Swanton_Bomb

The bariatric cocoas are good. If they are too sweet add decaf instant coffee and/or unsweetened bitter cocoa powder. 15 grams of protein too. I have it before bed to get my protein in for the day.

Also I have found bullion is helpful. Yes, it is full of salt but I figure it is better than not drinking when you can't tolerate water (mt BP is ok though). Water is nauseating and sometimes actually painful for me still, and the flavors with sucralose and stevia are revolting to me. I'm trying to water down the bullion a little more.

I believe they are discontinued but the chewables dissolve very fast and I tolerated them well, just ask the doc if you can use them.

So I haven't lost much yet, 15lbs. since surgery + 20lbs. pre-surgery for a total of 35. 35 lbs. on a heavy person doesn't show much, but I'm short, so I do see a teensy change. What is weird is that I am losing in spots that are different than previous diets and weight loss attempts. I do see some difference in my neck, but not as much as usual (usually my face slims really fast, even after just 25lbs.) and yet, I see a noticeable difference in my calves. I have never, ever, ever seen even a slight difference in my calves, they always stay huge. This is very exciting to me! I carry almost all of my weight in my abdomen, so it will take a huge loss to notice anything there, but my waistband is a little looser. Have any of you noticed that you lost differently after WLS than you have in the past?

I would use glucose gel or a type of candy or juice that you don't really like. If I had low blood sugar and had some gummy bears or Starburst to bring it up I would crave more and eat more. I am a surgery infant, not a veteran but I am already developing a fear of even tasting certain things because I'm afraid it will set me off, you know? My NUT told me I could have mashed potatoes, which I like, but I couldn't bring myself to eat it because ˆ was afraid.

Bariatric cocoa is good and has 15 grams of protein, but it is much thinner and tastier than a shake. It is too sweet for me so I add a spoon of decaf instant coffee and a teaspoon of bitter unsweetened cocoa powder.

Yep, me too, and I haven't lost much yet. It sucks a little now, but it is always easier to pile on the clothes than take them off. I can't wait for summer. I suffer so much in summer, I feel so exhausted and uncomfortable especially after working all day and then taking the subway home in the heat. I know nothing can help NYC humidity but it will be nice to be a smidge cooler even if it is still hot.

I know the info states starvation mode is a myth, but I do think it happens in the short term sometimes just as your body gets used to things, but that is not going to happen on 1500 calories.

The anti-nausea drugs work very well, if you are still feeling sick I would call the surgeon right away, something might be wrong.

This can be controlled very well for most people with drugs. They gave me a patch, my second night in the hospital it got a little worse and they gave me Reglan.

I used a muffin tin to portion.

I think the surgery really screws with your hormones. The protein shakes are vile and not enjoying food does suck, but it is more than that. I was sleeved on November 8th and for at least a week I was extremely emotional. I found myself choked up at mildly sad or touching scenes on tv. I am very slowly starting to feel a little more normal. so improvement is coming soon.

Good point about sodium. I went from shakes and yogurt to beans and cheese in the purée stage, that might be it, thank you!

I know you are right, I’m going to try but man, it is soooo hard for me not to get on every day, I’ve gotten so used to that in the 6 months prior to surgery. I’m going to do my best though. If I can deny the temptations of the cookies at work today surely I can pass up the temptation of the scale!

I'm so confused and frustrated. I know stalls are very common around week 3 (I am 19 days out, so I am almost there). Earlier in the week, I was down 12.7lbs. since surgery, for a total of 33.8 including the pre-surgery diet. Then two days ago I went up a pound, and I figured, ok, water fluctuation, but then today, another pound. I am getting in my protein and eating between 400-500 calories now. I went back to work, so I am more active. Why am I gaining? I expected a stall, but not a gain, is that common as well? Am I eating too many calories for this stage of the game? I had really hoped to lose 15 the first month.

I used it pre-op for PCOS. I saw no benefits and it upset my stomach. No natural supplements really helped my PCOS. Spearmint made it worse! Spironolactone helped the most. I discontinued it post surgery because it has a diuretic effect and I am struggling with water right now. My skin immediately got oily again but so far (knock wood) the cystic acne has not returned. I plan on resuming after I am able to get more water in.

What I am really enjoying, even beyond the obvious weight loss inspiration, is seeing that none of you appear bald! It is calming my anxiety about just how much hair loss I can expect. Thinner I can handle, needing a full wig I can't.

I loved fish before, I can't imagine how good it will taste now!

Some use soy, some have whey. I was not advised to stay away from soy, in fact tofu is on my suggested menu plan (yuck). I try to avoid too much soy because I have PCOS, but I would only be using the Medifast once or twice a day for a few weeks so I'm not too concerned.

Best egg ever, right? My NUT told me oatmeal is ok as long as I thin it a bit with milk.

I'm considering buying a few Medifast products to get me through the pureed stage (oatmeal, soup). I know they are expensive but they are portioned with a good amount of protein and a bit of fiber, which I am lacking and the convenience might be worth it for me for a few weeks. Have any of you tried them?

That is tough. Liquids are tough enough, but during a holiday and without the post-op reduced stomach! You are strong and disciplined to only take a bite of potato (which won't hurt you, it was only a bite). If you can get through this, you can get through ANYTHING. You got this! Best wishes on your surgery.

I did have opioids, but not often or large does. I would ask for Torodol (sp) in the hospital. It is an NSAID but since it doesn't go through the digestive track it is ok for WLS patients. That combined with tylenol should make it manageable.

I had my first scrambled egg today at two weeks out. One egg, with shredded cheddar. OMG, it tasted so, so, so good! It was like my sense of taste was heightened. I finished about 2/3 of it before my new tummy said, "No mas!" I really wanted to finish that egg, because the less egg and cheese I eat, the more protein shake I have to drink to meet my quota, but it was so exciting to see the surgery working (it's hard to tell with protein shakes because I hate them and would never take a sip too many).

Holy cow! You look incredible! I think part of what leads to success with WLS is seeing results so quickly. It is so hard to stay motivated on other plans when you are losing just a few pounds a month. I can imagine that when you look in the mirror, you now have amazing motivation to keep working hard. Congrats!