Tony B - NJ

1 hour ago, TaylorA said:

I threw up for the first time after surgery. I just got cleared to take my Vitamins and as soon as I got this down it came back up within seconds. Any other brand suggestions? These were number 1 on the list by my doctor. Should I crush it and take it with Gatorade?

Sent from my SM-F711U using BariatricPal mobile app

I also found it disgusting and asked for a refund from Bariatric Advantage. They gave me a refund and I ordered the capsuled from them which I use now. They are also bad tasting but you swallow them quickly and it is fine. I just could not chew that disgusting pill.

16 hours ago, Meganator said:

I had to readjust the headrest on my car because I'm loosing butt-cushion that props me up. It's probably the weirdest one I've had so far.

I have the same issue with butt cushion except now I feel pain in my tailbone if I sit in the car too long.

I have always worn shirts and sweaters that were a little big to cover up my being overweight (atleast that was what I thought was happening). This Christmas my wife bought me some sweaters. A year ago I was wearing 3X, probably could have done 2X. She bought me medium sweaters which I was ready to be embarrassed because I figured I was too heaving to fit in a medium. We damn...I fit in a medium. What a feeling.

I have a big 24 ounce cup that I fill in the morning and make sure I drink that no matter what before noon. Then the same after lunch until 5pm. Then after dinner sitting down to watch TV or read a book, I have another. That gets me to 72 ounces and any Soups, teas, etc are a bonus.

An option for a low cost, high Protein low fat meal during your rough patch can be canned tuna, chicken or salmon. I put the tuna and chicken with a teaspoon of mayo and 2 teaspoons of greek yogurt with some onions, celery etc. It is really satisfying as a meal, very high protein, and only about 150 calories.

On 12/11/2021 at 2:18 PM, SleeverSk said:

Exactly, which is why the op and many others feel like this. My observations and experience on this journey has lead me to believe to succeed long term with this surgery you need to be the type of person who would succeed with normal diet and exercise programs and if you can do that why would you need surgery. Surgery is a kick start caused by the early after surgery effects where you physically cant eat and your body is forced to survive on a low calorie diet. But once the body heals and you can start bringing in "normal" foods that is where you need will power and commitment and this is where it fails as some of us are lead to believe that the Portion Control side of things is what looses the weight. I have been very surprised by the amount and types of foods i can actually eat ! I feel that perhaps the op may experience the same. Its not the fault of the op for being disappointed and to have feelings of being misinformed. My dietian told me prior to surgery and again after surgery that I could eat as I did pre surgery and loose weight because of the Portion Control side of things.... false. My surgeon told me AFTER surgery at my 3 month post op appointment that the effects of the sleeve last 18 months to 2 years at the most and what happens after that is entirely up to you. So yes if you look at it like that why are we cutting pieces off a perfectly healthy vital organ for short term benefit. Studies now show that gut health plays a huge roll in weight control among other modern health issues so maybe that is another solution that should be looked at before surgery as I dont even know if we are able to do what it takes to get out gut health right after surgery. That is something i plan to look into.

I don't agree with your correlation between those who are successful with the tool could lose weight without the tool. I do not agree at all. The restriction is HUGE for me. When I feel the restriction I stop eating. I am getting better at stopping before restriction, but without that restriction, I do not think I would have been successful in the first 3 months after surgery. The restriction also prevents you from deciding....well it is "name a holiday or special day" and I am going to cheat this one time. You simply cannot without a lot of pain and getting sick. Once you start cheating for special occasions, you will find more occasions and you will gain weight. the sleeve restriction prevents those slip ups from happening.

On 12/18/2021 at 10:14 AM, goodmanje said:

Well I’ve been logging my meals since I originally posted this and following the doctors advice to the T and I still haven't lost a single pound. Every visit he acts like he doesn’t believe me when I say I’m staying at 800 calories a day. So I’ve been told a million times by my doctor and people on this forum that the surgery is just a tool. I get that. But a tool for what? How do you use the tool? I don’t ever feel full, I’m always hungry, I’m not losing weight…. What a useless tool.

I tend to agree with your Doctor. It is scientifically impossible to consume 800 calories per day and not lose weight, especially if you are walking and/or exercising as recommended. It could be that you are not accurately recording your calories, not counting things like butter, oil, Snacks, calories from sugary drinks etc, etc. Read about it...it is just not possible.

