notmyname

Sorry - I was talking about vitamins, not protein. I don’t think there are protein pills. But not sure.

The clear are still made with whey protein, so that may still be an issue with dairy. :(

Have you tried different powders/chewables? I really disliked most, but find that the bariatric advantage orange (they're chewable, not powder) are tolerable. They have several flavors and you can get a trial pack to see if any of the flavors work for you. I have to chew 4 of them a day, but so far it hasn't been too bad. When I had to take some pills by just swallowing the insides, I'd put a bit of water in my mouth, tilt my head back so it was in the back of my throat, and dump the pill innards in the water, then swallow. Most of the time I could do that without tasting the pill. But I didn't try that until I could swallow more than a sip of water. Good luck.

Happy New Year Everyone.

I eat ricotta bake hot or cold. Google eggface's ricotta bake. Yogurt also works. My program also allowed well combined tuna salad, but that made me pretty sick. I also just bought this warming plate thing on amazon. I'm hoping that it'll keep my plate warm so my food stays warm. If your bowls/plates are small enough, some people suggested using a mug warmer - they're just too small for the salad plates I use.

I told my brother and SIL (not the rest of my family), 2 friends, and 2 people at work who kind of need to know. Other than that, I haven't told anyone. I've lost almost 60 lbs (including weight lost before surgery) and nobody has asked. Of course, my staff also knows how I feel about discussing other people's bodies at work because of an incident last year, so I doubt they'd say anything to me.

My doc said every couple days. I had horrible constipation the first month or so. I might call your doc. Twice I didn't go for 7 days and when I did it wasn't pleasant. To the point where I nearly had to go to urgent care. When I told my doc later, he said I should have called him. My doc told me to take milk of magnesia. He also said that once I'd gone, I could take colase stool softener every day to make it easier. He did say that if I take MOM, stop taking the colase because they shouldn't be taken together. Good luck.

Congrats on the new place! I'd do it after you move. Both because of the weight restrictions, but also so that you can set up the new house to be super comfortable for when you get home. Also, you'll have a chance to set up your new kitchen with post-op in mind. During the move, clean out your fridge/pantry of all the foods you won't be eating. Put the kitchen tools you'll need on lower shelves so you can reach them after surgery when you may not be able to reach up high. Organize your clothes according to size so you can go closet shopping when you start to lose. Otherwise, if you're like me, you'll be in your old house with half of it packed and in chaos. You'll get to start if all off right.

Thanks. I'll try that. Although its Costco, so not sure how far I'll get. Maybe I can email them or call them. I think I have the item description from the link I saved.

I know, and I did find some other earrings, but I'd been coveting them for a very long time. But, they're just earrings. Maybe the store will have them again sometime in the future.

I found a therapist that specializes in weight issues. It really has been helpful. I go to (roughly) weekly group sessions that focus on the mental issues with weight loss and meet with her once a month. It has really helped me get my mind around some of the issues that led me to gain. Good luck

I've lost almost 60# since I started losing weight (so, including before surgery). I still don't really see it. I take progress pics once a month and just don't see it. What helps is that I also take my measurements (bust, chest, waist, hips, both thighs, both calves, both biceps, and neck). So, while my brain looks in the mirror and at pictures and sees the same, the measurements don't lie. I've lost 4 inches on my waist and 6 inches on my hips (after my first month, I'd lost 3.5 off my hips, but only .5 off my waist). Maybe take measurements until your brain catches up with what your body is doing?

So, I've decided to get myself something at a couple points along this journey. The store no longer sells the earrings I picked out for the milestone I just passed. I am very sad - they were so pretty.

Not to have any joint injuries. Not 100% in my control, but in the last two years, I've broken both feet (one twice), torn my knee, torn my shoulder badly, and sprained my hand. None of that is weight related, but I'd like to be able to get back to a steady exercise routine, rather than having to skip for 6 weeks-2 months at a time because of injuries. Separately, the Post had a great article on New Year's goals. It is a good read. It tracks a lot of what we talk about in one of my weight loss therapy groups. "A more helpful approach to creating more healthful habits is to consider those behaviors new skills, and to accept that there is a process to becoming competent in those skills. " https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/dont-think-of-it-as-a-new-years-resolution-think-of-it-as-a-new-skill/2018/12/18/db10fbac-020b-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html?utm_term=.c39c25ba6e8d

Look up eggface's ricotta bake. Really easy and good. I also like to add a little pureed spinach to it for a bit of a zing.

Thanks! I thought about that, but is it large enough to work for a normal salad-sized plate? That's usually what I use for dinner.

So, now that I eat so slowly, my food is cold by the time I’m about halfway through. Anyone have good tricks for keeping your food warm? Thanks!

I buy the bariatric advantage chewables online (either Amazon or here). I like only having to remember to take one kind of vitamin. I think if I had to take a bunch of different vitamins, I'd routinely miss some. They're expensive, but in reality, its no more than I'd have spent on one a couple nights of take out before the surgery and they last me a month.

Feel better soon. I've always been told to do a BRAT diet when I am sick to my stomach — bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Are you allowed to eat bananas or applesauce?

Search stalls - a lot of people post about them. In some of the success stories they talk about their stalls. I've lost about what you have over the same time with no stalls. It looks to me like you lose a lot, then stall, then lose a lot. I lose a bit each week (don't worry - I know my stalls are coming). But we've ended up in the same place. By my calculations, you're still averaging over 3lbs loss a week since surgery - that is great. More than you could on any conventional weight loss plan. It may be frustrating, but it looks like you're doing great!

It will be based on the 2018 amount

I do consider it a rude question. I haven't been asked this time at weight loss, but have been before. I just look at them deadpan and say "Why do you ask?" If they don't get the hint, then I tell them that that is a fairly personal question and change the subject. If they're mad because they got caught being rude, that's on them.

I have a different Blue Cross plan. Under my plan, the out of pocket max is the max I'd pay in a year for all services - its intended as a safeguard if you have a catastrophic injury or illness. That was different than what I paid for any given service. Does your blue cross plan have a SErvice Benefit Brochure online? If so, it will likely list bariatric surgery and say what you need to pay depending on if the doc and hospitals are preferred providers or not. Also, note that this cost is JUST for the hospitalization. I ended up with costs for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and lab work. It was far lower than my out of pocket max. I saw three surgeons before I decided on surgery, the only one that would have required me to make such a big payment up front was someone who did not take insurance and was covered as a non-participating provider. Again, my insurance may work differently than yours.

You can make your own "refried" beans that have less sugar fat and don't lead to the sluggish feeling (at least they didn't for me). from bariatriceating(dot)com: blend a can of pinto (I used black) beans with 1/2 c. mild salsa and blend until smooth. Might need to add 1/4 c-1/2c water or broth to get it super smooth/pourable. I also melt a bit of cheese. With respect to the soups and other foods, I was told to look for stuff with 5g or less of sugar per serving (6g was OK for the oikos yogurt I was eating) You can make your own tomato soup fairly easily. I base mine off the following recipe, but use any old tomatoes I want and use dried basil to taste. https://www.bariatriceating.com/2011/11/tomato-basil-soup/

Just an FYI to any Blue Cross FEP folks - check your EOB for your hospital stay. They charged me twice as much as they should have because they didn't realize my hospital was a Blue Distinction Center. I called them up and within a couple minutes they recognized their mistake and said they'd fix it.