Tiffykins

YAY, I'm so glad to see an update from you. You've done fabulous, and you'll get to goal in no time.

I'm sorry you are having these issues. It sounds like you aren't getting in enough calories, but I'm not sure what all you are eating. Try to get in more Protein, if you aren't on a PPI like Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, definitely talk to your surgeon. You do not want to let the acid keep overproducing because your stomach tissue is so sensitive right now. Plus, acid can cause hunger issues. If you can't get to your surgeon, get some Prilosec or Prevacid over-the-counter and start taking something. If you are on a PPI, then you may need to have your prescription changed. Some people are put on Pepcid and it's not enough for them. 18lbs in a month is not bad at all that's over 4lbs a week, when have you ever been able to lose 18lbs in a month? It's essential for you to get in your calories, protein and Water goals. Please don't give up there can be a solution. The first couple of months are the most difficult. But, we're here to help you. Give us some more information. Plus, if you don't have any energy, you definitely aren't getting in enough of something if you are having to sleep a bunch. Please give us an idea on where you are on the post-op diet, and what phase you are on. What are you consuming throughout the day?

Yeppers happened to me. Food lost all appeal, and I really did struggle with eating around 2.5-3.5 month mark. I kept talking to Daisy about options, and talked to my surgeon as well, but I had to stay on mushies because it's the only way I could hit my protein goals in a day. It was temporary, but it was frustrating.

You're so awesome ! ! ! I love your determination, and attitude. We need new pictures woman. . .

I'm so ecstatic for you ! ! ! I will be keeping you in my thoughts for a smooth surgery and recovery. Post an update or have your gf give us a heads up once you are home sipping and walking.

I wish I would have taken it before surgery, and wish I would have been more diligent in taking it post-op. The Protein won't guarantee that you won't lose. There's a few members around here that got in all of their protein plus some from the beginning and still lost hair. I think my regrowth would have been even stronger if I would have taken it the Biotin on a regular basis. I had hair growing back in before the shedding stopped, but I bet it would have been better if I would have been more pro-active with the Biotin.

I have never started a blog. I'm not sure why, but I just never have considered it. Thank you so very much. As much as this surgery has changed me physically, the mental and emotional changes have been astronomical. I really can't believe how much has changed in the last few months.

Woohoo Cajun. I entertained the idea of buying a bathing suit yesterday then I chickened out.

I have to agree with Swift on this one. Plus, it's the internet, and not everyone is going to get along. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen on "support" forums. You just take the good, and ignore the bad. I kind of relate it to what my mom told once when I was a kid working with a horrific woman. She told me " you can't get along with everyone, there will always be that one person that makes the situation/job unpleasant, and you won't please everyone so you make the best of it and move forward." That's how I feel about internet forums. There is good, and bad on all of them. Don't let a couple of threads, or one thread, one or two people's opinions completely run you off. There is a wealth of support and information shared here. Most of us are genuine caring and supportive people that have been in the same pre-op shoes you and your daughter are in currently. Hope you stick around, and if you need anything, please feel free to post.

Thank you so very much. My journey is not gonna end anytime soon so y'all are kind of stuck with me LOL. This place and the members here were my lifeline during my recovery. Seriously, without some of the members here at that time, I'm pretty sure I would have gone insane. Thank you again.

I don't know the reason, but my cycle is kind of crazy. I've been charting, and my cycle goes from 32 days to 27 days then back to 30-31 days. I have no idea what is going on. I can say that my periods are super light, and I am not having cramps. Now, I have severe mood swings, and I want to claw people's eyeballs out just for the hell of it. But, it only lasts a couple of days. My hormones are still out of whack. My leg hair has practically quit growing. I rarely have to shave, and I live in Florida so ya know we're in shorts/crops/skirts already. I just don't have to shave as often. I'm not sure what is going on, but my PCM assured me that my body would level off. I have a sneaking suspicion the hormone flux that is going on right now may be jacking with my cycle and throwing off all my charting. I'm doing the fertility monitor thing, but I am not sure I'm doing it correctly. I told you I'm not great with this kind of stuff. I've read the directions. I think the first couple of months I'm just going to have to learn how to do the monitor thing. Maybe, just maybe by June I'll get it figured out LOL.

