Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Blogs

jsbk's Blog
 

Experimental Eating Post Lap-Band

I haven't gotten my first fill yet, that happens next week. However, I have been experimenting with different solid foods to see how/if they stay down, how my stomach/body feels after eating and if my tastes have changed at all.   ....What I have to report...   FIrst off, happy to say I have not thrown-up anything!   Spicy food - love it! But I have noticed my taste buds tolerate it slightly less than used to, not heartburn like you might expect but for some reason just tastes more intense.   I have noticed eating solids I am able to eat less than I used to even without having my fill yet.   This morning I made 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of turkey bacon and one piece of light Italian Toast w/ 1/2 tbs of light country crock margarine. Comes to calories of 250. I ate a little too fast, and about 1/2 way through my plate had intense chest pain as if the food was about to explode out of my chest. I sat up very straight took a breather, let my food digest (took about 5 minutes approximately) and I was able to finish my plate but eating at a much slower pace and making sure to chew my food very fine. Take-away from this...chew slow and take your time. Even though my eggs got cold they still tasted good. Maybe next time I will stick to 1 egg, 1 pc. of turkey bacon.   I had a similar experience of chest pain trying to eat a home-made egg white breakfast sandwich. These are delicious and low in calories however, I was walking around the kitchen trying to eat my sandwich, pack my lunch and water my garden at the same time, I was chewing well and pacing between bites, but still had intense chest pain, had to sit down, sit up straight, and wait for it to pass. Take-away here...don't multi-task while eating, sit down, don't be up and moving around.   Recipe for my homemade egg white omelet sandwich... ...In a small round glass dish, mix... 1/2 cup liquid egg whites 1 tbs. chopped frozen onion 1 tbs. chopped frozen green pepper 1 turkey sausage patty diced (note: you can add any mix of veggies, herbs or meat to this) Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder drop of water (half a teaspoon)   ...put the glass dish w/ mixture in the microwave on high for 2 minutes...   ...meanwhile, pop 2 pcs. of light Italian bread (healthy life brand) 70 calories for 2 pcs, in the toaster...   ...spread 1 wedge of laughing cow light cheese (35 calories) on the toast...   ...When your eggs are ready, you will have a egg omelet patty to put between your 2 pcs of cheesy toast...   And there you have it...one very tasty egg white breakfast sandwich = 230 calories   I also experienced the chest pain eating dinner the other night, consisted of chopped chicken, lamb and beef (mediterranean restaurant) and rice with a side of pita bread. Again, I think had I eaten slower and chewed my meat more, I would have saved myself the pain.   Eating slow and chewing is very important, as we've all heard from the pre-surgery info given out, but when you experience the effects of eating too fast and not chewing enough - its a whole new experience, almost like aversion therapy. So I'm taking it as a good life lesson learned and I'm adjusting so that when I do get a fill, it isn't worse than I feel now.
jsbk

jsbk

3
Patty's WLS Blog
 

To tell or not to tell, that's the question

I've struggled with telling people from the start of this journey. Mostly because I dread the negative reactions and rude comments. Another issue that I have is a direct result from a traumatic event that happened a few years ago. People focused on that constantly, for a couple of years....and it gets old---you try to heal, move on, live a normal life, and they can't help but ask about it, comment about it, and it can be a downer (even if their intentions are good). I don't want people to focus on this (I do enough of it on my own )   This morning I've figured at some point I may tell the truth when asked, but I won't put out a banner announcing it......and gmanbat's post below couldn't have come at a better time. THANK YOU GMANBAT!       Source: VSG: status symbol?
PGee

