Tiffykins

After being around the WLS forum world for over 2 years, let me just say, trusting NFP is like trusting the "pull and pray" method. During my rapid weight loss phase, my cycles ranged from 16-32 days, SO there is NO set time for your ovulation when you body is dumping hormones as fast as it's dumping fat and pounds. I've seen more women relying on charting, ovulation charting within the rapid weight loss phase, and BAM 3-4 months post-op, they're knocked up and then struggling with trying to deal with the physical and mental strains on being pregnant. I'm not Catholic, I'm a good ole' Southern Baptist, we believe in snipping, tucking, every form of bc out there, but I do have several Catholic friends that have their own personal convictions on birth control. I can attest to the fact that even though being pregnant is a glorious, beautiful, joyous occasion for me, it is also the most difficult part of my "post-op journey" mentally that I have ever endured. My complications and extremely difficult recovery is NOTHING in comparison to what I'm enduring on a daily basis with being pregnant, and all the changes I'm going through emotionally and mentally.

Last night is done and over with, you can't take back those calories/carbs/fat grams so just suck it up and move forward. Start today by ditching the saltines, stop buying them, find a whole grain cracker, or pork rinds work for a great salty/crunchy snack. I also used pork rinds for any recipe that called for bread crumbs or other binder type ingredient, and no one knew I had substituted them in. Change your mindset from "willpower" to discipline. I think willpower sucks for most of us or we wouldn't be where we were pre-op. Make a vow to yourself and your future health that you'll continue to make the "best" choice for every meal. Live it one meal at a time. That's what strived for every day/every week until I hit goal.

I take a bag of beef jerky in my purse. Nothing is really sleeve friendly at the movies. Popcorn is definitely a slider for me, and completely nutrient lacking for me during my losing stage. Also, it wasn't allowed until after 3 months because of the kernel/seed parts.

I'm in total agreement with Breezy as well. I can tell you from my experience that my skin has changed dramatically over the last year since being at goal. My arms have "shrunk" up, and I haven't worked out in over a year. Could my skin look better? Sure, but I hate to exercise. I think genetics, and time being fat (how long we punished our skin) plays a much larger in how the skin will rebound. I'm pretty sure after Sprout's arrival, I'll be getting back into the gym. Getting pregnant is one of the biggest reasons I waited on plastics. BUT, I want a TT and boob job. I just want boobs again, not tube socks with lemons. As far as my arms, thighs and butt, if I could afford a lower body lift, I'd have it done.

I haven't had any issues with huge pills since being around 6 weeks out.

Doubtful it's anything more than the normal 2-3 week stall that most every weight loss patient experiences. Your body can't continue to lose 1-2 pounds a day, and stalls will happen. Just keep getting in your fluids and protein as best you can.

Are you drinking enough fluids? Are you on any type of acid reducer? The reason I ask is when I run low on fluids, my sleeve feels "tighter", and I have had a few cases of breakthrough heartburn since being pregnant. Also, I'm having horrendous gas. I'm talking, painful, stinky gas and it doesn't matter what I eat so I think it's all hormonal. I hope you feel better soon.

Smoking regardless of what you're smoking, it impedes healing. I'm not saying never because I know this topic has come up on here, and there are some pretty avid smokies out there, I personally wouldn't introduce it until you get close to goal. It promotes eating, and lounging. 2 of the reasons we got fat.

