lizonaplane

The trick to the protein powder (I used Isopure) is DON'T heat it up!!! It clumps and is gross. If you want to put it in soup, heat the soup, then mix the powder with a small amount of cool water THEN add it to hot soup. Try it in a spicy or strongly flavored soup. I found it was better with cream based soup like lobster bisque. It wasn't as noticeable. You can also use high protein milk (like Fairlife brand) or sugar free greek yogurt as sources of protein. Some people thin out the protein drinks with water and find it more tolerable then. Some people like the protein waters, but they tasted "thick" to me. Good luck! take it like medicine if you have too. Sometimes I am someplace where I can't get a brand of protein shake I like and I'll just drink one I hate with my nose closed, as quickly as I can without being in pain.

I was told 4 weeks. But really, ask your surgery center, that's what they're there for! I have really been enjoying swimming laps for exercise when I'm home.

I've been open with everyone about having WLS. If they aren't happy about it, that's their problem. But on the other hand, I have a very supportive family. I've told people at work too, and there haven't been any issues. People SHOULDN'T comment when other people lose weight because it may not be intentional - I work in cancer research and many people lose weight due to cancer or other medical conditions, not to mention eating disorders. But people DO comment on weight all the time.

As another poster said, the hormones released during weight loss can cause depression or other mental health challenges to worsen, and as you said, giving up your coping mechanism of food is huge. I have bipolar disorder and anxiety and I haven't made any changes nor had any issues with my mental health in the 7.5 months since surgery. However, I can't tell you whether you should cancel. It's not easy. Eating is hard, and I'm so cold all the time now, and I can't say my life is significantly better. I am exactly the same, just I wear a smaller size and walk faster. Some days I'm happy I did it, some days I hate being uncomfortable, cold and unable to drink with my meals.

You can easily figure out the calorie count of recipes you make yourself by using the "recipe" function on a calorie calculator like MyFitnessPal. Just add all the ingredients in manually, then divide by the number of servings (I divide my recipes into small containers as soon as I cook them and just re-heat the individual portion).

You might want to check in with your doctor to be sure, but I had a lot of random pain in the first few weeks/months after surgery. I was told that this is normal as your weight "shifts" and you carry yourself differently. It could be that, but again, not a bad idea to check in with your surgery center.

many people can't afford to do it in the US and go to Mexico. I know many people who have done this, but you have to decide if that's right for you. There are always tradeoffs. Good luck!

Calories in calories out (calorie deficit) ALWAYS works. But you have to stick with it. Also, the types of calories matter. If you're eating slider foods, you won't be full, so you'll keep eating. Stick to protein (meat, fish, tofu, beans, etc) and limit sweets. It's very common to gain some weight back after surgery, but it's much easier to lose 25 lbs of re-gain than to lose 50 or more, so it's best to nip it in the bud. Try counting calories for a few days at least so you know WHAT/how much you're eating so you know what you need to work on. It's good to know you need to make a change!

Four oz of something like meat is a lot. I can only eat about 3 oz of something like deli meat or chicken breast and I'm 7.5 months out. When I had just had surgery I could only eat a few mouthfulls of food. For me, I get hiccups if I'm getting full. You can always eat more slowly, take a few minutes between each bite. I have to work more at that because I end up in pain sometimes too. It definitely takes a long time to learn how to not be in pain. Hang in there!

Thanks!

But the truth is these things are not carcinogens in the amount that you eat. For example, apples have formaldehyde in them, which is a poison, but the amount that you eat in an apple is totally harmless. It's the dose that makes something a poison. Prop65 is just fearmongering based on bad science. It's not like smoking which clearly causes cancer. These "prop65" warnings are based on incredibly flimsy evidence and don't take into account that you are not eating 5 bottles of the seasoning mix for each meal. Water can kill you, if you drink enough, but no one would think of it as a poison.

Gold Peak Tea makes a Zero Calorie sweet tea that is great. I find it at the grocery store.

I have the same feelings. Every day eating is painful and frustrating, but I can fit in a size 10!!! So, I go back and forth with whether I'm happy I did it.

I was told I would have to stop taking vitamins a few weeks before surgery. But, why would you want to take them? The only reason to take bariatric vitamins is because you can't absorb vitamins due to a malabsorptive procedure or you can't eat enough of a variety of foods due to a restrictive procedure. otherwise, mostly vitamins just aren't necessary

I've also never heard of a minimizer ring. Why is this something you want to add? Since I don't know anything about it, maybe it's more common in Australia? Does it offer health benefits? Better weight loss?

Your surgery center will let you know what, if any, pre-op diet you will have to follow. Many people have a liquid diet for a week or two before surgery to shrink the liver and make surgery easier and safer. Some doctors don't require this, or require a different type of diet. Make sure you read many times all the information sent to you by your surgery center.

This is not a laxative. It's a pro-biotic. There's not a ton of evidence for their use in general, and I haven't seen any studies for their use after WLS. Also, I've read several times that if it's shelf stable, it's basically garbage - apparently "real" probiotics have to be kept refrigerated. But maybe it would work for you?

I'm sorry you haven't met your goal yet. But you're not "the odd one". It's actually more common NOT to get to a normal weight after weight loss surgery. People just tend to not talk about it. Losing as much weight as you have is really great and really important for your health. Congratulations on your success!

When I was getting ready for surgery, my surgery center said no carbonation ever again. HOWEVER: right after surgery they announced that based on new research, we could have carbonation starting one month after surgery. I had been a huge diet soda drinker before surgery and was so excited, but I have to say I don't drink much anymore because it has to be a little flat for me to drink it, plus I really liked drinking it with my meals, and I definitely can't drink with my meals anymore. I do have maybe two diet sodas a week. I basically switched to iced coffee, diet juice, and drink packets, because now plain water is hard for me to drink.

I was told I should use a glycerine suppository if I went a long time without going. But check with your surgery center. The stool softeners did absolutely nothing for me.

You should ask your doctor/surgical center. We aren't medical providers and we don't know anything about your medical conditions, history, or other medications.

Three weeks is barely a stall! I know people who stay the same weight for months, then WHOOOSH! lose a few pounds. It is definitely harder to lose weight as you get closer to goal/a healthy weight.

I am also taking actigall/ursodiol. I'm 7 month out with no issues so far, but who knows? I really don't ever want to have surgery again. It was NOT FUN.

I think the quality of the food is more important than the quantity of the food. Plus, one day of eating 1400 calories is not going to cause you to gain weight. Were you eating protein or chips and cookies? Were you eating real food or drinking a milkshake? There were times at 11 weeks out when I would eat about 1000 calories or more, but I still lost weight. It was mostly days when I had exercised a lot or was awake for longer than normal (like had to get up at 3 AM for a flight). You should eat when you're hungry, but make sure your eating healthy food, and that you're experiencing TRUE hunger not head hunger, thirst, or some other emotion.

Yes, reach out and tell your doctors that the anti-nausea meds are not working. Just be aware that some antinausea meds can cause drowsiness so be sure you ask before you drive while on them. Also, you likely feel MORE nauseous because you are dehydrated. If you can force yourself to drink more, it may actually make you feel better (or you can get a fluid IV). Hope it gets better soon!