On 12/13/2021 at 4:55 PM, Blueslily said:

Sorry, I cant imagine getting any type of surgery done without knowing what I would need to do afterwards. I used to read these boards a lot when preparing, but post surgery and at goal now, its disheartening to read some posts on here so I'm here a lot less. People not doing what they were advised to do but rant and rave anger here. Seems so silly. Surgery is a tool. That's it. I knew that going in and I knew it during. And, if the surgery team is not giving you enough info, sorry, but there are tons of places online to get it. I never research just using one source. Nor, did I just meet with one surgeon. I get it that some folks have challenges after surgery. No problem. Our bodies are different and react different. But, if someone is not willing to make lifestyle changes, this is not the surgery for them. I'm off to take a break from this site again. Stuff like this is annoying. I dont take it personal, but it just feeds into the negativity out there about having WLS. All the best everyone!

I agree 100% with that. To be honest, I think there is more at play though. I think the people ranting and being negative are either those who were simply not able to follow directions and control their urges or someone who just flat out did not have the surgery or even knows a spouse who wants to and are trying to create negative content to change their minds. There are a lot of people who have partners or spouses that are dead set against the surgery.

NSV recently was for the first time in many years I am able to shop in the regular sizes and not Big and Tall.

14 minutes ago, jaznova said:

Hi all! I'm 23 and got my sleeve 1 week ago (on 12/7). I've been keeping up with my Vitamins and trying my best to meet my Fluid intake (I drink Water, electrolyte Water and eat SF popsicles for meals), but I'm having trouble with Protein supplements.

When I was pre-op, I bought Isopure Protein Drinks (premade) and they tasted pretty good, but now post-op I can't stand the taste or after taste of them (same flavors as pre-op). This is causing me to not meet my Protein goals at all, which is terrible and my body is definitely reacting to it (lots of aches and pains). I'm trying to stay away from the milky shakes since my stomach doesn't handle lactose well in high quantities, but if there's one that doesn't taste terrible or have a bad aftertaste then I'm willing to try it.

Any advice to get to my goals? I was already a picky eater before the sleeve and now it's gonna be my downfall if I don't find something I like soon 🥲

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Go with the powdered version. By themselves, these are even a little off tasting....so...for the chocolate protein powders I add a little bit of Peanut Butter powder and/or a half a banana and it changes the taste a LOT. Small tweaks to improve it to your taste is all you need. I find it is also better when I blend it up with ice and it is like a real cold shake. It makes it more palatable. Final piece of advice...I picked up some chicken flavored Unjury powder. 21 ounces of protein per scoop in 8 ounces. Use hot tap water, mix it up good and then microwave it another minute or so to make it hot. It will not clump if you mix it first in hot tap water. If you go right in with boiled water it will be a clumpy mess. It tastes like chicken broth and goes down nicely.

3 hours ago, Izzabelbaby42 said:

I did but my weight loss is still very very slow. And my weight is constantly going up and down it’s never consistently just f**king going down. I was 260 on Saturday. Yesterday I was magically 262! Today I’m 261. I’m almost 7 weeks out. And so far lost only 22 pounds. I was stuck for like 3 of those weeks bouncing around from 266-268. I hate this so much. I know it’s not a magical fix I didn’t expect that. But damn it says I should be losing 3-4 pounds a week and that is not the case. If I could go back I’d never have this surgery. I would have just stayed fat.

I think there is way too much not said here that could explain why you are not losing:

1. Are you exercising at all?

2. Are you drinking enough Water

3. Are you tracking your calorie intake? If so, are you limiting yourself to less than 800-900 calories per day?

4. Are you getting the required Protein in your diet?

If you are doing 2, 3 these things you simply MUST be losing weight, atleast some. It is scientifically impossible to not lose weight with that much of a calorie deficit.

You can drink alcohol again without a problem. Maybe not right away, but I am 3 months post op and drink alcohol when I want to without limits. As far as normal meals out, I go out to dinner a couple times a month. I do not get an appetizer like I did in the past because I will not be able to eat the main course. I usually just order the main and I am able to eat that. If you go to places that load on the food you won't finish, but many normal eating people cannot finish big giant portions either. I can eat most of a 6 ounce filet mignon and some of the veggies....or a piece of fish and veggies. I think you are going to be ok with what you can eat and drink.

17 hours ago, LouLouM said:

Thank you. Tony. I am in need of encouragement and that's just what you gave me.

My pleasure....we all need a little help now and again.

After the first 5 or 6 days you are going to feel significantly better all of a sudden. Hang in there, you will start to notice it soon. Make sure you are getting up and walking to keep things moving...

