NP_WIP

I feel it helps to view this as a way of life and see how far along you have come. Some days I get obsessed with the scale, or if I'm following the plan to a T, or if my pants fit etc but I go back to my why, and feel like I'm learning what to do to keep going and keeping it off. I'm also working on not rewarding myself for loosing the weight or following the plan, but grasp an understanding that this is my new life (idk if it makes sense lol) and my new normal.

I agree with adding seasonings, it really helps make food more palatable. One of the things I noticed after surgery is that in the past when I was following a plan, I restricted spices/condiments and made my food bland, which eventually got tiring and made me quit. This time around I'm using regular seasoning and just keeping to my portions and macros.

I agree that you should reach out to your surgeon for guidance since they all have different plans and ways to do things. Personally, I think you are not eating enough calories. As per my doctors guideline I was 600-800 calories at 3 months post op. Now I usually do 1000 with exercise and I have not plateau. If I have a slow week is because I did not meet my fluids a day or two of the week, or I consumed too little calories.

Prior to surgery I did not have a period for almost 9 months with no birth control. One week prior to surgery my PCP was referring me to an Endo to see if I had PCOS, but I decided to wait until post op. Once I hit one month post op, I got my period and have had it ever since. Sometimes 2x per month, I thought it was the hormones which in part it is, but because I take the mini pill, if I do not take it within the same 1hr window daily, I get my period a few days after and my usual cycle. We were advised to use contraceptive because fertility definitely increases after surgery.

Congratulations!

Soft/pureed for me was one period, so I had chilli, ground chicken, ricotta bake, refried beans, crab salad, thick soups, greek yogurt etc. That hurt feeling could well be your restriction, since you are only a few weeks out it takes sometimes to recognize your body's new way of letting you know when full, hungry etc. Regarding the saltine cracker, it is not the end of the world I think most of us during the first few months want to test our stomachs. But I will invite you to think what made you do it and see if its an urge you can control. Right now everything seems easier after surgery while your body is adjusting but down the line the process and its results are going to be based on your effort and how well you follow your plan.

I have had Sushi twice since surgery both with rice, 1st time was around 3 months, was only able to have 2 to 3 pieces, and last time was around 5 months, I was able to have 4 to 5 pieces. I feel like I do not get to chew properly the rice so I have limit it since and because the protein content is low compared to the amount of carbs eating.

BP medicine down from 10mg preop to 2.5mg, PCP admitted she will keep me on it because when I'm at the office it spikes but my records are all below 110/70, hoping to have it removed at my 3 month follow up.

Made it to Onederland! It has been over 6 years that I have not been below 200, finally!

Got back from vacation where I hiked a volcano without missing a beat [emoji3] Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations! The best thing to do is walk for the gas. The only rx I got for the stomach was omeprazole which I took every morning per Doctors advise. Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

A month after, I was already in regular foods, chose lean meats and was only able to eat 2oz Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Few days from 6 months and literally less than 3lbs from being in onederland!!! I had my 6 month follow up, have to cut down on my B12, was double the highest amount. My cholesterol was exactly 200 I thought it was bad but the RN told me that because I'm loosing fat my body has to metabolize it so it may show higher the first year or so but not to worry and have it checked again at 1yr. We went over goal weight and she said to aim to be at a BMI below 30 which is somewhere I want to be. Originally my goal was 180 then I changed it to 160 to see how far I will go. Off to vacation next week, hoping I can come back and be surprised with being at least 199.9 lol

Few days from 6 months and literally less than 3lbs from being in onederland!!! I had my 6 month follow up, have to cut down on my B12, was double the highest amount. My cholesterol was exactly 200 I thought it was bad but the RN told me that because I'm loosing fat my body has to metabolize it so it may show higher the first year or so but not to worry and have it checked again at 1yr. We went over goal weight and she said to aim to be at a BMI below 30 which is somewhere I want to be. Originally my goal was 180 then I changed it to 160 to see how far I will go. Off to vacation next week, hoping I can come back and be surprised with being at least 199.9 lol

It may be too thick, you can try adding some milk to thin it out. It happened to me at the beginning and even now at 6 months post op is not my favorite alone.

I try to look at the monthly average instead, even though I weight myself mostly daily now (waiting to be under 200 any day now lol). Everyone is different and everyone is on their own race. I like to go by this chart when I do my monthly calculation and try to see if I'm within the average, doesn't matter if the low end or high end, as long as I'm there I'm happy. 20 days post op I lost 12.7, but I had lost 11.8 in the preop diet, so it is understandable with the changes my body went through in a month.

Agree! When he wants to order out, he needs to pick, otherwise I have no interest since I know I would not finish it. I can break a salad or meal into 3/4 meals easily.

It definitely foams, specially the fruit one. I shake it and let it stand for about 2 min and then drink.

Yes, blame it on the hormonal change. I was never one to use lotions etc but after the surgery I try to. I got the rinse body lotion so I use it before getting out of the shower and do not forget. I also have very dry scalp, I use coconut oil once a week but I heard castor oil is also good for hair loss. Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I know of some people who had it done in 2022, so I was intrigued but continued to try to do it on my own and failing. A week before I called the doctor I went to the Grand Canyon, and among the pictures my husband asked why I was posing a certain way. I wasn't. It hit me that I was no longer 230 but nearing 290, and I had no control of my body. I was sleeved 2 months after that day. Sent from my SM-S916U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm a business owner and had surgery on Tuesday and was back working fully on Monday, it worked out for me because it was Thanksgiving week and my partner was available for any emergencies. I flew for my surgery Monday night and flew back home on Thursday afternoon, it was uncomfortable for I still had the nerve block working in my favor. I flew out again one month post op and since then about once a month. I did not have any change in focus due to calorie restriction but it is distracting trying to make sure you are drinking every 15min, getting up to walk every hour or so, and timing your eating those first few weeks. Like @Jeanniebug said, plan for the worst, hope for the best since everyone's recovery is different.

I slept on my back mostly prop on 2 to 3 pillows at first, but little by little I was trying to sleep on my side. I would mimic the side position with my legs even though my torso was straight lol. I started doing a towel rolled and sleeping at an angle, by 3 weeks I was sleeping on my side peacefully.

I was prescribed Ursodiol 300mg twice a day, so for the day it was 600mg. I would have one with breakfast around 9 and the other around 5pm.

I did not have a stall at 3 weeks and honestly have not had one yet and I'm a few days away from 6 months. My weight loss has been slower compared to my group (the people I had surgery with on the same day, from same surgeon), but it has been a steady 8-10lbs per month and I'm good with that. I do have to say I travel about once a month and during those times I make the best out of the food choices (sometimes willingly don't lol), so my slower weight loss can be attributed to it too. Stalls are normal and part of the process, so I understand that one will hit eventually.

You have been so successful in the preop, congratulations! I did not have a food funeral, I did eat out once due to a birthday but I only ate 1/3 of the meal. I do feel sometimes if you taste something you have not had in a while, you may get cravings so I just try to avoid the trigger food. You have been doing it for 6 months now, and although I think you may have missed some of the food, it was not strong enough to deter you of your goal. I would keep doing what you are doing and hit your personal goal. Also note that because of the amount of weight you have lost prior to the surgery, your first few weeks may be slower while you are recovering, so you would have a head start on your weight loss journey.