It completely depends on what I'm eating. I measured everything early out so I can not relate to "7 bites" of anything. Slider foods such as chips, pretzels, nuts, bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, chili, yogurt etc I can eat 6-8oz. For dense Protein such as steak, chicken, ribs, I max out at about 3-5oz. To this day, I can not eat an entire chicken breast. Like the ones that are served with a grilled chicken salad at restaurants. I can eat 3-5slices of the chicken breast, but that's all I can get in. Taco Bell- 1 soft taco minus the top part of the tortilla pizza Hut (or at home Frozen Pizza) - I can eat 1-1.5 slice of pizza minus the top crust, and it depends on the amount of toppings and sauce. Chilis- I can eat 3 Southwest eggrolls or 3 slider burgers without the top bun and a few bites of whatever side dish I want As far as a steak, I order an 8oz ribeye, cooked medium, I can eat almost half of it, if I eat super slow, I can have a few bites of veggies/starches. If I add bread or sliders to any of my protein foods, I can fit a bit more in. If I stretch my meal out over more than 30-45 minutes I can fit in a couple more ounces, if I stretch it over an hour (like social situations, dinners out with group of friends/families), I can quite a bit more, but I still can not eat what I ate pre-op. If I add condiments such as A1 steak sauce, ranch dressing, gravies, sauces of any sort (this is called food LUBE), I can eat more. In maintenance, I eat an average of 1500-1800 calories per day. I no longer count anything other than protein and calories. I eat anything and everything I want, and yes, I eat white carbs, and drink soda and have for over a year in maintenance with zero effects on my weight. But, this is my experience, and others have found that they can not eat like I do in maintenance. I do steer clear of candy, ice cream, cakes etc because I just don't like those things on a regular basis. My weakness is chips and crackers, and I do eat them, I just don't eat huge amounts of them. I can not eat biscuits or pancakes this far out, but I can eat 1 small Eggo waffle if I really want to have something like that. Restriction changes for just about everyone the further out we get, but there is a max capacity. At 2-3 months out, I was good to get in 1-2oz of dense protein with zero room for veggies. Rice, pasta, bread, tortillas all hurt my sleeve and now those are all slider foods. But, I'm nearly 2 years out, and I've been eating roughly the same amounts since I was 8-9 months out. I've found ways to cheat the sleeve, and I do use those tactics occasionally to get in extra calories. Some days, I just want veggies, and I believe my body tells me to eat what it needs. There are plenty of days when I do not get in my protein, and then there are other days when I all I want is meat, cheeses, eggs. I've found a balance with what works for my body, and my nutritional needs. And, no I'm not maintaining my weight loss anymore because I'm pregnant. I maintained my loss for a year before I started gaining a few pounds with the pregnancy.

Yep, carb and fat binge that early out after being diligent with food choices typically results in explosive gas/diarrhea.

My recommendation is to go back to basics. Get back to a restricted calorie/carb daily meal plan, and stick with it. I can not relate to eating until full because on my program the goal was to measure portions, and to not eat until full. Being diligent, and disciplined is the only thing I can tell you that has given me continued success in maintenance. I have to make the best choice on what I put in my mouth, and I still rarely eat until I feel "full". I'm satisfied, but I do not rely on restriction to keep me in check. Don't get me wrong sometimes it's tough to not eat certain foods, but I also know that if I want to stay at goal, I have to make the best choice. I have to remember what got me fat, and those are the things I avoid. I was a volume eater, and loved that full/stuffed feeling, well that's what got me fat so I had to change the behavior. There is no need to redo the sleeve if you follow the guidelines of Protein first, green low carb veggies and then if you have room some starches. I'm almost 2 years post VSG, and still have amazing restriction when I put the "right' foods in there. If I choose to eat crap food, I can eat a lot more of it. The last 20-30 pounds is always the most difficult to lose. And, it's going to take effort and compliance. Figure out a meal plan, I ate 4 meals a day, no Snacks, no excuses. I drank my fluids, and I didn't exercise until I was 4 months out, and it only lasted 4 months. I have never enjoyed working out. For me, working out is just a chore like scrubbing toilets. It's a "HAVE TO" thing, not a want to thing. Food choices are the key to ultimate success/failure. Personally, I can gain weight easily, but I can also lose it easily when I make the best food choices. There is a bit of "give" in the sleeve after a 6-12 months, but that's normal and expected. It's the sleeve maturing to full capacity, and honestly, we can not live on 600 calories a day for the rest of our lives. So, it's not a bad thing to be able to eat more. This is where the "work" comes into play with the sleeve, well with any weight loss surgery option. We have to continually, religiously make the best choice. I can eat craploads of cheesecake, pudding, sorbet, chips, crackers, pretzels, nuts, soft foods like chili/yogurt, but with protein foods, meats, cheeses and eggs, I have amazing restriction. I max out at about 4-5oz of dense protein. To this day, I still can not eat an chicken breast, like the ones they serve with grilled chicken salads. I can eat about half of it, and if I want to get more in, I have to stretch my meal out further. Also, during my losing stage, I never stretched my meal out over 30 minutes once I got to more solids foods. If I stretch out my meals, I can eat a few more ounces of food which defeats the purpose of the post-op dietary guideline. Cheating the sleeve is easy, and all it will result in is cheating yourself out of losing and maintaining your loss. Basics to follow: 1) Measure portions 2) Track food intake religiously 3) Don't eat until full, eat until satisfied 4) Drink 64oz of clear fluids 5) Set a meal plan, no snacks, stick with it 6) Don't make excuses You can try the 5 day pouch test to get rid of the carbs if that is the issue. Days One & Two: liquid Protein low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game You don't necessarily have to do the liquid part if you can be disciplined to just eat protein.

