Pookeyism

I am woman I try to keep that in my thoughts. I lost my grandmother a year before this, so I feel it even moreso- I feel like I lost my other two corners of my trinity... I am woman... me, this girl is a WOMAN, whether to laugh or cry... I am a woman - its in me now. Small statements and warm thoughts ...and I thank you very much.

Kathy, Thank you. I think she knows, too.

"with grace" - Thank you.

Yes I would say less of the lettuce and bagel and a bit more protien. Here are grains by protien/carb ratio: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/grains-highest-protein-carbohydrate-ratio.php Also don't forget protien-fortified food options, there is breads and milk and much more that come in protien-fortified form.

I wonder if the bariatric docs could offer some insight? I will contact mine in the morning and see what they say!

I think your lifestyle of eating should be directed at "the most bang for your 2 oz" lol...protiens first. Really focus on the protiens. Seek them out in animal form, and do not be afraid of a small amount of fat. Avoid processed meats once you can. brown turkey meat has slightly higher fat than white, chicken with a little evoo, bison over cow, etc...look to alternate forms of getting in your veggies (I said look, you decide) - I have found jucing and soups that are cold -veggie medlies, etc. are excellent for me. I use it to help supplement my fluids through the day, leaving meals for protien. I do suggest avoiding carbs in the forms of breads and crackers and dumplings, etc. They just do not pack enough nutritional punch. Eventually maybe barley or oameal in the morning or teffa (am I saying it right??). If you are referring to the paleo diet in reference to the caveman diet, i call it bunk! If you really want to know what is best for you - it takes a lot of real knowledge - get away from the books promoting diets - read the anatomy texts, the biochem references, the articles posted as studies and papers...alot of knowledge will go a long way (no i did not mean a little, I meant a lot). Some basics to keep in mind with food, and I am just mentioning a few, please feel free to add to the list: Allergies - food allergies!!! this affects soooo much, even very dangerous inflamation you may not even realize is going on inside of your body - that feeling in your sinuses? You get that elsewhere too when you expose yourself to a daily onslaught of food you are allergic too. Medications - some medications need to be taken with food or without, avoiding certain foods or types of food, naturally raise or lower blood pressure or affect glucose levels - which you may need to counter with timing your food, food choices (avoiding sodium if you take a med that already is a potential to raise blood pressure, etc - fiber and additional good oil in diet if prone to constipation. Probiotic foods if you have been recently exposed to antibiotics. Do a blood panel every 3 months to begin with - and pay attention to what that says about your food needs...platelets going down? You may need more red meats, or beans and lentils, etc...or perhaps you need to avoid donating blood for a little while? Like I said sooo much to consider. I say this only if you are really considering adopting a "lifestyle" food choice...there is not a need for that, in my opinion. Good luck. if you do choose one please let us know and how it worked!

I have had a very long stall too. I seem to be stuck at 204 lbs. At first I panicked because I felt the old "here I go again" and the inevitable gain. But a week passed and another and then a second week and a third I lost 2 lbs. and agian I stall. It seems different to me now, somewhere along the line I realized it isn't the same. I won't regain it and if I have hit the weight I will be so be it. It isn't where I wanted but it sure isn't where I was. I am no longer hungry, I am no longer worried about wiping out a hip on a downward slope on my bike. I eat well and carefully and I have not lost much hair at all. I enjoyed an NSV the other day when I was finally prodded into shopping and I went into Old Navy and bought two "L" tops...They fit. The size 16 pants will be very loose soon. I am somehow, at least for right now, content with the loss I am experiencing. If I loose 2-3 lbs a month that is fine by me. I want more and I am working on it. Onderland is where I plan to reside. For now I am content to coast along after some very hard fought for victories. Keep my new good habits and stay active. Hope this helps!

Edamame with soy noodles and chicken, cut up and stir fried in a wasabe-soy mixture was pretty good for me - I had a friend make some just for me during a wok-party. Also try the Snacks - wasabe flavored seaweed slips - wasabi covered peas and dried edamame are sooo good!

