CarmenG

Thank you! Yes, this was a revision from sleeve to bypass.

I'm so excited! I'm coming up on one year in June. I've lost 111-ish pounds to date. A little worried about my 2 months off that are coming up, but I'm proud of my accomplishments so far.

Thank you!!! I'm a teacher, so I have two months off coming up soon, LOL!

I was sleeved 14 years ago and then got a revision 4 months ago. With my sleeve, I would get the foamies (hyper-salivation), my forehead would sweat, or my nose would start running (or all 3). Now, with with my bypass, if I forget I had a surgery and try to eat like a regular person, I get nauseous, my stomach makes SUPER LOUD noises, I'll feel pain, and sometimes have to run to the bathroom (dumping syndrome). A lot of people think this happens when you eat the "wrong" foods (super sugary, super greasy), and they're right. BUT, it ALSO happens if you eat too much, or even just too fast. You could be eating a super healthy, super small amount of food, but if you eat it too fast and don't chew it down to mush (like people at work who have really short lunch breaks), you'll still experience these things. As time goes by, we start to forget to take our time to eat, to really chew our foods to a paste before swallowing, or to wait a while after eating to drink something. The longer it's been, the more we forget. Sometimes, we need to reset our eating habits back to taking a full 30 minutes to eat, to eat healthy foods again, to over-chew our food, and to wait at least 30 minutes to start back on fluids.

Hey, y'all, it's been a while. Back in May, one month before I had my revision from sleeve to bypass, I began using the Premier Protein shakes for my pre-op diet and taking bariatric vitamins (including a multivitamin, calcium, iron, and biotin). It started with a tiny, itchy hive on one side of my neck about the size of my thumbnail. It would go away, though, and I'd forget all about it. As the days went by, I would begin to get the itchies again. I noticed I'd get the hives on the other side of my neck now too. At this point, it looks like a ring around my neck. I read about the Premier Protein shakes being recalled, but that was a while ago. I spoke to my sister who's been an RN for 40+ years, and she thinks it's more likely to be the biotin rather than the shakes. I stopped taking both 2 days ago. The itchies have stopped, but I'm left with textured skin where the hives were. It almost looks like a healing burn. It's weird. I know I need to see a dermatologist about it, I just have to find one that will see me after work. I can't miss any more work. I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar situation with allergic reactions to either shakes or vitamins. I'd appreciate any information or knowledge that you have. TIA.

So... a little update... the daily recommended dose of biotin for adults is 30 mcg/day. I was consuming my regular multivitamin PLUS 10,000 mcg of bioton /day... 5,000 in the AM and 5,000 in the PM... when I stopped taking it, it took about 3 days to stop getting the hives, but I stopped getting the hives. As soon as I'm able, I will make an appointment with a dermatologist. However, I'm pretty sure it was the OVERDOSE of biotin. I was taking it because I'm afraid of the hair loss, but obviously, TEN THOUSAND micro-grams a day is just too much.

That's fantastic!

For me, this is an outstanding reading... Feeling grateful

Just a lil rave... As of this morning, I am officially down my first 50 lbs! I had a 3-week stall 2 weeks after my surgery. I had issues with my skin, with constipation, and this horrible stall. Because it's a revision, my weight loss is incredibly s-l-o-w (compared to virgin surgeries). I was so disappointed, having buyer's remorse, and all that. I've only lost 20 lbs in 45 days, but altogether (including my pre-op dieting) it's 50 whole pounds since May 11th!

