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Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

Self-Perception

Quick drastic weight loss is a strange experience. Don't get me wrong, I was fully prepared, after all it took over 10 years to finally break down and undergo surgery. After all the research, doctor's visits, and support groups/forums, I was prepared buuuuttt. I'm having trouble moving into the "skinny mindset".   I eat like a skinny person, I don't have a choice since 95% of my stomach is gone. I'm becoming active like a skinny person with Fibromyalgia [there's only so much you can do with Fibro].   The problem is clothing. I still see myself as fat and think I should wear larger clothing. That's where having lots of children [young adults] in one's life helps. After being teased for wearing clothing that is too big [even though it is smaller than what I use to wear], I broke down and purchased items for stores I would have never dreamed I could patronize, Express, Old Navy, J C Penny, Victoria's Secret. Everyone thinks I look great but I feel they are too small.   Oh well, I guess my self-perception will catch up with the physical as time goes by.
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

0
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

Fibromyalgia and WLS Awareness

As May gets under way, I realize it is a month of nurturing [Mother’s day], appreciation [National Police Memorial Week], and advocacy [international Fibromyalgia/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Gulf War Syndrome/ Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome Awareness Day].   My Fibromyalgia has been flaring big time but I've been busy building awareness of the special needs of people with Fibromyalgia who have had weight loss surgery.   For one, we cannot take out pain medication the way we did pre-op.   I testified at the FDA Public Meeting on Patient Focused Fibromyalgia Drug Development and spoke about my experiences as a post-op patient. After the meeting I posted all the questions which the FDA needs community responses online [Click here for questions].   If you are a WLS patient with Fibromyalgia, please take a moment, click on the link above and copy and paste these questions to a word document, answer them and then go to http://www.regulatio...013-N-1041-0004 and paste your answers as comments onto the FDA docket. The comment now button is in the upper right corner of the FDA’s page.   The comment period closes on May 26, 2014. The FDA really needs to know that there is a subgroup of people with Fibromyalgia who need their medication in chewable, dissolvable or liquid forms.
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

0
Short and Chunky's Blog
 

One Week Later

One week ago tonight, all hell broke loose with my band. I was in pain, vomiting blood, dehydrating and wondering what in the world was going on. Within 24 hours, I was in an ambulance, ER, admitted, taken to surgery and lapband removed. Wow, that was quick.   I am now in recovering mode. I can eat once again. I am being very careful about what I eat and making sure I write everything down to remind myself what I ate. When I came home, I weighed and I was up 9 pounds - are you kidding me - 9 pounds - no food or water in over 48 hours and I GAINED 9 pounds - well yep!!!. Today, 7 of the 9 is gone and my weight is heading south fast. Amazing, when you are on liquids how fast you loose !! HAHA.   I see the doctor for a followup next Thursday and I must say I am looking forward to the visit. My biggest question is "Now what?" I have plication but what happens with those little stitches start to pull loose, stomach leaks or scar tissue forms there? What are the symptoms that issues are starting there? I am really scared to see if the "other shoe" will fall next. I would feel more comfy if this was turned into a sleeve but I am not sure that is an option (I really don't weight enough for more WLS) and I don't know if my insurance will pay for it. One question leads to another and another. I am making my list for the doctor as they come to mind. My incisions are painful and my poor belly button YUCK - good thing I am too old for a bikini..LOL. This has been very painful but I am walking it out, resting and trying to put me first (which is something I don't do well).   Take care, those of you who are dealing with slippage right now. This is no game. It will land you in surgery ASAP and the band will be history. Know the warning signs - I don't think I had any until it was too late. be good to yourselves. We took this journey together and took this big leap of faith for a reason - to better our health - live longer - and look better doing it...Having a "life event" like I just went through was not part of the deal.   I will update again next week and let you know what the new doctor suggests from here. Keep the support coming - This is going to be rough ride and a whole new journey from here. But there is strength in numbers and the WLS community is huge and so supportive - Thank you to you all..   Melinda in Florida
Short and Chunky

Short and Chunky

1
Butterfly Wings
 

Had my doctor's appointment today

Hi everyone! So I had what I was really thinking would be my first of six doctor's appointments for the supervised diet. I had to find a new pcp and get in so it took me a couple of weeks. I went today and I get the one that doesn't believe in bariatric surgery....at all. sigh. So instead of finding someone to really start my diet out strong I get someone who has "seen many bariatric patients of his that have complications that would, if given the chance, rethink their surgery"...which is completely contradictatory to all you guys, HOWEVER if there are people out there that hate the fact they got surgery and regret it terribly LET ME KNOW! I also got the "it's a lifestyle change" which I KNOW. It's just making those changes are incredibly difficult, which I know the surgery is but a tool but the counseling I will get and the whole 'learning how to eat again' REALLY appeals to me. I also love the idea of having my stomach help with portion control...I can eat and eat and eat and the gastric sleeve will hopefully help. I'm kind of frustrated. I did the math with all the weight I have lost since like...2003 and it's the amount I need to lose now. Any way, this dark, maddeningly frustrating cloud comes with a silver lining. While I didn't make a diet plan with the pcp he gave me orders to see the dietician for an intial consult. I made the appointment for a week before I head to NC, so it looks like I will have a concrete diet plan started which is good. I wish he knew what it was like growing up from 4th grade on as a morbidly obese female. Seriously. Ugh. But it's okay. Because I will do my 6 months, I will get the surgery, I will make it work with me and I will go skydiving with my brothers and run in all the fun 5ks that are out there. Thoughts guys? Anyone have to deal with a pcp who didn't see bariatric surgery as a tool to help with you weight?
ajb1029

