mrsclooney918

Ask your doctors about adding biotin to your vitamin regimen. I have noticed it does help.

I am on Biotin as well. 1,000 mg. I have noticed a change in my hair for the better since adding it. I now have curls. Weird. Not Elaine on Seinfeld curls but the curls I had when I was a child. Plus the hair on my legs has reappeared. (TMI?) I am not a hairy person by nature and so blond that the hair on my legs has not been there in years. My MD told me that your body only uses as much Biotin as it wants so if you take 1,000 or 5,000 mg it doesn't matter. So I do 1,000. Protein is key and every time you have an appointment with the docs they should be asking you if you have having issues with hair, skin, nails.

Today I had cottage cheese whirred and then put whirred mandarin oranges on top. It wasn't that bad. Actually, it was yummy. And filling. Ricotta cheese whirred with spaghetti sauce is good. Warmed up. You can jazz it up with some garlic, oregano etc for more flavor.

During the first 3 months, my port hurt. Especially when I bent over or stood up. My surgeon explained that it was because it was sunk into a muscle and that would take time to heal. One year out I still have "discomfort" on occasion and usually when I am ab crunching.

OK. So this story sounds very familiar... Although my PCP makes me feel very much my partner. When I started this process two years ago, I was put on high blood pressure med, metformin (for the diabetes NOT weightloss) and did the apnea thing. Two years later (one year post surgery), I am off high blood pressure med and on a 3-month trial of no metformin (my A1C came back really good and I was on the lowest possible dose!). And the apnea thing was mild but, frankly, I love my CPAP. I get the best sleep with it. So I would tell you not to fear that. I have a mask that is just nasal pillows so I don't look like such a freak. My medical team is very clear that metformin is not a weightloss drug. I do know that some MDs give it as such. What metformin did for me was correct something that made my appetite less. Getting the blood sugar under control has been key and a goal for me. (Type II is a family condition so I am fighting it all the way!) After the 2 weeks of gastro discomfort it made me actually feel better. And I never bottomed out with it. With the band, you can't take the extended release. (And I really think all this helped with the insurance approval.) The one drug that I was given for weightloss was Byetta (made from gila monster venom) which was great (totally killed my appetite) but I had an allergic reaction. I agreed to take it a month before surgery to help get my pre-op weight down. And I did but it has a LOT of side effects so I was glad to stop it. Honestly, I'm just like you. Part of my personal goal was getting off meds! I am now down to Vitamins and supplements. Good luck. It's a personal decision that you and your doctor should be in agreement on.

This is true! Sometimes it's a really hard fight between stomach and mind. Chewing gum, drinking Water, walking away from whatever environment I'm in are some of my tricks.

Love my fitbit! I feel naked without it and now I make sure I do over 10,000 steps a day. I've bumped up my minimum to 12,000. I just got my helicopter badge!

The new group is formed! 312 Bandsters. Join us if you like! All are welcomed. I'll keep a pot of coffee on!

Just to get things kicked off!

Is there any interest in starting a Chicago area group on this site? I checked all the groups and didn't see one. It said to get two or three people together to join when you set one up. So I askin'!

Super crunchy thin crust is what I can handle. Breads and I are mortal enemies! The place we get it from can cook it "well done" which makes it easier for me get down. We have a big salad that I use to help fill me up so I don't eat too much pizza. It's not a bad treat for dinner every so often. chicken wings are my fav part of a chicken but I don't really care for buffalo wings. I haven't had any chicken wings (my fav is Popeyes!) since surgery. And I really don't miss them strangely enough.

I had port pain for about 2 months and walking would get painful! Once I was cleared for it, I began swimming as my first post op exercise. It was a lot less lower body stress for me while the ol' port authority healed.

I wasn't hungry (not like I get now) for many weeks so I just went with it! Just make sure you are getting enough calories to heal and function.

Yes yes yes! Some days I feel like I can inhale a table full of food with no consequences. Other days I barely eat anything and am good. To me, it logically doesn't make sense but I have learned to go with the flow. A little pun intended!

I made the HB eggs with hummus a few days ago and I must say VERY TASTY! And VERY FILLING! A co-worker looked in my container and said "what's that?" I told her and she actually said "yum" and "interesting." So it's not just for bariatrics anymore!

Pre op was 800 cal a day. Basically 2 Protein shakes and a lean cuisine. Post surgery was week one: liquid, week two: mush, week three: soft foods, week four: normal. I'll tell you...week 2 the oatmeal tasted like a steak!

Unflavored protein is a good option. My first week post op I blended with strained hot and sour soup to get the protein in. My problem towards the end of the week was nothing seemed like it had flavor!

I have had the same issue a few times so you are not alone! Mine seems to be tied to PMS. My main go to is doing a day of liquid. I also make sure that I put in extra exercise. My advice to you is not to beat yourself up. As I am told by my doctors, this is not unusual at all and it is all part of your journey. You are learning from it and will be stronger in the end! Remind yourself how far you have come and if you can do that you can succeed now!

Whew! Grape and lemon? Those two flavors SOUND really sweet. Here's a recipe for one that's a little more "savory" that I got actually from Twitter! 1 c cantaloupe 1 scoop unflavored protein Fresh ginger, peeled (add to your liking) 1/2 c of water (more if you like it thinner) 1/2 c of ice Blend until smooth. Peaches are also good fruit to use and I use a little cinnamon with that.

Congratulations! You should be very proud of all the hard work you have done!

Amen! I feel so blessed that by some stroke of dumb luck I got a fabulous, supportive, listening and talented medical team with very little looking. I could not do it without them! You must find that group that makes your journey worthwhile or you will get discouraged. There is nothing wrong about looking around and finding that right fit for you. Good luck!

Hey now! That's a great idea! I love HB eggs but they can get dull day after day. I'm going to the grocery store today and I am making these for tomorrow!

You've worked hard so far...treat yourself to something pampering like a manicure or some shopping or a good book. I purchased a pair of pajamas in a smaller size for recovery time. And I fit in them! I also spent my recovery time at my parents so I went I got my room ready with all my stuff so I wouldn't have to unpack and everything was good to go when I got home. Congratulations and have a speedy recovery!

Great job and congratulations!

I only weigh in at the doctor's because day-to-day fluctuates so much that it would drive me crazy. And scales can really vary so there are only 2 that I consider the actual true numbers: The one at the doctor and the one at the surgeon's office. About once a month to 6 weeks. It's worked well for me so far.