BlondePatriotInCDA

Good morning! I have my 6 month check up next month (its gone quickly) and I'm too impatient to wait 6 weeks to get an answer, so I decided to consult the mass of experience on these forums. My question is this: When were you allowed to start taking capsules again? I'm tired of spending $90+ each month on chewable multivitamins, chewable calcium and chewable iron supplements! Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom!

This sounds delicious! I decided to break down and buy one. Which model does everyone have? I recently started drinking the fairlife Elite Core protein drinks which I actually don't mind (yay for 42 protein grams each), but if I can incorporate them into a "treat" it would be all the better! Thanks for your responses in advance! ?

I've always bruised easily, but upon asking my doctor causes he said: heredity, anemia (low blood iron) and getting older i.e. thinner skin - less fat padding. Perhaps if this is new to you the last two?

Having worked in a dermatology clinic...(although I'm not a doctor) I heard this complaint a lot. Keep the stretch marks moisturized, Cereve is what was recommended. But if it gets to itchy..corticosteroid cream can help with the itch... If it gets to bad..see a dermatologist. This occurs because your skin is attempting to heal itself, the nerves transmit the itch feeling as part of it healing.

Thank you for replying. Like I said, I've been contemplating it.. Perhaps buying an extra warranty make but help. I noticed most people had issues with it between 1 month and 3.. Again, thank you for the answers...anything to break up the monotony of the same foods over and over would be welcome.

As long as your team thinks you're golden...then I wouldn't worry about it! I never said your calories weren't healthy calories..but too many good OR bad will put weight on. To be honest, I'm not sure why - if you're keeping in contact with your team and doing as they want..and they're happy with your progress why you're asking? The scale won't always show a downward trajectory, muscle weighs 7 times more than fat so if you're putting on muscle sometimes the scale will show a small gain..water weight ..time of the month...etc will account for 5 lbs.

I've read several posts about people raving about the Creami, it sounds great! I'm just very hesitant after reading all the negative reviews with mechanical breakdowns ...cutting the plastic container putting shards of plastic in the ice cream...etc. How long have you had it and how is it performing for you?

What does your bariatric team say? We both had surgery in August and according to my team I should be at max 800 calories a day, 50 carbs max a day and 80 grams of protein. 1200 calories a day sounds closer to a maintenance amount... On average on maintenance a person should get from 1200 - 1800 per day. I'd check with your surgeon/dietician and see what they say since each surgeon has their own plan, but if you're putting weight on and sticking to the diet..they need to know. Good luck I hope this helps. I'd add more exercise and less carbs and calories..but I'm not a medical doctor.

Wow! Congrats! I'm still a ways out from my goal ? Great job. Unfortunately, I've only lost 69lbs so far, it seems my goal of 120 is years away. Actually, I'm getting a little worried..I seem to be slowing down quite a bit. I completely understand about the bounce back..I've heard a lot about it and think you've got the right idea to lose another 20 to nip it in the bud! Again, congrats you did great - just do the last thing to show the world and update your ticker to celebrate!

I'm going to remember this one!

The best option would be to contact your old bariatric team. They can set up a comprehensive diet and give you guidance on what and how to kick start your new plan. If for some reason you can't do that, look at how and what you've been eating, cut back on calories, carbs and fats. Are you going over the maintenance limits? Its the same rules as before you had surgery: less calories in than you burn off. Go back on a reduced calorie, carb fats diet.

300-500 calories a day at 6 months seems low, at least by my bariatric teams outline and booklet/plan given to me. I'm at 4 months and eating regular food at 800 per day. I'm told its right on track. Have you spoken to your doctor/dietician? Perhaps do as I was told instead of three meals a day - have 5 small meals to get you to where you need to be? Either way, I'd check with your doctor.