ajb1029

2
Short and Chunky's Blog
 

24

Well what a difference 24 hours makes. As I wrote my last entry I was in pain and feeling bad..that night the pain got worse. The vomiting of blood began and that night was one of the longest I can remember. On Friday, I went to work, yep, I went to work. I carried a small trash can in the car and threw up all the way there. I know, I am an idiot..I knew what I had to get done, then take care of myself. I had called the doctor at 2am and he said to be at his Jax office at 6:30am. I was there. He did a flouroscope and said my band had slipped. He told me to come back at 3pm and let him look at it again. If the stomach went down and back through I would be OK, otherwise...well we would talk about it then. I drove back to work (only a couple of miles) and laid down on my office floor. One hour later, I knew I was in trouble. I drove back to his office (I still don't know how I did that). He took one look and off to the ER I went. Upon my arrival at the ER I proceeded to vomit blood on their floor and almost faint. They started an IV and told me that I was going to have to have emergency surgery but at their hospital on the other side of town. They called an ambulance and my family arrived - I was taken to St. Vincents Hospital Riverside. I was a direct admit. They took Xrays and a CT scan. I met the surgeon and gave his the photos from my doctor. He said he need to stablize me but surgery was going to happen. At 11pm, they wheeled me into surgery. Before I knew it, my 3 year buddy band was gone and I was back in my room. They were able to leave the plication but said that my band had slipped and scar tissue was bad. There was no saving it or putting in another one. He further explained that the scar tissue was so bad that I would feel like my band is still there for a long time and the plication was good and should be all I need to not only maintain what I have lost but to loose the other 30 pounds I want to loose. I sure hope he is right.   As I write this, I am home (less than 24 hours in the hospital) and I am so sore..OMG, it didn't hurt like this the first time. I am on a liquids diet and some soft foods. Not really hungry but head hungry (you guys understand that). I am very nervous. I now have a new doctor (local) and someone who will take my journey from here. Gastric Plication is what they call my WLS now..Some say it is good, some not so much..I guess since it is all I have, it will have to do. I pray I don't find that size 22W again.   Depression is trying to creep in just a bit but I am fighting that. The pain meds don't work and I feel like crap. But this too shall pass. My stomach is making sounds like "what the hell is going on" and I am sore all over. Fortunately, I am off work next week anyway, so I will have a chance to take care of myself and heal. I am supposed to walk and drink lots of water. What caused my slippage???who knows. The new doctor said that sometimes stuff like that happens but the scar tissue played a big part in it and it would not have healed on it's own. The vomiting of black blood, cramps and pain were the worst I have had since I gave birth to my kids....Please take care of yourselves and don't be foolish like me - get help right away. In retrospect, I should have gone to the hospital Thursday night (our anniversary) but I was stubborn..I could have died. My husband wanted me to go to the hospital that night, but where...when my doctor moved to WPB it upset my applecart and I did not feel secure from that point on. With a new doctor I will now have to build a new relationship but at least he is in Jacksonville. Will I have issues with the plication in the future? I don't know, I guess that is something the new doctor and I will discuss when I see him at his office in a couple of weeks. I do know that I will be going back to Weight Watchers for support as I feel like I am out on a limb all by myself.   Take care my band friends and to my plication friends let me know how things are working out for you. I really appreciate this sight and all it has to offer, even if NO ONE reads my blog, I feel refreshed and glad I got it off my chest (so to speak). Have a wonderful Sunday and be good to yourselves.   Melinda in Florida
Short and Chunky

Short and Chunky

5
My Journey to Skinny
 

Week One of Pre-op Diet almost done...

