NiceAnkles

Adorable sandwich! Lol

Yup, I have it too when I’m full. Sometimes hiccups. I heed the warnings too because the foamies are AWFUL.

Most likely it’s from the gas used to inflate your torso during surgery. It sucks big time but will dissipate over time. GasX or other OTC stuff like that doesn’t really help as the gas isn’t in your stomach. The best thing is to walk, walk, walk as much as you can. I know it hurts like heck. I had that shoulder pain too. A heating pad helped it calm down a bit. Hang in there!

I did a keto-ish diet pre-op and low carb off and on for years. Obviously they weren’t the answer for me as I did have VSG! I wanted to stop fearing carbs and have a more balanced diet. At almost 8 mo out, I have found that I can’t tolerate the higher fat foods as well. They make me feel nauseous. I do ok with butter, cream and full fat cheese so in weighed and measured amounts I still have those.

Having second and third and fourth thoughts are normal! It’s all part of making a huge life change. I know most people have hair loss and there doesn’t seem to be much to do about it except wait it out. You may just have to weigh the health benefits of the hair loss vs all the other improvements WLS will bring. Good luck with your decision. I know it’s not easy!

I don’t regret my surgery, but that doesn’t mean i haven’t had tough moments where I think “what the hell did I do to myself?!” It’s normal and healing (all kinds) takes time. And there is definitely a learning curve. It’ll be better when you can eat more. Hang in there. You got this! You can do it!

Seriously try the Xylimelts! They were so helpful for me at night.

Mine was just under 3 months. I was already on biotin before but I’ve heard from RDs that it doesn’t really help. So I just made sure to get enough protein, take my vitamins and wait it out. The loss part has pretty much gone back to my normal loss level but haven’t started seeing the little fuzzy new growth yet.

My surgery center says no carbonated drinks for 2 years. Sounds kind of arbitrary but…ok. I was a Coke Zero fan but gave it up about 3 months prior to surgery. Gotta admit that on a hot summer day I have longingly gazed at a nice cold soda bottle at the store, but haven’t done it. Some day I’ll give it a try but for now, I’m just fine with my other drinks. (Not plain water though; it just doesn’t sit easily for me now)

I am a slow loser and I still have no regrets at 6 months out (overall about 60 lbs down). I see others lose faster and I sometimes get bummed because that’s not me and I feel like maybe I could’ve done this on my own. But then I wake up and remember all the time I’ve wasted fighting myself. My biggest advice would be not to compare your journey and trust the process. It is not easy but it is so worth it! Good luck!

I was prescribed omeprazole (like your pantoprazole) and the capsule was a smallish one. It was not difficult to swallow post op. I just made sure I had only a small amount of liquid in my mouth to help get it down without pain.

You’re a whole new man, Matt! Congrats on becoming YOU.

When I was on omeprazole I had terrible dry mouth. I used these tablets called Xylimelts that you stick on your gum at night. They contain xylitol and melt very slowly overnight. Walgreens has a knock off version but they didn’t work as well for me.

Wow! Congratulations! You look great and I’m sure you feel fantastic.

I’m so sorry for your loss. For me, I believe that not facing grief helped me to gain weight. In 2009 and 2010 I lost two brothers and my dad. All had chronic issues they’d been dealing with so the stress and sadness was well before their passings. I think if I’d had better coping strategies I could have met the sadness instead of shoving it down. finding a professional to share your struggle with is an excellent idea. I hope you have supportive people around you. Personally I’d try to keep away from the alcohol, but that’s a decision only you can make. Again, I’m so sorry.

You’re doing so well, Jaye W! I’ve been slowly trucking along with loss on the scale, but the inches lost make me happy. I haven’t bought any new clothes but urgently need new bras. I have some smaller clothes in my closet (previous yo yo dieter) and yesterday put on a pair of size 14 jeans (no stretch)! I’ve been in my first mini-stall for about a week and a half but I am practicing patience knowing it’s just a blip. I was an exerciser pre-weight loss but I’ve added more strength training in addition to cardio days. I feel stronger and more flexible. Getting up from the floor is easier! I’m about where you are calorie wise. Remember that with exercise you need to fuel your body. I am probably still eating about 3 oz of protein per meal and sometimes I can add veggies but usually I can’t. I have a protein shake daily to meet my protein goals but may experiment with adding a snack in instead. I know I can’t eat 30 grams of protein though so a shake is such an easy add. Working on my mindset and appreciating my body how it is now, knowing that great changes are on the way. Reminding myself that I can’t hate my body into something I love. Sometimes I feel like I’m disconnected from my body—an outside observer—so I am trying to connect with myself more through meditation and gratitude journaling. ETA: one of the reasons I feel disconnected is that I have BTDT in regards to a smaller body/weight loss. Maybe I don’t want to get too attached in case it’s like all the other times I lost weight only to regain it back? Mindset adjustment for sure.

I prefer full fat for the satiation it provides, but for less calories I have low fat. Kind of a bummer to still feel like I’m dieting (noticing calories) but I know it doesn’t have to be forever, just for now.

That metallic taste could also be ketosis, especially when we’re so newly out of surgery and intake is so low.

I haven’t found blueberry anywhere but will check a Dollar Tree near me. Curious the varying opinion on the flavor!

Don’t buy a dress if you’re not a dress wearer normally. I wore soft yoga pants with a drawstring and was fine.

I cook for my family and it is a strange mindset to prepare the food and know it smells and probably tastes delicious and I don’t have any. But @MissyG133 it will be better when you move to purée stage. I was so excited to eat and then whomp whomp whomp could barely eat any! But it was still better than liquids.

At mine, my neck was measured, the anesthesiologist asked some questions, asked if I had questions and then released me to have blood drawn. Pretty easy, not stressful. Good luck!

Thanks for the opportunity to ask some questions! Do you still separate drinking and eating? Do you drink any alcohol and how does it affect you now? Overall have you created enough healthy change that you’ll be able to maintain your loss? How do your portion sizes compare to the first year?

Surprisingly little! Phone and charger, slippers, iPad, lip balm, and clothes I wore to the hospital and home again. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!

I wouldn’t worry about a single day’s “gain.” It’s not a true gain, just one of those weird things our bodies do day to day. just stay the course and do all the things your clinic says to do. I know as I try to let go of my old way of thinking about my body, my initial reaction is to want to cut something out/restrict, but with WLS that doesn’t have to happen. Your body is still healing after a dramatic event.