CowgirlJane

I had low D preop but have tested normal since losing weight. Weird, huh?

I am 4 years out, and got about 10# over goal this summer. I lost it by going back to basics (sleever rules!) and getting back to full activity. There are others further out than me who work at maintenance....there is a maintenance forum here too. At 3 years post op I did a tune up appointment with a nutritionist and it gave me some new ideas. Main thing is to face the regain right now...You can do this!!

oh, and the Christmas candy is showing up. I only like GOOD candy, but I almost can't resist it once it is laying there like a temptress, flashing her enticing carmel and almonds and sea salt at me. The boys have learned they better keep it in their room because if they leave high quality chocolate in a shared area of the house, I might take one of the following actions with NO apologies: 1. Eat it 2. Toss it 2. Eat it and wished I tossed it This is how I stay at goal - hardass about some stuff.

It is sooo hard! I am 4 years post op, and my grown sons are my roomies. They sometimes bring home a bag of heart attack from McD or Jack in the Box or whatever, but it grosses me out more than it tempts me. It smells and tastes bad. However, a few weeks ago they came home with a crapload of trigger food, stuff I don't buy. There were boxes of Cereal, crackers, bags of chips, ice cream, bread, frozen pizzas... It was like they missed having crap in the house and went on a bender. As soon as they saw me, both their expressions dropped to "omg, what have we done?" I realized that at 4 years out, I really can't expect everyone else to cater to "my food issues". I had them put the dry food on one shelf in the pantry that I just don't look at. I did eat a few chips, but not alot... so far have stayed out of the cereal (an old really bad habit of mine was to have cereal and milk for Snacks and desserts). I had them hide the ice cream. I admit that whenever they cook one of those cardboard pizzas I find myself needing ot have a slice, but it always reminds me how crappy they are.... Anyway, I believe heartily in the strategy of keeping junky crappy food out of the house, but I also think that other people have the right to choose for themselves. So far, we are balancing it okay and I really appreciate THEIR consideration so I try to find ways to accomodate them on this subject too... Anyway, I like the visual of the crack on the head with the frying pan. Stay strong - you can do this and the pay off is SO WORTH IT!!!

We all have our strategies - I hate store cards so I look for other ways to get in their rewards programs Discount stores like TJ MAxx and Ross where life savers during the weight loss phase. Now that my size/weight is stable, I shop more at Nordstroms rack, Macys etc. but I don't really buy crudloads of clothes anymore. I have developed a shoe and boot... obsession but I need to keep my options open, never know where you will find that perfect boot in a color or style I don't already have.

Hosted the big family shinding in my newly updated house. It went really well, had a great time and everybody loved the new look. I weigh, if not daily, then 3-4 times a week. I did that even when I was gaining (I got to 10# over goal at one point). The reason I do that is that it was my old pattern to only weigh myself when I felt "good" and to put my head in the sand when I didn't. I don't know if this works for everyone, but even while I watched the scale go up, I stayed calm, didn't beat myself up... just was a little gentler with myself - you know, the way you might treat someone you care about. I am back down to goal, and while I wish i was UNDER goal, I am giving myself huge kudos for one more "eating season" at goal. Denise, I don't know what to make of John. I think that in middle age/later in life relationships are perhaps defined differently. Everybody says that isn't true "no, it is just like romantic love from your 20s" - well, that hasn't been my experience. I don't find men that seek that and I don't feel that. I don't want to throw myself into someone else's life the way I was eager to do as a young woman. I don't think I will ever remarry. Alot of older people aren't interested in a sexual relationship anymore. I don't know, my whole experience has made me question what I want... and has made me question what is even possible based on the dating pool I have met. I have a good excuse to not worry about it. I go in for boob repair end of January, trip to Maui late February. In all honesty, I won't be seriously searching for a real boyfriend until spring. I was thinking of doing eharmony or something different, but at this point, I wonder if that is just a big waste of time. Steve and I get on great. We have so much fun together and he is genuinely the most considerate man ever. We like the same activities, like similar food, have similiar fitness habits, have read the same books/watched the same movies... you know, we relate to each other very well. The problem is three fold - 1. he recently figured out he has been pursuing relationships instead of building his own life; so he isn't ready. 2. He has 50% custody of his kids and as time goes on that situation is becoming more of an issue and 3. I don't feel that fire/love type of feeling. Since we had the big chat about item #1, I decided to start dating again. I realize I make the same mistake over and over and over again which is too quickly narrowing my field to one man. It is against my nature, but EVERYONE from my counselor to our pals on this website tell me to not do that. So, I went out with someone else on the night we went dancing (something Steve does not like) and this man is super fun. He is older - 59 - and he has clearly decided that permanent romantic relationships are impossible for him and he has no expectations of doing it. Flip side, he has a lot of fun interests he wants to share with me - so why not do some of that? I think I will maintain casual, non sexual dating relationships with a couple of men for awhile and just try to follow the advice people keep giving me. Practice? I am wondering when I will just give up ... but for now I am enjoying myself. I have a longing for something else in my life and i am frankly a little worried about how I will feel when my boys move out... but, let's jump off that bridge when we get there.

obesity help website has a very active DS forum. It might be a good resource to read up...