Well, it's been about a week since I voluntarily started my pre-op diet a little early. I was supposed to have started it on Tuesday, but since I have been through carb withdrawal before, and know how miserable I can be, I chose to go start it on Friday, and do the "carb flu" on days when I was working, rather than on my days off. Strange logic, I know but in my mind I'd be busier at work and have less time to think about food. My initial plan was to just start drinking only protein shakes on Friday night when I got to work. (I'm an ER nurse. I work nights. Get used to me referring to things that happened in the late afternoon as "morning" and for things that happened in the early morning to be referred to as "last night") Anyway, that worked well until one of my co-workers decided to make a Chipotle run... then I altered my plan to just start low carbing for the weekend. Still drinking one or two protein shakes a day, and having one lean and green meal. Did that through Monday night at work, got home Tuesday morning with the best of intentions to have just liquid protein shakes from then on. So far, I'm ashamed to say that hasn't been happening. I am not cheating in large amounts, or with bad foods. I'd have to say all in all my calories have not been over 700 any day since Tuesday. And my carbs have easily stayed below 40. But I just have absolutely no appetite for the shakes. I can drink one Premier Protein (160 calories, 30g protein, 2g net carbs) in my 12 hours at work, and then I'm just not be able to face another one. But a few soy nuts? Sure, I'll eat those. I can chew them. So, a brief snapshot of my diet so far this week: Tuesday: -1 Isopure Chocolate Splendor Shake made with Almond Milk (160 calories, 21g protein, 11g carbs) -1 Premier Protein Chocolate Shake -1 bag of roasted peanuts (240 calories, 9g protein, 4g net carbs) -1 serving Isopure Chicken Soup (100 calories, 21g protein, 2g carbs) Wednesday -1 Isopure Chocolate Shake -2 hardboiled eggs (180 calories, 0 carbs, 18g protein) -1 serving Isopure Chicken Soup -2oz of cheddar cheese cubes (220 calories, 16g protein, 2g carbs) Thursday -1 Isopure Chocolate Shake -1 serving Isopure Protein'd Cheese Sauce over 1/2 cup steamed broccoli and cauliflower (190 calories, 21g protein, 11g carbs) 1 serving Isopure Vanilla mixed into 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (165 calories, 32g protein, 8g carbs) Friday -1 serving Isopure Chicken soup -1 slice of cheese pizza (250 calories, 10g protein, 25g carbs) -1 Premier Protein Shake -1/8 cup of soy nuts (65 calories, 6g protein, 1g carbs)   So, as you can see, not stellar. But on the plus side, I've lost over nine pounds in seven days, and I am literally never hungry, at least not for protein shakes. But if you put a slice of pizza in front of me, I'll eat it (as evidenced by Friday's log). But here's the strange thing that I've noticed. The pizza didn't taste that good. The sauce tasted weirdly acidic, and the crust tasted like cardboard. This was from a pizza place that we've ordered from at work multiple times, so I know what it used to taste like, and it just tasted... different. And then this morning, I went with my husband through the McDonald's drive thru. Now honestly, I don't like McDonald's. I think the last time I ate there was in December, and that was only because it was Sunday, and the Chik-fil-a was closed. But his fries smelled good, so remembering the pizza last night, I tried one. It tasted like salt and grease. Not at all appealing. Unfortunately, both the pizza and the fries still smelled good... so the cravings are still there. But if I keep telling myself that the taste isn't the same, I think I can talk myself out of some trigger foods. One of the negatives of the pre-op diet (aside from the obvious, that it's a diet ): I have literally no stamina for exercise. I've attempted to go for a run just once since this all started, and I got about halfway through what I usually do, and started feeling like my legs were made of lead. I took the stairs up to the 5th floor of the parking garage when I got out of work last night. Same thing; lead legs. So my cardio has decreased to basically walking the dog, although for some reason, I can tolerate my usual strength-training workouts with no problem. So I don't know what I'm going to do for exercise after my surgery. I guess walking is all that's advised for the first few weeks anyway. But that's been sort of bothering me anyway, because my surgeon said that his patients who have the most success are the ones who exercise the most... but how can I exercise if I have no stamina? I guess as I get lighter, I'll need less stamina to move my body. Other negatives? A slight headache that doesn't go away (this may be from giving up my one diet coke a day). A sticky feeling in my mouth that only goes away with constantly drinking water. That's about it. It's only two weeks of my life, as I keep reminding myself. I will keep plugging away at it, and hopefully get a little better at it by next week. Only 9 more days to go! My "Before Pre-op diet" photos
butterfyeffect

butterfyeffect

0
Katie's WL Blog
 

Rough Couple of Days

Hey! I'm new to the site, but I am need of some support (and happy to give support right back!)   So, today is Day 3 of the liquid diet. 12 days away from the surgery. I'm feeling better than I did yesterday, but today is still pretty tough. I've always used food as a coping mechanism for anything going wrong, or right, in my life. When I was happy, I rewarded myself with food. When I was upset, I stuffed the pain down with food. I've been working on healthy alternatives, but it's still such a challenge. I feel like I should have come farther by now. Is that normal? Or is it too much to expect that this battle would be won in not quite three months?? Any advice on staying positive would be much appreciated   I put so much pressure on myself to be perfect. And I try to remind myself that it's about progress, not perfection.   All my best, Katie
MrsKatieB

