A little background -
I'm fourteen months out and almost to my goal weight. I am taking all of my vitamins, using Celebrate multis, Celebrate B12 and UpCalD and still drinking 2 protein shakes a day. My nails have started peeling and splitting and I have hangnails galore. I used to have strong, pretty nails. Any idea what is going on? Thanks for the input!

I'm 10 mos. out and constipation has become a major issue. How much Miralax do you take and how often. I'm taking one full dose every morning and trying to drink more but still.... Any other suggestions?

So I've lost a bunch of weight which is great! but now I have this oh so unattractive saggy, baggy panni to deal with. The problem I'm having is the never ending cycle of rashes and the (sorry) smell! I wash with Dial soap, blow dry the skin under the panni with cool air until throughly dry and then powder the whole area. I still get patches of rash (that I've been using Lotrimin for) and it seems like the smell never goes away.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a secret to getting rid of the rashes and smell? I even get these darn yeast infections in my now collaped shut belly button - everyone talks about if they have an "innie' or "outie'... i have a frownie!  help

Everyone's suggestions sound delish! I'd like your instructions for the caramel macchiato (used to be one of my fav's at Starbucks). Thanks everyone!

Hey Kelly -

I have sleep issues as well. I take Trazadone every evening and it seems to work very well for me. I've been on it for years. Because I take one every evening, I know I'm not going to have any trouble going to sleep so I don't have any of the anxiety that dread/worry can cause. The other thing is that I can adjust the dose if I need too (per my doc's direction). This is not a sleeping pill but actually a very old antidepressant so it augments my antidepressant meds too (gotta love a two-fer). Also, because it's been around so long, it's pretty cheap. Hope this helps.

I had my surgery in June and have lost 98 lbs so far. Over the last couple of months I have had several urinary track infections. Before that it was I hadn't had one in probably 25 years. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, do you know why? My GP wants me to go see a urologist - any I really don't want to.

Thanks for your input.

Thanks Kelly! I knew you would have the answer!

Instead of milk, try mixing it with unsweetened, vanilla flavored almond milk. You get the same shake like consistency (makes for a very smooth shake). Only 40 cals per 8 oz and no lactose issues. I use it all the time with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry Body Fortress - yum!

Congratulations! You are doing awesome!

As your food choices expand (ie adding more veggies and fruits to your diet) the metallic taste you are experiencing should go away. In the beginning you have to be so focused on just getting your protein in that there is no room for anything else. Living on just protein can cause your body to go into ketosis and that causes the metallic taste. So hang in there, it will be a thing of the past very soon.

You are probably having an allergic reaction to the steri strips or glue. You need to call your surgeon's office and let them know. I had the same thing and they let me take off the steri strips (but please ask first). Also if the Benedryl does not keep it under control your doc can prescribe stronger/better drugs. Good luck!

Canned chicken blended with a little gravy, tuna blended with a  little mayo, cottage cheese with just a little bit of Ranch Dressing (the dry mix) mixed in. Experiment with things in your blender, like chicken, refried beans and a little taco seasoning blended together - put the mixture in a little bowl, add some shredded cheese and microwave until the cheese melts (yum)

My surgeon's office recommends Flintstones chewable vitamins. But I know I've seen some disparaging remarks about them on this board. Can anyone tell me why they are bad news? Thanks.