I do both. I use the Baritastic app, and I set my calorie and carb goals and try not to exceed them. I think some people take issue with carb counting because there's good carbs and really, really bad carbs. For me, carbs are really important to monitor because I really don't like vegetables. I can eat a bit of fresh salad, but that's about it because I have texture issues. I can't stand cooked veggies, to me it's inedible slime. Lol! Obviously, good carbs are necessary for vitamins and minerals and proper digestion, but carbs with no nutritional value (junk food) only "nurture" us emotionally. Ironically, after we eat crap that makes us feel good momentarily, we start to feel like crap, emotionally (guilt, mood swings) and physically (joint/muscle pain). I stand by my carb detoxes. I never realized how mood-altering crap food can be. I was starting to use junk food like I was using alcohol, just for instant gratification and distraction, alcohol and carb hangovers be damned. However, I was extremely frustrated, and easily irritated all.the.time. My joints hurt when I eat crap. My sleep suffers too. Once I went below 50 carbs a day, my whole attitude changed. I felt better physically and emotionally. Very healthy proteins are moderately high in calories (beef, chicken, seafood), but protein is very necessary with our bariatric surgeries. This is why I give myself more leeway with calories than carbs.Bad carbs, on the other hand, offer nothing but momentary satisfaction. Momentary satisfaction is good once in a while, but the problem with loading up on bad carbs again is that, like a drug, the more we ingest it, the more we crave it. The less we have it in our system, the less it calls our attention. People think I'm being dramatic, but I know how I feel when I detox from carbs and when I start eating crap again. It just snowballs, and eating junk becomes more and more "important" as the day progresses. Using the app really helps me keep a realistic awareness of my nutritional goals. Because I'm only 3 months out, my goal settings right now are 750-800 cal, 70-80g protein, and <50 carbs. I have good days when I hit only 600 cals, 30 carbs, but 85+g protein. I also have my bad days when I consume 875 cals, 60 carbs, but only 65g protein. I think they really go hand in hand because the more carbs I eat, the more calories I'm consuming (and the less protein I get). I worry more about my carb intake because when I go over on my carbs, I know it's because I had bites here and there of junk food (not good carbs). At the end of the day, it really all comes down to what kind of carb intake you have. If your carbs are coming from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, then it's great! But if not, then maybe take stock of them. Either way, I wish you the best always on your continued weight loss journey! P.S. Prior to my surgery, my doc wanted me to lose weight (so he could help me lose weight) so I did a semi-liquid, hyper-low carb diet and lost 32 lbs in 38 days. Didn't count or give a flip about calories. I only drank 3 shakes a day, they wanted me to drink 5. Tan locos! I couldn't drink 5. I did 3 shakes and a hearty all protein dinner.

All of the literature I was given by my bariatric team about vitamins and supplements stated to avoid anything gummy because it's going to be much higher in sugar and won't absorb as well. That could be the issue.

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some kind of food/snack/supplement that will give me a quick energy boost. I drink a protein shake that has caffeine (equivalent to 1 cup of coffee) once a day for breakfast. Sometimes, though, later in the evening, I feel a drop in my energy. I'm trying to keep my cal under 800, and my carbs under 40g. I don't want to consume more caffeine because it's a diuretic, and I have enough trouble staying hydrated as it is. Are there any snacks or supplements that will give me a quick boost of energy for the afternoon. I'm kinda dragging "(__(__)" during my last 2 classes at the end of the day. I'm taking my vitamins exactly as I should, and my numbers came back great on my blood work. I'd just like to know what, if anything, y'all use for a quick pick-me-up. TIA! EDIT* Just wanna add that I'm 3 months and 8 days out of my revision to bypass surgery, and I'm consuming 75-85g of protein daily.

@Arabesque, I do have some zero sugar Propel waters. They're very good. I usually drink them later in the evening. Maybe I'll replace one of my reg water bottles (that I take to work) with a Propel water for after lunch. Thank you.

I found these at Walmart. They're in a lot of different stores. I have some in my classroom desk as a "just in case" (if I forget my lunch or don't have time to eat my regular lunch). They are VERY filling. I can only eat half at a time. Just an option you can consider. The chocolate peanut butter ones are really good too.

Can more than one person use this scale? Like will the app save each person's individual information? EDIT* Never mind, I found the information, UNLIMITED USERS for the app! Nice! Thank you for posting the link!

I agree with @The Greater Fool. It doesn't have to be eggs. It can be soft/shredded chicken, tuna, or beef, a protein shake or high protein yogurt, or even oatmeal with added protein powder. I would cook my oatmeal til it was a little dryer and then add 3-4 tablespoons of my favorite flavor of protein shake for added protein.

IDK if it's good or it's "bad," but it's definitely normal! I'll go from 600 cal on Monday to 800 cal on Wednesday. I think as long as it's healthy calories, we'll be ok.

I've never had an issue (with either my sleeve or now my bypass) when reheating food. I do it all the time because I can never finish what I order from restaurants when I eat with my colleagues.

