DLCoggin

LOL! Thanks Dave!

No one, absolutely no one, can define your destiny unless - you let them. Fiance, mother, father, sister, brother, boss, best friend, worst enemy - no one has that power unless - you give it to them. They can't demand it, they can't take it, they can't force it. No one can stop you from achieving your goal - except you. Sometimes in the heat of battle we have a tendency to mistake "needs" with "desires" and there is a big difference. You NEED to walk to achieve your goal. You desire a friend to walk with. Big difference. You NEED to stay focused on following the protocol that allowed you to lose 45 pounds. You'd like to have your fiance's support. Big difference. You NEED to eat healthy. You'd like it if everyone around you would eat healthy as well. Big difference. You have everything you NEED to succeed. Life is meant to be good. You deserve to be happy. Celebrate the great job you've done already. Commit to never again giving anyone the power to control your destiny. There is nothing you cannot be, do, or have! You're gonna love the new you!!

I completed the questionnaire and met with the psychologist one time. She never mentioned any charge for the report so I assume insurance - Aetna - paid it.

Just emailed!!

I'd run that one by your doctor. My doctor would have said "no soup". The first week is often not only full liquid, but "clear" liquid. But doctors have different ideas regarding post-op care so your best bet is ask.

Wow. I mean WOW! That is huge. Thank you so much for sharing!!

I don't have a clue but your son is one lucky guy to have you as his mom!! LOL

You might find some useful information in my post "Dumping The Confusion About Dumping" - http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/2665-dumping-the-confusion-about-dumping/page__fromsearch__1. You're gonna love the new you!!

You couldn't possibly be in better company than all the great folks on this forum. There isn't a single one of us that can't relate to fear. Lots of different reasons but when all is said and done, fear is fear. Life is meant to be good and we deserve to be happy. Welcome to the family! You're gonna love the new you!!

Lots of great information in this WebMD slide show. There is a considerable (and growing) amount of research being done on the benefits of Vitamin D including protection from some cancers, disease fighting properties, bone health, heart disease, muscle strength and more. Harvard is in the process of a study involving more than 20,000 subjects and has a wealth of information on this important and often under-rated vitamin. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-vitamin-d-overview?ecd=wnl_hbn_071612

A story of true courage and commitment. Welcome to the family and thank you for sharing. We're all here to help you in your journey and our thoughts and prayers go out to your wife.

Gosh, you guys are making me blush. We're all here to help each other in our own way. There are so many terrific folks on this forum. It's our combined knowledge and experience that makes this such an amazing resource. Thank you for the kind words!!

It usually takes three to six months from your first meeting with your surgeon to the day of your surgery. And your surgeon will likely recommend (mine straight out required) that you lose 20 to 30 lbs pre-op depending on your BMI. I approached that time as the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on the all important Prime Directive - life style changes. That means exactly what jenneliza has said - low fat, low carb, high protein diet. It's also a great time to start walking. Nice and easy at first and increase as you feel more comfortable with it. You will lose weight. And just as importantly, your pre-op discipline will make your post-op transition much, much easier. Think of it as being in training for your own personal Olympic event! LOL! You won't be sorry and you're gonna love the "gold medal" new you!!

Very few people who haven't had or who are not at least considering having a bypass know diddly squat about the procedure, the risks, or the benefits. They may have the very best of intentions, but when all is said and done, it's a personal decision that each of us has to make. Unfortunately personal decisions sometimes have consequences in the form of being disappointed with the reaction of some folks. You can't change that and trying is almost always an exercise in frustration. What you can do is express your appreciation for their opinion and/or concern and then go on with your life. It takes two to argue. If all you're doing is showing your appreciation for their opinion, the other side quickly gets the message!

The concern about citrus is ulcers from the acidity. Lime or lemon water might be sugar free but possibly not acid free. I'd be cautious at six days out.

Congratulations Jeanette! You're gonna love the new you!!

Congratulations Todd and welcome to the big losers family! Always great to have folks who are a year or more out!!

Just emailed!

I think you'll find many people on this forum who have had GB for lots of reasons in addition to weight loss. In my case, hypertension, diabetes, CAD and sleep apnea. And every single one of those problems have virtually disappeared. Better health is the name of the game and weight loss is a BIG part of better health. Welcome to the family! You're most certainly in the right place and you're gonna love the new, healthier you!!

Stay focused on following the protocol, get active even if you have to "walk" in your living room (Leslie Sansone has some excellent CD's that will show you how to do exactly that - you can order on Amazon), and stay away from the scales for a week, two would be even better. You know that stalls are a natural part of the weight loss process and although a lot of folks may not post about them, I suspect that just about everyone experiences them. Patience is not only a virtue, it's a necessity for us in the big losers club. You're gonna love the new you!

About 2/3 of folks who experience dumping get it 15 to 30 minutes following consumption of some foods - usually high in sugar or fat. The other 1/3 don't experience the symptoms of dumping for one to three hours or more following eating. So I'd say it may well be dumping. I had my first experience with dumping about seven months out and after eating some red grapes - which led me to believe it was in response to the sugar, but I did not have any vomiting. Light headedness, dizzyness, "the shakes", diarrhea, even fainting (rare) - are all possible symptoms of dumping. How often has it happened and what food(s) brought it on?

My guess is it's probably the same infection with the swelling in a slightly different area. Infection is on every list of possible complications that I've ever seen so I think it's pretty common. You're right to be concerned and continue to seek treatment until they get it knocked down. Infectious wounds is a specialty in itself so it sounds like you're in good hands. That said, I'd call your surgeon and let him/her make the decision regarding whether or not they want to see you. If you do see the wound specialist, I'd also be sure to ask him/her to forward their findings to your surgeon (which most would do any way but it never hurts to confirm it). Great to hear from you again and please keep us posted on your recovery!!

Usually about 2-3 hours for me as well but I think it often depends on how far out you are. When did you have your surgery?

Just emailed guys!!

Lots of differences from one doctor to another when it comes to post-op diet. I was told that most vegetables and canned fruit were fine at six weeks. But to avoid cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries because of skin and seeds. And no citrus fruits until three months out - can cause ulcers. Congratulations on your surgery and welcome to the family of big losers!!