PGee

4
smjuroska's Blog
 

Post-Op Day 5

So I am off the pain meds. Hope this blog makes more sense than day 2. I am doing well I guess. I am only sore where the main incision is. The only reason I know of the others are they are starting to itch. Everything I have put in my tummy is going down pretty well. No issues. (thank you good Lord!) Hope as I progress this continues. I love variety in my diet and hope that I can still do that post-op. I am pretty much drinking the 64oz. and getting 50-60 grams of protein a day. It is an ALL day chore however. I am having some bathroom issues. But with what I'm putting in my body I think this is just trying to adjust, not to mention I just had surgery. I am ready to put some texture in my mouth. I am tired already of liquids but I am not hungry at all. I have to remind my self to sip something other than flavored water. I get tired very easy! I am a go go go person and I just can't do it. That has been the worst part. I want to do things but my body just won't let me yet. I worry about going back to work. I hope I don't still have zero energy then. But that still a week and few days off. I am getting better each day and by then I may feel somewhat normal. I can't wait to feel like myself again! One month from now I am sure I will be screaming from the rooftops! I have lost 18 lbs since starting my pre-op diet, 8 since surgery. That is crazy to me! I can already see a change in my body. Well I am off to walk and drink and drink and drink!
smjuroska

smjuroska

1
mailsuriel's Blog
 

By the Sea...

So, its almost 5 days since i got sleeved...and i yet dont know what and how i feel!!... A bit at sea for more detailed info on getting sleeved, so joined up this site in the hope to make some friends who're sailing the same boat and learn from their experiences...
mailsuriel

mailsuriel

3
The Funny Side
 

First Follow Up Appt

So I had my first follow up appointment with the Surgeon. Happy to report that all is well from the surgery point of view. Anyways, I have lost ten pounds in two weeks. Which they seem to be surprised by. Not sure why. I guess during this time, many people gain some weight back from their pre op diet due to lack of fluid in the band. I however am not able to eat as I was before. Only small portions of food at a time. The doctor informed me that I would feel twice the restriction due to the hernia repair. So I guess the great news is - its all downhill for a little while longer. Yes, I still have issues seating up in a chair without leaning to my right to relieve the pressure on my left side and I'm told that is normal. How long does it take for your insides to heal? I have five stitches in my diaphragm and stitches securing my port. Well I will keep you updated when more happens. Monday, its back to work for me.
tigers1998

tigers1998

0
Roo101769's Blog
 

Worry

I received a call from the bariatric doctor's office yesterday. I didn't get home until later yesterday, so I didn't check my messages. They said they need to talk to me about my insurance before my appointment. That has me pretty worried. I called my insurance before I ever started this to make sure WLS was covered, which it is. I also asked what were the qualifications I needed to meet, which I have no real concern of meeting. I also wanted to know if there was a required amount of time on a medically supervised diet/exercise program needed, and there wasn't. I was very specific to find that out because my old insurance did have one, you had to do it for 12 consecutive months before being considered. I had actually went to my GP to start the process in March, before my leg went to hell in a handbasket again... So I am just at a loss what problem there may be. The only thing I am thinking is maybe they do not want to cover as I have had a lot of expense this year already. I know I have met my out of pocket max for the year, but I am not sure what the annual coverage max is- if there is one. I don't know but it has me really worried. I have pinned all my hopes for my future on this and it makes me so nervous to think it may not happen. Then what??? I get to the point I am wheelchair bound because I can no longer walk? I have repeated DVTs because my vascular problems get worse? I can't be am active part of my daughter's life? Or the worst thought of all....I die young because of the weight? I pray with every fiber in my being that it is just some small glitch ( like maybe they can't read my writing or something) and I am worrying for nothing.
Roo101769