It is only a phone call to reach out to your Surgical Team. It is literally impossible not to lose weight after a bypass unless you are just ignoring everything they are telling you to do. There is an explanation along the lines of what others have been saying here.

Yes....it will get better for sure. There are a lot of feelings you are having that may even be related to gas, medication, bloating, swelling etc. You will start to feel a lot better very quickly. Stick to it and don't waiver. Make sure you are taking your Protein Shake in the morning which gives you a feeling of fullness and will get you through to lunch. If you are feeling hungry between meals, have some Bone Broth which helped me feel a little less hungry and it has Protein as well...only 45 calories for a 10 ounce serving. You get your Water AND you protein. Do not miss on your water. When you don't get enough water it can make you feel hungry as well.

Great NSV for me today. I got some blood work back and my A1C dropped to 4.9 and Glucose to 87. This is a huge change for me. In just over 3 months I have lowered my A1C by 2 points, Glucose by 40, Improved blood pressure to 115/70 unmedicated, come off Diabetes meds, Cholesteral meds and Blood Pressure Meds. It is as close to a miracle as I have ever experienced.

What I hate about this product is that it clumps when mixing into liquid or moist foods

On 11/28/2021 at 11:12 AM, goodmanje said:

That's all great advice. I agree 100%. All of the advice given would work without having surgery. That's all I'm saying. If you want to lose weight it's all down to diet and exercise. With or without surgery.... So my advise to anyone considering the surgery is don't do it. All you have to do is work hard, follow a plan and don't give up. It's your choice.

Good luck with that.

I have had some of the same thoughts as you are having. I have to say you are not correct. I could not eat more than I do at meals because I reach a restriction. Surgery gave me that restriction and I slow my eating and stop eating based on the restriction. If you are eating a lot of fatty or carb loaded foods between meals in smaller amounts you will not reach the restriction during those Snacks and will defeat the purpose. This is not only a physical challenge but a mental challenge so you seems to need help on the mental side of it. I think you need to consider counselling to help with that side of it. Finally....I track everything....everything...if you don't then you would be floored when you find out what you are eating and not tracking.

You are not going to have a problem living with high Protein low carb. I was a huge lover of bread and other carbs...huge. After I went on the diet and got the surgery, the weight falling off literally changed my whole perspective in a couple ways:

1. I physically cannot eat carbs and bread like before because it fills me up too fast and makes me feel ill. I am just not interested in carbs and fatty foods any more.

2. Once you see the weight coming off, you will be motivated to keep it going off.

3. You learn to eat your protein first and veggies next. After that, there is no room for carbs. I really don't miss the carbs at all.

4. You will be satisfied by the food you eat so it is not like before...nothing like before so you have to forget now and realize your body is changed and you are NOT PHYSCIALLY ABLE TO EAT LIKE THAT ANY MORE.

I have never done 6 meals. I do 3 meals with a small afternoon snack like a cheese stick or some nuts.

2 hours ago, Izzabelbaby42 said:

Hi everyone! I had Gastric sleeve in Mexico on October 28th and weighed 283. Today I weight 268. My weight has been 268 for 2 and a half weeks, I managed to get down to 266 Saturday but then went back up!. I’m not eating over 7-800 calories, take in a good amount of Water, my Protein could be better but I definitely hit at least 40 grams which is what was put to at least hit (40-60 per nutritionist). I move around and walk for at least 15-20 min. What is going on? Is something wrong with me? Did I pay 4500 for nothing? I’m very depressed and thinking I’ll never lose weight. I eat a variety of food I don’t limit anything but it’s all home food not eating pizza and stuff. I eat grilled chicken tenders, sweet potatoes whole wheat toast boiled eggs veggies yogurt all healthy and no more than 4-5 bites per meal. I’m very very depressed that even a surgery can’t help me lose weight.

I would bump up on the Protein (60-70) and get more exercise. 15 minutes is not enough in my opinion and what I was told by the Doctor. What I try to do is to get up and move every hour and get in atleast 1000 to 1200 steps 4 times a day followed by a walk after dinner. If you don't want to walk after dinner, then do some resistance bands or weights which helps as well. You can pick up a good set of resistance bands with all the accessories for 50 bucks or so.

Nothing to worry about. The surgery is very common and very safe. I have not heard very many people at all who regret doing it. I wish I did it years earlier.

Nothing to worry about. The surgery is very common and very safe. I have not heard very many people at all who regret doing it. I wish I did it years earlier.

I used Tricare as well. They paid all but 158 dollars! Good luck to you. I am down 64 pounds in just less than 3 months and at my lowest weight in 18 years!