I have been "heavy" my entire life, but I started getting morbidly obese about 15 yeas ago after a back injury. I had two back surgeries, first one 8/2007, second one in 11/2009. I also broke my left ankle (for the 5th time) in 10/2010. After a major foot surgery in 3/2011, I decided to go for the sleeve. About a month out from surgery, I got pregnant and abandoned my WLS plans for the time being. I had the baby (best thing ever!!) and got back on track for surgery in October of 2013. I then caught the NORO virus from my kid and spend two days sitting on the toilet and vomiting into the waste basket. That freaked me out so much that I backed off from the surgery. My back and foot pain was getting worse (one of the five screws in my foot/ankle had broken and wow, the pain has been intense!) and all the doctors were telling me it would never get better until I lost about 100 lbs. at least. At the time, I was about 330. The doctor for my foot told me that he would have to take out all the pins, put in thicker ones, and reinforce the area with steal plates. This did not sound like it was going to help get me out of pain. So, back to the bariatric surgeon. I started with this again in February of 2015. My doc put me on a diet pill to help with appetite suppression, and I lost almost 50 lbs. from March 2015 - June 2015. It took a while to get all of the insurance requirements met, but it was finally approved, and my surgery was on July1. This is my 4th week post-op, and while it has not been easy, I would not go back. I had the sleeve because I did not want to have as many issues with malnutrition as I have heard can happen with bypass. I know that I will eventually get to eat real food again, just not nearly as much, and I am so happy with the weight loss. The biggest issue I am having is getting my Protein. I am a vegetarian and the idea of drinking milk repulses me. I am not a vegan, will eat cheese and yogurt, it is just milk that grosses me out. Soy milk was not something I wanted to try, but I find the light vanilla and light chocolate is palatable. I am still experimenting with different protein supplements, but I feel confident I will eventually find one that I can get down. I have found a few suggestion on this forum that give me hope. :-)

vegetarian not a vegan

@@Hipigrl

welcome to sleeveland

sorry about all your physical issues/surgeries with your back, foot etc

they should improve gradually as you loose more weight

initial 50 lb pre-op weight loss is/was great

another 24 lbs post op!!

you are doing great!!!

continue to read the board and you will get more and more good suggestions

(Vitamins etc)

at the end of the only listen to your NUT!!! (me too of course)

i take the bariatric vitamins

these are "horse" pills, but i manage no problem

some others take chewable vitamins (flinstones)??

ask your NUT for help, suggestion on what vitamins to buy

ask for help with Protein choices too

"vegetarian not a vegan"

don't know the difference

Peanut Butter

eggs (can you eat?)

glad you eat/like yogurt

i love Fage 0% plain greek yogurt

100 calories (5 3/4 oz)

i add in one sweet and low

8 blueberries (yes i count them )

mix everything together, yum yum

this gives my 18 gr of protein

many others eat light and fit dannon yogurt

cottage cheese

ever popular Protein Bars

many buy the Quest bars

they are very good

20 gr of protein

but they can be addicting (to me, they are so yummy)

calories about 180-200

cheese is great for protein

is fish ok for you??

tuna fish, baked haddock??

there are probably others here that are vegatarians

i always used milk with my Protein shake

pre-made (with milk)

a shake has 20 gr of protein

my GNC has 25 gr protein

but.......you can mix the powdered shake with Water

i've heard you can also add some powdered protein into various foods

(i don't remember what "they" said - cuz i never did that)

but it sounds like a good idea helping to get more protein in

if you are allowed to drink coffee - some people put in

you are to a great start

keep it up for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life

having your beautiful baby is a great motivator to get/stay healthy

good luck

kathy