Roo101769

4
The Funny Side
 

That Time of Hell: New Symptoms - Unexplained

********I POST THIS FOR WOMEN WHO CAN'T FIND ANSWERS TO EXPLAIN NEW SYMPTOMS OF PMS AFTER LAP BAND******* I got VERY LITTLE FEEDBACK on my symptoms and NO DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. With that being said, I feel it is my duty to share what I experienced so that someone else wont feel as LOST as I did. Sorry this post wont be a funny one. SO....10 days after surgery, PMS is knocking at the door. Up until this point, everything was wonderful. I was eating small portions, no nausea, no vomiting, pain only at the incision sites. Resting well. Then it all fell to crap. First headache (normal), cramps (normal), lower back pain (normal): all normal. But then, stomach spasms (not normal), inability to eat (not normal), night sweats (only normal if I am sick - fighting infection), nausea, and insomnia. I wrote the nurse, she was unsure of what to tell me, I called the office of the surgeon (well their best guest - all related to pms - but no one has ever complained of the same symptoms). Even called the gynecologist, one nurse asked me was I experiencing the change - (I'm 33 years old. I definitely hope not.) I even asked about my symptoms in the forums...very little response. So here is the data: Cycle lasted 7 days. Stomach Spasms lasted for three days and were made worse by eating. From day 2 to day 5, protein shakes - saltine crackers (nibbled on throughout the day) - and water was my diet. Day six, I was finally able to eat in peace. Night sweats lasted five days. Cramps were much worse. Back pain about the same. Insomnia: ALL SEVEN DAYS. I just had my first full night's rest last night. Headache, first two days and the last day. Nausea lasted for three days. What got me through the painful stuff and nausea, Two Alieve and One phenergen twice a day. SO I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE ELSE. If I learn anymore about the why of it all, I will let you know. I still don't have any answers.
tigers1998

tigers1998

3
LadyDiva618's Blog
 

Last day in my 20's

Yep tomorrow I will be the big 3-0! And I feel amazing! Instead starting my 30’s weighing 267 I will begin my 30’s at 214! I love it 214 the last time I weigh 214 I was 19! So what is my plan for tomorrow? I am going to the Winery! But first I will go to church then work out for one hour try to burn at least 600 calories. After the Winery I am going back to my House and going to have water balloon fight with my friends. My friend Mandy went to the Dollar General and brought $46 worth of party supplies. (I am such a big kid) Anyway I need to get my work out in before my friends kidnap me tonight.   Thanks for reading and enjoy my pic
LadyDiva618

LadyDiva618

1
tdutko75's Blog
 

Insurance Anxiety

Ok so I didn't expect to be posting again so soon but I have been riding high on anxiety all day and just have to get it out. I am so not patient and this waiting game of will I or wont I be approved is driving me nuts. They just need to approve it so I can set my date and I can get it done and enter the next phase of my healthier life! UGH!   Ok so enough of the rant... I just got set off today when I was at work and my cell rang with an out of area number and my hopes went sky rocketing up that it was the insurance company saying yes you are approved... Silly girl, insurance companies don't call with good news... No instead it was some nurse medical help line thing that got triggered to call me because I went to our work health fair and did the various stations to earn money for my hra... ARGH I do not need your call!!! Yes I am overweight and yes I am doing something about it if your stupid company would just approve me!!!   Ok apparently the rant wasn't done... Anyway thanks for listening, I'm glad I got that out!
tdutko75

tdutko75

0
TJL's Blog
 

Slow and Steady

Ok, so I knew that I wasn't going to be a speedy weight loser with the sleeve, I've never really lost weight rapidly except for when I had samonella food poisoning and was in the hospital for 10 days(not a way I would recommend to lose weight!). I have lost a total of 38 lbs since 5/14/13, which I think is great but my NUT says to me at my last visit that I should be losing faster at this stage. Really?? When I couldn't lose any weight before? I'm following the diet, I exercise every day for an hour(walking),I've added extra strength training twice a week, and miracles of all miracles I'm not cheating!! I know that I could eat slider foods without a problem but I'm not. If I'm happy with my progress shouldn't she be too? It really ticked me off but I didn't say much to her other than I'm doing what I'm suppose to be doing. Oh well, I'll just continue on the way I am, hopefully she will she by the next visit that this is just the way I lose-slow!
TJL

