Hello, I am new here and want to introduce myself and ask a few questions

Hi everyone. I am Jo and just joined the forum after lurking a bit.

I began this journey in November 2017 weighing in at 267. I don't believe that is my highest weight but it is the highest recorded one. At 5 feet tall that's about 150 pounds more than I should weigh. I had just discovered I had diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease. I had fought with depression for years and also had asthma, migraines, suspected fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel, back issues, and insomnia.

I readily accepted the chance to get surgery which I received July 19, 2018.

Since I have reversed my diabetes, cholesterol, and most but not all of the back issues. I believe the liver is better as well but have no confirmation of that. My asthma is no longer triggered by my activity and now only acts up with allergies. I have had a lot less pain and have begun believing it is caused by problems with gluten because I have noticed if I don't stay away from it I have more pain issues. My depression is much better as well. I am a bit afraid to stop taking my sleep meds so I am not sure if the insomnia is resolved yet. No sleep makes me very cranky.

I currently weigh 193(at least as of this morning) so am down 74 pounds.

A few more facts about me

• I am a mom of 3. Daughter 1 27, Daughter 2 21, Son 13
• I am a terrible hoarder(I can post pics if you want)
• I am attempting to have an Etsy shop with sewing and the jewelry I make
• I love to play Minecraft(Yes, I know I am 46 but I still find it fun)

Enough of that, now my few questions.

I am struggling with my eating, getting in my protein, and getting in my liquids. How on earth do you all manage to get so much in? My doctor's office wants me to get in 64 oz a day and I find it difficult. I feel like I am sloshing around. Not to mention my liquids need to be either hot or icy. This is not the season for icy so it's been tea, tea, and more tea. I can't drink coffee anymore it makes me queasy.

Thoughts of foods and many of them make me nauseous plus I am in that I am not really hungry stage so I go from not wanting to eat and forgetting to eat. I was told to get 60 grams of protein a day which is difficult for me. Any tips or tricks? How do you know what serving sizes you should be able to eat? Do you have any recommendations for recipes or menus? I can't always tell how full I am, not sure why. Many times I am not sure until I have eaten too much.

Last bit for now...does anyone have any recommendations for lotions or creams that tighten up the skin? I am not sure if my insurance will cover skin surgery plus I know I am not ready for that yet. So while I wait I thought I may be able to use something that may help.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to getting to know you all.

You have to look at the fluids as not optional and hit your targets. Basically, if you are not eating/waiting your 30 minutes, then you should have a non-calorie beverage. I drink a lot of tea, a lot of water.

Hitting your protein goals is the same - required. I've noticed a few people who aren't hungry, eat to a schedule to make sure they meet goals. It's not about food - it's about fuel (for them).

The best thing I learned is to measure and track everything.

good luck!

Hi there

Pretty much what Jen said. When I was new to all of this and going through the 'I'm not hungry' phase I read the menu thread and made a schedule for eating and drinking. I set goals and took baby steps to ensure that I got in the protein required and the fluids to keep me hydrated.

I don't think there is a magic potion to 'tighten skin up.' It has to do with your age, how much weight you lost, etc. I have loose skin and sure, it bothers me but being 100+ pounds heavier bothered me more!

Good luck - get your protein in, get your fluids in, take your vitamins. You've got this!

Just to weigh in on a few things. First congrats on your surgery and improved health.

Second, you don't have an option with the fluids and protein. You have to find a way to get it in or you will get sick. And the "bad" news for you is that the suggested 64 oz isn't nearly enough for health and weight loss. I admit that it isn't easy, especially at first, and that you may have to experiment. In the winter I drink alot of hot herbal tea and during the summer, I drink alot of unsweetened ice tea. It's unsweetened fluids and it counts. You have to sip all day and yes, you will have to go to the bathroom more often but that's actually good for you. Set a goal and try new options until you can get in more fluids.

As far as protein, check out what people eat on the Daily Menu forum for ideas. To lose weight and not have extensive muscle wasting, you have to eat dense protein. You can eat it in small portions throughout the day.

As for creams to help lose skin, it's a total waste of money and does nothing. The only things that help are your age, your genetics, hydration and occasionally time and exercise may help a bit. You probably spent years overweight and your skin is stretched. It doesn't return to your teenage shape and the only answer is to either live with it, wear Spanx or have surgery. I did find that doing some weight training did help, but not by reducing the skin but by filling the skin with muscle rather than fat. The skin is the reminder of the unhealthy way that we treated our bodies and that's the reality. The other news is that while your insurance may have paid for your WLS, very few insurances will pay for skin removal much less lifts. Just the facts. You can ask but don't be surprised if they don't.

Sorry for the harsh news but it is the reality for most of us on here.

Hello and welcome!

Congratulations on your surgery and weight loss! 74 pounds in 5 months is a feat!

So reiterating what other posters have said, hydration and protein intake are a must. As my doctor told me, one of the most common reasons why post op patients come into the emergency room after surgery is dehydration. Not only will it send you to the hospital, dehydration also causes nausea, making it even more difficult to get that protein in! I don't have a lot of suggestions, I never really liked plain water or hot drinks so I'm on artificially sweetened iced tea right now, but find what works for you and keep at it!