MrsKatieB

3
The Lardy Duchess
 

not another fill - YET

Hello!!   As I said in my last blog post, my stall is now over. How did I break it? By doing a few things that are working for me (that means they may, but may not work for you!!)   I limit myself to no more than 1400 calories a day. That might seem really high, but I also REALLLLY exercise and my body seems to be handling that well because I'm losing weight. I feel good.   I found a diet - really just a great eating plan that works for me, although I modify it for myself. I focus on how food feels inside my body and while I'm exercising I focus on repeating several mantras. There are some things I don't eat - tofu is one of them and I don't handle beef well now that my band is in place. I eat chicken and fish and I have veggies and fruits. I was never a good salad eater and I'm still not, but I insert veggies into omelet's, into stir fry, into anything. I also can't handle bread, but I can eat crackers and I love my Wasa crackers.   I'm using less and less in the way of shakes because I'm aware that they don't keep me full for a lengthy period of time. Shakes and liquids pass through the bad relatively quickly, whereas 'real' food has to process through the band, through the stomach.   So I had only my 2nd fill scheduled for this Tuesday, but I'm also in this groove, and I don't want to play with that at all. After speaking to the nursing team at the clinic where I had surgery, they agreed. I'm pushing out on having another fill in another three weeks. I can move that up if I need to.   After reading a lot, I decided that it was a possibility that I wasn't eating enough, and for me, that turned out to be true. I felt there was little harm in experimenting. Just like not that long ago I discovered that I can push my body with exercise. Believe me when I say that I barter with myself constantly. "Maybe I'll only do 20 minutes", "maybe I don't have to exercise today", "maybe it's too hot/cold/windy/early/late to exercise", "maybe I can eat that entire box of cookies"...UGH! It goes on and on and I ignore it all. I feel so good when I have promised myself that I'll eat well and exercise that day and I actually do that. Upon occasion I allow myself some treat. I feel like I could go on a bender at any time and I try to keep vigilant.   All is good right now, and I know that can change, but I have my band to help me and an outstanding medical team at my disposal.   I wish everyone success!   Nancy  
NancyintheNorth

NancyintheNorth

1
Ivowtodoit's Blog
 

One more month time for a change

Next month is my last month of my six month dieting etc. required by my insurance. I lose some weight the last 5 months not enough. I want to lose 30 lbs by May 21 ( surgeon appt) I will have my two meals, one protein shake and two no or low carb snacks. No more diet sodas and drink one gallon of water a day. Next week will start back working out at the gym. Time To Make A Change to Save My Life!!!!!
Ivowtodoit

Ivowtodoit

1
Short and Chunky's Blog
 

Happy Anniversary

Nope, not Bandiversary - the real thing - my hubby and I have been married 43 years today. It seems like only yesterday that I was 19 yrs old and a size 5 walking down the aisle of our church. Ha Ha..OK, so you aren't buying that !!! Yep, 43 years of having 2 kids, gaining weight and ballooning up to a whopping 22W. Well, almost 3 yrs ago, I got my band and it has changed my life and my husbands. He gets less food now. He gets healthier choices now. He is loosing a few pounds (and he needed too). He comes home to a happier wife.   But, I am changed too...no longer a walking blimp at 268 pounds on a 5'3" frame. 124 pounds gone, no more prescriptions to lower BP or sugar or nerves. I walk, swim and am enjoying life. My husband asked me the other day how I could work the long hours I do, in a high stress job and still have energy..My secret is my weight loss...I feel so much younger and energized.   Sure, I fall off the bandwagon and go back to eating junk. Anyone that says they don't - well...they are much stronger than me that is for sure. My diets in the past allowed me to loose weight and I did great..then gradually..here came the pounds again. Well, not this time. the band says NO WAY Charlie !!!!   As I sit here writing this I do have a problem. My band is probably too tight. No refux, no PB, but real pain in my left shoulder and upper stomach area. I hate to tell my Doctor as he already thinks he wants to do a endoscopy to check for erosion. I cannot loose this band. It is all that stands between me and "whaledom" again. My doctor has moved his practice 300+ mile away so I would have to change doctors to have the proceedure done locally or drive to WPB. Neither one is a good option for me and I am scared. If anyone has had this problem before, please let me know what you did and what the outcome was. I have lapband w/plication which is supposed to keep erosion from happening. If he removes the band I would want revision right away but to what? Would my insurance allow it? I weigh in the 140's not exactly overweight anymore. I know I can't endure this shoulder pain much longer and I understand how dangerous erosion is but as scarey as that is..gaining my weight back is worse.   I know you understand..you wouldn't be here if you didn't. Have a great weekend and enjoy this lovely Springtime weather.   Regards and best wishes from.....   Melinda in Florida
Short and Chunky

Short and Chunky

0
BlueMoon~T's Blog
 

Traveling With My Band

I had heard that traveling can cause your band to become tighter. Well, in Vegas my band lost all restriction, but as soon as I got to Houston for my lay over, I was much tighter and now that I'm home I have great restriction. So, traveling did mess with my band just not the way I thought it would.   My trip was awesome. Vegas is a different kinda animal. I played the slots and broke even in the end. This trip we went out to Fremont Street. I loved the live music and insanely crazy people walking around and posing for pics. We also took a bus tour out to the Grand Canyon... Awe inspiring site and I conquered my fear of heights by walking on the Skywalk. That's a check off of my bucket list!   A year ago I would not have taken this trip. 1) I could barely squeeze into an airline seat and couldn't buckle my seatbelt .this time pssssh! I fit in my seat and had room to spare with my seatbelt. 2) I wouldn't have been able to walk the strip and enjoy the sights. This time I walked from early morning till late, late, well, early morning. My back still hurt like hell, but I had my meds and managed wonderfully. 3) I always felt like people would stare or make comments about my size everywhere I went. I know some of this was in my head, but not all of it! This trip a guy bought me some drinks and we danced for what seemed like hours. Got some winks and I felt sexy as hell.   Life with the band takes a lot of dedication, but the pay-off is so worth it. My life is so much more fulfilling. I can't wait until I reach my goal! I was determined to make this WLS work and I haven't lost sight of that. I have my moments of disappointment. I don't want to give the impression it's been all sugar free peaches and fat free cream. But, I've chosen to focus on the positive and it's working for me.   Love your band and it will love you back!
BlueMoon~T

