Losingit2018

Challenge accepted. Before shots are from the day before surgery March 2017. After shot is from last week. I have been taking weekly shots since surgery day.

You have done an incredible job, Viking!!!

I totally get this and do the same thing! ((hugs)) No one is perfect. But by trying for 100% we get way more near that 100% than by keeping a "get out of jail free card" in our back pocket.

Make a lettuce wrap! It's a win win and the bread will only make you feel crappy!! ((hugs)) It is HARD being in an environment where there is so much temptation! I totally get it!
On the flip side though is that we went through incredibly stringent measures to commit to a different way of life. We promised our surgical team (at least I did--I have a contract with them) that I would follow their path, guidance, support, training and that I would work to develop new skills and new ways of eating and making lifestyle choices.
Each time we give in to a craving, we hardwire our brains to that craving/response behavior and it cements that mother trucker in there like super glue. Each time we break from the craving/food behavior, we had an opportunity to build a new neural network filled with "better choices/behaviors."
This is life. It's filled with temptations. It's how we CHOOSE to apply our considerable power that will determine whether we make a choice that promotes health and wellness or one that cements an old, ineffective behavior into our new present reality and future.
With every bite we're either building our future body or tearing it down.
Just "food for thought". Chew on it. And see if it helps you?
@Michael S You are an adult with the power of free choice hon. I'm not the food police. But I am very serious about helping broaden knowledge and experience when it comes to breaking emotional/comfort eating patterns that got us a lifetime invite to the Obesity Ball.

You know... I would be more willing to sample a couple things that I really shouldn't have (like I did at Thanksgiving - just a small spoonful of a couple different carb items), but I just had 4 weeks where I barely lost any weight (Maybe 1 pound/week max for a month) and I have just lost 2 days in a row so I don't want to blow it!
And thanks, I am thrilled with my progress! Yesterday I was at my surgeon's goal weight for me, and today I am 1.3 pounds under that. I am so excited!

You have done an incredible job, Viking!!!

I'm one year post-op and re-dedicating myself to losing more weight as a New Year's Resolution in 2020 (already started my resolution early, last week).

For one day post op I also had severe left shoulder pain but it went away by the next day. It's better to be safe and call your doctor but Wineguy is probably right - it's probably gas-related and your body would be reacting more to a leak as he says. It's hard not to worry, though. I was also worried at first and was thankful when it went away. What helped was going for a walk outside the next day which helped clear the gas and resultant shoulder pain. If not in too much pain overall perhaps try going for a walk and see if it helps.

Call your surgeon. That can be the sign of a leak. Don’t take any chances.
particularly pain in left shoulder can be a symptom. Always better safe than sorry.

Careful with chantix guys. It has a black box warning. Can cause suicidal tendencies in some people.


correction- I just saw that warning was dropped. I still personally wouldn’t take it
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1452JJ

Here you go. They have other flavors too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A05696301Q8EQGPU97DGK&url=%2FJay-Robb-Outrageously-Delicious-Servings%2Fdp%2FB003757WBK%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fkeywords%3Djay%2Brobb%2Begg%2Bwhite%2Bprotein%2Bpowder%26qid%3D1576761306%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1%26smid%3DA2ELPL77I36RFH&qualifier=1576761306&id=2766284422237991&widgetName=sp_atf
https://www.amazon.com/Jay-Robb-Outrageously-Delicious-Chocolate/dp/B002SEXSEG/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=jay+robb+egg+white+protein+powder&qid=1576761306&sr=8-7

I posted my pic in the December sleeves, but I thought I’d follow up with my own post. Here’s a pic showing 6 days out and 16 days out. I’m happy I can start seeing a difference. I’m still struggling with things, mostly my Fluid intake, but I’m trying. I’m hovering around a 22 pound loss.

All done and drugged up.
Cant stay awake for longer than 15 minutes mins.
Cant stay asleep for longer than 10 mins.
Weird.
Surprisingly feeling well-rested despite the weird sleep cycle thing. ZERO pain (thanks drugs).
So much to say, but too tired to post it.
Maybe later ❤️

Date/Dance night (end of the night /second location 😍) only exercise I'm interested in
I looked realy really cute in a sporty red dress But getting my BF to take pics of me is tough

I didn’t have a purées stage but I was not allowed to eat eggs until soft food stage. They are a very dense Protein. I am only able to eat a bite or two at this point.
Always best to follow the plan that was given to you. I feel sure that you could call your surgeons office and ask why. My office has a person there specifically to answer these types of questions. Do t hesitate to call when you are not sure if something.

I just had revision to bypass. I was taking dulcolax, Miralax, mom, Smooth Move tea. Was constipated for 5 days until dr office told me to try an enema and magnesium citrate. I was told that if I had not gone by the evening of the fifth night I needed to go to er. You do not want to deal with obstruction or compaction. Nothing to take lightly.