I can say I thought I understood it enough, and had accepted it enough - but after surgery I did realize I needed to work through it more. Counseling can be good but it needs to be a counselor who is experienced in cognative process and food habits. The issues around your food can be a big deal too. The journal thing - even if it is scribbled in like a post-day planner can be really helpful. It can show you where your patterns are likely to pop up, so you can work on them. There is no way I can post enough to really help you, you will have to do it on your own, and it isnt just an ephipany and all is well, it is a daily process. Just remember - you are not cured from being overweight. There are studies that suggest you fill fight this the rest of your life. Your "meds" now are your sleeve, and the understanding of good and bad habits with food, activity, stress, and other factors such as real meds (many real meds used to fight obesity related conditions in them selves make weight loss harder!). I also suggest you read and reread books on the subject...I am currently reading The Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery, and (an old friend from wayyy back in my high school daze) The Way of The Peaceful Warrior. Good luck!

I have heartburn from just water and ice. I am more likely to need tums after that than I am after a protien shake, easy.

Just be very careful with the things you don't feel a restriction on. I've had to remind myself of that over the last few weeks. I've had alot of trouble transistioning over to regular food (3 months post op) and couldn't peg why. I noticed how much liquid I was able to get in, and started moderating it more...so many ounces, wait, like I had to to begin with. I think I was keeping my tummy sore with liquids! Gone back to liquid protien in moderated amounts for about a few days to a week, and going to go back to mushies after that, and see if that doesnn't help the solid food phase more. About the pills - as the dictor but do not wait to be told. Some time-releases are done so out of convenience or expense, and can be transitioned to a similar med that is not time released - and thus easier to digest.

Oh! poo! the whole point I was going to reply to! I am going to experiment on sleeve friendly protien bars! I will let you know how it goes!

Mootopia (HEB) is a milk that has half sugars, 12g protien. I take 8 ox and mix with 3 oz water or alot of ice, and a scoop of unjury unflavored. It isn't everything you need, but it is about 40g protien.

Prayers going out to you! By now you are in recovery and it REALLY all begins! yayyy! Speedy recovery to you and welcome to the rest of your life...

Yup, possibly thrush or such...with the protien drinks you have to be sooooo on top of brushing your tongue and rinsing out your mouth. It may be a Vitamin deficiency or even getting too much of something. Keep in mind if your Vitamins are out of whack on the amount of an ingredient tht could be an issue too - there was a case of too much selenium in a vitamin supplement that killed people. If I were not at work I would research it more for you.

Not familair with him but 8000.00 is great. keep your incidental expenses in mind, too. I recommend you begin to "pay" now, you have 6 months to save up - and that could drop a signifigant amount off your bill. If you could get enough you could possibly do a small micro loan and save alot on interest. If you have not already, request terms and conditions for your loan and check on what the fees are for the loan. I have heard of people paying upward of 20% to finance self pay. I opted to draw some funds from savings and 401. Still lost a bit off the top but nowhere near the 20%. Don't mean to be a kill joy but what was the specifics of the bariatric excellence award time frame? 125 surgeries does not seem to be alot for 6 months. Be sure you are getting all of the answers straight up - check with other sources, and confirm his accreditations. Do some research and make sure the hospital did not fall out of favor with the old doctor for another reason than they state. Make sure you doctor has not gone downhill somehow, too (no kidding leading heart doc in 80's that did my Papaws heart surgery would go to prison on repeat drug charges ((him doing not prescribing!)) 12 years later).

It ttook me almost a decade and researching and deciding against ALL of the other WLS options before I did this...It is odd, how long it can take until you realize you have had enough. I have literally fought my way back from the dead before, and yet I could not accept WLS for a whole decade. I wish I understood that more. Enjoy your returement, and never look back!

My most wonderful Hubby took a pureed lobster bisque and added a heaping teaspoon of tobiko caviar on top. It is sooo good, and it isn't messing with my sleeve at all! (I have been stuck on thick liquids for awhile) Yayyy! If anyone is interested I will pin him down about the recipie.

I encourage you to read the article, very interesting! http://asmbs.org/2012/03/asmbs-special-alert/

Search for other topics related to this - there have been a few recently and all had good suggestions. Good luck!

Way to go! It's a great way to start a weekend!

There is a procedure but not a filler - they pull the upper lip up slightly. I forget the name of it. I would not get filler but might would consider the other procedure. You can have the fat under my chin for your lip if it makes it cheaper. lol.

My Mom passed away a week after I was sleeved, and I had to handle the arrangements, and fly into VA from Houston, TX. I had a horrible time of it and had some sort of heaving/dryheaving episode mid-flight on the way back. I cannot say I had one major complication, but the stress seems to have slowed my progress alot - or what I think it would have been. I am definately dealing with an overload of the emotions we find hardest to deal with, anyway. But yes, I would do it again.

Thank you for the reminder!