flourgirl

I haven't told anyone about my surgery except for my husband and sister. It isn't a question of being ashamed or anything other than I don't think surgery that I have is anyone's business. That goes for gastric, gall bladder, appendix, rotator cuff or whatever. This is a personal matter that you are not obligated to share with anyone. When people ask me how I have lost weight I tell them I eat a lot less. If they ask for more I tell them I pretty much do a low glycemic index diet and exercise more. Every bit is true. If they ask how much I have lost I tell them not enough. Your life and your decisions are not a reality TV show where you are obligated to share every intimate detail to satisfy someone's voyeuristic needs. Tell them you eat less and if they press for more info tell them its a sensitive topic for you and you would rather not get into it. I'm sure most people will respect that. For those that don't and are ticked off -- that is their problem, NOT your problem.

I am going through the exact same thing right now. I had surgery about 5 months ago and my hair started falling out about six weeks ago. For me the solution has been to cut it short. That was a little easier for me because I had been thinking about doing it anyway but hadn't because my face was too fat! So I am trying to look at the upside -- my face is thin enough for short hair now. I am probably going to cut it even shorter next time and get a pixie cut. I figure the less time I have to spend fixing my hair the less I will think about the thinning. Look at the bright side -- no one is concentrating on your hair. They are too amazed at how good the rest of you looks to notice your hair.

Get the kids meal with grilled chicken nuggets and fruit!

Chell, look at it this way -- you have averaged losing 6lbs per week! When has that ever happened to you or anyone else doing a conventional diet? If you were doing WW, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, etc you would be over the moon about that weight loss per week. My average weekly loss is only 3.9lbs so I should be jealous of you! Hang in there. None of us gained the weight overnight and we won't lose it overnight but we will get there.

I am 5'1 and was about 209 when I had surgery on March 9. I am about 166 right now -- so not quite 3 months. My goal is to be between 120-125. My doctor didn't bat an eye at that and I have no reason to think it is unattainable. At my thinnest I was 112 but that was in my 20s and before a kid. I'm not going to pretend I will be that weight again but I don't think 125 is out of reach. Keep in mind that if you work out and trade fat for muscle the scale may say a larger number but you may look/feel smaller because you are more toned -- muscle is denser than fat. I would go by how you feel not necessarily the number on the scale.

Prilosec -- generic omeprazole is pretty much the same stuff as Nexium. My doc and pharmacist both said to use that instead and save some money. A six week supply of the generic is in the $30 range instead of the $100 that a two week supply of Nexium cost with my insurance.

I had surgery about a month ago and am very lucky that I have had no issues until this past week. I started having really bad reflux whenever I eat or drink. I have tried Prilosec, Zantac and Pepcid with limited success. They were out of Prevacid at the store today but I'm not sure I hold out much hope for that. Has Prevacid or anything else worked well for anyone? I'm going to call the doc on Monday but thought I would see if anyone has a good OTC suggestion. I am losing weight, though. Of course, that's because I can hardly eat or drink -- not really the way to do it! Thanks for your help.

You might just turn around and say: The real question is why are you eating so much? I know, easier said than done but turning the tables usually works and you can probably come up with a more PC way to do it. :-)

Since my surgery I find that I don't really like "sweet" drinks -- i.e. Sobe zero, crystal light, diet green tea. I can only drink so much plain water! I would drink regular iced tea with just a little sweetener or none but it has caffeine and that is off limits. Any suggestions?

It sounds like there are issues here that go beyond just food. The lack of respect by your step-daughter is a serious issue that you need to address with your husband and probably a professional counselor. It also sounds like she would benefit from some professional counseling. Her attitude towards food is not healthy. Is she heavy? If so, some of this behavior may be a result of resentment that you are actively changing your habits to be more healthy and lose weight. Whatever the case do no put up with such behavior from your spouse or step-daughter. If your husband truly cares about you he will address his behavior and his daughter's. I really do think you should consider having everyone see a professional. If they won't agree to it -- go yourself and get some professional advice on how to handle the problem.

I was told no gum chewing and no straw because it puts air in your stomach which causes gas, pain, etc. I think eventually you can go back to using a straw but not for a while. I am used to walking around with a cup and straw, too. Probably the thing I have to remind myself about the most. A real pain in the neck in the car, too! But not the worst thing that can happen to us.

My husband took me to the hospital and my sister watched our daughter. My husband was in and out because I was sleeping most of the time and there was no point in him staying there to watch me sleep. Glad he was with me before surgery but not much for him to do in the hospital. It was helpful to have him around the first couple of days home.

Is there a typical amount of weight people lose in the first week or two after surgery? If so, how much? I know that figure may vary a lot depending on how much a particular person needs to lose so I'm just curious about a ballpark number. Then, when does the weight loss slow down to 2/3lb per week? I had surgery a week ago and just want to be prepared for when the inevitable slow-down starts.

Thanks for the info. At least I know it isn't anything unusual and it sounds like it resolves itself quickly. I'm feeling pretty okay other than that so I'm not complaining. I haven't had nausea -- thank goodness -- so I figured it wasn't drinking too quickly or anything else.

I had surgery last week and everything seems to be okay but each time I take a sip of anything it seems like there is a gas bubble in my throat. This is from the first sip so I know it isn't because I am trying to drink too much. I am taking something for reflux but I don't think that is the problem. Has anyone else encountered this? What did you do/take? Thanks.