lollyfidy1965

As hard as it is, and as horrible as it feels, resisting the urge to smoke is NOT "killing" you......it is "living" you!! Smoking WAS killing you! Do me, you, your friends, and your family a huge favor....keep resisting that urge, and live with us for a long time! As with any addiction, those urges WILL diminish, over time....as long as you don't reintroduce the chemicals your brain is craving! I know it isn't easy, but surely you are stronger than your brain!! All the best! Laura

My surgeon is of the "no soda ever" crowd. I'm ok with that, regardless of the reason.

I came home from the hospital on liquid Zantac. At 3 weeks post-op my surgeon added a daily Prevacid solutab. I take both religiously, and have no more acid issues.

Vitamin Shoppe sells a decent berry flavor chewable iron. I take it twice a week. Zantac comes in a liquid...prescription only. Prevacid comes in a dissolveable tablet.

When I hit an "adjustment period" I take a deep breath, eat what I would ordinarily eat, work out at the gym as I would any other day, and give my body the time it needs to get ready for its next big weight loss period. Time cures all....managing to remain consistent during those non-weight-loss periods is the key for me. BTW...when I'm not dropping pounds is when I tend to lose the most inches. Its all good.

I know you didn't ask for an opinion, so I won't give one...but...isn't your husband going to notice when you're not home the night after your surgery...or the following day...or, potentially, for a couple days after?? Even minor complications, immediately after surgery, can result in days spent in the hospital (I had inflammation blocking my sleeve, which resulted in 6 days in the hospital). Will he be willing to care for the kids while you're recovering? (You won't be able to lift your 1-year old for 4-6 weeks afterwards!) I totally understand that you need to do what is best for you, and your health (this surgery is a life-saver, no doubt about it!)....and I pray everything goes well for you, today, as you begin this new journey!! Wishing you great success! Laura

I only had an EKG, as well.

O.T.R. is absolutely correct about the "hunger" likely being in your head. If you would like to understand exactly why this is happening, read "The End of Overeating". It clearly describes the ways in which the food industry manipulates the content of processed foods in order to cause our brains to react, chemically, to those foods EXACTLY the same way it would react to cocaine or heroine. Yes....your brain is addicted to foods (sugar, fat, and salt, in particular)....and the "head hunger" you're experiencing is your own special kind of withdrawal symptom. Your brain wants to experience that rush of chemicals...so its screaming "YOU'RE HUNGRY!!....YOU'RE STARVING!!!"...in order to get you to put its drug of choice (food) into your mouth. Read the book...recognize what you're experiencing for what it is...and keep your eye on the prize! Your health is certainly worth the effort!

JoJo...I have alarms set on my iPhone, and keep some in the car, in case I'm away from home when it's time to take one. Do whatever you need to do in order to remember to take your supplements. They are critical to being healthy after surgery!!

At 5 months post-op I'm still only averaging between 650 and 700 calories a day, including at least 90 grams of protein. It is very possible to get that much protein and eat fewer than 600 calories a day...I did it for several months. It's all about the food choices you make. I eat no starchy carbs, and only lean protein...those two choices keep my calories very low.

Sounds like you need to find a new PCP. It's very important that your PCP be supportive of your decision, because they're the doctor you're going to be working with, once you get beyond follow ups with your surgeon. You don't want that doctor to be constantly reminding you of the potential for failure....you want that person to be your biggest cheerleader! I wish you great success!! Laura

My total out of pocket expenses were limited to a $100 co-pay, kbby....I didn't have to pay any percentage of the total bill. I was incredibly fortunate...and HP approved my surgery within 2 days of receiving the first request for approval from my surgeon's office.

My final bill was almost $27,000 (at a top-notch facility in Boston, MA). My out-of-pocket for my life-changing surgery?? $100. Thank you SO MUCH, Harvard Pilgrim H.M.O!!!