TJL

4
Ms. Mannix's Blog
 

I'm here

I'm a closet sleever whose doing this alone. Today was my last day at work because my procedure is scheduled for Tuesday. While updating my out of office for work email & updating my voice mail, it hit me.   As I would tell my girlfriends......"This *ish is REAL!!" The waiting is over! From 1/2013 to 7/2013, I'm finally here.   I've been to the required support groups, the consultations, the psych evals, the 3 months with the Nut, the EGD, the H Pylori meds, (ugh) the tears from being denied the 1st time around, the excitement of being approved from the appeal, the scheduled date FINALLY!! (the longest holiday weekend of my LIFE!) the PreOp class, My RX & "how to" on how to administer the blood thinner injections, once I get home. (and I'm TERRIFIED of needles) Telling my coworkers I'm going out for gall bladder surgery to this very moment.   I don't know how I should feel. I've read many books & I've scanned many blogs. I'm stocked up on food & prayers!!   I have enough chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth, seafood broth, jello, pudding, protien powders, syntrax nectar powders, isopure RTD, liquid whey protein tubes, chewable vitamins, chewable iron, applesauce, sugar free drink packets & bottled water to last me through to December!! lol.....No...seriously!   Thank you all for your support, your guidance & for emails I've received. We are all in this together & I'm looking forward to crossing over into my new beginning very shortly.
Ms. Mannix

Ms. Mannix

4
Lauracat's Blog
 

feeling sexy

This might sound vain so I am sorry if it bugs any one. So i now work in the fitness field a field of young 20's something so older but I have to compete with them every day for my job.   But it hard to feel sexy when thing jiggle. Let me give you an example the under arm skin will never tight up no matter how much under arm work i do. I teach a toning class and I always say this is for your under arms so you don't get the jiggles. After one class a women cam up to me and said you need to practice what you teach your under arms are the most jiggley of all. I said Yes but that is why you do this now so you do not need to lose over 175 lbs and have extra skin i said once the skin is there it not going any wear.   My bra can't fit i trued ton of different styles but my skin folds are tight were a bra cuts and i puff out over it. I feel so unsexy wearing a bar 99% i wear sports bra becuse they seem to be high cut.   It hard to feel sexy when you lose an jiggly i know it like a badge of honor but gosh i want to feel sexy. I don't I feel like i have to hide parts because i am not sexy things i wish i did not have to.   I been thinking about this for a long time it always been because i work in this field that why i want plastic surgery and then I said that not the right reason.   So i find my self saying if i did not work in the fitness field would i feel sexy. The answer is no. I would not I feel sick that i can't find a Bra in any store. I feel sick when i want to put on something sexy for me and my lower abs sticks out and jingles. I feel unsexy when my arms jiggle around when i raise them up. Heck I worked this hard I have the right to feel sexy if i want to.   In america we call sexy sluty but i not talking about being sexy for anyone beside me. So i thought alot about it I think it time to call in the experts and fix it up . Frist thing get boobies that fit a bra that come out in the arm are with extra skin I dream of round preky bobbies that stand up mine look defined and saggy.   In life when you work this hard you have the right to feel sexy. If doing your hair makes you feel sexy then do it If getting plastic suregry is it then go for it as long as you do it for you and not for other I do not think it should be a problem
Lauracat

Lauracat

1
My journey
 

Day 18 ...

It's been 19 days. Down 10 ish pounds (still not weighing myself every day!) and I think I might be noticing small changes. So, I have these pair of jeans that I got from the Good Will last year. Size 16. Loved them, they fit like they were made for me. I wore them for about 3 months until I started gaining weight, then I put them in the back of my closet because they somehow shrunk.   Well, I was getting dressed this morning and I thought to my self "Hmm, I wonder if it's time to re-own those jeans ..." I got them out of my closet ... put them on slowly while keeping my eyes closed ...   AND THEY DIDN'T FIT!!!!   After reading story after story after story on here about people getting back into their skinny clothes, or going shopping and being like 3 sizes smaller than what they thought ... I totally thought it was my turn to post a story ... But, no. Not yet.   Sheesh, how tight must those jeans have been to still not fit!?!?!
colorado_chick

colorado_chick

0
Kay__S' Food Blog
 

Peppers in the protein shake

So I as I'm watching Dr Oz, I am reminded about how excited he gets about peppers. I like peppers too, but sometimes I forget to look for ways to sneak them into my diet. Today's protein shake includes 6 mini bell peppers--2 yellow, 2 red and 2 orange. And it tastes interesting! Well, it's not awful, especially considering how many I was able to get in there. So in all, the shake has   1 scoop of chocolate whey protein powder --Target's Market Pantry brand 1/2 cup of reduced fat organic milk (usually I put in some low fat vanilla yogurt, but I'm all out) 2 tablespoons of pb2 (that's low calorie dehydrated peanut butter) water ice 6 mini bell peppers   Not bad, not bad!
Kay__S