That is not a symptom of a leak. Yes the port pain was miserable and took awhile to resolve. I LOVE not having that thing in me anymore. Hang in there!

I have been a patient for 4 years. They have grown alot, so timing etc of my experiences aren't too current, but they have been amazing. I go to them for other things now too...love em! ETA: I have personal experience with Dr Billing, Landerholm and Harris and like them all very much. My favorite NUT was with Pacific Nutrition across the street, which has since gone out of business, and she is long gone.... but the NUT I met at PSSC was okay. By that time I didn't really need it so much so only had one visit. At my 3 year mark, I met with Barb, and she was good, experienced NUT and gave me some updated/new info which really helped me. I have positive experiences with the various support staff, their anesthesiologist and countless others who have been professional and compassionate. They are much much bigger now so I don't know how it feels to new patients, probably a little less intimate, but i continue to have good experiences. They are the first place I look if I need a procedure - colonoscopy for example, who knew they did those too? I was nervous about the prep (drinking all that crap) with a sleeve and felt very confident going to them since they know how to manage it - no problems.

woo hoo! I know what a big deal this is - congrats!!!

Glad you found it! I don't recall what I paid but I wore them frequently for months and they are good as new, not cheapo fall apart garments... hope you find what you are looking for.

I am sorry, I can't seem to find the post or the person that asked...sigh. anyway, I had major plastics 2 years ago. The surgeon provided both an upper body and lower body garment that i used for 6 weeks. As I returned to intense exercise, I felt "insecure" - particularly around the mid section as I had a lower body lift. I wound up buying pretty intense "shaping" garment for the lower body that I used for several more months when horseback riding, skiing or doing intense exercise. I bought them off amazon, and the tag says Rago styles were 6269 and 6265. They are still in perfect shape - well made.

Mean people suck. I never experienced this kind of open antagonism and I was probably bigger than you! I hope you are able to surround yourself with better quality people.

I used to work in IT. Early in my career an experienced technical manager said "it's like putting up a tent, if you can just nail down one corner, the rest starts falling in place ". He was talking about user requirements...but I have felt this is a great analogy for events like losing massive weight. It's like, when obesity is no longer the all consuming topic....when the health corner of the tent gets nailed down... it just seems to support other improvements.

Most people are now getting the 80-100 G a day recommendation. It is hard to get all that in, but over time it gets easier. I lost hair even though i had plenty of Protein and Vitamins (I guess zinc can be an issue too) so no guarantees on that front. I think the reason they push protein so hard is that it helps minimize your lean muscle loss during rapid weight loss AND, lets face it, if you are having all that protein, following the eating recommendations you probably don't have room in your diet for crappy food. I am 4 years out, and I still have a Premier Protein daily (30g protein, 5 carbs, 160 calories). Recently I was advised to up my protein from my current target of 80, up to 100 because my goal for 2016 is get my body fat % lower which means I need to build lean muscle mass. I am of course in maintenance. Side note, I don't track anymore but did for a couple of days as a reality check and was getting more like 50-70G a day - yikes. That is when I got serious about adding those premier Proteins drinks back to my diet. Guess what, I got back down to goal when I had been a few pounds over...hmmmm...

I think Mexico is a great option, but follow up and heaven forbid, help if you have a complication can be more difficult. I don't know the right answer for you, but I would wait and stay local since you do have the insurance. It is hard to be patient but you can start working on habit changes etc...

AS a band to sleeve revision, my surgeon was extra conservative and had me progress slower than the standard. I recieved a notebook with very clear week by week instructions and goals but it was 4 years ago and i know that Protein recommendations etc are higher now. I suggest going to the website of a COE like Mayo clinic and see what they have posted online. The key thing is to slowly add. I started with Clear liquids, then full liquids (like protein drinks), then liquids with a bit more texture (like refried Beans diluted with broth, Soups with no chunks etc), then introduced semi solids like yogurt, cottage cheese... then slowly slowly added. If you ever feel uncomfortable it is likely you are eating too much or eating too fast or perhaps progressing to quickly. Remember that nerves were cut and you may not "feel" everything so eat by the clock and measuring cup (early on, we are talking just a few bites!)

woo hoo! congrats!

