Hi Cathy, I also had my surgery on 3/28! I had a checkup recently and asked my surgeon how long I would need to use protein supplements. I am able to eat a little more now, and told him I felt I could get my 60g in without supplements some days. He told me that by about nine months, I should be able to get my 60g of protein a day without shakes. For now I use them as breakfast (I have never been a big breakfast eater), or sometimes in the evening when I have been short on protein that day. I look forward to not having to rely on them! Though I will probably always keep them around for a quick meal or for when I travel. Congrats on your weight loss! Kat C

Wow, I am so shocked! I was losing so slowly. Only 10-13 pounds a month. Then last Wednesday I went to see my surgeon for a check up, I had lost 70 pounds at that time. He was happy with my progress even though I wasn't. When I had surgery my surgeon (and all Dr's are different, I am not putting any Dr down this is just what my surgeon does) he told me after surgery I would be eating 3 meals consisting of 2oz each. I measure for maybe a couple of weeks, but then I stopped measuring. I was told and had read on the boards that hardly anyone measured. I never let myself get full, I just ate small amounts, small bites and took 30 to 45 mins to consume my meal. That worked because I lost 70 pounds before my 5 month check up last week, but my weight loss slowed down to where I hadn't lost any in 2 weeks. I had a brain fart after I went to the Dr last week. That night I thought well, tomorrow I am going to start measuring 2oz exactly, no more popcorn snacking, no more a chip here and there. I also started measuring my liquids and now get in more than 100oz of something sugar free each day. Thursday I was still sitting at a loss of 70lbs. I now only eat 3 meals a day, 2oz consisting of cheese cubes, peanut butter, eggs, and meats high in protein. I am loving this! That was Thursday, this is Tuesday and I have lost 10 pounds. I am so happy! Of course I can't brag to Dr Shina because then I would have to say I wasn't measuring like I was supposed to and he might not be happy about that, lol. I am a big chicken. I also started doing some new exercises. Nothing hard or strenuous. Also Dr Shina told me that Diet Coke Zero will not hurt me or impede my weight loss! Yeah, Diet Coke Zero!!! I hate regular diet cokes but love this one! Hugs and God Bless Angela Open RNY 3/24/05 313/233/157??? P.S. I guess the moral to this is, do what your Dr tells u to do! LOL

Hi Cathy. Congrats on your weight loss. You and I had surgery the same day. I still drink a protein shake every morning. It's one way I have of making sure I am getting enough protein every day. When you think about the other protein sources you can have for breakfast, it's a good way of getting over half your protein out of the way for the day. Cereal doesn't really have much protein, even the ones that claim to be high protein, and eggs and I don't mix.

This board always has somthing I can relate to! I told my husband that I was concerned about this huge lump protruding from below my left breast. He said it was my zyphoid process. If I sit here at the computer it gets big and protrudes, I stand up and can put my fingers around it and click click click it back to where it cant be seen! went to the Doctors and Yep zyphoid process. She said dont move it around though cause it can become arthritic. Other than that not to worry about it. I have a protrusion on my middle left side, husband says its my hip!!!!!!!!!!!!! wooooo hooooooo

Hi Melanie, I went for bloodwork this past month and found out that my alkaline phosphates levels were elevated. Checked into it myself and found that these have to do with the liver or the gallbladder. I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 30th of this month. Really curious to know if and what it all means. I'm feeling fine with no stomach/digestion pain. I'll keep posted once all is known. Best of luck to you. TraciL