I say just "go with it". I fell below my goal weight by 20+ pounds, and it took awhile for me to get my weight stabilized. I have to eat 1700-1800 calories a day, and the only way it's possible is to rely on mushy/soft foods for 2 meals. The BMI chart is a bit skewed as it can not take into account our bone density or skin weight. I'm only 5'2" (on a good day), and was bouncing between 125-130 for a year before pregnancy, and that put me at the top of the BMI chart. Anything below 125lbs, and I had bones protruding (spine was poking through without hunching over, my sternum was protruding, chronic inflamed tailbone) which made me look a bit sickly. Plus, my PCM encouraged me to gain a few pounds for conception purposes. He thought I was too thin for my frame.

HI Jim, I can tell you that the sleeve is by far superior to the band. There are plenty of sleeve patients that are over 60, and have found great success with the sleeve. I do understand your families concern, but at the same time, if they'd like you around for many more years, maybe they will consider what your surgeon is suggesting for you, and your long term health. Some revision patients find that VSG resolves their reflux once they get the band out, others continue on a PPI to prevent reflux. You need to do what is best for your health. I know it's a tough spot to be in when the family is not supportive, but explain to them what the extra 100lbs is doing to you, physically and mentally. Explain to them that many people over 60 have full or partial gastrectomies for other medical conditions such as cancer or ulcers, and those surgeries have been performed for decades upon decades. Give them facts, and maybe that will help ease their fears.

I didn't get Protein in until I hit mushies at nearly 6 weeks post-op. Now with that being said, I know protein is important, and great for recovery and energy, but hydration is #1 priority early out. I tried over 22 different brands, varieties etc and then figured out I was lactose intolerant, and have a sensitivity to whey. And, let me tell ya, soy protein and egg white protein mixes suck even more than whey. Check out the Protein Drink forum on here, and see if you can order samples. I did like the taste and texture of the Syntrax cappucino flavor, and I only mixed it with Water due to the milk issues, but I could tolerate the smell, texture and taste. Jay Robb is a super popular one as well along with the Lean Dessert brand. I also posted an extremely long "Protein drink recipe" topic on here that was emailed me to ages ago that a lot of people have used to enhance the flavor and texture of Protein drinks. I was hellbent on making protein drinks work, but puking or pooping immediately along with the horrendous gas pains was counterproductive to my recovery. I would only purchase samples because even post-op, everything can change, and then you're going to be stuck with tubs of crap you can not tolerate.

Prayers for you and best wishes on a speedy recovery. I had abscesses in my abdomen and pelvic cavity after my revision. I had drains placed, and had lots of antibiotics that helped resolve them 100%. It is painful and uncomfortable with the drains, and I hope you feel better soon.

