Sojourner

My husband did that also...I very pointedly asked him if he would please consider eating in another room. He apologized, and told me he was not thinking about the possible effects his eating in front of me would cause. It never happened again...men as a rule in my experience, just don't think things through too well...sorry guys!

I had to ask my doctor this question, as 4 weeks post op I did contract a virus and became severely dehydrated as a result. I was told NO Imodium, and advised instead to purchase a probiotic from the pharmacy and continue to drink plenty of fluids. Yet another example of the differences in the medical opinions between doctors...

I asked my doctor the same question, as I actually did have a virus and became severely dehydrated as a result. I was told NO Imodium, my go to remedy for years. I was advised to get a probiotic from the pharmacy and continue to drink plenty of fluids. The symptoms did subside, but I had to manage without the Imodium. Yet another example of the differences of the medical opinion between surgeons...

I would definitely discuss this with your doctor...though I had to speak with the practice PAC to get a number. As it was explained to me: Generally you should try to achieve a healthy BMI, so that the BMI would be in the normal range. There are numerous calculators online to look what your range would be. For some people, the best BMI will not be attainable. There are actually several weights that might be designated. I was quite surprised that the target weight my doctor established in my chart for me would actually leave me in the "overweight" range. I chose my target weight to get me to a normal BMI for my height and weight, some 26 pounds lower than the number in my chart. The PAC also went on to discuss the "ideal weight", where health will be optimized, which for me is 6 pounds lower than the goal I established for myself. The PAC told me that patients usually will eventually reach a weight somewhere between the number the doctor establishes and the ideal weight. In medical terms, that would be considered a success. I don't know if you were able to follow the logic in this post...perhaps there is none! The most important part of setting goals is to understand that there are 3 types: short term, mid-range, and long term. We should have all 3 for the best results and the most healthy from an emotional perspective. Obviously, you would want to make achieving your final goal weight your long range goal. Short range are those which you want to achieve within the next month. Mid-range are 1 month to a range of 6 months to a year, depending on how far into the future your long range goal is set. Goals need to be realistic and measurable...you will not loose 100 pounds this month, but targeting 10-12 might be realistic. Also, weight loss goals are very measurable, just go by what the scale says... Goal setting does take practice, so the sooner you begin, the more successful you will feel about taking the responsibility for your health and well being back. Good luck with your continuing journey!

I have been coping with chronic residual pain from my car accident in one of my hips. Having to go off of the prescription NASID medication prior to the band surgery has made it painful for me to drive, much less walk or use my recumbent exercise bike. I have tried both ice and heat, neither of which provided any significant relief from the pain. A cortisone injection into the joint did not provide much relief, I was finally given permission by the surgeon to occasionally take an Advil Liquigel. I am not advocating the use of a NASID, but in extreme cases, it is better than being in pain to the degree that activities of daily living are not met. This is an issue you might want to discuss with your doctor. Managing the inflammation causing pain is better than being inactive...IMHO.

Very happy to read your post...it's important for you to recognize that your weight loss is an inspiring achievement which you gave yourself! I hope you will continue to get in touch with other extraordinary things you are capable of... Congratulations...very well done!!

You did not mention if you were post op, and if so for how long? Nausea can be a sign of dehydration, or if you are advanced to regular foods maybe eating too fast or too much.

I have not heard of that particular brand before. It really should not matter what brand Protein powder or shake you are using as long as it meets all of the nutritional requirements recommended by your surgeon. The higher the protein grams with every shake, and the lower the grams of carbs, the better it is. Sounds to me that they just want to get some extra money from their patients...Also very important is to be certain that the shake has "100% whey isolate protein", as this is the best type for bariatric patients. My surgeon also sells unjury brand in his office, but we are not required to purchase it there. From Day 1 of my liquid diet, I have been using "Wheybolic Extreme 60" Protein Powder from GNC. It has 30 g of protein with every 1.5 scoops of powder, so every shake has 37 g of protein if you also include the 7g protein from the skim milk. The goal is to get as much protein per shake as possible. I actually like both the Cookies 'n cream and chocolate flavors, and have been using the entire time. You may have to try several different brands before you find 1 or 2 that you like...Be certain to read the nutrition label on the powder your doctor sells, and try to make certain that your substitute powder meets the same level of nutrition. Good luck...keep searching, you will find something better suited to your tastes.