No one here can tell you "what to do"....we can only express what our own experiences have been. Personally, having the "sleeve" performed was a life-changing opportunity for me, and I would do it again, without hesitation. As for the last comments in your post, everyone who has any form of WLS will be required to take supplements (vitamins and minerals) for the rest of their lives. That is a given, and was never really an issue for me, when considering whether or not to have surgery. I chose the "sleeve" over "gastric bypass" primarily because there is no re-routing of the small intestines, and, therefore, a lower risk for malabsorption issues, following surgery. Yes, it isn't reversible...but why would I want my old stomach back?? It didn't do me any favors in life, now did it?? Do some research on WLS surgeons in your area, and make an appointment to go speak with the one you like best. Ask him your questions, and speak frankly with him regarding your concerns. And do as much research on the topic as you can. Only then, when you've gotten all your questions answered, and your concerns reassured, make the best, informed decision you can make....do what is best for YOU, and don't concern yourself with what anyone else thinks. As for liposuction....that may make you "look" thinner, but it isn't going to resolve the underlying issue...which is, ultimately, your relationship with food. (Yeah...that's just my opinion...take it for what its worth.)

I started losing hair (significantly) at around 2 months post-op. I added a sublingual biotin tablet (1,000mcg daily) around 4.5 months post-op (after clearing it with my surgeon). In the last week or so, my hair loss has almost completely stopped. Regarding protein input (food), I average about 90 grams/day. I use Solaray Biotin...orange flavored (pretty tasty)...ordered from Vitamin Shoppe for about $7 for a bottle of 100 tablets.

What I've learned is that eating isn't about "wanting food" anymore. Its about needing to get my nutrients (mostly protein, at this point). I eat because I HAVE to...not because I WANT to. Its like taking medicine....even when I don't want to do it...even when it tastes like crap (like the liquid Zantac I take twice a day!)...I "take" it....because its good for me. Taking that approach has enabled me to get my protein every day, and to drink Water, even when I didn't think I would be able to take another sip.

I buy them through the Vitamin Shoppe. There are MANY different Quest bar flavors, and every one I've tried has been pretty tasty. The chocolate brownie is my favorite!!

I take Flintstones Complete chewables twice a day, Celebrate Calcium plus Vit D three times a day, Celebrate B 12 once a day, and a sublingual biotin (that's for the hair loss). Since adding te biotin, my hair has almost completely stopped falling out. It's fairly cheap...I order mine from Vitamin Shoppe online.

Im 5 months post-op, and am able to eat about 2 oz of "dense" protein (think chicken, turkey, salmon, etc). I'm able to eat 1/4 cup of tuna salad, along with 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, or 1 string cheese. I have 8 oz of muscle milk light every morning before I hit the gym, and another 8 oz after the gym. (that's roughly 7am and 10am). I eat lunch between 12 and 1pm (the tuna salad/cottage cheese combo is typical), have a small "snack" around 3pm (usually a low-fat, 1oz cheese stick), have dinner between 5:30 and 6pm (usually 2 oz of chicken, cooked a variety of ways), and finish the day with a snack around 8pm (almost always a Quest chocolate brownie protein bar). I average between 650 and 700 calories/day, with roughly 90 grams of protein, and fewer than 30 grams of carbs.

I plan to keep doing everything I've been doing for the past 5 months....make the right food choices, eat between 650 and 700 calories/day, keep my carbs below 30 grams/day, eat at least 85 grams of protein/day, and burn 1400-1600 calories/day at the gym...at least 6 days/week. Pretty simple.

I have a Quest chocolate brownie protein bar...every evening at 8pm. I love them, they're filling, very chocolatey, only 170 calories, AND pack 20 grams of protein! Best treat I can imagine...tasty, AND a good protein choice!!

Fat is a storage center for hormones, so...as you rapidly burn fat, in the months following surgery, your body will be releasing all kinds of hormones back into your system...wreaking havoc with your emotions, moods, periods, etc! Be aware of how you're feeling, but keep in it the proper perspective. This is all a part of our fabulous journey...perhaps not the most fabulous part, but a part to be experienced, nonetheless! Big picture...this too shall pass, and you'll get back to "normal" (whatever THAT is! LOL)! I wish you the best, and great success! Laura

Please let me know what you think of the book, Sippsters!

You're welcome, CO! I'd love to hear your thoughts, once you've read it!

I'm glad to hear that...I'd hate for you to have a setback!!