cajunredpanda

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Oof, I would kill for some popcorn right now. It's the main thing I miss besides Diet Coke. (I also dearly miss pizza, but ricotta bake helps fill that void.) My diet plan post op has me reintroducing regular food in stages, so popcorn is verboten along with nuts and seeds until six months out. My brother and I have AMC A List so we're at the movies all the time, but we rarely buy popcorn (as much as the smell tempts us). I can't wait until March when I can bring Protein Bars again; we're often at the movies around dinner time so I usually have to bring something. That something lately has been a shake or a cheese stick so I have something in my pouch versus waiting six plus hours between meals.
I've been pretty good at not cheating so far. My nutritionist said that if I didn't have reflux then I could have some Tomato despite technically not being allowed to for another month. It's been great getting to eat Wendy's chili and ricotta bake, though, let me tell ya. I don't eat the chili often but those two are some of the easiest things for me to eat along with tilapia.

I just realized that my BMI is 34.4, so I'm below the weight needed to qualify for surgery! That's pretty fun!!!!

My bypass was Dec 5 and ive list 71 pounds

My sense of smell is so out of whack. My mom was eating Cheerios the other day and I thought it smelled like dog food.
I'm 60 pounds down from my highest (40 since surgery) and I'm already seeing loose skin on my arms and thighs. I'm dreading what they'll look like after more weight loss. Now, I'm grateful that I'm finally under 300 for the first time in years. It's just shocking that I'm already seeing that. I don't feel much different in my stomach or face despite my body measurements telling me otherwise; my clothes mostly fit the same.

Oof, I would kill for some popcorn right now. It's the main thing I miss besides Diet Coke. (I also dearly miss pizza, but ricotta bake helps fill that void.) My diet plan post op has me reintroducing regular food in stages, so popcorn is verboten along with nuts and seeds until six months out. My brother and I have AMC A List so we're at the movies all the time, but we rarely buy popcorn (as much as the smell tempts us). I can't wait until March when I can bring Protein Bars again; we're often at the movies around dinner time so I usually have to bring something. That something lately has been a shake or a cheese stick so I have something in my pouch versus waiting six plus hours between meals.
I've been pretty good at not cheating so far. My nutritionist said that if I didn't have reflux then I could have some Tomato despite technically not being allowed to for another month. It's been great getting to eat Wendy's chili and ricotta bake, though, let me tell ya. I don't eat the chili often but those two are some of the easiest things for me to eat along with tilapia.

I use sugar free water flavoring. Or lemon juice. I try to drink 64 ounces a day but even that's been difficult since surgery because of taking smaller sips(not as small as right after surgery, but small to prevent discomfort). But I've been working on it 🤞

12/11 and down 30 pounds in one month. I lost 16 pounds my first week (or ten days, rather). Currently averaging 3-4 pounds a week.
I'm fantastic on Fluid intake and usually pretty good on Protein and Vitamins. Some days, for instance, I only get 56 g of protein or take two of the three calcium chews I have to take. But I often hit my targets. I reintroduced walking at day six but have been building up. Right now I average 20 minutes a day but want to increase it to 30.
I only have two issues. First, I have no energy. Some days it's so bad that going number one takes me out. The second is Constipation. I take stool softeners every day and add fiber however I can. The first week after surgery I could pass no problem, but now it feels like I'm trying to birth Mount Everest from my butt twice a week. (And you know what? In a way I am. I keep wanting to call them elephant spoors.) I have my 30 day appointment on Tuesday so I'm sure to ask what else I can do to become regular.

1) Not have to wear the maximum length of my seatbelt
2) Be able to paint my toes easier
3) Sit in seats more comfortably
4) Be able to make the hikes at the local national park again (used to be able to do it)
5) Be able to cosplay at conventions/use sewing patterns without lots of altering since I currently size out of most
6) Be able to wear clothes off the rack without accidentally going into the maternity section while looking for the plus size section
7) Be able to walk the dog for longer because she deserves it

Thank you to all who replied!
It was the IV fluids, you were all right. I weighed myself today and I FINALLY lost! I'm ecstatic. I haven't been under 300 pounds since 2013.

Surgery date was 12/31/19. I was 334 that day, 23 days later, I am at 314. (21lbs. Lost) I can eat solid food now, no problems. Staying under 900 calories a day, down 4 pant sizes! This time last year I weighed 375. My only problem is Constipation. I have been obese most all my life, I’m 53 now and I feel great, lots of compliments, friends & family are amazed at my weight loss. I am so glad I had the VGS surgery!

