ShoppGirl

Watching an infomercial that popped on doe an exercise machine you can do while seated. It’s called ELLIPSE. I searched Amazon and it’s like $250 BUT a couple other brands come up from $75 that look like the same concept (and a pedal one for $49). They were talking about people using it on the lower speed after knee and hip surgery so I thought of you.

4 minutes ago, Wellington4321 said:

I have been using this multi vitamain for several years as a supplement to the regular Vitamins I take anyway. This one is really expensive (over $40 for 1 month supply). I take normal less expensive Vitamins and add 1 of these as extra coverage.

Are you sure it’s the same one? On their site it’s $39.99 for Three month supply and cheaper if you sign up for autoship.

I was not prescribed it but I do know someone who lost over 50 pounds on the diabetes version of it. I read It does have possible side effects but the only way to know if you will have them is to try it I guess. Of course you should discuss them first with your doctor. The only negative I have heard from those that take it is the price and availability. Hopefully it will be more readily available and affordable soon. It seems like a good option for some people.

Not sure how new this is but I just stumbled upon a multi Vitamin that is specifically for DS/SADI that includes 60mg of Iron, ADEK and some other stuff that is specific to the switch surgeries. Just thought I’d share in case someone else didn’t know about this. It’s made by ProCare Health. They actually sell it in the Bariatric Pal Store but currently it’s cheaper on the manufacturers site if you do multiple months and/or subscribe for auto ship.

8 hours ago, CarainCali said:

I have a feeding tube currently. I had surgery 6/13/24 for revision to RNY. I had 2 emergency surgeries 3 days later. I had a leak and had 7liters of toxic fluids cleaned out of me then ICU 6 days and hospital until the end of July. It has been 10 months + with wound vac, Gtube, and now a stricture that I've had 3 balloon procedures and still not halfway there. Total of 6 hospital stays, 4 ER visits, 7 surgeries since June 2023.

I'm getting better. Feeding tube helps but also causes alot of pain and granulated tissue which has to be burned off.

I have found 4 people who have talked about the same issues. A leak like this and a stricture is very uncommon.

Most people with leaks end up dying. It's why you don't hear about them.

I'm not sure why anyone would require a feeding tube other than a major stricture or leak. Maybe due to already having so much scar tissue. They think that is why I had a leak but nobody knows.

For reference. I had lapband 2008. Lapband Removal 2019 due to Gerd. RNY 2023. I was 238lbs 5'6 at the time. I'm 170 now.

I am so sorry for your experience but thanks so much for sharing. 🤗

14 minutes ago, NickelChip said:

Okay, so I would not say these taste good (like at all) but the Protein Shots with the 30g Protein in 3oz size are convenient. The mango, in my opinion, is marginally better than lemonade. Not good, just...better. But the bottles are very small, so you can pop them in a bag and not have to worry about mixing powders on the go. I always put a few in my bag if I'm going to be away from the house for the day or overnight.

Also, I see they sell ProCare dark chocolate Calcium bars. These are legit tasty and a great way to get your Calcium while also getting "dessert." I have one almost every night.

I also recommend the Syntrax Nectar variety bag, one packet eack of 15 Protein Shake flavors. Again, for that on the go convenience.

Thanks for the suggestions. Them calcium chocolates are a great idea. I will try the syntax packets too. Is it difficult to get it into a Water bottle. Seems like they would’ve made the packet like propel or crystal light or whatever.

This was really good. I cut the recipe in half and it’s still more than enough for one but not sure you could make much less in the blender and get any out. I didn’t think about it this time but I bet it would be good with the Quest Protein chips. I forgot the taco seasoning at first and it was good that way too.

https://foodwithfeeling.com/cottage-cheese-queso/

Does anyone have any favorite products or suggestions of stuff I should try from the Bariatric Pal Store? I have quite a few points saved up from posting on here and I was gonna order their Vitamins to show my dr next month but I need to order more to get free shipping.

22 minutes ago, K Ramirez said:

I use an app but not made for bariatric, I'll have to give this a try. And ugh... Bowel movements! They're few and far between.

Thank you for your help 🙂

Yea check it out. What’s I love about it is if you log your food it allows you to add portions of a serving and it does all the math. Like you can add 1/4 of a bell pepper or so many ounces or chicken instead of just a chicken breast or one bell pepper so it’s pretty darn accurate for your macros. Even with the packaged food you scan in you can add less than a full serving and it calculates everything for you. Also for scanned items they must have a pretty big database because so far it has yet to not recognize anything I’ve scanned. I’m not sure if that’s how all the food tracking apps are or not because this is the first I have tried but it’s far more user friendly than I expected.

14 minutes ago, K Ramirez said:

I have thought of taking measurements instead. Something I was going to talk to my nutritionist this coming week. Thank you 😊 I do appreciate your comment

There is an app called Baritastic where you can log all your measurement info as well as food, Water and even bowel movements. 😂. Some nutritionists participate witb it and they can see your information too. Ypu can still use it even if they don’t participate though.