One item of interest you learn reading this forum, is that it seems that every surgeon has a slight set of variations from others...I have never before read where a surgeon has recommended Slimfast...how many Protein grams does each shake contain? It is essential that you meet your daily protein goals, which hopefully you got what that number is for you from the dietitian. I was advised that I needed to only use protein shakes which had a minimum of 20 g of protein with each shake. Protein shakes should contain only 100% whey isolate protein. You may have to try several different brands before you find some that you like; I began using the Wheybolic Extreme from GNC; 1.5 scoops has 30g of protein, and the cup of skim milk added another 7g of protein to every shake. I prefer the Cookies 'n cream and chocolate flavors, and still use them now to supplement my protein if I am not getting enough from my meals.

Looking forward to hearing how you are...you will do fine!

Wow!! Thanks for posting these menus...I am encouraged that the limited horizon of food choices is much more broad that I once thought!

Excellent to read that not only have you lost weight, your sense of self confidence has made an impressive improvement as well! What an inspiration you are! Keep up your great work, and best wishes for locating the next step on your career ladder!

Each surgeon seems to have some slight variations of how they want their patients to approach diet compliance...I was told that my meals should last 20 minutes at most. If you feel full before you have finished your portion, stop eating! I seems that you are on the right approach to getting yourself motivated and organized. Good luck with your journey!

I have found that a combination of benefiber 1 time a day, drinking 80 oz of Water every day, and an occasional stool softener have helped me the most. My surgeon advises to use an enema, but I would rather have teeth extracted than use an enema! ... I try to choose my carb servings to have as much Fiber in them as possible; and I still miss the salads I used to have... Hope you feel better fast!

The decision of whether or not to proceed with WLS needs to be carefully considered, because the lifestyle changes which are required are made for life. No one but you are able to process your motivations and priorities for your life but you. There have been 3 other times in my life when I lost significant amounts of weight; after 2 pregnancies (first time I lost 85 pounds, then I lost 65 pounds after my third son), and once after gaining weight with medication I was prescribed (lost 60 pounds). Between those 3 episodes, I was able to maintain a healthy weight of 130. About 10 years ago, it was medication again which caused the weight gain which stayed with me until having my WLS this past February. I had tried to loose the weight on my own, but being post menopause, my metabolism would not help me the way that it did when I was younger. What caused me to move forward with the surgery was finding out that my A1C levels had crossed the threshold of a diabetes diagnosis. I successfully lowered the A1C with diet and exercise, but then I was in a serious car accident, and could not be active except for physical therapy for 5 months. My insulin resistance was worse, and I knew that I would never be a compliant diabetic. The band provided the opportunity to regain some of the health that my excess weight was taking from me. The weight loss journey is not an easy one, but one which I strongly feel that most everyone is pleased with the results of their hard work. Loosing the excess weight while you are young, you should be able to avoid many of the health issues which present when you are older. IMHO, your mileage may vary. Good luck with your continuing deliberations!

Congratulations on your progress so far! The people who told you that you were "cheating" by having surgery have no clue as to how hard we bandsters have to work to achieve our goals with weight loss! Wishing you continued success with your journey!

The portion control for limiting your meals are measured strictly by the volume, and not the actual weight. 3oz of protein is 3 ounces marked off in a measuring cup; there is no need to weigh your portions. The shakes like other liquids will need to be measured when you mix them. I use 8oz of skim milk mixed with 1.5 scoops of my Protein powder, and then mix it together in the blender, which does add air, which is rapidly lost before I drink it.

I would encourage you to have an honest talk with your surgeon, also speak with a dietitian to revisit your diet requirements and ask for assistance to plan meals. Some of what you wrote about originally point to some tendencies towards bulimia, definitely an issue to address with a counselor. Maintaining compliance with diet requirements can be difficult even under ideal circumstances, this is a journey which does involve physical as well as psychological changes. Having a support system such as you can find on this forum is another excellent tool, along with your band, to give you the opportunity to loose weight and regain some health compromised by your weight. You reached out to some very knowledgeable people on the same journey...I hope you find your focus again...