Kay__S

2
smayn10523's Blog
 

Hmmmm

So, my sister-in-law had a vsg 3 years ago and she loves it. I have decided I need to do that because I can't get the weight to budge anymore. In high school I was anorexic and I think it was the first misstep and has caused many of my current weight problems. I also had 2 emergency C-sections due to complications that added weight and then my daughter passed away 2 years ago and I ballooned to over 200 lbs. Nothing I do works anymore. Avoiding carbs (a trigger for hunger) has stopped working and I'm exercising with no results. I'm anxious because my husband does not want me to go to Mexico for surgery and the AZ dr's I've seen appear to want you to jump through hoops even though my insurance won't cover it. I found a Dr. in Texas, but I have to stay there a week and since I'm an adjunct it's hard to fit into my schedule so I can't do anything until Nov. I'm so tired of feeling short, fat, and dumpy!
smayn10523

smayn10523

0
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Night Man Coming

My 1st week post-op I was having a disturbing dream over and over. I was in a post-apocalyptic world, taking psych eval tests to determine if I would fit into a new group that was forming to rebuild society.   And I had a very frustrating recurring dream about uploading video files to a website, but it was taking forever for the files to convert and upload!   After thinking on it, I think it was my mind's way of dealing with the pain from surgery and the frustration of how long it was taking to recover.
joatsaint

joatsaint

0
PhotoLover8's Blog
 

My surgery is tomorrow...oh the nerves!

My surgery is in the morning! I'm excited and very nervous. The closer it gets the more nervous I get. I'm having my gall bladder removed and the gastric sleeve at the same time. It's after midnight so I can't eat or drink any more. I need to stop thinking so much because it's making my stomach hurt!   Just curious, has anyone else had another procedure at the same time as their sleeve?
PhotoLover8

PhotoLover8

11
tdutko75's Blog
 

First Entry - The begining of my weight loss journey

Ok so I am a new person on this site, I have never blogged and I have no idea what I am doing but what heck! So here I go...   In the beginning I was a normal sized baby and kid... Puberty hit and curves came out and kept going and going and going... Now 37 years later I go to my dr's office and the nice PA who weighs 95 lbs soaking wet says have you ever considered weight-loss surgery... I wanted to ask her if she ever considered eating a quarter pounder but I refrained... However rude she was it did get me thinking and I started researching.   First thing I learned - I had to quit smoking... Damn it. I love smoking but I knew it was horrible for me and my babies (9 and 6) both hate that I smoke... So got a prescription for Chantix and two weeks later smoked my last cigarette on April 23. Step one completed!   Next I started looking into what I had to do to get my insurance to pay for this crazy idea... First thing is get an approved surgeon. Looked at all the websites of the surgeons and randomly picked one. Next I set up an appointment and watched an online seminar. I got a letter of approval from my dr, had a mental evaluation done (that was fun), had a sleep study done and got a CPAP, and now I am just waiting for approval.   I am starting to get a little nervous with this whole waiting thing... I am the type of person who gets an idea in their head and goes for it... I push and push till I get what I want and waiting is not my thing... I just want to get it done so I can get started with the rest of my life!   I am going to try and do an entry every couple of days to let you know where I am at and basically so I can just keep track of everything that happens along the way
tdutko75

