tons of marbles, it is likely changes as you lose fat. I have noticed this during weight loss attempts in the past and have noticed it much more strongly now.

I’m wasting so much food and money these days because I am trying new things and sometimes I just hate it too much to choke it down, plus packages are so big! The other day I fed some very expensive scallops to the dog because they tasted funny to me...my husband said they were delicious and tasted just the way they always have when I have made them. I wound up eating string cheese for dinner instead! I think I’m going to stick to shrimp, rotisserie chicken and eggs to avoid wasting more food, since I still like those things. The thing I like most is multi grain toast with peanut butter...allowed on my plan but not terribly high in protein. I’m going to try the 14 gram P28 bread and see how that goes. So strange. I like veggies than I used to, especially spinach, but tummy real estate is precious and needs to be used for protein now. Any tips?

Anything that the Bariatric Pal store carries that you recommend? I am early out so I need to supplement with protein products in order to reach my 60 grams. I have been cleared for all foods except beef, lobster and pork, so I can handle any textures really.

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=149010273&page=1

It is typical with weight loss to feel marbles or ropey bits under the skin during fat loss. It's a good sign. I have never heard of those fatty bits hurting though.

Thanks so much for posting your sample day, that really helps a lot. I'm going to try the parm chips, that seems like a ton of protein for that amount of food.

7 weeks out as of today, and 27lb.s down. Combined with the pre-op weight loss, that is 47lbs.! I am beyond thrilled and I wish I had done this a long time ago.

I'm a teacher. I took 2 weeks. I might have been able to manage with one, but it would have been very hard. The pain was mostly gone after a week but I was tired and didn't really feel myself. Teachers are always on their feet and the days are long. Take 2 weeks if you can. Don't even consider going back with less than a week off.

I didn't tell anyone except my husband and mom for this very reason, and I have never discussed dieting with others. People get evangelical about keto or Paleo or vegan or whatever they happen to be into. The best diet is the one that you can stick to, the one that works for your personality, tastes, lifestyle and body chemistry, and there is no one-size-fits-all.

My surgeon said no carbonation. Some surgeons allow it. My surgeon was not particularly strict (no liver shrink diet, yogurt and cottage cheese allowed after 5 days) but he's old school about carbonation. I was addicted to regular sugared soda and I am terrified that even a sip of diet or seltzer will start crazy cravings. That is the only food or beverage that I really feel I can absolutely never have again, ever.

I think it is terribly rude to ask someone how much they have lost, even if they are close family.

Honestly I find that the ricotta bake is as satisfying as lasagna. The noodles don't really add much, and when you are able to add meat, add some lean ground beef or Italian turkey sausage and you probably won't miss the pasta at all.