Hey Kasey, I'm a revision from band to sleeve as well. We don't have a pouch. We have a stomach just like before our band surgeries, it's just smaller. The portion of the stomach that remains is very muscular and there is very minimal stretching. Now, that doesn't mean that as the months pass during the first year, that you will have the same restriction you had at 2 months out. I'm 11 months out and have been able to eat about the same amounts for the last 4-5 months. I talked to my nut a couple of weeks ago about maintenance issues. She told me that my stomach was probably at maximum capacity, and the quantities that I'm consuming per meal is probably going to be the max I'll be able to consume for several years if not for the rest of my life. I have found a few ways to at more. I can drink warm liquids, and fit in more. I can stretch out my meals over 45-60 minutes and fit in much more food per meal. When I keep my meals to no more than 20-30 minutes, I can not consume as much. I can eat a lot more carbs/mushy stuff than I can dense Protein. The only time I had to adhere to the 2oz rule was early out during the healing period, and all of the post-op swelling. You're far enough out now that it's more difficult to make better choices. I've had a pretty rough week, and I've made some pretty craptastic choices, but it isn't hard to get back on track. Go back to the basics. Protein first, get off the carbs, and stick with healthy protein, veggies/fruits/whole grains. Track your food intake, and make sure you are getting in your Water. It's perfectly normal for you to be able to eat more now than you could at 2 months out. In 2-4 more months, you may or may not be able to eat an ounce or two more. If you make the best choice, being protein first, you should not have a bunch of room for carb or not so great choices. I know that's sometimes easier said than done. Don't be too alarmed that you can eat more now unless you're consuming a lot of carby stuff that is going to stall out your weight loss. I can fit in 6-8oz of mushy foods such as an entire cup of chili, or creamy broccoli cheese Soup with chunky broccoli. But, give me steak and I can only get in about 4oz with a couple bites of green Beans or salad. I can consume 3-5oz of dense protein depending on the cut and type of meat, and a few bites of veggies be it green beans, broccoli, peas mashed potatoes, and sometimes I'll eat Pasta or rice. I don't think 4oz of food at 6 months is unreasonable at all. Hang in there and if you need anything let us know.

With only 50lbs to lose, you may not see big numbers like those of us that had 100+ to lose. 20lbs in 5 weeks is pretty fabulous, and if you continue at the same pace or close to it, you could easily be at goal within a few months.

I'll shoot one of the Susans a message to let them know that it was down tonight. It wouldn't pull p for me either so it could be a temporary issue. It happens occasionally.

I know it's Pasta, and there may not be very many of us at the stage of eating pasta occasionally, but this has become a pretty regular in our rotation. I also take it to some of my social functions like bunco or pokeno night with the other spouses around base. 2 cups of Dreamfield rotini pasta noodles 1 cup of Oikos or Fage non-fat Plain Greek Yogurt 3 Tbsp of Miracle Whip Lite 1/2-1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Fiesta Dip Mix (they make other varieties if the Fiesta blend does not appeal to your tastes, also add half and see if it needs more for your preferences) 1/2-3/4(per your preference) cup of fresh broccoli florets halved and rinsed thoroughly 1/2 of fresh carrots julienned or thinly sliced 1/4 cup of pimento(jars), drained and diced Optional additions for different flavor profile: Hard boiled eggs, diced and tossed in 5-7 strips of turkey bacon, cooked over medium heat until crispy, drained then chopped into small pieces and tossed in. 10-20 Turkey pepperonis quartered then tossed in I like to add a little fresh lime zest and a couple of teaspoons of fresh lime juice. Reduced fat Sargento PepperJack cheese, or Reduced Fat Shredded sharp cheddar Directions: Cook macaroni as directed on package. Rinse with cold Water until chilled. Add the next 3 ingredients, mix thoroughly. Add fresh veggies, stir until well blended, cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. The longer this one sits, the better the flavors taste. I kind of just figure out what is in my pantry, and toss stuff in until it looks good, or sounds good. This is a staple for our household, and a lot of potluck/socials that we attend. There's a lot of variations obviously. Nutrition facts for entire base recipe with none of the additional/optional add ins: 1596 - Calories 67 - Carbs 12 - fat 75 - Protein

Hi there and welcome. You'll love the sleeve just because of the no maintenance. That's the biggest plus for me. Well, the amazing weight loss, and the ability to actually eat without puking or salivating like a rabid animal are pretty awesome as well. Many well wishes with your upcoming revision, and keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

I really dig pork rinds as a binder. The meatloaf I make is really well received. I'm not a huge fan, but even my kiddo has started liking it. The husband is addicted to it, and makes sandwiches with the leftovers. Glad you liked the salisbury steak.

Ewwwwwwwwww, not arguing, but I couldn't stand Isopuke ha ha ha. I love me some Starbursts though. It did more than make my tongue pucker. I wanted to like it, I wanted to be able to chug it, or even freeze it anything. I tried so hard to like it, but I think I'm the most stubborn, pickiest protein hater in the world.

You got it Driver. Let us know when you are able to post. Fingers crossed and prayers for you.

I didn't really worry about carbs during the first couple of weeks. My surgeons main concern was hydration. He didn't even push the Protein thing, it was about staying hydrated and walking. I started seriously watching carbs once on mushy/soft solids. I didn't really do a lot of heavy carb full liquids, but I wasn't taking much in at all.

Can you walk when you get that urge to eat? I just had to get out of my house, and I sat on my porch to distract myself. Your stomach isn't too big, maybe you heal quicker than others, that's a good thing. Your restriction may change in a couple of days, just eat slowly, and enjoy. Head hunger is not easy to overcome, but it does get easier. Hang in there, just a few more days. My surgeon requires 14 days of clears (I had to do 17) and then 14 days of full liquids, and then 14 days of mushy/soft solids. Come here when you need a distraction.

YAY for your date approaching so quickly. Your attitude and outlook will serve you well through this journey. Keep posting, and let us know how everything is going with you. We'll be scooting over on the loser's bench for you to join us ! ! !

The only one I ever liked was a mix of isolate and concentrate. My surgeon told me, some is better than none. I didn't use it much at all, and didn't find it until I was 4 months out so I was already getting my protein from food sources. The husband uses it as a protein supplement when he works out. All the ones that taste good of course can't be the ones that they want us to drink.