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Chewables are gross to me. I tried them once after surgery and had to discard all the rest. A capsule might be better. I agree with ShoppGirl, and will add that you can get a multivitamin capsule without iron. Then, you can take a separate slow release iron tablet. A pharmacist recommended this.

Although my dermatologist said I could take Rogaine, she said that it could also cause more shedding at first. I opted to do nothing and let nature take its course. About six months after surgery, more hair started growing in, especially around my face. I now have hair of two different lengths. The longer hairs are thin, and the shorter hair is thicker.

I hate protein shakes, too! After surgery, they tasted too sweet and made me vomit. I tried to get my protein from savory foods at first. Bone broth with canned chicken, chewed very well, worked. However, initially I was not able to eat enough of this. What helped me was finding an unflavored protein powder, and mixing it into soup, cream of wheat, etc. Try Syntrax unflavored protein powder.

It will get so much better! It took about 5-6 months before I completely felt back to normal, as far as doing physical things. When you resume a more normal diet, you will figure out the snacks that will tide you over between meals when you are out. for me, it is grapes, cheese sticks, and keto protein bars. Or, I use the time that I am out to take care of the majority of my fluids for the day.

Going into a regular clothing store…looking at the clothes and still thinking they are way too small.

I second the Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. If your grocery store has a seafood counter and will cook your seafood for free, baked salmon with a salt-free seasoning is terrific. Can be purchased over the weekend and divided for the week. Add some microwaveable steamed veggies. Baby food containers are perfect for our portion sizes. You can buy them online (they are made for people who want to make and store their own baby food).

Spinach and egg wrap

Wow, I never would have made this connection! How about people mind their own business when it comes to healthcare!

You are so smart! No one recommended WLS to me till later in life. I suffered through years of dieting, and losing/gaining weight, till I finally gave up and came to peace with the idea that I would always be obese. It was a few years later when a doctor suggested I look into it. I had no idea it was for people like me, with BMI of 40. Kudos to you for getting more years out of your procedure, and being healthy longer!

Agree with above! Also pill cutter in case you have trouble swallowing larger pills, pad of paper to keep a food and drink journal (in case of issues, this can help your health care providers), water bottle with measurements (like oz.), heating pad, timer (cell phone excellent for this).

Syntrax unflavored protein powder is great.

Has anyone tried the new GENEPRO, 3rd generation, sold in the orange canister? I was disappointed the old one (sold in white bags) is gone, as it was the only unflavored Protein Powder I couldn’t taste nor smell. Others make me nauseous. I read bad reviews of the new formula on Amazonso wanted to see if anyone here has experience with it. Thanks! Edit: upon reading the fine print, the new version has a larger scoop and only a third of the protein of the old version. Not just bad volume wise (yuck), but also nutritionally and pricewise. Looks like I will need to find the old version or use a different brand from now on.

I agree with others that some could be combined or changed: -Combine B vitamins, iron, and multivitamin into a single Bariatric vitamin. -Calcium with Vitamin D can be taken as a liquid, and also as chews (yum) For supplements only, I take 5 items a day (3 pills and 2 chews). Nice!

So interesting! I was hired when I was thinner, and have risen in salary since. However, I often wonder if I would have been hired had I applied a few years later when I became obese. Most of my colleagues are thin, especially new hires. I do believe weight discrimination may be the only acceptable/legal form of discrimination. When I read comments online on other sites, many people believe it’s a matter of willpower, and that people with obesity are lazy (or somehow lacking in character). This could definitely carry over into hiring.

Agree with others, it will decrease in size with time. You may eventually have areas that are still bigger even a year out, but a lot may be skin that can be minimized with good undergarments.

The Crystal Light I use has no caffeine. I would like to find a similar sweetener that has zero sugar, and is made with something like Stevia (not Aspartame). Any ideas?

I don’t track calories. It makes me obsessed. Towards the end of the day, if I still have calories available, I feel like I want to spend them (eat) even though I may not be hungry. If I don’t have calories available, I feel deprived and starved, even if I am not totally hungry. I do track protein and fluids, although not in a written or digital sense. Over time, I have figured out what certain foods have, and I just stick to the same basic foods most days, for breakfast and lunch. It is reliable for me and has worked for a long time. Dinner is always different because I eat with family. I am really enjoying the freedom of not tracking, and losing weight at the same time! It feels the most sustainable. However, I know everyone is different so do what works for you!

It does stink. It’s sort of grieving the way we used to eat, and the comfort it provided. It does get better. For example, I still come home from work and snack crackers, just wheat ones and fewer crackers. I still get my chocolate fix, just from calcium chews and occasionally sugar free chocolate. Rarely I do have a “stress eat” moment…but I choose something very healthy and the restriction prevents me from overdoing it. This is all working, as the weight keeps coming off. Your life will get better as your body heals. You’ll be able to blend in with other eaters, just in a healthy way. Food will provide comfort again, just not in the type and amount from pre-surgery. It’s a terrific tool!

So true! At first I thought it was all in my head, but then I noticed people at work who hadn’t ever talked with me (for years) would look my way, smile, strike up a conversation, etc. It’s like they were afraid obesity was contagious, or I was so low that I wasn’t worthy of their attention, or maybe I had finally redeemed myself and deserved to be acknowledged. And others are even more friendly than in the past, saying “You look great!” I know everyone sees I lost weight, but some people keep their mouths shut and remain professional. *Please don’t comment on my appearance* I am the same person on the inside. Others’ behavior is abundantly clear. And also I remember who treated me well before the weight loss, no matter how I looked. 😀

Has anyone found a healthy ice cream? I am looking for something with no sugar added, sweetened with Stevia or Monk fruit, and low fat. The ones at the grocery store either have Splenda, sugar, or are high fat.

Thanks for the responses! I am looking for something that is 5 g of fat or less per serving, without Splenda. I wonder if there is some sort of unsweetened ice cream, to which we can add our own Stevia… It may be that I will just need to suck it up with the Breyers, and have small quantities. 😀

Maybe 9 months out, I felt comfortable eating out socially. Buffets, fast food, wherever. Just keep a laser focus on what will be good for you, take smaller portions, and be prepared to leave some on the plate or take it home. I once took a weekend vacation, ate out (but supplemented with healthy snacks from home), and lost 3 pounds. There will definitely be options!

A pharmacist suggested that I take a multivitamin without iron, then take a slow-release iron separately. This worked wonders.

Decrease in hunger hormone, restriction of volume of food I can drink, and the “reset” after surgery to give me a head start on weight loss.

Ugh sorry! I think things have been easier in our family due to Covid in this arena, because we still do not eat out in restaurants. It’s a lot easier to eat at home. We did eat outside at a restaurant with some Friends from out of town, and it is pretty different to become full so quickly and wait for them to finish eating, which took quite a while. I guess something to get used to. But as others have said, the further out from surgery we get, the more normal things get, and the more well understand our ability to eat. Hang in there, and do what you need to do to make this a successful journey!