Okay.
I wouldn't say that I have an Iron stomach (my brother basically eats like a goat; he's eaten obviously expired food just because and never so much as turned green) but my pouch is tolerating nearly everything I throw at it well. Some things sat heavier like spiraled ham or tuna, but I never threw up until last night. I can eat a single scrambled egg. Maybe that egg bite was too dry? There are a lot variables to eliminate.
I was advised to start taking stool softeners pre op by my surgeon. I think they help. I just need a little more assistance. The magnesium citrate worked within 30 minutes. I feel like I'll need to go back to the toilet soon, but it was much easier pushing that crap out in 15 minutes versus an hour plus. Currently sipping Decaf tea to hydrate and soothe my stomach. I was never much of a coffee fan, unfortunately.

My main priority is to keep the muscle I have, so it's all Proteins, liquids, calcium citrate, and Vitamins for right now. My stomach is flattening out without loose skin. Also the only thing that my labs showed low was Vitamin D, so I added that to my meds as well. By the way so far I've eaten scrambled, fried, and hard boiled eggs. So hopefully you will be able to soon. My new RNY stomach is liking anything I'm giving it. I ate 3oz of air fried chicken breast with garlic, onion, rosemary, salt, pepper, cajon mix, and lemon pepper sprinkled on it last night. No gurgling and no distress, so I think my new tummy liked it. I just started taking 3 stool softeners yesterday, I have three in my pill dispenser for each day this week. Hopefully I'll blow out today. I just made coffee, going to drink 3 cups which equals 33oz so hopefully that will help me go poop. Hope your problems work there way out soon as well.

Well, I had my first food "rejection." I ate an egg bite I baked in the oven for dinner. Within a minute after eating I was puking in the sink. I felt so sick afterward that I went to bed early. I was able to eat an egg bite earlier that day so I don't know if it was because it was cold, I ate too fast, or what. I usually make my egg bites in the Instant Pot but I derped and poured Water into the contraption when the cooking pot wasn't in it. Gotta test it out in a few days after letting it dry. The oven egg bites were firmer than the IP ones. I'll have to experiment. (Though I'm holding off for now.)
I saw my nurse practitioner yesterday. She advised me that bowel movements every two days is normal since we're eating far less, but if it's going on for four days or more I need a laxative or enema. I'm currently drinking magnesium citrate to clean me out completely (her instructions). After that, every couple days I should drink smooth tea or milk of magnesia on top of my daily stool softeners and liquid intake. If I don't poop for longer than a few days again, then it's enema time. I need to get both of those. We won't use Benefiber for the time being. Let's see how it works. If nothing works after a period of time, including Probiotics, then I'm going to be prescribed something. I had IBS-D before surgery so I was very rarely constipated. I haven't been this constipated since I went to a Girl Scout camp and didn't poop for days because I was scared of the outhouses lol
It's just awful, isn't it? Many of them tend to be the size of my fist or a soda can.
My routine is a little like yours. I tend to drink a shake for Breakfast, half a tilapia fillet or deli roll ups plus 1 oz veg for lunch, and turkey meatballs (w/ or w/o 1 oz veg) for dinner. I may have a cheese stick, Peanut Butter, or unsweetened applesauce for a snack. (I'm supposed to get up to 5-6 small meals/snacks a day.) Are you incorporating fruits or veggies at all into your diet? Or were you advised to? My dietitian wants us to eat soft fruits and vegetables with our meals starting with puree stage. They're good carbs. It is good that your measurements are going down. It shows that the process is still working. Two or three pounds is also very good weight loss. (I'm averaging three and four pounds a week at the moment). You appear closer to your goal so it will slow down as it gets there as well. Congratulations!
I just got cleared to reintroduce strength training yesterday. Don't wanna lose muscle if I can help it.

All I took out of my bag was my phone, my power bank, and my hairbrush. Probably would've worn chapstick too, but I didn't bother. I packed a couple pads just in case I started in the hospital, but I didn't start my cycle until the day after discharge. Wore the same clothes I came in, but did not wear my bra when leaving. My Kindle and deodorant were neglected; I simply showered when I got home. The hospital will not like it if you wear lotion to the hospital. You're going to be given sanitary wipes to completely clean off when you are there (plus antibacterial soap to use prior to arrival).
I barely had enough energy to go to the bathroom, walk down the hallway, watch TV, and read social media. You'll be sleeping most of the time you aren't being poked and prodded for medical tests.
Not necessarily for the hospital, but I'd pack a pillow and leave it in the car for when it's time to go home. The ride home was bumpy and I coughed a lot so it helped having that brace.

