keldolbeth

I think Dr. Curry has only had the band for 3-4 years. My aunt went to him and she said he had his done right after her. Yes, everyone, including the main two dieticians, have had WLS. I think that's why they are so realistic about the expectations. It's very comforting.

Interesting... good information. Thanks, ladies! Another concern of mine is what I've heard about having the string hanging down. Aren't you supposed to check it every so often? I'm just thinking physically that would be a challenge for me at this weight... I know it will be easier eventually. Anyone have comments on this?

ha ha! Here you go: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/04/crock-pot-buffalo-chicken-lettuce-wraps.html I love this blog but it's not all WLS friendly, it's more for WW. I still haven't tried them... But I made this tonight: http://www.emilybites.com/2011/08/buffalo-chicken-bites.html Many people around here rave about Emily Bites. These were so good!

I went to Ruby Tuesday last night and got spaghetti squash as one of my sides. I've never had it before but I'm wondering... is it supposed to be crunchy? I imagined, as a Pasta substitute, it being a similar texture and consistency. I thought maybe they didn't cook it right (or at all) because it didn't taste how I thought it would. I'm not the best cook so I'd rather try new stuff at a restaurant. When I try to cook new things I never know if I just don't like the food or if it takes bad because I'm a novice in the kitchen.

Oh yes! I found her blog last week! I have it open in one of my tabs at all times! lol I love that she has dessert recipes too. Yes, pizza and also my sweet tooth have been my biggest problems so far. I also like that she has a recipe index, whereas Egg Face does not- you just have to search. Plus, Nik seems much more relatable, personable and realistic about her journey. I feel like Egg Face can come off too idealistic and preachy. Ok, granted, I'm not trying to be friends with them, but the tone can turn me on or off. The other thing about Bariatric Foodie is that she has some great links to other blogs in her posts. I've found some sugar free blogs (not necessarily WLS).

Oh, one more thing I just remembered... if you go on the Planned Parenthood website they have a short quiz you can take to determine what form of birth control is best for you. That's how I found out about Implanon.

I am almost 7 weeks post-op and on the pill (orthocyclen). Unlike many others, both my PCP and surgeon told me it was ok to continue during and after surgery, despite minor risk of blood clots. Neither ever warned me of reduced absorption. However, since surgery I've been on my period for a total of 3.5 weeks. I know it's normal to have wacky periods after surgery. Plus, I tried to skip the placebos one month because I was due to start the day before surgery. I think those issues, combined with rapid weight loss, have made me irregular (not to mention, my face is totally broken out). I've been told I will start to regulate soon. However, I've been curious about an IUD for a while (haven't checked with insurance yet). BUT I've heard that most OBGYNs will only allow it for women who have already had children. Does anyone know this to be true or untrue? I'm 28, no kids and single so I know it will be a few years (at least the DR recommended 2) before I think about getting pregnant. I always use condoms too but I'm getting sick of the pill. Any thoughts? One option that hasn't been mentioned here but from other posts I've heard good things... Implanon. It's a little plastic (?) patch that gets inserted in your upper arm. I'd consider that too but, again, have to check with insurance. Anyone have any info on Implanon?

I'm in the same boat. I knew women tend to lose it in the chest first. Since I've been losing, others have also told me I will lose top-down. Well, I've lost 93 lbs and I think maybe 10 of it has been in my hips/lower stomach. I've gone down in bra size and shirt size significantly but maybe down 1-2 sizes in pants. I was discouraged last weekend when I went through all of my work clothes and most of my pants STILL fit me! After 93 GD pounds! I'm hoping it will start dropping off below the waist too, that's where I carry most of my weight. I've always been fairly proportionate (and pray to be at goal) but I'm becoming pear shaped and I don't like it. (Oh, except I had no butt to begin with, it's all in my "front butt." lol)

It was actually supposed to open in March. I started going there the end of January and was super excited about it. Ha! It kept getting delayed and just opened about a month ago. It's on Patterson and Stewart near UD and Miami Valley Hospital. I think the actual address is on Patterson. Are you going to do the initial consultation soon? I would suggest meeting with them before you start trying to lose weight on your own. That way, you know how much you need to lose and they can help you. Even if you don't plan on having surgery for a while or think it will take a while to lose the weight, you only have to do that stuff once and they will keep in contact with you throughout the process. I was self-pay and they were very generous with their pre-op services for my weight loss. They did everything they could to help me, especially with keeping costs down. If you haven't already, go to one of his seminars. If you schedule your first appointment at the seminar you get a discount on the program fee.