I started trying just one meal a day of solid meats, and still chose to stick to super soft meat. Things like fajita meat worked really, flank and skirt steak are kind of fatty, so it helped keep them moist, and easily chewed down. I always added some sort of gravy/condiment/sauce to meat even if it was just a hint of steak sauce, or greek yogurt, it helped me transition to solids. I know you're frustrated. The B12 will actually help with energy. I was popping one 2500mcg sublingual every day, and at my 18 month f/u appointment, my levels were double the high normal so my surgeon had me cut down to 3-4 times a week and my levels scaled down to normal. Honestly, I had some outside life stressors that I think contributed to my "fear" or slow transition to solid food, plus I felt like sh*t for the first 3 months. I was hospitalized again around 6-7 weeks post-op, my husband was in a shithole of Afghanistan getting mortared every day, we went over 30 days with zero communication at one point so my life was pure stress with trying to fully recover before my husband returned was a top priority. I can honestly say that once my husband came home, life was so much easier. I still struggled with solids, but it seems that with that stress out of the way, things really progressed. I know how you feel, I remember those days all too well even though it was so long ago. I also wasn't battling depression so I can not relate to that aspect of your recovery. I was just stressed to the max. I had to really become "Positive Polly" to get me through. Positive affirmations, and just really trying to "self-talk" myself into feeling better every day. I would ask for a scope, but don't surprised if they find nothing. I went through several contrast studies, watching different consistency of liquids move through, and nothing was wrong with my stomach. Have you considered trying a Papaya enzyme to help with digestion? You add it to your food, and it helps break down meats. You could also be experiencing slow transit time. There are drugs for that as well. Bentyl is one that we discussed me going just this January when I was burping up food several hours after eating, and having some gastritis symptoms. I did add some papaya enzyme to my dense Proteins, and it did seem to help with digestion. Please feel free to message me anytime if you need to talk.

I have yet to find one single restaurant's kid's menu worthy to put in my body. It's typically fried, fat filled junk food that kids love. Not the best option for me. For me, I always order off the appetizer menu, or order items a la carte. Just a plain chicken breast with some sort of dressing. TGI Fridays, Chilis, Applebees, and all of our local places around here are beyond accommodating and I have NOT ever disclosed that I had 80% of my stomach removed so I would be forced to put the fork down. Sometimes, I share an adult entree with my 12 yr old son, and that makes things super easy. We typically order a steak with 2 sides, he loved mashed potatoes and I get a green veggie, or mac-n-cheese. Ribs are always super easy to eat. My husband and I frequent steak houses, and most will allow you to order a half rack of ribs with an entree for a lesser fee, and that's what we do a lot of the time. My husband will order a big prime rib dinner with 2 sides, and side salad, I eat half the salad, and then we order half rack of ribs on the side. I eat the ribs, and a few bites of his veggies/sides. Of course, earlier out, I would stick to a la carte items, and bring home leftovers for additional meals.

I don't think I would have been able to tolerate it on full liquids. I can't tolerate it now, but I'm pretty sure my body would have been pissed off if I dumped that in my stomach. I was only allowed 4oz of pure fruit juice during that time because of the sugar irritating the bowels, and the extra calories/carbs.

Honestly, the first 3 months were hell on Earth for me too, but for different reasons. My recommendation is obviously seek professional medical treatment. I had about the same type of restriction you're describing so I chose to stick to mushy food to get in calories/protein/nutrients. Drink some regular Gatorade or Powerade for additional electrolytes. Get some labs pulled, and see what is going on internally. Nausea can definitely be a culprit to you feeling horrible, as could Vitamin deficiencies.Your sleeve might not be ready for solids. I honestly lived on deli meat with cream cheese roll ups, chicken/tuna/egg salad, and I would overseason stuff just to make it palatable. Are you taking a high quality adult vitamin, plus an additional sublingual B12? B12 is one of the easiest Vitamins for VSG'ers to get deficient in along with Iron. We are missing the intrinsic factor in our stomach, and B12 needs that factor to be properly absorbed. Since that part of our stomach is removed that makes intrinsic factor, we have to supplement with either sublingual or injectable. Vitamin deficiencies happen especially if you are not eating properly, and not taking a good quality of vitamin. Gummies and most children's vitamins are not complete vitamins for adults. Your reflux may never be resolved. Unfortunately, many sleeve patients need a PPI for life, others can wean off, but sometimes it is just NOT an option. Strictures and scar tissue is a concern with this surgery. I would recommend trying a different PPI such as Prilosec or Protonix (both are available via generic). Make sure you are taking it on an empty stomach, and waiting at least 1 hour before eating, or 2-3 hours after eating whichever is easier for you to manage with your schedule. If there is anything I can help you with, please feel free to message me.