All packed: button front top, joggers, zippered hoodie, underwear, sports bra, socks, crocs, toiletries, lip balm, gum, biotene throat spray, laptop, chargers, headphones, electrical power bar, hugging pillow, Protein Powder, beef Jerky.
Tomorrow’s clothes laid out to wear.
Alarm set for 5:30 am.
Surprisingly calm.
Will try to check back in here whenever I get the chance

Hey everyone. Just checking in. I’ve tried some carbs and all of my old “trigger” foods make me sick! pretzels yuck, potato chips I throw up, cakes and ice cream I can’t look at. French fries are absolutely disgusting. Hamburgers taste like wax.
I like boiled eggs, a little slice about 2 inch by 2 inch gluten free bread with boiled egg on top for Breakfast and homemade iced coffee. I also loooove ceasare salad with chicken.
I hate and throw up butter, Peanut Butter, guacamole, etc. I hate fat. Chicken and turkey skin. No mashed potatoes.
I love carrots broccoli green Beans, bananas and oranges.
I love sushi still. Spicy tuna roll. But I can’t really eat much. My whole meal is 50% of one roll.
I still dream of food. I still cheat and love hard candy but I don’t keep it in the house.
Im down from 295 to 260 day of surgery to 212 yesterday.
Most fish makes me sick. I can never look at another Protein Shake. I like crock potted moist fall off the bone meat with veggies.
Im still hungry a lot!
I sleep the night thru and no cpap!
I cant believe how much attention I get from the opposite sex even though I’m married. It’s so weird. Like I’ve been hit on 1-3 x a week!
I struggle with calories in. Only getting 1200 per day. Still losing weight.
Im really happy with the surgery.
Still struggling with food is NOT a reward. Food is NOT a comfort. Food IS sustenance only.
Like they say in The Mandalorian, “I have spoken!”

I am not an expert but if I had severe left shoulder pain at any point post op I would definitely call my surgeon.
Good luck!

So bottom line, it's our responsibility to our future health to take in the Protein that is going to repair our bodies and build new cells and maintain life. Those Proteins need to be easily digestible and bioavailable. They need to be complete. So whatever sources they're from: plant of animal, that's the bottom line. If you don't like it--then I highly encourage you to NOT have the surgery. Cuz it's a lifelong commitment that you make to get your daily protein in!!!!
This isn't a position of "those damn meat eaters" all they talk about is protein! It's not a political conspiracy to keep the man down. It's your nutritionists opinion that you need 100g of protein/day. So you follow it, or don't. They will be running tests on you and those tests are gonna tell the truth of your status.
Albumin and pre-albumin test for how much protein you are getting and have available. The lower the number the greater the association with death from all causes. Critically ill and malnourished people will have low values on these tests. And once you deplete your protein, it's very difficult to replace it--cuz it's much easier to replace it with fat. So you break down protein, you slow your metabolism, and once you DO start eating more calories (and you will--just wait and see), then you will be back crying cuz you've gained your weight back and you "just don't understand why"!?!
So if you want all to be well with your life, I'd recommend you meet your protein goals. Most of us have a goal of 60-80g of protein per day, cuz we're just average peeps of average musculature. I try to get at least 60g/day.

I'm vegetarian too. The number I was told was at least 65g of protein - which still seems like a lot. This last week I have been able to get over 100g consistently by pumping up my morning shake (I continue to do a Protein Shake for Breakfast because I am not a breakfast person, and have been doing this for years). I use Fairlife milk which has more protein instead of regular skim, a scoop of my Protein Powder, and add a scoop of GENEPRO flavourless powder as well. That shake is really filling, and has a tonne of protein. It sets me up for the rest of the day. Anything I can, I add the Genepro to - Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, my bariatricpal chili and curry. The scoops are very small and it dissovles easily if you stir slowly.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K6OSDYA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
My nutritionist also said that it gets easier the further out you get and you don't need these massive amounts of protein forever. You will be able to tweak your macros as you get to maintenance to what works for you.

Protein is really important. I am sure that as a vegetarian it is still possible to get that much protein.

I'm also 8 days post-op and am experiencing pretty much the same thing. Left shoulder pain, it feels like a really bad muscle pull. The pain comes and goes, but can get up there on the pain scale.

I'm also having some other pain in my abdomen, particularly the left side and chest left side, but I think this is largely due to gas/IBS.

Pain meds have helped a little bit, but not as much as I would have liked. There have been several times where I considered going to the hospital or ER strictly for pain relief, but thankfully those periods pass. Usually the pain is manageable.

I went for my one week follow up yesterday and mentioned my shoulder and other pain. The PA didn't seem concerned.. I was worried about a leak, but she attributed it to gas, soreness from being manipulated during the surgery, and potentially spine related due to past back issues I've had (I don't think that's the issue personally). My left abdomen pain she said was likely due to scar tissue from having a Lap-Band removed when I was converted to RNY.

Personally I'm still concerned about having a leak and am going to see how I do over the next few days.

I know your comment was directed to OP who is only 8 days out but could a leak also pertain at 4 months ? Just pain the last few weeks