I've seen recipes using spaghetti squash and Egg Face has a zucchini pasta... has anyone tried anything like that? I'm curious because I get pasta cravings too... especially when out to eat.

I'm six weeks and two days post-op... and it's TOM for the THIRD time since surgery! This time it's going on about 9 days! And I'm on birth control! Yes, the exclamation points mean I'm very upset!!! (Especially considering what my sex drive is right now and I'm sitting here watching the olympics with my ex, who I call "my best ever." Grrr!)

Oh yes! I can't wait for heels! I have so many in my closet I'm ready to bust out again... I just hope they still fit!

Do you know what they define as "soft foods"? I thought mine was a little extreme too because I was told three months before a regular diet. However, I went in for my 4 week post-op appointment where I'd be transitioned from pureed to soft foods and all I was told was to stay away from raw fruits and veggies, nuts, red meat (could try some ground beef), and high fiber foods. She did say I could try lettuce at 6 weeks post-op, which I am now but haven't yet. So even though the months of "soft foods" may sound restrictive, it's really not so much, at least for me. But, again, I know every doctor is different... don't freak out, you will be ok!

I finally found a pair at Torrid last fall that fit around my calves and had enough give to wear with a pair of jeans tucked in. I wore them maybe 10 times and I'm sure they won't fit again when cool weather rolls around. I'm ok with that, just not all the money I feel like I'm losing. lol However, I am excited to find some new boots this fall or winter because I know I will have plenty more options. I may still have to buy wide calf boots but not even those fit me before. (I have pretty muscular legs too.) Not only more clothing stores to shop at but more shoe stores too! Yay!

I lost 65 lbs in 4 1/2 months pre-op working with my surgeon's NUT. I did a 3/2 program- 3 low carb meal replacements a day and 2 "lean and green" meals. I usually had 2-3 low carb protein bars (were more filling and tastier than shakes). It surprisingly kept me full. I liked the Atkins or Pure Protein ones. And then lunch and dinner were low carb meals with lean meats and green veggies. It taught me a lot about cooking and eating in preparation for post-op eating. I also did more water and Crystal Lite, like the others mentioned.

Very cool! My aunt had her band there and she referred me. I liked the whole team, it's a very comprehensive approach. Just be ready for them to tell you that you need to lose some before surgery. It sucks and it does seem daunting but, like I said, it was the best thing for me. I NEVER thought I could lose that much weight without surgery but everyone there was so supportive, encouraging and REALISTIC! They will probably recommend one of their medical weight loss programs for you. Plus, MANY of the employees have had a WLS surgery themselves. If they explain to you why they want you to lose weight first it makes a lot of sense and puts you in the most advantageous position. Just don't get discouraged, at least until after you have your first appointment. Btw, did you know they just opened an office in Dayton? They are only there 2-3 days a month but I'm sure it would be more convenient to do a lot of your pre-op stuff there than going all the way to Cincy. The main office is only 45 minutes from me but it was still a bit of a hassle trying to get there 1-2x a month during my pre-op dieting. Good luck! Message me if you have any questions!

My BMI was 61. One doctor said I had to lose 45 lbs before he would even schedule and 70 before he would operate (to get under 50 BMI). Another doctor said no pre-op weight loss needed. She has operated on patients BMI>70. I ended up going with the first doctor (due to self-pay issues) and am very glad I did. It gave me 4 1/2 months to get into the new habits, making this transition better. (I'm a teacher so I knew I couldn't have surgery until the summer anyway.) They also supported me with NUT and medical weight loss. I lost 65 lbs before surgery, BMI was around 51. No one ever mentioned the 70 lb goal. Obviously I just needed to minimize complications and prove my commitment. On another note, I noticed you're not too far from me. (I'm in Dayton.) The doctor I went with was in Cincinnati but the other one I mentioned is in Dayton. Let me know if you want any info if you don't already have someone in mind.

I second (or third) the tenders as opposed to the breasts. If you use the crock pot I think it depends on how you prepare it afterwards. I actually have some defrosting now that I'm putting in the crock pot tomorrow. I'm going to use it in a few different recipes, which all call for sauces or salad dressings (aka moisture). I have one for buffalo chicken lettuce wraps I'm excited to try. I'm not sure how the chicken would be just by itself. Also, my coworker cooks his in chicken broth and beer. I'm not sure if the beer makes it more moist but I've tasted the BBQ pulled chicken he makes and it's pretty darn good!