I'm sorry to hear you we're denied. Just keep pushing them. It amazes me that insurance companies refuse to pay for bariatric surgeries and weight loss drugs BUT have no problem paying for a lifetime for the health consequences of being obese. I know I'm going out on a ledge here for potential condemnation but..those same insurance companies will pay for gender reassignment surgeries AND reconstructive "cosmetic" surgeries for gender reassignment (that in the long run is cosmetic to align with how patient perceptions are - no different than skin removal mentally) but they won't pay for some just as necessary bariatric surgeries and skin removal surgeries! Both can be mentally debilitating! I always thought perhaps a class action lawsuit forcing insurance companies to pay for these things is what's needed. No one elects to be obese and insurance companies treats obesity as "its your fault" you're obese so they won't pay. I wish you luck, preserver and eventually you'll get it! Lastly, I'm told bariatric surgery is cheaper in some states if you have to pay yourself, so shop around and research research research making sure you have a good bariatric team! Also, make sure that if you do go out of state that they don't have a long travel restriction like mine did (90 days) first! Good luck!

You're welcome! The allulose has been great for me as well! Good luck on your weight loss journey!

I did. I noticed no difference in my blood sugars, blood pressure, nor my weight. I took it for 6+ months. Of course this was all before WLS. My bariatric team took me off all my supplements other than my multi and calcium post op.

Allulose. Its a rare sugar that naturally occurs in fruits like figs and raisins. “It’s about 70% as sweet as sugar. Allulose is a monosaccharide so it doesn't act like sugar by altering insulin/glucose blood readings and doesn't have that artificial taste. Also, like with any sugar/substitute start out with small quantities but most people who eat allulose in moderation won’t notice any issues. I hope this help. I purchased a bag, dipped my finger in it and had my husband try it - no artificial taste at all! Lastly, I just buy whey isolate - the highest quality there is on bulksupplements.com and add it to everything (including my crystal light), soups, broths..etc., so I get my protein without the "protein drinks"! It has no flavor and very little smell if any.

Congratulations! Enjoy your skydiving, you deserve it!

This /l\ sounds more reasonable and something I can live with! How long have you been doing this? When you met your goal or beforehand? I keep my calories at 800 or less (4 months post op) my protein between 75 and 80 grams - nothing crosses my lips without extra protein added including my crystal light (the only thing I allow myself with processed chemicals because I don't like plain water it makes me gag) , carbs 25 or less, no/low sugar, non-fat or no fat, no sodium, no processed additives and mostly organic etc.. Etc.. I think I'm just being overly strict and controlling with my food intake which is making me grumpy and sick of the whole thing. I will try to incorporate some of your ideas - thank you.

800! 75+ protein...liquids +- 45 oz.. (I know should be more but...).

"I’m sick and tired of my stupid food choices and eating the same boring things every day. I just want to eat like a normal person! I have to keep reminding myself that this is only temporary and part of the process." Oh wow..I just posted this very topic (sirens song post). I am beyond sick of the food choices! I was glad to see I'm not the only one right now going through this..and hopefully is only a stage. Thanks for your post.

Omg this made me spit out my water laughing! "Hollow" poop! Thanks for the much needed laugh!

I'm still waiting for the energy increase...and waiting....and waiting...soon..anytime now.. .. .

Your comment about slapping stupid people made me laugh! My answer is this: If I went around slapping stupid people making stupid comments I'd be slapping people 24/7! Although, all the swinging my arms back and letting go would be good exercise and probably therapeutic Just a fair warning, I'm a major smart A** so my response is my personality... Good or bad. Just do as I do; ask to see their medical license. Explain your doctor, who has the experience, knowledge and an actual medical degree in their medical opinion feels its a necessary medical procedure, then tell them you appreciate their bedside manner, "medical expertise" and judgement! I also like to add that insurance companies don't like to pay for "the easy way out" and unnecessary procedures, they don't go around approving surgery unless its necessary! If that doesn't stop them ask them why they think its "the easy way out"? Then shoot down their preconceived stupid concepts with facts and how its the furthest from easy to lose weight. Last option, ignore them and do what you need to do for you! After all, you can lose weight and get healthy, they'll always be stupid! Lastly, it always amazes me that people question or make comments about a medically approved procedure. Do they question a vasectomy ... or a cesarean birth, how about rhinoplasty for a deviated septum to stop nasal issues...how about a root canal..after all they could take the easy way out for these procedures...