tdutko75

2
Patty's WLS Blog
 

Pre-Op...Day Three

It was all fun and games until around 5:30, when that evil doer, Head Hunger, came around...I was stressing a bit, and I wanted food!   The urge to eat was a little overwhelming.....I was so desperate, I think I would have gone for a piece of cardboard with a little salt Instead, I had some water, kept busy, then had my shake at 7 p.m.....poor hubby, his dinner was an afterthought tonight....   I received a letter from the insurance company today stating they'd approved a hospital stay of 1 day...all conversations with the dr's said 2 days...so I called the ins. co. and yes, as it stands, I will be going home the day after surgery....a scary thought to be released a day after having [what I think is] major surgery.....hubby is wonderful, but nurturing just doesn't come easily to him....he's still in training LOL [and that's okay, housework doesn't come naturally to me]     They did say if another day is needed, a 2nd authorization could be requested......the letter was dated 7/22 and says the next review will be 7/24 (as in yesterday)... ...I sent my dr's office a quick email and left it at that. I can't control it and nothing I can do about it.....   That's all for today. Good night!  
PGee

PGee

1
Elliejmiller's Blog
 

Magnesium citrate down the hatch...

I need ice, and a cute cup I holler at my mom! She asks why.... Clearly know why chuckling under her breath... I say back to her because if I was at my house I would be drinking this grape flavored **** out of a martini glass just for the fun of it! It's gonna be a long night and I want to do it in style     So surgery is tmw! Going to be there at 6 am to drop my mom off then I have three hours to kill while I wait for my check in time... I will be sure to post more in the morning   Have a good night y'all and add/like my page... It gives me fun to read about all the great stories   Ellie j
Elliejmiller

Elliejmiller

5
TJL's Blog
 

On the weight loss road again

I finally decided to have the sleeve surgery when I admitted to myself that I couldn't lose anymore weight by myself. I lost 30 lbs and kept it off but couldn't manage to lose the rest. I was always hungry! I have had a weight problem ever since I can remember. I was always heavy in school, not huge but just enough so that I was uncomfortable with it and myself. When I hit high school, I was in a lot of sports, and by always being active and then starving myself on a very low carb, low calorie diet I managed to kept my weight in check. It wasn't bad until I went to college and gained the freshman 15, which for me was the freshman 30. I once again took up sports and extreme dieting and got my weight down a little. After college I met my husband and it was all down hill from there. Everything we did involved food! We got married and I gained 50 lbs with my son's birth and never managed to take it off. My wieght kept creeping up. I was still active, did resistance training, used a treadmill every day and switched back to low carb, and took off the 30lbs but I just couldn't lose the rest. I had talked with my PCP before about weight loss surgery(it was actually her idea), but just wasn't too keen on the idea of surgery. I kept thinking that there must be something else I could do. And I did try everything! Weight watchers, jenny craig, low carb, going to a nutritionist, you name it and I tried it. I have lost 38lbs since my surgery date of 3/14/13, and I don't regret it at all. I do have to be careful thought, I never had a problem with eating anything after surgery, so I have to stick to the plan I was given, and keep up the exercise..........
TJL

TJL

0
Gamergirl's Blog
 

Day 7 of liquid pre-op and I haven't killed anyone yet

It's almost getting to be a routine. Veg soup and Protein at every meal. An SF popsicle to wash down dinner. Yesterday was the first time I didn't need a nap and was alert, and productive throughout the day. The previous few days, I'd really started to worry about how I was going to work because I couldn't string two thoughts together and all I wanted was a nap.   It's funny, I'm not really hungry, but today, I want to BITE into something--or someone, when I'm feeling cranky I haven't been as cranky as I thought I would be--but I want to CHEW something.   I feel grateful that I have this opportunity to do something that seemed impossible, and win at it. It sends me into surgery with a feeling of power and control. And I need that. Being--or feeling--powerless over my weight for all these years really affects my self-image. I don't feel this helpless about anything else in my life.   Tomorrow, we drive 11 hours to go to my ex-husband's wedding reception. Then Sunday we do it all over again, except in reverse. I can't eat anything at the reception. R and I will just have to have our shakes before. He's in the kitchen, getting the "travel soups" ready.   Anyone who says this is the easy way out has no idea what they're talking about. I have a feeling i will be saying this with even more vehemence after the surgery when I'm in pain   But hey, 7 days down, and I'm still on track. Yay me!
gamergirl

gamergirl

2

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Bariatric Forums

For Patients

Health Professionals

Search Surgeons

Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

×