BlueMoon~T

2
NewCyn's Blog
 

Dangers _ Please Read

Hi All,   I just want Everyone to know HOW EXTREMLY IMPORTANT it is to keep in contact with your doctors and support team. I have to admit I did not do this and it has cause me to deal with a Life or Death Situatuation in which could of possibly been avoided if I didn't let my Self Loath of failure get to me.   I am recovering from a Small Bowel Obstruction caused by the scar tissue and wrapping and twisting of my intestines around my port and bands.   I was rushed to the hospital and was told I was on the verge of dying ( Still can't comprehend the severity ) Well after emergency surgery and I still trying to recover as of today due to many complications. I had to admit to all m surgeons that I did not follow up with my LapBand surgeon as I should of and I have payed the Almost Ultimate price ( Ultimate would of been death) I am on going dealing with infections and more repair surgery. In which this may of all been forseen if I followed up as I should of.   I want you to know that you should never ever not go to your follow ups no matter if you feel you failed (as I felt). I just want you all to know that you are important regardless and that not everyone is the same.   Please keep your appointents with your doctors and all who help you throughout your life. I happened to learn a very hard lesson , I wish on No One ever.   So Please, you are never a failure and these doctors are here to help and please always talk to them.   God Bless and Believe in Yourself and I pray No One goes through the pain I am going through, just because I didn't believe in myself and was ashame.
NewCyn

NewCyn

5
3/26/14 Journey Begins
 

4/22/14 first fill

i got 3 cc in my band today didnt hurt at all but im hoping to shed some pounds now bc i gained 2 since being able to eat n i just want the weight to come off its been such a struggle im ready to start shedding im hoping to find a common medium soon with the fills so i dont have to keep going back.....when do you start losing the weight?
karina33

karina33

0
dylanmiles23's Blog
 

been a while since I wrote

Happy Marathon Monday from Boston. We are BOSTON STRONG!! Info about Boston. The Marathon is always run the closest Monday to April 19th, that is Patriot's Day. In MA it is a holiday and also school vacation. Our spring vacations are not around Easter but this week only.   The wheel chair racers started, then the women and finally the men. They have all started. This is a very important day in Boston. For WLS people, every day is an important day, why? because we are all running with our new journey.   I am far from a perfect Bander. I eat wrong but my band does say, Arlene, stop eating. This past week I had two stuck dinners. Ate too fast and too much. But I am the marathoner and I will not let this stop my journey. I have been too good with the gym either and my legs were tired yesterday. I thought I would do 5 minutes on the bike. My friend was there, so we talked and before I knew it, I did 11 minutes. It felt great!! Today is my MIL's 91st birthday and we are taking her out for Japanese food for lunch. One of the steak house restaurants. I will have shrimp, a filet, veggies and a little rice and I will feel good about my choices.   Well, I hope everyone in WLS land has a wonderful Patriot's Day. That was when the battle of Lexington and Concord happened. In June we have Bunker Hill Day. In March was evacuation day which was also St. Patrick's Day. Boston has a lot of history days. I went to Boston public schools and those were no school days.   Enjoy the spring day. Arlene
dylanmiles23

dylanmiles23

1
My Journey to Skinny
 

Nice to meet you!