Thank you for the replies. Summerseeker : "Food should not be boring. I just do not live to eat it anymore." I don't Iive to eat, I never have, but good food contributes to a good life. "Variety is the spice of life" variety I can't have. Yes, I knew this goes into this but, it doesn't make it any easier! What I was attempting to say is its boring because; 1. Unlike you I detest cooking so the thought of sitting down to think out my weeks meals sounds tedious and time consuming (even if necessary) I really wish I had the time and inclination to do it and I'm jealous of those who are willing and able.. I just don't want to add yet more measuring, weighing prepping to my day off since I do enough of that weekly in very exacting details (down to microns) ? Perhaps its also the lack of options..see #2; 2. With this new way of eating and my intolerance of carbs it makes my options very limited. After all there are five food groups and I've eliminated 3 of the five as it is - grains, most dairy unless you want overly processed artificial dairy and fruits. Add to that my food texture issue (symptom of ADHD) ..this leaves me with low fat beef, fish and chicken for proteins and veggies (non starchy). I do track everything I eat and drink as well although I love your way of if you get your proteins in and still want a "biscuit" and a bite of noodles you have it. Perhaps, I'm being overly controlling of my diet out of fear of regaining the weight and its causing me to feel this way. Arabesque: I understand why drinking water and peeing is important and your body should adjust to more water consumption, but, after 9 months I still go 20+ times a day - very inconvenient when I work managing a pathology lab - I have to remove a lab coat, gloves and mask, then go through decontamination processes each time I exit the lab and then upon entering resuit up and on top of that no drinks allowed in the lab - so in order to get my water in I have lunch time and when I get home OR leave the lab for my sip. So, this means working 10 hours a day it gives me a very short window to get my water in especially since I can't drink large quantities at once. I should have explained better (but my post was already long). My apologies. I guess my lack of "thirst" has developed from years of training from this job and my last. I just worry about not getting the required amount in. Anyway, its just me whinging. I'm just finding it difficult and quite frankly tiring (getting up several times a night to pee doesn't help).

I'm having a food slump! I in no way get the water in each day I'm supposed too.. I'm not thirsty and to be honest I really hate going to the restroom 20+ times a day IF I do get close to the required 64+ oz a day. Plus, I don't understand why I need to, I didn't drink that much beforehand, so I don't understand why suddenly having a smaller stomach requires a sudden huge mandatory increase in water consumption!? Plus, I am sooooooooooooooooooo burnt out on the same foods over and over and yes over. I detest eggs (always have) and have always preferred something like avocado toast for breakfast and a cup of coffee. I detest cooking so I tend to eat the same thing every single day - something I can cook in quantity. Lately its been turkey chili with added protein powder. Chicken breast with veggies is boring/bland... Then there's the chicken of the sea - white fish with veggies..again just not my thing. So, I just eat the same thing over and over. I have to admit, I miss sauces, thai noodles and pizza and foods I can dip! I have a food texture problem so it leaves quite a few things off my plate..plus I'm hypersensitive to carbs - racing heart feeling jittery so I eat very low carb (under 25) low sugar, low calorie in other words low taste (to me anyway). I do what I have to to lose the weight and become healthy.. But its taken a lot of joy out of life, the holidays just plain suck now...all the family traditions came to a stop because of me (we used to all get our favorite restaurant dishes and share pot luck style for New Years), bake cookies with a Cookie exchange (no one wants my healthy protein balls - I eat them because I need protein, not because they're great tasting). I know I'm suppose to eat for fuel, but, we all eat for joy - if people didn't there wouldn't be different foods, cooking styles and spices, we eat at get togethers, social times, celebrations - I can't and don't want to inflict my eating restrictions/requirements on everyone else. I fight that siren song and battle it every week, anyone else? Anyone have any reasonable suggestions? (I added reasonable because my dietician suggests things like - " you want crunchy "eat a celery stick" you want noodles try palm noodles..etc. NOT even close. I think dieticians in bariatric clinics should have been a bariatric patient themselves so they'd understand their suggestions suck. Perhaps I'm asking if anyone else is or has gone through this...slump.....I find its easier to just not eat than eat another healthy bland boring food. Sorry for the rant.