iggychic

two months should be your minimum. You are too early. Your stomach is not healed (the incision) and if you can picture pouring alcohol on a fresh wound....that's basically what you would be doing. I am a huge wine fan, but even I waited two months (actually 3 but who's counting). Really, it's not a good idea and you also don't know how it will effect you. The last thing you want to do is find out it makes you drunk quickly at a company party!!!!

My two favorite are Grace (which is sold at Nordstrom, Macys, Dillards (I"m guessing names...higher end stores) and then my favorite is Bvlgari (pronounced Bull...Gar....ie) Soft and pretty, never offensive, wonderful stuff.

Actually I had a leak and didn't feel a thing when it happened. No blood, etc. If you develop one you won't know until you have actual symptoms, but burping is not likely to cause them Do avoid vomiting (which gulping can cause) as it convulses the stomach which can cause leaks.

Ohhhhh so this is why the other kids steal my son's lunch I am challenged by my son's feeding disorder. He can only eat certain textures and he's underweight. His lunch is chocolate pudding, cheetos, fishy crackers, a cookie with frosting (he only eats the frosting) a hotdog cut up and maybe a bit of chocolate or a few m&m's. I know the teacher just thinks I'm a bad parent, but let me tell you, I envy those who can send fruit and vegies or soup

I'm a hot chocolate lover too. I make mine with nonfat milk and ovaltine so I end up getting some Protein in while enjoying the treat. I do this mostly to get myself over a hump when I'm five or six g's away from my daily goal. I refuse to drink a yucky Protein Drink before I go to bed. I figure this is better than Port

At 180 5' I wore an 18 and an xl. at 145 i wear an 8 to 10 pant, and am generally a medium, though occasionally a large. You just never know Size varies by shape but even more so by brand and quality. Typically the higher end the cloths, the lower the size (if you are rich you can buy a size zero at 180 LOL). That said lower end brands are starting to do vanity sizing more and more so it gets confusing...much like the example above from old navy. It can be a manufacturer change, product change (they might have found thighs didn't fit LOL) etc, but it's just one of those things that is so variable it's kind of a crap shoot to be trying for a specific size. I like to average a 4 or so, but know that I will wear from a zero to a 6 likely. Unless money starts growing on trees...in which case I'll just buy expensive 00's

the employer can only make changes to their plan off their renewal period if they have made a legal mistake (ie bariatric coverage is required in some states with different conditions per state). Their renewal does not coincide with your plan, so you could speak with the employer and ask them to consider adding this coverage for their next year. (You can also look at your state's legal requirements to be sure they meet the minimum...I've seen many occasions where people don't). We are self insured and this is the sort of thing we like to hear about from our team. Our goal is to provide the best coverage in the business, both as a benefit to our team's well being and for competitive reasons (helps us get the best people). So when we learn that we are lacking in an area from someone we look at how to make that work in our program. When I had my surgery we saw we were lacking in this area and will make the changes for the next period. We did the same for fertility and adoption benefits after seeing we were low. Typically employers go with a plan that is sort of standard, then add bits here and there as necessary. It's impossible to sit there and say "how much do we have for this and that" because it's overwhelming, so we get guided by our administrators. Which is where you come in Yes tell his employer. He may or may not make the change, but it's worth a shot. That said, this probably won't help you during this enrollment period. He can't just add the coverage for you as an appeal.

There is actually a very rare disorder where someone who has WLS (of any kind) and they can't stop losing weight. But it's extremely rare and death is the final outcome. There was a gal in England who died of it a few years ago. Very sad. But most people who think they are losing too much have inappropriate goals. Many people who have always been overweight just can't fathom a low BMI (low in the normal range). My sister, who is similar height and build to me, thinks that 150 is her perfect goal. That is still overweight BMI for us. I am shooting for 110 which is a healthy BMI and weight that I have found easy to maintain as an adult. She thinks she would be near death below 140.... So when this question comes up I have to say, you really need more details to be of any assistance. I know of one person who has not been able to stop losing weight...and she died. But again, it's so incredibly rare that I'm unlikely to hear of another any time soon. BTW, there are healthy ways to increase your calories without resorting to slider foods. Caloric additives are used in the medical world daily for low weight patients of all ages. My son took them for several years. They are fully balanced for healthy weight gain and are available by prescription from a medical specialist in this area (not a nut...a doc).