You’re showing us the photos which document a significant loss but idk if you can see what we see. Sometimes it’s hard for us to notice the difference in ourselves even with the before and after photo. Have you seen the visual representation of even ONE pound of fat? They sell it on Amazon, just search it and visualize 13 of those. You will see how much you have lost. Also, consider taking measurements each month. That way you can watch the inches decrease because clearly you have lost. And check out the non scale victory thread. See all the things you have to look forward to that have nothing to do with a number on the scale. You are doing great!!

1 hour ago, NickelChip said:

That's a good strategy! The reusable containers can get very expensive, several dollars a piece. So why not get them and the food, too? I miss salad. At nearly 3 months post-bypass, I just don't have the capacity for a salad, and I worry about the raw veg as I'm still having issues if I don't chew my food down to a paste and take very small bites. But someday, I hope I can eat salad again! Right now, 2-3 oz of meat and a little bit of cooked veg is all I can manage.

Another tip. On their site you have to order a minimum of 6 AND subscribe to their service but they have a variety pack of 4 on Amazon which was sold out so I am not sure if it will be available again but worth checking there first. I am thinking of ordering them there in case I don’t like them. I hate subscribing to stuff. I am one of the people they are hoping for that forgets to cancel.

i just messaged the seller on Amazon and asked them to bring back the sample pack. Fingers crossed they do.

7 hours ago, NickelChip said:

Okay, so I've done other meal prep services before but hadn't heard of this one. The salads look lovely, but holy moly, the price tag is a shock! Not to say I wouldn't do it if I had the means, but have you considered just ordering reusable cups of this size from Amazon and meal prepping once a week? Given how simple their ingredients are, you could probably recreate these easily, and for a fraction of the cost. Plus less waste, which is my big complaint with all the meal service companies. So much trash. In fact, since each of their items tells you exactly what's in it, I may have to try this approach out myself in a few months when I can more easily tolerate raw veg. I love the idea of salads on the go.

They definitely are pricey, I agree. If i was going to make one of these for salads for a family of four or going to eat the same exact thing four days in a row I could make it considerably cheaper. But to buy all the differnt ingredients for the differnt salads for just me (he won’t eat salad) I waste…a lot of food (produce, cheese, dressings, Beans, corn, etc. My price to make them for one is a little closer to theirs to begin with so I am paying less than some for the convenience factor. I mean I go to Chick-fil-A now and pay $15 for a salad and an extra chicken filet that makes two servings which I would just buy that and put into smaller containers but it’s 30 minutes from me so not exactly convenient.

In terms of waste, Their cups are actually reusable. They give examples of how to reuse them to organize your pantry and fridge on their website. I would probably donate the containers to my local thrift store. I always have a bag or box going. If you plan to make your own you may be cheaper to order them once and reuse their containers? That way you can see how they layer them to keep them freshest too. Just a thought I was considering as well.

I was thinking the same as @ms.sss. I just wish I looked that fit when I am at that BMI. Congratulations on your loss.

1 hour ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

I take all my other Vitamins and supplements, just not Calcium. I get so much from the almond milk, cheese, sour cream, and other foods that I have everyday that I haven't needed to take it. And my blood work always comes back good. Almond milk has a lot more Calcium than cow's milk, so maybe that's why.

Someone posted on here that it’s leeches from you bones for a while so you don’t really know it that your actually low from labs until it’s too late unless you are getting regular bone density scans?? @catwoman7 mentioned it on this thread. I plan to talk to my dr about that and ask if I can get a bone density scan ant my age as @ms.sss suggested. I also use almond milk and eat alot of cheese but idk how much of that I will malabsorb post bypass. Hopefully I do get enough from diet though. Would be nice to need less Vitamins.

1 hour ago, Teriesa said:

Hi everyone, I have a question. Has anyone been totally fatigued with absolutely no energy daily. I was hospitalized for lack of fluids, an 2nd time for depleted potassium. I do IV infusions twice a week, still barely helps. I do the Protein daily as well as Water. Any ideas ?? Dr. says follow program, as I do..so far regretting surgery.

You are far enough out that it seems like you would be feeling better. You say you are getting enough Protein and Water which would’ve been my first question. Are you taking your Multivitamin? Are the iv infusions prescribed by your doctor?

I know they have some pop up places now where anyone can walk in and I have never asked my dr about them but I am not sure they should be allowed to have them. From what I understand they have alot of Vitamins and stuff that may seem harmless because they aren’t a pill but combined with different vitamins they may actually interfere with prescription drugs or other vitamins.

Like when Calcium doesn't absorb as well if you take it too close In time to when you take Iron (or is it visa versa). Anyways, if you are doing the infusions on your own, be sure to run the exact ingredients by your doctor. If you have considered all this I would reach out to your doctor and they may want to run some labs.