This is what I did to lose 30 lbs in 30 days before my surgery: I would have a protein shake for breakfast, another for lunch, and a hearty (ultra low carb) dinner. I started May 11th while I was still working (teacher), and kept at it until my surgery on June 19th. Altogether, I'd lost 32 lbs by the day of the surgery. The first 3-4 days are rough as you detox from carbs. By day 4, you should start to feel really good. Your mind is clear, your joints don't hurt as much, and your energy is up. You even get better sleep! A typical dinner while pre-op dieting would be 4-6 oz ribeye steak (cut up and dipped in A1) Or I would cut up 4-6 oz of rotisserie chicken and throw it into some cream of chicken or chicken broth. (Like chicken soup, if you will) I'd even eat a cheeseburger (without the bun, or course). If you have the space, eat a double! I'd been sleeved 14 years ago, so I still had restriction. My 16-year-old daughter was inspired and dieted a bit with me. She's doesn't have any type of bariatric surgery. She was losing up to 5 lbs a week just by cutting carbs. She would have bacon and eggs with cheese for brkfst, she'd have a shake for lunch cuz school, and she'd have hearty, no carb dinners as well. Detoxing from carbs REALLY helps. Drink 5-6 bottles of water a day. Have all the sugar-free jello and sugar-free popsicles you want. They're considered clear liquids. You can even start taking bariatric vitamins before your surgery to make sure your getting everything you need. Wish you the best of luck!

I started on reg oatmeal a month out. It was a life saver. It's an after dinner snack that fills me up and adds some fiber. I use 1 packet of the original (unflavored) instant, because it's all measured out for you. I use a 1/2 cup of unflavored almond milk. After it's cooked, I add 2-3 Stevia packets and about 3-4 tablespoons of the Premier Protein Caramel flavored shake, which adds about 6g of protein. That's about 10g of protein altogether.

ME too! LOL! I was like..."well, this forum certainly took a turn..." And I rushed here to give my 2 cents, and then... seeds.

Welcome! Best of luck on your weight loss journey!

Today, I had a follow up on blood work. According to my PA, everything is ON POINT! He was impressed by my numbers. He said my sugar, liver enzymes, kidneys, and cholesterol were all great. Even my Vitamin D was "perfect," and he says usually people's Vitamin D isn't. My B12 was high, but I was taking an extra B12 besides my regular multivitamin, so he said just to stop that extra dose. He said my HDL was a little low, so he wants me to add healthy fats (avocado, olive oil). He also said I could stop taking chewables which was important to me because chewable vitamins add a significant amount of calories and carbs to my daily caloric intake at the moment. My BP was 118/72! I was excited! Anyone know which other healthy fats I can add to my diet? I appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

I had very recently just become so proud of my skin. In May, when I started dieting, I was so happy because my hormonal (menopause) chin acne disappeared and some small flaky, dry patches on my cheeks went away. My skin was looking and feeling so great! Before this summer I'd NEVER (and I just turned 49, I know, I know, BAD ME!) used any skin care products. I had no routine. I'd just apply my makeup and then remove it when I washed my face. This was daily. This summer I started feeling my mortality because my 49th birthday was July 2nd. I was TikTok influenced and bought the Loreal Revitalift eye serum, face serum, and moisturizer. The products, along with the weight loss REALLY helped my skin. It looked so great and I was even complimented on it by my sisters. But then... About 3 days ago, I noticed my skin was getting little dry, flaky spots on my cheeks. Also, I've got a little bit of that hormonal chin acne, not a lot, but still. Ugh! =( I'm trying to figure out what's causing it. I read that an overload of certain vitamins (B12 was specifically mentioned) will cause the dry, flaky skin. Not only that, they can also cause non-diabetic Acanthosis nigricans! I'm worried and I really hope that all the vitamins I have to take now aren't going to cause my skin to look like crap again. I may be losing my mind, but I have a small patch on my neck that's sometimes itchy and feels like acanthosis when I touch it. Even my daughter noticed it. I've never been diabetic. I can't imagine actually getting acanthosis now due to my new diet/vitamin/supplement routine that's supposed to be for life. Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences?

I start drinking water at 6:30 a.m. as I get dressed for work. I continue until I finish the bottle, then I drink my breakfast protein shake (around 9 a.m.). When I'm done with that, I start on bottle 2. After lunch, I wait about 30-45 min, and I start on bottle 3 drinking sips here and there until 4 p.m. When I get home, I either eat an early dinner and then continue with water, or I start on bottle 4 and eat dinner at a later time. That's already 64 oz of water. Sometimes I continue sipping on water 30-45 minutes after dinner until bedtime. My last water bottle is the one I add fiber to since it's recommended that you take your fiber in the evening/bedtime. It takes a little practice. Setting reminder alarms on your cell phone helps A LOT.