We have "make your own" pizza night once a month or so. Tonights the night. My son has cheese...he's 7 and boring LOL But I had brie cheese, motzerella and parmesan with chicken, caramelized onions and mushrooms. We buy pre made pizza dough from Safeway and roll it very very thin....oh and we get whole wheat by the way...and then I drizzle mine with a good balsamic vinegar and cook. You can't eat much of it, and the kiddo's LOVE making their pizzas. Mine is pretty high in Protein and easy on my stomach because I cook it crisp. I didn't have this surgery so I could never eat things again. I just eat less of them. Pizza is a treat, but not something I avoid...that said I don't like cardboard pizzas (those frozen things LOL) so if I'm gonna have pizza it's gonna be GOOD!!!!

I was told ten pounds for six weeks, then had a second surgery to repair a leak at five weeks and had to start the six weeks all over again. I'm shocked a doctor would have no lifting restrictions. Frankly that's putting a patient at risk. It's very easy to lift too much and get a leak early out.

People are funny. I saw a friend who I hadn't seen since prior to the surgery (so now four months) last weekend. He was funny...he said, "Do you have new glasses? Different Hair? Somethings different!" I laughed and said, "I've dropped 40 plus pounds" I got the same thing from a bar tender a few weeks earlier Sometimes people don't know what to say. For me, 40lbs is more than half the weight I was going to lose so it's significant and it shows. It makes me laugh.

My perspective on this is different than most because the surgery almost killed me. I originally was not going to tell anyone except my mom, husband and our nanny because I needed their support. My mom was worried, but supportive of anything I do, DH is very supportive and the nanny is a doll. But as I got closer to surgery I was having to lie constantly about not making plans with my dearest friends. I realized that this wasn't me. I am not a lier. I don't tell white lies and I don't hide facts. Doing so always causes trouble later down the line. I took my dear friends to the beach a few days prior to surgery and told them. I also told them how easy the surgery is, how it was basically risk free for me (using my docs words because of my low bmi, no comorbidities, no risk factors) and that we'd be back on the beach the next week. Then I went in for the simple surgery and came out in an ambulance needing blood transfusions, multiple trips to the er, 22 nights in the hospital, sixty days unable to care for my child or home....I thank god every day I chose the honest route. And that I chose to worry mom and my friends, instead of keeping it to myself. They were all so helpful to me and my family when I was ill or gone. Honestly they were my support system from the beginning to the end and I'm not sure if I'd have lied to them or withheld that they would have felt they wanted to provide that support. THey likely would have, but they would have been hurt I'm sure, and I don't want to see those I love hurt. You could die on the operating table. You could have serious and life threatening complications. Do you love your family? I personally wouldn't want to die without having said goodbye prior to an elective procedure. I wouldn't do that to them. How would you feel if your daughter did that????? My heart would break if I felt my son couldn't tell me such an important thing about his life. I didn't get a lot of negative responses, just concern. Concern is a good thing. These people love you and want you to be in their life so expressing concern is the right thing to do. If you really feel this is the right move for you, than you should be able to say that you've made your decision, you are moving forward and you want their support no matter how they feel because you love them. That's that. But say the things you need to say, just in case you end up like me...and it's not that rare sadly. =-

The 1% rate BTW is a mortality (death) rate, not the complication rate which is 3 to 5% depending on the complication. THat is a US rate. Mexican rates are not reliable because they have no standard reporting system. I get why people go to Mexico. I totally support it, but as the last poster mentions, you do have to look at it with reality verses rose colored glasses. You don't know exactly what you're getting into because there is no reporting. Dead patients can't talk and share their story here. That said, there are great success stories. I went to a US doctor and have a horror story, despite having fully vetted him prior to the surgery. It's surgery and it's a crap shoot sometimes For those who are going soon, I wish you the best!