For protein, 60g a day is a minimum. You are loosing weight so fast, it's coming off everywhere, and no one wants to loose muscle. Protein will keep lean muscle mass up and give you more energy throughout the day. If you can't eat all of your protein, drink a protein shake. A lot of people still do a shake as breakfast. Find a way and do it!

Creams and lotions...well I am sorry, but don't waste your money. It is important that we take care of our skin, but we could put every lotion known to (wo)man on and it still wouldn't help with the skin issue. If anyone was going to get around extra skin, it was me (I'm young, have good genes, and was MO for 6 years in my life, which is less than most) and I couldn't avoid the dreaded apron (it really is quiet impressive). So sure, take care of yourself and do your hygiene routine and all that, but know that if you do lose your 150 pounds, you will have excess skin, lots of it, and nothing will make it go away except skin removal surgery.

Well, again welcome and best of luck!

ps - I love Minecraft too 0.0

Hello and Welcome! Congrats on your success so far. I can only reiterate what the others have said. You need to get your fluid and protein in like it's your JOB...cause it truly is. Also, taking your vitamins and supplements! What works for me is a schedule. I eat meals/snacks at roughly the same time every day and when I am not eating (also for 30 mins before/during and 30 mins after) I am drinking water (I do also drink coffee so I try and get at least 132 oz of water daily). You don't see me without a water bottle in hand. You can do it! I have heard that some find success setting goals throughout the day...something like 2 bottles before they leave the house in the morning. During the beginning I was able to hit my protein goals with things like eggs,cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, legumes, and things like that. Best of luck to you as you continue on your journey. Just another shout out for the daily menu thread..lots of support, ideas, accountability and friendship can be found there.

I'm 61 and I play World of Warcraft, so you're not alone out there.

I was supplementing my protein with Syntrax Nectar 23g protein & 100 calories. My favorite flavor is Roadside Lemonade. There is a sample pack you can purchase to find out what flavors you can tolerate. I am anti-protein shake but these are clear and not as sweet and made from Whey Protein Isolate- I'm lactose intolerant.

I know the water and liquid intake is hard, you just slosh for awhile.

Take care!

If none of the awesome advice above rings with you... If you do not eat at least 60gm of protein/day, you will lose all of your hair. You will have to wear a wig, for over a year. I have a close friend you sound a lot alike. You had the surgery under the promise that you'd intake your protein, fluids, vitamins = (wo-man up.)

I'm 4 mo post-op and truly understand. Tired of throwing up & drink Premier protein shakes for breakfast & lunch still. WE CAN DO THIS. I care enough to say such a scary reply...

Thank you all for your responses. I feel a little like my mom just chewed me out over something. But just as she does, I know you all only do it because you care and I really appreciate it.

Liquids- I know I need to get that up to at least the 64oz(yesterday I managed 80, Yay me) but preferably more. I know some of my migraines had to do with the dehydration and the constipation uggh. I am sooo gonna be sloshing! But the extra bathroom runs can be used as exercise right?

Protein- Got to get that moving in the right direction. I did better when I did meal preps and logged more consistently. I never realized it could cost me my hair. I've already lost about half of it and definitely don't want to lose anymore. It has slowed due to the biotin I take which is good. I was trying to stay away from the shakes as much as I could but I guess I should start up again at least until I do better with food choices.

Any of you who might use a schedule for planning your proteins and liquids, how does that work out? I had a schedule, kind of anyway, where I had alarms on my phone for different things but basically, it boiled down to

1. Breakfast- 15g Protein
2. 16 oz
3. Lunch- 15g protein
4. 16 oz
5. Dinner- 15g protein
6. 16 oz
7. Snack - 15g protein
8. 16 oz

Works for what my doctor said but obviously not what I really need. Any thoughts on how to do it better? Hmmm, perhaps I should get one of those beer helmets or water backpacks......lol

Skin-I realize there isn't a miracle lotion out there I just thought if there is something that helps a little you may know about it. However, instead of that how about a good brand of Spanx to hold it all in. Any recommendations for that?

Thank you again for your help and the kick in the butt. I really needed both.

Good job on hitting 80!!

When I was still struggling on the fluids, I would drink a glass of water as soon as I got up and then wait the amount of time before eating; same at night, the last thing I did was have a glass of water -- you could do protein water, if that helps? Based on a recommendation from the group, I also take a glass of water to bed and when I get up to pee, I have a swallow or too...some times that gets a whole extra 16 oz in, lol.m I also found a 20 oz water bottle on line that has rings, you can track up to 8 20 oz portions by moving the rings.

Another thing I learned her -- RTD protein drink in your coffee (and tea) - ups the protein!

If it helps, I have found that when I'm consistent about hitting my fluid goals, the multiple trips a night decrease; if I get off track and then get back on track, I'm up a lot in the night for a few days.

Check out MD shape wear...I have purchased several of their tanks to hold all the jiggly bits together; you can get two for the cost of one spanx (I found them on amazon). (And thanks for asking that question, I"ve been sad they only had tanks but when I looked up the name, i found some long sleeve options that I will now check out!)