Could possibly be something entirely unrelated too. My primary care provider told me if I had issues for a while post op I was supposed to call the surgeon first and they would tell me if it could be surgery related or if I should call my primary doctor.

1 hour ago, Aloo77 said:

Thank you all! I’m going to call my PCP and see if I can try tablets as my surgeon stated it could be cuz they are capsules

Yea sometimes it’s the way they dissolve. There was something about tablets that have a special coating on them too that I vaguely remember reading about. I did this research three years ago before I had the sleeve because I am on meds too. People definitely do have issues with certain types of meds commonly and then a much smaller percent have issues with other types of meds that are fine for most people. I guess it’s kind of like the small percentage that have more issues getting enough Vitamins no matter what they try. You will Just need to keep working with your doctor until they will figure it out. In the meantime just try to remember that it is just a medication issue and you will feel more like yourself soon. 💜

I would reach out to your prescribing dr. They can up your dose or add another drug to help. It could just be temporary hormone changes but it could be the absorption issues. Regardless your dr should be able to help. This is really common with the extended release meds but it’s known to happen occasionally with a variety of meds. (It depends on where and how they are absorbed mostly) I was on one med Before surgery that requires you eat 350 calories For it to absorb properly so my dr changed me to another med until I was eating enough. Tried to switch back and all of a sudden the med caused me really intense anxiety. Tried to tough it out hoping it would lessen and go away but even with anxiety meds it was so bad I was up pacing the floors all night because I couldn’t sit still. This was a med I was on for through years before surgery without any issue. I don’t think they really can predict how our bodies are going to react to any meds post surgery. Just like it varies from one person to the next it’s like we are another person once our anatomy is altered.

2 hours ago, NickelChip said:

In case you would find this helpful, Dr. Weiner's bariatric practice in Tucson, AZ has started a virtual nutrition support program that is open to anyone, no matter where you live or where you had surgery. You get unlimited access to monthly classes and support groups for $50 a month, and members can book a personal appointment with the dietician, Zoe, for $20 per session. Since you don't have anyone you can rely on from your surgeon's office, maybe this would be a useful resource. Here's their link: https://www.poundofcureweightloss.com/nutrition-counseling-memberships/

Oh cool. I have read Dr Weiner’s book, watched his you tube stuff and I listen to his podcasts on occasion. I didn't realize they had a virtual nutrition class. I bet that’s very informative. I really like the way they explain things. For me it is very easy to follow.

I can add that if you focus on Protein it may be helpful to cut your Snacks if you eat those. Based on my experience after the sleeve and from my experience with the dietician while I am pending revision I have been recently focusing on protein first and keeping carbs low and it keeps me full longer and I am losing a little. Basically I am eating just lean meat, veggies and a little fruit. I think it’s the Fiber that makes you full faster and the protein that keeps you full longer. I have a Protein Shake in the morning with my coffee for Breakfast and then eat my breakfast for lunch (egg white omelet) and usually chicken or fish for dinner with veggies. This seems to be working for me, I am losing very slowly.

1 minute ago, Pamela11 said:

I have some mobility issues unfortunately, i do have an exercise bike & try to use that every other day. Ill go to my gp and ask to speak to dietitian. Thank you for your time & help x

Of course. I am by no means an expert. I never spoke with a dietician except about the post surgery diet so I could be wrong but I’m thinking 1400 may be a little high for weight loss if your not very active. The dietician should be able to give you an exact goal.

6 minutes ago, Pamela11 said:

I was scheduled for gastric sleeve shortly after band had been taken out, but my consultant left. Now the hospital saying they cant see the funding package that has been put in place, thought id try myself in mean time but just not shifting the pounds. Im eating alot more than i use to but eating the right things & keeping within calories .

I’m sorry you have encountered an obstacle. Hopefully that will get sorted out soon. Are you very active? I ask because 1400 calories may not be low enough to lose if you are not. I really would suggest speaking with a dietician to see if you need to decrease calories or increase your activity.

I just read that climbing stairs helps develop the muscles that help with bad knees and thought of this post. May be something to look into?? I know I have seen some people at the high schools climbing the stairs to the bleachers if you don’t have any. I think I would probably run this by your dr first. This wasn’t an official source. Just thought it’s be worth asking some questions about.

If I’m calculating right that’s 255 lbs so at 5’1 that’s a bmi of 48.2. Have you considered another surgery? I agree the pound of cure book is great and may help you lose some but my experience at the higher bmi it’s pretty unlikely to get down to a healthy weight without help. Especially if you have metabolic issues related to your weight, surgery may be something to consider. Regardless, you may have to cut your calories below 1400 Depending on age and activity level. Have you talked to a nutritionist?

I agree talk to your team because some Soups may be considered a purée. And if you are allowed soups make sure it can go though a pretty fine strainer. Many soups have little bits of meat or vegetables.