I"m that way when I walk by one of those "Bath & Body Works" stores at malls, too. UGH!! I could never go in one of those - I'd get a Migraine for sure!

I’m having a minor issue with Constipation as well. I just hope it won’t come to me having to take another daily medicine to fix it. Please let me know how it pans out for you at your appointment! Congrats on your loss!

My sense of smell was already like that before surgery, so I can relate. I had read that your sense of smell and taste can change post-surgery. I wear a scarf a lot so if I'm in a store or restaurant with strong food smells or somebody's strong perfume, I can cover my face to avoid the smell.

First off, congratulations!
My clinic gave me a list of approved Vitamins (and Protein supplements). I'm currently taking the one a day ProCare Multivitamin with Iron in it because I was having trouble with my Celebrate chewable Multivitamins. They made me nauseous to the point of nearly becoming non-compliant. opurity and Bariatric Advantage vitamins were also recommended. I'm currently taking Celebrate calcium citrate chews and they're pretty good. Getting bored with the fruit mix I got, but I have a bag of caramel ones I'll use next.
I would mostly focus on samples of powders right now. Not a giant amount, though. I second Syntrax. I prefer the Sweets line (the traditional chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry (plus Cookies and cream)). A lot of people like or can only tolerate the nectar line (which are more fruit juice type). You could also get a sampler at Unjury for $30. It includes two packets of all of their flavors, a thermometer, two premade shakes, and a shaker bottle. Most of my shakes since surgery have been Unjury Chocolate Classic in unsweetened almond milk or Kroger Carbmaster skim milk. (Oh, and while it's not listed, Unjury will also include Opurity Vitamin samples in their sampler pack.) Both Unjury and Syntrax are lactose free.
In terms of RTD/premade shakes, I like Premier, GNC Total Lean, and Fairlife Core the most. GNC and Fairlife are often sold individually. Fairlife milk (and the shakes) are also lactose free if you find you are or become lactose intolerant.
If you find you can't tolerate milky shakes, protein Water is a thing. Protein 2O and Premier Protein water are popular. Or you could use unflavored protein in Crystal Light. I use Unjury's unflavored protein and add it to Soups and broths for added protein.

My sense of smell was very out of whack right out of surgery. It's getting better, though. I love wax melts and candles but haven't melted since surgery because my nose was so off half the time. I'm currently taking a break on those.
That being said, when I was given beef broth the day after surgery it smelled so bad that I could barely eat it. Haven't had beef broth since because I can only remember that stench.

I feel a pressure forming in my chest. I stop once I feel it forming. Sometimes I get the runny nose symptom but it's less common. Like others it's only in one nostril (my left) and it's just enough for a sniffle.
I can eat up to 3 oz of (soft) solid food at the moment, but sometimes 2 oz is pushing it. I don't really feel restriction with liquids. Sometimes I drink too fast and my stomach hurts for a minute, but otherwise I can drink all day long no problem. I think I've missed my fluid goals only three times after coming home from the hospital.

All I took out of my bag was my phone, my power bank, and my hairbrush. Probably would've worn chapstick too, but I didn't bother. I packed a couple pads just in case I started in the hospital, but I didn't start my cycle until the day after discharge. Wore the same clothes I came in, but did not wear my bra when leaving. My Kindle and deodorant were neglected; I simply showered when I got home. The hospital will not like it if you wear lotion to the hospital. You're going to be given sanitary wipes to completely clean off when you are there (plus antibacterial soap to use prior to arrival).
I barely had enough energy to go to the bathroom, walk down the hallway, watch TV, and read social media. You'll be sleeping most of the time you aren't being poked and prodded for medical tests.
Not necessarily for the hospital, but I'd pack a pillow and leave it in the car for when it's time to go home. The ride home was bumpy and I coughed a lot so it helped having that brace.

All I took out of my bag was my phone, my power bank, and my hairbrush. Probably would've worn chapstick too, but I didn't bother. I packed a couple pads just in case I started in the hospital, but I didn't start my cycle until the day after discharge. Wore the same clothes I came in, but did not wear my bra when leaving. My Kindle and deodorant were neglected; I simply showered when I got home. The hospital will not like it if you wear lotion to the hospital. You're going to be given sanitary wipes to completely clean off when you are there (plus antibacterial soap to use prior to arrival).
I barely had enough energy to go to the bathroom, walk down the hallway, watch TV, and read social media. You'll be sleeping most of the time you aren't being poked and prodded for medical tests.
Not necessarily for the hospital, but I'd pack a pillow and leave it in the car for when it's time to go home. The ride home was bumpy and I coughed a lot so it helped having that brace.

I'm so over this new phase of political correctness......