Relax...you will be able to sleep laying down. I am a "side sleeper", and after sleeping on my back for the first night post op, I have been able to sleep on my side without discomfort. I have read that it may not be comfortable for you to sleep on your stomach for awhile after surgery, but most have written that eventually they are able to do that as well.

I am now 11 weeks post op, and during this time, though I have lost weight at the slow and mostly steady rate by remaining compliant with my diet plan. During this time I have had more medical issues present than in the previous 50 years of my life. This is no exaggeration... First, it was severe dehydration as a result of having a minor intestinal virus. I did not recognize the nausea as a symptom for dehydration. I attended my first post op appointment with my surgeon, and was sent directly to the ER from his office for IV hydration treatment. That has not happened again, life lesson learned. I am fanatic about getting all of the recommended fluids every day now. The week before last week I was admitted into the hospital again, with a sudden onset of a severe pain in the upper left side of my chest, and some mild nausea. The doctor could not do a CT scan because of my allergy to contrast dye, and instead did a VP (?) scan to check for a possible blood clot in my lung. I was very thankful that this test result was negative. I was given IV pain medication. Tests were run to check my cardiac enzymes every 8 hours, and they were also normal. The surgeon's diagnosis was that this was muscular/skeletal in origin, though I had no memory of injuring myself. I was discharged, and told to follow up with my primary care doctor who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. I saw my primary care physician last week, who requested and reviewed the records from the hospital. He immediately noticed that my pancreatic enzyme level was elevated, and asked me if this had ever been mentioned by the surgeon. No was my response...my doctor then pushed on several spots on the upper left side of my chest, under my left arm. I almost went through the ceiling the pain was so sudden and intense. He asked me if I still had my gall bladder; yes, I do. He said that there was no way for my pain to be the result of any injury, as where he pressed is where the tail of the pancreas is located. Then he told me that he suspects that I am experiencing a mild case of pancreatic inflammation related to my recent weight loss. His other suspicion is that I may have some gall bladder issues, as these are very common with significant weight loss patients. More tests need to be run... This week, I am scheduled for additional blood work, an ultrasound of the gall bladder, and an MRI of the pancreas. I still have the pain, though it is no longer constant, and not quite as intense. The periodic nausea continues...I continue to be compliant with my diet and Fluid intake. I am finding that not feeling well, the pain and nausea are wearing my coping skills down to almost nothing. Does this ever end? One issue after the last...instead of feeling better and having lower medical costs, I am experiencing the opposite. I was told by my surgeon last week that my rate of weight loss is by percentage well above the average for his patients, yet I was also told that I "need to get with the program and have my first fill"?? Thanks to all for allowing me to express my growing frustration and discouragement. I like to think I am a resilient individual, but now I am questioning the wisdom of my decision to have the band surgery. I never anticipated all of these health issues, but I did not want the complications my weight was creating either...

I was advised by my doctor to only have meals while sitting at the table, and use good posture. So, what you have observed may be happening because of your posture. I would want to know why it is that you are having so many episodes of getting food stuck. You should be weighing out your portions with every meal. For me, I am to have 3 oz of lean Protein and 2 oz of a Fiber carb of my choice with every meal. That's all... You should definitely be able to sit while eating.

Everyone's case is unique to them, but the important thing to remember is that IF you were to be denied at the first letter, there is an appeal process that you can follow for reconsideration. There are many variables to consider (BMI, co-morbidities, insurance policy coverage, etc.). I hope that you are approved with the first letter...good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.

Good luck to you! It helps to be prepared and have your post op prescriptions and liquids on hand to you can focus on healing... Post how you are doing...

Is there a reason you prefer to have the surgery done so far from where you spend the majority of your time? Perhaps you should consider having the procedure done close to where you attend school. I would definitely find out before your surgery if the doctor close to your school would be willing to take you on as a patient. Not every doctor is willing to take over the continuing care of other doctor's patients.

Very inspiring to read about your success...and the best part is that you made the changes to maintain your weight loss! Well done!