Hi there! My name is Kourtney, I am 34 years old, and I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I think the first time I recall knowing how much I weighed, I was in the fourth grade, and I weighed 90 pounds. I remember even then, seeing that all of the other girls in my class weighed just 60 or 70 pounds, and wondering why I was so different... I won't go into all of the reasons why I was overweight at such a young age, let's just chalk it up to genetics, poor eating habits, and little-to-no parental encouragement to pursue athletic activities. I went on my first diet when I was 10 years old, and have continued to diet sporadically for the past 24 years. When I was 14, I took up running, and managed to keep my weight pretty steady in the 150's throughout high school... still heavier than many of my classmates, and I considered myself "fat" then, but looking back... What I wouldn't give to weigh 150! In college, I continued to exercise and managed to stay fairly stable with my weight in the 160's. But I started to notice that if I slacked off on the exercise for even a couple of weeks, I would definitely gain a few pounds, and quickly. But I could always rely on losing them pretty easily by hitting the gym. But then, starting in my mid-twenties, exercise no longer worked. I still continued to be fairly active, but started not seeing any results on the scale, and then started actually seeing it move in the opposite direction of what I wanted! Incredibly discouraging. So I turned back to dieting, trying everything from Weight Watchers, to Atkins, to Medifast, to Paleo. Everything worked at the beginning, I would feel great, losing 10, or even 15 pounds in the first month or two. And then inevitably, the weight loss would slow, I would become discouraged, and slowly lose interest. "What is the point?" I would ask. Little by little, I would start cheating, stop counting points, stop measuring portion sizes. And before I knew it, I would weigh more than I had started out at... sound familiar? Then in 2010 my Mother, who had also been obese for as long as I could remember, had Gastric Bypass surgery. For her, it seemed like a "no-brainer". Only in her 60's, she was an insulin-dependent diabetic, wore a CPAP to sleep at night, and could barely walk a hundred yards without experiencing chest pains. I remember encouraging her to look into the surgery at the time, because I knew that if she didn't do something I would likely be losing her in the next 10 years. Never, though did I imagine that I would be contemplating a similar surgery in the next few years! I just needed to keep exercising, and find the right diet! But then, wow! What a change I saw in my mother. She went from being the sedentary, obese woman I had known all of my life, to being an active, energetic size-10 woman who does water aerobics, rides a bike, and walks for fun! My mom at her heaviest, and a more recent photo (She made me blur her face) I started to look at weight loss surgery differently. Instead seeing it as some sort of of the last ditch measure to help manage diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart disease in my aging mother, I began to see that it could be a tool for someone younger. Someone who had struggled with their weight all of their life. Someone like me. Why wait until I am older, and sicker to consider it as an option? Why not do it now, and not struggle for the next thirty years like my mom did? So I made one last effort at diet and exercise, this past December. I lasted less than a week, and then fell ill with the flu. For me, that was a sign... So I did my research, found a surgeon three hours away that does the Vertical Sleeve for a very reasonable cash price, made an appointment with him on January 29th, and am scheduled for my sleeve in just over two weeks. I plan on journaling my experience here for anyone else who may be struggling with the decision, to give a real, first hand account my day-by-day struggles and successes. Looking forward to writing my next entry, by then I'll be almost a week into my two-week liquid diet. Now I'm headed out for a run!! Me at a "happier weight" and at my heaviest
butterfyeffect

butterfyeffect

0
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Taste Buds/Sense of Smell Change After Weight Loss Surgery

My sense of taste was out of whack for a few months post-op. And I've seen the question about changes in the way food tastes come up quite often on the board. This article was posted on WebMD - a UK hospital has evidence that it is pretty common to experience changes in the way things taste and smell after bariatric surgery.   My personal theory is that since we are literally forced to give up sugar (between the pre-op diet and going through the food stages post-op), our sense of taste is reset and we're no longer under the influence of sugar and processed foods.     Taste Changes Reported After Weight-Loss Surgery Sense of smell also altered for some patients in British study   WebMD News from HealthDay By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter   FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- After weight-loss surgery, many patients report changes in appetite, taste and smell, a new study says. One positive aspect of these changes is that they may lead patients to lose even more weight, the researchers suggested.   The study included 103 British patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, in which the stomach is made smaller and the small intestines is shortened. Of those, 97 percent said their appetite changed after the surgery, and 42 percent said their sense of smell changed. Taste changes occurred in 73 percent of the patients, especially when it came to sweet and sour tastes, the researchers found. They especially noted changes in the taste of chicken, beef, pork, roast meat, lamb, sausages, fish, fast food, chocolate, greasy food, pasta and rice.   Nearly three-quarters of patients said they developed a dislike of certain foods, especially meat products. One-third avoided chicken, minced beef, beef steak, lamb, sausages, bacon or ham.   About 12 percent had an aversion to starches such as rice, pasta, bread and pastry and for dairy products such as cream, cheese, ice cream and eggs, 4 percent to vegetables, 3 percent to fruit and 1 percent to canned fish.   The researchers also found that patients with a newly developed distaste for certain foods lost an average of nearly 18 pounds more after their surgery than those whose taste wasn't affected, according to the study recently published online in the journal Obesity Surgery.   Although the study found an association between weight-loss surgery and sensory changes, it did not establish cause-and-effect.   The taste and smell changes experienced by many patients after weight-loss surgery may be due to a combination of gut hormone and central nervous system effects, according to lead author Lisa Graham, of the Leicester Royal Infirmary.   She noted that patients considering weight-loss surgery are typically told about the possible loss of taste and smell.   http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20140418/appetite-taste-changes-reported-after-weight-loss-surgery
joatsaint

joatsaint

1
biggietosmaller's Blog
 

Goals For Activities

Today after reading a Blog on www.gastricsleeve.com, I was inspired to create a Goal list of activities I would like to try and/or do after I have lost significant weight: They include: Rock Climbing Canoeing Kayaking Bike Riding Motorcycle Riding Trampoline Jumping (Flips included)
biggietosmaller

biggietosmaller

0
biggietosmaller's Blog
 

Goals For Activities

Today after reading a Blog on www.gastricsleeve.com, I was inspired to create a Goal list of activities I would like to try and/or do after I have lost significant weight: They include: Rock Climbing Canoeing Kayaking Bike Riding Motorcycle Riding Trampoline Jumping (Flips included)
biggietosmaller