I have "joint" issues too from the years of obesity. emotionally, it kinda bummed me out - I felt a little ripped off that I finally got fit and yet the joint issues are worse! Well, truth be told, the damage was already DONE and it was just a matter of time before the problems showed up.... I shopped around awhile before I found an orthopedic doctor that made me feel... energized toward helping myself! Since then, the universe has dropped people into my life that have had joint replacements, and they aren't way old and they were never obese. Maybe I am being a baby, but that helped me feel less guilt, less negative energy around the whole topic. One thing i learned is that xrays show the "gap" but don't show the condition of the cartilige. So, my hip X-rays as mild to moderate arthritis but my pain and range of motion issues indicate that the cartillage is not in such great shape. I am looking at a hip replacement in 3-4 years max, but in the meantime have strategies for managing. I have a hinky left knee (to be honest both are arthritic but the right one doesn't hurt). I am a little scared at the prospect of all the surgeries ahead of me HOWEVER - I am so much better off at a lighter weight. Ortho doc has me convinced that a high level of fitness, strength and flexibility will help me with those future surgeries so I have a strategy to get myself "ready" and it is a lot more positive state to be. Contrast this to the doc who felt I was doing okay because I could put my own socks on - say what??? i aspire for more...

Tums are fine like you used it but is not an effective replacement for a good PPI like proselec or nexium etc.

My BMI was 52 when I revised from band to sleeve 4 years ago. I lost alot of weight and am successfully maintaining at a normal size/weight. I would do it again in a heartbeat. However,I am also a fact based decision maker. I think someone with a very high Bmi should seriously consider the bypass and DS. Fact is that it is hard to maintain massive weight loss and those two procedures have good track records with people who start at a higher weight. I have seen too many people (especially my band days) who lost alot of weight but never reallymet their goal. There are lots of success stories on this forum of all surgery types but I would really look into studies and facts because it IS a different path to lose more than half your body size. I also think it is important to know the pros and cons and key risks of each procedure so you can make the best decision for yourself. In my view, all WLS have a permanent impact (incredible pictures of my scar tissue due to the reversible lapband available..Ha!) so think carefully before leaping. Good luck, it really is one of the best thing I have done for myself!

I was a band to sleeve revision done in 2 surgeries. I didn't completely follow your questions... Where is the pain? Mine was the hole left by the port removal, it was sore, left an empty spot that reminded me of my failure. When you say the pain is deep, do you mean it is intense or? Some women are triggered to start a period by surgery. I wouldn't overly stress on that. I have no idea what you mean about the Water going through...through what? I set baby water goals those early days....little sips at a time. This is the hardest thing at first, but it gets better.

But a piercing headache seems different than dizzy. Chances are it's dehydration but water load, including with electrolytes and it should go away ASAP. If not, I'd ask a doctor. I had this happen once, but I am prone to headaches for no reason...

I am not sure I am completely following. Forget about the personalities at that clinic... Most people have made multiple dieting attempts before considering weight loss surgery. I think weight management programs are an excellent option to consider if you are lower BMI/don't have alot of comorbidities and maybe haven't been obese too long. i personally was rejected from one of those programs presleeve because i had nearly a lifetime of obesity and they told me I wasn't likely to be successful due to the disease process of obesity being so advanced. Best thing that ever happened to me as it really forced my hand... I was a little surprised that they are still saying 60G of Protein.. That was the recommendation years ago, but most Centers of Excellence are recommending a higher minimum protein to help minimize muscle loss etc. Gastric Bypass is still considered the "gold standard" and is a good procedure. If you have diabetes or GERD (acid reflux) it might be the best procedure The sleeve is newer and less "proven" but I am 4 years post op and still maintaining a massive weight loss; so are lots of others There are people who are very successful with the lapband, including the owner of this site - but the statistics say it is less successful overall. I had a lapband for 10 years pre sleeve, so my perspective is that it is harder to get the band "just right" That doesn't mean that you are guaranteed success with any procedure. In general, WLS is the tool to enable you to lose weight, but become less important over time, maintenance is more up to you It is a complete FIB to say that sleevers are never hungry. In my case i went from 24/7 raging hunger to a fairly normal (like normal people experience) degree of hungery. I was pretty hunger free the first say 6 months or so post op In terms of picking a medical practice... sleeve was not my first weight loss surgery and what i learned is I really wanted/needed to be part of a bariatric practice where i felt supported, comfortable... and this sounds weird... where they believed in me. I switched practices after the process started because I didn't like the nutritionalist, didn't feel supported at the first one even though I believe as a surgeon, he was great. Good luck what every you decide, but take your time, learn, research, form your own opinions.. listen to the doctors but ultimately you are the one that will live with this decision forever.

Wow, ate lightly yesterday but had some crabcakes pretty late in the evening... gained 4# overnight! Guess they were salty, huh? I have also started up spinning bike again and some moderate strength training. Causes muscles to hang on to water...I am not too worried about it though.... just keeping doing what I do...