Yeah, I've dealt with similar situations. Don't expect people to be considerate of what you're dealing with, unfortunately. But, trust me, it will be much different post-op. I stayed with my parents for two weeks after surgery and almost every night my mom would watch tv with me while drinking a beer and eating chips. Yeah, that was killer. Honestly, the soda is harder for me than the alcohol and both my mom and best friend always have a diet coke with them. Ugh! BUT, like I said, it will be much different post-op. I'm not saying you won't want it but in the beginning you won't want anything and after that the idea of it doesn't turn you on as much. Good luck!

At my highest weight my BMI was 61. I had been considering WLS for over a year before really starting the process and only ever wanted the band. I saw two different doctors and after the second seminar I was more leaning to the sleeve. That doctor agreed. I went back to the first doctor and told him my thoughts about the band vs sleeve and he said "100% the sleeve is the right one for you." However, I was in a bit of a predicament because I was self-pay. The first doctor was more expensive but would do the surgery with a BMI of 61, no pre-op loss required. The second doctor was cheaper but wanted me to lose 70 lbs pre-op to get my BMI to 50. I chose the second doctor because money was the deciding factor and they had a lot of services available to help me lose that weight. Having a BMI of under 50 would lessen the surgical risks. I'm sure the surgeon was also considering his own complication/mortality rate when refusing to operate then. One of the patient reps told me the BMI <50 is a goal because with the statistic of the average excess weight loss of ~70%, someone in that situation would still be obese. I am ok being in the overweight category because I know having 200+ pounds to lose I will probably have some skin issues and I don't want to be a stick anyway. The doctor set a goal of BMI<55 to schedule surgery (meant -40lbs for me) and BMI<50 to have surgery (-70 lbs). I lost the 40 lbs, with their help, in less than 3 months and scheduled my surgery. I only lost 65 total before surgery, for a BMI of 51, but there was no mention of the other goal. I think he just wanted me to get moving in the right direction. I don't know where you are in the process and what your requirements are going to be but I might recommend trying for some pre-op weight loss. It can only benefit you. I know it probably seems impossible and I was totally discouraged by the situation but I think it was honestly the best thing I could have done. Maybe your doctor even have certain services for people in your situation. I would still say the sleeve is the right choice. I'm not even halfway to goal but I'm confident I will continue losing and end up at a decent weight. You're right, the band is not for super obese, my doctor told me that. And RNY can have too drastic of an effect and requires more maintenance. P.S. I hope I don't come off preachy or judgmental, don't mean it that way at all. I just thought my story might help and I'm glad everything worked out the way it did for me. But your doctor will know what's right for you.

I have a recipe for buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. I love buffalo chicken anything. However, I'm not approved for lettuce for a few more days but I plan to try it soon!

I saw a recipe for BLT lettuce wraps recently, fairly similar. I think it was on kraftrecipes.com. I also had one from pinterest for BLT pinwheels. I made them last week to test them out for an upcoming event. I used real bacon, I can only do turkey replacements in so many things. I didn't realize center cut bacon is better so I will try that next time. It was easy and tasty. It was nice just to have a few slices for snack, already made. I wouldn't recommend the whole thing lol but it's a better option for a party appetizer. It was just low fat cream cheese, light mayo or miracle whip, tomato, shredded lettuce, crumbled bacon on a low carb tortilla. Roll it up and freeze it for an hour-ish so it hardens and it actually looks like pinwheels when you cut it.

Can you use frozen cauliflower or just fresh?

You're gorgeous! P.S. I understand not seeing the difference yet. We are our own worst critic.

Depending on the suit you bought and the intensity of the class I might recommend a sports bra also. I did aqua zumba for a year and a half (and just started up again) and there's some jumping involved. I took a few "regular" Water aerobics classes too and still wore the sports bra. I bought a one-piece sportier suit but it did nothing for my chest. Most of the women in the class wore them too, which is where I got the idea. I'd just recommend one of the seamless kinds, instead of cotton. I like Champion brand seamless sports bras from Target. I've never tried the unitard thing but I might since my one-piece is too big now. Definitely go for comfort and performance over anything else... which is easy for me to say since I go to a females only gym! Good luck! Have fun!