biggietosmaller

0
Johnny99's Blog
 

Slow News Day

Hello all. I haven't been back to ya'll for a while because, well, I really haven't got much to report. A couple weeks ago I announced to the world that I was 10 paltry pounds away from my original goal of 169. However, I have had a little movement. After plateauing yet again, I sit here today down another 1-1/2 pounds. That puts me 8-1/2 pounds away kids. Painfully close ... yet so far away. These last few pounds are falling off at a glacial pace. Which means really, really slow! I had hoped I would get to that magical number by May 15. But that ain't going to happen. My body is fighting me to keep it's precious blubber. I think my brain really misses my ass and is no hurry to detach itself from my remaining flab. This new body thing is quite shocking for all of us. All of us meaning my brain and all the different voices living in there. It is very hard to adjust to the radical changes I have made in my life. Healthier eating habits, exercise and severely limiting my social booze intake. My liver is probably the happiest. In fact, it notified me it wanted to have a small get together with a few of my other organs to celebrate their new lease on life. I would invite you but it will be a lame party. Mr. Liver, Mr. Pancreas and their cohorts are strictly teetotalers. They are also not much into lively conversation. As told to you before, I have decided to just keep doing what I'm doing all through the end of the year. Stay around 1200-1400 calories a day, moderate exercise routine and limited social drinking. I suppose I could try some type of radical cleanse diet and make that May 15th date. But what will that accomplish? I am losing weight the right way. Slow and steady. I think I should stay the course. My metabolic system is so shocked now, I don't think it can handle another curve ball. The other side of that debate is that maybe I should try and fool my body and give myself a good kick in the butt to get my metabolism started again. Kinda like when they tell you to change your weight lifting routine to confuse your muscles. I don't know. Seems complicated to me. I'm the only fool that will end up being confused. And still at the same weight. So it could be an exercise in futility. I am quickly coming to the realization that these last pounds are going to be a bee-atch to lose. I'm really not in a hurry. But I am impatient. I guess that's a bit of a contradiction. But it is what it is. I want to get to that goal and I want to do it now. But I can wait. I'll hit ya back soon! JT
Johnny99

Johnny99

0
fotogrphr's Blog
 

3 Months After

Well, I'm only a few days away from my 3 month mark after surgery. I have lost almost 1/2 of my excess weight now, and am feeling pretty good. I had a rough go of it during the first month. My mom passed away and it has been really tough. She was just hanging on to see that I made it through surgery and recovered well and died 2 1/2 weeks after I got home. She had end stage Parkinson's and I knew it was coming, but you are never really prepared,regardless of how you try. At least I have the comfort of knowing she was happy I had the surgery, and was able to see me recover and start my weight loss journey. She had always worried about my weight, and was thrilled that I decided to get sleeved. I have been majorly stressed out from her death, and with it came the closing of our family business, and preparation to sell our family home. I live in the house and we are going through renovations and updates to get it on the market. We are almost ready now, but the stress is killing me. My whole world is upside down right now. Usually I would have eaten my way through the stress, but that isn't an options any longer. Even if I wanted to, my body would not allow it. I am amazed at how my life has changed all at once. My mom would have told me that it is good, I will be starting out fresh. A new body, a new home, and a new job are all going to be positive changes for me. I tell myself that daily, but I am having weird nightmares about it all. I obviously am stressed, but am not sure how to relieve it. I go to group in a few days, and that might help. Talking to friends online helps, but I still need that face to face, as well. If the weather would cooperate, I might get active outside more, but it seems like when I have the free time, it is cold. I don't do cold any more, I freeze to death since surgery. I used to sweat bullets at the blink of an eye, but now I want a fuzzy blanket and my cuddly little dog close by all the time. She is 6 lbs of soft furry heat!!! She is laying on the desk between my arms as I type this right now! My husband has been wonderful support, as well as my dad. I know that they are stressed too, but they don't show it. I know I'm a lucky girl to have them in my corner. Once we sell the house and move, my dad will be living with us. It will keep him going if he needs to take care of me. My hubby is my hero, and I couldn't ask for better support and help. He has been so wonderful through all of this, and we are much closer because of it. He has no problem with my dad living with us, and I am grateful for that. I am hoping that my weight will continue to drop steadily through the summer. I am more active when it is warm out, and think that will be a big plus for my journey. We hope to camp and bike some this summer. I love the outdoors, and hope it all works out to have some time to enjoy life a little. I have dedicated the last 7 years to taking care of my mom, now it's my turn. I miss her terribly, but she'd tell me to get out there and have some fun. I'm going to try to do just that!
fotogrphr