People keep mentioning their incisions on the outside...those are the ones we can see, and while opening them up isn't great, it isn't a tragedy. It's an easy fix in the ER and you go home. But it's the big incision INSIDE of your body that you need to care for, and that one is huge and very delicate. A tear in that incision could mean weeks or months in the hospital and possibly death. I spent 22 nights away from my boy because of a leak in that incision, not caused by me. A bigger tear would mean even more time...they were talking two months in a nursing home at one point That's what you are trying to avoid.

LOL No, babble away. What a great change in life huh? I considered a gym but they aren't fabulous here. A little too male dominated sadly. Though they do have appropriate female work...you know, aerobics etc LOL But I never see a woman working out on the equipment so I'll just buy my own heh heh Wait til someone makes a fat guy joke when you're around...then you'll really feel good (and then you can punch them LOL)

Well I'm glad it's bothering you...because that means you are following the rules, which many don't (and to not do so could take you away from your darling a lot longer!!) but honey I do sympathize. I had the restriction for three months because of complications (not caused by me). I couldn't help him in the tub, swing him around in a huge hug after school...gad so many things I take for granted. My guy was 6 when I had the surgery...it's easier than when they are your darlings age, but it still sucked! We're a huggy family I guess When he was about two I had a horrible accident and my wrist was crushed. I had to have two surgeries to repair it and during that time I wasn't allowed to lift him or anything else...how do you get a kid in a car in a snowstorm without lifting? LOL I had to hire a mama's helper to do all of that stuff as well as diapers, baths, yada yada God it sucked!!!! If he fell over and needed a hug...I was there, but not enough. So I know what you're going through. Keep NOT LIFTING And know that other mommies understand your pain.

Don't ya love it when our advice kicks us in the bumm? "relax, it's just a stall" then we get into a major one and go...dang...what's up LOL I'm in my second...I actually think I'm not in a stall, i'm in maintenance LOL What advice would I give me....no more wine, and get off your butt and walk silly! (I walk for exercise and it's been too stormy). I'm off to get a tread mill...so I hope you see me posting my 7 lb loss soon as well Nice work!!!!

You know...I've seen the poster who posted her zero concerns post many times and I can't say that even once I saw her post something negative. I don't read what she said here as negative...more positive in that she said she saw zero as a bad thing but this OP looks great. I think a "reread" is in order as well as an appology. She was congratulating and sharing, nothing more, and nothing negative. And to the OP...you look great in those jeans (and ummm I love the shoes too LOL...I'm a shoe girl). I would add that I also saw the zero size as "too skinny" but you have gorgeous curves....ideal actually IMO. It's nice to know that zero does not equal scared skinny LOL Great work!!!

I must have a four as well because it's new (I'm such a techno dork). Unfortunately my keypad does not like portrait mode But I'm giving it a shot now. That said I have half a screen right now (in portrait) and the button to post is missing on the upper right so I'll have to turn the pad to find it, then turn it to hit it again, then hope that during those turns it does not crash......see my problem? It seems to work for an hour or two if I totally wipe and reload, but then it's back to being a mess. I share your frustrations Alex...but i probably will cut back use til it's fixed It's really frustrating to type out a reply and have it crash constantly when I rotate from the screen positions.

Yes, and everything else is fine.

It's so bad now I have to reload a few times daily Alex. So bad I gave up today I finally did reload again, but it's getting a bit ridiculous. I hope you find the fix soon!

Fishy, you are wasting time. I've caught myself doing similar unending arguing with people after they see a rediculous fracking movie. Scientists don't watch utube BTW, a dear friend of mine is still alive and well thanks to a leukemia treatment developed in the US by a doctor and pharmaceutical company. Pretty amazing science goes on in the US every day and it should not be dismissed. Oh and my husband is a CEO...and a scientist. I appreciate your efforts Fishy as do others I'm sure but you can't throw logic at utube. The two do not go hand in hand.

Liz I'm so glad to see your name! I've been obsessing about you. Take care love