Calcium carbonate is only absorbale if taken with food and needs an acidic environment, and the calorie/carb/sugar count on those lovely little chocolate/caramel chewables are kind of high. But apart from needing food to be absorbed, it's the cheapest, and lowest form of calcium available. You can take the carbonate, but my PCM won't even recommend it for his patients with normal anatomy because it thinks it's just junk. Blood levels that check calcium will not detect bone issues. That is a blood plasma level for calcium and the concern with us needing calcium citrate is for most of us, we're on a PPI which neutralizes acid, and calcium carbonate needs an acidic environment and/or food to be absorbed. Well, when we're on a PPI, it impedes the calcium absorption. So, if we're in that lovely age to boost calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis, it's vital to take citrate. With some Vitamins, it's a "some if better than none" but it usually isn't the case with calcium. Can you not check with your surgeon to see if they can it shipped in for you from Bariatric Advantage, or Celebrate Vitamins which both offer chewable options.

Dumping can happen even with people that do NOT have any type of bariatric surgery. It is a very slim chance that it was dumping around 5% of sleeve patients dump. I can tell you that I never experienced dumping, but what I did experience was lactose intolerance. Some surgeons have tied dumping to transit times, other say that it's because we avoid sugar and high fat content for many weeks to months, and then we dump that crap into our bodies, our bodies react negatively to it. My body did the same thing with fried foods pre-op. I literally rarely (maybe once or twice a year) would eat a chicken fried steak, or chicken fried chicken and every time I did it, I'd puke and have to run to the bathroom within 20-30 minutes because it's be running out of me. A lot of the times, a lot of sleeve patients react negatively to high milk fat products like buttercream icing on that tiny cupcake, or that 1/2 cup of regular ice cream, but they have zero issue with Cookies, yogurt, or sorbet (which is all loaded with sugar). The only safe thing at McDonald's the unsweet tea (at least early out).

I'm 5'2, and considered large framed as well. My goal weight was 150lbs, and I surpassed it and at one point dropped all the way down to 119lbs. I purposely gained up and bounce on the scale on any given week between 125-130lbs, and that had me in a size 2, XS-Small tops, and while I was happy at 150lbs, being at 125lbs felt really comfortable. I did hear "you're too skinny", "please don't lose anymore" etc etc when I hit 160-175lbs, but my body wasn't settled. I do not look gaunt or sickly at 125lbs by any stretch of the imagination, and weight and fat will redistribute even after you hit a stabilized weight. My body shape has changed, and I'm sure I could lose more inches if I worked out more, and built more muscle. At 5'2" BMI chart has our "ideal/healthy" weight at 118-126lbs, and I was at the top end of "healthy" at 5'2". Body fat % is a far better gauge of health than BMI charts which are heavily skewed.

I've been watching FB and here like a hawk ! ! ! Many congrats chickee ! ! !

LOL LOL I'm totally paranoid on how big I'll be in 3 more months ha ha ha. I'm already having trouble getting comfortable at night, and trying to adjust to the weight redistribution to the center of my body again. Nexium and Protonix are both good for pregnancy. Since I went on auto-ship with our insurance on the Nexium, I pay a measily $3 for a 90 day supply of the Nexium 40mg. I'll probably grab a bottle of Gaviscon to help with any further breakthrough reflux. I have never had acid like this in my life, and it was a rude awakening. If I could get passed the smell the ACV, I'd try it, but it was recommended during my post-op diet to keep things moving, and I can't stand the smell of it.

"Starvation mode" has been debunked 100 times over. There are some factors that contribute to weight loss stalls when working out/exercising, but the actual "starvation mode" has been disputed by medical professionals and exercise physiologists.