fotogrphr

0
Mission Slimpossible
 

3 month post op

Three months ago today I had my band removed & revised to the gastric sleeve. In my opinion, the best decision I ever made! I kinda wish I had gone with the sleeve back in 2012, but... live & learn...   While I had experience with nutrition from my band days, I'm finding the sleeve a whole new experience. A good one at that.   I'm much more mindful about what I eat these days, although, I won't lie, I will munch on chips or something "unhealthy" from time to time. Why? Just because it's there, quick & easy. Old habits die hard people.   I've learned what my body can handle & not handle. For example, I don't seem to tolerate starches very well, nor should I really. I've pretty much left bread, pasta & rice in my past. I might have a nibble here or there, but it'll be a rare occurrence. The crazy part is that those were probably my biggest weakness back when I was over weight. I was definitely a major carboholic! I'm happy to say that, thankfully, I really don't crave them. I do eat La Tortilla low carb tortillas sometimes as they have 12g of fiber, 80 calories, 8 g of protein and 18 carbs.   For the most part, I try to look for foods that are lower in sugar & higher in protein. Not always successful, but I feel this is a work in progress. I'm learning a lot about myself, my cravings, what makes me tick, etc... I enjoy cooking so looking for healthier alternatives is actually fun for me. I know, I know. I actually plan our family menu about a month in advance. Yup, a month in advance. And no, we don't follow it to a tee, because let's face it. life happens. But, it helps keeps us somewhat organized & we all know that pre-planning is vital to our WLS success.   My advice to the newbies out there (come on, you know you want to hear it, LOL): Remember that, regardless of which WLS you had (by-pass, sleeve, band...), it's only a tool. YOU are in control. YOU have the power to be successful, or not successful
Be sure to follow your surgeons orders. They know what they're doing. I know we may not always agree with them, because we're impatient & just want the weight to come off, but they do have our best interest in mind. Don't just "hear" what they're saying to you, but take the time to really "listen" and understand why they're saying it.
NOTE: We are all different. What works for one person may not work for another. This is a great forum to get suggestions from, but most of us are not licensed in the medical / bariatric field, so know that we're only offering suggestions & that only your Dr can give you the best advice for your situation.
Plan your food ahead of time. OK, maybe not a month in advance, but definitely a day in advance. This will help you avoid bad choices.
Always keep a snack handy when you're out. Something as simple as a protein bar, cheese stick...etc...
Be sure to drink your fluids. I've personally struggled with getting all my fluids in on a daily basis, but it makes a difference. Find what works for you. I find that if I don't drink enough, I get light-headed & dizzy, AND run into issues with not having BM's. It's important we drink enough.
Exercise: Most of us don't really enjoy this a lot. But, it's really vital to helping you with your weight loss. Oh, I'm sure you'll still lose weight if you don't do any exercise. But, um, have you seen what 50, 75, 100+ pounds of FLAB looks like? It's not pretty people. Besides, it's the healthy way to go. It'll keep your heart pumping, your muscles working nicely, keep your brain happy, and that flab not so flabby. Some people will opt to have tummy tucks & lifts, and that's OK.
Now that I'm on maintenance, my next personal goal will be to...you guessed it, exercise! It's time to tone & firm up my legs & arms. Think I'll go on my recumbent bike every day again. I'll start out slowly & try to just work my way up. Looking healthy is great, but feeling it is even better!   Wishing everyone continued success!   PS - I've got a friend scheduled to have the sleeve on the 29th & I am soooo excited for her. I know where she's at emotionally & physically, and I look forward to helping her with the best moral support I can offer
Domika03

Domika03

3
Short and Chunky's Blog
 

Hello Again !

Well, I am sitting at work, just finished my tuna fish stuffed tomato for lunch and waiting the agreed upon 30+ minutes before I can drink some water to wash the tuna out of my teeth! Yummy, snack! It has been a rainy day here in North Florida and that means I have been tempted to munch on junk, lucky for me that I removed the bad stuff from my office so I have nothing to munch on!   I reflect back that it has been almost 3 years since I joined the bandwagon. 124 pounds, countless miles walking, some NSVs and some disappointments...all in all..I would do this again in a minute. There are entire GROWN people who weigh 124 pounds and I lost that much weight. I can't pick up 124 pounds but my poor legs and feet were carrying that. Being 3 years out, you don't loose weight fast any more..Shoot, in the beginning if I didn't loose 4-5 pounds in a week, something was really wrong, then 4-5 pounds a month - still not bad...now 4-5 pounds a quarter would be acceptable but hey, I am not gaining..oh sure, I have put on a few pounds here and there, but it came back off. You know I have lost the same 10 pounds far too many times. I get within spittin' distance of my goal and then the "snack devil" inside me comes out to play and poof...10-15 pounds from goal again...One thing I have learned is that even if the weight loss stops right where I am, that is going to OK with me. I am not the 6 I wanted to be - ok - I am an 8..big deal. At least I am not a 22W anymore. I like me, I like what I have accomplished and I feel good about myself.   I hope you have a wonderful week and will sit down, reflect and feel good about yourself today too.   Melinda in Florida
Short and Chunky

Short and Chunky

2
The Lardy Duchess
 

stall over!

yesss finally that stall is over. I'm losing so painfully slowly but it's still losing. The best news is that I feel great, I'm learning every day about what I can and can't eat, how my body tolerates change and when and if I'm hungry or bored, or thirsty. It's struck me how out of touch with my own body I've been.   I am obsessing about how much food I need for me. For my body type, how much protein, how much carbohydrate, etc. I'm looking for help with that issue. My sister in law is a nutritionist, and while I don't need help with what to eat, just how much. I have a theory that one reason my stall was so long is that I wasn't eating enough.   I've been on a roll, eating properly, exercising, devoting part of every day to health.   Best wishes   Nancy
NancyintheNorth

NancyintheNorth

0

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